Berry 'n Bird Beret, Hey!

Can I begin by saying thank you?

Thank you for your most thoughtful response to the last post.

Writing this new post, now, at this very moment, I'm choked up thinking about your comments. Silly, I know. Really. I must learn to control my emotions, goodness. But it means so much to me. You being encouraging, and kind. Advising me. Telling me your personal story. Explaining your opinions. Knocking me over with your blunt honesty.

It doesn't get much better than that.

Many hugs to you.

♥

Now for today's post... Do you recall (from this post) that I was supposed to make something inspired by Nancy Minsky's "Denim Revolution"? Well, I chose to make the beret. You see Nancy's Glitzy Poet Beret pictured above? Here is mine below... It's my Berry 'n Bird Beret.

I started by cutting my pieces from an old skirt according to the pattern. I then spent a little time embellishing the main piece. I freezer-paper stenciled using plain old liquid acrylic paint, I couched, I embroidered, I added some little felt birds, I embroidered some more. That took about 10 hours. But it was 10 hours of pure unmitigated JOY!

Once that was done, it was just a matter of putting it all together. And I must say, this beret came together like a dream. A happy little dream. I followed Ms. Minsky's construction method as written and was done in no time. And do you know what? The hat is fully reversible. Here's the other side, see? It's plaid. PLAID!

I am totally inspired. Mark my words, I'm going to be making something denim-y again soon.

One last thing. Early this morning, I was cruising the web, doing a little research, when I found this juicy little morsel: Nancy Minsky's Denim Beret Free Downloadable PDF Pattern. Yes it's the same pattern, the very one! Really truly. You can make one for yourself. Thank you Nancy!

Now go forth and hat-make!

And have yourself a fine weekend. I will see you again soon!

Note: "Denim Revolution" was written by Nancy Minsky. Find Ms. Minsky online @ 21st Century Dressmakers and blogging @ Jean Repair.

I'll be linking!

Talkin 'bout a Revolution!

As in the book: "Denim Revolution" by Nancy Minsky. Have you heard of it?

Well let me review it for you (my first book review EVER...), shall I?

"Denim Revolution" is a sewing/fashion/craft book that aims to show you "dozens of ways to turn denim cast-offs into fashion must-haves". It is a book filled with beautiful photos, handy diagrams, and stylish fashion sketches all there to inspire you to breathe new life and excitement into your own denim wardrobe. The book has something for everyone. Styles range from reckless to sassy, from cute to classy.

Nancy Minsky tackles the subject with a little denim background, explaining how denim is made and how it behaves. She describes what the bias of a fabric is and why it's important. She illustrates how to adjust a pattern and lists the essential tools needed to make each project.

The bulk of the book is taken up with an assortment of step-by-step upcycling projects. The author shows you how to use denim patches to embellish existing items. She demonstrates how to re-invent your denim clothing by adding embroidery, patches, slashing, fraying, stenciling, ribbon, buttons. She teaches you how to create whole new fashion statements by recycling old denim into a cap, a belt, a tie, a cape, gauntlets, cuffs, bags. Denim Revolution illustrates the funkification of vests, jackets, skirts, shorts, or jeans. Projects are suited to a range of skill levels from beginner to experienced. Some projects are very simple, others are more complex, and require combinations of skills.

One of my favourite parts of the book explains how to use a hammer and nails to add texture to your denim pieces (!) and states that it's okay to dribble house paint on your jeans à la Jackson Pollack. Let me at it. I like Ms. Minsky's way of challenging the reader to improvise and create his or her own unique versions of her designs. I like to be adventurous when I am crafting; I want to feel empowered to do my own thing. Denim Revolution does that.

I'll conclude this review with a teaser. I have joined the revolution! And I am working on a project inspired by Nancy Minsky's book. I'll be back soon with photos of the finished project, and thoughts on how it all went down!

Now have a yourself a great day, and I will see you soon!

Note:

• I was not asked to review this book. The book was a gift from the author and I chose to review it here. The above opinions are my own.
• "Denim Revolution" was written by Nancy Minsky. Find Ms. Minsky online @ 21st Century Dressmakers and blogging @ Jean Repair.

The Mailman Cometh!

Shhhhh... That little fellow below flew in from the UK a few days ago. You can see he's still recuperating from the long trip, suffering from jet-lag and no doubt feeling a little shocked culturally. I've dubbed him Chicken.

Yes he's a him, and no, I don't care if he's wearing pink... Yes, he's an owl. And yes, I know the difference between owls and chickens... Isn't he the sweetest? He's a handmade gift from Amy, author of The Happy Daisy. Amy was my swap partner for the Softie Swap organized by The Clip Café. Thank you Amy! Chicken is so lovely. He snoozes happily on the shelf above my sewing machine. I love him.

And the little bundle of fabric below was sent to me by Melissa of Mel's Own Place. She is my partner for the Stash Manicure's Brown Bag Quilt Contest. The challenge of this contest is to create a quilt from someone else's ugly fabric rejects. Sound like fun?

The contest works like this. You receive 2 yards of ugly fabric from your swap partner. You must then construct a quilt using 90% of this fabric as well as any amount of fabric from your stash. You may only purchase one new fabric to include in the quilt. It's a stash busting exercise! Once you've made your quilt, you can upload photos of it to the corresponding Flickr group and be entered to win prizes! And you get to keep your quilt. So in my case, that bundle above is the UGLY fabric that Melissa sent. Thanks Melissa! Not ugly AT ALL. It's great! In fact, I've already designed the quilt. I just have to make it!

And finally the mailman brought this little gem of a book...

"Denim Revolution" written by Nancy Minsky. I am honoured to say that Ms. Minsky the author, designer (21st Century Dressmakers) and blogger behind Jean Repair, sent me the book as a gift! So I've decided that in return for her generosity, I will be doing my version of one of the books many projects here on Michele Made Me, and also doing a book review. Note that I've never done a book review before but I figure there's no time like the present, right?

I love getting mail... Thank you Mr. Mailman for filling my mailbox with goodies! And thank you Amy, Melissa, and Nancy for your sweet gifts!

And YOU! You have yourself a lovely day!