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  workshop

As long as I can remember I’ve lived with pins and needles, threads and fabric, and the whirring of a sewing machine. It started with an old Singer treadle machine that came from my grandmother’s, then after some time an electrical machine was bought as an upgrade leaving the old treadle somewhat redundant. Considering the space it took, that, too, was upgraded into an electric tool ... thinking about that now, I wish it was still ‘here’ in its entirety. Another age I suppose … we move with the times.

 

Clothes were for the most part handmade. It was a family affair, with parents, aunts and grandparents all playing their role. Cutting patterns, then stitching the fabric to make dresses, which, when you twirled around, made me into the ballerina I would never be for a second or two. Before anything got to that stage, though, Grandad’s critical eye was imperative for making sure the hem line was straight. This was the ‘normal’ when I was growing up .

 

As there was always an abundance of material scraps in our house, I sat for hours making clothes for dolls. Clothes for Barbie etc were so expensive, but what was on hand made sure meant dolls never wanted for anything. Tiny things with waistbands and press studs ... ah the memories.

 

And now I still sew, though I’ve long since stopped making clothes. These days it’s bags and bunting, coasters and mats, things for the table, the wall etc. Patchwork is 100% hand stitched (and what a long time that takes, but I wouldn’t have it any other way), machine work is pinned and occasionally tacked, lots of pressing and if one stitch doesn’t please me, I’ll pull the whole thing out and start again. 

 

But why stick to just fabric??? These days I have a stash of cotton yarns waiting for my crochet hook standing beside my boxes of fabric stash. Upcycle projects flit through my mind where I transform clothing into something that can outlive the original purpose. Add to that some things I’ve discovered while living in Japan and upcycled paper sends me in another direction.

 

The pieces I show here are really just a sample of what I can do. Many things I have given away as presents, and I have a box full of works in progress. Fabric, buttons, threads, hooks, beads ... these are all just waiting for me to lift a finger. It’s amazing what you can make out of bits and bobs.

© 2023 iro iro at home

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