Turning the Bland to Buttontastic!

So I've officially got the sewing bug back, and this weekend I was driven to turn it on to my existing wardrobe and brighten up a few items. First under the pressafoot: black, flared jumper from H&M.

It's a flattering item, it's plain black and it's fitted nicely around the bust and arms, and then flares out flatteringly as it goes down your torso.

The picture above is of a top with the button design down the back of the top, and I love it, and I wish all my tops looked like this!! So here's what I did to the jumper:

1) I cut (bravely) up the centre of the back of the top, and then pinned it back together so the seams overlapped, as if like a cardigan.

2) I used the sewing machine to sew down the seam leaving a 1cm gap.

3) I picked up about 12-14 buttons that were of a similar size but contrasting/complimenting colours to put on.

4) Sewed on the buttons...

And I was left with this:

How do you edit/update your old gladrags??

BBxx

Ziggy!!!

Look!! We've extended our family!!

Say hello to Ziggy Sawdust!! Beautiful little black and white hammy!! Hopefully big older sister Beau won't be jealous!

BBxx

I'd Rather Be Beside The Seaside...

My final evening project, before I finally retire to bed, is my tribute to the Brighton seaside. We went for a long walk along the beach when we were there last and I picked up a handful of shells and glass. I've attached as many as possible to a double-strength thread and tied some pretty ribbons to it too.
You won't get the full effect until the glue's dried and I can find somewhere to hang it; I'm thinking either my bathroom or outside on our patio?

Can't wait to go back to the seaside...

For now, it's bedtime!

Night! BB xx

Bettering A Bargain...

So today I'm extremely pleased with myself. It started when Tom went to work and I wondered what the Hell I was going to do with my afternoon and evening, as I have little money and no motivation to do something constructive like going to the gym, for example.

I took myself off to Tescos, originally intending to buy myself some fish for dinner, but of course I got distracted by the MASSIVE 'Sale' wall of women's clothing!! And to my utter delight there were some really lovely items in there that are still of the moment fashion-wise. I picked up a flowery tea-dress for £5 and a two-tone pink and coral light jumper for... wait for it... another £5!! £10 for two really lovely items of clothing!

But... once I got home I looked closer at the tea dress in my own mirror, and began thinking 'it neeeeeds something...' 

I went routing through my sewing basket and remembered I have some black lace that Tom's Nana gave to me. I then bravely ironed the hem of the dress up about 2 and 1/2 inches, and then borrowed my landlady's sewing machine to hem it up. I attached the lace with pins, then sewed it on. It's not totally straight, but you wouldn't really know unless you looked up close...

 Excited, I put it on and thought, 'Better, better...' but it still needed adjusting. It has rather unflattering sleeves - they're quite puffy and just a cm or two too long and do nothing for my arm shape. Returning to the living room, the off-cuts of lace that I cut off the spare hem lay infront of me, and I simply tied on a bit under the arms and out through the neckline. It instantly changed the shape of the sleeves and the neck line, and opened it out so it looks a lot more flattering, and the sleeves now have a structure to them...

 The nice thing about the lace around the sleeves is I haven't sewn it into place, and if I ever find another piece of ribbon, or velvet or something, I can easily change it, maybe so it matches a pair of shoes? I teamed the whole thing up with a leather wrap, studded belt...

Et voila!! I have no occasion to wear this to this coming weekend, but I am open to offers?!

Take care for now,

BB xxx