Lizzy (age 11) woke up this morning wanting to create. Her best friend received a sewing machine for her birthday and they’ve decided they’re going to be fashion designers.

I’m a beginner seamstress (I shouldn’t even use the word ‘I’ and ‘seamstress’ in the same sentence), so I was reluctant to let her play with my machine as I’m not really in a position to teach her anything. I reluctantly (because who am I to stand in the way of an artist?) told her she could find some old clothing and cut it up and use the fabric to make something.

Truthfully, I expected nothing but a messy dining room (that is where the sewing machine lives).

She chose the shirt she is wearing in the picture above. It was a smock style shirt with two front pockets. Sadly, I didn’t bother taking any photos of the process. I didn’t expect the wonderful outcome.

She cut the shirt straight across right under the arm holes, folded it over and sewed in a waist band. Then she salvaged a piece of elastic from an old pair of jeans, measured Georgia’s waist, put the elastic in, closed up the waist band and …

tada –> a super cute skirt that fits Georgia just right.

My only contribution was threading the sewing machine and then forcing her to iron the seam before she started sewing.

Obviously, I made no contribution to Georgia’s ensemble at all. She is totally responsible for the stripes/plaid/rubber boots combo. As long as there is pink, they match.

MK xo
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Disclaimer: One shirt was cut and killed in the making of this post (and skirt).

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Edit: I have been having problems with the comments (some getting through, others not). I am hoping the issue is fixed, however, if you have trouble posting a comment please let me know –> kim (at) mommyknows (dot) com. Thank you!

Sam is home sick. He’s definitely not well, but not unwell enough to lay in bed all day. Truthfully in a non-H1N1 world he’d be at school. They sent him home yesterday, as he was pale, complaining of a sore throat and didn’t go out for recess. Apparently, if he doesn’t go out for recess … he IS sick.

I think he has a cold, nothing more. He is stuffed up and not much else.

He was definitely up to helping me make a lunchbox out of Kool-Aid Jammers drink packets.

You’ll need:

Sewing machine
Thread
15 clean, dry drink packets
Tape
Ruler (or measuring tape)
Stick on velcro fasteners

Slice open the bottom of each packet. Wash, rinse and dry each one out.

Your lunch tote will consist of 5 parts: 1 front and 1 back (each 2×2 packets each), 2 sides (2×1 packets each) and a bottom (2 overlapped packets)

If you are a competent sewer, you could just start sewing these parts. However, because I am a beginner, I decided to tape my pieces together first.

You don’t need to tape each and every seam. Just here and there, enought to keep them from slipping and sliding while you are sewing.

The front and back are made using a 2×2 pattern like the piece above. The sides are 2×1 stacked vertically.

The bottom is a little different.

You’ll need to measure and then overlap two pieces to this length.

Once you have the 5 pieces taped and ready sew up the seams.

We used a zigzap stitch with a bright coloured thread. Sam did most of the sewing. In the above photo he is sewing up a back piece.

I think the orange thread Sam picked out looks great.

Here he is sewing the overlapping pieces that make the bottom of the lunch sack.

Once you have your 5 pieces made, you can start piecing them together.

Start by sewing the sides to the bottom piece. You’ll end up with a long narrow strip.

Next sew the back and front to the bottom. You should end up with the above. Sew up the 4 side seams, I sewed from top to bottom, carefully lining up the top edges taping with a tiny piece of tape and then sewing.

If you want a ‘brown bag’ style sack, you could be finished now. Sam and I were making this sack for Lizzy and I wanted her to be able to close her lunch sack.

I cut the 15th packet in half, folded over the cut end and sewed it to the top of the sack.

Then we added adhesive velcro fasteners.

Below is the finished product:

I hope you like it! What kind of creations have you made from recycled items, or what’s on your list?

MK xo
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I am the proud owner of a sewing table (will miracles never cease?). ME, the me that was once proud to open beer bottles with her teeth … SEWS! Not well mind you, but I do sew. I digress, back to the table, this table was my great-grandmothers, her daughter, my great-aunt had it until her passing on Good Friday and my lovely cousin gave it to ME! I am thrilled to pieces with it. Thanks Lorraine!

While I was in the shower this morning, Georgia pulled the table and the machine into the kitchen and begged me to sew her a dog. I couldn’t find the brown cashmere sweater that I had planned to turn into a dog, so I talked her into a craft apron instead.

These old jeans of Sam’s were handy.

I intended to follow the instructions in this magazine ‘sew simple‘.

Right from the get-go, I had to break the rules.

The instructions are for an adult sized apron, using adult sized jeans. The length would have made it an ankle length garment. Basically, I just started cutting.

An old dress of Lizzy’s is going to be the waistband and ties.

I gave up on the instructions completely when I got the to the waistband. With the changed dimensions, it just wasn’t working.

I just folded, cut, ironed and pinned until it looked like it was going to work. This was my first ‘attached’ waistband and it was a FREAKIN’ HUGE wee bit of a disaster. The top stitch missed the denim (DUH) on the top seam, so I ended up zigzaging over the waistband twice. Once to make sure it was attached and once to make it look better (not sure that worked).

This also about the time I stopped taking step-by-step photos. I was to busy swearing and sweating. Hayley finally reminded me, “MOM … it’s for Georgia, she won’t care about your sewing!”. I freakin’ know that Hayley … BUT, I CARE!!

I’ve said it before and I will say it again, “I sew like a drunk driver!”

In the magazine photo, the pockets and belt loops were removed and sewn on intact. My machine even with a brand new denim needle just wouldn’t go through all those layers of fabric neatly. I ended up cutting all the folded seams off the pockets and belt loops and zigzagging them onto the skirt, along with a cute little heart.

It was right about this stage I considered taking a Valium. The STRESS. If only I could follow instructions. What is it about sewing and instructions?! Or is it me?

Oh well, not so bad in the end. A wee bit messy, but I’ve heard practice makes perfect.

Of course, ‘Georgia, Georgia quite contrary’ had to be forced into the apron for photos. Miserable cuss!

To the moon Georgia, to the moon!

MK xo
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I am totally losing it! ME! The one who said, “crafts schmafts“.

I made these panties for Georgia out of Sam’s old t-hirt.

For some reason this made Sam, scream and blush. The boy is just too easy to embarrass. I guess the thought of his old t-shirt wrapped around his sister’s hiney was just too much to take. MEN!

I’d show you how I made them (next time), but Martha is on in 5 minutes. Gotta run! (oh the shame … I need flogged!)

I hope my old drinking buddies don’t read this!

MK xo
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Check out Georgia’s new cashmere pants.

Pretty cute eh? Even better, they cost me less than $5 and they are 100% cashmere! The best part –> I made them myself out of a thrift store sweater.

I am going to show you how. I want to apologize in advance, if I make errors in terminology etc.. This is only the 3rd or 4th time that I’ve used a sewing machine. I probably shouldn’t be showing anyone how to make anything with a sewing machine. The good news is, if I can do it, so can you!

Note: the sweater was washed and dried at least twice (hot wash, cold rinse, hot dry). This felts the wool.

I loosely used instructions found in this book. I am not so great at following instructions, even when I know nothing (like today), I tend to do my own thing.

Lay a pair of pants that you know fit your child on top of the adult sweater. This is your pattern for the new pants.

I used a pair of pants of Georgia’s that were actually getting too small (just in length), so I left about 1″ at the bottom for extra length. I am going to used the band of the sweater as the bottom of the pants, so I can avoid hemming. I pinned the pants to the sweater in about 1/2 dozen spots to keep it from shifting around.

Cut the pants out, adding about 1/2″ on the sides for seam allowance. Leave about 2″ on the top for the waistband. You probably won’t need this much (I didn’t), but it will leave you some leeway.

Cut out the second half of the pants, on the other side of the sweater. This time use the first set of legs you cut out and make the second set exactly the same size.

You should now have two identical sets.

Sew each set from the waist to the crotch. (see red line on photo)

Note: I was a bit worried about using a patterned fabric. In the end the stripes helped me keep the pants lined up. Unfortunately, it wreaked havoc on my camera. My apologies for the nasty photos.

Now unfold the two pieces. You should have front and back sides. Put them together with the ‘right-sides’ facing each other and pin the inside seam together. Sew them up –> from hem to crotch to hem. (see red line on photo).

Now pin and sew each outside seam.

At this point I put the pants on Georgia to determine exactly where I wanted the top of the waist to be. Leaving the pants inside out, I folded and pinned the waistband. I left enough depth for my 3/4″ elastic. I then sewed the pocket for the elastic, creating the waistband at the same time.

I had quite a bit of left over fabric around the waistband. As this fabric won’t fray, I trimmed the excess. It looks so much neater and will most likely be more comfy to wear.

I meant to leave a gap, so I could put the elastic in. I even marked the start and stop points, and then sewed right over them. It’s a good thing I used felted cashmere, it doesn’t fray. I cut a small hole and using a safety pin I threaded the elastic through.

Once through I overlapped the elastic by about one inch and sewed it together. I was going to sew a nice neat rectangle, but the sewing machine got away on me. You can see above that my sewing skills are HUGELY lacking.

They turned out pretty darn good anyway. My diligent pinning paid off and all the stripes line up nicely.

Georgia really likes them. She wore them all day.

Do you have any good ideas, for upcycling clothing? If so I want to know.

MK xo
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After all my whining and complaining about sewing, I thought I’d share with you the results.

Ta-da!

Ignore the model, in her world camera = scowl! I made the skirt from a thrift-shop lambswool sweater that I felted. I used the same felted wool to applique the puppy on to an inexpensive white tee from Old Navy.

I didn’t use a pattern, but I did loosely follow the instructions for this skirt here: Oliver + S lazy daze skirt. I am pretty pleased with how it turned out. As long as you don’t take a close look at the seams, it is quite presentable.

Here is one where she is actually smiling. Surprisingly enough, she actually quite liked the outfit. She was a wee bit miffed that I sewed the dog onto her shirt. I think she thought she was getting a stuffy. OOPS!

Any other ideas for the recycled wool? I’d love any links, tips and/or ideas.

MK xo
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**Winner is: Emily B – please email me Emily @ kim (@) mommyknows (dot) com to claim your prize.**

Monday the whole family (plus the dog), my aunt and uncle, cousin, wife and 2 mini cousins packed up and headed to a local pumpkin patch. The kids had a great time, BUT it was COLD. It feels like winter here.

Already dry chapped winter skin is making an appearance. My hands hurt with cold all afternoon. It got me thinking about felt (remember I found felt last spring), and how even though I am the NON-crafty sort, the one who said, “craft schmafts“, I was desperate to turn old Salvation Army wool sweaters into mitts and slippers for the kids.

Did you know you can ‘felt’ old wool sweaters by washing in hot water and rinsing in cold? Make sure you add soap :)

Here are a few of the sweaters that I felted. I think this batch went through 2 cycles in the machine. These started out as adult larges and are now about a kids size 4 (I know because they fit Georgia).

Once felted, I cut the sweaters up into usable pieces. Mostly this means cutting out the seams.

I decided to make Sam a pair first. Mostly because he was the only one who DIDN’T care about color, design etc. It was nice to be able to do whatever I wanted. He wasn’t bothered in the the least to get the dark gray lambs wool. I traced his hand, added a 5 mm – 1 cm seam allowance and then cut out two templates.

I pinned the paper templates to the fabric and then cut out the fabric. I did two layers at a time … mostly because I am lazy like that. Also note, that you can use the ribbing of the sweater waistband as the wrist area for the mittens if you cut them as above.

I then turned them inside out and sewed them together. I sewed these by hand, because I don’t own a sewing machine, and have no clue how. No worries though … hand stitching works just fine.

Woohoo –> one down and one to go.

Once the two mitts were sewn, I used other recycled felt pieces, buttons etc. to add a cute design. I think these turned out sufficiently boyish.

I am working on some Chihuahua mittens for Georgia (her newest obsession). Lizzy has now decided she wants ‘girl’ Skulls. Then I am going to get started on some felt booties.

Do you have any projects on the go?

All comments and back-links for this post will be entered to win a $10 Starbucks Gift Card (includes shipping and handling) in my ‘Have a Coffee on Me’ Contest. If you comment and blog about the contest you’ll receive two entries (too easy). I have a whole ‘schwack’ of Gift Cards to give away, so make sure and come back often for a chance to ‘have a coffee on me’.

MK xo
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