Christmas Ornament Swap: Made.

As I mentioned in a previous entry, I have entered into a Christmas Ornament Swap. We have been put into groups of 5 or 6 and by the 1st of December we have to send a home made ornament to each of the members in the group. Basically you end up with 6 different home made ornament at the end - lots of fun... and how doesn't love getting presents in the mail :)
What to make!? There seemed to be too many options I just could't commit to one... but I just got on with it today.. and I'm pleased I did!
One of my first ideas was to make mini bunting flags so I rummaged through my fabric stash and found a bunch of things that seemed to marry together well. Here's how I went:

 All the items I used were from second hand shops, isn't it so satisfying when you can make something entirely out of thrifted materials! Nothing bought new. 

I cut long strips of both fabric

using pinking scissors to avoid having to hem the flags... 

6 bunting ready to sew..

probably should have ironed them..

Ta-da!

had to take a shot with my hand in there so you can get an idea of how tini tiny they are :)

I'm feeling a little more christmas-y after this little project... must start on actual christmas pressies next.

Ci Vediamo!

Tutorial: Play Shorts from Business Shirt

So I actually made these to be apart of KCWC but I got a bit busy with family towards the end of the week and didn't end up posting them..

I love recycling and repurposing clothes. Its so easy to do and makes me feel good that I'm throwing less away or reusing something that someone else has thrown away..

First find yourself an old Shirt....

I bought this one for Matt at a secondhand store for a dollar but got it home and realised it was a womans shirt, so into the fabric pile it went...

Next, get your pattern pieces, I have used a Burda kids pants pattern folded up to make shorts, Cut you pattern pieces from the shirt.... 

I placed the pattern right down on the hem so I didn't have to hem the shorts (: Lazy I know. But anything to make it faster! 

I cut my pockets out of an old pillow case just to add a bit more colour and detail. 

Next, Sew your pockets on to each front panel. and topstitch them to make a tidy finish.

Now place your two front pieces right side together and pin. Overlock and sew seem.

If you have a pockets on the old shirt your using, cut one (or both!) off and sew it on to one of the back panels. 

Next, place back panels together, right sides together and pin. Overlock then sew seem. 

Now your almost ready to sew both sides together, but first, if you have pockets you will need to pin them in place and top stitch the pockets so they don't move. 

Next, place front and back panels together right sides facing and pin in place. Overlock and sew seems together.

Now you will need to cut a piece of ribbing for the waistband. Measure it around you  boys waist to get a firm fit. Sew the waist band in a loop and fold it over so the seem is hidden.

Now pin the waistband to the shorts, line up the waistbands seem and the back seem to begin with then pin from there in even intervals. Overlock and sew waistband onto shorts stretching the ribbing as you sew.

Finally topstitch the waistband in place. Tidy up all excess tread and your done :)

Thanks for viewing :) Hope I made sense!