Some last-gasp warmth

You know those projects – the ones that just happen?  No planning, no pinning, no pattern.  Just you and a desire to make something new out of something old. {Those happen quite a bit around here.} 

With little people growing out-of-the-old and endlessly into-the-new (new shoes, new coats, new gloves, new socks) – I can often be found staring at a piece of fabric, a broken zipper, an outgrown coat, and pondering… 

What could this become?  What other purpose could this have?”

Spring is (practically) here.  Our daffodils have bloomed (past tense).  Our neighbors have their peas in the ground (we’ve been slow to seed around here).  Heavy winter coats have been stored (not too far away, but stored nonetheless) and we’re enjoying some warm vests-and-cardigans weather. 

But there are still crisp, cool mornings.  Mornings when hats are needed and gloves feel cozy.  This week the air felt especially cold while we walked to school and as someone started to cough, I wished I had an extra scarf to tuck around a chilly neck. 

But who wants to buy a scarf when Spring is knocking?

And so – later that day, after running into a pile of stained, broken-zippered jumpers and sweaters, I decided to make a scarf. 

A sweater scarf.

I just cut the sleeves off of three toddler sweaters and tucked one sleeve into the next.  A quick zigzag stitch to hold each one in place.

I’m pleased with the result (even though I’ve been referring to this as The Ugly Scarf).  It’s warm and free and made-by-me.  A great trio of adjectives, don’t you think?  As usual, I imagined how cute this might look if I spent more than 25 (hurried) minutes on it.  But (also as usual) my favorite kind of projects are (without a doubt) my finished projects.  True – it may be rushed and perhaps not ready for the runway.    But it always feels good (goodGOOD!) to make something new (and useful!) out of something old (and useless).     

And those little necks are warmer.  Which is always a good thing. 

p.s. I just cut up the rest of the sweaters and added them to the bag of fabric scraps I keep in the kitchen (otherwise known as my I-refuse-to-buy-&/or-use-papertowels collection).

Happy (practically) Spring!

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Up-cycled Denim Container

No matter how hard we try, it seems we can never have enough bins and containers for toys, dolls, books and other things that belong to the smallest members of the family.

This is what the top of their dresser looks like on a regular basis.

Even though we have the IKEA cubes and use little baskets and jars to contain small items, it seem that empty counter space is just too tempting to resist.  Especially when Mama gives the word of warning that she’s going to vacuum and anything left on the floor will be the vacuum cleaner’s lunch!

When I saw these denim do-it-all bins on Pinterest, I knew it was time to use some of that denim I had saved from old, worn-out jeans.  The tutorial used denim for the bottom too, but I did not have enough, so I used a swatch of corduroy from a pair of Brett’s old trousers.  Now, I don’t know about you, but when I am making an up-cycled product, the last thing I want to do is go out and buy material, so instead of quilt batting (I didn’t have any) I used a rather stiff, fleece baby blanket.  If you have quilt batting, definitely use it, as my bin has a little trouble standing up, especially when it’s empty.  It probably would have also helped to use a thicker pair of jeans.  These ones were so well-worn, they feel like cotton.

Here are my materials, minus the dangly fringe I found later in my magic box of do-dads.

I am slightly intimidated by sewing curves on such thick fabric, so once I had these pieces pinned, I was a bit scared, but it all worked out. Moving slow is the key.

The tutorial, by Betz White is wonderful and easy to follow.  I am tempted to buy her book, Sewing Green.

Although I had originally intended to make a bin like this to hold my knitting, I sacrificed my own needs so that these much-loved dolls and unicorn could have a new home.  I guess I’ll just have to make another bin for myself!

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