Upcycle ~ 3 Adult T-Shirts to Kids Tanks

As I mentioned the other day, we are vacationing soon.  Mr. T had only 1 tank top to wear in the warm place we are heading.  I looked in the stores and wasn't satisfied with what I saw, plus the price was $15 per tank!

I had saved these T-shirts to upcycle and tanks seemed like the perfect thing.
I used the "Tools" tank pattern from Ottobre 03/2011 (#33); I went with a size 146 - T is skinny and wears a 10 in RTW.  I modified the straps to be straight and not envelope. I whipped up 3 of these puppies for a few cents in thread and ribbing.  I saved us $45 and Mr. T is super happy with all 3 tanks.  I especially love the Pokemon one!

Tank 1:
My old Green Hurley shirt that became way too big for me.

Tank 2:
Hubby's old World of Warcraft shirt that had un-fixable holes in the armpits. (I even managed to save the Blizzard symbol on the back!)

Tank 3:
So I forgot to take a picture of the before shirt :(  It was a plain blue long sleeve shirt that is way too big for me now). I cut a square of the Pokemon Ash and Pikachu from T's old Pajama shirt that is too small now.  I attached it to the front with fusible tape and zigzagged around the edges.

I'm so happy with how all 3 turned out!  They are "school worthy" and ready for our vacation!

Here is all 3:

And T in action:

I must say, this pattern is one of my favorites now.  It is fast to sew, fits really well, and looks RTW.

~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~

Upcycle ~ Grandpa's "Golf" Shirt to Kids Tank Top

The past week and a half has been crazy, stressful, and enlightening.  Crazy because we are leaving for Florida in a short bit here for vacation.  Stressful because I had finals week for school and this class was a nightmare ~ it ended today thankfully.  And enlightening because I've been terribly ill for the last 4 1/2 years with no answers and I received some answers yesterday.
Whew! What a ride!

I didn't sew in this last 1.5 week span but I sure thought about it!  It seems I dream about sewing and it consumes my daytime thoughts as well.  I walked into my sewing room a few times just to browse and feel the fabric; I also browsed my patterns and Ottobre magazines.  These things comfort me.

My mom gave me some clothes to take to Goodwill this week and I snatched up a few things to re-purpose.  Here is a shirt that Grandpa no longer wants for some reason or another.  I decided to mesh together the Zen T-shirt pattern from Ottobre 6/2011 and the Tools Tank from Ottobre 03/2011 to turn the Grandpa shirt into a Tank for Mr. T.

before                                            after front                         after back

 I saved the bottom hem so I didn't have to resew that.  It is a little longer in the back than in the front because of the original shirt design.

I also used two different ribbing techniques to see what I liked better.  The ribbing on the left is the bias method.  I sew it onto the right side and then flip over itself, turn it up and top-stitch.  The ribbing on the right I fold in half then sew right sides together, serge, then flip, press, and sew the serge edge down.  I think I like the looks of the ribbing on the right and it is a bit faster/easier.

 
That's all I've really be up to.  Countdown to vacation begin!

~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~

Resolution Totals April 2013

In keeping up with my sewing resolutions for this year I plan on doing a tally-type thing on the first of each month regarding the prior month.  I hope this keeps me on track for the year!

April 2013

Items Completed: 7
Resolution: 3

Unfinished projects completed: 0
Resolution: 1-2

New items in the Etsy shop: 0
Resolution: 2

Avg Blog Posts Weekly: 2.25
Resolution: 1

Tutorials created: 1
Resolution: more

Overall:
It seems I sewed 7 things in March and 7 again in April!  That rocks!  I was motivated by the Pattern Stash Contest on patternreview.com which helped a lot.  I didn't complete anything from the unfinished project box but I'm ok with that as long as I'm completing things!

I really let the Etsy shop slip this month.  School was very difficult this last month; however, I will be surely adding things in May as I just picked up some awesome vintage patterns and fabric to add. 

Having this in print makes me see how I'm doing and fuels my fire to make more things.  May will be a busy month as we are going on vacation but I am determined to get some summer clothes sewed up!



~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~

Puppies and Flowers Sundress ~ Simplicity 1867

Have I mentioned before how in love I am with almost everything Riley Blake Designs makes?

Simplicity 1867 It's so Easy ~ Pattern Stash Contest


I assumed the dress would go together quick without issue and that the directions would be great as this is an "It's so easy" pattern.  I wasn't let down!  I chose View A but made it long like the dress, not the tunic.  There are 4 pattern pieces 1, 2, 3 and 4 -however I substituted the long skirt #7 for #3 and cut 2 on the fold as #3 suggests.  The dress is lined on the bodice.  I just love the cute top buttons on the design.  Miss K is still barely young enough for this but just edging out this style.  (Makes me sad my baby is growing up).  She is an 8 RTW so I sewed the 8.

front of the dress

There were no issues with the instructions, they were good.  I didn't do the ribbon steps - K doesn't like them.  Sew the bodice and it's lining; add the pockets to the skirt and gather, attach and do the buttons and hem.  Nice and fast.

back of the dress

FABRIC:  Pattern calls for 1 1/8 yard for the tunic skirt, however I used the longer skirt/dress so I used 1.5 yards.  Bodice called for 7/8 yard and I had 1 yard with a bit leftover - I think you can get by with .75 yards.  Fabric is Dress up days floral aqua and Dress up days bikes yellow, both from Fabric.com.  I got the aqua print for $6.49/yard and the yellow puppies for $7.63/yard. Both were ordered just in February this year.  Buttons are from my vintage bucket.

close up of bodice

Total for the dress minus thread: $17.94

Love these buttons!

and these puppies!

Conclusion: I love the dress - it is so sweet!  I think I will only make it this one time though because Miss K is just edging out of this younger style.  Plus it is unique enough that one is enough. I highly recommend it though!

one more view of the front

And YES! I took pics outside today!  It is a luscious 63 degrees finally here in Wisconsin.  I'm in heaven - except for the vicious spring allergies!


Finally got some pics of Miss K in her dress :-)  The below pics were added 5/8/13

~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~