halloween

Upcycle Style: Monster Tote Bag from an Old Cushion Cover

There is nothing I find more satisfying than reusing something unwanted to create something practical. This Monster Tote bag is made from an unwanted cushion cover that has seen better days. The fabric was still good but the design a bit tired, so rather than throwing it away, I put is aside for the right project to come along. I’m not one to craft or make just for that sake of it, and am more inspired to create an object if there is a need. I’ve been feeling a little uninspired to craft lately because we just don’t need much stuff at the moment, so when one of the mums at school was a little concerned that she’d forgotten to get a book bag for Library day, I came to the rescue and told her I’d make one. The truth is, she came to my rescue, because I was needing a project to get motivated to sew again.
This bag is super easy to make even for a beginner, I’ve photographed every step and even created a template for the monster face. If you aren’t into monsters, you can still use the basic steps to make a tote bag from a thrifted cushion cover you like the design of.
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How To: Frida Kahlo inspired Floral Headband

It’s fun having creative friends, friends that love colour and irreverence and fun. Friends that make art and think it’s awesome when you show up to their exhibition opening night dresses as Frida Kahlo. Maddie had suggested it in passing, “you should come as Frida” and I thought, yes I will, and so will Emma, because the only thing better than one Frida is two Fridas. The exhibition had a Day of the Dead theme (Dia de los Muertos), so we fit right into the riot of colour.
The costumes were easy to put together with clothing and accessories we already had at home, I only had to make the headbands. It didn’t take very long, and Emma enjoyed helping me choose the colours and bend the wires.
If you want to make a floral headband for your own costume or even as a bridal wedding headpiece read on…

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How to: Winged Shoes

Ever wanted to feel a little lighter on your feet? Isn’t it obvious, just add wings to your shoes.

This project was directly inspired by Jeremy Scott’s winged shoes for adidas, pretty groovy sneakers but not quite my style. Here is how to make your own set of wings that will fit ladies or kids size shoes.

This post is proudly sponsored by…

For the template and step by step instructions…

I have created a template, feel free to use it or draw up your own. To print click on the image, and save to your computer. Open in a program like paint (PC) or preview (mac) and print to original size. You may need to adjust your printer settings to get the sizing just right.

click picture to open template image

You will need:
Template
cotton quilting batting
cotton fabric
fusible web (like Vliesofix)
eyelet and eyelet tool
brightly coloured sewing thread
iron
Sewing machine and supplies

How to:
Print and cut out your template.
To prepare your padded fabric, sandwich the fusible web between the cotton fabric and the batting and iron to bond. Repeat on the other side.
Trace your wing template onto the fabric, flip the template (mirror image) and trace again.
You should have 2 wing patterns that are mirror images of each other.
Using a narrow zig zag stitch, stitch over the line markings, taking special care around curves. You may like to practice on a scrap piece first.

Cut away excess fabric, taking care not to cut into the stitching.
Now you need to mark where the lace holes are going to go.
Using your eyelet tool, make holes where marked and fasten your eyelets (as per pack instructions)

Once you’ve finished one wing, hold it against the other to mark the hole positions.
Punch holes and insert eyelets as before.

Lace your shoes with your wings and now you are ready to fly!

Conveniently this size wing fits on to a child size sneaker perfectly (although Emma’s sneaks have fixed elastic laces, so crafty fail!)

I’m so loving my lace-ups even more now that they have wings. And before you ask where the shoes are from, I bought them from Bared, custom made to the colour of your choice. They have been lovely enough to sponsor this post, which makes me very happy.

www.mypoppet.com.au

How To: Easy Bat Wings for Halloween or Dress Ups

These bat wings are a fun and really easy to make addition to any dress up box. They only took me around ten minutes to whip up with some black lycra fabric I had laying about in m sewing room. Only one seam is required which you can do by hand if you don’t have a sewing machine.

These wings can be made for a child or adult if you adjust your measurements accordingly. Only a little maths is required to work out how much fabric you will need to start off with.

How To:
1. You will need, black stretchy fabric (lycra/spandex is best as it doesn’t fray), scissors, measuring tape, needle and black thread or sewing machine.

Amount of fabric required:
Width = arm span from wrist to wrist (or Ax2)
Length = back of neck to waist (B) + half circumference around widest part of arm(C)2. fold fabric in half to halve the width, (folded over sleeve allowance C is just to give you an idea of what to measure) .
3. Cut out semicircle, D is the measurement from center back to shoulders. ( the bottom of the semicircle should be the length B.
4. Fold over your sleeve again and cut out scallops for edges.
5. This is how it should look when the whole thing is unfolded
6 + 6a. Fold over the sleeve allowance C and sew where indicated. If machine sewing I recommend zig zag stitch to allow the fabric to stretch.

Wear the wings like a shrug over some black clothing and get ready to scare the neighbours. Boo!

www.mypoppet.com.au