Microwavable Heaters

As it turns out, I actually completed two more projects that I didn't post about because I was so eager to give them away to friends I forgot to take pictures!  For many years my family has used flax seed filled sacks as microwavable heaters as an alternative to hot water bottles.  They can also go in the freezer as a cold pack.  Since this winter was the closest thing to a real winter I've had yet in PA, everyone else thought it was the next ice age and complained they were cold!

I made all my friends hand warmers, but a few got much larger sacks for sleeping with.  I also cut bits from colored sweaters so they looked better than a plain beige sack.

The one on the left is a sunflower, made to match my friend's sunflower decor in her room.  The one on the right is just a colorful pink/red flower with leaves.  The sack is actually a section of a pair of slacks, so two sides of the bag were already sewn for me (Goodwill $0.15 pants, I might add).  These were a ton of fun, really easy to make, and my friends LOVED them.  It feels good to be handy and to make things that are useful and appreciated.

Project: Complete!

Wow, I'm so excited I finally had time to finish a project, and not just dream up new ones!  I had a hectic couple of weeks at work and then on of Nate's good friends stayed with us for the last week, so needless to say free time was non-existent.

But tonight I finally got to sit down with the piles of fabric I've been accumulating to finish a project.  You ready for this?

Munch's new favorite hang-out.

Recycled sweater quilt #2 is complete!  I bought some beautiful cranberry fleece from Jo-Ann's with a 50% off coupon so the back only cost something like $4.  The sweaters were <$10 total, and I still have a bit of each left.

I wanted to go with a very different color scheme than the pink one I had first made here.  Granted these are for gifts, but a dark gray/burgundy colored blanket is so much more my color tone than pink.  Plus I learned a few things from my first attempt which made this quilt a LOT easier (hint: don't use super thick wool and thin merino next to each other!).

And you can see that my adorable little Munch monster has already claimed the blanket as his.  I laid it down on the floor and I literally did not have time to grab my camera before he sat on it.  *sigh*  Good thing this blanket's recipient isn't allergic.

WIP: Bear skin rug

Remember that hideous faux fur coat I got at the thrift store for <$1?  Last night it began its journey towards freedom (and looking a little less hideous.  First I hacked it up and cut out the pieces.

Already attracting the attention of the resident furball, as you can see.  Due to the size of the coat and a couple wrong scissor strokes I had to improvise on the pattern.  I sewed up the head and muzzle and attached them to the body, which was actually much easier to do than expected.

You can kinda see the shape of the head emerging.  I had enough time to make the ears and sew them to the head, which was actually quite annoying.  One is still bigger than the other, but I'm hoping no one notices ;).

Still to go: eyes, nose, claws, tail, stuffing, and backing.  This requires a trip to Jo-Ann's as I don't have the material, but hey, doesn't this look vaguely bear-like?

One Night Wonder

Last night I sat down to sew, and with the inspiration from my growing folder of cute pictures, decided to make a rabbit.  The websites link back to a tutorial, but it basically just says "Cut two rabbit shapes and four ear shapes and sew."  Which I kinda got down.

 

I had this beautiful variegated blue sweater I picked up in the giant Goodwill haul that I wanted to upcycle so much.  So in one night I sat down and sewed:

a sleepy bunny!  I started with layered buttons, like a lot of crafters online are doing, but I don't have many buttons and I wasn't sure I liked it.  So the other side is a dainty closed eye.


Then of course the fiance fell in love with it and wanted another one, so there became a Second One Night Wonder Sleepy Bunny in purple:

It's sleepy on both sides!  Definitely a good friend for Mr. Munch.

and he's ecstatically happy.  I'm wondering if I should go ahead and make my super soft white angora thifted sweater into a bunny.
Let me emphasize the CORRECT sequence of steps.  Not that I'd make any mistakes over an over again, right?
1. Cut out your pieces.  Phew, that was easy.
2. Sew the ears (and/or extra limbs, etc) right side to right side.  Don't sew them 100% shut.  Turn them inside out and make sure they look good.
3. Line them up with your two body pieces, which should be right side to right side.  Put the long part of the ears INSIDE THE BODY or you will be very disappointed. Same goes with any legs, etc.
4. Sew shut.  Remember that opening to turn it inside out!  And hey, 1" is not enough unless you want to be there for 15min worrying about ripping your cloth.  Leave 2-3", even if it seems wasteful.
5. The rest is semantics.  Stuff and sew and enjoy.  At least it will look like a rabbit!

 

Sewing maniac!

So check it out, I have now completed THREE more projects.  This recycled sweater thing is really addicting.  First, I took the sleeves left over from all the pink sweaters that became a quilt, and stitched them together into a very warm scarf.

I trimmed it with a rich purple velveteen salvaged from a $0.29 Goodwill item.  I love the flare at the end of the scarf where the sleeves met the shoulder seam.
Second was the hat: also a recycled sleeve.

It's sewn into the shape of a wizard's hat and bordered with what used to be the sweater's hem.

But what's my favorite?  It's a ladybug!

I made all my friends these microwavable warmers for Christmas and then saw that a bunch of people were selling inferior quality ones on Etsy.  Seriously... corn filler?  And if it gets wet?  Best bet is popcorn, worst is a lot of mold AND popcorn.  These are stuffed with seeds instead of corn, for a very fine filler without any edges or lumps.

Maybe I need to sell these on Etsy, hmmm?  Animal suggestions welcome!

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?

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.