Jez Designs

Jez Designs Jez Designs - Billericay based maker of custom accessories, jewellery, crafts and gifts!

I sell accessories and related gifts such as painted silk and jewellery through my first Etsy store www.jezdesigns.etsy.com
I sell craft and sewing kits and patterns, and homewares through my other Etsy store www.jezdesignscrafts.etsy.com

I also undertake commissions and a range of work such as repairing some painted textiles.

The things about using preloved fabric is, you get to include fun features!And design challenges can turn into excellent...
16/06/2026

The things about using preloved fabric is, you get to include fun features!
And design challenges can turn into excellent ideas.

As I was making this last week, I was wondering how to reuse the pocket area, then inspiration struck- just keep it, and sew it to another piece so I can reuse the pockets. Pockets are always useful and usually add to the cost for time and fabric reasons. So, turn a problem into a solution!

I'm definitely going to do more of that- usually I get given offcut legs of jeans but I'm enjoying using the front and back and will do more of this is ypga bags for a bit I think, and weekend bags!

It's lined in waterproof ripstop navy nylon which is new, and gard to see here. And the strap and fittings are new- but it is a very heavy bag once loaded up so it needs a really good strap.

My only mistake? I forgot to attach the liner by machine, and made the whole bag then whole liner to attach. So I had to hand stitch that in Saturday morning (done in front of weekend brainless streaming so relaxing even if my hands complained!).

This design can be made attaching both at once to the zip, so I'll try to remmeber that next time!!

You can find my ready made yoga mat duffles and some other bigger bags here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/jezdesigns?section_id=19719769

Meet the Scarlet Lady evening gown!What do you do when you are too big for the outfit, and the mannequin is too small, a...
14/06/2026

Meet the Scarlet Lady evening gown!

What do you do when you are too big for the outfit, and the mannequin is too small, and you need photos?
You improvise!

My new mannequin who currently lives at home got a remodel with bubble wrap round her waist and my corset over the top (still luckily laced to fit under this dress!) , then one of my old bras also padded with bubblewrap and a ball of silk sari waste. It made her just big enough to fill out the dress properly.

This dress is a bit after Natural Form (narrow and long shaped) so Late Bustle style with a shorter nodice and pronounced additional bulk at the back. Yes. it is a bit like wearing a small sofa behind you and takes some getting used to! And you have to train any male companions not to step on that lovely trailing hem.

Swipe to see the layers on the mannequin and then under her dress. It took about an hour to reassemble! It takes about 15 minutes to ut on a person since you start with the skirt and traon already connected, plus people are squishier than mannequins so a bit easier to dress!

I made this probably 20 years ago when I was somewhat slimmer. Having tried to get into the skirts, I was probably heading for A&E so I decided Tanya the Torso would have to model for me! I do luckily have a couple of old photos of me wearing it. I hope someone sees it and loves it enough to buy it- this was a LOT of work!

From preloved curtains to yoga mat bag! What would you make?Earlier this week I made a prototype bag to try out a differ...
13/06/2026

From preloved curtains to yoga mat bag! What would you make?

Earlier this week I made a prototype bag to try out a different shaped requested by a customer. And to work out the strap attachment/corner details. It's good enough to go in my shop but I did end up French seaming heavy fabric as this bag is unlined and that nice woven fabric frays!

I was given a bunch of these very chunky jumbo metal zips and it turns out they're ideal for this...but usual bags in this style do NOT have end straps, they have two long or short handles. If I make more in future I will swap to that style, as the straps make the top corners very hard to make well.

What do you make with thick preloved curtian fabrics?

The "real" upcycled jeans one for the customer will ahve a waterproof lining- see how that went later!

That's better!I've added some deep pink/mauve shibori markings to this very pale scarf.True my hands did also go pink fo...
08/06/2026

That's better!
I've added some deep pink/mauve shibori markings to this very pale scarf.

True my hands did also go pink for a bit (it's almost impossible to unpick rubber bands and string with thick rubber gloves or even thin latex ones!) but it was worth it.

Are you a pastels or a brights person?

Shibori is a Japanese variant of tie-dyeing. This scarf was pleated and twisted into a rope round a small pole! You can see it propped in one of the plastic pint glasses (swipe to see).

This silk scarf is back in my Etsy shop in its new colours. You can find it and other similar scarves here:
https://jezdesigns.etsy.com/uk/listing/4460374926/hand-dyed-silk-scarf-shibori-fuchsia-and

I've found a use for some really tiny scraps of fabric! 28mm scale cloth merchant's stall for Traitor's Toll skirmish ga...
01/06/2026

I've found a use for some really tiny scraps of fabric!
28mm scale cloth merchant's stall for Traitor's Toll skirmish game scenery.
Unexpected small (micro) make of the week and world's smallest remake?

When your husband has a bright idea for his tabletop minis game, and you have a zero waste policy, some cocktail sticks and elderly glue (works best).

I spent a happy hour yesterday evening assembling these tiny rolls of fabric for a draper's stall. It was fun rifling through the scrap strips to see what small patterned stuff would work. There's even a tiny piece of cotton quilt wadding as wool fleece...

We're particularly proud of the stripy bolt that is unrolled.

I thin this is officially my smallest scrappy remake ever!

New item in my Etsy shop!I now offer these freestanding pouches for game counters in a range of fabrics. They could also...
29/05/2026

New item in my Etsy shop!

I now offer these freestanding pouches for game counters in a range of fabrics. They could also hold dice neatly out of the way. Swip to see 2 examples and another fabric.

I've even had my first order courtesy of my husband's blog! He didn't even know he has a following lol.

They come in a range of vaguely themed fabrics, made to order, mostly brocades or velveteens. Some are upcycled and all are at least part eco through reuse or scrap use. They are washable or wipe clean so proof against those coffee and tea accidents!
Custom sizes or fabrics considered!

What shall I make them in next- denim jeans scraps? Snooker table baize scrap? Camo /olive drab canvas?
Actually that snooker one is good- it's Teflon coated and rubber backed and impossible to dispose of! And I have some to find a use for...

Find the options here:
https://jezdesigns.etsy.com/uk/listing/4510665747/freestanding-pouch-for-gaming-counters

For drawstring pouches see the rest of my shop.

Sometimes I don't remake things!I made this Regency dress some years back for me as costume for a weekend game, and it h...
26/05/2026

Sometimes I don't remake things!

I made this Regency dress some years back for me as costume for a weekend game, and it has a lot of cotton muslin and lawn in it. Now I _could_ cut it up, but I don't actually need any muslin or lawn. I rarely do. Currently it is usable (It's even washable) and comforatble for a larger sized person (it's somewhere between UK sizes 14-16 while I'm moderately curvy and tall) and a bit adjustable. It could be dyed, dip dyed or trimmed with interesting satin flowers etc.

So it seems silly to cut it up unless I needed the materials, and I won't wear it again (sadly I have expanded a bit too far plus it's a very young style now I'm grey haired). So, I'm selling it (let's see if it goes on Vinted!). With series like The Other Bennett Sister and Bridgerton around, interest in Regency fashion is still quiet high so I'm hoping it might get bought and takne to a ball or country dance somewhere lol.

Now a number of freinds made very similar dresses from old brocade curtains, bedsheets, you name it. All of which worked well- and it is simpler than many historical costumes so good for relative beginners with patterns easy to find. I happened to have lawn already, access to some cheap muslin and be playing an ingenue. It's a design that needs large long pieces of cloth for the skirts hence the use of household textiles or new fabric more than preloved clothes.

Have you ever upcycled to make something like this and what did you use?
What is your dividing line for "cut up and reuse" or "sell/donate"?

PS if you're interested in buying it get in touch (you should be able to find it in Vinted or I can give you a link). It's £25 including a reticule bag plus postage.

I've been in Cornwall for a week and a half. Having abreak and getting inspired by the landscape and plants!For example,...
24/05/2026

I've been in Cornwall for a week and a half. Having abreak and getting inspired by the landscape and plants!

For example, I was privileged to get a private look round some amazing cohousing community grounds with a friend. While they have a nationally important peony collection, those are not out yet but the Rhodedendrons were and I never knew they came in THAT many shades! Swipe to see just a sample quite apart from all the mauve wild ones!

I may have to do a garden quilt based on Grandmother's Flowers with all those colours in...

Now I have to go eye up my stash of preloved fabrics and see if there are enough hot colours in there...

What would these colours and shapes inspire you to make or remake?

Gorgeous little pouches for rings bracelets and brooches made from scraps of my hand painted silk. This time spring flor...
18/04/2026

Gorgeous little pouches for rings bracelets and brooches made from scraps of my hand painted silk. This time spring floral shades with lovely metallic gutta!

I made several panels of doodled paisley patterns for a custom order some years ago. I've been wondering what to do with the scraps and now I know!

I am enjoying using up whatever small pieces I can this month to clear the "to do" pile in the studio!

You can find these small ones in my Etsy store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/jezdesigns?ref=seller-platform-mcnav§ion_id=31652563

More special hand painted silk pouches going in my Etsy shop this week.These are a bit larger than the tiny ones but sti...
17/04/2026

More special hand painted silk pouches going in my Etsy shop this week.

These are a bit larger than the tiny ones but still great for small special things especially coins or rings for weddings.

See them at this link or explore my shop:
https://jezdesigns.etsy.com/listing/4490142992

Address

Billericay

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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