May 6 2012

Cornhusker Crazy and Jeans RePurposing!!!

I was so excited to have three out of the five things I wanted to accomplish DONE already this weekend…. I just had to show you what has been going on.

Last weekend, there was a random question from a friend about a bachelorette party ‘bride’ sash. She was going to make it herself, but someone around here has a problem and said, “Why don’t you let me do it for you?” She gave me the theme and instantly I had the idea in my head for this unique Nebraska Cornhusker bridal sash…

Completed Bridal Sash – I don’t think anyone will miss this special lady!

Close shot of the ‘emblem’ that holds the ties together. Came out pretty close to what my mind was seeing! Kind of ‘pageant-ee’, don’t ya think?

So that was one Husker project, and I had one more I’d wanted to do, so I got-r-done.

Toddler Size Cornhusker Packpack – Personalized

Not real happy with the total LACK of room inside this one, but it will hold books or an iPad without them getting beat up. If I ever do another one, I will not follow the pattern and used and make it deeper. How’s this kid going to fit his trucks in it? *sigh* Oh, well. One lives and learns, right?

So the third project was just something I needed to prove to myself that I could do, and do it right….. Re-purposing little girl jeans into a cute little handbag. Just big enough for their lip gloss and comb. This project started with a pair of jeans size 12M. I pulled the elastic out of the waistband and cut the inside buttons off. Then I carefully cut the legs off (yeah, sounds painful, doesn’t it) and cut all the thick seams off those leg scraps. Turned the top part of the jeans inside out and sewed along the bottom. This took about 4 shots to do because the butt part of jeans just has different cut to it. But after playing around with it a little, and boxing off the bottom corners… this is what we had…

Base purse and scraps to make lining and a belt.

The handle was made by taking the jean legs and cutting 4 equal pieces and sewing them together. The wider handle should make it easier for a 3 year old to grab, plus it’s not floppy – I liked how that came out. Then sewed the ends of the handle to each side, matching them up with the side seams already in the jeans. The two fun fabrics I found were leftovers from a commissioned job last year. You got it! I don’t throw ANYTHING away! And I’m so glad because there was JUST enough of the paisley to make a belt. Here is the rest of the process….

Lining sewed up, just like the outside (with boxed bottom corners), and stitched around the top of the waistband. That way the lining hides any wear and tear on that inside belt line.

Belt sewn up and tied through belt loops, just like a real sash style belt.

Just another view……..

Complete! Velcro closure on front and back of inside for easy kiddo maneuvering.

And the back shot….. Pretty cute if I say so myself.

This will make a great little gift!! And as my super German glue is setting those velcro tabs on….. I will say adieu for now.

What are you up to this weekend? Recycle something – have a little fun.

Jan 16 2012

Professional Duo Complete from Repurposed Ladies Jacket

The recycling and redesigning the women’s tapestry jacket was rather difficult, if I were to tell the truth. Even though things look one way in your head, accomplishing that goal can be a whole different chore. But the jacket has now been completely disassembled and reassembled into two useful items. Here is the tapestry jacket’s photo history…….

Sleeves cut away from jacket and splayed for cutting (in previous post)

The completed iPad cover made completely from the sleeves of jacket (in previous post)

Jacket body formed into a tote - items to complete are only laying on body. Handles, magnetic closure, black belting....

Professional tote/iPad cover set - not sure how to set this up to photograph decent.

Complete tote from tapestry jacket showing off its true color outdoors.

I lined it with a gray embroidered satin lining and couldn’t resist to put a final little touch to its closure – a silver leaf. As soon as that went on, it truly had my name on it. Not sure what will happen with this yet as Bill thinks I should be the one to enjoy this one. He’s one of my biggest supporters, but if this could sell and make a couple of bucks, then that’s what we have to do.

Thank you for stopping by and giving this a final look over! One day it may make it into the Etsy store, but until then I’ll enjoy looking at it and thinking of ways to improve on the upcycling and repurposing of the great thrift store finds we have in our possession. Yep, there is a whole tote full of beautiful sweaters, jackets and suit coats to re-fashion.

Happy Monday and happy crafting everyone!

Jan 3 2012

Revising Thrift Store Tapestry Jacket

After having a weekend of thrift store shopping, cleaning those items up and basically having no actual crafting mojo, this is all that was accomplished. It’s not much and when I was working on the design it was feeling forced. That means it’s time to stop. I usually like to take a project and complete as much as possible when it gets started, but at least this little combo restyle is underway.

This started out as a ladies tapestry jacket with a zippered front. I had cut one of the sleeves off the night before to show Bill just how much fabric there is in clothing that can be used for items. Here it is with both sleeves cut off and splayed out to be re-cut into an iPad cover.

Ladies Tapestry Jacket (with zippered front)

And a close up of the beautiful fabric – it’s very lush and we both have really fallen in love with it.

Lush tapestry fabric

The sleeves are slowly turning into an iPad cover and here is how the closure looks. It’s taken from the caps of the sleeves and shows that same shaping. Velcro has been sewn underneath the flap.

Sleeve Cap Closure Flap

The lining to the iPad cover is really a soft gray corduroy which the picture doesn’t show real well, but trust me on that one. After this pic was taken it was time to get the hammer out and apply the 4 mega snaps to the inside lining and the silicone iPad skin so it can be removed when needed.

After showing Bill what little I accomplished, he kind of took a step back and said, “You’re going to have to keep this one – it’s VERY cool!” Told him the handbag needs to get completed from the body of the jacket, then I’ll decide if it’s my style or needs to be listed in either Etsy or MySupaDupa Shop. It will be a one of a kind combo package either way.

Keep checking in though! There is never any creating on Tuesdays as that is my 12 hour day at work, but the rest of the week may hold some surprises.

Happy creating and thanks for stopping by!

Oct 22 2011

Billy’s Sweater Re-Do is COMPLETE!

Men's Sweaters

This was sooooo much fun to do. And I should have really been doing a ton of other things, but I really needed to just have a little fun. Remember the sweater of Bill’s I scored earlier today? Well, it has now been totally reworked into a snap-shut handbag. There’s nothing special about it, no embroidered TygerLily on the inside, no pockets, no nothing. Just a plain jane upcycled sweater purse. Plain and simple. Here’s how the process went…..

Laying on the ironing board - just waiting for that first cut...

Sweater cut, interfaced, zigzagged around and inside fabric picked....

Tubing around top, and nice belly at the bottom.....

Fall type 'tree' cotton for the lining that's now sewn in.....

One side of 'snap' closure pulled through fabric tube....

Opening done and chain handle clamped on....

All finished and ready for a nice fall trip somewhere..... hmmmm

Now that it’s done, I’m not sure what to do with it. It’s different. It’s something that’s been recycled. I like it, but not sure I want to keep it……. Best thing is to sleep on it. But it sure is a different kind of bag. There’s a Budweiser sweater still sitting in the recycle pile… wonder how that would look in this style? hmmmmmm

Nightie Night Everyone! Thanks for stopping by. zzzzzzzzz