Refashion Friday: My Tattoo Applique Sweatshirt Remakes

Yes, it's more remade sweatshirts. That's what I'm showing you today. You may well be bored of my mens-to-womens sweatshirt remakes by now, but I'm a massive fan of these two because they have been keeping me toasty since I made them last year and because they have a personal dimension to their design. 

Created in the same manner as the remade lace yoke sweatshirt remake, lace stripes sweatshirt and the moustache appliqué jumper, both of these original garments I started with were deconstructed, recut, and then had their details applied before being stitched back together. Unlike my previous remade sweatshirt projects, these both have long sleeves. I much prefer to wear either of these on chilly days than the 3/4 length, 1/2 length or short puff sleeve versions I've made. 

You never can tell beforehand, but thankfully both of these have stood up well to laundering and the leather appliqués look fine. I really enjoyed machine appliqué, having to be super careful to stitch close to the edges. Any unpicking will show up previous puncture holes, so you kind of only get one shot. 

Before stitching, I stuck the leather shapes down with prit stick (normally I'd use copydex but I'd run out and it's really expensive!). I used my normal sewing machine foot when stitching them down, but I did squirt a little sewing machine lubrication spray (don't ask me why I had access to that... randomly the one I used smells of lemons!) which helped the machine foot move over the leather rather than sticking to it. 

So, aside from extreme comfort and obvious cuteness, why are these swallow and anchor appliqué sweatshirts my favourites? Because both where inspired by my wrist tattoos!

Wendy's Pattern Stash: EU-only Giveaway!!!!

**PLEASE NOTE: THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. THANKS FOR ENTERING**

Before Christmas a lovely lady and reader of my blog Wendy contacted me with a bit of a dilemma, here's what she wrote:

'Today I've been rethinking my future sewing plans and have cleared out my small pattern stash. I have 13 patterns (most used, some not) that I know I will never use, they are all women's clothing. Sadly here in Luxembourg we have no charity shops to which I can donate them and I have no sewing community either. Being a follower of your blog I know that you are involved in the sewing community in Brighton and give classes etc. I wonder if you, your students or your favourite charity shop could use these patterns.'

After some emailing back and forth, we agreed that the best way for all these lovely patterns to reach a new owner who would really want to use them would be to hold a giveaway. Wendy has no blog of her own (yet!) so we agreed to host the giveaway here on my blog, and she will very kindly post the patterns to one winner who lives anywhere in the EU completely free of charge! Damn, there's a very lucky potential winner out there right now...

Here's what's on offer and what condition they are in:

New look 6945  8-18 uncut
Colette Clover 0-18 cut to size 18
Burda 8361 6-18 cut to size 18
New Look 6104 10-22 cut to 16/18
Vogue 8634 Lrg/XL  cut
New Look 6885 8-18 view E cut to 16/18
Vogue 7837 L/XL uncut
Simplicity 2508 14-22 some pieces cut to 16/18
Burda Style 7239 10-20 cut to 18
New Look 6669 8-18 skirt cut to 18
Style Arc Samantha 16 cut
New Look 6937 10-22 view E cut 16/18
McCalls 4769 12-18 uncut

The cut patterns will still be intact and usable for sizes smaller she cut. Look the numbers up on Pattern Review if you would like to know more about each style.

As mentioned above, all these patterns will be re-homed to one single lucky recipient. To enter, let Wendy and I know why you'd like to receive these patterns in the comment section below. If I can't access your email address within two clicks of the mouse, please include it in your entry comment. Email addresses will not be used for anything other than to contact you if you are the winner of this giveaway. This giveaway is open to residents of EU countries only and the winner will receive all the sewing patterns completely free of charge. The giveaway entry period will close at midnight GMT Sunday 20th January 2013 and the winner will be chosen and contacted by Wednesday 23rd January. Good luck, my pattern-loving friends!

Refashion with 'So, Zo': Rework Your Wardrobe Session

I'm pretty sure the vast majority of the people reading post this will not be interested in taking this class, because you probably already have mad-skillz in this area. But nevertheless, I want to share with you my new Rework Your Wardrobe session/class which will take place in Brighton on Sunday 3rd February because, A) you may know someone who it would appeal to, and B) some peops have expressed an interest in hearing about my self-employed shenanigans and this class is part of that. 

This Rework your Wardrobe session encourages attendees to bring their unloved, unworn, broken or ill-fitting clothes to the session and learn skills and techniques that will bring them back into wardrobe rotation!

The beginning of the New Year can often feel frustrating and miserable. You've spent far too much money over the festive period, plus if you're in the Northern Hemisphere you've got months of grey and chilly weather ahead until Spring shows it's face. You would really like some new clothes in your wardrobe for an injection of new style for the new year, but financially it's just not happening! This session, however, could help you rework and refresh things you already have to bring some much needed fun into your clothing selection. 

Reworking your existing clothes, rather than chucking them away and buying new things, saves you money and has a much smaller environmental impact. Plus, this session can teach new sewing skills and approaches that can be used again and again in the future. We can also rescue charity shop and vintage finds! 

The Rework Your Wardrobe session is simple: you just need to bring a bag full of garments to fix, fit or rework, we provide all the equipment you will need. However, if your garment had a broken zip, you will need to bring a replacement that I can help you insert.

We will start the session by taking a look at what everyone has brought and having a brief chat about each garment to establish what needs to be done to bring them back to life.

I will then assist you to fix/fit//rework as many garments as possible within the session. 

The skills, techniques and approaches you will learn will obviously depend on what your garments require, but they may include:

• Hemming trousers and skirts
• Fixing rips, tears and holes
• Reshaping for a more flattering fit
• Inserting a new zip
• Shortening hems or sleeves for a new look
• Plus many others!

All skill levels are welcome. Previous sewing machine experience is helpful but not essential. 

This session takes place at Super+Super HQ, in Central Brighton, UK. It runs from 10.30 to 13.30 on Sunday 3rd February 2013 and costs £26. If you have any questions and require more specific information, please feel free to email me at: sozoblog (at) gmail (dot) com.

If you would like to book a ticket to attend, you can do so very easily below. If you know anyone who this session may appeal to, please send them the link! Thanks lovely peops.

Online Ticketing for Rework Your Wardrobe powered by Eventbrite

Refashion Friday: Mittens from Refashioned Mittens

I'm starting the New Year with a Refashion Friday post that is about a refashion of a refashion. Or a remake of a remake if you prefer.  And you can't get much more recycled than that! 

Maybes you recall I got on the mitten-making tip last Winter, during which time I made myself some fabulous double-thickness leopard print mittens from old, unwanted knitwear. They were in almost constant use during the cold periods from then until now, and were literally the only way I could keep my chilly hands warm whilst outside. Well, as you can see from the pictured above, their intense usage took its toll: the finger tip areas have become super-thin with the lining popping through a hole in one thumb, and another hole appearing along the seam of the palm of the other hand.

I love the leopard print, and knew that I no longer have any pieces of knitwear quite as 'me', plus I'm out of cashmere, which I use to line them. Some salvaging was going to have to occur to create myself a new pair, and of course why chuck something out completely if it still has some life left in it? I unpicked them and retained the back panels which are still in good shape and hole-free and the linings, which are still soft and pleasingly moulded to the shape of my hands. 

I cut the new palm pieces from the old leopard print back pieces, and cut the other two new outer pieces  from a moth-eaten ruby-red jumper donated to me by a friend. Before cutting up the red wool jumper, I chucked it in the wash when I was doing a red load so that it would matt up a little and therefore be more durable and wind-resistant. The cuffs are created from the cuff ribbing of the original jumper. 

I reused my former mitten's purple linings, which creates a weird sensation: when worn, the new mittens feel exactly the same as my previous pair, but when I look down they look different! I wonder if I can pull this trick again next year; if the linings will still re usable and if I can cut the palm pieces from the red back pieces and find something new and contrasty to form the rest of them. 

Goodbye 2012, Hello 2013!!!

Bloody hell. At the start of 2012, I thought the year, our second full year living in our adopted city, would be a fairly calm affair. I predicted settling into our new 'grown-up' lives and the consolidation and continuation of lots of the projects we already had on the go. I entered 2012 more secure than I have ever been in terms of where I want to live and who I want to spend my life with. But I can't say the rest of the year was in any way 'calm' or 'settling'. It reminded me quite firmly that you can't really plan for anything; or more precisely that you must be prepared to have your plans knocked about and you must be happy to alter those plans as life monkeys around with them.

I can't really discuss a round up of 2012 without mentioning that it was the year in which I got married. As much as I'd like to make light of it, for fear of coming across as a stereotypical princess-bridezilla, getting married was a pretty absorbing experience. We got engaged just before Christmas last year, and even though we planned a relatively short engagement, I totally under-estimated how stressful and consuming planning a wedding would be, even a low-budget and relaxed 'do like ours. We took a very DIY approach which one the one hand was great because it made everything more personal, affordable and 'us', plus there wasn't too much relying on others who might let you down or inflate the prices of stuff. But on the other hand, taking so much on ourselves meant there was so much to think about and work on. It was a bit like having an end-of-year dissertation hanging over your head: it was very difficult to ever properly relax because you'd feel like there was something you should probably be doing, or that if you took your eye off the game for a minute you might over-look something major, like rings or footwear! But all that aside, it was a wonderful day that everyone in attendance thoroughly enjoyed. But I never plan to do it again!

Source: traid.org.uk via Zoe on Pinterest

The other major thing that happened this year, whilst we were neck-deep in wedding arranging, was both Pat and I losing our jobs and as a result deciding to have a crack at being self-employed. Of course, there is never a good time to loose your job and/or find your income drastically cut, but the fact that it happened to both of us within a couple of months of each other felt like quite a kick in the teeth at the time. But I have to say, there is a part of me that relishes big seismic changes like that, especially ones that free you in some way. It has been an insanely rocky eight-ish months, but rolling with the punches and constructing a new way of life has been very invigorating, and I am so happy to report that it has solidified rather than weakened our relationship. As things have panned out, our finances have flipped and for the first time since we got together, Pat has been in the position to be the one to pick up the financial slack when things have got difficult. It's a really strange position for me to find myself in and not an entirely comfortable one.

Source: sozowhatdoyouknow.blogspot.co.uk via Zoe on Pinterest

In terms of sewing, 2012 was kind of a year of three parts for me. Until the Summer, I was really prolific. My then-boss was on maternity leave and I had taken the helm at TRAIDremade, making daily design and construction decisions with almost complete freedom. The sweet set up of a permanently free cutting space, sewing machine and overlocker meant I zipped through my own sewing projects, racking up new garments and refashions at a rapid rate of knots. Then the wedding makery took hold and I had to throw myself into making my wedding dress, the bridesmaid's dress and Pat's waistcoat. But after those were done my sewing took a massive nose-dive. I think that was due to the combination of lack of sewing and cutting space when the studio closed and the loss of mojo from all that important non-frivolous sewing. That said, I did release two free downloadable sewing patterns this year, that I'm very pleased with.

My main plans for 2013 are self-employment related. There are so many things I've now got myself involved in that now form what can loosely be termed 'my work'. I need to figure out how to get them to financially support me AND I need to figure out how balance my time so I can do them all without being the massive stress-head I've recently allowed myself to become.

Source: uneviegeniale.blogspot.com via Zoe on Pinterest

But arguably more excitingly, I have big plans, hopes and schemes for my sewing this year, which include:

• Get my post-wedding, post-reduction in sewing space sewing mojo back. I can already feel it working its way back, plus some ace new sewing patterns have found their way into my stash recently which can only be a good thing for my mojo. 
• Have a major clear-out and be brutally honest about which self-made garments no longer fit or are looking too tatty. 
• Focus on creating a look that bridges the gap between what I feel comfortable wearing and what I would ideally like to dress like. In part this means creating better fitting garments that feel good to wear, but I think it also translates to actually wearing some of my fancier creations!
• Host another awesome Me-Made-May!!!! Personally, I'm hoping to have some great new garments to wear that are closer to how I dress in my imagination than I have worn in past challenges. 
• Tackle lots of the wonderful sewing patterns that have been languishing in my stash for ages. I have so many vintage gems as well as newer ones that are crying out to be tested.
• Work through some of my enormous hoard of secondhand fabric, AKA do some serious Stash Bustin'. There is some great stuff in there and it should be enjoyed as fabulous garments, rather than residing in plastic bags stored away like it currently is. 
• Make some garments that closely resemble some of the amazing visual inspiration I've been collating for yonks on my laptop and on Pinterest.
• FINALLY make a freaking diner waistress dress or maybe blouse!!!!!

Source: google.co.uk via Zoe on Pinterest

I wish you all a wonderful new year! I hope it brings you fun and excitement, plus relaxation and calm when needed. Thank you so much for stopping by and/or following my blog for the last year, I promise my blog will remain at the heart of my creative activities in the forthcoming year and it'll be worth swinging by from time to time! Big love to you all xxx

Giveaway: Eliza M's Vintage-Inspired Sewing Patterns!!!

**PLEASE NOTE: THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. THANKS FOR ENTERING**

So, dear sewers, have you heard of Eliza M's vintage style sewing patterns (website pictured above)? Due to time constraints I don't get to spend as much time surfing the online-sewing community as I'd like, but I have to admit that I hadn't heard of them myself until last week. But I am very pleased that I now have! Based in Manchester, UK, they have recently relaunched themselves and I recommend you to head over and see what they've got on offer. 

If, like me, you're into sewing vintage-y/retro-y garments but find all the sizing-confusion and redrafting of vintage patterns a bit of a drag, their range is definitely worth a look. I've just received my copy of the Pussy Galore blouse (pictured above paired with the Hop and Swing pants) and the packaging looks great. I'm really excited to get cracking on it early in the new year, after which I'll of course post a full review. 

In the meantime, the Eliza M team are offering up a free pattern for three of my lovely blog readers so you can give them a whirl yourself for nowt. Consider it a Christmas present you'll really want to receive! And what better way to kick start your New Year's sewing, with more than enough time to create a nice addition to your self-made wardrobe for 2013's Me-Made-May?!

Excitingly, entrants to this giveaway can pick their favourite pattern to win. So whether it's the 40's inspired swing style Grace dress (pictured above), early 60's style Ruby Wiggle dress (pictured below), or any of the others in their ample collection, there's probably something that could become your next party outfit or daywear addition.  

Eliza M patterns are like genuine vintage patterns in the respect that they are single sized, so you'll need to let me know which pattern AND which size you require when entering. So let me know those two things in the comment section below, and whilst you're at it, let me know what fabric you'd possibly make your pattern in if you're successful in winning it (just because I'm nosey!). 

If I can't access your email address within two clicks of the mouse, please include it in your entry comment. Email addresses will not be used for anything other than to contact you if you are one of the three lucky winners of this giveaway. This giveaway is open internationally and the winners will receive their choice of sewing pattern completely free of charge. The giveaway entries will close at midnight GMT Sunday 6th January 2013 and the three winners will be chosen by random number generator and contacted Monday 7th January. Good luck, my pattern-loving friends!

Refashion Fridays says Happy Christmas!!!

It's unlikely that the outfits these cats are sporting are refashioned. But I think that is because they are cats and cannot work a sewing machine, not because their not interested in refashioning. Look at the anger on their faces because they are forced to wear only mass-produced, shop-bought garments!

As humans, we do not have this cruel refashioning disability. So if you have come over to my blog today to get an injection of refashion-y inspiration, may I direct you to my back catalogue of Refashion Friday posts or my Refashion Resource page. I promise you that I have heaps of lovely refashions/remakes/upcycles to share with you going forward, PLUS a super-exciting sewing pattern giveaway this very Monday, but until then, Refashion Friday says Happy Christmas one and all!!!!