I really enjoy the Refebulous challenge over on Instagram as it always motivates me to make something, which I would otherwise procrastinate about. The aim of the challenge is to take unwanted garments or textiles and turn them into something new, thereby keeping said objects out of landfill.

I began my adventure with a lovely vintage hand-embroidered tablecloth which had belonged to my son-in-law’s grandmother.

A classic square with embroidered corners and centre square. It had a few holes and marks but I decided to embrace them. Here is a collage as an example of the damage:

I needed to find a pattern that would make the most of that embroidery, and I tried out several before settling on the Stokx Coco top, which has a back cut on the bias, making me think it would show the design of the tablecloth nicely. I laid out the pattern pieces, making sure I had two pieces for each pair. I use tracing vilene so I can see what’s going on underneath. It has the advantage of being grippy so doesn’t slide around, although I was moving my fabric around so I pinned on my pattern pieces.

Getting things on grain was tricky as the tablecloth was warped, but with a bit of tugging and finagling I think I got it sorted out.

I managed to cut round some of the holes and marks but still had a few to deal with. I used some small offcuts of the linen behind the holes and embroidered over them (left hand photo below). I also tried to finish off any embroidery that I had to cut, by sewing over the seamlines, with mixed success as my embroidery skills aren’t great. I had to use what floss I had, attempting to match the thread as best I could.

The Coco has an inside out bit showing on the collar, which I did consider carefully but the embroidery had been done so skillfully I thought it wouldn’t show too much. I also went over it in a couple of spots to neaten it up.

I was rather thrilled that I managed to match the pattern at the front, but less pleased with the fact that I didn’t make sure the collar was sitting properly before I took these photos! Wearing it with my dyed red tablecloth Stokx Square Pants. They go together so well. Is double tablecloth dressing a thing?

I was also pleased with this sleeve, although the other side doesn’t look as good as the pattern is at the back. Of course I realised that I should have taken a photo of the sides so you could see how the embroidery flows. Next time!

I spent some time thinking about buttons and settled on these clear green ones. My buttonholes aren’t evenly spaced as I had to work them round the embroidery. I did add an extra button at the top, mainly so that I would have less embroidery showing on the wrong side.

A couple of seated shots, one in Fremantle and the other outside the coffee shop at the local library. I seem to have worn this combination a lot, and have the collar sorted out in both photos!

I particularly like the way the back worked out, the bias cut worked exactly as I planned so that’s a win. I did extend the embroidery a little bit as there were a couple of holes right at the top of the existing embroidery, and I think it looks ok.

I rather like it with my shorts. The bottoms of the shirt do line up – I’m a careless dresser!

I also teamed it with my white Fibremood Gizeh trousers. I think that this is a top that will go with lots of my wardrobe. I’m even coming to terms with the rumpled look of the linen.

Finally, I made my son’s new puppy a bed for when she visits us, to keep her off the furniture. It’s a very plush cotton velveteen vintage upholstery fabric, which I turned into a pillowcase and filled with an old pillow. She’s very fond of her bed, but even fonder of my scrap bin, and then she found an egg carton in the recycling bin, so had a wonderful time!