An Easier Way to Set in Sleeves

Tutorial: An easier way to set in sleeves:

Most printed patterns have you setting in a sleeve by stitching in a tight little circle around the armhole. Sunni from A Fashionable Stitch shows an easier way to do it on her blog. This is the method I use when …

Recycled Sweater Head Wrap and Cowl Scarf

I knit & crochet but to recycle a sweater to a head wrap and a cowl scarf is much more easier & . quicker. Check out how Trudy did it!

Recycled Sweater Head Wrap and Cowl Scarf:

I made Emily a couple of head wraps from some old sweaters and matching cowl scarves. I also made a head wrap for her cousin's 12th birthday. Don't they look so cute together? The head wrap can be worn plain or embellished. They are so quick and easy to sew. You basically cut out long rectangles, apply fabric glue to the long sides and sew the short ends together and you're done. I got the idea from Disney of Ruffles and Stuff. She's made some great tutorials, click here for the head wrap tutorial and here for the cowl scarf. Thanks so much, Disney, Emily loves hers. They keep her warm and stylish.

They were made from these two sweaters.

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Sewing With Trudy

Valentines Day Last Minute Refashon!

See what, Sew Country Chick did for her daughter. I'm getting some ideas...

Valentines Day Last Minute Refashon!:

This top is super easy and can be whipped together in about an hour if you have a mens T shirt hanging around. To see my tutorial visit me at

Sew Country Chick

Happy Saint Valentine's Day!

Justine

How to sew a doll dress from a sweater sleeve

I had to share this... it's too cute.

How to sew a doll dress from a sweater sleeve:
Sewing for dolls can be so fun as they aren’t nearly as fussy about fit and you can use such small quantities of textiles without compromising on style and fun. This cute dress for an 18 inch doll designed by Bethany of the blog Finding Pins and Needles. Check out her tutorial on how to sew a recycled sweater sleeve dress for a doll.

Hanna Andersson Footless Tights Knockoff

Check-Out Hanna Andersson Footless Tights Knockoff:

Another online purchase I'd love to make, but at $16-a-pair-plus-shipping-plus-import-duties, I'd be paying about 90 bucks a leg. So I satisfied myself with a knockoff.

Good old Gymboree tights. Local and affordable (er, on sale).

Similar to making legwarmers, I cut out the ankle and toe section and discarded them.

I also amputated a pair of socks with pretty tops.

...folded the edges of the tights under and inserted the fancy sock top upside down.

Too frugal to toss the left overs, I remade the socks with the leftoever mid-section from the foot of the tights (just like the legwarmers here).

This was my test pair on my least favorite tights. Now that I know the technique works, I'm on the search for some spring-y colored tights to make over. Has anyone got a good source for spring colors?

What type of Seamstress are you?

30days has a list of links for beginners, intermediate, and advanced seamstress which will be helpful learning new skills or updating your sewing skills for whatever category you fall under.

I was given a sewing machine about a couple of years ago until last year 2009 I've decided to do a refashion, which I did. I will talk about the refashion in another post, but after the refashion I just stopped using the sewing machine.

Why? It's probably because of the lack of skills, the cost of materials, or being creative. Although, I will be using most of the materials from my closet. I'm guessing it's just putting what I have now together.

I do know my way around the sewing machine. Thanks, to my home economics teacher way back in high school I've picked up a few skills. I really need to brush up on them, so check out the link above.

SewBasic: 34 Essential Skills for Sewing with Confidence

Singer Sewing Skills Reference Book

Wardrobe Refashion

A couple of weeks ago I've signed up for two months on Wardrobe Refashion and I'm taking the pledge.

The Pledge
I Nancy pledge that I shall abstain from the purchase of "new" manufactured items of clothing, for the period of 2 / 4 / 6 months. I pledge that i shall refashion, renovate, recycle preloved items for myself with my own hands in fabric, yarn or other medium for the term of my contract. I pledge that I will share the love and post a photo of my refashioned, renovoted, recycled, crafted or created item of clothing on the Wardrobe Refashion blog, so that others may share the joy that thy thriftiness brings! Signed__________________.

Here's my introduction to Wardrobe Refashion.

Subversive Seamster: Transform Thrift Store Threads Into Street Couture

Sweater Surgery: How to Make New Things with Old Sweaters (Domestic Arts for Crafty Girls)

What is Sewing Drama?

I've created Sewing Drama for beginners, novice or amateurs like me. I've decided to start sewing this Fall/Winter and I know very well that I will encounter a lot of drama in my sewing expedition.

I have a few patterns that I'm itching to get started, but I haven't found the right fabrics that will go with the patterns. I'm still searching on Ebay for those fabrics and other places online, too. The fabric can be very expensive. I'm waiting when it goes on Sale.

Also, I've taken the pledge at Wardrobe Refashion. It will be on my next post with more details.

I will leave you with this whatever sewing drama I come across I will definitely find an easier method to sew or to find a few sewing shortcuts.

Hopefully, there will be some experience sewists that will recommend some assistance in my sewing dramas.

Sewing for Dummies

Sewing 101: A Beginner's Guide to Sewing