Weekend Project

This weekend I am going to make Susan's Mama skirt. I've already purchase my materials.

I've also got the bug to make a new spring bag. It was 63 today in Boston! 63!

One day soon I am going to tell you how the bag I made in the fall has been the best bag ever.

What projects are on your list?

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DIY/Upcycled: Ruffle Cardigan

I had some time this afternoon to attempt one of the items on my "to make" list and I really like how it turned out.

 I have had this cardigan since I was a sophomore in college.

I measured around the full length of the existing trim and tripled the number to get my ruffle length.

 Cut strips and sewed them into one long tube.

 Remember, I was originally inspired by this post. I used quilting thread to do the zigzag stitch and I think it worked really well. You can barely see the thread. Her tip on the fishing wire is great. I used button thread because I didn't have any fishing wire.

And because I have zero patience, I machine stitched the entire thing...so there are some less than perfect ruffle areas. If you are patient, hand stitching would be the way to go.

My finishing touch was the gold buttons. Bryan's great aunt gave me a bunch of supplies before she went into a nursing home 2 years ago and these came from that package. I love them and am glad I found something to put them to good use.

Now....what to do next?

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New Skirt

Inspired by these.

I think next time I might button the flap from the inside and not the outside. I think it would lay better on that one hip. Other than that I like it. And for $7 of fabric + 2 hours of sewing, I really like it.

Why am I sewing? Because I'm supposed to be packing. Why are things so much more fun when you are not supposed to be doing them?

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Western Ruffle Necklace

aka The Bank Robber Necklace

There are a couple of these floating around the blogesphere these days. I was actually playing with my serger foot today {finally figured out how to use it} and from my practice piece I decided to do another ruffle {mildly obsessed with ruffles these days} I did this one by pulling the two end strings. Anyhow, I had this random little ruffle made out of this westernish material I found in the "not my favorite fabric" pile, sewed on embroidery thread...and ta-da....The Bank Robber Necklace was born. I don't think it would hide your face as well as traditional bank robbing gear.

I like it. I think I might wear it out. Probably won't rob a bank.

Here is a cute blog with a tutorial. I like hers better.

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Tunic

Friday afternoon I made myself this tunic. I've been wanting to give clothes for myself another shot since I learned the wonders of the french seam from my friend's mom.

I like it. It's not very figure flattering and Mr. Sabbe again questioned why a woman would wear a maternity top when she's not pregnant...but I told him it was cool. And I liked it. So he said he liked it too...sweet boy.

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