5 Minute T-shirt Shrug Tutorial

Tutorial

Easiest shrug ever. Took about 5 minutes. Hence the name. Obviously. Duh.

Materials: L-XL t-shirt. Mine was a soft, thin, stretchy shirt. sewing machine, scissors.

Turn inside out. Follow the diagram and sew a scoop from shoulder to shoulder, about 1/2" away from the neckband. Now trim the fabric 1/2" away from the stitching. Turn right side out. Ta-da! You're done. To put it on, stick your arms through the sleeves as if you're putting on a jacket. Leave the rest of the material on your back. So, your arms should be through the sleeves, the neckline should be a seam on the middle of the back of your shrug, the front hem should be resting on your neck, and the back hem should be the bottom of your shrug.

For your convenience...

I've made a tutorial tab. It was exhausting... I almost screamed when my computer ran out of batteries and shut down on me. I thought that everything, even with autosave, would be erased. My suspicions were confirmed, until I realized that I wasn't on the 'Edit Posts' page. Phew. That was a close one...

How to Package Knits: A Mini Tutorial

So, for my friend's birthday, I gave her a gift card to Pac Sun in a knitted case and an infinity scarf. I hoped she'd like it, and I think she does--at least the other guests did. I think the packaging definitely helps. If I just threw it in a plastic bag, I don't think it would be nearly as likeable. So I cut 2 long pieces of brown wrapping paper, drew my label on one with a Sharpie, and then I sewed the pieces together to prevent her from seeing the bleeding onto the other side. After, I rolled up my scarf, and marked where the label overlapped. After, I taped it shut with packing tape, and voila! A professional-looking scarf. People thought I bought it.

I made the scarf with size 15 needles and Loops and Threads Charisma yarn. I hope she has a wonderful birthday. :)

Charly Scarf

I finished knitting the scarf! Now I need to package it, make the card, etc... I will post some more soon, it's just I'm preoccupied finishing up my friend's gift.

Ideas

For my friend's birthday party, I want to knit her a chunky infinity scarf, like The Charly Scarf from Getting Purly With It. I also want to sew a pleated bag from Noodlehead. Then maybe I'll stick in a gift card or $13 or something. I wish this computer could upload pics better, but it can't. Sigh...

Party...

One of my friends is having a birthday party, and I want to give her something special (it's her 13th)--that is, if I actually go. But I shall be positive for now and assume I'm going--I wouldn't want to miss out. ;) Here's my haiku for her: The new birthday girl; The one who just turned thirteen. Oh, she is so old. [this line could also be, 'Oh, she's so ancient.' Either way.] I want to make her a gathered pouch and also a handknitted cowl/infinity scarf. Have you ever made a handmade gift?

Anthropologie Inspiration

I'd like to make the Cuentos Del Mar Tunic. I don't actually think it's one of their best designs, but I think the construction is intriguing. It looks like a basic rectangle with a casing or elastic around the middle. I might try and make this out of a pillowcase or something.

Spring Break! Vest Tutorial

So, we have spring break for a week. I have started sewing my hooded vest, but have now realized that I don't have a zipper. Darn. I've been going out to eat with family now, and yesterday we won our soccer game! Hurrah! Also, on Saturday, we went to get ice cream. I got lemon chiffon. Doesn't it look wonderful?

Sometimes I make my food talk to me. In my mind, of course. If I said it out loud people would think I were crazy, wouldn't they? I love food. Don't be jealous, but I think it loves me back. I have also been writing my story.

So, this is my vest. Hopefully I can upload some better pics.

You need about a yard of black fabric, scraps for the pockets and hood, and scraps for binding. First you have to cut out your basic vest shape. You can cut around a basic t-shirt pattern without sleeves, or you can freehand it. I personally did freehand. Then cut the front piece in half lengthwise for your front and back. Now cut out pocket shapes. Then bind the edges. After, bind the armholes of the separate vest pieces. DON'T SEW THEM TOGETHER YET. After you've bound the armhole, sew the shoulders and sides together. To make the hood, cut out a hood piece 14" long. Here's a basic tutorial. Now make another out of lining, put the two hood pieces right sides together, and sew along the curve. Don't sew the bottom of the hoods. Turn right side out. Now pin the hood along the neckline of the vest, and sew it on. After, sewing 1" away from the edge, sew a casing. This is optional, but you can put a drawstring through if you cut holes. Now just sew on the pockets on the separate sides of the vest fronts. Now hem the bottom and add a zipper. Enjoy your new vest!

Hooded Vest

I am planning on sewing a hooded vest to use up scraps of jersey and knit fabric. I hope it goes well. How's your weekend been?