Thursday 14 August 2014

Patchwork Crazy


Not content with dressing in, making a living from and filling our home with other peoples' cast-offs, I can't resist doing something with our own leftovers, either.

Vintage Sears tie-front maxi (from Krista), patchwork curtains (made by me, tutorial HERE
Welcome to my crazily colourful, patchwork covered world. 


If you look closely enough, you'll spot tatty tea towels, naff old aprons, discarded table cloths and offcuts from vintage clothes too far gone to sell, alongside scraps of fabric salvaged from previous sewing projects like these:

Clockwise from top left: Blue paisley me-made maxi (fabric courtesy of Em); Skirt made from a 1960s Conran curtain from a jumble sale; 1960s shortened monkey print mini (bought on a bloggers day out to Sheffield); jungle print maxi skirt (car booted curtains); Halterneck maxi (Hawaiian fabric from Tamera); Frances Prince sunflower culotte suit (salvaged from a friend's parents' loft)

Here's my latest saved-from-landfill creations.


This appallingly dull lampshade came with the mid-century standard lamp (with handy built-in booze shelf) we bought from chazza last month. I swapped it for a lampshade I'd pimped up previously as the mere sight of the off-white monstrosity made me feel miserable.


That's better...

Tutorial HERE
...and, of course, everything's better with pom poms.
(The fake green onyx lamp base came from a car boot sale years ago.)


This curvy lady used to look like this:


She was a freebie from an interiors company. Despite retailing at over £100, after a week, the stand snapped in two and the joie de toile print covering the body started to seep glue-y gunk. (No wonder I got sent the sodding thing for free). She nearly went to the council tip this week but I had a change of heart.


We used a charity shopped 1970s hair drier stand as a base. One of those things bought months ago knowing that it would come in useful eventually (and it did).


I'm on a bit of a getting things done roll this week. I've even managed to update our website, too. We've still got no idea what to do with our free weekend but I'm sure we'll think of something.

See you soon!

67 comments:

  1. That's so cool. I've always loved your curtains.

    I keep every scrap of fabric too. Even if I think I couldn't use it, like old school uniforms, I use it as cloths.

    Caroline
    www.puttingyourlifeinorder.blogspot.co.uk

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  2. Love the lamp shade and mannequin , brilliant , I have a plan to dye my standard lamp shade and embellish it and my lamp shade and pendent shade , i had to buy a large plant pot to do it lol but it will come in for the garden xxx

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  3. Way cool mannequin Vix....love it!

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  4. Love love love all you are and all you do hun
    Coleen
    xx

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  5. when I see patchwork, I think of you. Now, on to that dead boring lampshade: I'm seeing the floral design colored in with colorful sharpies.

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  6. The mannequin is fabulous! I can't believe you contemplated taking it to the tip!
    Your house is looking spectacular. xxx

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  7. I think next time I come for a visit I shall just move on into that house of color! Dang girl you have totally outdone yourself, these are just striking!!! Look at all that eye candy! I think the shades are a real thing of beauty and I bet when the lights are on your living room gets all colorful and crazy, I would lie there gazing at all the different colors until I feel asleep. I love that you make all of this from scrapes. Most would spend hundreds on a shade like that when its way more fun to try it on your own for next to nothing.
    The website looks stocked with gorgeous things too! Loved chatting with you yesterday.
    LOVE YOU!!!!!

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  8. Now that is my type of patchwork, its so cheerful, bright and breezy. I just love the photo collage of all your previous sewing projects too, but the jungle print skirt is still my favourite. It makes me smile every time I see you wearing it in full-on glorious Vix-style! xxx

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  9. This is such an amazing idea! I always have bits of fabric lying around from craft projects that are too small to do anything with but I hate to just throw in the bin. You've definitely inspired me.

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  10. I adore your patchworked lampshades. I definitely need to try those out when we move.

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  11. Your talents never cease Vix! Great lampshade and mannequin!

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  12. I would love to try a patchwork lamp shade! And now I know about your website, how did I miss that before? :)

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  13. so cool ! And i want to se moore of the lamp hanging from the roof...
    Tryed to check out Kinky M from the work computer - did not go to well... flaged as porn ! lol !
    Checking it at home tomorrow instead.
    xxx

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  14. Wow Vix! I love the colour explosion!

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  15. fantastic!
    love it! colorful, warm, inviting looking room with all your patchwork! and that crazy chandelier! wonderful!
    xxxx

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  16. I love your crazily colourful secondhand world, Vix! And I love that you don't throw things away, you wait until they have their moment, then pimp them up with fabulous bright fabric and pom poms! Your patchwork curtains and lampshades are legendary, and now we can add that wonderful mannequin to the list. Of course, your sewing projects are amazing, but it's great to know that the scraps and offcuts of fabric can be used too. I have to say I had a little chuckle about the £100 mannequin being such crap quality - much better now that you've fixed it up!
    Love the Kristalicious frock, and I've been drooling over the frocks on your website - I think you need to have a big old boozy night out at the weekend to celebrate your hard work and having the luxury of some free time!
    Love you! xxxx

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  17. Love, love, LOVE what you've done to the mannequin! <3

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  18. I spotted the monkey from your Sheffield dress :)

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  19. Soo soo pretty!!! I love seeing Vix and her Amazing Technicolour dream home!!! Could be a hit musical!!! X

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  20. i just love your colorful life! vix that first maxi you are in is so fab. i swear to you (and i may have already told you this) that i had a bikini made of that exact material in the 1960s. i loved that thing! it always made me look tan which is so funny b/c i never really do tan. anyway knowing it came from sears makes me smile. x

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  21. I love it - your home is just that - a real *home* with your personality on gorgeous display. The dress form is fantastic. xox

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  22. Blogger hates me. But it will not stop me from trying again because this post is pushing all my buttons. You KNOW how much I utterly adore patchwork and I'm over the moon that you decided to give your lady a makeover. Does she have a name? The lamp is fricken stupendous - I too see all those ivory saddos in the op shops and shake my head in despair so I think you've given hope to those shades collecting dust in garages worldwide! You look magnificent in your frock from Krista! xoxoxoxo

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  23. My eyes bugged out of my head. I LOVE IT!!!

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  24. This inspires me, I need to get crafting like crazy again, aah!

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  25. You are a woman of many many talents: Fashion designer, tailor, seamstress, artist, curator, chef, gardener, interior decorator, presenter, vintage personality, fashion, beauty and lifestyle blogger, guru and more. Those colourful patchwork creations are dazzling and the lampshades are amazing.
    I hope you have a wonderful and relaxing (and/or fun) weekend.

    http://www.full-brief-panties.blogspot.com/

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  26. I love all the colors, now all you need are some fairy lights (my thing, maybe not yours). Great save on that dress form, they are rather boring normally

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  27. You're amazing!!! And my heart belongs to that culotte suit. :)

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  28. Loved this colourful visit! Patchwork is so fun.
    Great revamp of lamp and mannequin, but they wouldn't look half as gorgeous without your pretty smile between XO JJ

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  29. So much inspiration and wonderful ideas! And have I told you lately how lovely you look?
    I want to go patch crazy but I haven't been sewing long enough to have a large stash. I'll get there.
    Have a fun weekend!

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  30. Love the patchwork, and the fabrics!

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  31. That lampshade is brilliant. I am always okay with a bit of patchwork. :) Happy weekend Vix!x

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  32. You have me itching to try some patch work! I have so many odds and ends that are crying to get utilized. XXX

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  33. Gorgeous! Love a bit of patchwork.
    That lamp is flippin' lovely, need to get my sewing machine out and get patching.
    x

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  34. enjoy your free weekend my dear! maybe some further patchwork projects?! ;)

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  35. Patchwork is the absolute best way to use up fabric scraps … and you do it so well. Enjoy your weekend.
    xx

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  36. Yay! I love your patchy world! So much colour and happiness! I must ask how you do it? Is it just cut pieces applied directly to the base with PVA glue? I do love a bit of craft with good old glue. So much easier then sewing sometimes!!

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  37. Fabulous creations - you really are the patchwork queen Vix. Why have just one amazing print, when you can have abundance of them!
    Your home is rad as ever, I fear I've missed far too much - but I knew you would still be creating, innovating and above all inspiring x x x

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  38. I've admired those curtains from the first time I saw them.

    It is a wonderful way to live, surrounded by colour.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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  39. Looks like patchwork heaven to me! I would happily have it on just about every surface of my house if I could. Xx

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  40. I'm really getting into patchwork, never used to like it much. Funny how your own tastes change! It looks great in your house as you've done it so well.

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  41. That dressform is awesome! I see you subscribe to the "I'll buy it because it may come in handy" creed.
    I can't tell you how many times that has been true for me. Plus, things were just made better in the good old days so its ridiculous NOT to buy something useful when you see it!

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  42. I love 'getting things done' weeks. I need one of those soon.

    All your patchwork is gorgeous, I love that you salvage so much.

    I'm terrible for keeping things 'just in case' and I guarantee, whenever I have a clear out, I'm looking for something I no longer have a week or so later.

    Typical.

    Have a perfect weekend xx

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  43. Totally adore your patchwork I so need curtains as fab as yours! Colourful rocks! X

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  44. Absolutely gorgeous that multicoloured dress from the first and last picture !!Love the purple parts ...
    And what a wonderful set of selfmade creations ...
    You've got the rainbow all over your house , dear Vix !
    Have a fantastic weekend
    ~ Enchanted kisses ~
    ~ La Dryada ~

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  45. As much as I love life on the road, I've missed hanging out at yours. Love the new lampshade. I might stir my stumps and do something myself this weekend (bailed on camping, couldn't face the drive and it's forecast rain). Your home is so full of colour and you're the jewel in the crown in that fab Kristalicious frock. Everything IS better with pompoms, I need to replenish my stash! Xxxxxxx

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  46. Hi Sweetie!!!! You just made my night with this wonderful, colorful post. I love to see all the projects you've done, inspiring me to keep on track!! I love patchwork and will definitely be looking to incorporate it as i move forward.

    Sending love to you and yours!!!!! XXXXXXOOOOOO

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  47. Love the colour riot! the multi colour pom pom is gorgeous! I have a floor lamp in dire need of a makeover too, think you've just inspired the next project xxx

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  48. OMG, I LOVE your saved-from-landfill creations!! Utterly GORGEOUS!!

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  49. I had to go back and look at those amazing, delicious patchwork projects again (I'm positively drooling over the contrasting prints and colors), when I noticed the snoozing cat. Tee, hee, hee. If I'm reincarnated, I want to be a cat in a patchwork palace like yours.

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  50. Palace of print... really like the fact that your rescued that poorly made dummy. It looks very jolly now.

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  51. Palace of print... really like the fact that your rescued that poorly made dummy. It looks very jolly now.

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  52. I'm going to be getting a few things done on my four days off too, (the oven deffo needs cleaning..it's a health hazard) but
    isn't it satisfying ? Love patchwork, it's just so cheerful and everything looks better with the addition of pom-poms. Trimmings stall here I come! Hope you are chillin' this weekend. xxxxxxxx

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  53. I would love to make myself some patchwork curtains. I've been wanting to do it for so long, inspired by your tutorial, but just haven't the damn time. My getting things done urges are always thwarted by attending to the needs of others first, grr. If ever you decide to take on bespoke patchwork commisions, please let me know. I would snap you up in a shot. Love what you've done with the lamp and the manniquin xxx

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  54. How lovely to live in a house filled with such colour. I don't blame you for wanting to change the lampshade and you did a great job on the mannequin! Hope you're having a lovely weekend x

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  55. Oh my lord please come and patchwork my entire house. Scrap that, patchwork my entire life! x

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  56. Oh my lord please come and patchwork my entire house. Scrap that, patchwork my entire life! x

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  57. I hope you had a wonderful free weekend! getting on a roll is a good thing, I need to get on one pronto - all your patchwork delights are gorgeous, the lampshade and stand with the built in booze stand is amazing! colour is a good thing, always! x x x

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  58. Vix it all looks so wonderful and colourful, I am very envious....

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  59. Patchwork crazy fecking LOVE! Patchwork is always cheering. I adore it, but G does not, sadly, so I can't have it about the house...oddly, the new couch is an exception. Bloody nice job with the dummy-can't believe it shat itself so quickly!!! You have saved it beautifully!
    Love Helga XXX

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  60. Your house is so vibrant and fun! You should charge people money to come look at it!

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  61. You're the patchwork queen and I love you for it!!

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  62. I loved your curtains ever since I saw them :) I must make some-but why oh why did I clear out my scraps recently :( (well, they had got out of hand!). However I still lust after you chandelier of many colours more than you could ever know!!

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  63. I utterly love that standard lamp shade. It would make me smile every time I looked at it

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  64. I always love seeing your crafty projects Vix - I love the use of fabric scraps. I have a whole bunch I want to use to make a mega patch work quilt. I need more time.

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  65. Patch work heaven. When its cold and wintery outside just looking at your patch work will make you feel warm and cosy. :-) dee xx

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Lots of love, Vix