Rags to Riches

I entered this competition Rags to Riches.

The criteria was to make an outfit from the mystery bag of clothing and model your outfit at the 'Opening Night'

This was a fundraiser for the Old Courthouse Gallery which is part of the National Trust.

Here I am modeling.

Here are the items in my mystery bag...

A piece of each item was to be evident in your outfit.

 This lovely medium dark blue 100% polyester Pelaco blouse...

 A lace type collar - again 100% polyester

 A vintage Target Rib Knit Cardigan with a slight Lame look to it ( probably the polyester at work again)

 This Image brand Tartan viscose oversize shirt / jacket

100% cotton 3 tiered skirt with a paisley print around the bottom and bells on the tie.

At first look the skirt was the most promising item, but in the end I found it difficult to use.

I quite liked the Cardigan but it had badly lost its elasticity and was stained in a few places so again it was difficult to use.

I drew up loads of designs and came up with a few quite different ideas but I really wanted to be able to wear this myself ( not only on the 'Night' but regularly ) and I am about 20 years past wearing hot pants, so I focused on the tartan piece knowing that I would wear a Tartan tunic.

I was surprised to find that I could in fact create a dress ( to fit me )  from the shirt.

I kept trying to add bits of the other items to it but it just didn't enhance it at all an I finally decided to leave it plain and accessorize with the other pieces.

 

 

So the end result was a Tartan Tunic Dress - from the Tartan shirt / jacket

I used a piece of stretch lace that I had in my stash to make a shift dress with sleeves and a neckline with a bow from the Pelaco shirt.

The Cardigan became fingerless gloves and boot cuffs.

I made a hair piece using the collar from the tartan shirt, the lace collar and a flower from the red skirt.

I also lined my wooden briefcase handbag with the red and crocheted around the handle.

I did not win a prize but I am pretty pleased with my effort and had fun doing it.

Ag Art Wear Competition

I have been very busy, but I think I am finally going to be able to blog - regularly again...

Well we'll see how it goes!

I have still been making lots of stuff everyday which I want to post about, so I am going to play a little catch up here for a while.

The 2012 Ag Art Wear Competition at the Mount Gambier Show - October...

I made my skirt by folding, pleating and sewing pages from old Stock Journals then painted it in a sort of graffiti style and added some punker accessories, my favorite being the rubber ducky watering can / handbag.

I came 2nd place this year, To Janine who created the rather excellent chicken wire skirt and sheepskin shawl.

Umbrella Prints Trimmings Competition 2012

Umbrella Prints Trimmings Competition 2012

Earlier this month I caught wind of a little competition going on and decided to take part.

Umbrella Prints Competition 2012

I have purchased a 'Trimmings Pack' previously and enjoyed making the most out of all the little pieces I received, so I figured I was up for a challenge.

I selected a 'Cool' colour option...

This is what I received.

I photographed the pieces in different ways to see how they might go together.

And then I mixed them with other fabrics until I came up with combinations I was happy with.

And here are the finished items...

A bit closer...

There are 6 items in total

Back row L - R ... A little Glass Jar for special things, A vendor's Apron and a Fabric Bucket

Front row L - R ... A Fabric Envelope Clutch, A Visual Diary / Journal Cover and a Loyalty / Business Card Wallet.

The Vendors Apron

Displayed on a model which is a wee bit slimmer than I am...

But that's OK cause I made it adjustable...

I used three of the blue heart pieces from the trimmings pack for the front pocket.

I challenged myself and tried out something new ( for me ) - a zippered welt pocket.

I googled how to's and checked out the info here Ikat Bag and here Sew Mama Sew.

I am quite pleased with the result.

I have a space for a pen and my phone...

 and the loop on the left can be for...

 Scissors or...

 Keys.

The Fabric Envelope Clutch

I have made this the right size to pop a favorite pattern ( or two ) in...

And it has a little pocket too...

The Visual Diary / Journal Cover

The Elephant Fabric is such a wonderful statement piece.

Inside

I first learnt the technique I have used to construct this journal cover from a friend, Thanks Heather for showing me this, I have used it so many times and even tweaked it a bit to involve even less sewing! 

The Fabric Bucket

Scrappy raw edge applique on the front.

Handles on each side.

Red spotty fabric on the inside - I love spots.

and...

The Back, featuring a little piece of selvedge from the Elephant Fabric.

It says Australia and has the Umbrella Prints logo.

Loyalty / Business Card wallet

This is very Japanesey with the colours and the sashiko stitching.

Inside - nine roomy card pockets.

I have stitched the fabric name - Grand Hearts - from the selvedge of one of the pieces, onto the inside bottom right, I should say, that this fabric was just like the blue hearts pieces I used on the apron pocket only much larger.

Opened out.

These were the most challenging of all the pieces, but I am quite pleased with the end result. I like the organic look of the shapes and the red stitching.

Decorative Glass Jar

There are two Elephant Fabric selvedges sewn together with a plain linen selvedge piece along with a scrap of hessian, stitched onto stripey paper and wrapped around this decorative glass jar.

I have finished it off with a chipboard flower embellishment and a button.

And a bit of bakers twine around the lid.

I have created all the pieces using my own measurements and calculations to suit the 'Trimmings'.

From what I understand this is how the competition will work...

I submit my photographs to Umbrella Prints ( via my blog ) - who will pin them here Pinterest - Umbrella Prints Trimmings Competition 2012 on the 31st of May.

The public or I should say the Pinners get to view all the competition entries and the entrant with the most repins wins the people's choice prize,

there is also to be a special guest judge prize.

You have one week to 'repin' starting from the 1st of June.

Here is the link to view last years entries Trimmings 2011

Wish me luck!