Thursday, July 31, 2008

New Old Things


I love sewing - that being said I'm still just learning and more "fooling around" and having fun then really stressing over my skill level.
I prefer to do "subversive" sewing, rather than getting a pattern and paying for the fabric. Subversive sewing is just making something from something else. You'd be amazed what you can make out of second hand store clothing.
And not just women's clothing either! I have a top-pattern made from men's dress pants of all things - that I think would be neat! ^.^

In the picture above I had a pair of hole-y pants but I didn't want to throw them out just yet.
So I went to the local 2nd hand store and asked to buy their reject clothing (as I planned on just cutting it up and using the fabric) the lady gave me a garbage bag full of clothing that didn't quite make the cut - and refused to let me pay for it.
I shlepped it all home, washed the clothes and ripped open the inside seam of both legs of my jeans - giving me a flat piece of fabric to work with.
I then cut the fabric into patches and different shapes and sewed it right onto the front of the jeans using fun bright red and lime green threads.

I now love those jeans more then ever! :D

I also started making little plushies or toys, I suppose you would call them.
I found a book: "Cute Dolls" ~ Aranzi Aronzo
And loved the simple, adorable patterns. After making a few of his dolls - I started to see other little toys and could figure out how to make them from sight.

A few of my favourites are:

My little Onigiri plushies - I even have a little nori (seaweed) sewn on!
(onigiri is a rice ball snack common in Japan)

My little bunny
super soft from the flannel/polar fleece remnants I found.

My little Pocket Ninja
(I saw these at a popular toy store in the city and was shocked at the
$27.00 price tag. I decided to make my own ^^)


Today I was feeling rather creative as well, so I re-made some of my old t-shirts. I wasn't wearing them anyway so I might as well make them fun to wear again!

Sorry it's dark! I made some "iron-on transfers" and ironed them on! Nothing could be simpler. The first shirt I re-made was with this graphic. It's two lemons and one (with the medical hat and stethoscope) is yelling "Rescue! Rescue!" and the other lemon is in obvious distress.
Get the joke yet?? .....Lemon-Aid.. Ba dum ching! ....yeah corny I know. ^^

This one is onigiri again with different facial expressions. I wish I could tell you what the Japanese symbols mean - but I can't. Lol, I have no idea!

So that's what I've been working on today!
Now I guess I should work on some supper eh?

God Bless!

~ Jenny

5 comments:

Niki said...

very cute Jen! Also frugal :)

Love u
Mom

Vanessa said...

Wow Jenny. . .you've been busy. I don't know if I would have ever gotten that "Lemon-Aid" joke. . .haha.

You're making me want to get out my machine. When I'm feeling better, definitely!!

LOVE LOVE!!
Vanessa

Jilly's Space said...

You are so smart!!
I want to get my old sewing machine out again. I used to do some quilts,curtains and made a dress for my daughter once. It turned out really well..but it was a slowww process..lol.

Christy Lee said...

I finished the card I was making for you, I'll have it in the mail this week!

Vanessa said...

Jennifer Mains. . .where are all of your inspiring and insightful blog posts???

I miss you and can't wait to see you in October little sissy!

Vanessa