Thursday, June 10, 2010

My creative space.

Yesterday morning I was digging around in the back of what feels like my very uncreative space, my wardrobe, in the hopes of discovering something new and exciting to wear. While I didn't exactly find what I was hoping for, I did come across a very soft, wine coloured wrap around top.

I was hopeful. I tried it on. And then I remembered why I had chucked it to the back of the wardrobe in the first place. It just didn't work on me. The wrap around bit was too low and the shoulders were too saggy and I probably should have tried it on in the oppy I bought it from all those years ago.

But it was so soft.

So yesterday morning instead of chucking it back, I cut it up, stitched it back together again and made a dress for Miss Pepper.

There weren't any big enough bits to get whole pattern pieces out of, so I just stitched some smaller bits together to make two pieces for the front and two for the back.

I didn't even care that I sewed the back wrong side out.

And then I pinned a doily to the front. I'll sew it on later.

I can't stop crocheting these doilies at the moment. They are strangely addictive.

Oh and the beanie.

I can't stop crocheting them either.

Since I discovered how easy they are to make when you forget about a pattern and increase until you get to the size you want and then make the sides, they are actually fitting heads around here too. Which is a good thing because it is positively arctic outside.

I hope your Thursday is a creative one.
Check out the rest at Kirsty's.

58 comments:

  1. That beanie is fabulous! I love the colours - and the back of the dress looks like it was meant to be like that!

    I've always like a dress/shift top over trousers - gorgeous!!

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  2. You never cease to amaze me Kate. I love this whole outfit!

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  3. Good Morning Kate! I have a big bag of clothes I should have given to the oppy a long time ago! Maybe I will have a second look! P.S. You have inspired me to give crocheting a go, the doilies look great :)

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  4. I love the yarn you used for the beanie. The dress is great too, there is a specialty children's boutique near me that is showing their clothes all with the seams showing (and at a pretty penny too) so, you have sewn a couture dress :).

    I have to admit that the sweetest part is that gorgeous wee lass!

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  5. Your little girl looks gorgeous, what a fab outfit! Very clever 'upcycling' and looks great with the crochet doily!

    More inspiration to learn to crochet!!

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  6. Love the colours in the beanie. They are addictive to make, love doing them while watching tv as I don't have to think too much past the increase, lots go to charities

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  7. I love the dress...I definitely have things in the closet that can stand to be reworked because no way am I going to ever wear them..

    And the beanie is too cute...I made one for Sophie before she was born that she recently wore out to a "high end" mall and got tons of compliments...Makes your day to know something you make stands out from all those name brand things:)

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  8. Oh Kate Miss Pepper is making such an adorable little model isnt she. Love the dress with the doily, perfect. The beanie I absolutely love and I must say that when we meet up you will have to teach me to make one. Is there a tutorial on the internet on how to make them with the stitches shown that are used. I think the hardest part for me in trying to learn to crochet is trying to remember what stitches to do and what they actually are. Great color matching with the outfit too!

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  9. Soft and warm and Mama made. What more could a little girl ask for? The crochet is fabulous as usual!

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  10. I wish I had something cool to offer as a swap for a beanie, this cold snap up here has made me wish I own one...

    If I didn't have 100 WIP's underway and about 1000 boxes to pack I would be right.

    I love the little dress, it looks so soft and comfy, just perfect!

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  11. Oh Kate! She is a divine picture of vintage lovliness! Beautiful colours and yes it is chilly!

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  12. LOVE it!! She looks positively DESIGNER....

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  13. I love it... It's a little bit hippie flower child kinda feel!! Perfect to play in comfortably!!

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  14. The beanie is gorgeous & your model is pretty gorgeous herself.

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  15. LOVE the whole look!!!! Crochet is everywhere - it's very inspiring! x

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  16. Beanies ARE easy... I can even make them... by mistake... ;)

    Gorgy model & funky dress - I love her whole ensemble!

    xo

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  17. Swooning over that beanie, Kate...and the dress ROCKS!

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  18. Pretty cute stuff!!
    You're getting cleverer every blog post!

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  19. Hi Kate, I am a LONG time lover of your blog, I love all the bits and bobs you do, I find you very inspirational :) I came across this website the other day and the lady on it does A LOT of clothing re-purposing, it made me think of you and that you might like to take a look, the web address is
    http://www.makeit-loveit.com/
    Keep up the lovely blog, farming and especially crochet
    xo Pippa

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  20. I was just saying last night (at the Craft Room) that I wanted to crochet a beanie (and a tea cosy) and didn't know where to start and in the back of my brain I thought, "I bet Kate would know..."! And clearly you do!

    Nice repurposing too. And when you think of a way to make your wardrobe a creative space, let me know! Mine needs desperate hep!

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  21. beautiful as always...love the soft changing colours on your beanies, its true that sometimes it doesnt need to be complicated to be wonderful, easy beanies look ace. Send some that cold weather up here!

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  22. Gorgeous as always - the beanie is fabulous.

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  23. What a cute beanie with the little flower. What lucky girls you have to have such stylish headwear. Love your recycled top, much better on Pepper I'm sure.

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  24. Loving your beanie. I think I'm going to give that a go. Looks wonderful.
    ... and the dress formerly known as a wrap around top - ACE!!!

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  25. adoring your beanie, what a great eye for colour you have!

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  26. I am a big fan of beanies, I just go round and round in a spiral, increasing and decreasing as I go along. They are the first crochet I learnt- yours are fabulous! I wish my in- house model was a willing and appreciative as Ms Pepper is ( man she is cuuuuuuute!!!)

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  27. That is such a great outfit, top to bottom. Makes me want to re-learn how to crochet :) And if you hadn't mentioned the back seam was a mistake, I wouldn't of known otherwise. Supercute!

    I've passed along a blog award to you (you can see it in this post). No need to respond, I just want you to know that I really enjoy your blog :)

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  28. Lucky little Miss Pepper, she looks adorable!

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  29. Miss Pepper is just the cutest little girl! x

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  30. Hey honey, what will you do if Pepper goes into a not wearing dresses phase???? You might have to have another baby! Nice beanie work by the way, I love that wool, is it the one you were using at craft night? The little flower you made me is now on Rubys (next door) hat, and looking very sweet, xo

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  31. I love those colours so much!
    Cleverly done dress, Miss Kate. I wouldnt have cared about the insideout-ness either. Happy accidents are the best form of individuality, I think.
    Where did you get the wool for the beanie? Did you mix it on the go like a double strandy thingy?
    x

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  32. Well...I think she look just SUPER!!! I'm-a-loving those beanies!! xx

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  33. There she is again with cute stance of hers. The last photo...oh my.

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  34. Aww, she is so sweet in her mama made outfit and that hat is awesome. Care to write a pattern for us less advanced crocheters? :)

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  35. I'm just loving the dress looks so soft and comfy and warm too. You are amazing.
    It's good weather for crochet isn't it, keeps the ol hands warm. xo

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  36. Hello :-) maybe when you come play one day you can teach me to crochet? and i could teach you hmmmm..something!! kyabram is about 2 hours from daylesford, past bendigo,towards shepparton x manda
    p.s how cute is your girl.

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  37. That looks like such a comfy and wearable dress! And the beanie's great. I need to make some for the small in this house VERY SOON!!! What's your yarn?

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  38. Everything looks great great great - But your litle one is just too cute, what a gorgeouse girl!!
    =) I looooove it when you add your crocheting to clothes I must try that!! =D

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  39. Isn't it great when you can make something useless work, and the colour of the dress looks lovely with the beanie. I love the d'oiley too.
    That little Pepper could sell ice in the Arctic Circle. What a little poppet.

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  40. Oh I love that last photo. A beautiful girl with a beautiful beanie.

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  41. She is so adorable!!! I love that beanie, I wonder when I can successfully crochet one for myself:P

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  42. love the doily on the front ~ gorgeous colour combo.
    sure is arctic, i even wore a beanie today!

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  43. Love it! Repurposing things always feels soooo satisfying! It looks really cozy and soft! xx m.

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  44. Beautiful colour....reminds me of wine or grape sorbet. Love that doily, you are getting pretty fabulous at those :-)

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  45. I love your perspective on clothing and seeing more than what is there to be seen, creating something unique and beautiful. xo

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  46. love that you can do that!
    I so wish I could crochet, you make it sound sooo easy.
    by the way, your little model is amazing!!

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  47. snuggly textures, gorgeous colours, beautiful (and lucky) daughter

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  48. That exposed seam I thought was a design feature! It is such a gorgeous outfit and all made by mama - nice WORK!

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  49. I really really wanted a cute little girl that I could make pretty things for .... so of course I got a boy. Thanks for the lovely photos so I can imagine making little girly things (my son is now 31 and 6feet tall!!!)

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  50. I love the doily dresses! I wanna make one too!!!

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  51. Oh Pepper is so adorable, she makes my heart melt. And that outfit, is just the cutest thing, I love the colour (obviously)! I made a beanie recently too for a little mates naming day, I still haven’t whipped one up for my Little Guy, but it is on the list of things to do. I agree it is so easy when you just go for it without worrying about the fact that you can’t even read a pattern!
    Have you finished your granny shrug yet?

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  52. You are truly amazing. Beautiful beanie and dress and daughter.

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  53. aah ha! A doily addiction! I know that feeling.

    gorgeously wonderful inspiring space. xo

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  54. watch out for the pins miss pepper. she is adorable kate and that outfit is so her. love your hooking. you are a machine.
    check tis out if you haven't already http://sewmuchado.blogspot.com/2010/02/refashion-tutorial-toddler-ruffle-skirt.html
    and make sure you link to the leg warmers too.
    adorable

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  55. Stunning! I'm jealous! I want that top!!!!! Love your blog... I love finding people who love crochet enough to blog about! Will definately be saving you to my list so I dont forget to pop back in... have a lovely weekend!

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  56. what beautiful colours, she looks just gorgeous. And the beanie is wonderful, you're very clever

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  57. Just wonderful Kate how you repurpose things like this. Truly inspiring.

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  58. Hi Kate! I've been following your blog for a few weeks now. I was very encouraged to see the dress you made here - I did a similar thing myself for my 5 year old when she required a costume for school. I converted a worn-one evening dress I had into a two piece outfit for her. It was so satisfying I've now gone out to the local op shops looking for more dresses and the like that I can convert into clothing for the girls. I currently have three large sized skirts waiting for their revival. Such fun!

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Thanks so much for stopping by...

I do read every single comment you leave and appreciate it very much, but I should let you know that I can be a wee bit on the useless side when replying to comments, that's just me, everyday life sometimes gets in the way....so I'll apologise now, just in case.

Kate XX

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