Wool skirt makeover

Found this Eddie Bauer skirt for $0.99 but it was a tad too long for my taste (it kind of looked like a tent) and a tad too big. I decided I wanted to cut it off and do something with it. Perfect for this cool weather we are experiencing!

First I cut off the length. Don't know if you can see my markings too.

I then used the bottom portion to make tiers. I cut off the seams on both sides and started to cut it in various sizes. I began to lay them out on the skirt one piece at a time (which I hemmed the bottom before doing- sorry meant to mention that!)

Next I wanted to make them taper going to the waist so I pulled out my big rotary cutting edge.

And slowly I began to make my marks with my purple fabric marker.

I then cut off the excess and I was ready to sew!

I did one layer at a time sewing starting at the bottom.

Done! I was very happy with the outcome. I opted to not take it in b/c it was not much and also it would have been very difficult with the lining underneath. I actually like wearing skirts on my hips so I just left it. too bad the zipper was not sewn in properly (same on you Eddie Bauer, I know the person who bought this skirt probably paid a lot more money than I did!)

After wearing it I realized I should try to take it in some. I also realized that jacket makes me look a little poofy in the mid-section. I'm really not poofy. Maybe I should lay off wearing too many shirts underneath. It is all good, I have joined the gym here and rehab-ing my knee since my insurance refuses to pay for more physical therapy!

And I thought I was totally being innovative but someone already beat to a similar refashion! Check out sewing dork where she did the similar thing. We went about things a little bit different but came with similar end results! how cool is that!

xoxoxox,
Lauren

Spiderweb wreath- iron craft #41

Yay! This week the iron craft challenge was Boo! So halloween related! So exciting I love Halloween, and I love decorating for halloween. So I was super excited when this challenge rolled around. What I wasn't excited about this challenge was timing. Between poster presentation, talk presentations, papers, halloween costumes, and a busy schedule on top of it, I was trying my hardest to find some time to do what I wanted.

I chose something easy. A halloween wreath. Here is what I used...

First I used this yarn I just found at Michael's, it was on sale! It is called Angel hair. Love it!

What I loved about it is it had this fuzzy sort of appearance and would give me a spiderweb effect.

Next I just used a simple styrofoam wreath.

To adorn I finally get to use the black glitter spiders I got for over 50% off a year or two ago but just never used...

First I added a dot of hot glue on the back of the wreath to secure the yarn.

Then I just wrapped... and wrapped... and wrapped the yarn. I wrap a few round and then push it back to meet the rest so it is nice and flush and you don't see any exposed styrofoam.

Then when I went around and met up from the beginning, I again secured it with a dot of hot glue.

Next I added the spiders via hot glue. I'll wait to show you at the end what it looks like. but I wanted a way to hang it up. So I just used a piece of the same yarn tied it and then glued the knot to the back of the wreath, so no one would see it. :)

I clipped off the excess once the glue was dry (no need to ruin more scissors!).

Ta Da! We are done!

I totally love it and it was super easy, fast, and simple to make. Now I can get back to finishing my power point presentation for work.

Happy halloween! :)

XOXOXOXO,
Lauren

O yeah. 80's sweater to doggie sweaters!

This was one of my first items I purchased in the beginning of 2011 to refashion.

Oh yeah, completely 80s sweater. Bad art deco sort of pattern. But I thought maybe I could work with it....

I tried and and tried to come up with something cool. Nothing. Then Sonja opted to take it and turn it into something. She thought and thought and nothing. Then she decided what this sweater could be turned into..

A dog sweater! We made one for Stella. Here is her eating, she was not up for posing that night. LOL

As a dog sweater this works and it is actually cute. Much cuter than anything I could ever come up with for myself. :) Props to Sonja for seeing the cuteness of a dog sweater! There is actually another sweater in the works from this sweater. Will post once it is done! The link for the doggie sweater tutorial can be found here.

I never said I was only going to refashion for myself this year!

xoxoxoxo,
Lauren

Pink and white striped pillowcase dress

This is the truest of all pillowcase dresses b/c in fact it was made from a pillowcase. Lily (Laura's F1 progeny) has a birthday coming up and I wanted to make her something special. I found this pretty pink and white striped pillowcase at the local thrift store.

I just absolutely fell for the colors and thought she would love it. She, like myself, loves pink!

First I cut off the seam to make the top of the dress. I made markings for where the arm holes needed to be. I cut about 6.5 inches down. Lily is a 4T and for some reason I got the number 6 inches. Really I am just winging it here people! And then I went in a few inches. Now I do not remember the number (grrrr....)

I cut out the armhole on a curve (using the help of a cup/jar of some sort) to make that J shape.

Next I added bias tape to the armholes to make it easier to finish. I did not want to attempt to sew it down. Bias tape is way easier!.

For the next parts I do not have pictures, since I lost my camera. (But it is now found). I folded over the top part to make a casing. I eyeballed it. Sew down. Next I used some leftover fabric scraps of mine to make a tie, the good-old-fashioned way. I pulled it through the casing. And we shall tie it at the shoulder.

I wound up hemming the bottom of the dress and added the pink bias trim again. It would have just been a smidge too long for her. I kept it simple. I just fell for this dress! It is just too cute! :)

Happy birthday Lily!

xoxoxo,

Lauren

Cosmic Pink Princess Skirt

It has been quite busy around here! Luckily birthdays and baby showers have ceased for the moment so I can play catch up! This is a refashion that I did for Lily's birthday. It all started when Sonja gave me some of this organza-like pink/blue/yellow trim that was her grandmother's. She said here, you will probably make something out of this before I do. Then it was decided that we would make something for our other resident princess (besides myself) in the troupe, Lily.

I started out with this skirt that I obtained from a thirft store. However, it was made more for me but it would not be something I would actually wear in public. No way! I did love the applique tho... I wanted it for myself.

I pulled it off with a seam ripper. I will save it for later!

Next I turned the skirt inside out and marked where with pins her waist would be. I cut away the rest of the skirt and sewed it together.

Next I began to sew on that ruffle! It started to get fun when I had several layers on and putting it under my sewing foot!

Now I ran out before I could complete the entire skirt. So I ran a gathering stitch on that little piece and pulled it through to make a "poof" or flower sort of shape.

Then I attached it to the skirt above the ruffle. And we are done!

Lily has not actually seen it yet. I just finished it after her birthday party. I hope it fits. making gifts for children esp since they are not my own I really hard b/c I don't have measurements nor can I make them try it on!

It is totally pink and cosmic. Perfect for any princess!

xoxoxo,
Lauren

Bead Candle holder- IC40

Ok Iron craft this week I was so un-inspired. But I was not inspired period with most crafts and sewing b/c I had a pretty busy week in the lab. I had zero jars or bottles in my apt. Like I could not even stretch the truth and apply it to something. It was not until last night when my boyfriend cooked dinner and got a jar of pasta sauce I used this as my craft project!

***Warning this craft isn't much but at least I completed this challenge****

first I started with a clean jar.


then I had some old headbands that no longer had the stretch I needed but I wanted to save the beads.



So I cut the beads up and put them in the jar.



I shook the jar and added a candle.



now I have a jar that will hold my beads for later and hold a candle. Nothing elaborate, nothing fancy.

Let's hope next iron craft works out better! :)

Lauren

Easy Potato Soup

I received this baked potato soup recipe from a friend that she modified from the Panera bread potato soup recipe. She was also a grad student with me that didn't like to spend a lot of time chopping stuff so she found easy shortcuts. I thought I would share (and also preserve the recipe and not loose it in my apartment!).

Here are the ingredients:
4 cups of chicken broth
peeled and cubed potatoes enough so that they are fully covered by the broth (recipe calls for 4 cups of potatoes) I just wing it!
1/4 cup dried minced onion (this was substituted minced onion)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper (white or black is fine)
1/4 teaspoon red pepper
1 (8 ounce package of cream cheese) cut into chunks

Instructions

1. Combine broth, potatoes, onions, and spices. Note the smaller you cut and cube your potatoes the faster it will cook.
2. Boil on medium until potatoes are tender (average time 15-30 mins, again all depends on how small the pieces were.
3. Smash potatoes with potato masher. This will release the starch and thicken the soup.
4. Reduce to low heat.
5. Add cream cheese.
6. Heat, stirring frequently until the cheese melts. This may take around 10 mins if that.

Eat!

Now, feel free to add other things to your soup: broccoli, bacon, etc. This soup does have a kick to it so if you are sensitive to pepper you may want to back off the red pepper. The soup will also thicken the longer it stands so you may have to add water to the soup. Also you will have to add water if you save it for the following day-it will almost be mashed potatoes. :)

Enjoy!

Not loosing this recipe now!

Lauren