2018 Oversew Fashion Awards

I think it is about time I had another go at the Oversew Fashion Awards. So I have decided to track my progress here. With a June 2018 deadline, I am hoping that I can pace myself and not be too rushed :) I have started a Pinterest Board and done some rough sketches, so hopefully inspiration will flow...

Next year is shaping up to be a bit less hectic than this one - I am no longer running a Diploma course for youth workers, which entailed travelling to Wellington a few times a term. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, but am keen to focus more on upcycling, sustainability and my local community (moved from New Brighton nearly 2 years ago). I am involved with our local Opportunity Shop - Revival Clothing. We have run upcycling workshops in the local school and the commumnity, had 2 recycled fashion shows, hosted a local wedding gown display complete with high tea, had stalls at the local Pumpkin Fest, and supported the school production with upcycled costumes - as well as lots of other stuff. Money raised goes back to the community. We are also running a food/care parcel system for locals in need, and have started up a sewing circle in Birdlings Flat, just down the road.

So all of that is keeping me pretty busy. I have decided to give Youth Work a little bit of a break next year - which will feel a little odd. But I think it is for the best. So it should be an interesting year. Will keep updating my (hopeful) progress on an upcycled outfit for Oversew...

Oh and we inherited a border collie cross from friends. Pip is lovely, and she has settled into life in the country well. She was rehomed off a farm after an accident with a bull. Love having her by my side :)

Did I mention the carving studio?

Actually no, I haven't. Surprising as it took up a year of my working life. I was lucky enough to be given the task to help get a carving studio up and running at my youthwork job in Aranui. The local carver Raph, had been volunteering there since 2006, and was happy enough with the van shed out the back. However an opportunity arose post earthquakes to get a shed repaired through insurance. An investigation of funding sources showed it was viable so we set about making the shed into a purpose built community carving studio. And thanks to Creative New Zealand, Red Cross and Canterbury Community Trust (now called the Rata Foundation) the studio opened its doors in April this year. And its had a bit of attention too - appearing on TV and newspapers.

Raph designed the logo which refers to his Samoan cultural heritage, and is about the steam from the cooked food that permeates its environment. My friend Alanna popped it into illustrator for us and got it looking all flash.

Its great to see that from a disaster opportunities can arise like this one, that help foster community well-being through creativity.

Pillowslip Frock Upcycled Tutorial - as featured in Hazed Magazine

Thought it was about time I posted the upcycled tutorials i have been writing for my column in the fantastic indie craft mag Hazed. So here is the first one (from the Spring 2013 edition).

Skill Level: Intermediate

Fancy making a frock?? Well then this tutorial is for you! First find two pillowslips that complement each other (look for good quality ones – retro/vintage are great!).

Choose one for the dress and one for the straps. I found mine at the local op-shop for 50 cents each.



Measure your pillowslip to get the required length, and add 3cm for hems. If your dress is long, you may need to unpick the folded envelope fabric on the inside of the pillowslip, to get it out of the way when you cut.

Now you can cut your pillowslip to the length required, allowing for a 1.5cm hem at both the top and bottom of the pillowslip. Carefully cut the folded end of the pillowslip open so you are left with a open ended ‘tube’ of fabric. Neaten the top and bottom edges with a zig-zag stitch. Fold each end over 1.5cm, press with an iron then stitch. Press each hem flat.

Now comes the fun part – shirring the bodice. Firstly you will need to hand wind an empty sewing bobbin with shirring elastic (available at sewing shops in haberdashery). Make sure you do not stretch the shirring elastic onto the bobbin, as this will produce uneven tension when sewing.

Place the bobbin in the machine and proceed to sew normally. I like to have the tension on about 4, but this will depend on your machine, so make sure you do some practice runs. When you start sewing the fabric will gather up, so just hold the fabric taught when you are sewing to make it easier.

Start sewing at a side seam and sew right around the fabric. When you get back to the start make sure you back tack a few times before stopping. Before you snip the thread and shirring elastic, pull about 2cms of shirring elastic out from the bobbin to stop it springing back inside the bobbin. Knot the ends of shirring elastic together and snip excess threads.

Repeat this process about 10 times, with each line about 1cm apart. If you have an older girl, do about 12 lines – younger can have about 8 lines to form the bodice.

Tip: - If you are unsure about shirring, practice on an old pillowslip first. Make lines of shirring, about 1cm apart, until you feel comfortable with how it works.

It’s now time for the straps – so take the other pillowslip and measure down from the folded edge about 8cm, and cut across the pillowslip. This will be the 2 front straps. Now repeat this step to make the back 2 straps.

Now fold your strap in half lengthwise so the right sides (with the pattern on them) are together, and neaten with both edges together, going from the top to the bottom. When you reach the bottom, head around the corner and across to the folded edge, so you have one closed end. Now follow the same path with a straight stitch, about ½ cm in from the edge of the fabric.

To turn the straps out, I use a turning tool (available at most sewing shops), but you can just carefully do it by hand if you have the patience!. Once your strap is turned out, you can iron it flat. Now you can neaten the open end together with a zig zag stitch.

Attaching the straps is simple. I like to place the straps about 8cm in from the side seams. You can pop the dress on your girl to find the best strap placement, as it does vary a bit depending on her age.Once you have attached the first front strap, use it as a guide to get the back strap in the same place, so it is even. Then do the same with the other 2 straps.

To attach, place the strap on with the open end just above the first shirring line. Then stitch a square around the edge of the strap.

This is the basic pillowslip dress finished. There are many embellishments you can add to this dress, such as doilies (I like to dye them for effect), buttons where the straps attach, or fabric yo-yo’s. You can even find a complimenting pillowslip with a frill around it. If you carefully unpick the frill, it can be used around the hem of the dress for added ‘girlie’ appeal. Taking your special girl with you to find pillowslips is great too, and if you go op-shopping it teaches her about reusing materials in a fun way.

dream journal DIY

My first workshop with Youth Town went well today.   I am doing a mixed media journal workshop - so I thought i better do a practice run beforehand, and then thought I might share the fun!
You will need:

• A hardcover journal (I got mine from the $2 discount shop)
• Gel Medium (like Modge Podge, or Reeves Gel Medium)
• Paint brushes
• Fabric (non stretch and not pile fabric like velvet - fine cotton is best)
• Embellishments (lace, ribbon, brads, buttons, charms...)
• Ribbon (if you want a bookmark)
• Needle and embriodery thread (if you are using more than one fabric)
• Stamp + pad (if you want to add stamps)

Firstly, work out what fabric you are using and measure enough to cover the journal, with an inch spare all around to fold over.  Add any lace or embellishments before sticking the fabric to the journal.  Decorative split pins, ric rac, ribbon, and buttons are all great to use.  (Best not to stamp onto the fabric until after the first coat of gel medium is applied.

Got my supplies all ready - dug into my fabric stash and
found these lovely vintage cottons...

Stitching up the fabric with embriodery thread

fabric is now ready to stick to the cover

Once you are happy with how your fabric looks, paint a generous amount of gel medium onto the journal (paint the back first, stick down the fabric, then do the spine, then repeat on the front cover).  Make sure you place some wax paper between the covers and pages to stop the medium sticking to the journal pages.  Now place your fabric onto the journal and smooth it out, getting rid of any air bubbles.  Make sure it is straight and even.

Applying gel medium to the fabric cover

Now apply a layer of gel medium over the top of the fabric cover.  If you have any lace, ric rac or other raised embellishments, make sure you put a generous amount of gel medium over these to help them stick down and create a seal.  Sit the book up on top of a plastic bag and let dry.

folding the flaps over and sticking them down with gel medium

 Once the cover is touch dry, you can trim the corners off the fabric and fold the flaps over to the inside of the journal.  Stick the flaps down with some gel medium, then paint more over the top to secure them.

drying the finished journal on some wax paper,
(the red ribbon i attached at the top for a bookmark)

 Stand the journal up to dry completely - this will probably take overnight, and will  become clear and shiny.  If you want to do any stamping, this can be applied when the first coat is touch dry.  To seal stamps, add another coat of gel medium.

This is Gracies finished journal cover, showing a stamp she
chose.  The second coat of gel medium is drying

Gracie chose to add silver stickers to the corners of her jounal, and used heart shaped brads under the ric rac.  The inside covers of the journal look a bit rough - so you can cut some coloured craft card to compliment your journal cover and stick it to the inside covers to cover up any raw edges.  And that's it.  easy ay! Time to start journalling your hopes and dreams...

ps - here are some of the journals from my workshop:

A much needed breath of fresh creative air

I finally got to run a workshop - and it was an upcycling workshop - my favourite type!

It was sooooo much fun - partly because it has been such a long process to finally run a workshop.  My first few contacts for running workshops sounded promising, but fell through - which was quite hard to recover from - hence the gap in my posts of late.  Suffice to say its been a really tough month of soul searching, general confusion and angst...
However Saturday's workshop was a breath of fresh, creative air.  My brief was to help people find op shop clothes and transform them into costumes for the Lyttelton Projects Festival of Lights Parade next week.
A perfect situation of the op shop being down stairs and the workshop room upstairs.  After a few trips we were ready to start.
Check out the lovely Sacha - she has always wanted her own tutu, so we set to work.  One girls raincoat, two woman's dresses,  a cosmetic bag and soft toy later, and she was all set to rock the parade in her tutu.  And if it rains her tutu is waterproof, so she won't get wet legs!

isn't the wee softie cute!

some ties attach the cosmetic bag around her waist for a hand pocket

awwww!

my trusty elna supermatic finally getting some action!

So that was one of the lovely outfits upcycled from opshop treasures. It was such a privilege to be part of Sacha's exciting upcycling learning curve -and so cool to see someone so happy with their creation!

recreative workshops

They've been buzzing around in my mind for the past 4 or so months, so i feel its time to set them down to paper, and clear some room in my thinking spaces....

Running workshops has always been a bit of fun for me - i LOVE to wander along with people on a learning journey - I started with workshops in South Auckland when i was a trainee Social Worker at a youth centre - and just to make sure i got in at the deep end i started with sexual health workshops.  It was interesting to say the least! Moving onto christchurch I moved into youth mental health and wellbeing workshops for students and youth workers..

After a few workshops at Hands Craft store in Christchurch, I got really inspired to run remade/upcycled/refashioned workshops.  4 yrs later, i now have a tiny bit of space to do that.  Now comes the how what where who and when bit.

WHAT:  For this bit i went through my past creations, and came up with some that could transfer into workshops:

meet molly the morepork...

upcycled pipi apron from men's shirt

upcycled bibs from tablecloths 

upcycled bunting from linens

girls ucpcycled 10 cent mixture dress from women's skirt

upcycled fabric hair ties

upcycled reversable headbands

upcycled boys pants from mens shirt

upcycled down under christmas stocking

vintage inspired apron

upcycled/new material frilly pipi apron

So that is the what....The WHEN will be dependant on finding a venue, but hopefully a mix of daytime ones for mummies, and evening classes...which is also the answer to the WHERE???

The HOW will be about going through and making up instructions for each workshop, with a list of materials, and the WHO will be finding an audience who are interested in handmade, eco friendly, DIY funkiness...

WOW! its nice to get that out of my head... :) Justine