Friday 19 July 2013

Bandana, bandana, bandana



Sadly a friend's mother died earlier this year and he's been sorting through her belongings.  His mother enjoyed sewing and all kinds of different crafts, and he kindly gave me lots of fabric.
In amongst it were these three unused bandanas


aren't the colours gorgeous?

After much pondering as to what I could do with them, I cut them into strips and made some patchwork.  This is one piece

Then using the free Colette Sorbetto pattern which I've used before here, I used the patchwork for the front.  I omitted the pleat down the middle because I didn't think I would have enough fabric.  I made another piece of patchwork for the back using the remaining strips and the offcuts from the front.  Unfortunately I was one piece short, but not to worry...
I'd already decided to use a turquoise sash belt from a skirt, for the binding, and once I'd unpicked it, there was quite a bit a fabric.
So I used that for the final patch.  I thought it might stand out too much because it was plain, so I got my black fabric paint out to add some pattern. I hadn't used the paint for years and when I opened it, it had dried up.  

So onto plan B....  I used a permanent marker pen.   It'll probably wash off as permanent things often do when you don't want them to (do it by accident and you'll never get it out!).  If it does I'll get some fabric paint and do it properly.

I made bias binding out of the sash for the neck and armholes.  It isn't required on the pattern, but I also bound the bottom.  As it was on the straight I didn't cut the binding for that on the bias.





In the photo below you can see the plain fabric that I drew on, to the far left
and Spaghetti sneaking into the picture on the right!


Bias binding round neck and armhole



11 comments:

  1. Saw this on Refashion Co-Op and wanted to stop by and say how cute I thought it was! I love the colors and that you filled in the plain fabric. Very clever! (And isn't that the truth about permanent markers??)

    Have a great weekend!

    julee @ D.I.Y. Louisville

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  2. Fantastic - how clever to make this top from the bandanas and the colour is gorgeous.

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  3. That looks amazing! Well done, you. How lovely to be able to carry on your friend's mother's craft love xxx

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  4. That is so cute, I love those colors too!!

    (smjohns63 at yahoo dot com)

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  5. Your new top looks fabulous, you are very crafty.

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  6. You've made a wonderful job. The colours are perfect together :o)
    Rose H
    x

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  7. It's beautifull, I like it

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  8. wow looks great, good use of the bandanas - they are great colours. xx

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  9. I love your new top made from the bandanas and the colours are gorgeous.
    Anne xx

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  10. what a great way to re-cycle those bandanas I like the ingenious way you have drawn a pattern on the plain fabric. Very clever. Gorgeous colours.

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  11. I love this! So creative and I just adore the colours.

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