DIY T-Shirt Revamp with Lace

For the last couple of weeks I've been showing you some t-shirt revamps that I've been doing to help diminish my ill-fitting t-shirt pile in my closet. One of my all time favorite t-shirts is one that I got from a Swell Season concert several years back. It is a light, breezy t-shirt that has shrunk after too many washes. When I saw this tank top with lace on the side...I knew what I had to do!

I found some white lace from a used craft materials store but didn't really like the high contrast between the off white t-shirt and the bright white lace so...I dyed it!

I made up a giant pot of coffee, brought it to a boil and then put my lace panels in for about two hours. I rinsed it out until the water ran clear and let it dry overnight. I'm really happy with the color that it turned and am hoping it doesn't fade too much over time.

I stitched in the lace triangles today and voilà!

From Pants to Shorts!

I decided that I needed some new jean shorts. Instead of pay the $22.50 for the pair that I wanted from the store...I revamped a pair of pants that had shrunk and were too short for me. Yay for saving $22.50!

True to my style, I didn't measure anything before I started cutting away. It did take me a couple tries to make sure that everything was reasonably straight, though. The roll technique helps cover some mistakes, too. I did add some fabric glue to the inside of the rolls, though, to make sure they stay put.

Reusable Produce Bag

Somebody mentioned to me the idea of reusing produce bags (somehow I never had thought of it before!) so when I saw this tutorial...I was ready to give it a try! I had some extra mesh fabric in my stash so I got to it. I've used it once so far and am happy with how it went! I probably should make more, though, because who just buys one vegetable at a time?!

Felt Stuffed Tree

Last month we went to a friend's farm up in Washington. While we were there, her cat got stuck in a tree two times. One time the cat ended up falling quite a ways and the second time, our friend ended up crawling up after her. I figured this cat might be a bit afraid of trees because of this, so I thought I would make her a little stuffed tree that she could bond with.

New Square Block Curtains

We have a little window in our bedroom that has first been blocked off by a shirt then later a scarf and now finally...a custom sewed curtain!

Close up of curtain

Curtain in context of room

I had some leftover squares from this project (finally down to only two squares left!) so I decided to use them for the curtain. The squares are linen so it will still let in some light, which I'm happy with. I was a little short on squares so I used some other fabric that I had leftover from this project to add a little more length. I'm so happy with how my curtain turned out!

DIY Farmers' Market Embroidered Tote Bag

Brace yourself for the cutest little tote bag ever...

I mean, that is too cute to handle, right? I may never even use this because it is so darn cute. You too can make your own adorable bag...inspiration and instructions are from here.

Knitting Project Update

I've been slowly knitting away, folks! Isn't it so pretty?!

DIY Polka Dot Silver Glitter Shirt

Ever since I made my dino shirt, I really have wanted to decorate a couple other plain shirts that I had sitting in my closet. I got it in my head that I wanted to do a polka dot shirt...so I did.

All you need to make your own is fabric paint (this is what I used) and a rubbery wine cork (like Barefoot wines). Just dip the cork into the paint and put it on the shirt. You might need to do a couple layers to get the look you want. I think I had to do about three coats. I also just eyeballed the placement but if you could always use masking tape to double check your spacing. Let each side dry for four or so hours...then it should be wearable...and washable! 

Stuffed Cloud and Raindrops

I love making little stuffed things so when I saw this idea over here, I knew I had to make one. Especially because we live in Oregon where it rains ALL THE TIME.

Captain America Superhero Mask

A while back I made some superhero masks for the boys I nanny. I neglected to make the Captain America mask because I didn't have the right color blue at the time. The six year old has mentioned a couple times now how he would really like a Captain America mask so I finally got around to making one for him!

Cozy Whale Stuffed Animal

Time: An hour?
Listening to: Murder She Wrote
Drinking: Diet Coke

My little niece just needed one of these...so I made her one!

How is that for a backdrop?!

Square Stuffed Felt Horse

Time: An hour?
Listening to: Murder She Wrote
Drinking: Diet Pepsi

I've been wanting to make one of these for my nephew for some time now. So I did it! I hope he likes his little stuffed horse!

Long Term Knitting Project

I love having long term knitting projects going on because then you don't have to constantly be thinking of what your next project will be! I've been wanting to make a sort of shrug/shawl thing for a while now. JoAnn's had a 50% sale on yarn a few weeks back so I stocked up on this gorgeous purple yarn!

Here is what I have so far:

So much more to go! Yay!

DIY T-shirt Dress

Time: A couple hours
Listening to: Ellie Goulding
Drinking: Two buck chuck

I've been seeing ideas like this around quite a bit and have itching to make one myself. So here it is!

 

It is actually a skirt sewed onto a t-shirt. I also sewed a belt to go around it to help some of the elastic lie better.  The tutorial I linked to above is super helpful so I won't try to improve on it!

Simple Tank with Contrasting Ties

Time: A couple hours
Listening to: Grace and the Nocturnals (my current craft-to obsession)
Drinking: Twinings Chai Tea

My lovely sister gave me some perrty fabric for Christmas and I was itching to work with it. She also happened to send me a shirt idea like this one months and months and months ago...so I figured it was destined!

It is a little bigger than I like currently so I will have to do some tweaking. I do like how it looks on my dressform, though!

A close up of the side and sleeve

Day 362: Heart & Arrow Carved Ornament

My lovely sister-in-law is getting married TODAY!

I really wanted to make a little something for them but since they are moving across country in the new year it couldn't be too big. They met at a camp earlier this year so when I saw this little ornament idea here...I knew this is what I wanted to make for them. What better than a little woodsy ornament with their initials carved in?!

Day 361: Paperclip Bow Bookmarks

Time: An hour
Listening to: All on the Line

I saw these adorable little bow bookmarks and desperately needed to make them! They are just too cute to not make.

Day 360: Friendly Felt Ornaments!

Time: An hour
Listening to: All On The Line

I am loving on felt animals this holiday season! I saw these guys here and couldn't resist making my own! Aren't they so cute?!

Day 357: Furry Friends Mobile

Time: An hour?
Listening to: Christmas Mix

Back on day 331 I mentioned there was more to come to this project...and here it has finally arrived! I assembled the furry friends into a little mobile for my lovely little niece. I hope she loves it!

Day 356: Two Colored Infinity Scarf

Time: An hour
Listening to: Silence

I wanted to make an infinity scarf (similar to Day 332 ) for a friend for Christmas so I found two pieces of fabric that I love and got to it!