Turning an overcoat into a chanel style jacket

A few weeks ago I participated again in one of Maximus modeling and sewing mini-courses lead by Marlene Mukai, I was interested in making the jacket. Once again the pattern didn't turn out well, I have no idea where I went wrong but this time I wasn't too upset, because after the previous fiascoes (see the shorts and blouse saga) I was almost certain that making  patterns wasn't for me and now I'm sure.

This time around they also made the patterns available as a way of publicizing the pattern subscription they sell, I decided to download the pattern, I was a little unsure about having to assemble it using multiple sheets but turns out it's not difficult and the result is quite good, so I assembled the pattern and copied my size. I didn't get to use it because I didn't have time to go buy the fabric.

Over the weekend I went through my wardrobe and found a series of coats that I hadn't worn for several years and some that had been given to me to use in my creative sewing. Among them was a cream coat with a hood and cutouts and when I looked at it I thought I could make a jacket out of it.

Before

 

After

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From scraps to potholders

The one on  the right is my favourite.

Another project made with reuse of materials, in this case small scraps of denim that I used to make some kitchen potholders. In addition to the denim scraps, I used scraps from a tablecloth and the filling of some kitchen gloves whose exterior was already burnt.

How to make a wall organizer

When I set up my sewing room, I placed a pegboard on the wall to store the most used tools while keeping them at hand. This worked for a while, but as expected, over time I acquired more tools and the space began to be scarce. Furthermore, to get to the tools that were at the top of the board I had to get up, and if that wasn't a problem before, now that I have to keep my foot up, it is. So I decided to make an organizer to fill the wall space between the table and the board.

A tote bag made only with reused materials

For those who think that doing creative sewing is expensive, here is an example of how you can get original pieces without spending money, just reuse what you already have. This bag was made with reused materials.

The blouse saga

After the shorts saga, here's the blouses saga, this one had better results and was shorter.

Sling Backpack (C30)

After the sling backpack I made a few weeks ago, I decided to try making one without using the bias binding, and it went well.

The shorts saga

I've been meaning to try making clothes for myself for some time now, and naturally I decided to start with one of the most difficult pieces, pants. I wanted to make pajama pants, so even if they weren’t very good I could still wear them.

As whenever I want to learn something new, I looked for tutorials and found several, each with a different way of doing it. I chose to first make a base trouser pattern because that way I would have a base to later adapt to various types of trousers and shorts.

Small 3 way bag

I was asked to make a small bag, similar to one I had already made before, but without the need for so many pockets. The original bag has a zippered pocket on the back, a double flap pocket on the front, an intermediate pocket and an interior divider.

Foldable and reusable grocery bag / Ecobag (C31)

This week's project is a reusable and foldable grocery bag, it takes up little space, allowing you to always carry one in your pocket or bag and thus avoiding the use of plastic bags.

2 in 1 Sling bag

Another 2 in 1 project, a sling backpack with the option to use it either left or right and that can also be used as a traditional backpack, just by changing the position of the strap.

Mobile Phone Waist Bag

In the winter when I go for my morning walks, I put my cell phone and keys in my jacket or pants pockets, but in summer I wear clothes without pockets, and although I carry my backpack, I don't think it's practical to put my cell phone or keys there, I prefer to have them easily accessible.

Cover for a Henriksdal chair - Updated 16/03/2024

I've wanted to buy a new cover for a Henriksdal chair from Ikea for some time and I found out that they no longer sell this model, the model that replaced it is smaller so the cover doesn't fit in the chair. Since I really needed a new cover, I decided to do it, this was the result.

Chair cover for a desk chair

I recently changed my sewing chair for a chair with wheels, but the upholstery of the new chair is a fabric that is a little warm for the summer and it attract threads and bits of fabric, I have to clean it all the time, so I decided to make a cover. 

I used fabric from a tablecloth, it's the same one I used to make the covers for the kitchen chairs that I shared earlier.

Ekedalen chair seat cover

I have Ekedalon chairs that I bought because the seat had removable covers that could be washed, what I didn't know when I bought them was that to remove the cover I have to remove the seat from the chair, which is not practical at all. 

So I decided to make some covers that I can place over the seat without having to take it off, this was the result. 

Mobile phone sleeve

It can be made in different sizes according to the size of the cell phone or even to store ereaders or tablets. You can use the device as a template, don’t forget to account for the thickness.

Beach bag / weekend bag

I was asked to make a beach bag, the only requirement was the size, I was given the dimensions that the bag should have to be when finished.

This is the result, as always it has a lot of pockets because I am unable to do simple things.

From overalls to bags #3 (C21)

This is the third and last bag in the set inspired by dungarees, in this one I was also inspired by the pockets of jeans.

It was made by reusing jeans and has four pockets o the outside, two of them where made with the back of the overalls and are ideal for keeping your mobile phone, the other four pockets are from jeans. It also has two jeans pockets inside and is padded and quite light.

 

From overalls to bags #2 (C18)

This is the second bag in the set inspired by dungarees, in this one I was also inspired by the pockets of jeans.  

This bag was made by reusing jeans and has two pockets, the small pocket was made with the front of the overalls and is ideal for keeping keys and a large pocket inspired by the pockets of jeans.

Reversible bag (C19)

To make the first bag of the set inspired by the overalls, I used a shirt whose color matched perfectly with the fabric I chose to use along with the overalls. As it is a color that I really like I decided to try to make a reversible bag and this was the result.

The bag can be used either with the patterned side out or with the plain side, and since all sides are different it is practically a 4-in-1 bag.

From overalls to bags

Today I share a set of three bags whose inspiration came from some children's overalls.  

Initially I was going to use the overalls just to cut some strips of fabric for another project, but after taking them apart I thought the legs had a shape that would look good in an outside pocket in a bag, and on closer inspection I ended up separating three parts of the pants to use as a starting point for bags.