Vintage Sheets to Jumper

I found a cute little jumper at the DAV and knew it was going to be too small for my ginormous two year old...the voice of (un)reason in my head said buy it, and who am I to not listen to the voice in my head.  I took it home, and used it as a guide to make another one out of vintage sheets.

I really must do a better job of measuring twice and cutting once, but quite frankly that's not how I roll.  I had to make some minor adjustments but am overall happy with how it turned out.  I call it my prototype, so the next one will hopefully be better.

The model was a little unruly and showed a bit of bad behavior.  These were the best photos I could get. She also shows signs of being a diva.  If she weren't so darn cute I might have to consider hiring another one.    But she works for milk and cheese and gives the best hugs and kisses....so, i guess I'll give her another chance.

Linking up to the wonderful partays under the "i like to party" tab...and also here.

DIY bracelet redo

I have had these bracelets forever.  Haven't liked them in forever either.  I just used spray adhesive (which I love) and some scrap fabric.

I am addicted, and want to cover every one I own in fabric!  I may never get to wear them, my daughter has taken a liking to them and every time I try to find them they are MIA.  Oh wells.  

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Project Restyle #5

So I am a slacker.  Whatevs.  I wish I could do a project a week, but...it ain't gonna happen.  Unless ofcourse I were to tie up the monsters, and frankly, even I did, the little boogers would escape.  Anywho, this is my 5th attempt at Project Restyle.  I do like the motivation it gives me to get crafting.  It's like my coach back in the day 86 the bullhorn and the yelling.

Before: thrifted dress

 After: cross body carry-all/shopper  for grocery shopping, days at the park or the pool, that I can get wet and dirty and throw in the wash. 

 It is ginormous.

 It has a giant cross body strap and two small handles for carrying.

 The bottom, some sweet bow heavy polyester vintage fabric.

I lined the inside with more scraps and put in a ton of pockets with the intention of storing yarn...and notebooks, when not being used to store toys and sand.  

check out the "i like to party" link to see where I linked up.  Holla!

Project Restyle #4

Oh Project Restyle, please accept my deepest apologies for being a bad friend.  I don't call, I don't write, I take weeks off at a time...this is my attempt at getting back together with you.  

These are my favorite jeans.  I've had them forever.  I split the ars out of them years back.  You can even see where they have been patched before.  To be honest, they have been patched and split back open numerous times. (insert joke here)

Each time, I patched 'em up and kept on wearing them.  I haven't been able to button them (let alone get them past my thighs) for years.  I tried them on the other day and it inspired me to really patch them...hopefully for good.  But, I needed inspiration.  

so I turned to one of my favorite vintage books...I adore these old craft books.  I ironed scrap fabric to some stabilizer and cut out a bunch of these triangle pieces.

I used a hot glue gun with fabric glue to hold them down.  If you haven't ever used this glue I would suggest go lightly and don't glue where you intend to sew.  It is hard to get through.  As it was, I had to use pliers and and a thimble to get my needle through the thick parts near the pockets.

I did a blanket stitch all around the pieces and like EPMD from '97...I am back in business...until I bend over and rip out the butt again.

Check out where I party on Tuesdays.  Click here and come join us...be sure to scroll to Tuesdays!

Last weeks naptime fun

This is some naptime fun.  I like really quick and easy projects.  I pick up 70s fabric all the time at thrift stores.  I think its a polyester blend.  It's not necessarily the highest quality fabric...but something about it I love and every time I am somewhere that has some, I generally clean them out.  It's cheap, doesn't fray (no hemming required WOOHOO!), and comes in fantastic 70s prints.

So I was looking for a quick project.  I finished this (not including the buttons) in an hour.  I sew like I cook...I'm a bit of a hack, I don't really like using patterns, I will if necessary, but I'm not a big fan...I think it's a patience thing.  I did use an old long sleeve fitted t-shirt as a cutting guide for the sleeve inseam and overall fit, then added about 12 inches for some length.  This is my version of dressy sweats.  So comfy, I can wear it with leggings.

I find a lot of these old buttons that you can re-cover in old sewing boxes at estate sales.  They are fab.  I can sit and cover buttons all day.  (easy projects make me happy)  

I love me a puffy sleeve, so I gathered the shoulder before sewing the sleeves on.

It's hard to tell in this photo, but there is a little cuff.  The picture below shows the gathers on the shoulders and then I used scraps but changed the direction of the fabric to lengthen the sleeve.  It was mainly out of necessity because I was running out of fabric.  As you can see below (I am a total hack) I actually started out with a rectangle for some "bat sleeves" before I trimmed it down.  

Bottom line, cheap vintage fabric and easy sewing projects= Happy mommy.

 It's coffee time!

Click on the "I like to party link" to see where it's at this week!

Project Restyle week 3

This started as a plain maternity cardi from the Gap.  I didn't take a before picture.  But I blanket stitched a ton of felt pieces to the shoulders.  I have so many unfinished projects it's nice to have some motivation to get 'em done!

Project Restyle week 2

Second week.  Started with this chain belt...reminds me of baggy sweaters and well, chain belts.  Some thrifted yarn that my son usually uses as obstacles for his train tracks.  This took way more time than I would have expected, but I am happy with the results.  Had to use glitter on the clasp to it would open and close.                             Party with us.  Linking here!  Be sure and look for Fridays Partays.

Week 1 Project Restyle

 This was my before.  I painted my pink and red kitchen white...boring white...we hope to put it on the market come spring so I am trying hard to de-personalize.  

 Fabric I have had FOREVER that's been sitting in my basement.

 The old fitted sheet I used for backing (this counts right?).

 So weird having a curtain over this window.  In the 12 years I have lived in my home...there has never been a curtain here.

Now that week one is under wraps...can I really do this?  I am going to make an effort!