Dealing with stains - Problem or Feature? Two Treatments

Over the years I've used a couple of different approaches to stains. Sometimes I camouflage them so they disappear into the design. Other times I do just the opposite and make the stains part of the design.

Making the stains part of the story

I used the second approach on a vintage tablecloth that had stains I couldn't remove.

Instead of trying to hide them, I outlined the stains with embroidery thread and a running backstitch.

For a bit of humor, I added what might have caused them: coffee, tea, gravy.

The stains became part of the history of the textile and part of the design. Plus, people find it very humorous when I wear the garment.

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On another upcycle, I found two garments that were a perfect color match, a subtle play on the same family of green.

These two starting garments are both beautifully soft. The embroidered one is linen and the other cotton. The linen has a slightly iridescent quality. The cotton one simply will not wrinkle.

One of the things I love about upcycling is that you know exactly how the fabric will behave because it's already been cleaned so many times. You also know that the stains are probably there to stay.

I decided to upcycle the garments using the Paganoonoo upcycle sewing tutorial for the Patti blouse because I wanted to show off the embroidered linen in the back panel and cuffs.

 

What you don't see are the stains on the linen garment: grease spots and slight bleaching in some parts. They are camouflaged as features.

Once again, I used a running backstitch around the stains. The shapes are organic, and I really like them as a "feature."

I deliberately used a color on the opposite side of the color wheel from the green. The result is that the orange distracts to the degree that the eye doesn't even register the stain.

 I added a couple of non-functional buttons for interest.

I also used fabric pens to add dots, making it look more like a patterned fabric.

I also placed orange buttons on the front placket and used the fabric pen and embroidery thread there, even though it wasn't stained.

The grease spots are hidden in plain sight by wide circular bands around the stains using a fabric pen. Looking closely, it is nearly impossible to see the difference in color between the stained parts and the rest of the fabric.
I ended up with a much more interesting garment than it would have been without the stains as features.

Love the shape of this blouse?

Make your own!

Our Patti upcycle sewing tutorial shows you how to add hip room to a standard men's dress shirt. No pattern needed.

Get 25% with code HIDESTAINS

What will you do with your stains to turn them into features, humorous or not?

Happy upcycling,

Michelle Paganini

Sedona and the color wheel

We are in Sedona, one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen.  The soil is a luscious orange/red and the plants lean towards a sage green. 

I've been reminded as I look at the landscape what a powerful combination colors on the opposite side of the color wheel make.  The landscape practically vibrates. 

George, as usual, has been taking stunning shots so I can share this amazing phenomena with you.


























When planning a color blocked upcycle garment you'd like to be an attention grabber, use colors from the opposite side of the color wheel.  

 These photos barely do justice to seeing the colors in person.  I've seen southwest color combinations many times but feel like I've never really understood them until now.  

This fall colored beauty is from the Patti Pattern.
The front is straight off the pattern design.

In the back I could not resist a bit of Origami-like work incorporating a tie (pre-washed of course).  Note on the far left there is a collar point sticking up.  I really love the overall effect.

 A Judy Flower adds a bit of interest to the front. 

 

This particular version was made for a very tall friend, over 6 ft., who has a difficult time finding clothing on the right scale. The back is dramatically long on this version.  It is also purposely asymmetrical.

The pattern gives instructions for how to modify the length of the drop in the back to short, medium, long or in-between.  

Seasons changing!

We are in the middle of a terrible drought in California.  Trees are in distress, lawns are brown and it's been very, very hot.  

So...when it rained for a short time a couple days ago I shouted YAHOO!  And now the weather finally feels like there is a bit of Fall in the air. 

So today I have on a flannel shirt (yummy) and lentil soup on the stove (double yummy).  I'm thinking about what pattern to work on next.

I don't know about you but flannel has been catching my eye lately. I've been dreaming of a nice comfy calf length dress, a variation on the Peggy pattern, done up in red flannels.  With a pair of boots I'd be all set for football games, holiday events, and running errands in style.  At home with slippers - perfect for TV and hand stitching.

So, that is my target.  A dress with the upper part like a Peggy blouse and a special twist on the bottom.