Visible mending with silver patches (and did you know about the Red Dress project?)

 

Hi everyone! A stain on smooth fabric like this, in the chest area, well, let's say is hard to miss. And though lots of mending and upcycling techniques are focused on 'hiding' stains or other issues, I thought it would be nice to try the 'visible' approach. I had just the right thing for it: a set of cute shiny silver patches / spots from Humade. I bought it a few months ago in this cute store in Metz (France) and this just seemed the right project to try it out!

A small job like this was just what I needed since I've been having some trouble with my arm and hand lately (long story, better focus on fun projects:)). The package contained 15 silver patches to choose from, all kinds of sizes, and a piece of parchment paper to iron with. It looks like the paint is still dripping...

It seemed wise to try it out on a spot a little less conspicuous, just in case..., so I started with a sleeve. 

I chose a small spot for the sleeve and cut it out. The fabric lay flat on the ironingboard, parchment paper on top and I kept the iron on it for 15 seconds, with hardly any pressure (no ironing back and forth).

It was very easy to remove the plastic layer and there it was, a beautiful silver spot!

And I didn't stop there... if you want to find out more about the other patches, take a look at my blog Vermaakster for the details! Because I also want to take the opportunity to share something completely different with you: the Red Dress project!

About the Red Dress Project

Last week, I visited the textile festival in Amersfoort (NL) and one of my 'must see' goals was The Red Dress Project by British artist Kirstie Macleod, displayed in the Netherlands for the first time. It's such a special project: more than 360 women from all over the world embroidered on this beautiful dress, from 2007 to 2023. Here are a some pictures I took.

At museum Flehite, Amersfoort NL

Look at the beautiful embroidered details!

The Red Dress is accompanied with a beautiful documentary, showing the women who contributed to it and their stories. The dress has already been exhibited in galeries and musea all over the world, but it's still traveling! So if you're interested, check out the dates and places. For instance, the Red Dress will be displayed in the UK and Australia this summer. Visit reddressembroidery.com if you want to know more about the project!

Hope you enjoyed the visible silver patches (you're welcome to visit vermaakster.blogspot.com for more patches:)), and appreciated my short report on The Red Dress Project. 

Until next time!

Lace Dress to Top

 Hello Refashion Co-op. This dress got shorter or I got taller... either way, it seemed too short. I decided to make a top so I could still wear that lace, I liked it so much. 

New top.

I cut that beautiful ruffle off. I saved it for later. 

 

I gave it a new hem and I was done. 

 

That eyelet lace is too pretty to let go. Thanks for reading along, now go make something fun for yourself. 
 

 

 

I do! (want this peplum top made from a wedding dress)

I started volunteering at a social enterprise eight months ago, a workplace where participants get the chance to follow a workfit program in an accessible and inclusive environment. Textile is one of the products they work with and make marketable products of. It's a really nice (work)place to be and contribute to.

Every now and then we get donations like leftover fabrics, old clothes, buttons, thread, yarn etc.. A while back, someone donated a beautiful wedding gown. I am always in awe of special fabrics like these and it makes me want to work with extra caution. I don't know the history of this gown, but it would be a shame for this fabric to only have been used once, wouldn't it?   

I wanted to turn it into a peplum top and it took some time to find a matching fabric for the peplum part, but I found it! 

I see leafs!

I chose a pattern I also used for a peplum top made from a pillow case a few years ago. The peplum has a box pleat in the front and 2 pleats in the back. 

I discovered an extra challenge in the form of a side seam of the top that had frayed (almost) too much. I couldn't really take in the seams, since the top is small, size S, but I'm pretty sure a drop of nail polish and some interfacing did the job. 

I've never particularly cared for ironing, but such a beautiful sleeve makes a sleeve board really show its use!

Le sleeve & le back

There's still some fabric left from the skirt, any ideas what to do with it? 

Hope you enjoyed this 'bridal' refashion! And you're welcome to visit vermaakster.blogspot.com for more details. 

Until next time!

Long time, no post. Then - pyjamas!

For the longest time, all my refashions went wrong. Not 'this was better in my head' wrong but 'this needs to be ripped apart and put in the scrap box' wrong. (There is still one I have not given up all hope on, but that's for another day). 

When all else fails - pyjamas. Low, low stakes and I'll don't mind wearing them if they look a bit odd. I don't fuss much with the seam finishes either so it's quick. I didn't take photos... because I was sewing something, anything, to get my sew-jo back. Of course, they went like a dream.

I have a large stockpile of stretch fabric that was either salvaged or off cuts, and weren't large enough for a full t-shirt part even for a child. I'd long tossed about the idea of patchworking them together to make larger pieces. There's a rough colour scheme and I overlocked the pieces together.

Tip 1 - It's easier to make a large piece of fabric and then cut out the parts, than to try and patchwork to the right shape. Waste a little more fabric, waste way less time.

Tip 2 - Check the fabric for flaws, worn areas and snags so you don't start mending immediately.

Next up, I wanted to test this pattern draft for pants: Thoughtful Creativity - How to sew basic pants and used an old flannelette sheet I had saved. 

Because when you can sew there is potential in all fabric so everything can be rescued, right? 😁 

Of course, the miracle happened and they fitted perfectly and are super comfy. First time, exactly as drafted. This. Never. Happens. (Your mileage may vary: I tried the basic bodice draft on the same channel and we were not aligned.)

 May your sew-jo never desert you!

Mimi 

Taco Bell T-shirts

 Hello Refashion Co-op. I was given a huge pile of t-shirts from a Taco Bell restaurant. They had a lot of graphics on them but I used the solid black parts to make a dress. 

Up-cycled t-shirts. 

I used the pieces of t-shirt to make a skirt to attach to this cropped shirt I made in the summer. Did I need a French Bulldog dress? Yes, I really did. 

 

This was fun project you can see more details at I Can Work With That.