My mom really wanted a handprint of Bella. When she last came to visit, she spent a lot of time tracing Bella’s hand, along with Pete the Penguin’s wing and Puppy the Dog’s paw, of course. I traced one of those handprints onto some muslin and embroidered it. It turned out way cuter than I thought possible. I made one for my mother-in-law and hope to make one for myself.
notes: embroidery hoops from goodwill craft bin, muslin and embroidery thread from my stash, inspiration from plumpudding
I’m showing some serious garage sale constraint this season because I’ve got a pretty good stash established. However, yesterday morning was beautiful and the next neighborhood over was having their annual sales. I found some fabric for a future skirt, 2 yards for $1. I also found a ton of elastic for my new clothing adventures, $2 for all. I couldn’t pass up this brown wool sweater; it was free!
When I go to Neat Repeatz, I check the girls clothing first, then head over to the boys clothing. Why? Most of the time the boys stuff is a lot cooler. A girl can only have so many pink shirts with flowers and hearts. What about dinosaurs? Cars? Trains? I never see those in the girls section. It’s always Dora, Dora, Dora. My daughter doesn’t even watch Dora. She likes Thomas the Tank Engine, Lightening McQueen and Mickey Mouse.
On my last trip, I found two shirts I knew Bella would love. They were 3T, but a little too short for my tall toddler. I was afraid they wouldn’t last until the end of the season. Inspired by Rachel’s tutorial for lengthening pants, I added a few inches to the shirts with some ruffle trim.
Both were iTalk shirts, so I removed the big patch on the front and tossed the little computer chip thingie, which didn’t work in either shirt. Then I washed them so the holes from the patch stitches would close up a bit.
I used about a yard of ruffle trim for each shirt. After a few attempts to pin the ruffle to the hem, I just put it in the machine and aligned it as I went.
I’m really happy with how these turned out. Both shirts took less than an hour to sew up. Bella was a little worried when she saw them in the machine. “What are you doing with my Lightening McQueen shirt, mom?” When I showed her the finished shirt, she loved it.
refashion: Adding trim is a great way to freshen up an old t-shirt, especially one that’s too short.
Remember when I mentioned that some of that stash flannel was going to become a faux Burberry scarf? It was a really easy project and great for some instant sewing gratification.
That’s it! Here are some online tutorials for a french seam (via Hoppo Bumpo) and mitered corners (via CraftStylish).
recycle: This would be a great way to save a flannel shirt from the landfill. If you have smaller scraps of flannel, just add a few more french seams.
Usually those words don’t go together. Most Formula One gear isn’t on the crafty side, but when has that ever stopped me? This shirt was a birthday gift for our dear friends’ son Wyatt. I was a little worried about whether or not it looked like a car when I was finished. I asked my daughter if she could tell what it was and she said, “A car! A race car! A Ferrari!” Mission accomplished.
refashion: The t-shirt was new* from the craft store. The fabric, Heat-n-Bond, and embroidery floss were from my stash. The fabric matched the t-shirt a little too well. Adding the black embroidery floss outline really helped!
*Purchased before my pledge.
I am so excited that it’s May because that means Saturday mornings at the Farmers’ Market. There’s a little area called Iron Horse Park where Bella likes to play. This is also where you’ll find most of the craft vendors. So, while T and Bella hang out by the fountain and the train-shaped jungle gym, I wander and window shop (or should that be e-z-up-tent shop?).
I saw a lot recycled crafts this year. My two favorites were the t-shirt grocery bags and earrings made out of cds. I didn’t think to take pictures, but they are similar to this bag and these earrings on etsy. The lady who makes Capri Sun tote bags (like these) is also back this year.
Later in the season, when there are usually more vendors, I’m hoping to see more recycled crafty goodness. (And hopefully, I’ll remember to take some pictures!)
It’s that time of year! Green grass, budding flowers and garage sales! At below thrift store prices, though, it’s easy to come home with too many potential projects. Here are some tips for productive bargain hunting. I’ve written them from the perspective of a sewer and knitter, but most apply to all types of crafts.
Go online. Check the newspaper classifieds and craigslist. Search for terms like craft, yarn, fabric, sewing, etc. and read through the ad. If you’re looking for fabric by the yard and the description says fabric is cut into quilting squares, skip it!
Make a list. Group sales that are near each other and start closest to home. Save the sale on the other end of town for last. You want to spend more time bargain hunting and less time in the car.
Stick to the basics. Garage sales are a great way to enhance your stash. When you’re shopping without a specific project in mind, look for neutral fabric, yarn and ribbon. Stock up on batting, interfacing and thread.
Stay focused. Go with one or two projects in mind. I’m looking for a big, sport sweatshirt to make another remote control pillow. I’m also looking for a few floral print shirts to make into tote bags. Focusing on these things will keep me from coming home with things I don’t really need.
Don’t waste your time. Drive by the sale slowly to see if it is worth parking your car. If you don’t see anything promising, keep driving.
Ask if the price is firm. You’ll be surprised how many people mark up their prices expecting you’ll barter down. Note: Don’t haggle with the little old lady who is selling yards of fabric for 50 cents each. Give her a little extra and tell her to keep the change.
Inspect items closely. Look for tears, holes and snags. It’s not a deal if you can’t fix it!
Buy clothing a little too big. You can always take it in, but it isn’t always possible to let it out.
Take along a snack and a drink. Wear comfortable clothing. Use sunscreen when walking around neighborhood sales.
Don’t be afraid to walk away. Chances are that if you’re not sure if it is a good deal, it probably isn’t. It’s better to regret missing a bargain than wasting money. Besides, there will be another deal in your future. That’s what garage sale shopping is all about.
Do you have any tips for your specific craft: paper, stamping, beading, etc.? Please share them in the comments!
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Thank you to all who entered the coffee sleeve giveaway! The random number generator picked comment 11. Congratulations Cicoi Ingrid!
I, julie k, pledge that I shall abstain from the purchase of “new” manufactured items of clothing, for the period of 2 months. I pledge that I shall refashion, renovate, recycle preloved items for myself with my own hands in fabric, yarn or other medium for the term of my contract. I pledge that I will share the love and post a photo of my refashioned, renovated, recycled, crafted or created item of clothing on the Wardrobe Refashion blog, so that others may share the joy that thy thriftiness brings!
The pledge officially starts on May 1st. I’ve got a lot of projects already in mind. I hope to go more than two months. We’ll see!
I must have been really tired when I wrote my last post because when I came home from my weekend away the coffee sleeve looked totally fine. Sometimes we just need a little distance from our work to give it some perspective.
I know April is all about showers, but I lately I have been obsessed with flowers, especially little crocheted ones. I’ve tried a few different patterns, but keep coming back to this one by Mimi. The stem is a simple chain stitch.
Would you like these little flowers for your cup of java?
How to enter: Mention this giveaway along with a link back here in a blog post, twitter update or facebook status and then leave a comment telling me you did so. If you don’t have any of the above (really? are you serious?), then leave a comment here and tell me what’s your favorite spring flower.
Since I didn’t get this post up until late on Monday, I’ll give everyone until Thursday, midnight CT to enter. Cool? Good luck and Happy Spring!
recycle: thrifted wool sweater sleeve, thrifted yarn
Yesterday I really wanted to sew, but I had so many things to do! I tried really hard to fit it in, but didn’t get a break until after Bella went to bed. By then I was really tired, but I wanted to work on this month’s coffee sleeve for a weekend giveaway.
I planned to use a blue sleeve that was already cut at the seams. I figured I could just resew the cuff, which worked fine. Then I went to trim my threads. Oops! Accidentally cut the sweater. Then I thought I could stitch up the hole, but I must have been really tired because it just wouldn’t close. Finally, I just gave up.
Some days are just not meant for sewing, I guess. Instead, I’ll share this great Whip Up article by Betz White on applique techniques. Appliques are great for refashioning clothes. They cover holes and stains. (Hmmm… maybe that’s just what my coffee sleeve needs!) They also can transform toddler clothes for reuse. Cover that little boy decal with a flower; hide the princess with a puppy.
In the meantime, I’ll get to work on the coffee sleeve giveaway for next week. Just gives you something to look forward to, right?