The LC on the DL

I got some sewing done today but not nearly as much as I had hoped to. I finally got all the patch jobs done and cleared off my sewing table so at least the family can return to wearing the items have have been queued up waiting for me to get to them.

I managed to make a new scarf (more of a fashion accessory than a winter muffler) and I refashioned a dress I bought last summer into a new and fabulous skirt (I will get a picture of it later). The dress was a cool angled stripe but way too much for an entire dress not to mention the fact that it was at least one size too big. I got it on summer clearance at Target for about $2 intending to refashion it as it had lots of potential.

Projects currently queued:

• Skirt refashioned from two floral print vintage pillowcases, not decided it it will be a full skirt or a-line yet. (inspiration and a pattern)
• Several tote bags refashioned from tank tops. (pattern PDF)
• Toddler shorts refashioned from old knit tops destined for the garbage bin as they have stains.
• An apron or two from fabric in my stash. (pattern)
• Wrap skirt from sarong. The fabric is fabulous and I just want to wear it more than as a swimsuit coverup. (pattern)
• Arm warmers from knits in my stash (pattern PDF)
• Lydia long sleeve knit tops. (pattern)
• Pillowcase dresses for the little one and a top for me from vintage pillowcases in my stash.

I have tried to crochet or knit but it’s just too darned hot to have all that yarn rolling across my lap. Sewing is my summer fun! I honestly think my sewing machine is on it’s last legs. I have tuned and greased it as much as I can but it slows down more everyday. I almost don’t see the point in taking it in for repair as a new one with many more features is only $150 on sale at JoAnn’s.

They don’t even have to play and the more damaged and useless they are the better. I am searching for these to refashion into crocheted shopping bags, door mats, and place mats. I intent to rip the tape out of the casing and use as yarn. I have a few I think are bad in our personal library, after that I will be hitting the freecycle lists. If you are interested in repurposing your old tapes into an item such as I mentioned and aren’t so crafty yourself, I would consider making some for you out of your old tapes if you send them to me. Comment if you are interested and I will post the results of my experiment when I get a few items done so you can decide if you want some of your own. If you search on flickr you can see the geniuses that have already made some bags and accessories (I couldn’t find any I could include on this post under creative commons licensing).

The only thing I haven’t figured out what to do with is the casings since I really don’t want those going to the landfills either.

Cool link: VHS Clutch Purse Instructions 

I have been trying to finish up the pile of crochet projects I have had backed up for some time so that I could start some new ones on the Knifty Knitter Loom Kit I bought recently. I find fabric arts to be incredibly soothing to my soul and it quiets the mind. Can’t stress out when you are focusing on the yarn in your hands (or sewing needle and thread).

I finished up my daughter’s baby afghan that I dawdled on for so long I had to expand the size to grow with her and still be useful. I finished it up at a tad bigger than a crib mattress so that it fits her toddler bed quiet nicely and will continue to be a nice throw and lap afghan as she grows up. The green stripes match her bedroom fabric and the pink stripe in the middle is her favorite color. I think the only part she cares about right now is the fact that she can stick her fingers out through the afghan holes. She thinks that is pretty neat.

I also started and finished a smaller afghan for my friends who’s baby arrived about a month earlier than planned. The gift was about a month late but I think they like it just the same.

I made a purse as well as a market bag for my Grandmama’s birthday this week. The purse was made on one of my new looms and came out considerably smaller than I expected it to come out. It has a nice cabling pattern though. The market bag was made from recycled Target bags that I cut into strips then crocheted together with a speed hook. It was a big hit and I will definitely make more.

The first project that I attempted to make was wrist warmers for my 11 year old daughter. The pattern was a little too loose for my liking but she likes them quite a bit. I am currently making a fashion scarf out of left overs from the baby afghan and my small loom and should have that done any day now. I will be loaning the small loom to a friend at work as she wants to learn to make things. Next up, an afghan or two. The projects aren’t super fancy, but I like them anyway.

If you have an account at Ravelry (the social networking site for yarn lovers) feel free to friend me, I of course go by linuxhic.