I've been toying with this idea for a while - then saw one similar in last term's dance performance at my girls dance school! So finally got around to trying it myself! My daughter loves it!



http://jembellish.blogspot.com/2011/07/funky-multi-coloured-circle-skirt.html

I grew up in the 80s and had LOTS of groovy baggy t-shirts with pictures and logos on the front!  Now I still have some of my favourites - but since baggy t-shirts are no longer my thing - I thought I'd recycle them into something I would wear! 
I also just learnt how to do this before/after animated photo thing so had to use one here!!!



http://jembellish.blogspot.com/2011/07/recycle-old-t-shirt-into-fitted-top.html

A good friend of mine often gives me a bag of hand-me-down clothes from her daughter for mine.  Now my 6 year old has very firm ideas about the fashions she will and will not wear - so we often have to change things up a bit!

The last bag contained a really pretty dress - but my little girl didn't like the 'bubble' style.  So we had to cut it up and refashion it into a skirt and matching headband!



http://jembellish.blogspot.com/2011/07/yellow-dress-to-skirt-refashion.html

One happy gir!!!

I've been wanting to design and make a nice handbag for a while now - and finally achieved a result I'm happy with!
I've named it after my mum (who was very chuffed and fortunately liked the bag too!)
What do you think?





I didn't use any interfacing - I like the softer feel of the bag - and it seems to hold its shape pretty well with just the 2 layers of fabric.   And I added a couple of pockets inside too! 

Few more pictures here...
http://jembellish.blogspot.com/2011/06/kathryn-bag-and-end-of-june-grow-my.html

Not sure if this is the right place for this - but I figure it's embellishing clothing??

I used to be so scared of zips - but am gradually realising they aren't so bad.  Especially after learning how to add these zipped pockets!

I needed a pair of shorts with a pocket in so I could carry my house key when out for a run.  They were so expensive in the shops - so I was really pleased when I managed to add a pocket to a pair of my own shorts!! - and it cost me nothing! Can't beat that!



I'd love to help other people to see how easy, adding a zip can be!!

http://jembellish.blogspot.com/2011/07/how-to-add-zip-pocket-to-shorts-in-5.html

I finally got around to making some fabric sandwich wraps so I can stop using all those little plastic boxes for my kids lunches and on picnics.  The best thing about these is that after you've eaten, you don't have to carry around all those bulky empty boxes!   Even better - I can now have more space in one of my kitchen drawers!!!
Simplest thing ever to make!



http://jembellish.blogspot.com/2011/06/how-to-make-fabric-lunch-wrap-in-5-easy.html

I set out to make a simple cover for my daughter's laptop - and it somehow ended up being a lined bag with pockets for the accessories!






http://jembellish.blogspot.com/2011/06/laptop-bag-tutorial.html

Ever wondered what you can do with your old silver car windscreen shade?  I had several old ones that were ripped and torn, and eventually discovered they make great insulating material for lunch bags!



Made also with old curtain swags, an old dress, an old car seatbelt, and just a couple of non-recycled bits - like the velcro!

If you're interested - the tutorial is here:

http://jembellish.blogspot.com/2010/05/insulated-bag-tutorial.html

It even washes ok in the washing machine!! (except for the really cheap versions which have a picture on one side of the silver - then the picture washes off - but the silver part of the sunshade is fine!!) Brilliant stuff

I'm slowly teaching my young daughters to sew, and am always trying to think up simple projects for them to try.
This is what I've come up with today - a simple camera case with a photo tutorial for them to follow themselves!  They've seen mine - and I can't wait for them to try one for themselves!



If anyone is interested the tutorial is here - I'd love any feedback - and any more ideas of simple projects for kids to practice their sewing with!

http://jembellish.blogspot.com/2011/06/make-simple-camera-case-in-5-easy-steps.html

A little while ago I made some of these talking coasters to help our kids tell us about their day at dinner time:



I posted a tutorial if anyone is interested:

http://jembellish.blogspot.com/2011/02/talking-coasters-tutorial.html

The kids love them so much - I had to make another set with more questions - and I'm going to need to keep going!! 
I also made a set for the adults with 'big questions' for dinner party discussions!