Repurposing Materials

Welcome to the first of the Make Do & Mend series posts! Today we are looking at cost effective ways to create some fantastic new makes – without the need to spend loads on materials!

One of the best ways we can all do a little more ‘making do’ and a little less ‘buying new’ (loves a rhyme ?) is to repurpose our materials – fabrics, notions, features etc.

Whether you have old makes that you want to refashion, if you use some old linens in the cupboard (sheets, table cloths, pillow cases…and don’t forget those quilts!) or perhaps you love op shopping for treasures that you can remake: there are endless options and beautiful makes just on the other side of a little inspo.

Shop the bedding aisle

When Bunny and Birdie felt the cold coming on last winter, they of course requested their own “puffer” Hovea Coat…which made me VERY excited! However, I was a bit apprehensive about quilting two jackets in quick succession. Winter doesn’t last very long here in Perth, so time was of the essence.

Lilac check quilted jacket made from a puffy bedspread, laid flat on a wooden floor

Two girls in quilted puffer jackets with a teenage boy, outside Cambridge Library

So we had a look online to see what ‘quilted bedcovers/quilts/coverlets’ were available in our price range. The girls spotted these two gorgeous puffy bedspreads at Kmart (similar to Target) and off we went! I even had enough left over to make Anita’s little girl a puffy jacket!

There are many reasons why I love this idea: it’s affordable, you get loads of fabric, definitely more than you’ll need for your make; and all of the materials are already there for you. This way if you’re new to sewing or quilting it’s a great way to introduce you to the process!

Check out the video for the full story on this journey :)

Thrift store finds

Did you know that most op shops/thrift stores have little sections dedicated to sewing supplies? Sometimes you can even find meterage of fabric that has never been used. I always make sure to have a little squiz just in case there’s some treasure in there!

Another section I’ve started checking…the linen! You won’t believe the beautiful quilts and bedspreads people give away! Another thing to keep in mind is that op shops/thrift shops sometimes have brand new, unused sheet sets. So be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the gems!

Rack of second-hand bed linen and quilts hanging in an op shop

Op shop shelves with craft supplies, fabric, books and baskets

Shopping your own linen cupboard

DIY tie front blouse with peplum and puff sleeves

Protea

When Bunny got some gorgeous new mauve coloured bedsheets can you imagine my sadness (please note my saracasm here) when I realised they were too big for her bed! As a result – I was left with some off-cuts from the sheets, and just enough to make this beautiful tie front, puff sleeve Protea hack blouse!

I wrote a blog tutorial post about it here and I even filmed a super simple video below to show you how you can make your own!

Mini Darling Ranges

We often use thrifted sheets to sew our toiles during testing, and I really feel like some of the most gorgeous prints are found in vintage sheets! Back when I was developing Mini Darling Ranges I was lucky enough to test out two Darling Ranges dresses for my little ones – from vintage sheets I picked up at an op shop years before! Check out the posts here and here.

Girl in a pink print vintage sheet Mini Darling Ranges dress and straw hat looking out to the water

Woman in a patchwork quilted Hovea jacket and jeans, standing by a colourful painted mural

Hovea Quilt Coat

Ok everyone…I think you should make quilted Hovea jacket using a pre-made bed spread or quilt and we have a blog post here and a video below that’s going to let you in on all the reasons I think it’s an awesome idea!

Megan Nielsen Patterns | Hovea: Tips For Making A Hovea Jacket From A Vintage Quilt | Anita & Her Quilt

Remake unworn pieces

Whether it’s a skirt you don’t wear as much as you thought you would or Levi’s in your husband’s wardrobe that are never worn…if you are wondering whether you should remake a piece…let this be your inspo!

Fabric from an old floral Protea skirt cut down to make a Marri dress, with sewing labels

PROTEA SKIRT = MARRI DRESS

There was one Protea skirt I didn’t wear as much as I thought and I knew exactly what I wanted to make with it instead..a Marri dress!

There is a blog post coming for this one, but please enjoy the progress pic here, complete with my very apt label use (Panic Sewn ?) and my favourite straps to date – velvet ribbon!

LEVI’S to DAWN JEANS!

We have been inspired by Candice’s Dawn jeans crafted from Men’s Levis from the thrift store! Check out her blog post here for all of the details on how she crafted her Dawn Jeans!