I picked up an inexpensive plain-coloured wool sweater and found some co-ordinating floral fabric.
In this case, it was a gorgeous (but way too tiny to wear) cheongsam that my Aunt G. gave me to recycle. It felt awful pulling apart the amazing handiwork. I cut out some shapes and laid them on the chest of the sweater to decide on arrangement. When satisfied with my cuttings, I sealed the raw edges with some fray check and then pinned the pieces to the sweater. In the meantime I found some embroidery floss that went well with the floral pattern.
With a large-eyed needle, I hand stitched the fabric flowers to the sweater. I wasn't terribly careful and I think that's part of the charm. In some areas, I followed the shapes of flowers and stems and in some areas I made sure to tack down loose edges of the fabric.
Et voilà! A lovely appliquéd sweater! One last finishing touch to be done -- I am going to change the buttons and then it will be complete! I am excited to give it to Aunt L. on the weekend. I was behind and did not have it completed on Christmas. What a bad niece!
Anyhow, I was so pleased with how it turned out that I chased all over town to look for the same sweater for me. I'm going to make myself one!
We just missed the countdown by a couple minutes, but still celebrated with the crowds at Nathan Phillips Square. This is the first New Year's I have spent in the city in a few years. We were amazed at the masses of people out reveling in the streets. So nice to see such good spirit! Thanks to the gang for a lovely NYE. 
Wishing everyone a New Year filled with all good things. I'm headed out soon to celebrate a mellow (at least that is my plan) New Year's Eve in fair Toronto! Hope everyone enjoys a safe and delightful time, wherever you may be, on the eve of 2010.
I picked up an inexpensive plain-coloured wool sweater and found some co-ordinating floral fabric.
In this case, it was a gorgeous (but way too tiny to wear) cheongsam that my Aunt G. gave me to recycle. It felt awful pulling apart the amazing handiwork. I cut out some shapes and laid them on the chest of the sweater to decide on arrangement. When satisfied with my cuttings, I sealed the raw edges with some fray check and then pinned the pieces to the sweater. In the meantime I found some embroidery floss that went well with the floral pattern.
Et voilà! A lovely appliquéd sweater! One last finishing touch to be done -- I am going to change the buttons and then it will be complete! I am excited to give it to Aunt L. on the weekend. I was behind and did not have it completed on Christmas. What a bad niece!
For Christmas, Aunt L. gave me a touching handmade gift. She made this pillow using 2 shirts that belonged to my dear Grandfather (Gung Gung) that passed away on my birthday in '04. Aunt L. combined a flannel shirt with a strip of pink Oxford shirt. My Sister received the reverse combination. We just about cried!
She also gave me these Japanese Dress books that I have been scoping out online. I'll have to plan some sewing projects. I'm always in the market for a new and affordable dress.
Above 2 images: 2010 Mixed Media Edition (business card sized) Calendar by papersparrow
