Upcycled Sewing Apron

For ages I had wanted an apron specifically for sewing, one that I could pop on and not have to worry about being covered in threads, but more importantly would double up as storage for my sewing notions as I needed them.

I wanted a loop to hold the measuring tape, and a small pin cushion of the other side. A select of small front pockets, divided up to store buttons or zips etc for the project I am working on.

I also didn’t really want something tied around my neck, so after some research, I found an apron that went over the shoulder and tied at the back.

All set, I drafted the idea, and then just in time I found a gorgeous cotton night gown I could up cycle into the sewing apron.

Before

After

For further details on this project log onto https://missdaisypatterns.com/upcycled-sewing-apron/

It is the sister website to www.missybonkers.com, where I do all my crafty sewing.

Upcycled Tote Bag from Shirt Collars

While I was working on the Shirt Project I discovered endless ways to upcycle different aspects of Shirts. One that I was really taken with was the Tote Bag made out of shirt collars.

I just loved this bag and end up making a few as I had loads of collars left over from the shirt dresses being constructed for the project exhibition.

Front of the bag

Back of the bag.

Bag construction details are available at http://missybonkers.com/shirt-collars-to-tote-bag/ 

Obi Belt up cycled from leftover shirt remnants

Obi Belt from Shirt Remnants

Print out the pattern obibeltpattern (Print at 100% A4)

Materials:

• Front material size 22” x 6”
• Back material size 22” x 6”
• Interfacing 22” x 6” (Medium weight iron on)
• Sewing thread
• Embroidery thread (Optional)
• Lace pieces (Optional)
• Ribbon 1” wide by 36” x 2

• For this Obi Belt I sewed together remnants of shirt materials into one piece of material slightly bigger that the amount required for the front of the belt. (see above or pattern)
• Iron all of the seams of the newly created material flat.
• Cut out the printed pattern.
• Lay the pattern on the fold of the material, pin and cut out.

• Repeat on the interfacing.

• Iron the interfacing onto the reverse side of the Obi Belt.

• Embellish the front of the belt to your requirements. I machine sewed on some small left over lace roses and hand embroidered a few lazy Daises stitches mixed with a random running stitch.

• Cut out the back section to the belt, again on the fold of the material. For this I used a complete piece of material from the back section of a shirt.
• Placing the Obi Belt material right side to right side, machine sew along the length of the belt, top and bottom. Leaving the end pieces open.

• Turn the belt right side out and iron flat.
• Turn in the ends and insert the ribbon into each end, pin in place.

• Machine sew around the circumference of the Obi Belt. Remove pins.

The belt is now ready to wear.

More up cycling ideas from the shirt project available online at http://missybonkers.com/the-shirt-project/

Refashion man's shirt to summer top

At the moment I am working on a project that specifically looks at refashioning men's shirts. As the project has just started and is still in the experimental stage, the first set of 10 shirts were turned into 2 dresses, 1 skirt, 2 summer tops, a tote bag and some of the left overs I hand wrapped as flowers for embellishments.

The first top I worked on was this cute summer refashion.

I started with these 10 shirts, all cotton and in various sizes, the top in this refashion is the one in the centre of the image below.

Next I cut off the sleeves, collars, cuffs. leaving the body of the shirts intact.

Following the step by step instructions here, I turned the shirt into this cute little top.

Upcycled Blankets by Missy Bonkers

Upcycled wool blankets by Missy Bonkers

Hi my name is Tina and I established Missy Bonkers in 2009. “My background initially was in theatre costume design and directing. I then re-trained as an interior designer and colour therapist and went on to work within the design industry and the retail sector. While working there I became aware of the sheer quantity of waste, in particular domestic and commercial textiles.”

As a reaction to textile disposal I began to collect and reuse the fabric in many different forms from soft sculpture to restyled vintage clothing to wall mounted appliqué and hand-embroidered images creating functional designed pieces from toys, clothing and accessories, to patchwork quilts, and soft furnishings. 

Over the years the idea had blossomed and eventually Missy Bonkers was born. Since May 2009 I has been actively restyling clothing in particular, creating an awareness of slow fashion that is both individual and unique, while also encouraging awareness of how clothing can be restyled to prolonging the lifespan of a garment, rather that disposing of it. 

I am register member of the Crafts Council of Ireland and a member of the Education Panel of the Crafts Council of Ireland.

My work and blog are available online at www.missybonkers.com

One of my latest upcycling projects is Blanket Coats & Shawls, upcycling vintage Irish wool 

blankets.

Taking a wool blanket and turning it into a sleeveless coat with some specifically placed cuts and bias binding.

http://missybonkers.com/how-to-make-upcycled-wool-tartan-blanket-coat/