Sew What’s Available, which is the name of my business, refers to my upbringing regarding saving and re-using almost everything (my mother even re-used thread!), and subsequently, my beliefs that “if it is available then I will sew it”. I sew fabric covers and containers, practical items that cover or “hold” things. Aprons, both bib and waist, for children and adults, bags, both small and large, head covers and rectangular scarves, and reversible table toppers and runners are the main items.
Fabric prints used for aprons, bags, and table runners range from vintage to modern styles, including seasonal, and specialty themes with animals, hobbies, sports. Bags include handbags, children’s size bags, totes, crafty bags, and hobo style. Scarves add a colorful and novel touch or dress up a outfit, also are functional and provide warmth! Tying a scarf in different ways changes the look of an outfit from classic to bold. Design patterns use for scarves include solid colors, geometric, stripes and squares, floral, paisley, bubbles, circles, leaves, batik patch, and wildlife prints. Some have metallic edges added to a design, or fabric clips inserted.
Vintage style fabrics are combined to create something “new”. An example of vintage style is creating a waist apron from a vintage table cloth. Vintage fabrics are obtained from rummage sales and flea markets. During a recent trip to a re-use store and noticing quality wool jackets on a rack, a light bulb went off in my head to use the fabric for hats and small purses!
Phyllis Jones
drandmrj@consolidated.net
