Easy Reconstruction - Long Sleeve Polo Shirt to Shrug

This is based on Evenl's project at CO+K in which she turns a t-shirt into a shrug. http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/tshirt_shrug I love the overall look and will make another one at some point, but do have a few minor issues with the one that I made, probably because I used a heavier weight polo shirt instead of t-shirt. Items used:

• 1 long sleeve polo shirt
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Straight Pins
• Seam Gauge
• 2 yds light gray ribbon
• Clear nail polish (put on the ends of the ribbon so they don't fray

First I cut down the center and remove the collar and the buttons. As I used a 1 inch ribbon, I folded the edges over 1 1/4 inches and pinned it in place all the way around

The shoulders didn't lay right so I had to make a cut on each side at the back neckline at the shoulders before stitching all the way around.

As this is something I am just going to wear around the house, I didn't bother trying to cover it up, but the next time I make one I will probably use seam binding or bias tape to finish the edges to give it a more professional look.

I am also going to probably add a large bead to the bottom of each ribbon as it has a habit of sliding into the garment on one side then I have to take it out and re-thread the darn thing.

UGLY BUT COMFY SWEATSHIRT MADE INTO A HOODIE

This was my first attempt and converting a sweatshirt to a pullover hoodie. I started with a plain black sweatshirt and cut off the ribbing at the neckline, sleeves and bottom.

I then used my son's hooded sweatshirt to make a "pattern" for the hood and the kangaroo pocket in front and used a Norman Rockwell "Freedom of Worship" flannel fabric that I bought at Hancock Fabrics for $1 yd.

While some parts of it turned out well, like the neckline:

and the hood,

others did not, specifically the kangaroo pocket.

It is uneven on the sides, is crooked and I tried the starburst stitch on my sewing machine and it was inconsistent depending on the bulk of the fabric - in some areas it is heavy and in other areas sparse.

I had planned on adding matching fabric to the bottom of the sleeve, but as it didn't turn out how I wanted I scratched that idea and just wear it as an around the house shirt. Even though it is ugly it is very warm and comfortable and my new fav around the house sweatshirt, so not it was not a total bust.