Spotted over on Colossal, this isn’t the first embroidery themed music video I’ve seen, but it’s the first to prominently feature machine embroidered stitches and thread. Check out all that amazing machine embroidered type! Makes you want to go dig into your machine’s stash of fonts and go crazy, doesn’t it? The song is Favorite Place by Black Books.
Enjoy!
This is an update on the Giving Bunny Project, which if you haven’t heard of, you should totally check out right here and join in!!
I was hoping this day would maybe one day come, but it seemed too tall an order to ask. Ladies and gents, the giving bunnies have reached seven continents. That’s right, we got a little furball to Antarctica!!
June sent me this email last night and I had to post it first thing. A friend of hers was going on a cruise down to Antarctica and took a bunny with her. Little bunny J.C. braved the Drake Passage to make it all the way down to our final continent needed for world domination. We have literally taken over the world with bunnies!
Good luck on your adventure little J.C! Maybe in time another adventurous bunny will join you in your new cold home, and I hope you make some researcher down there a good bunny friend. Thank you so much June!!
As always, the Giving Bunny Project continues on indefinitely, and there is always a chance to spread a little more bunny joy. If you’d like to take part or have a hankering to take a bunny to a new exotic location (anyone going to the Amazon?) be sure to check out the original post to make and share your own bunny!
P.S. – Want to see where all the bunnies have ended up all over the world? Check out our interactive map!
I spotted this Juicy Couture Embroidered Velour Handbag awhile back while I was out shopping, and I had to admit it was tempting, even though I’m not usually much of a purse gal. The embroidery really looked lux against the black velour, and I thought it was a really classy look. Lucky for us, this combination is easy to get yourself!
All you need is a black velour bag of your own. I spotted this one on ebay for $16. There are lots of great vintage handbags you can get online in all kinds of cute colors, or you can sew up one yourself! Then, just stitch a pretty crest design all in white, like this Unicorn Rampant design.
To make absolute sure lighter parts of your design don’t get lost in the soft fabric, you may want to top it with a light water soluble stabilizer you can tear away once your design is done stitching. Grab a cute matching charm and you’ve got a classy new purse!
The inspiration of gorgeous all-white embroidery on a soft velour bag is all you need to dive into making a fabulous DIY custom version. Try this with all kinds of designs. Sometimes making your embroidery design all one color can really transform it into something chic and new!
It’s a whole new year, and it’s time for a whole new look! Before you hit the mall and pull out that credit card though, have a thought for all those clothes stuffed into the back of your closet. Just because you don’t wear them anymore doesn’t mean you can’t turn them into something you would. A few new seams and a dash of embroidery brings new life to all kinds of things.
I will say, if I’ve learned something while pulling all these tutorials together, it’s two things. One, I really like purple and brown.
Two, you can pretty much turn a sweater into anything. Like, anything. A skirt, a hat, mittens, legwarmers and boots. It’s like the hunters idea of using all parts of the animal. If you’re going to kill an old sweater, it’s only right you find a way to bring new life to all of it!
So read on, and click each image to check out the easy step by step tutorials on how to reinvent your old clothes. It’s a great way to kick off the new year!
Sweater into a skirt! With extra tips on where and how to stitch on stretchy knits.
Two long sleeve tees into one flattering drape cardigan, with some wings to help you take off in the new year.
An plain old tee gets a flattering update and some more wings. Did I mention I love wings?
Grab those old boots out of the closet and go all out with the faux fur and lace baby. No sewing required! This one is all about hot glue.
Take a too-large jacket and upcycle it with simple tailoring and some bold embroidery.
Two old tees get turned into this super cute ruffle purse!
Take a plain old long sleeve tee and transform it into a hooded wrap around shrug when all you need is an extra layer of sleeves.
Got a favorite pair of pants that have too many holes to hold up anymore? Cut em up and reinvent them as a cute skirt.
That same sweater that turned into a skirt can also be used to make these sexy steampunk leg warmers.
Got a tee with a great pattern but it’s just too darn big? Transform it into a flattering fitted halter top to get yourself thinking about warmer months ahead.
Want more than just wearing a sweater as a skirt, spats and more? How about wearing it on your noggin? Yup, this cute beanie started out life as a boring sweater.
A few snips and a seam and you even have yourself a pair of gloves! What did I tell you? Sweaters can be turned into anything.
Finally, our most popular upcycling tutorial to date: a sweater into boots! All you need is a cheap pair of flats (also probably hiding somewhere in your closer) and you can look stylish for a lot less.
It’s not just you that can get a fresh start in life. Your clothes are just begging for some reinvention as well! Raid that closet and see what kinds of new creations you can make without spending an extra dime.
I hope everyone had a great holiday break! We”re back today with the last Urban Entrepreneurs post of 2012, and it”s a great way to cap off the year.
I always find the best creative discoveries are when you combine two unexpected things. This formula seems to have worked out brilliantly for our newest Urban Entrepreneur Tara, the owner of etsy store Bound For You. Tara combined her new love of machine embroidery with a long held love of books and a new found talent for making them.
She joins us today to show us some of her creations and talk about her journey into this new crossroads of embroidery and bookmaking…
What started you into embroidery?
My mum bought the embroidery machine, and after having it sit in her closet for several years I decided it was time to give it a spin. I was so completely enthralled by its almost magical ability to turn thread into such amazing pieces of art that I became hooked.
Which came first, the bookmaking or the embroidery?
I’ve always been in love with books. The day I discovered I could actually make them, was a very happy day for me. It was actually around the same time that I started learning about embroidery, and I can remember thinking- wouldn’t it be amazing if I could fuse the very traditional art of Book binding, with the modern technology of embroidery and create something incredibly unique.
Where did you first find Urban Threads?
I came across is quite by accident, I’d googled embroidery design files, and was looking through the various websites, trying to find something that spoke to me/would jump out at me. Then I came across Urban Threads – and what a wonderful surprise that was.
Such fresh, beautiful, and sometimes creepy designs, a little left of center, it was just so perfect for me.
What made you take the plunge into starting your own business?
I started thinking, if I love these books so much, maybe there are other people who will love them too. I wanted to create something that was just as precious and long lasting, as the memories people make with them.
Tell us a bit about your shop Bound For You
I sell handmade Journals, Albums, Memory Books and Guest Books. Everything is handmade in my studio, from the hand cut paper, to the individually waxed threads that I sew each book with. I embellish some of my books with handmade monogrammed pendants, made from copper and silver, those I fire in my own kiln and the embroidery is done on my little machine, one spool at a time.
What makes my shop unique is that I combine several different arts together to create something individual and special for each person. My embroidery and metal craft allows me to really personalize my items.
What’s the biggest lesson you”ve learned since you began?
ORGANIZATION!!!
I’ve got two small girls, 10 months and 3 years, who keep me on my toes! In order to function competently (or at all really), I need to have excellent time management and organizational skills! I’m still mastering those, but I’ve learned that they are incredibly important. I also have an amazingly supportive husband and family, who keep me positive and motivated, and without which I couldn’t have gotten this far.
Where would you like to see your shop in one year? Any fun stuff planned for the future?
My main goal for the next year is to become a bit better known, really get my name out there and show people what I can do. I’ll be attending local boutique markets throughout the next 12 months, to showcase my work and give people an opportunity to see what I create up close.
More specifically, I want to create some wedding/engagement guest books and photo albums. The amazing theme’s that couples choose for their special day, opens up a whole world of artistic possibility’s, and to me, that’s really exciting.
Thank you so much Tara for sharing your creativity with us! This is a totally new way of using our designs and that”s always my favorite kind. If you want to check out Tara”s shop, visit Bound For You on etsy, or become a fan on facebook!
Do you use Urban Threads designs to create one of a kind products? Want to see your story or your store featured here and join our gang of Urban Entrepreneurs? Send us an e-mail at blog@urbanthreads.com with a link to your store/website or attach sample photos, and you could be featured!
