Jazz-up Your Boring Shirts

Mum gave me an old shirt of hers that she didn't like, and it was really dull and I would never have worn it. So I decided to upcycle it into something that I was more likely to choose from my wardrobe. First of all, I took it up, literally by cutting along the bottom then doing a rolled hem. Easy peasy.

Then I added some leatherette on the collar to make it more defined and more interesting.

Then I cut a pocket off of an old pair of shorts, and, after unpicking the original pocket, I sewed it on. Then I added a line of studs from the shorts, just 'cos I felt like it.

That is all I did for this shirt, but I had a lot of ideas that I was thinking of doing, so there will be some more in the near future...

I Finally Got A Mannequin!

Look what arrived in the post today!

I FINALLY have a a mannequin. Which is a great relief. I am so used to having to hang my projects in my wardrobe, and on the back of my door!

This is the shirt that I made a while ago:
(Original blog post is here.)

1900s Sewing Machine

Today I went to visit my Nana, and Dad had mentioned a few days ago that she had an old sewing machine hanging around so I was dying to have a look.

After the usual cup of tea and a Kit-Kat, I asked her about it, then went to get it from the corner of her bedroom cupboard. It was remarkably heavy, and I could barely lift it, but I managed to haul it to the kitchen table. It still has its original wooden case.

She said that it had been her grandmother's, and that she thinks that it is from the 1900s. It hasn't been touched for years, as she certainly hasn't sewn in a while. However, the wheel still turns by using the handle and it has a fairly smooth motion.

It has a very attractive design, and while it is not as efficient as modern machines, it definitely looks nicer. The gold patterns make it look like a decorative item as well as a piece of machinery.