Mini Pip

Cropped Jacket Refashion

Something about the snow day made me want to dig into my "to refashion" pile and Monday morning, that's exactly what I did! Of course pinterest inspired me (yet again) and I saw just how simple this jacket was made. I thought that idea would be cute with a sweater but when I pulled this cropped jacket out, it was perfect.

I got this jacket in high school, so it's at least 6 years old. I loved the cropped look in high school and the large buttons sold me in an instant. I took this to college, but after freshman year, knew it was time to retire it because the cute-sy look wasn't cutting it anymore.

The process of making a draped front jacket or cardi is really simple, like most refashions I tackle! I took of the collar, the front plackets with the buttons and buttonholes and the cuffs. I folded over all raw edges so I was starting with finished seams. Since I was just adding rectangles of knit fabric, I knew the raw edges on the front would show.

I measured the front length, where the buttons were, (which was 15.5") and decided to make the rectangle longer and cut it wherever it looked right after sewing it on. I started out with knit pieces, 15.5" by 20" and ended with pieces 15.5" by 11". The drape on that measurement had the look I was going for. If I had a longer jacket, the rectangle would definitely need to be longer.

After the front I added a little touch of knit to arms by adding a new cuff. All in all, I got rid of every button (!!) but don't worry, they will certainly go into a new project. Another quick refashion, and I will probably be doing something like this again.

 

 

Floral Gym Bag

I've been on the search for a cute gym bag. Why do companies think you either want a black bag or a hot pink bag and why do I want a gym bag that looks like every other bag? I wanted something that stood out and lets everyone know that yeah, I am going to the gym- but I'm going to look really cute doing it!

Of course I couldn't find exactly what I was looking for, so I made my own. A few months ago the idea for this bag started to take shape in my mind and I made a muslin version a week and a half ago. I got the shape and size down but didn't have any of the hardware that I wanted. I decided to make a removable adjustable strap so I needed D rings, double loops for the adjustable strap and swivel bolt snaps. (And if you are wondering, this book is the biggest help with handbag making). I also wanted a metal zipper- this bag was going to be all sorts of professional!

The construction was really simple (after a few hours of imagining the steps in my head) but the process took forever. There were so many pieces, and then SO MANY decisions. What type of interfacing should be used? How many layers will I have to sew through and can my machine handle it? How the heck am I supposed to put a zipper in this thing?

I was really nervous with the zipper because I didn't want the ends to be shown. I sewed pieces of fabric on each end enclosing the zipper. This was my first time using this technique and it was amazing! I can't believe how well this came together and am super happy with the finished product.

I finished yesterday just in time to take her out for a test drive. Of course it had to be raining so two tests were completed. The bag held up great and felt comfortable to wear. I don't pack too much to go to the gym so that's why this bag is smaller than the typical "gym bag". It fits my shoes, shorts, small sweat towel, lock for my locker, water bottle and extra room for a wristlet and some gel shots. I love this thing and my boyfriend has already requested his own! I guess I'll have to buy some manly fabrics.

 

Handmade Leggings

Working from home has its perks. Walking a few steps to get to the office, streaming netflix in the background...but it's also really difficult to stay motivated. The best way for me to work is by breaking up my day and avoiding that late afternoon crash. With my marathon training schedule, I'm at the gym 4 days a week and I've tried the whole early morning workout and the "after work" workout but I hate a busy gym. So I go at 2:30, right before I feel like I need to take a nap but still enough time to get plenty of work done before and after running.

I work all morning, go to the gym in the afternoon, come home to shower and eat then get right back to work. My afternoon work is usually computer stuff so comfy clothing is totally acceptable. Enter the easiest apparel sewing project ever: handmade leggings!

One Little Minute has a great tutorial for making leggings with your exact measurements. It takes some time to make the pattern, but after that pattern is in your hands, you can make leggings in no time at all.

I made my first pair out of a solid red from Girl Charlee and wound up wearing them every day after that. So I knew I should have more than one. I whipped up a second pair out of a printed knit pretty quick. It is the perfect thing to wear after the gym. If you are looking for a quick easy project this one should be on your list!

Next version will be in a thicker knit and with all this cold weather here in Jersey, these will be great to wear as long johns as well.

Fun Fact: When I was younger, I wanted to be a cartoonist. I fell in love with drawing cartoons and became obsessed with the Peanuts Gang. I got this sweatshirt as a Christmas gift when I was probably 12 and still love it. It's just a tiny piece of my very large collection.

oh, etsy.

Guess what the next major holiday is? VALENTINE'S DAY. Yeah, it's already almost here, so I put some Valentine's inspired bags on etsy!

Three new little coin purses:

 

New Gift Card Holders and Mini Bags:

And for those who aren't into all that pink frilly valentine's day-y things:

All bags here!

I'm waiting on a hardware order to make some new bags. I'm also testing out a few different vinyl fabrics for my new crossbodys. Lots of sewing coming up!

New Years Eve Skirt and Crop Top

Have you ever been in a fabric store, picked up a bolt of fabric that you really liked but didn't have a use for and right before putting it back, someone else walks over and you get so nervous that they will nab it that you keep it for yourself? Well, that's what happened.

I fell in love with this beautiful plaid but had no use for it. I've been telling myself to use up my stash but couldn't put the bolt down. There wasn't much left on it and when I saw someone walking over to where I was, I couldn't bear to let anyone else have it! So I bought two yards. It's ok, it was on sale.

 

Fast forward a few weeks and a New Years party invite came my way. What better excuse to make a new outfit? Out came that fabric. My original idea was to make a high low skirt but got distracted by this pin (damn you pinterest).

The "tablecloth" skirt came together pretty quickly. The tutorial was super easy to follow and the fabric was fantastic because I didn't have to match the plaids (!!) I decided to make the skirt high waisted with a zipper closure and the hem raised a bit higher than in the tutorial. I thought this would look cute with a crop top and made a quick one to go with the skirt.

I made the crop top by taking my front and back bodice sloper that I made years ago and just straightened the sides and removed all darts. I made the front and back out of this black knit that I got as a remnant. I cut out sleeves before realizing that I didn't add seam allowance and didn't have enough to make new sleeves so they had to be cut out of a different fabric. It turned out to be a happy mistake though because I really love the look!

Take a closer look at this fabric: do you really blame me for not passing it up?

 

Happy New Year!