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Another Refashion - Upcycle Your Cardigan!

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Do you have an old cardigan that you want to upcycle? Now's your chance because I have an easy DIY tutorial for you! You can do this on your sewing machine - it will take you less than 30 minutes - or by hand. If you're doing this by hand, I estimate it will take you a little under an hour.


Refashioning - Boys Can Sew!

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I've always wanted to get my son involved in refashioning but never had the chance to until last weekend. At the beginning of the year, he told me he wanted to learn how to use the sewing machine  and I was very happy that he mentioned it (although secretly I think it's because stepping on the pedal is very much like driving a car!)!




So, we ended up doing some cutting, painting and a little bit of sewing.  Two hours later, we ended up with a "new" pair of shorts, a very happy kid, and a proud mummy. This is an easy peasy project.  Click below to read more!

Getting Started on Refashioning - Your Tools

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Keen on starting but don't have your tools yet? Here's a list of items that I feel are a must have for anyone who is refashioning their clothes.  Do you have other tools that you think are must haves in your sewing box? Post a comment below!



We CAN do pockets - from old sleeves!

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[Update: If you have any recommendations for thrift/vintage stores in HK, Toronto or Montreal, pls comment on my latest post.  Thank you!]
When I made my "new dress", I was very keen on putting in pockets. Who doesn't like pockets?  I was a little hesitant, but I knew I had to venture into unknown territory. I quickly searched through Pinterest to find a pocket tutorial.  There were so many, but this one was the best! It has all the tutorials for different types of pockets.


Make Something for Your Mum!

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Mother's Day is coming, and I actually forgot that it was. But everyday can be Mother's Day, or even Father's Day or ...... well, be nice to all who matter to you no matter what day it is, and make each minute count too.  If you are planning to get something for your mum, why not make her something instead?  Here are some ideas that I found in cyberspace that I would personally like to have .... hint, hint to my young one!


From left clockwise:
a) Coconut Lime Sugar Scrub from Idea Room
b) Glass Jar Photo frame that I made with my son
c) A Jar Rack by Serious Craft
d) Handmade Lotion Bars from My Yellow Umbrella.

Update: Going by how things work in my home, I don't think I'll be able to get a day off. :-)


Making a Magazine Stool

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Do you subscribe to a weekly or monthly magazine and you just don't know what to do with them after you've read them? At last week's P!D The Upcycle Village (which I blogged about here), we were taught how to make a Magazine Stool with old magazines!  They had a lot of Her World back issues donated to them by the publisher, SPH.   Check out the steps below.

Upcycling Furniture @ The Upcycle Project

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When you purchase a second-hand piece of furniture, or an upcycled craft, do you ever think about the story behind them?  Where was it made and bought? What has it "witnessed" and why is it now being sold to someone else? Participate in Design (P!D) launched The Upcycle Project in Jan this year and one of their aims was to engage the community at MacPherson and get them to realise their own capacity for contributing to their neighbourhood. Through upcycling, P!D could interconnect individuals (such as the residents of MacPherson, artists, designers) through harnessing the power of stories and ideas.  

They collected many items of furniture from the neighbourhood. Some were upcycled and put on display at The UpcycleArt Village last Saturday.  I was there to give one of my workshops and had a chance to meet one of the founders, Mizah Rahman.  Mizah told me that they are now on Phase 2 which will involve inviting various designers, artists, local craftsmen and students to redesign / upcycle one item so that it best meets the needs of the intended recipient. They should be ready by July!

P!D founders (in yellow, L to R), Jan Lim and Mizah Rahman




Getting the community involved in upcycling through activities.


Some of the upcycled items to inspire others. There was a flower pot holder converted into a stool and a metal office desk turned into a dim sum / tea trolley!



I liked this idea by P!D - a magazine stool. They even shared how it was done at the Village - will put photos and a mini-tute up later.  They also had some donated perfume drums which were upcycled into stools.


MacPherson is considered one of the older residential areas of Singapore, and so I had to cut down on the sewing bit of the workshop!  The majority of participants were over 40 (except for two) and some of the ladies were approaching 80. It was an enjoyable experience!



This is Mallika and her creation. :-)



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