Vintage Inspired Convertible Capelet from a Sweater

Give an old sweater a new life!  

I got the sweater as present but never wore it because unless I wore a long sleeve shirt  underneath it was itchy, so I decided to turn it into something more useful with versatility.  

It is convertible in that it can be worn three different ways depending on your mood, but my favorite is the Vintage Inspired Capelet that has sort of a 1930's vibe to it.   Also, the "flower" is put on a pin back and can be used on its own.

Items used:

-  Sweater

-  Sewing machine and thread

-  Scissors

-  Straight Pins

-  Pin back

-  Velcro

-  Cylindrical object (I used a margarine tub lid)

- Seam gauge or ruler

- Paper

- Pen or Pencil

- Hot glue gun or needle and thread.

First flip the sweater upside down and cut straight across off underneath the arms from side to side.

The bottom part is what you will use to make the shrug.

Save the top part can be used to make the band and the flower and the sleeves can be saved for another future project (leg or armwarmers).

For the cut edge, use a zigzag or serger stitch to prevent unraveling all the way around and stitch 5/8 inch away from the edge as another preventative measure.

Turn under on the wrong side and stitch down all the way around and stitch 1/2 inch from the turned under edge

You now have the basic capelet completed (the first smaller picture above).




Now for the flower.  Place the cylindrical object on the paper, draw around it and cut out on  paper cut it out.

Next fold the paper into a quarter then measure in 1/2 inch or so in and cut away.  Repeat.

Pin the outside and middle layers along with the center onto the top portion of the sweater.and cut out each.  You will have 3 descending sizes of circles when you are done.

The large ring is for the bottom of the flower, the medium in the middle and the smallest center is for the top of the flower.

Zigzag or serge around the raw edges on all three circles.

Next, on the top side, using a basting stitch on the machine (or you could also do this by hand) sew a small quarter or other large coin size circle in the middle of each circle and leave  the tails on each end long as you will be gathering them up.

On the bottom side of each circle, gather up the threads and tie in a a knot on each and it will create at "bump" for the center of the flower.   Stack them on top of each other starting with the largest at the bottom, the medium one in the center and the small on on the top and push the "bump" in the center up into the next one.   Stitch around the center "bump" to secure all layers together.

Clip any lose threads and either use a hot glue gun or stitch the flower the pin back.  The pin can be used on this project or to pretty up anything else you would like.


To make the band cut a strip from the top of the sweater that is 8 inches long and 4-5 inches wide.   Zigzag or serger around the edges to keep it from unraveling.

Fold in half, right sides together and stitch one end and the long side together.  Turn inside out and zigzag the open end together (it doesn't look pretty but it isn't going to show as it will be on the inside of the shrug when it is used.    Stitch one side of the velcro to one side, flip over and flip another piece of velcro to the other side.

To use with the shrug, gather up the fabric on the shrug and wrap so the center of the band is on the outside and the two pieces of velcro hook together on the inside (third small picture above).  You can also move the band around to create a different look

For the look in the large picture above, the band was moved off center and the flower pinned to the band through the band the the shrug to secure it in place.)

Although I didn't take a picture of it, you could also use the shrug loose and pin the flower on it somewhere.  It could also be pulled up over the back of the head to create a mobius or scrunched and twisted for a cowl/infinity scarf look.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day:)

Linking up go:

Cheap and Easy DIY Tassel Earrings

These simple tassel earring only took about 10 minutes to make and cost practically nothing to make.

Items used:

• Crochet thread (or embroidery thread would be pretty)
• Scissors
• Matchbox
• Pencil
• Hot Glue gun and glue sticks
• 2 gold 10mm jump rings
• 2 gold ear wires

1. Line thread up with the bottom of matchbox lengthwise and wrap 15 times then cut thread.
2. Place a small dab of hot glue across the back 1/4 of an inch down to secure the threads.
3. Push the threads off of the matchbox and on to a pencil at the top.
4. Use a piece of thread (8 inches or more) and tie around the earrings tassel and knot in the back, tie a knot and then continue wrapping around and knotting in the back.  Clip ends.
5. Remove pencil, open jump ring and thread through the loop and the ring at the end of the ear wire and close.
6. Cut threads at the bottom end

This is  for Day 12 with the theme of "String" for 30 Days of Creativity.
Also linking up to:

Black Flower Tote Bag

This tote bag is an existing bag decorated with black flowers made out of scraps and black glitter fabric paint for accents.

•  Tote bag
• Scissors
• Paper and Sharpie Pen
• Scraps of fabric for flowers
• Scraps of sturdier fabric for base
• Glue gun and hot glue
• Needle and thread (optional)
• Glittery Fabric Paint
• Acrylic Paint to match bag  
• Sponge paintbrush

I used all black scraps from t-shirts and other sewing projects (I used black, but any colors could be used) for the flowers and felt, denim and other sturdy fabrics for the base.

The flowers are the same concept as Twisted and Stoned Flowers except instead of stone in the center, you tie a few knots in the end of the fabric.

For the base, use a soda can or other circular object (I used a soda can and a lid of of a milk jug) to draw a circle on a piece or paper.  Cut out and use a template. Place circle on felt, denim or other sturdy fabric draw around it with a pen or Sharpie then cut out.














Cut fabric for flowers into strips that are approximately 1 inch wide.  Instead of using a stone for the center,  tie a few knots in the end of fabric for the center and the glue down

Use glue gun to glue down fabric and start twisting.  Dab a bit of glue on top of the fabric and glue down the stone.  Twists fabric, dab glue, push down and repeat all the was around the flower, twisting as you go until you reach the out edge.  Repeat until you have enough to cover the bag (I used around 50).

If you start with a plain bag, you can skip this step.

As there was writing on the bag, I used black acrylic paint and sponge paintbrush to cover the writing.  It took about 3 coats. 

Arrange the flowers on the bag, then glue down with the hot glue gun.  I also hand stitched around them to secure them to the bag, but that might not be necessary.

To accentuate the flowers (and cover up any hot glue splotches) with glitter fabric paint if desired.









Happy crafting!

DIY Monster Hoodie in 30 minutes

This is based on this tutorial at Cut Out and Keep by Cuppy Cake Girl  decorating a hoodie using 3 different colors of felt.

See Monster Hoodie! Roar! and 1000's of others - or share your own on Cut Out + Keep
Instead of using felt,  I used outdated or damaged clothing I had on hand.  The "teeth" are made from an old pair of white polyester shorts s, the "iris" of the eye from a silk dress and the "pupil" was off of a pair of parachute pants. 

I also changed the eye to look more reptilian and placed farther apart so I could make it look like a "normal" hoodie with the hood down and I could tuck the "teeth" inside.

I sewed mine and from cut to finish took a little under half hour, but it could be possible to make using a craft glue that works on fabrics and it might take even less time.


Item I used:
-  1 old hoodie
-   Paper and pen
-  3 different colors of felt or fabric
-  Straight Pins
-  Sewing Machine and Thread
-  Sewing Needle
-   Heat N Bond
-   Iron

For my teeth, I drew I folded a piece of paper and cut at an angle to make a triangle on paper 41/2 inches wide and 4 1/4 tall, but if you have drawstring hoodie you might want to make it longer.   I then pinned to the shorts and cut out each one then flipped the pattern upside down next to it (as illustrated in blue in the picture below) and repeated until I had a total of 8 teeth.

For the eye, I folded a piece of paper into quarters and cut off the edges to make somewhat of a semi-circle that was 4 1/2 inches wide and 2 3/4 inches tall

Here is the "eye" unfolded.  I made the "pupil" by folding paper into quarters then cutting a triangle that was wider at the bottom and sharper curve inward toward the top that was 1 1/8 inches wide and 4 1/4 inches tall (pictured on top of the "iris".

I drew the eye and pupil on top of the Heat N Bond and cut out then ironed on to the back for the fabric for the "eye" and "iris"

On the "pupil", peel off the backing, position where you want on the eye and iron on.

Peel the backing off of the "iris", position it on the hood.(you might pin then try on and check first).  Once it looks the way you want on the hoodie, iron it to the hoodie.

To keep the fabric from fraying and secure it to the hoodie,  I zigzagged around the edge of both the "pupil" and "iris" using a sewing machine.

For the "teeth", I had to position the edges behind the string in the hoodie (about an 1 5/8 inches from the edge), pinning four "teeth" on each side, overlapping slightly and stitch into place around 1 1/2 inches from the edge.

I also hand basted the "teeth" along the edge of the hoodie to help keep them in place.




 You now have monster hoodie to wear:)

Be sure to check out the other participants in the blog hop for May Monster Madness!

Show your monster spirit

1.	Annie Walls	15.	Horror Author Vanessa Morgan	29.	blackdragon
2.	Little Gothic Horrors	16.	Cayce @ Fighting Dreamer	30.	Jurassic Goth
3.	Pensive Pumpkin	17.	It Came From The Man Cave	31.	Monsterfink's Midnight Monster Spookshow
4.	Queens of the Wild Frontier	18.	It's On Random	32.	Residentgamer
5.	Lady Bethezda	19.	Not This Time, Nayland Smith	33.	nitebyrd
6.	Le Professeur Gothique	20.	Artwork By Living Dead Girl Nicole	34.	Everything You Want
7.	wicKED	21.	Metamorphosis	35.	Kweeny Todd
8.	Shingle Creek Manor	22.	Crafts and Creations with KMOM14	36.	Ghost Stories and Haunted Places
9.	Daph's Dark Little Corner	23.	skarlett	37.	Jess @ Wickedly Bookish
10.	Jenny Krueger	24.	Dani Harper, Paranormal Author	38.	GingerRead
11.	Holly's Horrorland	25.	Manvshorror	39.	Lynoire
12.	blackwood	26.	Horror Shock Lolipop	40.	HorrorSmorgasbord
13.	Punk You	27.	Bob @ Beauty in Ruins	41.	The Purple Broom
14.	Kharisma Rhayne	28.	Precious Monsters

(Collection closed)

Link tool by inlinkz.com

DIY ONE SHOULDER ONE MINUTE NO SEW WRAP DRESS

The above fabulous idea is from another blogger that I follow, Kristen at Glitter 'N Glue.   She made the dress using two yards of fabric and only took her about a minute to wrap and tie for an on-trend, summery look. 

This would be easy to duplicate as no sewing required, although when I think I will put a small hem on the unfinished edges at the top and bottom.   Kristen spent $10 to make this, but if you have a Walmart in your area that still carries fabric, they sometimes have cute, lightweight prints for between $1.50 - $3.00 a yard.

She does wear a tube dress underneath, but I would probably wear a bustier or strapless bra (as I would be to jiggly at the top without them) and pair with half slip underneath.  

Sorry for the lack of posts lately, but between computer problems, vehicle problems and my my son's father being in the hospital just have not had time.  Hopefully things will calm does in the in the next few weeks and I can get back to creating, crafting and cooking.

Hope everyone has a Happy Leap Year Day:)

DIY Double Boiler

Great from small kitchens with very little space (like mine) Get the same effect of a double boiler by using:

• large pan
• a smaller pan
• a small tin
• marbles or stones

Put the small tin in the center of the larger pan, add marbles to the tin (to weight it down) then fill the pan with water and bring to a low boil. Put the smaller pan on the tin and put the item in the smaller pan you want melted, and you have yourself a double boiler!

DIY FABRIC BUTTONS FROM SCRAPS & TRASH

I read of the tutorial and history on making your own Dorset Singleton buttons over at Craft /Stylish (the concept dates back to the 1600 and named Singleton after the family that first began making them and Dorset as tthey originated in Dorset, England.)

http://www.craftstylish.com/item/42746/how-to-make-singleton-buttons

For mine I used:

- Plastic ring off the top of a soda bottle

- Pop Can (to make circle template)

- Paper (to draw on to make the template

- Pen

- Scissors

- Scrap of fabric

- Thread

- Needle

- Straight Pins

I made the button using the plastic ring off of a plastic soda bottle (it is the ring that the lid twists off of) as my base.

To make a template of for the fabric to cover the plastic ring, I used a soda can and drew around the perimeter with a pen, then cut out the circle.

Here is a comparison of the template size to the plastic ring.

Pin the template to the fabric then cut to make a fabric circle. Hand baste approximately 1/4 inch away from the edge of the fabric all the way around, then put the plastic ring in the center the pulled the thread (like you do when you are making a fabric yo-yo).

Pull the fabric taut then hand stitch to secure the fabric.

Turn the button over and hand stitch close to the edge of the plastic all the way around the perimter to produce the above button.

FUN FABRIC FLOWER FACINATOR MADE WITH DIY DORSET SINGLETON BUTTON

I had originally planned to make something more elaborate, but working full time and my ex still recovering from surgery and staying with us until he recouperates, I ran out of time. This quick and simple last minute project is a melding of old ideas with new technology and will go with a red dress that I have that has obnoxiously large cheery red flowers on it. The tutorial for the button in the center is based on the following, except I used a plastic ring off of a soda bottle instead of a plastic ring. http://www.craftstylish.com/item/42746/how-to-make-singleton-buttons I made the button using the plastic ring off of a plastic soda bottle and then cut a yellow scrap of fabric in a circle and hand stitched around the edges the pulled the string (like you do when you are making a fabric yo-yo) and then hand stitched just inside the inner edge all the way around the inside of the button then stitch up the button's back. To make the facinator flower, I used a scrap of red glitter nylon net about 6-8 inches wide and folded it into 8 inch squares, then sewed the button on the middle, then cut the petal into the flower, then I hand stithced the button to the fabric. I then used a hot glue gun to hot gule the flower to a hair clip.

DIY PAINTBRUSH

I couldn't find any of the many paintbrushes that I had purchased for a project I was working on this morning when I came across a popsicle stick and decided to do a DIY and it worked out pretty well.

Items used:

• Popsicle Stick
• Old sock
• Glue Gun

Cut a strip off of the old sock. I made mine about an inch wide.

Apply Glue to the stick and attach one end of the sock strip then continue to wrap around the stick until you come to the end.

Attach glue to the end of the strip and glue it down and you are done!