Window Treatments

I have made two valances recently. A set for myself, the brown, and a set for a client, the white and blue. The brown is a flat valance with tab pockets and features a cone shaped twist of fabric at each end which shows a contrasting fabric. The blue valance is sheered on a rod, very basic but classic. It will be used in a kitchen.

Goodwill Rescue

Here is another outfit rescued from the thrift store. The jacket, a tweedy green wool, had a stand up collar and zero lapel. I added brown wool to replace and enlarge the collar. I also expanded the lapel. The original trim was reapplied to the collar edge. The skirt was too short and when I extended the hem an unsightly fold line remained. I camouflaged the old hem line with grosgrain ribbon and rickrack trim.

Panda Bear Costume

This year for Halloween Kipten asked for a panda bear mascot costume. The body is a one piece fur suit with a center back zipper. The head has a bike helmet as a foundation. I mounted a pillow on top and covered it with fur. Then I shaped facial features with added foam.

Puzzle Piece Pins

These are pins made from 4 interlocking puzzle pieces. The card board foundation holds a conglomeration of sundry beads, buttons and found item. Adhered to the back is a pin finding. The pin measures 1 1/2" square.

Puzzle Piece Jewelry

My daughter Madison and I have been creating puzzle piece jewelry. She would like to be a future foreign exchange student, so we are starting now to save for that goal. The jewelry is made from card board puzzle pieces which serve as a foundation. A conglomeration of beads, buttons, and sundry items are glued to the puzzle piece with thick glitter glue. It is a collage on a puzzle piece. We have made pendants, pins, and chokers and will attempt to sell them at three craft shows this fall.

Bridal Keepsake Wall Hangings

Here is a collection of small wall hangings made from wedding dresses. Black crepe is used to add contrast. All are experiments. One uses an entire sleeve turned upside down which serves as a pictorial vase.

Saxophone Case Lining

My son is using my husband's old saxophone. The lining in the case was old and smelly. I ripped out the old and relined the case with leopard skin faux fur. It looks really funky and Kipten loves it.

A Brown Lace Dress

I was asked to make a dress for a lady with a matronly figure. She supplied a commercial pattern and fabric. I first made a muslin mock up of the dress to fine tune the dimensions of the pattern. I had to make significant changes to the original pattern before I cut the lace and lining. The dress fit my client well but unfortunately the picture reveals the dress is not a good fit for my dress form. The job took about 7 hours which includes the pattern work.

Butterfly Sleeves

A client recently brought a blouse to me with drapey butterfly sleeves. These sleeves are only attached to the top of the sleeve cap and are open on the bottom like a sleeveless blouse. She asked me to reproduce the blouse using some fabrics she supplied. I created a pattern from the original garment and made two new shirts for her.