T-shirt Grocery Bags

I've convinced most of my friends to give me their unwanted clothes before it goes to Good Will. They say, "one man's trash, is another ones' treasure." My goal is to find free usable material to make other projects with. Anything I don't use will be back to it's original destination, Good Will.

What's nice is that there is always an endless supply of T-shirts. I've yet to do any T-shirt surgery and make them into cute tops. What I have been doing is making them into Grocery Bags. I've made quite a few at this point and have been giving them away.


This is my first T-shirt conversion. I got this shirt a few years ago and who can say no to Pokémon ???

Here's a T-shirt that I've cut the armholes and collar off. I just need to sew the bottom and create a gusset to finish this bag.

It makes me a little sad that a few months ago I donate a whole bunch of fun T-shirts to Good Will. I want them now!!!!

Knife's Blanket & Pillow

I did a project for Knife for the first time back in April. I know that's a long time ago. I don't know how people have the time to blog so quickly. I blame my camera issues for the slow updates. Back to Knife's projects. She asked me to make a blanket and pillow for her sorority sister. I only have pictures of the blanket. Knife didn't post any pictures of the pillow and I haven't had time to ask her for pictures.

It was a pain doing all the letters. But I'm glad Knife liked it.

I don't mind doing projects for Knife but I'm not sure I want to do anything with so many letters again. At least not all in one project.

Momo t-shirt

Here's a project from last summer during my screen printing class.

It's Momo from Avatar: The Last Airbender. This is taken from one of their short episodes.


The project was to do a multicolored print.


As you can see in the close up I wasn't very good at it. After several tries I realized that the paint wasn't drying enough before I applied the next layers. I was already having trouble lining up my layers and now it wouldn't dry correctly. In the end, I made some t-shirts with only the black outline.


I'm not sure what to do with the colored ones, since I think they're too ugly to wear.

Appa Pin: The Layers

This semester I decided to take a Jewelry Making class for fun. Our first project is to make an Aluminium Pin. We had to choose an ethnic type mask and create layers for it. I was able to choose a Chinese lion statue instead. Somehow a conversation about Avatar: The Last Airbender came up and we realized my pin looked like Appa.

Here are my layers of aluminium that I had to cut out with a tiny saw. You can't see the colors, because I still have the pattern paper glued on. I can't remove until I'm ready to rivet the entire piece together or I might strach my aluminium.

This pin goes perfectly with my Momo t-shirt that I made in my screen printing class. Which I will need to dig out and take a picture. I'm starting to realize that I haven't posted a lot of my projects. I guess I'll have to start digging things out of the garage.

Another Apron

This apron ended up as a Birthday present to a close friend.


You might recognize the fabric from another apron I had sewn in May. This fabric was originally old curtains from my aunt. It's heavy and thick, great as an apron. Fun, easy, and quick. I might make this again.

Caring Gloves

Ever since Grip N' Flip started university, she's been too busy too visit or chat. But being an awesome cousin I decided to have a fun care package sent to her. I found some old sleeves and converted them into gloves for her. Even in our high tech, fast paced lives it's always fun to get snail mail.
I had one more pair but somehow I must have forgotten to take pictures.

Apron on the Fly

I had sewn an apron for Sailor Mercury's Bachelorette Party, as one of the prizes, back in May. I tried to do this on the fly with no pattern and just gut instincts. Well it seems that my gut instincts made the bust area too loose. I didn't want to fix it at first but with some comments from a few of my aunts they convinced me that laziness was not an option.



I'm pretty happy on how it turned out. With the new adjustments EVERYONE can look good in this apron even boys!! Thank you Fork for modeling this from me. I do have actual pictures of Fork in this apron but somehow I haven't gotten a hold of them. When I do I will definitely post it. And use it to ruin his manly reputation!!! Mahahahahhahahahhahahahahahhahahahahhahahah

Bubbles

I was in downtown a few weeks ago and it was a hot day. I just couldn't resist buying this.


I ended up getting some fabric too . . . . . . . .

Basic Skirt

Here is the FIRST skirt I'd ever sewn. Ahhh brings back memories from my Intro Sewing Class. It's a basic straight skirt. It's so small that it doesn't even fit my size 8 dressform. I think I found this fabric at Walmart for $1/yard. I bought most of my fabric there since I didn't want to spend too much on projects that were for learning, and most likely wouldn't be worn by anyone.


Even if someone were to fit into the skirt the fabric is too thin and shear. Their panties would be seen, which I'm sure most girls do not what happening.

Here's a kick-pleat at the back of the skirt. At the time I didn't know what a kick-pleat was and had the hardest time sewing it into the skirt. For those of you who don't know what a kick-pleat is for, it's so that you can move your knees (basically walk) in the skirt.

I also learned how to sew a lap-zipper and a hook and eye the close the waistband.

If anyone wants a tiny see-through skirt, let me know.

Baby Clothes

This is a really old project. I think this was the 3rd item we did for my first sewing class. It's a little baby dress with bloomers. I think I found this fabric at Walmart for $1~$2/yard.


I didn't really want to sew baby clothes at the time. Buy now looking a back I realized how much I learned from this one project.

1. Invisible Zipper - I had to sew it on several times before it was "invisible".
2. Gathering
3. Stitch in the Ditch
4. Setting in Sleeves
5. Yokes
6. Collars
7. Curved Pockets
8. Elastic
9. Overlocking a curve - I had to do the bloomers twice, because I didn't curve with the overlock and ended up cutting my first pair of bloomers. I was very traumatized at the time.

I found out recently that they don't do this project anymore for the Intro Sewing class. I'm sorry to hear that since you do learn a lot from something so small.

Goodwill Trims

I love to wander in the Thrift Shops, Goodwills, and etc. Well in my last stroll through a Goodwill I found these trims for a steal!!!


Navy Grosgrain Ribbon $1.99
White Cotton Lace $2.99
1/4" Elastic $1.99 (not in picture)

They had several spools of each item. I should have bought all of them but wasn't sure that I should, since I'm such a pack rat. It's fun to find such good deals.

It's CLEAN .. . . mostly

In the midst of iron disaster I've forgotten to mention that I've got the garage mostly clean. I have the peg boards up, I just need some peg hooks. I have most of the shelves up. Only 2 boxes of fabric left to organize. I think that it's 80% complete. That's not too bad considering what it was like before. Here are some bad quality photos of my garage.

It's clean enough to fit 2 other people comfortably to work. If we were all just sewing I think I could fit 4 people (including me) to work in here and not feel too cramped. In fact I've had people come by and work in here. That's the real reason it got cleaned. We needed a bigger space to work.


I even moved my TV and DVD player out there in the corner, to have some background noise sewing. Maybe I'll catch up on all those TV shows I've missed since I don't have time for TV. Or not, I can imagine being planted in front of the TV and not working at all. But it's situated in front of the ironing board so that ironing isn't as tedious. If only my iron wasn't broken.


If you look closely there's hardly anything on the peg boards and it's still a little chaotic. I'm working on organizing it. Overall it's nice to have a space where I can invite a few people over to sew and have it be a productive space. I'll post later on all my organizing details, some of which I picked up from other websites. But for now I just wanted to brag about my 80%.

Disaster!! My Iron is Broken

Of course in the middle of a big project my iron breaks. This poor Panasonic my family bought 3+ years ago just gave up. My dad thinks I've fried it. I have no idea what's wrong with it other than it won't start when I plug it in. It actually died on me while I was trying to iron on some interfacing. But I've used it relentlessly and it's lived a good life fulfilling it's life as an iron. It wasn't the best iron but it was a working iron.

So now the big questions is what should a replace it with. I've been eying my friends $120 Rowenta that has it's own water tank and continuous stream of steam. Or there's this Reliable iron I've used and come to like that is $125. But that's a lot of money I don't have. We'll see what happens. I'll probably buy another cheap $50 one, if you can call $50 cheap. But in comparison to the $100+ irons I really want $50 is inexpensive.

Stray Socks, I have so many

Recently these books were pointed out to me and I can't stop obsessing about them.

Stray Sock Sewing: Making one of a Kind Creatures from Socks
Stray Sock Sewing Too: More Super-Cute Sock Softies to Make & Love

It combines two of my interests making plushies and RRR (recycle, reduce, reuse). I've already flipped through the books and think I have an idea on how to approach. I'm not sure if I need to own these books, yet. I'm going to try to do one of the projects and if I think I need more guidance, as opposed to a general idea on approach, then I might consider purchasing the books.

Some people have said that they would buy new socks for these projects. In a sense, I understand where they're coming from. You're cuddling a plushie that used to be someones smelly sock. But on the other hand, that defeats the whole stray sock concept, right? Then again, my socks usually don't match, so do I really own any stray socks?

Scrap Fabric, Ideas Apply Here

So I've been trying to clean out the garage, again! The question is always, "how small is a scrap of fabric TOO small to use?" I do have a few ideas of what to do with some of my scraps; tote bags, pincushions, pencil cases, tissue holders, draw string fish bags, and quilt squares (if I ever get around to quilting that is). But these still use a sizable amount of fabric. Of course, the question plagues me the rest of the day. Then off I go to the trusty (insert sarcasm here) Internet! My results are inconclusive.

Basically nothing is too small. Look at postage stamp quilts. And the basic premise of quilting is to use remnant fabric scraps. Which is why the idea of quilting, even though I've never quilted, is so alluring to me. So now I'm back to square one. Having to trust my gut instincts may just leave me with my garage fuller than before. It's a fine line between pack rat and hoarder. Sometimes, I don't know which side of the line I'm standing on.

On a brighter note, all my research gave me a two projects I'd definitely like to utilize with my scarp fabrics.

Fabric Curlers by Life with Monkey - These fabric curlers are soft and great to sleep in. At least it looks like a better alternative than those plastic pink ones everyone usually uses. I'm definitely excited to try this one out.

Jewelry Wrap by AgricanKelli - This is a traveling jewelry holder for the women on the go. I was just thinking I needed something like this since I've been traveling a little more this year. I was having problems with all my necklaces tangling up.

There were a lot of other good ideas, but they were either things that were similar to ideas I've already come up with or they didn't tickle my fancy.

Plaid Cape

I found this plaid fabric, with some digging, for $2/yard. I thought it would make a cute cape for Grip N Flip. So I tried to employ the techniques I learned from my Jacket to this cape. I don't know if it made a difference but it was fun nonetheless.

I ended up with some curling at the bottom since the fabric stretched a little. I trimmed it the best I could, but I guess it wasn't good enough. It doesn't bother me too much since this was for fun and a good learning experience. It also helps that this was one of the projects I started in the new year with the resurgence of my sewing mojo. I somehow lost my sewing mojo in the Autumn of last year and was afraid it wouldn't return. But all is well, it's come back with a vengeance.




Here's a closer look at the closure. I really like how the asymmetrical closure turned out. You can also catch a glimpse of the lining fabric. The lining has the cutest animal motif. I love the bunnies, ducks, dogs, cats, and chickens speckled throughout. I thought it would give the cape a more whimsical vibe. I know that no one would actually see it, but that's part of the fun. Having something only the wearer can appreciate is well worth it.


I found 3 of these buttons in my garage and decided they had to go on my cape. I haven't placed them yet. I wanted to see how the cape falls on Grip N Flip and place my buttons accordingly.

And now for the fun surprises. Inner pockets!!! I was able to sew a welt pocket for the inner breast pocket. It didn't turn out perfectly but I was going on gut and memory. I couldn't find my tailoring book for the instructions, I think I need to work a little harder on cleaning the garage.


There's MORE!! I also have a secret side pocket that isn't evident at a glimpse. This is what makes the cape special to me. I love adding secret pockets.


I really like how this cape turned out, I hope Grip N Flip likes it too!!!

Knock Off T-shirts

I was cleaning out the garage and found some of my old school projects. I think this is from 2007 but I'm not too sure. I thought it would be fun to post to see my progress since then. This was done for my intermediate sewing class. We had to knock off a t-shirt and then alter the pattern. I really hated this project and didn't really see the point but I had no say in the matter.

Here is the first shirt.


Here is the second shirt. I lengthened the sleeves and torso, then added a hood and front pocket.



Comparing these shirts to my current projects, I can really see my sewing progression. I'm not sure what to do with them now. Maybe I should stash them in the garage again to find in another few years to reminisce like this again.

African Prints

Sailor Venus was in Togo and brought back this shirt. It's not flattering or stylish, but she loves the bold colors and fun print. I have on in blue/green. I look like . . . . I'll show you if you see me but it's not flattering.

She asked me what I could to make it less of potato sack on her body. At first I was going to add some darts or maybe pleating to make it flattering on her body. But the more I played with the shirt, the more I realized that a few darts would not really make a difference. I spent random moments just staring at this shirt trying to find its true potential. And in a fit of inspiration I decided to hack it up to make a cute top.




Can you puzzle the pieces of this shirt back to it's original form?

Soft Tailored Jacket

For my Advanced Sewing class we had to sew a soft tailored women's jacket. Soft tailoring is using interfacing and steaming to shape the jacket as opposed to using stitches to shape a suit/jacket. That's a super abridged explanation.

Here's the finished project.





The jacket is made out of wool. I lined it with a blue bemberg rayon. I wish this jacket pattern had inner pockets. I really love secret pockets.


My first time doing welt pockets. It was a pain but I'm hoping with practice I'll get it down.


I was so frustrated with this bound button hole. I did three samples and they all turned out beautifully. But the one I put on the jacket was a disaster. It started to unravel and come apart.


I'm pretty satisfied on how my first jacket turned out. I'm hoping to get to men's wear in the not so distant future.

Spirograph Belt

A few months ago I had found a belt in the trash. Of course I took it home. I tried several different looks but this the one I finally settled on.


I'm really happy with the outcome.