Remaking old sweaters vol 2

The second project was a gift to George for his birthday.

I once had this really warm and fuzzy dark gray sweater that I loved. But one day it sneaked into the wrong laundry program and got shrunk. A lot. So I decided to felt it once more in 90 Celcius and the result was a tiny but fuzzy and completely felted sweater.  So I first cut the basic part, two half-circles for the main hat. Sewed the two pieces together with machine elastic stitch (you can use narrow zig-zag of your sewing machine doesn’t have elastic stitches). Then I temporarily taped a piece of tracing paper on the hat and designed the flaps on it while the recipient was still wearing it. (To be sure it is symmetric, it’s better to design only one flap and half the backand then cut it on folded fabric.) Then I added this piece with top-stitching on the basic hat and voila. Added a felt robo-skull and two buttons for mbelishment. Finally two snap fasteners for quick and easy flap release.

(with the flaps up)

(flaps down, front view)

(flaps down, side view)

I’ve heard the weather forecast and next week will be too cold. Now I need one for myself, too.

 

Remaking old sweaters vol 1

I have many old sweaters in my closet. Either too small or washed at the wrong temperature and shrunk or with small holes and worn out. And I want to remake all of them. The Japanese book I bought a while ago “Remake Knits” was very inspiring and helpful. So I’ve ut it to good use and the first project was to turn an old shrunk levis sweater into a handbag. I just added a closure button to the pattern. I just remembered it after I had lined the handbag. Which means it had to be sewn separately. arg. I never stay focused when I sew and I always do these absent-minded mistakes…

Solving the puzzle of the Japanese pattern with success.

basic pattern

The result. it has felted applique flowers and a wool roving bee and embroidery thread for decoration. Also featuring a Hello Kitty button. It’s a rather small handbag (at least for the amount of stuff I carry with me around every day) but I insist on using it each and every day since I made it.

The lining of the handbag. I’m big lover of anything orange.

Detail of the bee.

Handbag is ready. Equip and enjoy!