Meet Maud

She's pretty, though it's a bit disconcerting having something your exact shape and size loitering around the house.

It's even weirder when she's dressed.

Curry Top

I had a small curry-based accident with a plain brown top I owned (see previous post!) and it ended up with some grease spots on it that just wouldn't come out. So, inspired by some other posts on Wardrobe Refashion (most notably the ones using the Alabama Stitch Book pattern) I decided to try out some reverse applique...

Here is the top with my design (plus visible grease stains...) with the new fabric inside being basted on.

Then I got busy with the scissors - a bit too busy in some places where I accidentally cut bits I didn't mean to. I had trouble folding the fabric under though, so instead I folded it outwards and sewed the edges roughly to give it a sort of leafy look. I know it doesn't look it but the thread is the same colour as the top... Also, the fabric underneath is shiny so it looks brighter than it actually is. It's really a darkish maroon.

And here it is, modelled in Staff House Bar (recognise the quality 'art'?), rescued from certain doom. I hope I don't spill anything else down it, there's only so many holes I can cut...

Last minute sewathon

I've realised that there's only 10 days left to my 6-month Wardrobe Refashion challenge and I've hardly made anything! So, I'm currently doing a last minute mad dash to get some things made and posted.

1. I've started a skirt which I completely made up the pattern to, but I've had to stop without an appropriate zip fastening,

2. I've got half way through a shirred dress, but it's so tedious as my machine won't do it properly and it's looking a trifle dodgy as I didn't have quite enough material,

3. I've also started hacking up a t-shirt that had a few grease spots on from an ill-advised curry - going pretty well but slow going...

I might make an attempt this weekend to blitz it. What else are Bank holidays for? (Apart from drinking and relaxing and watching terrible films).




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Wardrobe Refashion Update

I've just realised that I've broken the back of my 6 month Wardrobe Refashion Challenge pledge. As of today I am 89 days in with 65 left to go and I haven't bought any new clothes in that time.

In fact, I'm beginning to wonder whether I'll ever go back to my previous shopping habits. Whilst my posting on the site has been sporadic and lacking in recent months (I'm blaming my broken camera lead) I've not been idle in terms of making/acquiring new items.

I've got seriously into my crochet, which is helped a *lot* by the monthly Stitches and Hos evening at the Hare and Hounds in Kings Heath. It was my second visit to the group last night and, after a short attempt at some knitting during a short crochet break I decided I might actually give it a go for a proper project (especially after I got free needles from the group!) .

Sewing has also increased dramatically, although I've got a few UFOs (unfinished objects) waiting around to be sorted. These are mostly items from charity shops that I've bought with a mind to revamp in some way.

This gets me on to my main point. I used to shop in charity shops a lot as a student for quirky or kitsch items but it's dropped off in recent years. Since doing the WRC though I've got a renewed excitement about them and realised most of my wardrobe staples can be sourced here. I've had a few really good hauls of clothes that I can wear as-is without fixing up and I have less guilt about sweat-shop brands like Primark if they are already "pre-loved". Plus it's ace for my bank balance! I don't think I'm ever going to shop normally again...

The free-est skirt in the world

Here's my second attempt for Wardrobe Refashion. I made a reversible wraparound skirt from a free pattern from Craft: magazine (instructions are here) and what's even better is that the material was all free too as it was from a stash I got from Freecycle last year which hasn't yet been used up. I've kind of given up with Freecycle these days as it's just too big to manage, but I still have a mooch every now and again...

I had to add the hat pin (it used to be grandma Blanche's) today due to the rather gusty nature of the weather but still isn't quite enough to retain my dignity! Can't complain for the grand total of nought pence though ;o)

Wardrobe Refashion Challenge

I've been upping my craft threshold recently, mostly in an effort to reclaim some space in my house which is currently filled with yards of material and balls of wool. I also have a wardrobe of clothes that I've had since I started university 12 years ago and can't bear to throw away, yet never get worn. At the same time I constantly complain of having nothing to wear...

The answer? The Wardrobe Refashion Challenge. I've emailed to sign up to the pledge though I doubt I'll have quite the output of some of these people!

"I, Hen Goodchild, pledge that I shall abstain from the purchase of "new" manufactured items of clothing, for the period of 6 months. I pledge that I shall refashion, renovate, recycle preloved items for myself with my own hands in fabric, yarn or other medium for the term of my contract. I pledge that I will share the love and post a photo of my refashioned, renovated, recycled, crafted or created item of clothing on the Wardrobe Refashion blog, so that others may share the joy that thy thriftyness brings! Signed Hen."

I've already made a good start...

The boy L gave me an Eels T-shirt recently which had a fabulous Daisies of the Galaxy bird on, but was one of those unflattering Fruit of the Loom numbers. that made me look like a boy (not the look I was going for). Out came the scissors and sewing machine and, after a few hours of cutting, sewing, unpicking my mistakes, sewing again, unpicking more mistakes and resewing, I finally had something I was proud of. It was made even better when I got a compliment on it on its first outing out (thanks R!).


Second was some wool I've had kicking about for years. I inherited some wool when my nan died two years ago, and also had various random balls bought from charity shops I can't remember how long ago. I wasn't overly excited by the colours (purple mohair, dark green and turquoise single knit) but bizarrely they seemed to work when I put all three together. I just made up the pattern based on a basic T-shape but ran out of wool. It's now a short-sleeved little number! I hope it survives the first wash... :)




So, let's see if I can last until August! I have 3 get out of jail free cards (one per 2 month period) which I can use if any special occasions come up, but I'm hoping to make it through without using them, especially as I have raw materials coming out of my ears and really want to get the stash down a bit. My wallet will certainly appreciate that. I've got tonnes of ideas of things to do but first up my 20+ year old sewing machine needs a little love and attention. I'll stick to the hooks till it's sorted...