Decluttering Meets Damask

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Posted on July 4, 2012

I have decluttered my linen cupboard several times over recent years but there were a couple of damask tablecloths which defied decision each time.

We now have a small round table which extends to an oval but both of the cloths are rectangular and one is quite large. About a week ago I had a blinding flash of inspiration. I am unlikely to ever have a large rectangular dining table again so I decided to cut the cloths to fit my existing table and enjoy using them rather than storing them for some vague reason.

This is the larger cloth on my oval table. My mother gave this to me and I am fairly sure it belonged to my great-grandmother. What would she think if she knew I was taking to it with a pair of scissors? Probably happy that it was going to be used rather than stashed in the back of my linen cupboard.

I made a pattern of the tabletop, worked out how much drop I wanted and set about cutting out my ‘new’ tablecloth.

Here it is hemmed, pressed and ready for use.

Then I started on the other cloth which I planned to make to fit the table when it is not extended and is just a small, round table.

This cloth was much smaller and when I cut the biggest circle that I was able, it was still a bit short on the overhang. So, I decided to increase the diameter by stitching some extra fabric on. I cut 12cm wide bias strips from the leftover fabric which you can see below.

I then sewed them into a continuous strip and edged the cloth with it. You can clearly see the join but I am not particularly worried as I now have a usable cloth for my round table that I did not have before.

I have now been inspired to re-look at my collection of tablecloths and see which ones I really should be keeping and how I can re-fashion them so that they are able to be used with my current table, either as a round or oval.

What have you given a new lease of life to?

A Storage Solution

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Posted on June 27, 2012

I do not use any disposable cleaning cloths but instead I have a selection of microfibre and cotton cleaning cloths as well as an assortment of worn out towels and t-shirts which make great rags for almost any cleaning job.

The cleaning cloths had previously been folded in a pile in the laundry cupboard and the rags were in the cupboard under the laundry tub.

Recently I decided to make a ‘ragbag’ modelled on my memories of one that belonged to my grandmother.

I made this from some scraps in my stash of fabric. The patterned fabric is leftover from nursery curtains I made before Miss O was born, the plain green is the from the op shop doona cover which I used to make my ironing board cover and the binding on the opening came from a collection that belonged to my friend’s mother. There was no pattern – just my memory and an idea which I turned into reality.

It is conveniently located on the inside the the laundry door where I have hung it from the rack which holds my laundry detergent and soap.

This saves me trying to keep a pile of cloths stacked neatly on the shelf. Sometimes it can be the most simple thing that makes life easier.

Bag It Again

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Posted on June 12, 2012

Last week The Duke was given a bottle of wine. As usual, it was presented in a gift bag.

Unfortunately, the giver had chosen to write a message directly on the bag, rendering it unusable. Or was it?

I was about to dismantle the bag and put most of it in the recycling when I thought again and decided to make a smaller bag by cutting off the top that contained the writing.

Firstly, I removed the ribbon ties then marked where I need to cut.

I then cut off the top and refolded about 2cm to the inside and creased the fold to a sharp edge.

Finally, I punched some new holes and re-threaded the ribbon.

Here is the bag ready for several more uses.

On a (Jelly) Roll

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Posted on May 27, 2012

After hearing the term ‘jelly roll’ in relation to quilting I was sufficiently intrigued to try to find out what it is. A Google search was all I needed. I found this video on You Tube and was inspired to give it a go with my own fabric rather than buying a roll of precut fabric.

I spent a couple of hours on this and here is the result.

I am going to use this as the centre of a quilt for Izz.

These are some of the squares I have done. You can start to get a general idea of what it will look like.

I have more fabric and more ideas but you will have to wait to see the next step.

End of Life

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Posted on May 24, 2012

Despite all the mending and repairs, there comes a time when things reach the end of their life. This pair of The Duke’s trousers is a perfect example.

I have previously posted about patching them and while the patches have survived there is yet another worn patch lower down the leg. These are not accidental rips – the fabric is simply wearing out and they are getting quite thin in numerous places. Therefore, it has ceased to be worthwhile mending them any longer.

My initial thought was to throw them in the bin but then I realised that as well as being mindful when we are purchasing items we should also be responsible for them at the end of their useful life. Many garments are cut up for rags or tying up plants in the garden but these are suitable for neither.

I decided to remove the zip and button for possible future re-use and decided that since these trousers are cotton they could go in the compost.

So that the fabric would mix with the rest of the compost I cut the trousers into strips and here it is ready to become part of the garden.

This is my seam ripper which is identical to the one that I broke while removing the zip from the trousers. I am not sure why I had two of these but now there is only one. The broken one went in the rubbish bin.

Shopping For Scraps

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Posted on May 17, 2012

Today I went to 2 op shops looking for fabric suitable for my patchwork project.

Here is what I found.

A skirt

A dress

A blouse

A single bed sheet

2 identical U-shaped pillowcases

And a ruffled single bed valance.

These will all be washed and unpicked ready to use. The valance is big enough to use for the entire backing of the quilt.

Although these items were not super cheap it will still be quite a frugal project. I will mix and match them with existing pieces from my collection.

Thanks to Froogs at Frugal Queen for the inspiration.

Sunday Sewing

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Posted on May 13, 2012

Today I took a break from the patchwork and did some other sewing.

First though, I did the ironing. While I was doing it I discovered a tear in the ironing board cover. I had noticed recently that it was getting close to wearing out.

So it was time for a new one. I decided that it could not be that difficult to make one so set about deconstructing the old cover.

Here is what I salvaged: padding which I reused and also used as a pattern, bundle of polyester binding from the edge, elastic and clip from the edge, 2 velcro straps from underneath, edge strip which I used as a pattern.

The fabric I used for the new cover is part of an op shop quilt cover that I bought last year. I used the front to make a tablecloth for a work event and I had the backing left over. I don’t think the quilt had been used and the fabric is 100% cotton.

This the almost finished cover. I just had to do some adjustments to the velcro straps which go underneath the board. They were not long enough to go across my board so I had not used them previously. I replaced the short end with some cotton tape so that I could use them.

Just like new.

This is the view under the board and you can see the modified velcro strap.

I re-used most of the original cover when I made the new one. The pile on the left is the cotton fabric which has gone into the compost. On the right is the rubbish pile – remnants of foam which has almost disintegrated in places, the polyester thread from the unpicking (not visible) and the 2 short lengths of velcro that I replaced with cotton tape.

And a preview of things to come – starting from tomorrow and continuing each Monday for several weeks, I will begin a series titled ‘Project Streamline’. It is a natural progression (for me) from my participation in Project 333. Please drop in and feel free to offer your thoughts/advice or you may like to join in.

See you tomorrow.

Something Different

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Posted on May 12, 2012

I have always eschewed patchwork groups and my comment has been, “Why would you spend heaps of money on fabric just to cut it up into little pieces so that you can sew them back together again?” I simply don’t see the attraction and in my opinion it is a waste of money. In fact many of the creations are just for display and serve no practical purpose. Once again, why?

However, I have recently discovered that this is not the case with all patchwork and quilting. I have been reading Frugal in Cornwall and if anyone knows how to do something for nothing (or not very much), it is Froogs. She has been quilting for some time but has really got into it recently. This post is just one of many where she discusses upcycling fabric for these gorgeous quilts.

Anyway, I have been inspired and finally capitulated. At the moment I am just creating some blocks out of scraps of fabric from my cupboard. Most of it is new – offcuts from completed projects or pieces that have been given to me. A couple are garments that have been unpicked.

When I looked through my stash it seemed that pink seemed to be the dominant colour. Not entirely surprising, since I have 2 daughters and 2 granddaughters. These are the blocks I have made so far. There will be some blue as well with touches of purple and green. I am not sure how many blocks I will be able to make with the fabric I have got. Nor do I know what I will make. I am wondering about a quilt for Izz, whose birthday is in August.