Better each day

Yesterday was a good day. We even went to a 4th of July party for a little while. I've caught a terrible cold and I haven't had a cold in years. I'm sure my immune system has been greatly compromised with the stress and the surgery. I can do anything I feel like doing today, but I know I'm not up to driving. I tire too easily.

I'm spending the day knitting and spinning. I did take a very short, very slow walk around the block. Enough exercise for today.

Cute!

Well, this isn't exactly a repurposed item, but it's sewn & knit, so I think perfect to share (mod, feel free to delete if you disagree!). I just finished Kathryn Ivy's Summerlin, you knit a bodice then sew a skirt to it and it is BEYOND cute! I made this for my best friends daughter. I can't wait to get a picture of her in it!



There are more details on my Rav page here, or on my blog!

Carly

Pimp My Ironing Board

I had some material sitting around for about 3 years with no idea what to do with it. So - I chose the repurposing project as a chance to update my ironing board. My camera acted up so I don't have a before picture but the original cover was gross. I have had that cover for almost 8 years. The pad still works great, so that is why I opted to cover it with new material. I didn't have to spend $30.00 to replace it and I got the chance to use material that was taking up space in my fabric stash. Here is the final product:



More on my craft blog!!

Something old, something new....

I believe this started life as a curtain panel from Ikea. I saw it and knew it had to be an A-Line skirt. I used the book "Sew What! Skirts". Both skirts are the basic A-Line from the beginning of the book.

Curtain skirt

Easter skirt, new fabric from Walmart.

Thanks for looking. :)

The Hat Pattern

Since I had two requests for the hat pattern in the last post, I thought I should give the link in a seperate post. Hope you all enjoy making it as much as I did. http://otsukaya.co.jp/TeduBigI0508.htm
And let me know if you need help with this. I have the pattern drafted already so if you prefer that, then contact me through my blog and I will be happy to post it with a tutorial if need be (yes, I want to make another one).

My Refashioning

I started with a dress that I found at the thrift store but I took it apart before I photographed it as is. It was a plus size dress that I could have altered but instead..........






I decided on accessories. I made the hat from a Japanese pattern that I found accidentally one day (email me if you like it and I will try to send a PDF or find the direct link to the page with the pattern. The site I found it on is in Japanese and was hard to navigate unless you read Kanji). The purse is my own take on the clutch bag you can find in the Quick Stuff to Sew Spring issue. I liked the original pattern but I like my bags to stand up on their own so I did some top stitching along the bottom and sides as well as sewed in the corners to give it shape and believe it or not, used tulle instead of interfacing to get the stiffness. It stands nice and tall now.
I have enough fabric left over to cover a pair of flip flops but flip flops haven't hit the stores yet around here. After that, all I will need is a white framed pair of Jackie O sunglasses and I will be good to go.

Another repurposing...

These were made out of a sheet. :) They don't look as wonky on me as they do on the hanger. I love them!

Thanks for looking!

Some random sewn things...

Howdy!

I've been doing a bit of sewing lately. Most of it is new things, but I do have a repurposed project *almost* finished (just needs a hem!). I thought I'd share some of my things...

My first knitting project bag:
Since finishing it I decided to turn it inside out (the lining is a cool camo with skulls) and add a different string with a cord stop.

Another knitting project bag:


An apron:


And a messenger bag to carry my laptop. :)


Thanks for looking!

~barb

ChildsOvenMitt

ChildsOvenMitt
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03

Ooops, wanted to add this one as well.
These are the adult pair.
One thing though - I made these with polyester batting. Bad idea.
the childs mitts I made with cotton batting. Came out sturdy and warm.
I would even double up on the batting for the front and back piece.
Great quick project and a great way to practice quilting.
Vanessa

ChildsOvenMitt1

ChildsOvenMitt1
Originally uploaded by butterflyjones03

Here are my Oven mitts for a child - my boys to be exact. They are 11 and 12 years old - so when they need to hold onto a pot or move the teapot from the burner - they can now use mitts that actually fit them. Great tutorial: http://www.thelongestyear.typepad.com
Vanessa Upstate NY

First piece ever

Hi!
This is my very first posting here, and my first refashion project. I am not sure if I do it right, but I am willing to learn. And please excuse my english.

Because I felt in love with that refashion idea, I am collecting old garments now, and try to make them fresh and pretty.
First piece I saw was an old nightgown, my mother gave me years ago for a week I had to spend in hospital. I never wear such ugly gown, and I wanted to put it in the waste bin.
But then I read about refashion, and I saved it for later use. It was my first try with refashioning, but I think it should be "make 1 new garments from 2 old", right?
This nightgown was worn out, the seams damaged and no shape at all. First I put it into the washing machine with some fabric dye, for that purple touch. Then I bought a bit of blue rubberband and bias satin ribbon. The rubberband now gives the gown a new shape.
The satin ribbon was sewn on the neckline, and to the edge of the sleeves. And I put some ribbon to the lower seam line for an additional festive touch.
I hope I used the correct sewing terms, if not, please correct me.
The pictures are bad, sorry for that, I actually have to use a very old digital camera.

This is the gown "before" the alterations:

And here you can see my -tadaaaa!- "new" nightgown. For a few bucks.

My first sewing piece

I am happy and glad that i have overcome the fear in handling a sewing machine. This is my first sewing piece, a 11" by 11" table mat.



Cheers, Jackie

First project of 2008

Hi all!

I'm Barb! I joined way back in the beginning but never really posted. :) I decided that in 2008 I am going to get better acquainted with my sewing machine and make things. :)

These sleep shorts started life as a flannel sheet. :) I like them much better this way! :) I think I'm going to try to make some longer pants too, and probably a top. :)



Thanks for looking!

~barb

First Project of 2008: Refashioning!

Anyone else guilty of getting bogged down by the holidays and not being able to finish their holiday attire besides me? No worries. Let's put that behind us and start fresh for 2008!

This next project starts today, January 15, and ends April 15. Being that it's so close to Earth Day, I thought it would be a great way for us to practice being green by refashioning! This project is all about taking something you no longer need/use/like anymore and turning it into something new and fabulous. There are no rules as to what finished product must be. The only restriction is that you turn something old into something new! Simple, yes?

Let's get sewing!

McCall’s 3979 Vintage Aprons

This is my first time uploading to sew i knit but definitely not the last. Although I can't participate in the holiday party challenge due to Christmas Crafting, I figured I would show you what I HAVE been up too for the holidays.

This was definitely my piece de resistance in apron making. I have loved this pattern since I saw it made in black and white oil cloth material. I had yet to make it since, although I love aprons, I have very little use for them. So when my friend asked me for aprons I knew this one would be topping the list.

You can check out my blog post for more pictures and details.


Merry Christmas!!!

my first holiday dress!

Some friends had a "Thanks for Nothing" leftovers party on Saturday, and I wore my new dress. Woo hoo!

I used Cyndi's awesome invisible zipper tutorial to install my first invisible zipper (thanks Cyndi!).

I couldn't get the plastic invisible zipper foot to work on my machine -- instead, it turns out that on [some? most? all?] Viking machines, the buttonhole foot has grooves for installing invisible zippers. (So if anyone wants a little Coates plastic invisible zipper foot set, let me know!)

This was also my first lined garment. Basically, I just made a second dress exactly like the first. I made it slightly shorter, in a lightweight silk fabric, and attached it at the neck, zipper, and armholes.

fabric: Purple Honeycomb (Echino, by Etsuko Furuya), from Superbuzzy
lining: green silk + cotton scraps
pattern: improvised, with inspiration from Simplicity 3744

More pictures and details on my blog.

"The Comeback Project": The Holiday Party

Let's get right into it shall we? The official Sew? I Knit! "Comeback Project" is The Holiday Party! Since the holiday season is already upon us, why not incorporate some sewing. From November 15 to January 15, we'll be focusing on sewing garments to wear to various holiday festivities and celebrations. The projects can range from something as fancy as a gown for your company holiday party to something more casual for your family get-togethers or a fun and flirty dress for New Years. Whatever the garment is, it has to be worn over the holidays. I hope you all are excited about this as I am.

It's time to hit those pattern books and shuffle through the pattern stash. Let's get ready to sew!

Hello!

I just wanted to say hello and I'm super excited to join y'all. I just had my birthday and got a lot of the 'basics' I need to REALLY work on my sewing (I've had a machine since April and have made a pillowcase, a pair of PJ pants and a jersey T-shirt. . . . all in a class). You can see my haul of goodies here. Yay for re-energizing!!

Carly

Important Sew? I Knit! Annoucement

Hello fellow Sew? I Knit-ers!

We would like to apologize for the unanticipated absence and lack of activity for the sewalong. Mari, Stephanie and I have been extremely busy over the past months with life in general. We know you know how that goes and hope you understand.

There will be some changes happening here at Sew? I Knit! Unfortunately because life happens, Mari and Stephanie will no longer be co-hosting. I'd like to thank them for all the time and effort in creating and helping maintain this sewalong. The good news is that the sewalong will go on, but with a few modifications.

1. Revolving sign-ups: New and prospective members no longer have to wait for a new project to start in order to sign up
2. Quarterly projects: Each project will have 3 month time frame. No more worries about rushing to finish your project

And without further ado, the next project, the official "Sew? I Knit Comeback" project, will be announced on Friday, November 9th! This next project will have a two month time frame. The Quarterly Project cycle will begin in the new year.

Until then, have a great week everyone!

Is this group on hiatus? defunct? Are the kind hostesses gone?