Jacquie's Up-Cycle Nation: Spirited Frocks

Halloween week has arrived!

 Halloween is the perfect up-cycle opportunity to create magic out of cast offs and everyday items.  These Etsy up-cycle artists have you covered for Halloween, Renaissance Fair, community theatre and every other costume-worthy occasion.

 

 

Let out your inner monster with up-cycled creepy embellishments from KendallMade.  Creations in this Etsy shop clothe all ages.  Perfect for pint sized frights and everyday fun.

This fabulous fox mask, available from Pete Talbot Art, will set you apart from the everyday Halloween costume.  The best part? It's so well done it can double as wall art the other 364 days of the year.

Irishandmore makes beautiful, quality costumes year round.  Up-cycled from bridal sample dresses, this shop is a must for the Renaissance Fair, Dickens celebration or specialty themed occasions.

Every great costume is topped with the perfect headpiece.  The Dusty Raven makes a stunning crown from recycled wire and his shop is filled with up-cycled wire delights perfect for decorating yourself or your home.

  Want to make your own customized spirited frock? This up-cycled sweater coat tutorial is offered by Katwise.  Her Etsy shop offers vibrant warmth for ever occasion.  Finished coats are also available.

 Please remember to ask shop owners about their policies regarding custom orders and express shipping.

Have a safe and Happy Halloween!

 

LOVE  &  UP-CYCLE NATION!
Jacquie Wheeler

Hand of Bela Peck

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Handofbelapeck?ref=si_shop

http://handofbelapeck1759.blogspot.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hand-of-Bela-Peck/294397987277061?ref=hl

Clever Ideas - Repurposing Old Clothes

I need to make a trip to the Salvation Army to drop off some unwanted and unneeded clothing, but before I do, I think I'll take a second look at what I'm donating first.

Just look at the ideas of things you can make by repurposing clothes...

A coin purse made from a man's shirt cuff. I wonder if my cell phone would fit in there? Hmm, might be a great thing to stash your tampons in too. You'll find instructions here... www.cfabbridesigns.com

How about turning Mom's old t-shirt into a daughter's swimsuit cover-up. This is so cute and looks very easy. Find complete instructions at www.themotherhuddle.com

They're turned old jeans into a cute skirt at www.burdastyle.com

I love this one... old jeans made into a cute apron. Instructions can be found at blog.betzwhite.com

Hope you've found some inspiration!

Deena Davis

www.byyourhands.com

Tuesday Tutorial - DIY Spring Clothing

Does your wardrobe need an update for spring? Try some of these tutorials...


From Sew Mamma Sew at cute spring ruffle top.

How about a spring sundress for the young lady in your life? Find out how it's done at... www.scatteredthoughtsofasahm.blogspot.com

This is a cute ruffled skirt. Instructions can be found at www.scatteredthoughtsofasahm.blogspot.com

Here's a cute way to transform a child's t-shirt into a ruffled dress. Instructions can be found at www.makeit-loveit.com

Happy Spring!

Deena Davis

www.byyourhands.blogspot.com

Let's Make a T-Shirt Pillow!

A few days ago, I spent the afternoon making a t-shirt pillow with my 4 year old son. He was actually quite impressed with the outcome and since I don't sew as much as I used to, he had lots of questions about the sewing machine and what pins were used for. LOL

These pillows can be made from any size t-shirt that's in good condition. We made two of these gems, and both were made from "too small" t-shirts that my boys loved. (What boy doesn't like camo?)

Here's how it's done...

Examine the shirt and make sure it is free of holes and/or stains.

Turn the shirt inside out and smooth out all wrinkles on a flat surface. Be sure to remove any tags that might get in the way.

Line up the sleeves and bottom hem and pin. You will be sewing these openings closed.

Sew across both sleeve openings and across the bottom. I used the stretch-stitch setting on my sewing machine since the fabric has some stretch to it.

Now that the sleeves and bottom are sewn, we need to make a "box seam". Take hold of one corner at the bottom. Line up the bottom seam you just made with the side seam. You will be forming a triangle with the fabric.

To make sure the seams are lined up, I always stick a pin thru the middle of each seam.

Smooth out the corner, remove the pin that you just put in the middle of the seams, pin and sew across the corner about an inch and a half away from the end point.

Trim off the excess leaving a 3/8 inch seam... or something close. Just don't trim it too close.

Do this on both sides of the bottom seam.

Now, turn the shirt right side out through the neck opening, making sure to push all the corners of the sleeves and bottom out.

Stuff the shirt with your favorite stuffing. I used polyester fiber stuffing. Be sure to fill it full to make a nice even pillow.

Now we'll pin the neck opening closed. This can be a little tricky if it's stuffed really full, but it's not hard to do. Take your time.

After pinning, I  sewed the opening closed by hand with a blind hem stitch, but you could also whip stitch it closed.

The outcome should look something like this...

These pillows are fun to make from all sorts of t-shirts and they're really comfy too. You could use school themed t-shirts, shirts from a vacation, or perhaps something your children have outgrown.

Have fun with it!
Deena Davis
www.ByYourHands.com