TARDIS Thursday: TARDIS Bleach Tee

Who doesn't want a TARDIS tee? Sadly, my bleaching didn't photograph very well but I am super happy to have a little Doctor in my wardrobe.

Stitchy Saturday: Embroidered Shirt

I have long loved embroidered Mexican blouses and skirts, but I am a small gal. That much pattern can overwhelm a small frame. I have also always wanted to try stitching on a knit. This project allowed me to control the amount of embroidery and experiment with a new technique.

For this project, I used a cotton v-neck shirt from

Old Navy, T-Shirt Stabilizer from Sublime Stitching

and was inspired by a pattern from So September.

Because I was free-embroidering, I wasn't sure how big the

stitching would become. I decided to iron stabilizer to the

entire collar area.

I began with vines stitched with split stitch.

I used two different shades of green.

To add flowers, I used lazy daisy stitch, 

french knots, and satin stitch.

I am really excited to layer this over

a coordinating cami and rockin' it

with a pair of jeans. Love it!

WIP Wednesday: Embroidered T-Shirt...and Weasinart

This weekend, I had a meltdown. I had a project that I was working on and it was going all wrong. I was frustrated...very frustrated. It made me second guess all that I was doing and frankly, why I was doing it at all. Why am I doing all these projects? Why am I writing this blog? Is anybody even reading it? You know, one of those "self-doubt, nothing that I do is worth anything, I should just quit" meltdowns. And I almost did.

I don't have the answers to all those questions yet. I know that I like to work with my hands and make things. I know that I like relating what I do to the rest of the world. Readers? Well, hopefully they will come with time...

Meanwhile, as I am sorting out the why of the blog, I really want to make it better. I am thinking and wondering. What will make the blog better for you? More photos? Better photos? Different layout? Different features? Please let me know. 

While I switch things up and make them better, I am working on several other projects in the Weasinart:

A free-embroidered t-shirt

Upcycled Canisters (or: "The Meltdown Project")

A fat quarter apron

A steering wheel cover and match seat belt cozy

How Tuesday: Upcycled T-Shirt Tote Bag

Everybody loves an event with swag. At least most of the time...too much swag just becomes clutter or things that we never use.

I could and would never wear half of the t-shirts that I get at races. What I would use is more reusable shopping bags. Problem solved: turn on into the other!

After choosing your shirts, lay them out on you work surface.

Cut off the sleeves, preserving the side seams.

Use a template to shape the opening around the neck.

Cut around template. I used a bowl.

Mark the bottom where you are going to sew the short shut.

I also decided the angle some side seams so the bag would be 

wider on the bottom. The angle sides serve as a psuedo-gusset.

Sew along your markings. I did two hems around each

side for added stability.

I filled one with running gear...

...and used the other for some groceries.

You can keep the memories with these great shirts,

but use them more frequently and usefully!