T-shirt Refashion and Tutorial

Supplies Needed:

     * Cotton t-shirt

     * Extra shirt to use to cut up- I used a kids gray t-shirt that was a “my embroidery machine- ate-my-shirt” casualty

     * Scissors

     * Thread

     * Sewing machine

     I started with a plain gray long-sleeve shirt I had that I never wore.  It was in great shape (because it was never worn!) so I thought, why not?  I’ll see what I can do with it!  What do I have to lose (Besides a shirt that I never wore anyway)?  

-    I took the extra shirt and cut strips off the bottom (roughly an inch and a half).  The stripes were in a loop, so I cut one end making one long strip.

-    I sewed a seam down the middle of each strip using a basting stitch (wide stitch width) setting on my machine because I wanted to create a ‘ruffle’ look.  

    

-    Then I created the ‘ruffle’ by gathering the strips of fabric.  You do this by grabbing one thread and tugging gently on the thread and pushing the fabric in the opposite direction until the fabric is ‘gathered’ to the desired look.  Basically how ‘ruffly’ you want the strips to look.

      

-    Arrange the ‘ruffles’ on the shirt where you want them to go. You might have to loosen or tighten the gathering a bit to make the ruffle fit. The most time-consuming part for me was deciding where to put all the 'ruffles'.  Once you decide where you want the 'ruffles' to go, the shirt will be done super fast!

 -   Pin the ruffle strips onto the shirt where you’d like them to go so they will stay in place when you sew.  Because I used a toddler t-shirt to make the ruffles, my strips were short, so I had to use two strips to cover the length of the neckline.  

 

-    I wanted a somewhat ‘abstract’ look so I made each ‘layer’ slightly different. I tried the shirt on before I sewed the ruffles on to make sure I was happy with the way the shirt would look on.

-   Sew the ruffles onto the shirt.  

-    Now, just cut all the long threads left over from gathering the 'ruffles.'  Make sure you're happy with the way the 'ruffles' look- if not, you can add more!

-    And, done!  Now you have a fabulous new shirt to wear! 

The first time I wore mine I received a bunch of compliments!  

 LOVE when that happens!  

Reusable bags!

Reusable bags!  Who couldn’t use one –or a few- of these!?   

A friend of mine, Karina at K Tobin Video, asked me if I could make a few reusable bags for her.  Bags that would be small enough to throw into a purse, or a diaper bag, or to use for snack/ lunch bags.   When I finally got around to making them, I was really pleased with how they turned out! 

After reading Karina’s review, (which was quite complimentary!) a customer asked if I could make matching little bags for her to give as ‘trip toys’ for a girls weekend- so fun!  I put their initial on the bags using their favorite colors with the coordinating color on the interior.  I think they turned out so cute.  Don’t you just love the houndstooth? I do!  

And then some more for little man’s teacher’s for Valentine’s day and filled them with biscotti and dark chocolate!

I made one for my aunt to use as a money pouch for her waitressing job!

I’ve made some with a vinyl lining, and some without.  Some with zippers, some with Velcro.  I’ve made the bags in various sizes: some small enough for to hold just the ‘essentials’ and some that are big enough to use as a cosmetic bag or school supply holder.   These little bags work for anyone and make great gifts too!

I have a feeling I’ll be making lots more of these for myself in the future!  I listed the houndstooth bag (6” x6”) here. 

I’d love to make some for you too! 

 

Happy 'Love' Day!

I hope your day was filled with lots of love, laughter and joy!

 I

 Love

 You!

Happy 'Love' Day from HankOrange!

Retro Peters

If I were to describe my style, ‘retro’ would not be the first thing to come to mind.  I don’t think I’m ‘retro’ at all.   But, given the definition of retro- “modeled on something from the past such as a style of fashion or music”- I think I fit the category! 

I am the proud owner of a shirt that once belonged to my Dad - circa late 70’s.  I found the shirt in my Mom’s sewing room in a pile waiting to be donated or re-purposed.  I’m not really sure what attracted me to the shirt- the colors in the plaid, or the fact it was from the Gap, or maybe because it looked like it might fit me (as I type this I think that might not be something to own up to- my dad and I wearing the same size? Yikes!).   Whatever the reason, I grabbed it.  I’ve worn it.  And, I really like it!   

Guess this give a whole new meaning to recycling clothing!  Thanks for the shirt Dad!

Circa 1981- can you guess who that little lady is?

Same shirt, circa 2012

 

Mondays with ‘Mra-Ma’

One of the best things, hands down, about living where we currently do is that my Grandma (‘Mra-ma’ as little man calls her) lives an hour away. Growing up I would get to see my Grandma once, maybe twice a year, so I’m loving living so close. 

Going to Grandma’s with the little man it a real treat for me. It isn’t because we do anything extraordinary, but it is about the time I get to share with my Grandma; time that I always look forward to, time that I haven’t had in the past, and time that I enjoy. I really do treasure our discussions – even if I hear the same story for the third time.

But as much as I love it, I think my little man might love visiting Grandma even more. The excitement that appears on his face when I tell him we are going to see Grandma Louise is pure joy! His little three-year-old self has no idea how lucky he is to get to spend these days with his Great-Grandma. I truly hope he will be able to remember the times we share as he grows older.

Usually our time together consists of going to a park and then getting lunch at Panera. And, don’t even think about taking little man somewhere else. If we go to the ‘big playground’ we go to Panera. The kid is all about routine. 

Fun times at the 'big playground'

Knowing that our time living close by -less than a year left- (sniff, sniff!) will soon end, I want to make the most of the time with my Grandma.

I think ‘Mondays with Mra-Ma’ might need to become our Monday routine. The little man will get to do what he loves and I will get to do something that I love- spend time getting to know my Grandma and learning a bit more about my heritage! 

Grandma Louise and I - Can you tell we are related?!