Kindred Stitches Magazine Issue 18 Upcycled (Preview only, links not acive)

Issue Eighteen

Upcycled

Be inspired to make and create for your home

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Upcycled

Issue Eighteen 2015

Welcome It seems that for many, today's world is one of consumption. As we go about our day we are continually sold to, bombarded with images of "stuff" that we are convinced we have to have. When we do buy something, we seem to accept the fact that it will not last long. Things were not always this way. Once upon a time, things were not so mass produced, people took pride in their workmanship, and appliances lasted for decades not years. Our relentless consumerism, particularly in the Western world, is having a tremendous impact on our environment and planet.

Perhaps it is time for a change.

In planning for this issue, we were both reminded of a time when buttons were collected from discarded clothes, when children's toys were created form household items and gifts were small and made with love. It is this sense of "waste not want not" that inspired the projects we have included for you here. It is our hope that you too can return to an age, if only for this month, whereby a creative new purpose from an unwanted item can bring you both satisfaction and joy.

Warmly Lenna & Janice

Inside this issue: App Instructions

2

Welcome

3

Feature Photo

4

Designer Profile

5

Upcycled Tablet or IPad Bag

7

How to Felt Wool Sweaters

11

Book Review

12

Inspiration for Old Tins

13

Mini Fabric Baskets

14

Video Demonstration

16

Etsy Find

17

Mini Sewing Kit Inspiration

18

Feature Photo

19

Wool Square Tote Pinterest Favourite Finds

20 22

Woolly Mittens

23

Let’s Create

25

Wool Cardigan Pillow

26

Blogger Find Let’s Decorate

28 29

Fabric Find

30

Aunty’s Knitted Vase

31

Sock Monkey Sam

33

Subscriber Page

37

Newsletter

38

We Need your Help

39

Copyright Disclaimer

40

RECYCLING turns things into other things which is like MAGIC!

Designer Profile Sewing and crafting has been a part of my life since I was a child. I come from a very industrious family who love doing things with their hands. We have learned to use our hands to bring us pleasure and to help provide for our families.

I remember my Grandfather designing some amazing things at his workbench located in his garage. If he needed something, he would create it. Items like furniture, household items, farm equipment and he would even make some of his tools.

Jan Howell of

Fibers and Twigs

The women in my family are also very creative and industrious. I had two grandmothers who were beautiful seamstresses. One grandma was a seamstress by trade, sewing ballroom dresses for a local university dance team.

Sequins and threads of all colours adorned the floors of her home.

My other grandma crocheted and quilted up to the day her arthritic little fingers could do no more. I remember there was always a project in the making. We loved going to craft shows during the holidays where we would mingle with hundreds of other crafters looking for ideas and fun things to purchase.

“Recycling is something I love! There is just something in me that gets a thrill out of taking an item that is no longer needed, and giving it a second life.”

Until I reached my young teen years, some of my clothes and all of my dresses were handmade by my mother. I don’t ever remember any of the clothes lacking the current style or trend. Going to the fabric store with my mother and sisters was a weekly activity for me. We would pick up a set of buttons, a zipper, or a yard of fabric that couldn’t be passed by.

Designer Photo Gallery

I also chose to sew many of my children’s clothes while they were young. It was fun, easy, rewarding and saved us a lot of money. Frequently I drag my kids to the fabric stores, I think I ruined shopping for one of my sons. He does not have fond memories of being in the fabric stores and now does not enjoy shopping at all.

Recycling is something I love! There is just something in me that gets a thrill out of taking an item that is no longer needed, and giving it a second life. My home is mostly furnished with items that are refurbished, restored or handmade. When money was tight, I would think about how nice it would be to just go out and buy something NEW. But I have found that even when I can afford to buy a new item, I am drawn to items that have been refurbished or that are used. They seem to have more character and charm. I suppose my love for upcycling comes from generations of the motto “use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without”. I think this motto has served me well.

Requirements List Felted wool sweaters ¼ yard fleece (22cm), or 1.25 yards (114cm) webbing or other strap material of your choice. ¼ yard (22cm) length cotton fabric for lining.

Polyester stuffing (handful) for ball closure 6” (16 cm) elastic cording Shank button (optional closure) Sewing machine Upholstery thread for hand sewing Safety pin General sewing supplies

Don’t be afraid to use the wrong side of a sweater for the right side of your project. This can add texture and character.

Tap here for pattern template

Upcycled Sweater Tablet or IPad Bag Designed by Jan Howell Approximate Size 9” x 11” (23cm x 28”) Length is based on fabric 44” 112cm wide Use a ⅜” seam allowance, which is usually the width of your machine foot Designed for busy women on the go, this project is both stylish and practical. Not only does it look fabulous, it will protect your device when travelling. Made from one of Jan’s favourite materials to work with, an old sweater, this bag is economic to make as well.

Step 1 ~ Download the pattern template and assemble the pattern pieces. Decide which sweaters and colours you want to use for the different parts of the bag. Cut out the back piece. One from the sweater fabric and two from the lining fabric. Cut out 3 different strips for the front of the bag. (If you prefer to make the bag all one colour, just cut out two back pieces instead of one).

STEP 1

Mini Fabric Baskets Designed by Lenna Green Approximate Size diameter 4� x height 2� (10cm x 5cm) Have fun making an assortment of mini fabric baskets.

Looking at this colourful collection it is hard to believe that they were once old discarded clothes found at my local tip shop for just $2 each.

These little baskets have been crocheted from fabric strips that are joined to create a ball of fabric. So easy that you can even get the kids to help in the process. This project is ideal for those new to crochet.

Tap here for crochet stitch guide - British and American terms Handy Hints ~ The texture and thickness of the clothes chosen will affect the size of the baskets you make. I used the medium weight clothing to form the base of my baskets, then I joined the lighter weight fabric strips to crochet the sides.

The important thing to remember is that there is no right and wrong way to make your mini baskets. Experiment with different fabrics and make a variety of sizes by increasing the stitches of the base.

Requirements List Old discarded cotton clothing, I used a gathered skirt, long top, shirt and long pants to make four baskets Scissors No 10mm crochet hook Nostepinne for winding strips (optional)

UPCYCLE CLOTHING

"If it can't be reduced, reused, rebuilt, resold, recycled, or composted, then it should be restricted, redesigned, or removed from production." ~ Pete Seeger

Requirements List Off cuts of wool fabric—for triangle, cut from a 6”x 18” (15cm x 45cm) strip Fourteen 6” (15cm) squares of differing patterned wool fabric 24” (62cm) square wool fabric for lining 4”x 43” (10cm x 110cm) strip wool fabric for strap Four large recycled buttons Eleven smaller recycled buttons Turning tool for strap Rotary cutter, mat and ruler Matching sewing thread Size 2—4 Sharps needle General sewing supplies

Tap here to shop for requirements Tap here for bag layout guide

STEP 3

Wool Square Tote

Fold triangle to triangle

Designed by Janice Kellaway Approximate Bag Size 21” x 11” (54cm x 28.5cm) NB a ¼” seam allowance has been used throughout this pattern Made from old skirts and wool offcuts that were sourced from a second hand clothing store, this lined wool tote with recycled button embellishments and shoulder strap, will carry all your shopping with ease.

Step 1 ~ From your wool fabric offcuts, cut three 6” squares from the same fabric. Cut these diagonally to form six triangles. These triangles are the top of the bag. Cut fourteen 6” squares of wool fabric.

Step 2 ~ The outer layer of the bag is made up of four sections, sewn on point. Refer to the layout guide for placement.

Step 3 ~ Use the layout guide to sew the patches together using a ¼” seam allowance. Note that section one and two are sewn in an L shape, section three is a straight row, and see photo for section four.

Sew all sections together to complete the bag.

STEP 3

Let’s Get Crafty Requirements List A pre loved woollen sweater or cardigan, preferably felted Tapestry needle Contrasting 8 ply wool yarn Matching DMC embroidery thread Two feature vintage buttons Sewing Machine Scissors

Warm Woolly Mittens STEP 1

Designed by Lenna Green Approximate Size 3½” x 7” (9cm x 18cm) These quick and easy upcycled woollen mittens will have your hands toasty warm this winter.

You can sometimes pick up woollen sweaters in op shops or at preloved clothing markets, as was the case with this cabled woollen sweater. It had obviously been washed incorrectly and as a result was felted and misshapen. I found it in a $2 box and was delighted.

My youngest daughter had been wanting a pair of fingerless mittens for winter and I knew this preloved sweater would be perfect.

Requirements List An old cardigan that has been washed Vanishing marking pen Rotary cutter, mat and ruler 14� (36cm) pillow insert Sewing machine Matching thread General sewing supplies

Tap here to shop for requirements

Upcycled Wool Cardigan Pillow

This is a great upcycle idea.

Make soft wool pillow covers from old cardigans or sweaters.

This pattern works particularly well with a cardigan as the buttons make inserting the pillow super easy.

No need to make an opening.

Designed by Janice Kellaway Approximate Size 14� (36 cm) square Whilst rummaging through a $2 box at a pre-loved clothing market, we were delighted to discover this pretty little cardigan. Although a bit misshapen, what caught our eye was the decorative stitching of the front band and the lovely grey, pearl buttons. It was the perfect inspiration for this pillow project.

Step 1 ~ Select a cardigan larger than the pillow insert. Wash and dry the cardigan. Note: If using a hot wash, some felting may occur, this will give a unique, felted look to your finished pillow.

Turn the cardigan through to the wrong side and smooth out flat. Pin the two layers of the cardigan together so that it sits flat.

STEP 1

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