Redesigning a Ugly Shirt Part 1

  In a past post  I showed a picture of this 80's shirt I said I was going to re-make into something fabulous for me to wear. In honesty, I actually don't know if it is from the 80's or 90's...maybe you can tell...all I do know that it caught my eye in the resale shop.

Ugly shirt $3.99

 I started the process of sketching out my design ideas to see which one would look best. And I have to admit, I started to get scared. The longer my eyes lingered over the shirt's bright, bold pattern and lack of detail in shape I really started to wonder if I bit off more than I could chew. Never the less I have forged on with the remake.

  I looked for inspiration on the net, hoping that something would catch my eye.

like this!

 There were some details I fancied, but in trying to gain added inspiration, there were some things I had to consider:

• Respect the limitations. There are things I can and can't do while working with a already made shirt.  
• Moderation is key with busy prints. I don't want to overwhelm anyone with crazy floral while they are forced to look at me walking by them. Nor do I wan't to overwhelm myself while looking at me. I must take away to gain.

Here are my design sketches. Please do not be intimidated by my awesome drawing skills.

Actually I should say don't let my novice drawing skills distract you from the designs. No your eyes are not tricking you,  its just that I can't seem to draw the shape of the shirt the same three times in a row.

I wanted to do a wide open sided tank. I like the idea of the sleeves becoming pockets, but that means I actually have to lengthen the shirt so the pockets don't hang out at the bottom of the shirt. My answer to that is is crocheting a border. At first I decided to crochet it in dark navy, but as I was drawing I had the thought that maybe dark grey would look better.  

Which one do you like best?

I would love to hear your thoughts about this. What do you like and what don't you like. At this point I'm obeying the rule of measuring twice, cutting once. Even though I'm not measuring, I am planning this out  as much as possible because I would like to wear it for more than one year.

Danielle

Little Lavender Dryer Sachet- add more excitement to your laundry!

We actually haven't used dryer sheets in a while, close to three years. We decided along time ago that dryer sheets was not a must have item in our household. Mostly because of the film it leaves on the fabric. It blocks some absorption from the material, and frankly, when I get out of the shower or wash my hands I really want my towel to wick the moisture away the first time.

So this little dryer sachet came about while I was doing laundry (of course!). I re-found my lavender today and remembered that I have wanted to make one of these for a while. So while my clothes were a washing, my sewing machine was a sewing. 

• This project is easy!
• It takes around 1-11/2 hours!
• Perfect for when you want to be creative but don't want to start a major project! 
• Use your fabric scraps!

Get Started 

I am going to show you the basic instructions. The little details like bear applique and shape of sachet can be changed to your liking.

List of materials 

1. Two different coordinating fabrics, cut in a half circle (use a medium sized bowl)
2. 3/4 cup of lavender flowers and 1/4 cup of flax seed ( more or less depending on the size of your actual half circle)  
3. Wool applique. Use real wool, it will help eliminate static
4. funnel and or spoon
5. sewing machine

Looking mighty tough with his tattoo heart

First you need to sew your applique on one side of your sachet. Tip! Sew slow, you will have a better result with your applique. Now place the right sides together. 

Make sure you sew all along the edges about 1/4 inch, and make little cuts so when you turn it right side out it with have a smooth form on the inside.  Now turn it right side out and fill.

 You might have to also use a spoon for the lavender, like I did. Fill until there is about 1/8 of empty space left. Pin the little opening together and sew shut.

There you have it! Extremely easy and you can feel accomplished for making something in a couple of hours. And its practical!

 This would be great sewing project for a young child while you are teaching them how to do their own laundry. Make several to give as a gift. 

This one is bigger then the ones Trader Joes sells. They say each one should last 3 months. This one will last longer. Squeeze several times in hand before throwing them into your dryer, to re-release the fragrant lavender flowers. 

Happy Sewing!

Danielle

Coming Soon:

See how I will remake this ugly find into vintage trendy. Stay tuned to find out how!

Dear Anthropologie.

Warning: slightly cheeky letter to my favorite shop. 

You know I've been fond of you for a very long time. Your pretty little outfits and irresistible chic style. I've had countless moments of swooning over your detailed fabric and have drooled for your cardigans. Oh sweet cardigans. Oh the envy. And yet my devotion to you is not what I hoped it to be.

Makeup/ Wash your face bib.

The front

The back with a snap

This is for all you ladies that like to wash your face in the sink. Of course this idea came to me while I was scrubbing away at my face and trying to keep the wash towel tucked into my shirt. It kept slipping and I thought  "wouldn't it be nice to have a towel made into a bib so I wash my face with ease." And then I thought "It would work really well for applying make up and keeping my shirt clean."  So my gears started turning and I came up with this!

I'm Back-ish

I'm back! I know, I left and without even say goodbye. I actually didn't mean to stop blogging within one day, it just dawned on me that if I wanted to get through a overwhelming transition of healing from the loss of our daughter and having to move again, I needed to cut out something in my life. Time has passed, more healing has come and I feel like I've gained strength in my legs and I ready to revive the blog now.

Even though I haven't been around to show my craftiness to you all, I was still being crafty. I can't help it, it's one thing that I can't turn off no matter what.

I've been in a mini clutch mode

Mini Love clutch with zipper and designer fabric.

Find more pictures here.

Coin purse for my etsy shop, but decided to keep it.

Super happy about it. I didn't know keeping all your coins in one little purse would eliminate so much "trying to find the exact change" stress. I use it all the time. 

Have a lovely friday evening,

Danielle 

Fallish Desires

A sneak peak at a design I'm working on.

Fall can definetly bring a flurry of wants, needs, and desires.  Its hard not to jump into the coziness that fall has to bring even when my state is having a indian summer. Which is what I wanted since we barely had a summer to begin with, BTW.

As a designer, I'm suppose to be ahead of the game. Its always best to prepare a season in advance. This is something I find extremely hard to do sometimes. I tend to find inspiration in the moment, not in a season previous to the one I'm in. But in essence that is what a designer does. They set trends, whether they realize it or not.  Remember the scene in the movie "The Devil Wears Prada" where Miranda schools Andy in the ways of fashion? The runway influences all parts of the fashion industry all the way down to the Dress Barn stores. When I first watched that scene I realized that I didn't even know that's what happened. I took note though. 

Heres my example:

I read from PiperLime that school boy plaid was in the top ten trends for this fall.

Heres what I found on Etsy. All cute and totally trendy.

via Kibber

from HydraHeart

from The Closet Stuffer

Heres what I found at Anthro.

On the runway,

Christian Dior Fall 2010

  

DKNY Fall 2010

Are you sick of plaid yet? Apparently, I not because here's what I've been working on.

Its a new design I'm going to put in my shop, a light weight double wide headband, and yes, in plaid.

It has a couple extra perks, like a pocket and a sweet surprise in which I will fully show when the pattern is released!

What is your fall inspiration this year? Have you made something that is fallish. Link it up in the comments and tell me about it.

Luv,

Danielle

Calling all pattern testers....or maybe just three

I've been working hard making a new pattern/tutorial for my Etsy shop. I would like to know if anyone of you lovely readers would like to "test" it out and give me feed back.

Different flowers, same technique.

I need three volunteers, so the first ones to comment with there email on this will get the "tester" tutorial. I will also have questions that I would like to have answered concerning the tutorial.

Having a sewing machine is really helpful but is not necessary.

Thank you for helping me out!  

The In Season/ Out of Season Sweater Makeover

 Since I had several people tell me they liked the first sweater makeover, I decided to do another sweater makeover.  This one I'm super happy about because I got two makeovers out of one sweater.  Boot socks for winter and a super cute tank for summer.

Lets Start!

Heres the sweater and I know that your thinking "Stripes?!". Ok maybe I was thinking that. I've gotten a lot of wear out of it but I was feeling that it needed to have a new look.

 

So I placed it on the floor took a picture while Lincoln wasn't stepping on it. Lincoln has this thing about stepping on anything and everything I place on the floor. I cut around were the sleeve meets the shoulder ( around the border) and around the armpit.

See that little foot, thats Lincoln about to pounce on the separated sleeve.  Cut across the sleeve were the  tip of the armpit curve is.

 

Slip them on and wear them with your cool new boots you got from Goodwill. Aren't they rad! Only 10 bucks friends.

More cool sock and cool boot pictures

If you notice a slight "fuzziness" to the picture its because I realized I forgot to dust my mirror half way through the photo shoot. The boots are still awesome despite this though.

Second Makeover

Remember how I just removed the sleeves? Well that left me this cool, fresh, easy to look awesome in tank top. 

The sweater color is faded in this one, but its the best shot.

Not the best shot but the best color and I like my face in this one.

I should also say that the back of the tank also looks like the front of the tank. I'm going to take it to the next level and crochet a tiny border around the arms so it can have a nice finish and look more professional. I'll show you when I'm done with that.

I would love to know what you think of this!

Thanks!

Danielle