Thursday, January 26, 2012

Adding simple beauty....

When I browse clothing racks at an op-shop (charity shop), I try to remove from my mind the impulse to find clothing that suits me. You see, I love to shop there for unusual fabrics and trims - the kind that immediately stir creative ideas.
Many months ago I found a dress with layers of flouncing lace trim above the hemline, and a vibrant, yet romantic, rose and cream floral fabric. I brought it home after paying the modest price tag of $2 but life got in my way and it sat forgotten in a box of other 'wanna-be' items until we unpacked at the new house last week and my excitement to re-purpose the dress once again took hold.
This morning I began by removing the layers of lace and fabric from the ugly shirred waist section (remember, I look at the fabric, not the item of clothing, when I shop!)....
 I had two, 44" lengths of lace edged fabric, which I cross cut into six, 13" lengths.
Next, I stitched the six layers one on top of the other...
...and added a row of the fabric at the bottom, plus strips of the fabric down both sides. 
I had saved the shoulder straps of the dress, and used them to form a simple bow across the top section...
 I have a small stash of gorgeous buttons I bought on special at Spotlight after New Year, and this project was the canvas to display one...
Some solid rosey coloured fabric for the backing, a cushion insert popped inside, and I now have a gorgeous shabby inspired pillow on my bed!
What do you think?
~~~~~
During the days between looking for a rental house and actually packing up the old house I finished my Shabby Roses Quilt remake. 
I had sent the quilt top off to Dawn for machine quilting around all the blocks, and she did a beautiful job of it! After I stitched down the binding I hung it outside to photograph for you....
This version is slightly different in layout to my original...still gorgeous.
I haven't had it out at the new house as we are not allowed to hang things on the walls here, but I am commissioning Mr E to make me a few quilt stands for around the home. 
The pattern with all twelve appliqued and embroidered blocks can be purchased HERE.
A number of people suggested using 3M sticky things that are specifically for renters wanting to hang pictures and the like as they peel off without leaving a mark when you vacate the home. I found some but the price was pretty steep so I will have to carefully consider buying just a few and hanging the really special items only. 
~~~~~
This year on my blog I'm going to share ideas on re-purposing op-shop finds, so you might like to start collecting dresses, skirts, shirts etc - things that you can see some potential in.
~~~~~
Tomorrow I will have a new Show & Tell post of projects some lovely ladies have made from my designs. Have you made something too? Email me a photo, or leave a comment if you have one on your blog, and I'll share your pic here on my Show & Tell.
Have a wonderful Australia Day everybody!!
Hugs
Jenny
xxx

36 comments:

Michelle said...

The quilt is beautiful...
I too have the problem of not being able to make holes in the walls and I know you mentioned the 3M sticky hooks... and yes the are costly but if you have a special something I have a tutorial using velcro tabs and am really happy with the results :O)

Faith said...

The quilt is sweet and I absolutely adore the pillow.

Narelle said...

Ohhh Jenny, That cushion is just well words do not describe it. It is just beautiful and looks wonderful on the bed. You are so clever. I just love the new quilt i just love roses I hope that Mr E does a stand fast so that you can display it. Have a Happy Australia Day.
Hugs
Narelle

Anonymous said...

oh Jenny i so love that cushion what a clever thing you are,its so pretty.xx

rosie said...

Jen, that pillow is very special.. I am looking forward to your new posts on repurposing.

Farah said...

Simply beautiful and creative ... it is such a nice idea..I am going to pin it on my board for my inspiration.... Thanks for sharing Dear

From
http://craftaworld.blogspot.com/
Hope you would like to visit me
With love
Farah

Abby and Stephanie said...

What a terrific find at your charity shop and a truly lovely pillow you've made.

omax2@jwvantuil.com said...

Jenny, what a beautiful pillow that turned into!!! who'd have thunk it??
And what a pity that you can't hang things on the walls - is that a general thing in home rentals in Aust. or just your landlord? we rent but are allowed to hang things - after all, it is a person's home. We (hubby and I) fill any holes when we move.
I look forward to seeing your great ideas, and will have to be more diligent at the thrift shop - I usually look for tins and quilting magazines, and sometimes a cute vase, but have very little space.
3M hangers are great, just watch for weight allowed. There are usually refills of the sticky strips, too.
Gerda in Alberta

Maria said...

What a great way to re-use the dress.Your cushion is just gorgeous.
Your quilt is very pretty.
Hope you are having a lovely Australia Day.

Scottish Nanna said...

The Quilt is lovely I love your pillow you are so clever it looks great on your bed.
Hugs Mary.xx

Sue from Cyprus said...

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY Jenny! Have a lovely relaxing day. Just love your new cushion. And your quilt is really gorgeous. I find that wooden stand-alone towel racks are fabulous for displaying quilts. They are not that expensive either.
Hugs, Sue from Cyprus x x x

Susan said...

Very clever reprposing Jenny.

Cattinka said...

You defenitely have to get some of those sticky things. I can´t imagine you in a home without quilts on the walls.
Hugs
KATRIN W.

Peg - Happy In Quilting said...

No doubt about you...you are incredible...love that cushion, and your quilt is gorgeous Jen..

retdairyqueen said...

Love it all
The cushion looks great
I look forward to yoiur tips on repurposing
I have some of my daughters clothing that I want to turn into a quilt
She passed away from breast cancer Dec 2010
So far I havent been able to bring myself to cut up her things
She loved motor bike riding too

Bluebell said...

Hi Jenny, You are quite amazing, that cushion is simply beautiful, I will have to start thinking like you the next time I visit a charity shop, I have utilised shirts to make quilts they always look good. Your Shabby Roses quilt is still my favourite I love it.
Love Jillx

Vickie said...

your cushion looks gorgeous and so definately you..you shabby remake looks super too,cheers Vickie

Kate said...

You are amazing to have been able to visualize that cushion cover from a dress...I so look forward to your future postings on re-using. Thanks for sharing.

Patty@inStitches said...

Sweet Pillow!

I have an old wood clothes drying rack, fairly large, about 4 feet across, 6 high and a dozen rods to hang things on. It displays small quilts, runners and other bits quite well. And they are very cheap in second hand shops or estate sales.

Belinda said...

I sometimes shop the local thrift store for items of clothing I can use for quilts. I never thought to use something like this for a pillow. What a wonderful idea!!! Thank you so much for sharing that with us.

Michelle said...

I love the idea of re-purposing things or up cycling you could call it. The quilt is beautiful Jenny! Wonderful job thanks for sharing your work with us.

Little Penpen said...

Love that pillow!!! Your creative brain is wonderful. Bummer, not being allowed to hang things on the wall.... you have so much 'pretty' to share!

Karen said...

Great job on that pillow, just lovely. I've been repurposing finds from the thrift stores also for many years. I love this idea and have just the perfect pieces in my stash to do do a similar project. Thanks for your inspirations...

Lara Valcárcel said...

Que fino, es precioso y las telas y puntillas perfectas.

Dolores said...

You always come up with gorgeous ways to re-purpose items. Those walls must be looking pretty dull if you can't hang things on them. Too bad you don't have a dressing screen to hang things on - or to decorate.

Sandy said...

What a gorgeous pillow! I love when I see tutorials on re-doing items. I wish I could think along those lines. Your quilt is gorgeous.

Carla said...

Sew Pretty. Love the quilt. Can't wait for your show n tell

Vintage Sandy said...

Jenny...your quilt is beautiful and the pillow well I just love it it's just dreamy love finding things like that to make something new out of it....great job!!!
Hugz

Jeni said...

Jenny you must be very pleased woth your $2.00 material.so pretty..well done

cottonreel said...

The cushion really really nice .
Re,do of shabby roses as beautiful as ever , love the big flowery sashing

I look forword to the revamp charity finds

Annie Bee said...

Love that pillow, it is just so beautiful.

Ondrea said...

Now that is certainly very creative! Looks so lovely.

Teresa in Music City said...

Jenny I LOVE your repurposed pillow! I shop at thrift stores for usable fabrics all the time and will definitely look forward to your upcoming blog posts on ideas for using them. And thank you for posting the link to your Shabby Roses patterns - I looked for it earlier on your blog and could not find it. I'm very excited about working on it!!!

Catherine Colquhoun said...

Jenny, you've caused me to look at op shop dresses in a new light! Thanks for the inspiration, as sometimes I really like a fabric in a dress & it's the wrong size or style, but didn't think of doing something else with it. What a lovely cushion! Thanks again!God bless, Catherine Colquhoun.

Catherine Colquhoun said...

Jenny, you've caused me to look at op shop dresses in a new light! Thanks for the inspiration, as sometimes I really like a fabric in a dress & it's the wrong size or style, but didn't think of doing something else with it. What a lovely cushion! Thanks again!God bless, Catherine Colquhoun.

Sis-O said...

Love the quilt and the pillow is gorgeous. i also visit thrift stores seeking out fabrics and unusual items for re-purpose.