The Easy Rectangle Shirt

What do you do if you have some dated, polyester, fabric with possibly the worst color scheme ever?

Quite obviously, you try that one idea you saw somewhere on the web once, but now can't find anywhere.  (Apologies for my unexcusably bad grammar)

3 rectangles and a slit gives you this:

I started with a 35"x59" rectangle and had left over.

Measuring:

Under bust (mine was 31 1/2) This is where you want the seam placed.

Length you want the shirt to be from underbust (12 inches)

From underbust to same point on back (mine was 27 1/2)

From elbow to elbow across the top (mine was 30)

(You can see my shirt is looser--you can make this more form fitting)

My kids LOVE when I do timed shots

Cutting:

Then we cut out some rectangles.  Cut out 2 rectangles 16" by 12" with the stretch going across the 16" (so it pulls to 20" or whatever).  I tapered the bottoms out by 1 inch on each side (making a trapezoid for all you geometry enthusiasts).  This is your lower torso.

Then, the big rectangle will be a square 27.5" x 30"  (The stretch goes on the 27.5" side, but it doesn't matter really, you could use a woven for this part if you wanted.)

Congratulations your cutting is almost done!

Fold the large rectangle in half, the way you would be wearing it, and in the middle cut a slit crosswise 10-11" long.  This should be large enough for your head to fit through.

Now, your cutting is done.

Assembly:

Mark the middle on both lower rectangles and long sides of large rectangle.  Match them up and sew, stretching smaller rectangles as you sew.

Fold, putting neck slit on top, match sides and sleeves.  Sew in one continuous seam.


Finish hems (if needed) and finish neck slit. (I just reinforced the edges of my slit and folded the edges under slightly).

Voila!  Easiest shirt ever!

You could probably complete this in half an hour, if you are a fast cutter.  Or maybe if you just aren't a slow cutter:)

Scrunchy Spring Scarf Tutorial

I love using unexpected fabrics for scarves because they are so much fun!  This is a boucle I found at JoAnns in the clearance bin.  This scarf will work for any medium to thin fabric that can withstand heat.

You'll need:

90"x 11" fabric (you can piece this together)

matching thread

elastic thread and a bobbin

iron or dryer

1. Cut fabric 90" x 11"

I had to serge my sides because boucle unravels like CRAZY!

2.  Sew both 90" sides into a narrow hem 

Fold over edges twice and iron or finger press and stitch.  

3.  Wind elastic thread on bobbin.  Don't be scared!  Just poke it through the little hole to begin and wind it around fairly tightly.  If the thread twists around itself, this is normal. (If you are me, it is also normal if you drop it a few times--oops!)

You'll end up with this:

Clip off the beginning strand you used to start the winding so it doesn't get caught in your machine and thread like normal.

4.  Mark your scarf into thirds.  I marked 3 1/4" in from each side and made a mark.  

5.  Set your machine to the longest stitch and lower the tension.  (My settings were stitch length 4 and tension 2).  Using a straight stitch, stitch 90" down along markings.  Do not backstitch at the top or bottom.  Repeat for other marking so you have 2 lines of stitching that go the length of the scarf.

This is the elastic thread on the underside of your scarf.

6.  Tie off thread ends like so... and clip.

7.  Turn over short ends into narrow hem like you did for the sides.  Your scarf will look like this.  

Impressive, right?  No?  We aren't done.

8.  Spritz with water and iron on cotton setting or hotter, depending on your fabric.  It helps to iron on the underside. This is when the magic happens:

Continue ironing until done or spritz with water and throw into a dryer on hottest setting.  Both will work and you will end up with this lovely!

Happy Spring!

The Ellen Houlihan Hybrid

 Drum Roll please.....

Oh yes, Oh yes, they are Done!!!

Detail Shots:

Topstitching on all seams

Back Pocket Flaps--just for show

Fly front, shallow front pockets

Side cargo pocket above chevron knee

7" exposed zipper (4 1/2 inches to knee--next time I will use 9" zipper)

I so, so love these!  I can't wait to make more.  This was definitely a labor intensive project, so I'll be doing some quick easy projects before I tackle these again.







Do you want to see the top half of this picture?

Thanks to my mother for her fantastic photography!

Style Notes:  I used 7" zippers for the leg openings, next time I will use  9" zippers.


For more style notes and to see my process of turning the Ellen into the J Brand Knockoffs:

Inspiration 

  Part 1--Prep Work  

                    Part 2--Pockets and Assembly

To make your own: 

You need fabric (obviously), contrasting thread (miles of it), 1 7" zipper, 1 button, 2 9"zippers, interfacing for waistband and belt loops, Ellen pattern (or any other pants pattern you own)

Cost Comparison:

Pattern--free

Zippers (3)--$3.00

Fabric (thrifted)--$4.00

Interfacing--$1.00

Button--vintage--gift from Grandma

Total:  $8.00

JBrand Cost Comparison:  (definitely not identical but inspired by)  $231

Savings:  $223

***To make them more like the JBrand pants, use a stretch twill, matching thread, and make it all the same color and material.

Now, I'm off to read the Sherlock Holmes set my husband gave me for my birthday!

Amber

Enjoy making yours and let me know-- I'd love to see them!

Self Drafted Fluttering Pencil Skirt

I did it!  I'm proud to show you the first self drafted skirt I have ever made....

I gathered the right side to look like the Anthropologie skirt, I maybe wouldn't do that again.  I love the fit and the length.  The ruffle is 6.5 inches wide, top-stitched and sandwiched into a seam over the left leg.  Four vintage buttons gifted to me by my Grandma, and the fabric was a gift from Aunt Mary.

And a close up of the buttons.  I topstitched every seam--you can tell if you squint and make believe;)

I also shaped the hem higher a little at the sides to give a more rounded illusion.  I sewed the lining right to the hem, not worrying about the stitching as you can barely see it.

And one more.  

Amber

**Edited to add
Pattern--self drafted!
Vintage buttons--gift from Grandma H
Gray wool--gift from Aunt Mary via Grandma H
Invisible Zip $2
Lining--leftover and scrapped

Total:   $2 !!
The original Anthropologie skirt (inspiration)  retailed $128 (I think?)

Trapper Hat

I've been wanting a fur lined hat for a couple years.  You've seen them, they are everywhere.  So, the last time JoAnns had a sale on fur I found the softest fur (and yes--it's a cow print) and bought a quarter yard.
I based my pattern off of a hat my brother passed down to my oldest kid and it turned out huge perfect for wearing over cute hair.  Here are the pictures:

I interfaced the hat portion, but not the front flap--next time I definitely will.

The hat is made from one long rectangle (top middle) flanked by half ovals on either side.  Then I eyeballed the ear flaps and front.  I did take two darts out of the front rectangle--you can see them in the bottom picture.  The ties are made by braided yarn.

I quilted the lining to some red flannel.  It's beautiful.

Topstitched everything even over the fur--it took pretty well--better than I expected.

Obligatory picture of me wearing hat.  All in all I love this hat but I won't make one again.  Unless it is for my boys.

Amber