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refashion: “new” skinny jeans

You know what’s weird about skinny jeans? They never look too short. There are long and ankle length. When they really get short, they become capris. You just can’t go wrong. This is good when your daughter is growing like a weed, but only up and not out.

Temps are getting cooler, so we went through her stash of jeans this weekend. The 10s were a wee bit too short, but fit fine in the waist. The 12s were also a wee bit short, and were way too big in the waist. I decided to do the only logical thing: turn the 10s into skinny jeans.

Ironically, she has a really nice, brand new pair that she hates. They have a decorative seam down the top center that “feels weird.” They look so great on that I refuse to let them go. I’m convinced she’ll come to love them. In the meantime, they became the perfect pattern for refashioning four other pairs.

It’s really amazing to see a pair of pants transformed from something that looks like they’re ready for a flood to something cute and trendy. She was particularly happy that I gave new life to her sparkly Jordaches. (I got my first pair of Jordache jeans when I was just a little bit older than she is now. I LOVED them.)

So today was a good day. I watched football, had a Starbucks, and sewed up a storm. Hello, Fall. We’re ready for you!

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started: puppy sweater

puppy sweater

This friend is getting the full treatment. After re-stuffing and sewing yet another new nose, my daughter convinced me to make a sweater to cover up the bald spots. I survived eight years before getting a request for “doll” clothes. I guess I can’t complain.

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fixing the other christmas jammies

christmas jammies

Last year I bought my daughter size medium pajamas from Target. Within a year they were above her ankles. I knew size large would be too big because I measured them in the store. (Yes, that weirdo with the tape measure in the clothing department is me.) However, I don’t have time to make all of her pajamas by hand, so I bought them and hoped for the best.

First problem: the waist kept falling down. I had to run some elastic around to keep them up. Second problem: she was tripping over them. I wound up hemming THREE INCHES. How can the difference between medium and large be that great? They are polyester, so I know last year’s didn’t shrink.

I’m thinking making them by hand might have been easier after all.

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some non-thanksgiving stuffing

puppy

You’ve seen him before. Puppy was the star of my “how to fix a stuffed animal’s nose in 4 easy steps” tutorial a few years ago. He was getting a little thin around the neck and shoulder area, and my daughter asked if I could add some extra stuffing.

It wasn’t hard. Once I pulled apart the well-loved fur and found a seam I could open, that is. I suggested adding some reinforcement fabric to the inside, too, because he’s taken up bungee jumping off the stairs and I worry about the thin spots. My daughter said no thanks.

However, she did request another nose. I think that makes number four.

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is there problem fray check can’t solve?

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A friend of mine asked me to hem a pair of jeans for her. Last time I did this, I didn’t have to take them up too much, and I just tacked the extra material to the inside seam.

This pair needed to be taken up more than that, and there was quite a bit of denim leftover, making a giant cuff on the inside of the leg. My plan was to cut it off and serge the ends to keep it from fraying. When it came to the side seams, my serger had other plans. “No thank you,” it politely said as the denim refused to let go of the needle.

So I fell back on my tried and true method for raw edges: fray check. It feels a little stiff now, but I bet after one washing it will soften up.

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mending: sweater hole fixed

sweater mending

I’m pleased with how this project turned out. It was really hard to capture the black on black stitches, but you get the idea. It’s less noticeable than in the photo.

sweater mending

One thing I found helpful while navigating all those dark stitches was to thread a contrasting yarn through them to help me keep things straight. After finishing a row, I just pulled out the contrasting yarn and continued on until finished.

I don’t recommend using a fuzzy yarn like I did. The fibers made quite a mess!

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oh, darn! sweater edition

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This sweater was a lucky garage sale find a few years ago. I practically live in this thing during the winter. It’s made of cotten and is like wearing a cozy blanket around the house.

The elbows have been worn thin. I tried to fix it last year and didn’t do a very good job. The stitches were so stretched out and I just kind of winged it.

Darning those socks and watching the Knit Picks videos made me want to try again. So far, so good. The three rows above the needle are looking nice. I’ll post an after pic when I’m finished.

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mending: t-shirt holes

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I usually don’t spend time mending holes in my daughter’s shirts. She’s growing so fast that it doesn’t seem to make sense. However, sometimes holes happen to a favorite shirt — one we bought a little big so she could wear it a long time.

Usually, holes show up in sleeves and seams — easy places to hide a few stitches. This one was right in front. I was extra careful, but there was no hiding anything. So I decided to turn it into a decorative element.

I don’t do a lot of embroidery. I’m not the best at it, but I sewed a little daisy in matching thread. The result is actually kind of cute. I’ve seen people mend holes with a star stitch, but I think this is a little nicer. Of course, it would help if all of the petals turned out the same size!

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sweet mending satisfaction

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A friend sent me a photo of her daughter’s dress and asked the best way to fix it. She was either going to finish it on the machine or add ric rac to cover the frayed ends.

I told her to bring it over. There were a few dropped stitches that I fixed with a crochet hook. Then I hand-sewed the rest with matching thread and duplicate stitches.

It’s not perfect, but I have to admit that I was kind of impressed with my own work.

Does anyone else get this excited over mending? Please tell me I’m not the only one!