An Over-all Makeover

 Hello Readers. I love over-alls. Maybe it's because they are so casual and comfortable. What ever the reason is, I love them. These over-alls were great but I didn't really like the distressing on my upper thighs though. Let's fix that.

 Before and after.

 I saw these over-alls at the thrift store and really liked the light wash. I thought the legs were a little long on me so I needed to fix that too.

I unpicked the stitches so that I could unroll the cuffs. 

I cut the white strings out of my way. Then I cut the legs shorter and then I wanted to reattach the hem pieces to the over-alls. You can see I cut about 2 inches from the legs. 

I clipped the hemline pieces back in place and headed to the serger machine. 

I used my serger to put the pant legs back together. 

You can see the seam where I put the legs back together on the left and how I wanted to place the patches to cover the holes in the legs. These patches will cover the holes, cover my legs, and make me more comfortable. 

 

I had a couple more embroidered patches that I decided to throw on these over-alls. Go big or go home!

 

I used my sewing machine to attach the patches. You could also sew them on by hand if you like that
 kind of sewing.

 

I like the patches, the shorter length, and I like my thighs covered. It's a win-win-win. 

 

I even put a heart patch on the back. I have had these little embroidered pieces for a while, I was happy to be able to use them. Thanks for reading along, now go make something fun for yourself.
 

 

 

Valentine Elbow Patches

 Hello Readers. We are in the middle of a series of snow days where I live. It is cold and snowy. I have the perfect sweater for cold weather. And I added some heart shaped elbow pads for a touch Valentine's Day.

 This sweater came all the way from Ireland. Did I go to Ireland and buy a sweater? No. I found this sweater at a clothes swap with the tags still attached. It was brand new! I think someone got a souvenir that they did not want.

 I found a similar sweater online for a price comparison. $279??? I knew they were pricey but I didn't know just how pricey. 

 

 This sweater was a bit big. I think it would have fit my husband. It was sort of square like a men's sweater too.

I decided to wash it. That's right. I washed a wool sweater. I thought it would shrink and fit better. It was risky but I like to live wild! I dried it on low too.

 

 The sweater shrank several inches in length but it did not shrink in width. I was still pleased because I didn't have to try to shorten the sweater. I used a zigzag stitch to make new side seams. I wanted it to fit better but still be roomy enough to wear over other shirts. This is wool so it can be a little scratchy. It is also as warm as a jacket. Next, I wanted to dress it up. 

I used a couple of these embroidered fabric pieces.  There were a couple that were off-white and looked nice with this off-white sweater. I used a zigzag stitch to make 2 heart shaped "patches" that I could attach to the sweater.

 Here is a good look at the hearts. I hand sewed the hearts to the sleeves as elbow patches. The hearts are a little different from each other but I liked them on the elbows of my cozy new sweater. Making them heart shaped helped unify them. Hearts work for Valentine's Day and all winter too.

 

 The sweater fit better but it was just as warm as it could be.

 

We went out walking to enjoy the beautiful snow before it melted.

  

It was a beautiful heavy snow. It was like cotton candy.

 Thanks for reading along, now go make something fun for yourself. 

***Chickie's Year End Review-This sweater is still beloved. It is SO warm I can't wear it unless it is very cold. I will save it forever and wear it every winter.

So Much Red

 Hello Dear Readers. Valentine's Day is coming and when I saw this red dress I thought the color was perfect for Valentine's Day.

This red is so pretty but this dress is a little shapeless.

It isn't anymore exciting from the back either. Ho-hum. But that color!!

The first thing I did was remove the pocket. It didn't seem to be in the right location for me. It was very low. It was in between my chest and my stomach. I carefully unpicked the stitches and took it off the dress.

I did want a pocket, just not the red one. I have had these little fabric pieces for ages. I did not make them. They were in a bag of sewing things someone passed on to me. The embroidery was so pretty I have held onto them for a few years. I decided it was time to use one.

I folded and ironed and starched this one square into a pocket. I used MANY pins to secure it in the right location. Then I used my machine to attach it. The pins held it in place while I sewed. Things tend to move around on me so I went heavy on the pins.

You saw that the dress was a very loose A-line shape but that isn't what I wanted. I wanted a shirt. I reshaped and shortened the dress. Right now you are adjusting your glasses and/or the screen on your device. This picture is crazy blurry. I apologize. But I included it because it really does show the shape and the parts that were cut away

The bottom of the dress made a perfect infinity scarf to wear with my new t-shirt. (It's cold out there.)

I loved the shirt and it matched this sweater. It was the perfect off-white to match my added pocket.

Thanks for reading along, now go make something fun for yourself.

***Chickie's Year End Review-I loved this red shirt. Sadly the color bled onto the pocket and I tried to fix it. It didn't work. I was crushed. I miss you red Tshirt.

Summer Shorts

Hello Readers. Sometimes my sewing isn't very exciting. It is just basic clothes for the season I'm in. And sometimes my sewing isn't even for me.

*** SHORTS 1***

These shorts were great but the waist and legs seemed just a bit too big. Trying to get the right fit in the waist, hips and legs all at the same time requires alterations. At least for me.

These shorts needed a little taken off each side.

The only concern with new side seams is the metal rivets at the hip pocket. You can see here I avoided the rivet the first time I tried sewing this new seam. I had to go back and make sure I didn't stitch right over the metal. The location of the rivets dictated my side seams.

This is not a thrilling refashion but I needed shorts desperately.

***SHORTS 2***

My daughter gets all the credit for this one. She wanted to make her black romper more exciting. She started embroidering flowers and made this romper into a one of a kind piece of clothing.

Look at those flowers. So pretty!

***SHORTS 3***

These little gym shorts are for my youngest. He needed some more shorts too. I remember my mom making shorts from our pants as a kid. The tradition continues.

Thanks for reading along, now go make something fun for yourself.

Practicing Stitches and Going to Sleep

Hello Readers. I wanted to learn and practice some embroidery stitches and this big silk shirt seemed like a good thing to practice on.

This started as a silk men's dress shirt. It was very large on me but I had to save it. It has been around for quite a while but the silk was too soft to let it go. I cant wear it with my arms all tangled up in these sleeves. The biggest problem with this big shirt was the huge sleeves. They are going to need drastic alterations.

Or maybe I could just cut them off. HA HA! Sometimes it is easier to remove a problem completely rather than fix it. (Hidden life advice!) I also cut the collar off too. I had a nice simple sleeveless nightshirt now.

I could just use my sewing machine to finish these cut edges but I also wanted to add some decorative stitches to the neck and arm holes to make it a little prettier and more finished. I have never done embroidery before so I watched a video about different embroidery stitches. I used the blanket stitch.

I don't really know why I chose that, this is not a blanket, but I did.

I was ready to go to sleep in a nightshirt theat is softer than a cloud made from angel hair and pure joy. This is the softest sleepwear I have ever had. I am so glad I made this into a nightshirt! It is really lightweight and breathable, so it will be great for summertime.

Yes, I always wear this mask over my eyes at night. It really helps me sleep.

Thanks for reading, now go make something fun for yourself. Sweet dreams!

*Year end update- I wore this nightshirt so many times in the summer, it was perfect for warm nights. It isn't great in winter so it is put away.