Old T Shirts = New Skirts, Another Refashion Adventure!

I love taking something old and out of date, or out of fashion and making something new out of it.  I wish I had more time to play in my sewing room.  It's so run to create new things.  Refashion is a passion of mine!  I have refashioned old clothes, sweatshirts and more.  Recently, I came across a cute skirt on Etsy.  I don't even remember what I was originally looking for!  This skirt is adorable!   I knew I wanted one for myself. This particular skirt wasn't my size. If you want to see the skirts she has for sale, click on the photo.  I wrote to the seller to ask her if she sold directions.  She was so sweet!  She told me about the book that inspired her.   I ordered it right away!!  And, then I ordered another one for my granddaughter!

 There are a ton of ideas in this book.  Most of them are for a younger person (than me), but the ideas really open up a whole lot of creative thought about what you can do with old T Shirts.  If you want to read more about this book, click on the picture.

Rather than throw them away because they have a stain or a tear, why not take that old, used T Shirt and refashion it in to something brand new.  Something wonderful!!  Something totally fun! 

I went through my old clothes and gathered anything that was made of T Shirt material.  I started to see my T Shirts as a new fabric source. 

Let me tell you.  I have a lot of T Shirts that I don't wear anymore.  I'm so glad that I didn't get rid of them!  

I piled them on my sewing table and sorted by color.  

I chose three T Shirts to combine for my first, experimental skirt.  I thought that these patterns would look great together.  I love black.  You can never go wrong with black.  The T Shirt in the middle was never even worn.  When I got it home, the pattern was just to big and too overwhelming for me.  Now it's going to be perfect for my new skirt. 

After the T Shirts were chosen, I cut them open all the way on the sides. 

Next, I made a pattern piece.  I used some heavy paper that I already had.  I used the measurement from the book.  I believe it was my waist, plus four inches, divided by six.  I made the top of the pattern piece slightly smaller than the bottom to give the skirt some flare.  

I used weights whenever I can get away with not pinning.  I simply laid my pattern piece on the fabric to my liking.  I wanted to get as much of the design as I could, but I also hoped to have enough design for perhaps another piece or a pocket.  That's why I didn't lay my pattern piece right in the middle.

Cut it out. 

There you have it.  My first pattern piece.  Repeat six times.

Side note.  When I showed my finished skirt to my daughter, she thought it was too narrow for her taste.   I agreed.  My second pattern piece was much wider at the bottom.  My third try was wider still.  The third skirt with the wider bottom has the most "flare" and is my favorite!

Next, take each pattern piece and pin them to each other.  I did them one at a time.  Pin two pieces together.  Sew.  Pin the then piece, LOOK AT IT before you sew.  Make sure that it looks the way you want it.  You can change the order of the pieces.  I chose to alternate solid and prints.

Here is my first skirt before I sewed the final pieces together.  I was satisfied with the result.   

I used my serger for this project, but you can use a zigzag stitch on your sewing machine.  The book even shows people how to hand sew their project.  Side note.  The serger I have is from Walmart.  I have read lots of comments telling folks to avoid this machine.  I disagree.  It's really affordable (under $200).  The better machines are a REAL investment.  Walmart offers a 3 year warranty on the machine for only $20.  For $200, you will have a serger for at least three years.  That's worth it to me.  It's complicated to thread, but after you've done it a few times, it's not so bad.

I made the waist band from the bottom of a T Shirt.  I just measured about four inches tall.  For the width, take your actual waist measurement and add an inch.  That should be fine.

I folded the piece in half longways and sewed it to the top of the skirt, right sides together.  

I made my own little adjustment here that was not in the book.  I snipped a little opening on the side and inserted a piece of elastic about half the size of my waist with a long piece of ribbon on each end.  The ribbon hangs out of the opening and it tied in a bow.  This gives me a very comfortable and adjustable waist band.  And, the ribbon is a pretty touch.  

Here is my finished skirt.  Front. 

Back.

Option.  I thought it might be fun to add a pocket.  As a photographer, I'm always wanting more pockets.  Who wouldn't want extra pockets?  They were easy to add and they come in very handy.  I have plans for more pocket ideas in the future, so check back.

Okay.  Truth.  After I piled all of those T Shirts on my table, I didn't actually "like" them.  So, I went to the store to buy some cheap T Shirts for my next skirt.  Guess what?  I discovered that the larger size T Shirts have a LOT more fabric for the same price!  I bought the largest sizes I could find.  Woo Hoo!

I have made three skirts for myself and they are my FAVORITE thing to wear. So So Comfy!  And cute!  I get compliments on them every time!

here are all three.

I love my skirts so much!  I wear them as is and I love to put on leggings if it's chilly.  

On a recent visit to my son's house, I made a skirt for both my granddaughters and my daughter in law.  Here they are modeling their skirts for you! 

I loved my skirt for hiking.  It was so comfy!  I want to make more in a variety of colors and patterns. 

If you make a skirt, I would love to see it!  Find me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or Instagram and share your pic!  If you like the skirt and don't want to make one, click on the first skirt above and you will find more skirts on Etsy....they are not made by me....but there are lots of choices!

Maternity Tutu

I was looking at photography websites and I saw some beautiful pictures of pregnant ladies with amazing full length tutus.  Here is the website, her photos are amazing: http://loridorman.com/  I wanted to try to take a similar picture of my daughter and I thought I could make a tutu for her.  I procrastinated as usual and suddenly time was running out.  My daughter came over and helped me make the tutu and then she posed for the picture.  I went online and got some great ideas for making the tutu and here is what we did.

I chose these colors because I LOVE THEM and I knew that they would look good on my daughter.

I made a quick measure of how long I wanted it to be and then I just laid out the fabric and started cutting in to strips.

I found some ribbon in my stash that looked good with the fabric and I started to tie the strips on to the fabric.  It took a few tries to get all the knots to face the same way.  Also,

I was tempted to pull too tightly on the knots.  They are much prettier when they are loose.  I just tied the end of the ribbons to keep it in place.

And, here is the tutu!  Lovely! (if I may say so myself!)

And, here is my beautiful daughter (9 months pregnant) posing for me.  

By the way....this is my first photo since taking my photography class.  I got flustered with the camera controls....I have sooooo much to learn!

Isn't she pretty?  Still my princess.  Now...for the baby!
 

St. Patrick's Day T Shirt Applique instructions

Just in time for St. Patrick's Day!  Show your GREEN with a simple shamrock applique on a regular T Shirt.  

Materials you will need:


a t shirt (I used black)
some green fabric
shamrock clip art printed out on paper 
scissors
green thread
green sequins
fray check


Step 1.  Print out some Shamrock shapes.  Download some shamrock shapes from the internet and print them in various sizes on regular paper.   (go to www.google.com, at the top of the page choose "images", next type in "shamrock clipart", enter.  You will have a variety of images to choose from.)

Step 2.  Cut the shamrocks out on paper to use as templates for tracing on to fabric.  I recommend that you pin the paper templates to your shirt while wearing it to see where the best placement will be. 

Step 3.  Choose your fabric. I looked at my stash of fabric and I chose this green satin/lining fabric.  It's shiny and festive and VERY green.  I used the paper template and traced the shapes on to the fabric with a black felt pen (magic marker- I used a medium point).

The tracing came through on the front as well, which is fine, because the tracing is not going to show, the trim will cover it up.

Step 4 Choose some trim.  I wanted my shamrock to be blinged out, so I looked in my stash of sequins and I found some green.    

Step 5  Cut out your fabric Shamrock.  Please notice that I did NOT trim to the very edge of the shamrock.  I intended to fold in under as I attached it so that it would not fray and also to give it a little bit of a puffy-ness.  This worked out great for me.  

Step 6 Fray check your fabric (if needed).  This green was sure to fray, so I applied Fray Check to the edges and let it dry before attaching it to my shirt.  You can see the dried fray check around the edges.  

Step 7 Sew on the Shamrock and sequins/trim.  Turn the edges of the shamrock under as you on the sequin/trim strip by hand, adjusting as you go.



Alternate idea: If you want to cut your shamrock to the edge, I recommend that you apply some iron on bonding to your applique and iron it on to the t shirt before applying your trim.  Either way would look great.  

Once it was done, I ironed it inside out to get out any wrinkles.

My t shirt is very stretchy, so it looks a little puckered when laying flat, but when I have it on, it looks smooth.  

Step 8 Enjoy your new shirt!


There you have it!  A very fun and festive and completely unique St. Patricks Day T Shirt, designed and created by YOU!  Please feel free to email me with any questions, I would be happy to help if I can.  steph@luluscottage.com

My Pajama Jean review (and repair!)

I first heard about Pajama Jeans from my BFF.  She had a pair when she was visiting me and I tried them on and fell in love.  I didn't fall in love with the price however.  These are jeans that look great.  They feel soft and comfy.  They look like regular jeans, so you can wear them in public. 

I got my own Pajama Jeans for Christmas in a special with two pair, one black and one indigo.  Here is my personal review of Pajama Jeans for you. 

I purposely ordered one size larger that my girlfriend's jeans, even though hers fit me great.  I wanted mine to be loose and comfy, so I ordered one size larger.  

When I got them, I loved them!!  The T shirts were not a great fit for me, but I didn't care, because I'm picky when it comes to t-shirts.  Well, admittedly, I'm picky about all my clothes!  I want comfort and style.  I love soft fabrics that are stretchy, and that describes Pajama Jeans perfectly.  Plus they came in a cute gift box.

I found that the black pair were tighter than the blue jean (indigo) pair, even though they are the same size.  So, I kept choosing to wear the blue jeans more.  I also found the color of the black jeans to be a disappointment.  They are a very faded black.  Who wants to wear brand new jeans that already look like they're worn out?  Oh wait, I know that a lot of people like that in blue jeans....but black should be BLACK!  Right?

Here is the black with the blue jeans.  I've never worn the black ones, but I have worn and washed the blue ones probably 7 times.  The blue ones are almost darker than the black.

And, here are the black jeans next to a pair of Nordstrom jeans that I have had for over 15 years and still wear...I mean I have worn these jeans A LOT!  They have faded over time and they are the same color as the brand new Pajama Jeans.

Here are the black ones next to a brand new pair of Target jeans which cost a fraction of the price.  The target ones are much darker.

As for the blue jeans.  They are not holding up well.  For the price, I would like for them  to last.  But, they are wearing out in the back seam.  Sure, that is the seam that gets the most stress.  But, these jeans are NOT tight on me at all.  They have no reason to be wearing out so soon.

 

Maybe it's because the fabric is so soft.  It seems to me that they could have put a stronger kind of seam here.

I decided to reinforce it and see if that solves the problem.

 

 

I adjusted to the smallest stitch length on my sewing machine.

 

I sewed right outside of the original stitch.

 And then I went back over the same area right next to it. 

 

Just like new.  I wore them today, and so far so good.  I can't keep doing this, eventually it won't work any more.  

Would I buy these jeans again?  I wanted to.  But, at this point, I would have to say no.  Would I recommend them?  If you want something that looks great and is really comfortable, they fit the bill.  But, I would NOT recommend the black and be ready for them to have the same problem that I had.