Sewing Tip

Do you ever sew with material that you don't want to put pin-holes in? Suedes, leathers, vinyl, etc are often hard to work with without pins. Well, I have 2 tips for you!

First, you can use double sided tape. Then after sewing, you can pull the tape off into 2 strips by just by separating the seam a bit to access it. I don't advise tape though if your project is going to set for a while. It's more of a tape-it and sew-it the same day thing. You can also occassionally use masking tape to hold lighter weight and slippery materials in place. You can sew right over it and then just pull the tape off in strips when you are finished with the seam.

Or, you can use those hair clips that snap open and close by holding the one end and pressing against your head. Or, try binder clips. Depending on what you are doing, paper clips MIGHT work, but be careful if they'll pull off and gouge your expensive material.

Hope these tips can help you out. If you think of more ways to use tape, hair clips, binder clips, etc. please leave a note in the comments! We'd all love to hear them!

Easter Question

Any chance the Easter Bunny might deliver a couple little bunnys to me on Easter? I did find some rabbit cages so now I'm ready for a couple bunnys.

Plus, I already have my colored Easter Eggs!

My hens do a nice job, don't they?

I also have 13 little chicks that hatched so I don't need those!

But, I've been working on having a trio of buns again and now I'm ready. So maybe if the Easter Bunny is good to old ladies.... he just might consider my request, right?

I know this is a sewing and repurposing blog, we we all do have a life beyond the scope our our blogs. So I thought I'd go ahead and post this so you get a bit more of a glimpse of my life when not in front of the computer or sewing machine. I'll probably do this now and then as a farm is a busy place in the Spring. My dairy goats are kidding now too so I AM busy and getting sewing done is difficult! I also hate leaving my blogs sitting idle. So plan on seeing a touch of my farm life inserted now and then. ;) 

I did get just enough time to cast on some knitting stitches the other day! I'm officially going to get some 4" squares done now and make a pair of baby booties to donate! I'm finally getting good enough to feel I can do something that can be shared and not look like a well-worn piece of something!

Have a SUPER weekend!

Goodness!

Wow, I need sent to sit in the corner! That's where my sewing machine is! It just seems I'm CONTINOUSLY having to do something else!

I have to take hubby for some tests so hopefully I will be able to "fiddle" around with my knitting project!

On the way home I'll stop by the thrift shops! I wonder what goodies I'll find to bring home and then look at wishing I could be sent to the corner to play!

Fluffy Flannel Find!

I LOVE a good find! Look at this flannel I found at GoodWill for $6.99!

It's a full 8 yards! It's not a heavy-weight flannel, but it's still new, and in 1 piece!

As usual, it's a what-to-use-it-for-piece! At that price I just had to go ahead and snatch it up!

Maybe I'll make a pair of lounge/jammy pants for me. I'd sure have a lot left so maybe a couple of newborn day gowns and some tot jammies. Or maybe some lap quilts for the eldery or a baby quilt?

At this point, I think I'll add it to my stash. I now have a piece of Christmas material on hand and a nice piece of flannel. I can definitely ponder on this for a while.

I LOVE a good deal and a find like this! Now I really REALLY need some sewing time!

Repurpose Tip - Mesh Bags

Did you know you can use those mesh bags that produce (onions, oranges, etc) for laundry bags for small items like socks, etc? Also, if you have a soft, pliable one, you can use it for washing neck scarves! It keeps a scarf from tangling throughout the machine, creating a macrame mess with other laundry. Wash your bras and delicates in them too. Just be sure the bag is NOT "snaggy". 

Also, if you hand wash items such as a sweather or such that would stretch and become a mess, you can hand wash it in a net bag! It will keep the item contained and make it easy to lift and let the water escape quickly and easily! Hang the bag and let it drain for a while and then it will be safe to hang or block depending on the item's specific needs.

Just be selective of the bag you use for washing!

ReCreate It!

I found this beachy material at Good Will. There's about 4 yards of it and it was $1.29! GREAT find! I'll be SLIGHTLY limited as to the use. As you can see, it's thin and easily seen thru. That didn't discourage me though. It can be used for many things such as tote bag liner with matching straps and pockets, pockets, sleeves, and even a skirt attached to leggings. For a skirt on leggings, a top can be made from the same material as the leggings and then this can easily decorate the top. It can be used for a pillow cover, pillow cases, ruffles for clothes, etc. It will end up being a go-to piece.

This piece is actually a bed skirt with a cotton flat piece and not the woven piece. So I can use the material from both parts of it! This is also a thin material giving it a few limitations, but can be used much the same as above. I've also thought of using some of both to add together for a tiered skirt.

One thing I like about these bed skirts is the ruffle is already a ruffle! So I don't have to do the hard part! It makes for some easy sewing!

With the way prints and patterns are being combined these days, I could probably layer both for a tiered skirt or just use some of both in the same item.
I also need a couple newer summer dresses for the exceptionally hot days so I may just use some off of a couple different bed skirts to make the skirt part of the project and attached them to the bottom of a scrub top. I'll remove the sleeves and turn them into some other project! An oversized tee shirt can also have the sleeves removed and be used as the top. Sleeves don't necessarily need to be removed either. They can be changed into a ruffle or cap type sleeve with a quick trim and hem of the raw edge.
Day before yesterday, I went to a new thrift & vintage shop in the next little town. I fell in love with the place, of course. How fun to look at the antiques I remember from childhood. I'll definitely be returning regularly! I really enjoyed talking with the proprietor while reminiscing! We're the same age so it was an easy conversation! I did find some old crochet books that I snatched right up and have had fun reading thru. The only repurposing from there goes to my kitchen though!
If you have any ideas for the above material, please do let me know! That beach material isn't going to "make it" for baby clothes other than maybe butt ruffles on onesies or pants. But I can probably use some of the bed skirt that way easily.

I always enjoy comments and opinions so feel free to post them. I'm always open to help deciding what to do with items I'm repurposing and especially the charitable items!

Knitted Bed Throw

Have I mentioned that I am relearning to crochet and knit. I never knew much to begin with so I'm really finding that it's more of a challenge now. I'm also now much more appreciative of the time and effort that go into making something. And that is ESPECIALLY in the new-to-me bed throw I found at the hospice thrift store. I had to buy it of course and it was only $10! It practically jumped off the shelf into my arms!

I absolutely LOVE the colors and it's really warm. I've run my hand across it in appreciation while wondering how long it took the knitter to make it. It had to take some time as it's an ample twin size throw. I wonder about the knitter too! Was this a gift for someone or for the knitter?  It's a basic knit/purl stitching and very much a basic knit, but I can't call something this beautiful "simple". It would seem a disgrace to the knitter who had to have worked hard to make it. It isn't going any where, as it's mine! I bought it for me. We are allowed to do this at times!

Have you ever bought something handmade that you've wondered about it's history and the person who made it?

I've tried to post a pic of the throw but it's not working. I'll try again tomorrow and see if blogspot is cooperating then. You might like to scroll down to this post the next time you visit and I'll try to have it here.

I Wasn't Fleeced!

But I sure am tickled to find this fleece! The black print is 2 yards and the red dotted it 2+ yards. They were each $2 at the hospice thrift store. What an awesome find!

I don't know what I'll do with them yet, but I HAD to bring them home. I could make a few head bands to sell on my Etsy shop (not up and running yet) I could make a couple fleece hats and maybe some lined mittens to go with them. A scarf to go with a hat could be good.

I've got some thinking to do! Now I need some sewing time too!

Recreate It! Lavendar Baby Pants

What did you see when looking at these adorable, fleecy baby pants?

I tucked the one leg inside the other and ended up with this. And more importantly, THIS:

I see an easy way to make a pattern for them! I will probably trace them like this and again open. Then I can make sure I get the front and back rise in order so they don't hang too low in the back when baby is sitting. They will be warmer if the lower back is adequately and properly covered.

I do have some baby pants patterns for pants and shorts, but I LOVE the angulation and trim on the bottom of these. So I wanted to be able to do this with pants and some long legged-shorts. Won't they be cute?

I'll probably hang on to these for a while. I really like them and they can have a few incidental uses too. I just can't cut these up for a pattern, although that CAN be done. Maybe I'll run across some like it that are all stained up! Those I can and will cut up!

Why didn't I think of cute hems like this for my girls? I sure sewed a lot of little pants! Why didn't I keep all those patterns too?  I can use these to copy the hem to other patterns.

I can use them for a pattern for making some of the little pant/skirt combos that are currently popular.

I can use them to help with an idea of other things too. I saw a blog post about making baby tights without a pattern. These pants are a stretchy fleece and will most likely be a close fit to a baby's legs instead of a blousy fit from some of the patterns I have.

I can use them to size pants that don't have a size in them.

I can all do some measurements on them for selling baby pants. I don't have a baby fitting model as mine grew up! 

And, who wouldn't like a pair of these for their baby or grand baby?

Recreate It!

I have thought and thought and thought. Then, my light bulb illuminated in my head! I still could have a better idea come along, but I really wanted to get this one area of my creating published and in motion. I think my idea is going to do well! I've got pics and ideas to share so got it done. Maybe someday I'll want to change it to a more fitting name. That can happen as things change, grow, etc. With this part of my creating, the needs could change for what I'm now doing. That would definitely motivate a change of title. So, at this point in time, the title of this part of my creating is:

Recreate It

One of my reasons (the MAIN reason) for not using charity in the title was so I can also include a few items I make for sale at etsy or elsewhere. I really need to generate some income to mail the clothing and other items (garden seeds, elders' lap quilts, clothing for the PRR homeless Veterans Center, etc.) to charities I'm creating for and helping. I didn't want you to think I was being sneaky or dishonest when you see something go to etsy, or even the summer dress I'm making for myself, dogs, goat kids, etc. So "Recreate It" allows for that to be and truly reflect all of what I do in a clear and hopefully concise manner.

A BIG THANK YOU to the reader who suggested another great title, Repurpose for a Good Deed!

Now I need to figure out how to do the pages! I've tried before and couldn't do anything but make one. I couldn't get the pertinent posts to go into it.

I'll be back real soon with some pics of the items I have to recreate! I've been getting them taken and edited so I'm ready to start sharing them!

 

Do you want a teaser? Here's an EASY one!

What do you see here? I'm not giving a clue because I LOVE to hear ideas. Yours might work better than mine, after all! I will say they are a pair of lavendar baby pants. Now you take it from there!

Update & Dilemma

Blogspot is cooperating better tonight! I still can't get a banner uploaded and behind the title and text. It consistently places it below even though I'm cautiously trying to do it right. I wonder if it's the template I chose! I'm trying to find the old template interface or what ever they call it. I think I'd like to use the same one I use on my other 2 blogs and just have it all easier to navigate.
My dilemma is deciding on a name for the posts I want to make about the potential of items I come up with for upcycling into charity projects. So far I've come up with using the word "potential". It's not "grabbing me" and I really would like something catchy. So far "Potential To Be" might end up being it if I don't figure it out SOON. What I want to do is post pics and ideas of what to do with items. I have started photographing some items I have to work with but need that title. Then after I upcycle the item I can post pics and sometimes directions for readers to make their own. What do you call your starter process of looking at the potential of something for what it's to become? It's kind of like a vision of the item's potential. Any ideas?

So, I'm going to work on trying to get the interface figured out and try to decide on a title for the upcycling project.

Troubles with Blogspot!

Goodness, I've never had trouble starting a blog but for some reason blogspot is giving me problems! My dashboard appearance and style has been changed and I don't like this one at all! I can't find my way out of this new style either! Please bear with me as I try to figure this out!

Welcome!

Welcome to my projects on my new blog!

I will be sharing a great many things, with many definitely being a work in progress and with a purpose!

This work in progress will probably start out slowly! I hope as I get photos taken and cropped, projects photographed, etc. that I'll be able to speed it up some.

So, please come on along and see where this project travels and unfolds! I'd love to have followers and always enjoy comments, suggestions, and ideas!

Sew, come on along and I hope you enjoy the threads!

Welcome!

I love to sew and craft.

I'm relearning to crochet and knit. I never knew a lot, but have found I remember less than I thought! Relearning and progressing is a learning curve that will probably never end! I'm continuously amazed at what I see that people have designed, created, and share. The inter net is a WEALTH of info to clean from, drool over, and dream about!

I also love to do charitable work and firmly believe we have a responsibility to sow what we can and live a frugal live which includes sharing where we can. So, most of my creations are for donation to favorite projects. So here I will be sharing what I create, upcycle and recycle as I am able, and for those who I'm able to help out in some way.

I will also do some projects to sell to cover the postage and expenses for what I can share and help others by providing.

You'll see all that here and maybe a little more!