The Tight Turtleneck

 Hello Readers. I am going to refashion all green pieces in March because it is going to be St. Patrick's Day this month. I am Irish so I am into it. I thought it would be a fun sewing challenge for myself. I had also collected a lot of green pieces in my stash so this is a good way to make sure I get some "new" green clothes for myself.

Before and after. 

This turtleneck was so small it was difficult to pull over my head. It was so tight it wiped all my make-up off. I don't like turtlenecks that much anyway. I knew this one would have to go.

I cut the turtle neck off. I left about 1/4 of an inch of fabric. This is important. I need the extra so I could sew it down later. 

I found a small hole in the sleeve and I thought short sleeves would be great for spring so...

I cut the sleeves into a short sleeve length. I made sure the hole was cut off when I cut the sleeves.

I also cut the wrist bands off and saved them for later. I will use them to finish the sleeves.

I got some matching thread and stitched the neck band down. I tucked that 1/4 of an inch of extra fabric under and into the sweater. I stitched on the outside of the neckline and from the outside it looks like a round shaped neckline was always there.

I used the wristbands at the ends of my new short sleeves. I put the right sides together and used a zigzag stitch to stitch the edges together. The sewing will be hidden inside. The zigzag stitch means the sleeves would have some give and stretch. That will make them more comfortable to wear. 

My new short sleeved NON-turtleneck sweater was ready to go. It could be worn anytime but it also works for St. Patrick's Day. Thanks for reading along, now go make something fun for yourself. 

*Year End Note From Chickie- This sweater is still a favorite even after a year. It worked for Christmas too.

Green T

 Hello Readers. What should I do with a green T shirt from a camp I never went to? I decided to refashion it into pajamas. I could have just worn it the way it was but it's more fun to refashion.

 

Before and after. 

 

This very basic camp t-shirt could use a makeover. I liked the green and St Patrick's Day is in March. Can I refashion all green items this month? It will be fun to try.

I cut the center out of the shirt. I cut away a pie shape to remove the logo.

I used that piece to cut out a replacement. I put the piece from the camp shirt on top of the lighter green shirt and cut a piece the same exact size. The light green shirt did not fit so I wanted to use it for something.

My new pajama shirt was easy to put together. I wanted some light green edging. 

 

I cut strips of light green t-shirt material for the trim. It curled up a lot and was annoying to work with. I folded each strip horizontally and stitched them onto the edges of my shirt.

 

 

The shirt was perfect for these pajama pants. The pants just needed to be a bit shorter and more narrow in the legs. I cut some excess from the inside of the legs so I could keep the pockets in place on the hips.

    My new pajamas were perfect to lounge around. I wasn't feeling well and I just wanted to be a a couch potato. Thanks for reading along, now go make something fun for yourself.

Using LLR Leggings

 Hello Readers. Real talk. I needed new underwear and it led to this sewing project. I could have bought underwear but I decided to make my own custom fitted underwear. And I am really glad I did.

 

Before and after. 

 

I don't want you to think this is a blog that is going to hate on leggings. It's not. I love stretchy pants as much as any middle-aged woman. But when I was cleaning up and putting away laundry I realized that I had collected a lot of leggings. It seemed to be too many pairs. I couldn't fit them all in one drawer. That was too many. I was trying to figure out where to put all the leggings and thought I should maybe get rid of some. I saved all the solid colors to wear and decided to use the wild patterns for something I needed.

I decided to make underwear. (Note*If you are looking for tips on how to make sexy lingerie, this is not the right place. I am making boring, full coverage granny panties here.) I took all the leggings and got to work. I cut the waistband off the leggings and saved it for later.

 

I cut the legs apart along  the inner leg seam so I could spread the fabric out. I used my underwear pattern from Megan Nielsen Patterns. This is a great pattern. You can go to her site to see all the patterns she has for sale.  (*Not an ad. She doesn't know me.)

 

  Why did I decide to make underwear? Because I needed some new underwear. I almost bought some but then I said, "Wait!" I could make my own with this super soft legging fabric.

 

I made a lot of underwear. There are a few pairs that didn't get in the picture.

 

 I put the waistband back on the underwear instead of making a waistband as the pattern directed. It was faster and it made them a little more high at the waist than the pattern called for. That is the fun of sewing, you decide what you want to make and how it should fit you. 

 

I used the rest of the legging fabric too. 

 

 I cut squares and put them together to make wash clothes. These are so soft and gentle, especially around the eyes. I just serged the edges of 2 squares together.

 

I made as many wash clothes as I could because you can't have too many. These will be great.

These were so soft on my face too. Thanks for reading along, now go make something fun for yourself.

*Year End Note From Chickie- This underwear turned out great. Some of the lace fell apart after a few months of washing. It was very disappointing.