lets applique!

i've been on a complete upcycle binge! i've cleared out my wardrobe and two massive piles sitting on my floor of things i want to change and alter and make beautiful again. and i also have a bag of old t-shirts which don't fit right, so i'm going to use that as some spare fabric as the colours are nice!

anyway, so i've been looking for simple ways to change outfits, and i've bought a few items from thrift stores that i want to embellish...

especially 20's style summer dresses! 

(just a silly picture of my favourite dress that i've thrifted recently, on my leavers day at school. haha)

I was looking through 'Golden Hands' the vintage crafting book again and i came across 'applique' and it's such a good way to alter things. 

some photos from flickr...

 (amyleigh)

(jkw_fire_horse)

(wearmystuff)

(incraftwetrust)

(metro-station)

any kind of stitching really inspires me lately! mmmmmm!!!

there is a group on flickr for all things applique.

I don't normally have the patience to cut out my piece and fold them over and iron them and pin them etc before i go about sewing them onto fabric- so why not use felt? afterall, that is what the book suggests!

My project; I've decided to change up this really simple black dress of mine, using the colourful, design shown above, it's still a work-in-progress, and i will show you a full length shot when it's all done, but here is the process;

before;

i just was not a big fan of this detail, so i wanted to cover it up with something new... 

here is the inside;

after;

okay, now it's your turn! make something beautiful! double kudos for anyone who uses a vintage pattern or fabrics!

**EDIT!***

here are some photos of the finished piece;