Thursday, January 27, 2011

More Sweater Madness

Ran across a link to Katwise Etsy store today when searching for more ideas about recycled sweaters.  I'm not saying I'd buy one, but wow... just wow.  Definitely a very different and colorful coat.  Here's a few random pictures.  Anyone else know some cool ideas feel free to share.  Why oh why don't free craft supplies and open weekends rain from the sky?

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Pictures!

As promised, pictures from my Goodwill haul.  Sorting through them, I feel like I did even better than I thought.  There's definitely enough for two upcycled blankets.  And you know what?  I got ALL of it for <$35.

 Check this out... They're practically color matched, and there's a variety of textures and patterns.

 These are all in shades of pink or white.  The bottom left sweater is 100% cashmere.
I feel like I robbed Goodwill.  These sweaters are a mixture of wool, extra fine merino wool, lambswool, angora, and cashmere.  There's even some brand(ish) stuff like Forever 21, Express, GAP, St. John's Bay, and more.

I also picked up a few random items for their material, and these two lovelies: a Worthington 100% genuine leather jacket in excellent condition and almost butter soft, and an Ann Taylor Loft 100% silk blouse.  It feels amazing.  I'm a little conflicted about cutting up such a beautiful shirt, so if anyone knows a better use for it, feel free to let me know.  It still has the dry cleaning tags on it.


Monday, January 24, 2011

Craft extravaganza

I went to Goodwill today and OH MY GOODNESS apparently people have been cleaning out their closets of a lot of high quality clothes after Christmas.  Not only did I see a lot of nice name brand things (some for the teens: Hollister, A&F, American Eagle, etc.) but also a lot of Christopher & Banks, great woven jackets and interview coats.  There were so many genuine leather jackets and blazers there it was unbelievable.

I started sorting all the 100% cashmere-, wool-, lambswool- type sweaters and had a quarter of a rack before I quit, and I didn't even check all the long sleeve racks.  After sorting through them and preferentially picking out the ones at 50% off ($2.50/ea), I have enough to make two patchwork quilts.

I've never made a quilt before, and this will be my first official attempt at upcycling clothes.  If these turn out well, I'll be torn between keeping them, starting an Etsy store, or giving them away to my bridesmaids come August.  First thing's first, I need to hack them up and start sewing!

Pictures to come.  If anyone has any ideas or suggestions for making this quilt work better, be softer, anything, please comment.

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Ribbon Rose

In preparation for our wedding in August, we've decided making our own decorations will be preferable and cheaper to buying fresh flowers.  I borrowed the book "Ribbon Flowers" from the local library and came up with this last night.




Pretty spiffy, huh?  Now I just have to figure out how to do cheap stems.  I can foresee a lot of these being made once I find ribbon at something under $2/yard.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

My new craft center!

I really didn't want to spend a lot of money on supplies, but I needed a space I could work that wasn't limited to the 8" in front of my keyboard at my computer desk.  I finally found a perfect desk for my needs at the surplus store for only $25.  It not only has tons of desk space, it has a shelf unit, an overhead light, and a bulletin board as a back.  It doesn't come with drawers, but that means I can add my own of any size.




You can see the sewing machine I picked up used for $50 and the various wonderful Christmas gifts I got from family and friends.  There's lots of scrap fabric, old clothes I got from Goodwill for $0.29/each, scarves, and more.  I have a spool rack, felt, a pin cushion, and all sorts of useful goodies.  Note I've had the desk for 2 days and it's already cluttered.  I need to get an organizational system in place and soon.

Having all the supplies made me so eager to sew, I got a new fuzzy thing done in only 2 days!  It's so much better than the ongoing Toothless disaster, and the addition of the sewing machine made it go so much faster.  I was going for a fantasy fiery horse/Apollo's chariot horse sort of thing, but I think it looks more cow-like in proportion.




The body is made of white fleece, the mane and tail of featherlash yarn salvaged from a thrifted scarf, orange felt for the hooves and blaze, and beads for the eyes.  For a second creation ever, I think it turned out well!