Aug 1, 2017 | Jackets & Kimonos
The world is overflowing with textiles! We buy them, wear for a bit, then get rid of them, either by donating to charity shop or putting it in the bin. Most of these clothes still got plenty of life left in them, but fashion changes or we have no space left in our wardrobe so we choose to throw out and make space for new.
Suit jackets are timeless pieces. However they can be a bit plain and boring if you want to wear the outside the office. Here are a few I customised for the festival season.
I bought these amazing trimmings in Mumbai exactly for this purpose. All painstakingly hand stitched with love.
If you got your own suit that needs some bedazzlement, we are here to help!
Jun 2, 2017 | Jackets & Kimonos
I really love making these kimonos. Well, they aren’t strictly kimonos, but a floaty summer layer inspired by. They are made from saris, sarongs and any other reusable fabric that comes my way. The trimmings I do buy new from my travels, the rest is all upcycled goodness.
Its a definite winner for the festival season. Put it on over your spandex, pair it with a headdress and you are ready to go!
If you want to get your hands on any of these one of a kind pieces before they go, get in touch. These is only one of each!
May 20, 2017 | Accessories & Fascinators
Sometimes you might find a piece of fabric, a garment or in this case a ripped rag rug in a charity shop that you don’t know what to do with to start with, but later on it becomes clear why you picked it up. Yes it was ripped but the colours was so yummy I couldn’t see it go to waste. A few weeks passed and one day I looked at it and I knew exactly what I was going to make out of it. Hand bags!
After trimming off the ripped part I cut the remaining rag-rug into four equal pieces and ran them through the overlocker to seal the edges. I wanted to give match the cotton rag rug with something luxurious. Like raw silk, which I had from an old curtain that I salvaged. Again after trimming off the sun damaged part, I had just enough to line the bags with. Completed with handles made from trimmings salvaged from old saris.
Well here they are. Same same but different as they say.
They will all be available at a festival near you.
Apr 21, 2017 | Furniture & Upholstery
Sometimes I get the urge to paint furniture instead of working with textiles. Even tough in some cases I’m really against it. If you have a good condition, antique hard wood piece of furniture, please don’t ruin it with chalk paint! This piece however really needed a rescuing. It was scratched and somebody had already attempted to paint parts of it. (Forgot to take a before photo sadly)
I used two different tones of grey chalk paint. The darker tone underneath, and the lighter on top, plus finish with a generous rubbing of wax.
It only lasted 3 days in Shabitat before it got snapped up!
If you have a piece of furniture that you think is in need of a facelift, get in touch!
We also do painting classes.
Mar 21, 2017 | Furniture & Upholstery
I have lost count of how many of these giant floor cushions I have made and sold in Brighton. A lot of flats and houses in this town are very small, so it can be hard to fit enough seating. These cushions are ideal for those kind of spaces. Plus there is something quite cosy about a pile of cushions on the floor instead of a sofa. I have always wanted a cinema room filled with these… One day 😉
Synthetic stuffing isn’t very eco to produce and the natural ones are very expensive. However if people prefer these they can be used too. My normal method is using recycling duvets. I make sure they are washed and clean before using them of course. The outer covers are made from old curtains, end of roll, or any other fabric that are thick enough. I add a zip so they come of to wash as well. They are generally around 100 x100 cm and start from about £30 each depending on the fabrics used.
Can be found ready to buy in Shabitat depending on stock, or made with your desired fabrics.
If you need some of these in your life get in touch!
