Presto Change-o!
The theme of this post is "Repurposed Goods" - using things for something other than their original purpose. Below, you will see upholstery samples transformed into a quilt (okay, so that's not that much of a stretch), a skirt that has morphed into pillows (beginner stuff, really) and, for the piece d'resistance, a comforter package and gift cards become a stunning tote bag.
When we first moved here, a little over a year ago (which should give you an idea of how long I've had this idea and been procrastinating), the local Hancock Fabric was going out of business. I bought oodles of upholstery samples in the same color scheme with grand plans of quilting glory. A year later and it has finally come to fruition... well... mostly... So far, I've only pieced the top together (adding some miscellaneous fabric pieces to make it large enough for our queen size bed plus overhang). And I also have a king size sheet for the back. Now I just have to get some batting, sandwich it all together and do the actual quilting bit. I felt this project was successful when, instead of a "mreh", I got a "that's pretty cool" out of Matt. It's a bit too big to get a full picture, so the last photo is a cut-and-paste of pictures of each quarter.
Next to fix those hideous southwestern pillows that came with our sofa. [I apologize to anyone who is fond of southwestern decor, but I am not.] I got this blue plaid skirt at a thrift store on the cheap. It didn't fit, but I bought it for the fabric anyway, not to wear it. So I cut out squares and hand-stitched them onto the ugly side of the pillows, keeping the other side, the side with the same fabric as the sofa, intact.
Why, yes, I do like the blue/brown color combination. Why do you ask? Yeah, I know it'll probably be our generation's avocado and mustard in 20 years, but for now, I like it. So don't hate.
And now for the finale, I give you (not literally - you can't have it - it's mine) my Starbucks tote bag. I cut up one of those clear vinyl bags that comforters come in, along with some printed cotton and strips of fabric stabilizer to strengthen the handles, and I got this.
Doesn't look like much now, does it? But just you wait. I sewed lots of little rectangles between the clear vinyl and white fabric, 40 to be precise; then cut a little slit at the top of each rectangle. Voila!
Now I have a way to display my gift card collection. These are the ones I don't want to cut up and turn into jewelry; I only destroy the duplicates. I just finished this tonight, so we'll see what my coworkers think of it tomorrow.
x-posted to sew_hip
When we first moved here, a little over a year ago (which should give you an idea of how long I've had this idea and been procrastinating), the local Hancock Fabric was going out of business. I bought oodles of upholstery samples in the same color scheme with grand plans of quilting glory. A year later and it has finally come to fruition... well... mostly... So far, I've only pieced the top together (adding some miscellaneous fabric pieces to make it large enough for our queen size bed plus overhang). And I also have a king size sheet for the back. Now I just have to get some batting, sandwich it all together and do the actual quilting bit. I felt this project was successful when, instead of a "mreh", I got a "that's pretty cool" out of Matt. It's a bit too big to get a full picture, so the last photo is a cut-and-paste of pictures of each quarter.
Next to fix those hideous southwestern pillows that came with our sofa. [I apologize to anyone who is fond of southwestern decor, but I am not.] I got this blue plaid skirt at a thrift store on the cheap. It didn't fit, but I bought it for the fabric anyway, not to wear it. So I cut out squares and hand-stitched them onto the ugly side of the pillows, keeping the other side, the side with the same fabric as the sofa, intact.
Why, yes, I do like the blue/brown color combination. Why do you ask? Yeah, I know it'll probably be our generation's avocado and mustard in 20 years, but for now, I like it. So don't hate.
And now for the finale, I give you (not literally - you can't have it - it's mine) my Starbucks tote bag. I cut up one of those clear vinyl bags that comforters come in, along with some printed cotton and strips of fabric stabilizer to strengthen the handles, and I got this.
Doesn't look like much now, does it? But just you wait. I sewed lots of little rectangles between the clear vinyl and white fabric, 40 to be precise; then cut a little slit at the top of each rectangle. Voila!
Now I have a way to display my gift card collection. These are the ones I don't want to cut up and turn into jewelry; I only destroy the duplicates. I just finished this tonight, so we'll see what my coworkers think of it tomorrow.
x-posted to sew_hip