Thursday 8 August 2013

Rag Bag Rescue - East Dress



A little while back a pretty kaftan came into the charity warehouse.  It was too faded and rubbed at the bound edges to go into one of the shops to sell, so I asked if I could do a transformation on it.  

Here it is before I got to work with the scissors!  The colours are really pretty, and I love the Indian block print type fabric.






Being a kaftan, there was plenty of fabric to work with.  

First I made a little dress from a well-used pattern (McCalls 6059)...












Next, I used some complementary fabric from my stash ( might be yarn-dyed Essex linen)  to make some shorts.  I trimmed the pocket edges with scraps from the kaftan...






...And  changed the cuffs into tie ones, with the facings offering another glimpse of kaftan!





I am still loving using a twin needle for most top-stitching.  All those years I didn't know I could simply thread up two spools from the top to achieve this...





There was still a good deal of fabric left, so onwards and forwards it was to find a pattern I could squeeze onto the remaining bits.  The tiered summer top from my favourite Japanese children's dressmaking book was just the ticket.  















I already managed to sell the dress to the manager of the warehouse, so the charity is a tenner up already.  If I can just sell the other two, I hope I will have made about £30 in total, from one item that would have been worth pennies (or less) in the ragbag.  Hoorah!

16 comments:

  1. Lovely, lovely - inspiring me to get the sewing machine out! x

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  2. I think that deserves the 'Most stuff from one frock' award...brilliant. Eco Ethel xx

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  3. Job well done! Those little outfits are so cute!

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  4. How clever and what lovely items you made! I am impressed. Havn't heard about sewing with a twin needle. I have a very old machine with no instructions (my mother-in-law gave it to me when her eye sight failed). I should love to try twin needle as it looks so pretty on those little shorts. Hope your weekend is a lovely one, Pam xx

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  5. You worked wonders with that kaftan
    Julie xxxxx

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  6. Fabulous transformations.... You are very clever with the sewing machine, especially the twin needle technique. I didn't know you could do that....
    Julie x

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  7. Your rag bag transformations never cease to amaze me ... I think this is the best one yet ~ Sarah x

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  8. Totally brilliant! I love the new garments. x Jo

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  9. I can see why that McCall's dress pattern is so well used!! The dress is adorable, and the little shorts & ruffle top are so cute too. Great use of some pretty print cotton. Wendy

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  10. These are so gorgeous. I really love the fabric & what you made from a frayed Kaftan. I'm sure they will all be snapped up.
    When I'm sorting clothes at the shop & come across something worn but pretty, I often wonder what you would make from it.

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  11. Your up-do outfits are lovely. That material was a really good find. I must try the twin needle on my machine.

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  12. Amazing! The little clothes you sew are always so neat and clever, and i love the twin needle stitching - who knew? I must have a go at that!
    Well done Alix, you've totally transformed that caftan!
    Gill xx

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  13. What gorgeous dresses, although I love sewing I am not good at dress making, I am so impressed

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  14. Oh Alix they are so cute, you area clever lady.xx

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  15. wow, what a great way of re cycling!! :)

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  16. Everything looks great, well done! I love upcycling, oh I now have a new blog
    http://solstice-days.blogspot.co.uk/
    I hope you can join me over there,
    Jo x ( aka Josie from sykesssillysite)

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