Easy T-Shirt Fix Up

So my daughter had this pink t-shirt that I really like (cute shoes!).  She out grew it and, with her permission, I cut the front off.  I centered it on top of a white t-shirt and stitched it down.  This would be great for covering up stains or just for enjoying an out grown shirt.

Recycled Dress into Sarong Skirt

I had this dress (sorry I forgot to take a picture of it before), that I wasn't wearing anymore.  It was boxy on top, buttons up the front and gathered long skirt.  Not in style anymore and actually I wore it while I was pregnant (9 years ago!).  Time for a remake.  I cut the skirt off and saved the real shell buttons for another project.  I sewed one pocket shut.  Now I had a large rectangle with a hem and 2 sides finished off (button plackets without buttons).  I hemmed the top edge and bunched up one corner and secured it.  I added an inside button that uses an existing buttonhole when it is wrapped.

 I added elastic to the back waist to pull it in a little.  See inside view above and the back view below.

 I had this lovely shell inlaid silver leaf pin to help hold the overlap shut.

 An easy sarong to wear this summer that is way more attractive than the old maternity dress!

Sweater Remakes- Laptop Cozy

 Recently, as I was cleaning up my sewing room, I came across a couple of felted wool sweaters.  Perfect for a laptop cozy!  A crew neck and a cardigan, neither one large enough for the project, so I used both.

 I just cut and sewed what seemed like the right size.  It is great using sweaters because they stretch and are very forgiving if the size isn't exact.  I added a pocket and a flap out of the cardigan sweater.  The buttons were from the cardigan also. 

 I thought buttoning and unbuttoning 5 would be tedious, so I made only 3 functional.  Since the flap is felted and won't unravel, I just stitched it on without edge finishes- super easy.

 I was on a roll, so I made sock cozies for my daughter's camera, phone and nintendo!

I made them narrower at the open end so they would be snug and not slip out.  My daughter (11yrs) just rolled her eyes at me when I showed them to her, but I know she secretly loves them!

Ruffles Add a Feminine Touch to Spring Fashions

Shopping recently, I saw lots of ruffles on tops and purses.  Thinking, "how can I add some to my wardrobe" I decided to update my sling bag .  Easy to do, I started with an old skirt.  Cut my pattern out.  I used a 6 3/4" plate to cut 2 ruffles

One ruffle is the size of the plate and the other uses the plate as the inside edge.  Play around with it until you get the effect you like.  I layered my ruffles on top of the purse front and basted them down.  My skirt has raw edges and seams so I decided to go with the look, but you might want to hem your ruffles.  I continued to follow my sling bag instructions and finished the purse.

I used an old belt for the strap.  The front uses the skirt pocket. 

The back of the sling bag has more raw edge detail from the skirt I used.  The fabric is linen.

A detail of the zipper showing more raw edges!

Altered Men's Dress Shirt

Altered Men's Dress Shirt
Originally uploaded by heycarrieann99

I spotted this on flickr. I love that she recycled the shirt and it turned out so cute! I'm inspired. What else could you do with a men's shirt?

New Frog Suit

Cosmo was my dad's frog. Cosmo spent many happy years in his windshield travelling the country, but heat and sun took a toll. I threw him in the wash and his fabric just fell off. My son begged me to reconstruct him. I sewed a new mouth from felt.I inserted the mouth into a hole in the new fabric.This shows the front and back.I upholstered his head first. I touched up the eyes with a permanent marker and inserted them through holes in the fabric and sewed it around the neck. Then I sewed a new suit and secured it around his neck also. There are some wrinkles in Cosmo's new suit, but it is good enough for my son to play with. He is thrilled with Cosmo!

Here are Kermit and Cosmo sharing a laugh together.

Sweater Holiday Stockings

These are stockings I sewed 8 years ago from old sweaters. I did not felt them, so they are rather stretchy. While they are hanging, I put cardboard in them so they will stay flat (and not droopy). We don't have a fireplace so I hang them from my quilt display pole in the living room.

The initials are felt, sewn on with embroidery thread. I used old pearl buttons and a doily.

My grandmother's hankie and my wedding dress lace.

The next two stockings are from my Father-in-law's sweater.
Buttons centered over fabric yo-yos are the decorations shown in the group picture.

Military buttons because he served in Normandy (among other places).

Oven Mitts

I made these oven mitts years ago out of a scrub top I sewed and an old ironing board cover. I have patched them many times, but that just makes them even more fun to look at! They are sitting on my grandparents kitchen table that might be from the 1940's? It is a metal top with wooden legs.

Alteration: Turtleneck to Crewneck

My daughter had this sweater, but didn't like the turtleneck. I cut off the neck, leaving 1/2" seam allowance. I took a lavender t-shirt knit and cut a strip long enough to reach around the neck. I then turned under 1/4" on one side of the strip. I hand sewed the strip to the neck edge (turning under the sweater neck edge as I sewed). I whip stitched (invisibly) the other side of the strip to the sweater. She loves the sweater now! The lavender strip is completely hidden when she is wearing it. This simple alteration saved the sweater.

Items In Memory of...

This is just a small sampling of items possible for memorializing an event, time or a person.

The sock monkey was from my daughter's favorite socks. The sweater bird, and two pins are from grandparent's clothing, in shapes that are special to those people. Quilts that use small scraps of fabric work well also. I made a t-shirt quilt with commemorative logos all over it. A small heart shaped ornament from bridal scraps makes a nice keepsake. A Christmas stocking sewn from a red sweater, includes a loved one no longer with us. Something to remember when working with old clothes: they often have stains and holes. Repair what you can, cut around what you can't fix and realize a memory item may not take heavy wear and tear. All of my memory items have held up well except the t-shirt quilt. It lasted maybe 8 years on my bed with kids pulling on it to climb up. The well worn t-shirts started ripping so now it is a decorative quilt that gets hung on the wall from time to time. If I make another I think I will fuse knit interfacing to the back of each t-shirt square for strength.

How To: Make a Pet Pillow

A great way to use scraps, discarded and unwearable clothing is to make pet pillows! I keep a container on my sewing table and I fill it with threads and bits of fabric. When it's full, I start stuffing a pillow. My pillows vary, around 14"x14" to 20"x20". The yellow one above is an old shirt (you can see the placket). I'm still stuffing that one. When I have several finished, I deliver them to my local SPCA. It is fun to see animals enjoying them. Knowing that I'm keeping fabric out of the landfill is nice too!

How To Sew, Be Earth Friendly, And Save Money

There are so many ways to sew, be Earth friendly and save money at the same time! Mending and altering items which otherwise might go in the trash. Quilting with all the scraps saved from other projects or discarded clothing and curtains. Create something wonderful out of fabric that might go to waste. I use old clothes, unsuitable for quilts, to wipe up spills instead of paper towels. Make your own cloth napkins out of 12"-18" squares hemmed on all sides. I find that cotton in a medium to dark print works best to hide spaghetti stains! Make a canvas shopping bag from a simple pattern and use it when you go to the store. I have four I take to the grocery store and others in the car and in my purse just in case. Remake clothes, that are no longer being worn, into purses using my instruction booklets available at http://catsongstitchery.etsy.com . Give pants and sweaters new life. I even made an autoharp case out of my living room curtains. Make reusable gift bags out of pretty blouses, skirts or t-shirts. Cut 2 squares or rectangles- larger than the gift. Sew right sides together on 3 sides. Hem the opening and tie with a ribbon. It is that easy! Buy recycled fabric and organic whenever possible. It is starting to show up more in stores. Get creative- keep the earth in mind and save money too!

How To Replace a Backpack Zipper

This is my son's favorite backpack, so even though it is wearing out, I decided to replace the zipper. First, measure the length needed and buy one as close to it as possible. I used one I already had on hand. Sometimes you can find a heavy duty one at the store. On another backpack, I used two zippers and had them meet in the middle. Next, pick out all the stitches to remove the old zipper. Notice how the original one was positioned. You will want to put the new one in the same way. Just pin in the new one and stitch, using a zipper foot. This simple repair can save a lot of money!

Pants To Purse

I just added another instructional booklet to my online shop! http://catsongstitchery.etsy.com/ It is 6 pages of photos and directions for designing and sewing your own bag from any pair of pants. Easy and fun, you will never look at pants the same way again!

How to turn a sweater into a purse

I just added an instruction booklet "Sweater to Purse Instruction #109" to my shop at http://catsongstitchery.etsy.com/ . It contains clear, easy directions to make your own purses from sweaters you felt (on purpose or by accident!). Do some spring cleaning in your closet and end up with great new bags! Coming soon: Pants to Purse Instruction Booklet.