Abstract Art Cushions

Always experimenting and making things, I just can't stop.  

This time I turned some of my abstract art into a bunch of cushions.  Digitally printed by Frankie & Swiss in South Yarra onto a Belgian Cotton Linen in Oatmeal.

Mid tone brights on an oatmeal background.  The fabric is thick and textured and would look great as a feature surrounded by mountains of solid colours, textures or maybe even some complementary prints.

Perhaps like these...

All available in my Etsy shop, one of a kind and never to be repeated Cushion Shop craziness.  I'm already onto the next big thing...quilting, cross stitch monsters and VR headset strap repairs?

HOW TO make a shopping bag

Goodbye plastic bags!

Victoria will soon ban single use plastic bags so for your weekly shopping you could make a WEEKEND TOTE BAG...or maybe do this.

1. Take a plastic bag in the size you want, cut across the bottom and the top of both handles.

2. Cut down both sides and flatten out your plastic and then fold in half.

I've transferred the shape directly onto my fabric because I'm lazy but feel free to make a paper pattern.  Add 1cm seam allowance around the handles.  The bag is cut all in one piece with 1cm seam allowance on the outside side seam.

Start with the first 1/2 of one side, mark the pattern to the center fold.  Cut to the fold line of the plastic, stop and then flip the piece over and cut to the other side of the handle less the seam allowance on the side.

Flip the whole thing over and cut the entire shape from the centre fold making sure to include the 1cm seam allowance at the other end.  Use this fabric piece as a pattern to cut the lining.

3. With right sides together stitch the outer fabric together down the side to form a sausage.  Repeat for the lining.

4. With the right side of the outer fabric facing the right side of the lining and with the side seams and handle shapes matching stitch around the handles only.  The top and bottom should be left open.  Clip seams around curves and then turn right side out.  Press.

5. Make the folds in the sides to replicate the handles on the original plastic bag.  Finish across the bottom and the tops of the handles through all layers with bias binding tucking in the ends and hand stitching in place.  Sorry people but I love hand sewing.  All done.

Plastic bags to go the way of the Dodo, now there's an extinction story we can all cheer on to fruition.

My plastic bag replacement combines a green gingham bias binding found at Luccello with a heavy weight printed canvas and a soft silk cotton voile which both came from Tessuti...all left overs from other projects so even better.  I chose printed fabrics that come from opposite sides of the colour wheel.  I love combining clashing colours and when done well they can add a wonderful pop to your piece. 

Pocket circles GIFT SHOP

 I recently added a bunch of pocket squares (circles in this case) to my Etsy shop.  Suitable for both men and women they come in all sorts of fabric/print mash-ups.  My model for the day was the always jovial @jfnolen aka @fashionfanaticjames, many thanks my friend.

The bound edges are hand stitched, in this case a gingham edge with a delicate printed floral in silk cotton voile.  For more information you can view the listing right here.

 

PAOM Crazy Flower

I clearly remember the night I downloaded some GIF making software for the first time...and then it was morning.  Similarly yesterday I fell down a Print All Over Me rabbit hole and 6 hours in the only thing that stopped me was having to go to work.
 

  A couple of versions of my Crazy Flower abstract are shown below and garments/ objects you can actually buy can be found right here.  I also added a greeting card to my Etsy shop.

 

Great way to support emerging designers, find unique items and lessen the impact of unwanted stock on our precious world.  Need a print?  I love making them, email me.

new pattern BIG BUNNY

It's as though I took a BUNNY BAG and like a balloon just blew it up a bit.  I've changed a few things, added some quilting, altered the proportions but it's still cute, just a little more sophisticated and grown up.

   

BIG BUNNY fits snugly up under your arm and features a comfortable quilted shoulder strap and base, inner pocket and of course big floppy ears. 

Select medium to heavy weight woven fabrics, upholstery fabrics will also work as would suede...project for the future.  This example was made from leftovers, a textured canvas for the outer and two contrasting feed sack fabrics previously used for a POWDER PUFF cushion...never throw anything away!

If you've never quilted fabric or stitched with heavy thread a HOW TO can be found for each here and here.  The BIG BUNNY is worn here with the BATHING SUIT TOP made up in a Japanese seersucker previously featured way back when.  All sewing patterns are available from my Etsy shop.

Upcycling my purse

A new pattern I'm working on called the BIG BUNNY combines what was my Ichigo bag (carefully picked apart) and leftovers from the MINNIE MINI Charlie is wearing with her POCKET TOP.

You can find out HOW TO make an Ichigo bag right here.  

The BIG BUNNY sewing pattern will be available from my Etsy store  in a couple of weeks.  It stands around 35cm from base to top, 30cm wide when seated and fits snugly up under your arm.

 

For step by step instructions showing HOW TO sew with top stitch thread and HOW TO quilt fabric using batting follow the links.  

The sunny yellow outer is a design from Alexander Henry called Rolling Hills and it's combined with two fabrics from Umbrella Prints, Rock Dots for the inner strap and Stone Flowers on the side panels.  The contrast top stitch  thread is Gutermann #722.

  

A quilted PARTY DRESS is also in the works, super short, sassy and yes I did say quilted.

new pattern HOOD HAT

Ever wanted to detach your hood from it's body and just wear the hood bit?  Well now you can.  The HOOD HAT sewing pattern is now available from my Etsy shop.

For this version the outer was cut in a felted wool cashmere combined with a quilted cotton lining.  I quilted my own lining and a HOW TO quilt fabric using batting can be found right here.  Designed with extra width and depth to allow for the additional padding the HOOD HAT could easily accommodate a faux fur lining and as an added bonus it won't squash your do.

   

 The buttons came from Buttonmania and the hand stitched buttonholes are the work of tailor Jose Zarpan conveniently located opposite the button shop on the 2nd floor of the Nicholas Building.  Both the inner and outer fabrics came from Tessuti in Melbourne.

new pattern THE AVIATOR

A little cap inspired by a truly inspiring women.

Amelia Earhart was one of histories great adventurers, an aviation pioneer with a fabulous sense of style.  She disappeared in 1937 somewhere over the Pacific Ocean during an attempt to fly around the world, a mystery which continues to intrigue people to this day.  

THE AVIATOR takes very little fabric to make, in fact both of the photo samples were patched together using leftovers.  To highlight the contrasts top stitching using a thick thread and a zig-zag stitch was added.  You have the option of adding buttons and a frill or just keep it simple.

Of course I can't help myself, the more fabric textures, colours, patterns the better.  A tutorial showing HOW TO sew with heavy top stitching thread can be found right here and the pattern for THE AVIATOR is now available from my Etsy shop.