From table cloth to Apron

This terribly bright poppy and lavender op-shop table cloth was crying out to made into a terribly kitsch apron (or two). The table cloth was rectangular but there was an half oval design at each end, which I followed for the hem and the pockets are the corners. I'm going to make another from the other half of the table cloth for a friend.

It's a very practical apron with those huge pockets

fly zipper avoidance

So there wouldn't be any one around here avoiding putting the fly zipper in would there?

I think i've done everything that can be done before the fly zipper HAS to go in...

shirt placket becomes fly facing

Cord skirt in recycled sari fabric

I have in the past worn many different styles skirts made from pre-loved sari fabric. Many garments alas wear out in certain stress areas (bum and hips). I love the brocade, patterns and colours so I hang on to the fabric...for many years.

I have cut out a 'cord skirt copy' in bits and pieces of sari silk. Which proved more challenging than I thought. What with the wear holes I have made, previous holes and stains and the fact that most were cut on the bias and pattern direction (which I then decided to ignore) it was a tricky job. I also for interlining used some old mens shirts and some sheeting.

You put this silk here for me, Yes?

Op shopping Queanbeyan

My time frame for finding the perfect tankard shape is almost over. I trawled (though honestly most op shops are supremely well organized in this part of the world) through 3 or 4 charity shops and ended up with a glass tankard, a few knit tops and some Langley Mill stoneware.
Oh and some more buttons...

Standard fare for opshop tankards

Op shopping in Adelaide

After my visit to the South Australian Museum I managed to squeeze in 3 op shops...no suitable beer mug/tankards here...

Old dressing table redo

Over the last few weeks, here and there I have been 'doing up' a grotty old dressing table that I bought for $20- at the Green Shed at Mugga Lane. Missing it's mirror, one foot and metal? handles (which seemed to have been angle grinded off) with a stained and scuffed dark veneer, it wasn't looking good. However all the drawers and workmanship is sound

Our bathroom /ensuite is quite minimal in design and storage, and with our bedroom having a decent amount of space at the end of the bed, I thought I would, for once in my life have a dressing table. I can stash away quite a lot of bits and pieces in those huge drawers and once the bedroom walls are painted white/cream I think it will look bright and fresh.

I'm planning on casting my own glass drawer pulls, though I am having trouble deciding on a theme. The other part I am having trouble with is deciding a shape for the mirror. hmmmmm.

sanded up to 320 and waxed.

ebay vanity set, brush and comb turned out to be practical!

wiped and vacuumed

Cleaned with sugar soap

a quick sand for 'tooth'

1 coat of white paint

1 coat  of  Dulux's colour 'Magnetic magic' which I mixed with a bit more white

distressing finish half done

Buttons, thrifted.

Don't you love it when you buy something for the stash, just because...and very shortly you find yourself actually using it...vindication!

A few weeks ago I checked out one of the larger 'vinnies' (short for St Vincent's op shop) in south Canberra. I left with a pretty good haul, all the items fitted and were in good nick, only the skirts got chopped a foot. The haberdashery section was quite small but there were quite a lot of buttons. I bought a few packets at 50cents and a dollar I grabbed anything that even vaguely appealed to me as buttons are usually expensive.

I found some real mother of pearl shirt buttons (I call them that because they are small), all the rest are plastic apart from a set that may be some sort of woody stuff.

My mum used to work in the rag trade and I remember thinking that mother of pearl was kind of boring but now I rarely see them on RTW clothing, plastic being the norm.

This morning I discovered that one of the buttons on my thrifted orange cord skirt was missing and the gap was filled marvelously with one of the larger tortoiseshelly vinnies buttons that may I say is a better match than the original. I also may have found buttons for my Calendula Audrey in Unst. The small square purpley ones

selection of button from Vinnies

small textured purpley ones that I might use for my Audrey In Unst

I liked the replacement button so much I have now matched them