A quick cute mend

Here is a simple and cute mend for a hole in the knee. This happens often to my daughter's pants. I used double fuse  squares and ironed on some scrap fabric to the inside of the pants. I then used a needle point circle (there is probably a more accurate name for that but I don't know it :) )

I took some embroidery thread and stitched a simple pattern around it. I just used both small and large "X". Just make sure you go all around the hole. There you have it a quick cute mending project. 

For other projects please visit my website.

Happy Sewing!

A Great Present!

A great present

As you all know I'm a pinterest junky. However, I actually do try out a lot of the pins. I make my own face wash, eye cream, chap stick, laundry detergent, and several sewing ideas. One pin I had to try was designing beautiful silk scarves. 

 Supplies: 

1. Silk scarves, which I bought in bulk for xmas presents at a wholesale craft supplies website

2. Sharpe markers in as many different colors as you can find

3. Rubbing alcohol.  You have two options if you want to see the design pick 70 percent alcohol.  If you want a more abstract look pick 90 percent rubbing alcohol both sold at target. 

4. A water resistant outdoor table cloth to protect your carpet

Start by laying the scarves on the table cloth and start coloring. If you are using 90% rubbing alcohol you don't really have to worry about the design it is more about color placement so circles that are colored in works just fine. I am using the 70% rubbing alcohol so I went with a few different designs. 

Once you are done you need to put it in the dryer for 15 minutes to set it. I suggest washing them alone once before giving them out as presents. The marker doesn't seem to bleed or ruin anything else but I was nervous about that since they were presents so I did wash and iron them before giving them as gifts. 

Final product looks like this. 

Check out my website for other clothing and sewing ideas.

Stylish T-shirt

Stylish T-shirt
By far of all my projects I have to say I'm the most proud of this one. From a style and a technique standpoint this project has motivated me to do more. This is also when I realized my skills were getting a little  better. Seeing your projects get better is so rewarding. I still have a long way to go but this keeps me going. There wasn't too many steps to this project but visit my website. For the step by step process.
Happy Holidays everyone!

I love Jack

"I love Jack"

Who loves Johnny Depp??? The better question is who doesn't.....ummmm no one. Ok so this isn't a Johnny Depp shirt but I do love the Jack Sparrow character. 

I also love sweaters. I love being warm and cozy. Here is a project that is all comfy. So sweaters in the store seem to be going back to an 80s look lately. The large collar area so it falls down one shoulder and cut short to show off the mid-drift area. Unfortunately, I forgot the pre picture. However in this case it is just a basic gray sweater and we all know what that looks like. I also found this great brown "I love Jack" shirt. Here is the link to my site which goes through the process.

My ugly gray carpet isn't the best backdrop but you get the picture.

This at least gives an idea of how the color took. This is the first time I tried a coffee/black tea dye. The color is subtle but did exactly what I was looking for.

A little too much plaid

A bomb of plaid went off on this one. 

I loved the shape of the dress but the plaid was a little too much. So I divided it creating a top for myself and a pleated skirt for my daughter. See more on my blog. 

A fun birthday present

Back To Sewing :) 
Yay!!!!

I'm so excited ! After a month of moving (Ugh!!) I'm finally back to sewing. This time I'm making a birthday present out of two PJ tops.

 

After two hours and a few mistakes.Voila! Happy Birthday Erika :)

If you want to know more of how I did it please check out my blog.

 Not bad for a one night project :)

Time for Fall

Since it is time for fall I have pulled out my turtlenecks and sweaters. I have to do something about these. They are kind of boring. 

EXHIBIT A

 Not awful but just boring. So I started by cutting the sleeves off and put them aside for another project I have in mind. Then I cut along the waist and set the lower portion aside for a different project. Then I started digging. I was digging through my stuff to see what I had. I pulled out a tube top that had been off white. I dyed it a wine color but then I put it on.....well lets say my body shape isn't made for tube tops...yeah we'll leave it at that. It was pretty on the form though so I'm sure it would look great on someone who had more of a boyish figure.

So I flipped the tube top upside down and attached the two pieces. 

I wanted to add a little bit of a signature on the new outfit. I had seen a great TV show on late at night one night. It's called She's So Crafty. Great show if you have a chance to catch it. Any way they did a really fun cross stitch type accent to a shirt. So here is my free hand attempt. 

 First attempt was rocky but the second attempt (the green one) is not bad :)

Lesson's Learned

1. I really like my subtle but fun touch with the stars. I think I am going to try to work that into more pieces.

2. I need my daughter to take pictures with the clothes on me soon. The form is cool but the "after" is more fun if you can see it on me. Plus she is such a good photog :)

Cost: $5 (The sweater was $2.99 and the tube top was $1. Then the cost of the dye.)

checkout more at http://addsewing.blogspot.com/

You don't even need a sewing machine

ADDSEWING - I have dabbled in sewing for years. I have dreamed about how good I could get but like most people my life got in the way. I had a beautiful daughter and a fast pace stressful job. I go from taking care of people at work to taking care of my daughter at home. I completely enjoy both of those facets of my life, however I really need to add me time.  

So I decided to turn to the one thing I always came back to, sewing. I haven't had the patience to make clothing from scratch or to take extended sewing classes. Hence the attention deficit sewing :) My impulsive ADD nature has lead me to refashioning clothing. I utilize my basic knowledge to make practical everyday wear clothing. 

Overall, I am still learning how to sew and create. I love the trial and error approach. I created this blog to be interactive. I want to inspire and learn from you so add comments often :)

Refashioning doesn't have to be difficult. It can be as simple as looking at your your existing clothes in a whole new way. You don't even needs years behind a sewing machine. Some projects can me no sewing at all or just simple hand sewing. Take this shirt...

This is the front of the shirt. Cute right :) Except it is totally see through and way too tight for me. So I start by turning it around.

Here is the back. If it wasn't see through I may have started to just wear it backwards because this is cute too. By the way did you notice I have my new form..YAY!!!! I'm super excited!!!

Start cutting. Cut along one side of the button seam. Then add a button on top and voila a cute cardigan with a slight and sexy v in back.

Lesson Learned

1. I naturally want to do more than just this. It seems like not enough. I would have wanted to add lace but that is just my instinct. However, that wouldn't help me prove my point now would it :) The thing is anyone can do this. 

Save money, build your creativity, have a piece of clothing no one else will have and help the environment... Think outside the box!

Cost:$2.99 for the shirt and button

Check out more at http://addsewing.blogspot.com/