August 17, 2010

Not Quite Cate Blanchett

I have been wanting to blog this since I saw Cate Blanchett walking the red carpet on TV a couple of years ago. I love everything about Cate and specially wearing this dress! Cate is one of the coolest actors around and a great mum. A true artist. She would be the only person who could pull this dress off. This was Cate appearing as the 'Guest of honour' at an exhibition opening in Melbourne a couple of years ago. Why am I showing you this? Well I found this Granny square jacket at an op-shop, but it was miles too big for me. It was double my size. As I was walking out I remembered that for years I had been felting woolen jumpers into bags and woolen fabric and skirts into felted wool. I liked the jacket and was hoping by felting it, it might shrink down to fit me.
Here is  Cate Blanchett wearing Granny square dress walking the red carpet. Don't you think she is gorgeous? She didn't get a very positive review from the press wearing it, but I like it and it fitted in with my 'rags to riches' belief (image courtesy of Google image).
"Not quite Cate Blanchett" This is moi wearing my Granny square jacket after I shrunk it down to size. Luckily it fits me perfectly. I wore it the first time on  Christmas in July here at home. Dear Valentina mentioned it in her comment. I told her the story behind it and she said I should blog about it. So here it is Valentina!
I wore it again the second time to the quilt show. Three ladies stopped and complimented me on my jacket and I notiched many turned heads when I walked past. I had a good chat to those ladies and told them the same story. So it was a good choice getting this jacket. 'Rags to Riches' that is me! 
A felted bag that was once a jumper. I made a few of these for gifts a few years ago. I made the bag and handles before I put everything in the washing machine using very hot temperture and normal wash. It was exciting to see how it would turn out. I used the body part of the jumper for the bag and the two sleeves for the handles. It was really fun. Can you see the Teddy bear hanging in front of the bag? 
I made this one for Kit. She loves pompoms. This jumper has all the vibrant colours that I could pick for the pompoms. These bags are also great to keep you warm too. The jumpers have to be 100% wool for it to felt. Some new wool doesn't felt so well. I had some disasters a couple of times, but you know if you don't try you don't learn! If you are interested on how to make this bag just leave me a comment and I will email you back. 

STOP PRESS! I almost forgot to mention the Christmas Quilt-A-Long hosts by Sue of  Quilt Time. Sue is over in the UK and for some reason she thinks that her Christmas will come before ours in Australia LOL! I have joined her only on one condition; that I can work on my Christmas UFOs. Sue has set up Mr Linky over on her blog for you to sign in - Hope you will join me...!

26 comments:

deanna7trees said...

I remember seeing that picture of Cate. I thought it was interesting at the time. I have made so many granny squares in my life but had never seen it quite that way. I do love your jacket and your purses. It's hard to find 100% wool these days that's not the washable kind (does not felt).

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing you are very clever and I am so pleased that it fits you now.
When you buy old jumpers to shrink do you check what they are made off and do they have to be 100% wool?

cheers
Christine

Queen Of The Armchair aka Dzintra Stitcheries said...

Good Morning Nat!!! Wow, wow, wow...I never did see that pic of Cate with the Granny Squares...doesn't she look great!!! And you too my dear in that jacket...wonderful!!! Love it...Dzintra♥x

Sue-Anne said...

I LOVE that story Nat!!!! I think you look just as gorgeous at Cate in your granny squares. I love your felted bags too - the colours are amazing!

Mary Grace McNamara said...

Your granny jacket is gorgeous! I love the bright colors with the white border. It looks fabulous on you!

MGM

Terry said...

Your experements are always adventures and the results great. Like the jacket, it is a bit Kate and a lot Nat.
Reuse Recycle and Rejoyce. You are truly committed to the idea of repourposing.

Love it Have a good week Terry

kaiteM said...

terrific story Nat and you've done such vibrant felting from the Op shops, it's all lovely. Teddy is very sweet...hugz, k.

Karen said...

How about that dress! I love your jacket and the bags are wonderful too!

Janet said...

I thought of Cate Blanchet's dress when I went in to a store and saw some Peter Alexander pj's in the Granny square pattern. I love your recycled jacket, I'm jealous I can't wear wool. The bags are fantastic, I especially love the one you made for Kit.

RG said...

Nat!
Valentina is right!! this is such a cool story :-) Love Cates and yours!! Wow and yum and cooly cool cool!! :P
You're like me dabbling in all sorts, although I must confess fabric takes up most of my time these days... well for now anyhoo.

Thanks for sharing this one... it's really interesting and funny...we can always repurpose things now... it's great fun!

Suzanna said...

Really like your granny square jacket Nat!!

Béa said...

Love that story & your adventures in felting :)
hugs.

ria vogelzang said...

What a great storie about your Granny quare jacket!! Just love it! I also love to buy at op-shops!! :)) (we call them "kring-loop-winkel")
And those gorgeous bags! I would love to know how to make them.....
Hope you are enjoying the days up to your special weekend ...Just one to go...
Love and a big hug, Ria!

Anne-Lise at Rag, Tag, Bobtail said...

Great jacket! And the bags are great - waiting for the tutorial now :) I'm sure I have some old woollies around ...

Gina said...

It's gorgeous. I think I'll start visiting our local charity shops. I might be lucky enough to find one.

Love and hugs Gina xxx

Dot said...

Your bubbly sense of humor and love of life shines through on this post Nat! I agree with you that Cate Blanchett looks stunning in hre grnny square dress. As do you in your jacket! Love your felted bags (especially the second colorful one). And the teddy bear hanging from the first one is adorable!

Needled Mom said...

That is just a fabulous coat. I LOVE it!!!!

The felted bags are amazing too. They are so pretty.

Nedra said...

I love your story and your jacket! What a find. And Cate can pull off wearing the dress in a way very few would be able to.

Anonymous said...

The bags are fantastic! Even though granny squares in garments are not my cup of tea, yours looks nice on you. The Cate dress? Goshawful!!!!!!

Little Lady Patchwork said...

Way to show them how to walk the runway Nat!

Everything is just beautiful. I love your Granny Square jacket! I know that you will get lots of use out of it. Gosh it looks so comfy!

Enjoy your creations,
Stefanie

Bev C said...

Hello Nat,

I do love that you have shrunk something to fit you,very clever. Kate's dress isn't a touch on yours.
happy days.
Bev.xoxo

Henya said...

I love the jacket you made, very pretty! The bags are fantastic! Especially the PomPom one! I love it! Can I have the instructions for it please?

Micki said...

Your jacket is gorgeous and you are really looking great in it!
Micki

Simone de Klerk said...

Great post Nat and I love the title and comparison! The bags you made from sweaters are very pretty. You are so creative!
Off to the links you gave.
Have a lovely week and a great birthday!

Mescrap said...

Fabulous !!
I wish to learn about the Granny square.

Valentina said...

How super cool Nat! I love your bags as well! Fabulous! I am so happy you posted, and Cate, well... she Fab, almost as fabd a YOU!
:)

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