Kelly Doust introduces readers to her wonderful world of reviving and customising vintage pieces, while bringing a modern and unique twist to wearing vintage clothes – Dita Von Teese
Free workshops at Fixit Fest
Take advantage of these events organized by Waverley Council, and say no to waste and our increasingly throwaway culture. Fixit Fest is coming up, with workshops to passing on knitting, sewing, re-upholstery and darning skills – I’m keen on the upholstery one myself.
Drop-in knitting and darning workshop
Date: Sunday 5 June
Time: 11am-3pm
Location: part of ‘Bondi the Beautiful’ Fair at Bondi Park, located near the kindy farm
Details: Learn how to hem, darn or knit with Fixit Fest’s volunteers. Bring an item to darn or use what’s there. Bookings not required – free hot soup for the first 50 people.
Upscale your upholstery workshop
Date: Saturday 18 June
Time: 9:30am-3:30pm
Location: Rose Bay Secondary College, Dover Heights
Details: Learn how to re-upholster a chair to give it a fresh new look. Places strictly limited – book at eleanorr@waverley.nsw.gov.au or call 02 9369 8242.
Funk up your wardrobe workshop
Date: Sunday 19 June
Time: 9:30am-3:30pm
Location: Rose Bay Secondary College, Dover Heights
Details: Learn sewing, repairing and alteration techniques to make at least one fully-recycled, customized piece. Sewing machines provided but participants are encouraged to bring their own. Places strictly limited – book at eleanorr@waverley.nsw.gov.au or call 02 9369 8242.
Chic on a Shoestring
The premise of this new British book is brilliant: Chic on a Shoestring by journalist and milliner, Mary Jane Baxter explains how to create vintage-style accessories from repurposed or inexpensive materials. Plus the step-by-step illustrations make it easy to follow for craft novices.
My favourites are the feather fascinators (more stylish, 1940s-inspired feather headbands than the flowery appendages we’re used to), silk purses fashioned from old ties, and Baxter’s tip for turning lace-ups into a natty pair of brogues (which the gorgeous Marion Cotillard-lookalike on the cover is sporting). Each chapter takes an old item and explains how it could be usefully reinvented.
Well worth a look for the inspiration alone.
Gimme skills
Completed: one headband for Ruby's birthday, modelled by Olive
I have just had the most inspiring weekend. Which, considering I’m in the throes of a full-blown chest infection, was not expected. Conversations with creative people which resonated and made so much sense, from the Books & Nooks event yesterday with Pia Jane Bijkerk to a five year old’s birthday party next door.
Case in point: I was chatting to Maja, co-0wner and jewellery designer from Polli on Sunday. Maja’s gone mad for knitting; making jumpers and scarves and beanies and all sorts of complicated things lately. Because she runs a business and is a mother and no longer actually makes much jewellery anymore (like Dinosaur Designs, Polli started at Paddington Markets before growing massively both here and internationally, while retaining their Made in Australia, by hand ethos), Maja needed to find a new hobby, and knitting is it.
I can’t tell you how much satisfaction I’ve had in learning to crochet this week at Calico & Ivy. With sewing my job now – what with the books and workshops, etc. – it feels like a wholly indulgent, relaxing pastime again to be making for the pure pleasure of it. And it’s given me the confidence to think, what new dizzying heights of craftiness could I be scaling? I have a view to mastering knitting myself. The first project? A beautiful, bold-shouldered cardigan, taken from an original 1940s pattern. Wish me luck.
My hexagon blanket takes shape
The rosette cushion I long to make, at Calico & Ivy
And the mohair scarf I will try next, Calico & Ivy
Easter craft at Calico & Ivy
Amy (aka Badskirt) at Calico & Ivy
Sydney crafters have a new heartland – Calico & Ivy‘s Balmain store, managed by the lovely Sarah Wheatley and sales assistants Donna & Amy (Ms Badskirt herself). I am feeling the onset of a new addiction, and not just for the two charming Japanese pattern books I couldn’t resist buying yesterday (even though I know, in my heart, I will not be making that smock dress for some time, given the current writing schedule). It’s the kind of store you just want to curl up and live in.
While rain pelted down on the corrugated tin roof of 10 Birchgrove Rd, we 15 or so sat down to high tea, Zumbo macarons, Sarah’s homemade cake and a trunk full of felt and pearl thread to construct fripperies for Easter, based on some of the projects from The Crafty Kid. A cooler bunch of crafty women you could not hope to meet – it was a gas.
Sign up to the newsletter to receive this year’s workshop schedule. I’m heading along to make a proper quilt for myself, sharpish. Love love.
Too many treats
At work, with a bolstering champagne or three
My kind of colour palette
Calico & Ivy's inspiring manageress
Easter motifs a-go-go
Bunny hand puppet
Felt flower egg cosy
Make Do Mend London
London's Make Do Mend
Crafty chic hen 'do
UK reader Isabel put me on to Make Do Mend: apparently crafty hen ‘dos and baby showers are taking place in London hot spots such as Covent Garden’s The Hospital Club (below).
Surely only a matter of time before the trend catches on here?
Bellini Bar at The Hospital Club
Tea and crochet with Make Do Mend
High tea and craft... a match made in heaven
Easter craft workshop at Calico & Ivy
I loves me an egg cosy or three
News just in: the lovely Sarah Wheatley of Calico & Ivy’s Balmain store is hosting an Easter high tea & crafts afternoon with yours truly on Sunday 10 April, 2-5pm.
Join us for a decadent afternoon creating felt egg cosies, finger puppets and other felt fripperies from Calico & Ivy’s beautiful range of Heather Bailey designer felt. Construct cute, simple designs by hand for an elegantly homespun Easter – crafters of all skill levels welcome.
A lavish high tea party including sandwiches, cakes and loose-leaf teas will be provided on the day. Spaces are limited, so please book early to avoid disappointment. Call Calico & Ivy on 02 9555 9909 to secure a place.
Which came first, the chicken or the egg?
Kids’ craft for The Outdoor Room magazine
Ruby feeds our faux finch
Back in early January the Outdoor Room with Jamie Durie crew visited so we could shoot this kids’ craft feature. It hits news stands tomorrow including the following very simple projects for little hands; a wind chime made from found objects, bird feeder, ‘Dino Town’ living dinosaur terrarium (the moss, not the dinos;) and decorative pot plants.
Trusty helpers Ruby, Enzo and Harvey were on hand to show us how it’s done. Ever the professionals, it was a wrap by early afternoon (I was the one who needed a nap). Styled by me and the lovely Outdoor Room ladies, Tara Davy and Vanessa Keys, photography is by Glen Allsop.
Pretty plant potting at the local park (try saying that quickly)
Harvey & Enzo construct Dino Town
Inspiring workshops at Artspark
If you’re no whizz with crafts but, like me, take real pleasure and joy from simply making things for your home, friends and family, don’t be discouraged when your creations aren’t ‘perfect’. I love wobbly seams and raw edges and all manner of maker’s marks, just as much as I prefer a home-cooked meal. Of course sometimes I wish I could create things which look effortlessly ideal first up (or a restaurant-quality dish), but it’s not me and never will be. Life’s messy – why not revel in it? Maybe that’s why I so love the art created by children. It’s often – not always, but often – perfect just as is.
While on a visit to Calico & Ivy recently, I met one of the teachers from Artspark, a centre running art courses for children and adults. I’m signing Olive up. One of my greatest wishes is that she feels creatively unlimited from an early age, and gives many things in life a go. And I will keep her juvenile efforts as keepsakes for a later date. It would be too sad not to appreciate their beauty, don’t you think? If art is a reflection of our inner lives, then surely early childhood art is a unique insight into our children themselves?
Sewing at Artspark
The dead will have their day
Day of the Dead pendant from Polli
I’ve long had a penchant for many things Mexican… Frida Kahlo, bright woven rugs, burning hearts and Day of the Dead curios (not to mention burritos – ay carumba).
Hence a visit to Holy Kitsch recently. And a fondness for the above pendant in the new Polli range. I admire how designers Tess & Maja manage to both complement the old range and offer something new to love with each season’s range – too clever.
And click here to see the Day of the Dead print I created some time ago.
Mexican wares from Holy Kitsch
Feeling Frida: Joanna rocks a Polli lace & kohl gold collar