Roses are Red.......

For a couple of weeks now, in our 'exclusive boutique', there had been a black silky skirt with large red roses on it.  It was (fortunately) a size too small (cough, cough) and really not my 'thing' at all - although those who know me would say that black and red are definitely my thing!!!

Anyhoo, I kept looking at this skirt - mainly 'cos it's colouring made you look, i.e. you couldn't really miss it - and the cogs started going around in my head about what I might be able to upcycle it into.... So last week, before we went in, I made the decision that if it was still there, I would buy it.  I was fed up of seeing it on the racking!

So having had to endure the sarcastic wit of the the guy in the shop - he takes the mickey out of me every week!! - I made my way to the back of the shop and yep, there it was, still there.  I removed the item from the racking, double checked that there were no pulls or tears in it and 'bagged' it.

Enduring more sarcastic comments from the guy somewhere along the lines of "had I made sure it was my size.....?   did I want a hat and bag to go with the outfit.....?  it would look lovely with the pink feather boa he had in the back of the shop......" etc., etc., after giving him my £1, I made my escape and brought the skirt home.  I washed it then when it was dry hung it up in my sewing room (ex office), and again pondered on what I could upcycle the skirt as.

Over the week I measured the panels - 3 in all - and realised that I could make a vest top as long as I didn't mind two side seams (as per normal) but an added one up the back - not too bad but the pattern was very strong and I really didn't think I could carry off the finished article especially given that it was a very, very bold pattern and that ladies of a (cough, cough) soon to be certain age shouldn't wear sleeveless tops.

Therefore it should come as no surprise but I made a shopping bag out of it and the left overs will made one of the soft toy patterns I have just bought as well as possibly making it into the currently being worked on 'hexi-quilt'.

• Note.   Yes, I know I said I wouldn't be doing another one this side of hell freezing over following the dramas with the denim one, but I should be safe here - I am hand sewing for goodness sake!). This new quilt is currently being hand-sewn as the nights are drawing in and I can make the hexies watching the TV.  I will obviously post later about this particular project when I have sufficient done.

I have made quite a range of shopping and tote bags so the making up of one now comes quite easily. I had to play around with the back side of the bag as the front skirt panel wasn't quite big enough to make the two panels I needed.  I pieced the back panel and also the handles but, if I do say so myself, the handles have worked out pretty well..... not so sure about the matching up of the pattern on the back panel but I knew this was going to be a pain in the ***e.  The finished result is great and I am pleased with it.

Just to be different, I have made a cover for the bag, you know like the one you get on an umbrella?  I know I shall probably lose it and so I am now going to try to see if I can somehow attach the cover to the bag.  Maybe make a pocket that you can fold your bag into......... I know I have a Kagool somewhere that you can do that with............ just got to think on where it is......

Here is the finished result..... a bit in your face isn't it?  Yes, but no one else will have one like it and I definitely won't lose it.

See you soon...  :0)