Thursday, October 09, 2008

A project!

It's been a long time since I made anything. The sewing machine has actually been under the table for awhile, but I got it back out today and had a pretty good afternoon.

I got started making legwarmers, since Anna's refusing to wear pants, and legwarmers are $5 at Target. For less than that, I can get a nice wool sweater at Goodwill and cut it up and have lots of fun. I like to try and find sweaters that people have already washed accidentally, because then I don't feel so bad cutting it up.

Here are the 3 sweaters I started with. The dark one and the pink one were "pre-felted" wool, and the Tommy Hilfiger was all stretched out. It was pretty, but cotton, so I wasn't sure how it would work.

To make leg warmers out of a wool sweater, all you have to do is felt it, and then cut the sleeves off at the arm, straight across. It makes a kind of cropped sleeve sweater when you're done. I use pinking shears, but I don't think it matters. Usually that's all you need to do. Then pull them on the little legs and you're done.

For the cotton sweater, I had to make the tube a little narrower, so that it would stay up. Just turn it inside out and sew a line along side the seam, then turn it back right side out and try it on. Repeat until it fits, and then cut off your excess.

Then I had the bodies of the sweaters to work with, so I made this little bag first. I think it's fun that you can reach through the neck to grab something small, or lift the flap for big things.


Out of the cotton sweater, after much fiddling, I made this little dress for Anna. I'm pretty happy with it.


I posted all of this to Craftster. Eeek!

6 comments:

Roach Momma said...

Wowee! Very impressive. I'll have to keep those ideas in mind for Keira when she's older. Heck, I may even have to make some for her to wear with dresses this winter. Baby tights are pricy as well and a pain with changing diapers. First I must make Halloween costumes, though :)

Susan said...

SO cute! I want a bag. And a dress. And leg warmers.

Jenny said...

Those are really cute! What great ideas!

betsyann said...

For baby, you could make some out of kids sweaters, or even from socks! Just cut the feet off. I made some like that once.

I think Halloween costumes are daunting, I don't know why.

Amanda Stehlik said...

I am in awe! You are a sewing genious.

easton's momma said...

Very impressive! The dress is very cute!