Pastels are for big girls too!

New towel: present for a new baby girl. Pink broderie anglaise applique.



New patchwork tote. Old and New fabrics called Big girls like pastels too. I considered selling it before it was made, but when Kate loved it too, I realised we had to have it. It will be mother - daughter shared.



Salvaged wooden rings from an op shop. Bias trim is brand new.



Corduroy sides and handles -my recycled cord jeans that I wore to bits. I love it that I can still wear it.



Old and new - salvaged embroidery, contemporary floral prints, plains from my stash and a gorgeous vintage "midcentury" pastel plastered tablecloth.



Kate plans to use it as an overnighter (It's big) and it will be perfect for work and play for me ;).

Vintage barkcloth salvaged for modern living

One of my favourite fabrics - vintage barkcloth rescued from an op shop - all torn up ready for rags. This Kokeshi bag has been reinforced with firm interfacing and lined with a repurposed calico curtain.

I love these vintage buttons as well. Probably older than the fabric itself! You can see the texture of the barkcloth from the cloe up photo below. How could someone dreamed of using it for cleaning!

I already own a Marbella (hobo style) bag made from this fabric, but I am glad I still have a few salvaged pieces left - it makes such a vibrant tote.

Calypso Drawstring

The latest little ditty bag - a drawstring just big enough for your thongs (or flip flops) so you can wear heels and still walk home!

Custom made for a birthday girl (lady), completed because of the birthday date the contemporary Happy Birthday Polka Dots from The Moda Collection spots, are lined with 80's floral and finished with upholestery fabric handles.

Here is the comment on Bessie's facebook: "I have just received a beautiful Bessie original as a gift and it is fun,funky, and well loved already, thanks".

With Christmas coming I have loads of bags running around in my head..ready for some time to be spend on the machine....

Flutter in the City

I have just had the most wonderful long weekend away. It started in Brisbane - I had a couple of hours to while away so found myself in the West End, and scored some gorgeous op shop clothes for myself, including a very vintage, very pink sheer - but too pretty to be called a dressing gown- what are they called? Then it was time and husband of 15 years and I flew to beautiful Adelaide.

My first trip and I was not disappointed. I should have researched handmade and shops a little before we left I guess, but it was just too much fun exploring the city. I was gobsmacked with the button shop below. Walls of them ! Walls! Just no vintage... There were such a variety of shops in Rundle Mall, and we loved the asian food courts. SO good.





The next day saw us heading to the Central Market for breakfast. The Russian breakfast did not disappoint either. A huge omelette with 3 cold salads... Although nowhere near as big as Mebourne's Victoria Markets... the atmosphere was humming, prices fantastic (I wish I could buy mushrooms here for $5 per kilo) and choice...!


My excess could have been simply from the legumes....I had been searching for black beans since last year, although I am sure they are available North of Brisbane I just haven't come across them yet. Outside the Market we popped into an antique shop - bursting to the seams with beautiful crockery and cars, hats and dresses upstairs plus a collectable museum!!


Ahhhh, then the reason we headed down (besides our anniversary) was for our friend's birthday party in the Adelaide Hills. It was to our fortune that we stumbled on Paracombe Winery to ask for directions. Of course we had to sample some their beauties and admire their back paddock Kangaroos before we continued on.






We finished the party here, overlooking a gorgeous valley with ruins of a winery and pond below. It is an area we are keen to explore further with quaint pubs (and excellent grub), walks and so much more to see. Next time I will bring my list of handmade markets and opshops and perhaps even the kids!

Deadlines and a Kokka Charmer

I work much better under a deadline. Birthday parties are a mother of all deadlines because it meant I finished this bag in time. Called a charmer, it is a smaller sized bag not designed for carting a couple of heavy dictionaries, more inclined to service ponies, littlest pets, and some hair gear and lipgloss. Of course, it will eventually graduate to makeup, wallets, iphones and ID. This version has slightly longer straps, which means it will sit well over the shoulder for women and not just girls.




Custom made for a brand new 10 year old , the fabric included a purple and black floral cotton interior, wadding for interfacing and a contemporary Japanese Kokka fabric. Purchased months ago,  and called Teal apartment scenes in purples, lime and blue on white, I could no longer find it available.




With a coordinated tag with a little bag story printed after this photo, we were a bit reluctant to let it leave our hands. Lucky  I still have as much fabric again, next time I wonder which style I will fashion it with?

Princess Ruby - recycled fabric bag

I had forgotten where I had stored this photo. Having had (accidentally) destroyed  my memory card, I used the camera itself to store the image of my latest creation, how lovely to find it since it has been my only venture to the sewing machine (excepting tedious mending) in the last few weeks:


Modeled on a smaller version of the shabby chic bags - it is just big enough for little hands. Recycled pink rosebud dress exterior (perhaps I am a mangler?)  with salvaged sage corduroy lining - just enough to give it form without a stiff interfacing it was completed with a bright rickrack handle. Perfect for a Ruby who loves pink and green.

Hand-me-down vintage

I love this word. Here are some of the enduring beauties I have received:.

Visiting markets recently, we discovered a pillow or two full of vintage brooches. Some huge, or gaudy, others sweet and refined. These two I inherited. Besides the florals, they are both so different. I would love to learn more about them. Meanwhile I just wear and enjoy them.

My grandma (Bessie's) I think? We still wear it, Kate loves aprons. Occasionally I come across an op shop beauty- generally worn and loved, but always in a fabulously vintage fabric.

This basket is very special because my Pop made it. I am unsure of it's age - but I see it and use it every morning and night. Handmade, it is so strong and durable. It keeps reinventing itself to give me a new purpose every few years. Pop's shed had it own smell about it. Retired from the farm, fixed tennis racquets, was very handy with wood, was way ahead with edible landscapes and I guess he weaved as well!

Brand New Produce Bags for your Fruit and Vegies

Eco friendly Bessie brings the first peek of our produce bags. Are you tired of tossing plastic bags? Most of us remember our green bags for the checkout - this goes one step further. Designed to hold your fruit and vegetables, it is light enough to weigh your produce and carry it home. Machine washable, they can be used over and over.

With a built in drawstring and made from recycled lightweight fabrics or curtains they are a environmentally friendly substitute for the supermarket or produce markets. Versatile- you can also make them a toy bag or for eco-friendly gift wrapping.

Say NO to Plastic Bags! Have fun with your groceries with our custom made bags in your choice of colours. You can purchase three of the same fabric or a variety as pictured. Visit our gallery for more fabric ideas. The bags featured on this page are made from discarded vintage sheets and net curtain- a great way to shop  sustainably.

Spots for winter

The fabric is brand new, plush and cuddly- so soft all the kids were mesmerised. I modified one of our patterns today....

And... the result. She was so excited the long planned for dressing gown was completed - multicoloured fluff everywhere, it had to be worn tonight and ready for the morning.

Plus rick rack detailing. The kids loved that the pocket's spots matched the robe's.

 And a very happy girl, keeping cosy this winter.

Vintage pattern and recycled finds

I have just posted a handmade tiered long skirt and matching dolly bag for my six year old niece’s birthday.

The vintage pattern, bias binding trim and recycled beads and bag lining was sourced from an op shop, and was very easy to make up. The bias looked very sweet at the bottom of the skirt.

The red floral fabric was purchased 10 years ago for my then infant daughter, so it was great to find a home for it.

I thought the beads made a nice touch- but also useful- to keep the handles outside the casing. My pile of vintage fabric is ready to go – waiting for inspiring projects!

Next project: bathrobe/dressing gown for my daughter in huge multicoloured spots.

Fundraisers and Women's Bags

This blog was first published May 18, 2010. 
The very first bag I made for myself was designed out of need. I was off to a Pink Ladies lunch (a breast cancer fundraiser) and I did not want to walk home in my high heels. The bag had to be small, but I actually cut the fabric according to the size of my flip flops. I also added other essentials like a ticket, sunnies, cash and card. I loved the style so much, I decided to sew another Ribboned Ditty. 

Mauve Flowers on Grey drawstring bag was refashioned from a vintage blouse sleeve -with the original seam. I love this fabric. It has a sheen about it that works well for the evening as well. Then I decided to make another from this beautiful Japanese contemporary fabric.

Adorable colours and print. It has an elegant velvet ribbon tie. Made from remnants (it actually holds all the colours I used in my day bed spruce), it will only fit the littlest shoe, but will be perfect for occasions when you don't want to bring much. Plus it is:

Reversible! In chocolate linen with three exquisite vintage buttons- it is two for one. I wasn't finished there. 

I completed two more bags - well almost. I still need to sew buttons onto a groovy stripey blue retro kokeshi bag. Plus I finished another art deco style bag this one is in retro teal. It flew the coop without a photo, at another ladies lunch ( I don't attend fundraisers all the time - this one was a Breastfeeding fundraiser for Mothering Week), so I am yet to add it to the gallery.

Energy still remaining, with remnants of some gorgeous modern furnishing fabric, I completed more handmade table runners.

 Soon to be listed, unlike my other table runners they all have a fringed edging courtesy of the selvedge.

Last weekend, with no luncheons.... I managed to sort my stash of vintage fabric, I declared I was not to add to my pile! (for now).  I managed to make some more space for the stash by a completing day bed cover and lots of cushion covers- a long awaited for project end. Each cover progressed in it's complexity. Now I just have to muse over how I will use the remnants!