~Tuesday Tutorial~ Sweater leggings

 So I have always liked leg warmers. Thankfully for me, they are coming back into fashion now and I no longer look like an outdated weirdo who doesn’t keep up with the times. Oh wait,  that's is how I will always dress.

 Anyhow, I knit myself a pair and love them. But I wanted more and didn’t want to take the time required for knitting them from scratch.

 I  tried the upcycling an old sweater method and decided to share it with you here today. How to turn a sweater into leg warmers.

So I picked up an old sweater at Salvation Army for $1.50 that I felt would cut up nicely and that I liked the sleeves. The whole sweater by itself is rather ugly really, but I only wanted the sleeves.

I cut off the bottom ribbing and the sleeves of the sweater. 

I cut the bottom ribbing down to pieces the same length as the top of the sleeves and surged the ends together.

Then I surged them onto the raw edges of the sleeves.

And viola, I had leg warmers. As a note, if you don't have a surger, they you will want to use a zigzag stitch on your machine. As it allows for stretch and also finishes the edge.

I think they are a fun way of adding a splash of color to an otherwise boring outfit. I have lost count of the number of compliments I have gotten on these. Plus, they are super warm which is a plus, especially for all this snow in March we are getting here.

Have fun cutting up all the old sweaters you can get your hands on. I know I am going to be making some more! Just picked up some more sweaters at a goodwill clearance rack since it is spring. So I will be prepared next winter.

Toodles

Tuesday Tutorial ~ hand painted totes

I am not sure this classifies as a tutorial. Rather step-by-step pics on some stuff I have done.

I decided to try my hand at painting as it was one of the few things I hadn't attempted yet. As I am very fabrics oriented I of course got fabric paints and some hand totes to paint on.

They are just basic canvas totes. (I cheated and got them from Walmart. But I was making them as gifts and needed them rather soonish.)

The first one I did was a horse head (for a horse lover friend.) I started with drawing the basic lines with a disappearing ink.

Then I added more detailed lines with the wash out pen.

Then I got out the paints. I used Tulip soft fabric paints.

I added the basic lined and shading with black.

Then I used brown for the mane and added dimension.

Went back with the black and continued to fill in.

Then I added some gold into the mane and as other highlighting. You can't really see it in the picture. But it is there.

Here it is without the blue and purple lines. I was happy with how it turned out.

Next I had a theatre friend whom I was making one for. So I did one with drama faces on it.

For this one I printed off the faces and used a scalpel to cut it out and then traced them onto the bag.

Both faces traced on.

Then I free handed her name in.

Painted it all with black.

Added gold shading.

A closer up on the shading.

That was my adventure into painting. Haven't done anything since, but I want to. One day I shall find time again.

I enjoyed it.

That's all for now.

Toodles

~Tuesday Tutorial ~ Up-cycled t-shirts

So what do you do on a cold rainy day?

Pull out the bag of way too big old t-shirts and start up-cycling!

I used a Men's Medium t-shirt and made it into a short sleeve shrug/jacket thing.

Here is the basic layout on how I cut the t-shirt out.

The strips that I cut off of the bottom I sewed together and they became the ruffled edging all around. 

Then on the sleeves I did a double tulip sleeve. 

I should have taken more picture probably in the process, but I find I just get so busy and have so much fun with the projects that I forget to take pictures... 

But it was all very simple and basic. I started by cutting the t-shirt down. Then I sewed up the side seams. Then I sewed all the strips together and ran them through a rolled hem stitch which gave it the ruffled edge.

Then I sewed the edging onto the body of the garment all the way around.

Then for the sleeves I cut open the t-shirt sleeves and cut out double tulips. Ran them through the rolled hem ass well, then put them together and sewed them into the armholes. It all went together super quickly and easily!!!

My tulip sleeve tutorial can be found here.

I love it and will be doing this again.

As always, feel free to ask any questions!

Toodles 

Tuesday Tutorial ~ Paper flower

Today's tutorial is going to be for the paper flower that I make.

First start with a book.

I just use the readers digest condensed books because then I don't feel bad when I tear out several pages. 

Then cut four circles in varying sizes, large to small.

Fold each circle in half.

Then quarters.

Then eights.

All four circles folded in eights.

Trim the edges of each wedge. 

All trimmed up. 

Unfold them to make the petals.

Roll/crumple them all up.

Light a candle.

Lightly burn the ends.

Shake off the excess ashes.

You might need to burn it a few times to get the right about.

Unfold the petals and shape.

You will want to cup the petals and round them slightly.

Continue to shake off any extra burns paper.

Glue the petals together largest to smallest.

Now cut a strip of paper from the book,

Roll/pleat it up.

Burn the end.

Unfold it.

You can burn it more to give it more texture.

Roll it up.

Glue it to the center of the flower.

And it is finished. You can use it as a gift bow or glue it to a hair clip for your hair. I spray mine with a clear acrylic finish to make it water proof for my hair.

That is all for now. Just ask if you have any question!

Toodles.