Finally, I had some time...And, a little bit of Junk Love

...to finish and work on projects!  This is what I've been up to!  (Yes, that is a plastic wrap closure from a package of bread holding that tail.  Mom, taught me that one!)

This cute cotton toddler's hat!

I taught a class of girls ages 7 to 17 Friendship Bracelets!  We had loads of fun!

I found this 100% linen tablecloth in a thrift store.  I normally am not a "green" girl, but for some reason, I was drawn and knew immediately what I wanted to make!

I used this pattern.

Made a great pair of shorts!

And, one of my current handiwork projects is...

this hand embroidery kit I found in the thrift store which included four white pillowcases to embroider.  Only one of the pillowcases and only the first two scalloped-edge work was done on it!  Fortunately, I found the same color of floss in my stash (with much searching and comparing)....SCORE!

Thank you for visiting!

HAPPY SEWING!

Junk Love With a Little Raqs Sharqi

...which is commonly known as, belly dancing!

This is what I do to release and it's good exercise for you!  I've grown up with the dance, as my mom and aunt belly danced back in the day.  The costumes are beautiful and you know I have to make my own.

I purchased this asian-inspired dress at my local thrift store.  Funny, my mom (who was visiting at the time) and another customer was admiring the dress and then asked what I was going to do with it?  I told them I was cutting it up to make a costume.  They both looked at me in disbelief, then mom said, "I'm glad I'm leaving so that I will not see when you cut this dress."

I believe the black stretch velvet piece and the flowers were added to the initial dress.  So, this might have been used for a costume previously.  Anyhow, I found a tutorial on Flickr by MishaKitty on covering a bra and she has other tutorials based on belly dance gear.

I cut the dress in half and used the two bottom pieces to make a 2-panel skirt with side ties, which I will wear over a yoga pant, a full tiered skirt, or the balloon-like pants (can't think of the name, right now).

I've cut the pieces to cover the bra and am starting to hand-stitch the fabric and will later adorn with thrift store costume jewelry and medallions!  I love the color purple and this was perfect for me!

These cute decorative fabric pieces were on the dress as closures at the top.  I'll find use for them in either this project or another.

Well, I sent pics to mom and she loved it!  I'll be sure to show the finished ensemble when I'm done!

Oh, and by the way my stage/dance name is Layan, which was given to me by my dear friend Malak!  Layan means good and wealthy life!

Thanks for visiting!  Peace and Junk Love!

WooHoo Wednesday! Junk Love

I will have to say that this has been a crazy week!  I've decided to go back to school, after twenty-something years.  I am so excited and nervous ALL at once!  The children go back on August 16, so I'm prepping for their return, as well!

Everyone knows when my hubby returns from working out of state, we have a garage sale, thrift store 2-day extravaganza!  It was cancelled to help a friend!  However, we just went 'looking' on the day he was to leave.  It was meant for us to 'look' on this particular day!

We got a deal...4 walnut vintage chairs for our dining room for $20!  That was hubby's find!

Housecoat for $1.  This pic does not do it justice.  The colors are so vibrant and the flowers are 'poufy' and raised.  I'm thinking...refashion!  Not sure what, yet!

Pair of pants (still with original tags) for $1!  I love this print!  This will be a recycle project...a 'Pinwheel' or 'Broken Dishes' baby quilt!

This Christening gown for $1.50!  Some stains, but love the embroidery work!  Not sure what recycle project this will become.

a closer look of the detailed work!

Now, one of the best things I found rolled-up in-between boxes...only $5!

This vintage full size bed quilt!  All hand sewn!

I took very special care in cleaning this beautiful quilt by an unknown quilter.  Now, it is on my bed!

I also found several vintage sewing machines!  Did not purchase...yet!  Our friend and neighbor who owns one of the local thrift store, just so happened to be making room for new inventory and that's how we all got excellent prices for our finds!  You know I'll keep checking on the sewing machines, periodically!

Until next time,
Peace and Junk Love!

A Re-Fashion, Recycle

I should have taken a 'before' photo of this project, but forgot to.  Sorry!

This fabric was once a women's sheath (dress).  I found at my favorite place, the thrift store, and it was only $2.99!  I love the pink flowers!

The white cotton halter lining and underskirt is a perfect flat bed sheet for $1.99!

She loves it!

...and, so do I!

HAPPY SEWING!

T-Shirt Refashion

Hi All!



Just a quick update. My Etsy Shop will re-open in August/September 2009. I have been really busy working on custom orders. And, shopping around for new fabrics and items for new creations for my shops!



So, for a break and to feed my creativity with other ideas other than what I'm working on at the moment; here's a tee refashion. I see these cute ruffle tops in stores and decided to make various versions for myself and friends. The pic does not do justice, sorry. It's made for a much more shapely dress form, which was being used by another project.

All you need are two tees. Make sure your base tee is a size larger than what you normally wear. If you would like the tutorial, click on the title of this blog. So, what do you think?

HAPPY SEWING!

T-Shirt to Halter Tutorial

My teenage daughter loves her t-shirts! We did spring cleaning in her packed closet and she refused to get rid of her t-shirts. I told her we would put them into a bag until I could think of what to do with them. My first thoughts were donation or car rags. After I calmed, I had to think of how to recycle these t-shirts. Pillows, totes, etc. I needed to do something fresh. So, it's been pretty warm here (80 degrees +) and decided on a halter. Now the 6 year old wants her t-shirts recycled into halters.

It's really easy to do and I'll show you how!

Start with a t-shirt; scissors; trim or ribbon (for tie); 1/2" wide elastic; pie tin or french curve ruler. And, of course thread to match and sewing machine.

Cut the front and the back of t-shirt as follows:

Cut off the ribbing of the t-shirt.

Fold the t-shirt about 1/8" toward the wrong side at the sleeve and neck areas; stitch. At the neckline, fold another 3/4" creating a casing for the trim to feed through; stitch.

Cut a length of elastic to fit across the back for desired fit. At the back, fold t-shirt 3/4" toward the wrong side with the elastic encased in the fold. Pin the elastic short ends in place. Stretch the elastic as you sew, stitch down the elastic middle to secure. See pic below.


Pin a safety pin to one trim or ribbon short end. Thread/feed the pinned end through the neck casing. Gather the t-shirt at the neckline. Make sure the trim/ribbon is long enough to tie around neck. Remove the pin; cut and knot the trim/ribbon ends.

You're done!

Have fun!

SEWed Up!...Pin Cushions and Great Photography

I purchased a bag of vintage hankies. I just HAD to have them! I knew I could do something with them, but didn't know what. Then, "eureka" - how about pin cushions? Yeah, pin cushions!

More importantly, my daughter took the photo. She is a budding photographer/graphic artist at 15 years old! She set-up the whole display. I have a table near my desk area of books and stationary. I love how she made the photo 'vintage-looking' and added something special for mom on the bottom left!

So, this post is 'kudos' for my daughter, Alexis. Good job!

My Signature Piece

SEWButterfly...sewed a butterfly!

SEWed Up!...more slippers for baby girl

Slippers for my 'baby girl', who will be six years old tomorrow! Happy Birthday!

I have been promising her that I would make her new slippers. I used blue jeans, scrap fabric for the lining, batting, and non-slip grip for the outer soles.

I traced her foot right onto the jeans and cut out the soles in denim, non-slip grip and batting. I then cut out the slipper top in denim and the lining fabric.

Right sides together, I sewed the heels of each slipper top piece. Opened the seams and pressed. With right sides together of slipper top (denim and lining fabric), I sewed the inside top. Turned fabric right sides out and pressed.

Added a 3" piece of 3/4" elastic, at the back between the lining and denim. Stretching and sewing 2" past the center seam on both sides. This is so that the slipper will not fall off of the heel. Basted the bottom of the slipper top closed. Made another basting stitch around the toe area for gathering. I sewed a nice trim on the outside.

I sandwiched the slipper soles (non-slip grip on wrong side, batting, denim right side up). Sew through all thickness. Put right side of slipper top to wrong side of sole sandwich (which is the non-slip grip side). Sew through all thickness. Turn right side out. You're done!

She loves them!

SEWed Up!...Grocery Tote w/matching Mini Carryall

I love this bag! It was made from sheets!

While thrifting with my husband, I found this colorful and fun sheet and made my grocery tote. I added a mini carryall for change, I.D. and lip gloss. I make the mini carryalls because I do not want to carry a purse and my bags. I particularly like this style of tote because of it's wide handle/strap - it's 3" wide. It's a good size bag and measures 20"w x 20"l and the mini carryall measures 13"w x 5"l.

I really try to remember and carry my bags to the grocery store. The totes I've made from canvas are kept in my car so that I will not forget. My prettier ones stay in the house for mall or other shopping.

This week, what will you carry?

Happy Weekend!