Zippered Hoodie Recycled/Upcycled from 2 T shirts

I really like how this turned out. I don't wear much pink, but the color combination reminds me of what I would've worn in high school.

It was made from a size 4X pink T and a larger size long sleeved grey T shirt. The inside is overlocked with my Juki and a 4 thread stitch. I used my home Pfaff for all the trim and piecing because I havn't gotten one of these yet and my awesome industrial straight stitch Pfaff *refuses* to stitch on knit. It also has a vintage custom zipper pull. I've got about 150 of these nice metal zippers in 4-6 different lengths.
 

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The hoodie has a nice feminine shape to it but, unfortunately, its too small. I have to make the pattern bigger and try again with more T shirts!

Alabama Chanin workshop coming to Ann Arbor, MI!!

 Alabama Chanin is coming to Zing Train in Ann Arbor, MI, on May 31, 2013, to do a day long workshop.

I'm trying to write an article for my Detroit Sewing Examiner page, but I'm having trouble staying with the facts...  The more I read about the company the more interesting it is. Lean manufacturing, hand sewing, made in the USA, almost a zero waste company.  I want to say "I like", "I'm amazed", and I need to clean it up for over there!

I just bought the Alabama Stitch Book, and can't wait to read it.

I really want to go to the workshop, but I'm still working out the details.

 I wrote the company about the workshop and they sent me 17 pages of info! All about Alabama Chanin and their manufacturing policies, plus class info and what our choices are to make for the class.

When I first heard that *everything* was sewn by hand, I found it a little shocking, but they have created an amazing hand crafted industry with local stitchers and beautiful products. 

I think I'm done meandering all over the place and I can write an article now. ;)

Recycling T shirts or is it Upcycling?

I've been recycling (or upcycling, I'm old so it sounds weird) T shirts for a number of years now.  My family keeps me busy so I don't do as much as I would like, same old story.  I've got ideas for many things and piles of T's. I wasn't able to get into the shop much this winter, we had to make room in the house for boys and heating the barn turned out to be too expensive if I couldn't find the time to make money out there. I'm not complaining really, I'm quite happy caring for boys, it's just that sewing has been something I DO for a long time.

I've also made some of these long t shirt skirts for me and they are so flowy and comfortable, I love them.
I put the t shirts on the bias and the skirt is a half circle.

I plan on making a tiered one next.  I'll try to get more pics of the making process.

I also made a shorter wrap one, I really like the way it turned out, but I don't like shorter skirts anymore.

Now that it is warmer, I hope to find time to work on more :)

A Hand Sewing Question

I get questions in my email box from readers and I try to answer as honestly as I am able as much as I am able. This latest question I am answering here because it is so where my mind is at!

Diane: 
I found your blog while searching for hand sewing classes in Michigan.  Do you or anyone you know teach hand sewing garments in the style of Natalie Chanin and her Alabama Chanin clothing line?  I have several of her books, but I seem to learn better in a hands-on environment, not to mention that I know next to nothing about machine sewing.  I would appreciate any leads or help that you could give me.  Thanks.   
Cindy 

I just purchased these books for inspiration in my Co-op hand sewing class.  

-One-Yard Wonders: 101 Sewing Fabric Projects; Look How Much You Can Make with Just One Yard of Fabric!, 
-Improv Sewing: A Freeform Approach to Creative Techniques; 101 Fast, Fun, and Fearless Projects: Dresses, Tunics, Scarves, Skirts, Accessories, Pillows, Curtains, and More,  
-Sewn by Hand: Two Dozen Projects Stitched with Needle & Thread,   
-Alabama Studio Sewing + Design: A Guide to Hand-Sewing an Alabama Chanin Wardrobe, 

I had not heard of Alabama Chanin previously, but the whole thing is pretty fascinating! Have you taken a look yet? Please look.  I find it beautiful, but would never have the patience myself to do it ALL by hand. Just looking at it I plan in my head how I would finish it by machine. On the other hand, hand sewing can be very relaxing, maybe I could do it. I love how they offer a DIY version of the garments.

  

It turns out I won't be leading the sewing class next semester. There were some complaints because my 1 yr old was in the class with me.  I am disappointed, but it is a relief too.  It is a lot of work to plan for the class. There is a wide range of skill and interest levels and it varies wildly by project. I learned a lot and the invitation to teach is open when my kids are older.

Anyway, I chose the books I chose because I was thinking about hand sewing projects and using recycled materials.  I thought the Chanin book could be adapted to use with recycled T's. We could cut a girls fitted T into a shrug and use their embellishing and finishing techniques.

So, I know so far this hasn't helped Cindy very much! Here are thoughts directly for you...

I'd start with something smaller to gain skill and confidence, like the projects in Sewn by Hand. Consider doing some Chanin work on recycled T's or existing garments, less cost upfront, the structure is already there and you can enjoy the embellishments.

As for a class, I don't know of any. But there are several places to get together and ask around. The American Sewing Guild members might know or be able to help you with hands on help with stitches. The Southeast Michigan Crafty Meetups may also be able to help. Either with information or stitch demonstration.

I hope this was helpful. I enjoyed looking at the Alabama Chanin website. Thank you for writing :) 

  

Cute shoe pattern from Etsy

I got this cute shoe pattern from Etsy seller sewingwithme5 back in February, but the shoe I made turned out too short and weirdly wide. I thought it was the pattern because I thought I checked my print settings correctly.

I commented on a FB post by Erika and she said it was something she was going to watch. I was still sure I did it right, but I checked. Dang it, I didn't. The good news is now I *can* have slippers that fit! And I don't have to fuss with the pattern! 

So, I cut the correctly printed pattern out of some leftover sweater pieces, 6 year old flannel pieces from my nieces baby shower gift, and some non-slip fabric from a bin at the thrift store.

Now that is much better! I think I can use a smaller size now. My blanket stitch still needs work, but I'm very pleased with the pattern, it goes together really well!  I did put the opening to turn the shoe on the lining pieces instead of the exterior pieces. It just doesn't make sense to me to have it on the outside. Plus I can machine sew it if it is on the inside.

I think I might have to try another shoe... which one do you like??

Great online community

Am I the last person to hear about Craftsy?  They are an online community that offers video classes, workshops, patterns and projects. You pay a small fee (or try a free one) and you are able to permanently access the class. It can be viewed by you as often as needed, and you can save it until you have the time to work on the project. If you get stuck you can ask for help from the Instructor. They aren't just a sewing community, but have knitting, crochet and other craft choices. (but sewing is the important one, right?) 

I've taken a look at the Free Quick and Easy Bags course that the banner above leads to and so far watched half of it.  She does some things differently than I would (and the way she uses pins makes me cringe!) BUT, I have quite a bit of experience working with young and beginning sewers and I know she is trying to engage beginner sewers.  I firmly believe that successful projects are needed to grow skills and give new sewers the confidence to keep sewing. 

It IS a good first project and things can be refined later, when the desire for more knowledge starts to grow. 

 

Book: Buckles and Bobbins: A Beginning Sewing Book for Boys

My 7 year old son and I are having trouble sewing together. He wants to make pencil thin rockets and I want him to make real things.  I think we have agreed to try this book, Buckles and Bobbins: A Beginning Sewing Book for Boys .  Then, I hope, he won't feel like I am stifling his creativity, plus he gets frustrated when the things he wants to do don't turn out like he imagines. I try to encourage a large rocket pillow, but he doesn't like my ideas! Hopefully this will give him a better idea about what is possible sewing and we can have fun together!