I'm thinking Fall...

Disclaimer: BEWARE, TERRIBLE PHOTO AHEAD! It was 11:35 pm and I grabbed my phone as I headed to bed and snapped a quick photo of my latest creation in terrible lighting and a messy craft room background.

I think it turned out so cute, but the final test will be to see it on a living person.

It's made from a thrift store upcycled men's button down, short sleeve shirt. I hope to start making some in flannel as the temperature drops. This is a lightweight woven, something... I don't even know.

I used an existing t-shirt from my daughters collection for a pattern. I was going for a capped sleeve look, I just hope these don't cut off any blood circulation!

It is not quite finished, as I want to add a single button closure, just to keep in on her. I'm picturing it with a white t-shirt underneath and jeans. Maybe even some boots. (Let's hope I can talk her out of the hello kitty gollashes!)

Stay tuned as maybe, just maybe I can get a few pictures of her wearing it tonight, after back to school night!

ANYDAY but today...

I feel like Cathy copycat, but I find SO many cute ideas in blogland! I hope the creative force behind these ideas, accept this as flattery.

The other day I discovered The Anyday Banded Shorts over at Create and Delegate. Such a simple concept. Shorts with a contrasting hemline. But it's the details that really add that extra level of cuteness here. The solid material used for the body of the short, a wide band of a cute printed cotton material and the slight little pouf created by the gathers. Those three details come together to create a playful, yet comfortable outfit for her.

I used a pant pattern which I think I have used 101 times by now. Obviously I just shortened the length. I must have tried them on her 2 or 3 times to get the length just right. (I blame my complex of high watered pants for this!) But each time I had to hack some more off to get it just right. I love the cotton print I used. It's called "Koto" by Alexander Henry. I've had 2 yards of it sitting around waiting for a great project. Well, I decided I was able to spare about 24" x 5" to make 2 bands. I'm glad I did. The brown fabric was a piece of cotton/linen which I had left from my linen peasant dresses.

My model wasn't quite in the mood for photos today. I was able to snap a few. Nothing award winning, but you get the idea. Apparently she was getting her model mojo from the stove, which she would not step away from.

Until She sat down to eat a banana on the floor, stretch her legs out and NOT look at me. (Just wait till I speak to her agent about this!)

Someday soon, I WILL soon come up with my own design and I'm convinced it WILL be brilliant!

TWO shirts, TWO projects, TOO easy!

My most recent trip to the Salvation Army this weekend, ended at the register with two Men's button down shirts. A stripe and a subtle plaid. Neither are overly awe-striking.

However, as I'm forced to deal with the fact that cooler weather will soon be approaching, I started to think about scarves again. I love to wear them, love to make them and love to see what design possibilities are out there.

Again, this is nothing spectacular, but still cute. It's lightweight and would be cute with a t-shirt and jeans. I cut 10 inch wide strips, using the backs of the shirts only. This gave me 4 generous pieces to work with. I just serged them together at the short ends, alternating fabrics. Viola! Done. I chose to leave the perimeter raw so they will fray with washing.



I decided to take it one step further. I dunked the scarf in Dylon, Amazon Green permanent dye. (Sorry, the final product is not pictured. A poorly lit photo taken with my phone in the reflection of the mirror, showcasing my overly cluttered closet, bad hair day and not so attractive outfit to begin with, is the reason.) The dye didn't take as well to the plain fabric, but still gave it a different look. The dye somewhat disguised the men's shirt concept, which you may or may not want to achieve. It's all personal preference. I honestly like them both ways.

SO... now I'm left with 2 shirt fronts. What to do... what to do??? Make a skirt! I've made peasant dresses/tops from mens shirts before, but have yet to make a skirt. I came across this tutorial the other day. This concept is perfect for the shirt pieces I have remaining! Of course my finished product has buttons both the front and back. That's okay though.

I didn't have any of the pretty lace like the skirt in the tutorial. Nor do I think the recipient of my handmade goods, is a lacey kinda gal. So, I settled on a piece of bias tape I had leftover from my t-shirt dresses. A regular hem would have been fine as well. The pleating was a first for me, but I think it really makes the skirt. I'm really pleased with how it turned out. Plus, here's a bonus... Dad can't get it on her backwards when getting her ready in the morning's because there really is not a front and a back to it!

My next plan of attack it to make a white cotton peasant top to go with it. Maybe a little bit of red trim and a fabric flower to adorn it?

I should see what I can create from the remaining scraps of the two shirts. I have 4 sleeves, 4 cuffs, 2 collars, and 2 panels both with pockets. That's plenty of material for something. Let me think on that...

It's SUPER-Jordan!

Just a quick project tonight.

Only a few short hours ago, this t-shirt was hanging peacefully on the sale rack in Children's Place. Then I came along, with a vision.

I'm pretty sure my daughter is more the superhero type than the pretty princess type. I could be wrong. But to hear her and her brother fight over who was getting the shirt today was kind of cute. I turned it into a short sleeved, ringer dress. Is that such a thing? I used some existing black knit and pieced it together to make this...!

I thinks she likes it!


And I like that she likes it!


(The Hello Kitty boots have become a staple to her wardrobe! Oh well!)

Crap!

Pop on over to Crap I've Made to participate in a week of giveaways! (You'll find jj & jojo is #11)

I was featured!

Thanks Nicole!