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wardrobe refashion: crochet top to tote bag

This top is one of my finds from last weekend’s garage sale bonanza. My friend issued an ultimatum: “If you don’t buy it, I will and turn it into a tote bag.” Well, of course I had to buy it. I couldn’t be out-toted!

crochet top to tote bag

It took me awhile to figure out what to do with it, though. I used my seam ripper to carefully remove the lining. Then I turned it inside out and upside down, literally, before it came to me. (Ribbon not part of the tote. How does one hang a one-handle tote?)

crochet top to tote bag

I was happy to see that the color on the inside wasn’t faded. The seams were also nicely done, so I decided to keep it inside out. I used some denim from a pair of jeans for the bottom. The inside was stash fabric from a garage sale. Can you believe how well it matches?

crochet top to tote bag

Everything was done on the machine except I hand-stitched in the lining. I didn’t want to lose that pretty crochet scallop edge. It needs a little something though. I have a few circles left over from the top. I think I might make them into a flower applique for the front.

refashion: Tank top 25 cents from garage sale. Lining from stash of garage sale fabric. Denim from some old pair of jeans. I think this would make an excellent knitting tote!

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east campus garage sales: new fabric and yarn!

Last year I barely made a dent in the east campus garage sales. I had no idea how big they were. I took my husband and daughter to the textile sale and by the time I made my fabric purchase, my family was ready to go.

This year I went with my friend Kelly. We shopped all morning and got some great deals! I bought lots of cool fabric at the textile sale and some really nice clothes for refashioning. I did get a few other odds and ends, like a cookbook and some baking pans, but I know you just want to see the fabric, right? Here’s a small sampling of my favorites.

hillestad textile saleI got a mix of textures. These feel like canvas.

hillestad textile saleThese feel more like traditional upholstery fabric.

hillestad textile saleIsn’t this cool? It’s yarn sewn to fabric! I bought yellow one, too.

hillestad textile saleI can’t forget this total deal, even though it’s not fabric. Sweater in progress plus all remaining yarn for 25 cents. Yes, 25 cents. It’s superwash wool.

I’m going to wait to post the clothes, because you’ll see them in the “before” pics when they’re refashioned.

I think this was my last garage sale of the season. Today the air feels a little cooler. The sun is setting earlier, too. I feel like a squirrel who has worked all summer on a healthy stash. Now it’s time to stay in and start sewing!

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wardrobe refashion: shirt to apron

shirt to apron

Here’s the third shirt from last week’s garage sale purchases. These big, flouncy shirts came in style right after I had my daughter and I refused to buy any. I had just gotten out of maternity clothes. I didn’t want to buy shirts that made me look pregnant!

shirt to apron

I really liked the band around the middle and thought it would make a nice apron. I love how this already had the ribbon and trim details. All I had to do was cut it up and add the sashes!

shirt to apron

I’m not really an apron girl, but this just might make me change my mind. I just need to get over worrying about getting it dirty. I know, it’s an apron, but it’s so darn cute!

shirt to apron

refashion: Shirt from garage sale cost $1. Sash made from the sleeves. Cute ribbon trim conveniently part of the original shirt. Love when that happens!

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remnants!

remnants

Last Saturday I discovered a little store called Stitches that creates custom drapes, valances, slip covers, etc. I found them through a garage sale listing on craigslist and I couldn’t resist the words “fabric sale.” I had originally planned to just look. I had no idea that things would be so inexpensive. I picked up a bunch of canvas remnants for 25 cents each (not pictured) and a few larger pieces for 50 cents a yard. I already have plans for the floral print flannel: pajama pants!

stash: Whenever I bring something new home I have to destash to make room. On the list this time: jeans I had planned to refashion into tote bags. I just don’t have time for all of the projects in my head!

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wardrobe refashion: shirt to skirt

I found some cute shirts at a garage sale this morning. I’ve already refashioned two, but it was too dark to take the second “after” photo. Here’s the first one.

circle print shirt

The top portion was a little tight and the bottom was big enough to be a skirt. Ha! A skirt! I cut off the top and sewed a casing for the elastic. It even already had pockets!

circle print skirt

It hits just above the knee, which is about as high as I go these days. The fabric is lightweight and it’s going to be a nice, cool skirt for the hot days of August.

refashion: Shirt 50 cents from a garage sale. Elastic from my stash.

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no vacation yarn for me

kearney yarn store

Wooly Mammoth Yarn Store, Kearney Cruise 2009

I’m kind of surprised I didn’t buy any vacation yarn yesterday. I’ve found so many exciting garage sale deals this summer, that going in and just buying yarn seemed kind of boring. There’s no thrill of the hunt. There’s no adventure in bargaining. I did go in and look around, though. I’m not crazy!

I also looked around the antique store, but everything seemed so expensive. I guess that’s another side effect of thrifting. I kept thinking, “They want how much?!” After that, I decided not to go to the fabric store. Instead, I sat under a tree in the shade and crocheted some granny squares with my freecycle yarn.

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new photo space!

I’m really excited about my new little shelf. No more doorknobs in my photos!

yellow floral reversible handmade tote

It’s not really that blue, but the white spray paint I used still doesn’t match our trim very well. My husband said we have some leftover trim paint downstairs, so I’m still not finished with this project yet. Luckily, it’s good enough to start using right away. (p.s. These two new totes are now in my etsy shop!)

recraft: All it took was a little paint to give this $2 shelf new life!

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my creative space

fabric for new tote bags

This morning I went to a few garage sales. I wasn’t looking for anything in particular — just trying to stay fresh with ideas. I found this cute cotton shower curtain that I think will make some really fun tote bags. There’s even more ric rac not pictured! Today I’ve been sketching and trying to figure out how I’m going to cut this up. There are so many possibilities!

More creative spaces over at Kootoyoo. Go check them out!

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two dollar deals!

The past few days I’ve been cleaning and straightening the house because my parents arrived last night for a nice, long visit. I am looking forward to some serious sewing time while they are here!

I did manage to get out a little bit and score some serious thrifty deals. Thursday, my daughter and I went to a garage sale looking for kid stuff. Instead we found a London Fog wool coat for my husband. I swear it is brand new. It was even his size, so no alterations needed. It was a mere $2. Can you believe it? I had to pinch myself. And he likes it!

london fog coat

Saturday afternoon I went out with an actual mission. I’m tired of having a door knob in all of my photos and decided I need some kind of wall shelf with pegs to hang my totes and refashion projects. I found this on sale for $2 at the first store I visited. I’m going to paint it white. Yay!

shelf

I still had some time to myself, so I went to a few more stores just to browse around. I’ve been looking for some pretty sheets to make some pajama bottoms and happened to stumble upon these bright and cheery flowers. These were also on sale for $2.

flower sheets

thrifting: Some days it feels like I never find anything at the thrift stores and I wonder why I even bother. Then I have jackpot days like this and it reminds me that the extra effort is worth it!

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wardrobe refashion: t-shirt toddler dress

I’ve got way too many pictures for this little refashion, especially because it was just a practice project. I bought this shirt because I liked the embroidery on the front and back. You’ve gotta love fabric that comes already embellished!

t shirt toddler dress

It’s loosely based on this Simplicity for Kids pattern. I say loosely because the pattern didn’t really cooperate with the embroidery. Not only that, but the shirt was crooked! There was more pink fabric on one side than the other.

t shirt toddler dress

I used the 3T size, because that’s what Bella is mostly wearing these days. It turned out a little big.

t shirt toddler dress

I’m still trying to work on two skills: sewing knits and using my rolled hemmer foot. My seams are still a little wonky, but they are improving.

t shirt toddler dress

Here’s the awesome thing, though. When I was taking these pictures, Bella asked me what I was doing. When I told her I made her this dress, she grabbed it and said, “Thanks, Mommy! I love this dress! I love it!” Then she rolled it up in a little ball and began to hug it.

t shirt toddler dress

It wasn’t until she tried it on that I realized how big it was. She told me it was fine. I’m hoping she’ll grow into it before the end of the summer. (Please excuse the post-quiet time crazy hair.)

t shirt toddler dress

refashion: I’ve been collecting cute t-shirts to turn into dresses. This one was from a church garage sale. Most of them are from 99 cent days at Goodwill. Pattern was also from Goodwill. It goes up to size 8!