Simplify & Create

 Hello Readers. I love striped shirts. This t-shirt was a hand-me-down and it fit great but that tie in front was throwing me off. It seemed too big when I tied it and too long if I let it hang down. Something didn't seem right. The tie is so big, it really calls attention to my waist/stomach. 

Before and after.

I couldn't tuck this shirt in because of these extra large tie pieces. I like to tuck my shirts in. Sometimes you have to cut things off in sewing.(And in life.) These tie pieces were no good for me.

From the inside the shirt looked like this. There was an opening at the hem where the ties were. I could have just cut the ties off but then this opening would be like a weird window for my belly button. My belly button is not for public viewing. After 3 large babies my belly button has retired and will never be seen again. 

I decided to remove the tie pieces and sew the shirt together. I just wanted a basic t-shirt shape. 

I used my serger to connect the front opening and close it up. 

What about these 2 pieces? They can't go to waste. 

I sewed them together. It is just the right size to wrap around my head.

I had a new headband to go with my new t-shirt! Thanks or reading along now go make something fun for yourself.

***Year End Update***- These classic stripes are going to get worn to threads from me wearing it so much.

Turtleneck to Tank Top

Hello Readers. I have had this white turtleneck and white blouse for ages. I haven't worn either and I finally figured out what to do with them. They are going to work together. I had always liked the white blouse but it was very sheer. 

It is so sheer, you can see through it. Here is a picture of a cookie as seen through the shirt. (Why a cookie? Why not a cookie? I love cookies.)

 The turtleneck is nice too. But, ...it's a turtleneck. I hate the feeling of that tight neckband around my throat. It's as if someone is slowly and politely trying to kill me.

The lumps and bumps you see are padding I added to make Rhonda here my size.

I decided to remove the neck entirely and cut the sleeves off too. I cut just inside the seams so I would have a smooth neckline and arm holes. It was nice to control how low the neckline was as some tank tops show too much cleavage for me.

It was the perfect tank to wear under this thin shirt.

**** BONUS TRACK ****

The soft, stretchy jeans in this picture are from the thrift store. It was half price day and the fit was great. As usual I had to shorten them a bit. I cut off the bottom hem close to the seam. It was about an inch wide and there was a lot of stretch to this denim. When I saw the perfect stretchy circle I noticed it was the size of a headband. 

I recently made several for my daughter and I tried it on to see if it would work. It was a perfect soft stretchy fit. It stayed in all day without moving. I think I found the perfect headband.

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

"Mom, I Need Some Headbands!"

Hello Readers. I usually save my fabric and trim scraps for later. I don't always have a purpose in mind but this time I did. my daughter recently came to me to tell me she needed some headbands for work but didn't want to spend her hard-earned money. She was finding them for $5 - $10. I waited until I had a good selection and started putting together different scraps and trims to see what I could make. 

Here are some finished headbands. I used narrow  black elastic in the back to make them stretchy. I copied the length of the elastic and the trim pieces from a headband she already had and liked. 

Here are a couple finished and ready to try on. 

Here are a couple more. The one on the left is a piece of my husbands tie. The one on the right is made of lace from a dress I refashioned recently.

Here is a close up view of how the headband is attached to the elastic in the back. It is folded under and stitched tightly together,

This one is different. the whole headband is stretchy with some trim attached in the middle. It is just one big circle, with the raw ends on the inside.

One last shot of a narrow headband made of elastic and narrow trim.

The possibilities are endless, and it's a great way to use small scrap pieces. 

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