Things To Do With Injured Prints

Posted on May 28, 2010 by Linda Matthews

Before I upgraded to my new wide format Epson printer, I was using an old HP wide format to print my large images. It did a fair enough job but it was rather finicky about what what I fed through it and this resulted in a number of very large prints with some sort of misprint.

You can see on this photo that there is a stripe running through the print. This happened when the paper carrier got caught and wouldn’t feed although the printer kept printing. So it printed over the same section a few times before I managed to free it. As you can also see, it was only a few inches from the end of the print which was about 11″ x 15″ in size so it was a little annoying when it happened.

Image Transfer Wallet

I didn’t throw the print out knowing that one day I would find a use for it. And that day finally arrived when earlier this week I decided I needed a new wallet and this print was the perfect size once I trimmed away the misprinted piece. The finished size of the wallet is about 7.1/2″ x 4.1/2″ folded …

Image Transfer Wallet

… and about 11.1/2″ open. I used digital grounds to print the image so the color is very vibrant, and then I sealed it with a paint-on sealer so now the fabric is protected from dirt and grime and needs only a wipe to clean it, and it can also withstand the rough use that a wallet usually gets.

Image Transfer Wallet

The great thing about designing your own purses and wallets, is that you can make them to your own specifications and include extra pockets and holders as needed, so I added an open pocket for notes and a zipped pocket for change.

Image Transfer Wallet

I made the center section flip, so on the other side I have a pocket with a tab so I can store other bits and pieces securely, and also another open pocket for receipts and my check book.

Image Transfer Wallet

I edged it with some machine wrapped cording and a zig-zag stitch, and added a small unobtrusive snap for closure. I like the way the wallet turned out and I like it even more because I finally found a use for the print. Now, I just need to find uses for the other dozens of *injured* prints that I have lying around!

Image Transfer Wallet

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Creatively Recycled: Buddha Bag

Posted on May 24, 2010 by Linda Matthews

It’s amazing what you can do with a few scraps of fabric and a little imagination! As you know I’ve recently been on a mission to recycle and repurpose some of my fabrics and ufos. Last week I showed you the results of turning an old forgotten applique ufo into a beautiful tote bag. Today say hello to the Buddha Bag.

I love to use overdyed silk kimono fabrics; the fabric is beautiful to look at and to touch and I don’t like to waste even the smallest piece. (PS – You can find scrap bags online at Laura Murray Designs.) And they are particularly perfect for Asian inspired projects such as this Buddha Bag.

This is a small tote bag, the body is about 8.1/2″ wide by 9″ high, and it was made from some leftover scraps of silk kimono fabrics and an old inkjet print on organza of the Buddha. I do a lot of test inkjet prints on fabric which often are unsuitable for the project in mind because of size or other reasons, so I throw them into a drawer to use for other projects later on. This image was quite large so it was perfect for this project. If you’re interested in learning how to print on sheer fabrics, I explain how I print on organza in this post.

The fabric on the front of this bag has lovely metallic thread designs woven through it, as has the fabric underneath the image, so the image sparkles depending on which way you look at it. I really like the way it turned out and I think the Buddha looks very serene surrounded by all that beautiful fabric.

Buddha Tote Bag

The back of the bag is also a piece of overdyed silk kimono fabric. This piece was originally a block in an art quilt that never quite got finished so I pulled the quilt top apart and this piece was just the perfect size for the back of the bag. Don’t you love it when things work out so perfectly? The fabric has a piece of bamboo stenciled onto it using paintstiks, and I also added some gold foil for additional surface design.

Buddha Tote Bag

I’ve just added the Buddha Bag and some other items to my Etsy Store, where you’ll also find additional photos and information.

I love all this recycling and repurposing and I have various other projects in progress, but this week I also hope I can get back to working with my digital grounds; I kind of got sidetracked with this recycling thing, but I’ve got a few project in progress that I hope to show you soon.

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More Creative Recycling

Posted on May 14, 2010 by Linda Matthews

Do you ever have creative ideas that just won’t let go? I often do, but I also think that they also serve a purpose. Creative ideas can push us to do better, or different, or even push us to explore further; to take our creativity to places it has never been before. They can also serve to distract us in times of stress, and allow our stress to take form and shape in a healthy way.

News of my mother’s recent illness arrived at the same time as I spotted an old dress laying in the corner which subsequently was recycled into this tote bag. And as the days pass as I wait for more news, feeling a little helpless so far from home but knowing that I couldn’t do anything more even if I were home, it eases the anxiety a little to be distracted by simple things like creating something new from something old.

And so as well as the tote, I now also have a new purse made from the fabric of that old dress.

And I still haven’t used up all the fabric!

Either that was an old “fat dress” (all you ladies will know what I’m talking about) or it just had a lot more fabric than I first thought because there’s still more than enough fabric for another purse or small tote.

Goodness knows I don’t need another handbag, purse or tote, so they might make nice presents for someone, or you might even see them in the store very shortly.

And I’m now seeing a lot more stuff lying around my sewing room that could easily be creatively recycled. I hope my mother gets better soon so I can get back to some “real” work.

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Creative Recycling

Posted on May 10, 2010 by Linda Matthews

If you’re anything like me, it’s hard to throw away “useful” pieces of fabric, particularly if they’re interesting or beautiful. I have a lot of old bohemian style dresses with lovely decorative embroidery that I just can’t bring myself to throw away or donate and I’ve been hanging on to them for years knowing that “one day” I’d have a use for them. Well that day has finally arrived!

While I was adding links to the free-purse-patterns”>Free Purse Patterns website, I noticed a couple of patterns that I particularly wanted to try out, so this was the perfect opportunity to recycle my dresses into some new totes, and then donate the old totes to charity.

I used the Margaret Sling Bag by Oh, Fransson design to make this tote. The fabric is buff colored rayon and silk so it was very soft and not ideal for a tote, but once I added some interfacing it held its shape much better. I just *love* the shape of this tote design – very upscale.

Free Tote Pattern

I used up most of the back side of the dress, but I still have the front so I’m planning to make another tote or purse. Who can ever have enough ?

Free Tote Pattern

If you haven’t yet visited the Free Purse Patterns website there is currently over 100 free designs listed and I still have a bunch more to add so pay a visit – I’m sure you’ll find something you like.

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Repurposing and Reconstructing

Posted on March 26, 2010 by Linda Matthews

I was browsing around etsy the other day during one of my lunchtime meanderings around the internet. There’s lots of stuff on etsy that’s kind of trashy looking, but this day I decided to browse a little deeper into the maze of handmade goodies I actually came across some stores selling very beautiful items. One of the stores I bookmarked was jill2day who makes reconstructed sweaters and repurposed clothing.

If you enjoy your clothing a little on the eclectic side, then you’re sure to love these designs; I’ve never seen garments constructed quite like these. I love the idea of repurposing old clothing and particularly sweaters, in such a fashionable way. I think I see one of these in my future …

I like the color red ..