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Friday, March 29, 2013

Sweatshirt Repurpose 3 Ways

 I had a lightweight sweatshirt that got too old to wear.  I'm always looking for ways to re-use things, and ways to save money, so I came up with three quick projects!
I first made the baby skirt using the bottom hem of the sweatshirt, and a bright shoelace from the dollar store.  An elastic would have worked just as easily.  This is a good basic tutorial, using an elastic.  I used my awesome sewing machine (yay, Craigslist!) to make some simple button holes for the shoelaces to come out.
Next I made some PJ pants for my boys to share.  It really shows off their skinny legs :)  I used the sleeves and just sewed them together using a pair of their PJ pants as a guide.  I opted for the other shoelace, again instead of elastic (but I just found some great cheap elastic at Dollar General!).  There are lots of tutorials on turning sleeves into pants. It's a very fast, rewarding project.
And finally, I made a little flower headband for Evelyn with the scraps.  For the headband, I took three pieces about 1" wide, loosely braided them, and sewed the ends together.  There are lots of ways to do the flower, but I basically followed this tutorial, and hot glued it on the headband over the seam.

What's your favorite way to upcycle your used clothing?

6 comments:

  1. Those ideas are so clever! Wish my sowing machine hadn't died... Can I ask how much you found yours for on craigslist?

    And p.s., that baby girl is just yummy. I cant wait to meet her!!

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  2. I love that, Ariel. I have a big pile of fabric from old clothes to repurpose, and haven't known what to do with it, which is probably why I haven't made time to try something. Your projects turned out so cute! Thanks for the ideas.

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  3. You are just too brilliant. Who's up for some east-coast sewing lessons?! Wish we lived closer.

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    1. I'd love too!! Who'll pay for the tickets? ;)

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  4. So inspiring - way to go Ariel! Thinking of you and the cherry blossoms lately. Wish we were there.

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  5. What a go getter, creator, energetic recycler!

    I do love your model. She is a perfect doll. I held her just this morning. Ah, little Eve.

    Ariel, I wonder if you get more done in a day than I do in 246 of them. Your home is full of these kinds of resourceful, workable, beautiful accomplishments. What a joy to be there!

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