Saturday, October 25, 2014

A new bag and a tarted up jacket

Oh I do love to stitch a bag or two! It's another favourite pastime of mine. So much so that I can't remember the last time I purchased a bag. When my favourite bag of the moment is looking a li'l worse for wear, I just design and stitch another. I'm a bit of a boho gal.....did you guess?? When the occasion calls for a new bag in which to carry everything but the kitchen sink, I love to design and stitch another, often embellishing with lace, beads, ribbon, different trims, pretty tassels and all manner of doodads. I don't think I have ever fashioned a bag without the odd adornment!

These are a few bags that I have stitched in the past. A few of these carriers of curiosities have found their way into the custody of my friends. Though I have made 'hand' bags and clutches, I prefer to design and stitch shoulder bags that are slung across my shoulder and body. And....they have to be able to curtail all manner of things. It's amazing what curiosities find their way into my bag! My bag is a magnet for some very strange trifles. When out and about I love to keep my hands free and accessible....especially when shopping in op shops, where it is mandatory to have all hands on deck to dive in and rummage around the barrels and boxes, and crawl under oodles of clothes racks!




With my bag of the moment looking a li'l "how's your mother", I stitched a new one. I found this gorgeous soft as soft leatherette a while ago. It is cream with pretty white flowers and plain cream patchwork squares. Of course, I decided that the odd doily or two and a little ruched flower with some unique leaf buttons, would be required to add a li'l pizzaz to my bag.






















Do you remember Glomesh purses of old? They just keep on keeping on. I have a few that I love to use from time to time. They are very old, but still beautiful. My mum always seemed to have had a lovely Glomesh purse in her bag.



Here 'tis, perfectly accessorising my tarted up jacket.


This jacket is an old Kerry McGee design that I bought quite a few years ago. Long, long ago in my youth I loved Kerry McGee's designs. Unfortunately it seems she has disappeared from my horizon. This rather worn jacket is a favourite of mine and was in need of some tarting up which I did a li'l while ago.

Upcycling garments is really the best fun. I am always on the lookout for some lovely jacket or cardie, or some other garment in an op shop or at a market to upcycle. With the addition of doilies for pockets, trailing ribbon, upholstery fringing and tassels, a pretty crocheted lace remnant and a hint of decorative suede leather, my jacket will be seen out and about for many more outings. That's the thing, if a piece of lace or ribbon becomes worn I just replace it with another pretty.








Me thinks I will be wearing my favourite jacket for a very long time yet. It does seem to initiate a lot of conversation when I am out and about. I always get asked "did you make that?".....(can't imagine why). I often think that I must look like a home made Annie. People never enquire as to whether or not  I bought whatever garment I am wearing from some high end store. I suppose my jacket is  a li'l different, a li'l distinctive......but then I suppose I am a quirky kinda gal.



No I didn't buy the chair, though it would look rather spiffy upholstered in a pretty fabric and painted a bright colour....I am kicking myself now.....and yes......the cute as cute picnic basket came home with me! 'Tis a gorgeous shape and though it is small, it is the perfect size to hold a thermos of tea and a home baked treat when me and my good husband go gallivanting around the countryside in our tin lizzie!

I am off to the market again this weekend.....perhaps there will be a "must have" jacket, waiting for me, clamoring to be tarted up!

Toodles for now.....have a great weekend everyone.




20 comments:

  1. What a lovely assortment of bags you have designed! I like the little black one in the bottom right corner. You have been busy with the jacket and a new bag. Love the new bag, and I can just imagine the softness of it. The lace reminds me of fallen leaves. Very pretty and looks nice with the jacket. Wendy x

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  2. Hello Kim,

    I love your doily bag, lots of hours of crochet in those doileys. I had to smile when you mentioned the old Glomesh purses. I had mine for years. Have fun at the markets.

    Happy days.
    Bev.

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  3. You are so very talented Kim. I can't imagine the thought process to 'tart' up a jacket and I have never sewn a bag! Can you believe it? One day I should try....

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  4. ooh too much to love! Just divine that jacket, i be popping past to night to whisk that one away. ...Laugh..But it is just delicious. Bags are fab and the market looks wonderful to troll around with one slung across the shoulder. Of all the bags my fav would be the brown with pinky tassels. Lovely post.
    Ps went to the funeral,, bawled my eyes out...I looked like a red beacon, got smashed cause I was so upset ...feel way better after a good cry..took some really nice photos of the family..on with life!

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  5. Oh it seems to me that everything you make is a gorgeous work of art, and your beautiful new bag is no exception! Love, love, love - that is all 😘
    Happy weekend xx

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  6. Your bags are so pretty and I agree they look like a work of art. The coat is so cute too. I had a coat similar to that years ago, but My Daughter loved it too and I gave it to her. Guess who is wearing it now, my Granddaughter.

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  7. You've made a gorgeous collection of bags and your jacket is beautiful. I hate the mass produced culture we live in and it cheers me no end to think of you brightening up the other side of the world with your lovely upcycling :)

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  8. Your sense of style and ability to put the most unlikely combinations together is quite inspiring. Are you as creative when it comes to cooking? One can only begin to imagine what may end up on one's plate.....

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  9. Hi Kim,
    Your blog is full of yumminess! Love the pics and I bet people asked
    about your jacket because it looks so yummy they thought they'd be able
    to purchase it somewhere. Love the fabric that is the lining of your bag.
    Too yummy!!
    Cheers, Anita.

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  10. Wowzer Miss Kim! That is indeed a spiffed up jacket! You find the nicest ways to extend the wear of your garment finds. Very, very nice bags. What do you use between the layers of fabric? I so want to go to that flee market with you. Looks like there is a lot of exploring to do there.

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  11. Beautiful bag,beautiful jacket-fantastic,original,great recycling!!!
    Happy week.:*

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  12. Love LOVE LOOOVE that bag and, oh my, your 'tarted up' jacket is to DYE for!!!!! You are one talented girl, my friend :D I would love gallivanting around with you. :)

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  13. I used to have some Kerry McGee items in my wardrobe! The leatherette is lovely. Your bag is absolutely beautiful!! I also only 'do' across the body bags; I don't know why anyone would want to waste a hand carrying a bag! I was a bit envious of the market you were at - what a lovely picnic basket.

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  14. I do LOVE your bags! I have a great deal of trouble resisting "interesting" bags (wonkier the better in my book) I will have to take a page from your book and start making them for myself. Nothing like the perfect bag that holds just everything just so. Happy stitching!

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    1. Thank you, Jen. Yes you must start stitching a bag or two; so much more interesting than shop bought ones. Thanks for visiting. :)

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  15. Wow and wow and more wows!!! I love the leatherette bag. And that jacket. More wows. I think I would have loved that market.

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    1. Ta muchly Beth....and I would love wandering around some of your markets in search of some pretty tea cups! :)

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  16. Your bags are little work of arts!! The jacket looks so lovely! I love how you personalized it. It is so you, dear Kim :)

    -Soma

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  17. All beautiful bags Kim, the leatherette is so pretty.

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  18. I'm thinking I see a special vein going on here...tarted up jackets and amazingly gorgeous bags that you make your own. So glad you're up to all this remarkable work.

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