In the news!

This summer I received a call from a reporter doing an article on recycling clothes. We talked for a long time and here is what she wrote!

and now, the recycled+revamped 2011 purses and bags!

Without further ado, I give you the latest collection of recycled+revamped purses and bags! Inspired by an earlier design for blue star bags, a long adjustable strap was added along with a zippered pocket inside. Some of the bags have recycled jean or pants pockets on the front. All have a vintage button/elastic loop closure.There is a range of sizes, based on the size of the fabrics. At the show, these bags were priced at $40, and I'd love to extend that price to you this week! Just let me know which one you like and I will ship it to you (+shipping).

Thank you to those who already chose their new bags!

sage swirl with jean pocket

pinky patchwork tote

orange sprinkles blue star bag

honeycomb brown and gold with jean pocket

earthy stripes with cord front pocket

indigo blue star bag

herringbone aqua, green and orange

loopy orange and tweed blue star bag

recycled+revamped 2011 harvest collection

Here it is, at long last. A new batch of purses in the work ! Last weekend I was scurrying about packing up for harvest gathering and working out the details of this collection, made from rescued swatches of rich fabrics. What would be the ideal purse for this event? One purse for a memorable experience. Colors that reflect the richness of autumn all around us. Warm late sunshine, local music by friends, full moon in a vast indigo starry sky.

Stacks of fabrics, components are gathered together and cut to size for the sewing spree that will ensue!

More on the 2011 harvest collection coming soon...

recycled+revamped party dress to party skirt

My niece outgrew her party dress! I loved the fabric when I chose it for her (size 4) and came up with this idea to make it last a little longer. I cut if off below the zipper, about 12" up from the hem and added an elastic waistband (based on her waist measurement - size 7). Hello party skirt!

a little creative dress revamp tutorial - sweater and dress to sundress!

It was a lucky day of thrifting. First the sweater caught my eye, with it's metallic thread. Then I saw the dress and had to double back to scoop up the sweater. Here they are after a run through the washer and dryer.

After trying the sweater on, to see where I wanted it to fall, I added 1/2" and cut it off. The dress had some darts, so I just cut it off below those.

In order to get an even seam, you divide each piece into four parts and pin. Then pin them with right sides together and stretch as you sew, so that the stretchy sweater is the same length as the not-so-stretchy skirt. Here's what it looks like:

So I did all this and tried it on. Not right. The sweater wasn't quite snug enough around my rib cage, so I cut it off and cut another piece of sweater, about 4" wide, and made a loop that fit just under my bust, and could still go on over my head.

Max came to check it out and thought it look like it would work. I redid the pinning in four parts on both sides of the loop, attaching it first to the sweater top and then to the skirt bottom, matching seams at the sides. My serger made fast work of the whole project! Still it needed something else, so I found a belt I had started last summer but never finished and serged some t-shirt strips onto the sides and it was good!

And then I added a little pocket for my phone, handkerchief or snacks!

earth day feature - summer dress from men's shirts

One of my favorite etsy artists and long time sewers has created this sweet little dress from men's shirts.  It's even being featured on an etsy voter for the best earth day item! I love how the shirt has a little
apron- inspired detail.

And, if you are still thinking of cashmere (I always am!!), check this out!

photo tutorial - rebirth of hotpink clogs

revamped shirt with wristwarmers tutorial

Here's a fun little tutorial about recycling and revamping a shirt by lengthening a shirt to make it a tunic, adding sleeves to warm your wrists, and reshaping a neckline.

One brown shirt, bearing the logo of my favorite little chocolate shop started the whole thing. The fit just wasn't quite right, and it languished in my closet waiting for inspiration.

The inspiration was this pink striped shirt. It had been attached to a tank top as part of a tunic, but the tank wore out so I cut it off, along with the hem of the sleeve on the chocolate shirt. Cut the wristwarmer section either part of the body or the sleeves of another shirt, adding about 1/2" for seam allowance. These are about 8" long but could be longer or shorter depending on how you like it. Fold the wristwarmer section with the right sides together and sew a tube that is wide enough to fit over your hand. If you are using a shirt sleeve, stitch along the seam to make a tube. The idea is to make sure that the openings in the sleeve and the wristwarmer section are the same size.


Slip the wrong side of the wristwarmer onto the sleeve so they are right sides together. Stitch with a stretch stitch (it looks like a little lightning bolt) or use a serger. Turn right side out and try it on. If it needs tightening, you can turn it back to the wrong side and stitch it again, making the tube a bit smaller.

For the neck, cut the collar off the shirt. Try it on and make little cuts or pin before you cut it out since stretchy shirts look different on your body that when they are laying on your cutting table. The new neckline could be square, v-neck, scooped or asymmetrical.

Cut 1" strips of fabric for the trim on the neckline. If you want a ruffle, stitch down the middle of the strip with the longest stitch length on your machine. Pull one of the threads and gently squish the fabric along the stitching to make either a tight or loose ruffle. Lay trim pieces along the newly cut neckline and stitch with a stretch or zig zag stitch.

For the bottom, cut off the shirt hem and measure the length you want to add. Cut and sew it into a tube that is the same size as the bottom of the shirt. Turn it wrong side out and slip it over the shirt so the right sides are together. Stitch with a stretch stitch or serge.

revamped cashmere cowl neck sweater and a tutorial giveaway

mmm, cashmere! After a comprehensive closet assessment, I determined that I needed more sweaters. I headed over to resweater where I lucked out and actually got two of the exact same turquoise cashmere sweater! Here's a preview of my next tutorial...




It also has instructions for adding wristwarmers to the sleeves of the sweater! Can I tell you how excited I am to finally have a sweater that has sleeves long enough to be comfortable? Ooh, it's so deluxe that I wore it for two days in a row! I'm basking in the success of another great revamp, especially after my last t-shirt project, inspired by a Generation T sewing party with my friends. It reminded me why I like to sew things that don't have to fit! Perhaps when I get it worked out, you'll get to see it. For now, I'll be wearing this sweater...

What kind of tutorials should I make next? What do you want to learn about sewing? Leave a comment with the details by March 23 and I'll enter you in a giveaway for a tutorial, and you can become a recycled+revamped product tester. Tell your friends.

recycled wooly patches, new on etsy!

Here's a way for you to revamp your own clothes, or perhaps something that has been handed down to you. Wooly patches add a little homemade goodness to everything from clothes to jackets and bags. Great for covering up logos or characters! You stitch, either by machine or by hand onto anything!

More good news! My blog is being featured today on one of my favorite blogs, resweater!
Check it out at www.resweater.blogspot.com

old sweaters have new life

One more example of how old sweaters can be made into new, cool stuff! This is a fleece vest, enhanced using sewing machine and serger, detailed with a tiny acorn on the back! It keeps Fyn toasty on cold, snowy days in Michigan!

recycled baby hoodie and pants set

Keeping babies toasty!

This weekend found me at an art show, where I sold some sweet sweater sets. Here are a few to give you an idea. Fyn pulled off the matching hat in the pic here, but it's still around.

recycled rock star boyfriend shirt

Check out this recycled+revamped shirt, made with vintage shirts. It is now headed to Portland for some wild times.

It all worked out great in a trade. She chose a vinyl clutch for makeup in her purse. He chose a shirt and I picked some lavender comfort wraps - great gifts from www.blissbotanics.com. Perfect for keeping my toes warm on the cold northern winter nights!

Bob- thanks for being a great model! Your identity has been protected for the blog...

brown cashmere/merino sweater & hat

Finding cute clothes for baby boys is tough! I love things that have woodland creatures in rich earthy browns, mossy greens and warm autumnal oranges. Elfish hats make babies look so sweet, which is how I started recycling and revamping wool sweaters. Then I realized that I could make all kinds of toasty things for him.

My friend, Rose, makes even more recycled designs for big and little people. You can find them at www.consciousclothing.etsy.com.