Purchasing Leather at a Fabulous Price - a Refashion

I wanted real leather to use to make a pair of baby booties but I didn't want to pay a ransom for the good stuff. So, I did what any leather-seeking-bargain-shopper would do. I went to my local thrift store. I happened to find this really nice leather jacket:

This jacket was only $15.00 and the fabulous leather was in perfect shape.  After purchasing this jacket, I took it home and started cutting it apart.  I would have felt perfectly wicked except it was a size 4 and I haven't fit in that size since I was in 7th grade! So no guilt in cutting up this baby! 

I first used the leather to make these booties for my grandson for Christmas using THIS pattern:

And one more pair for my growing granddaughter using THIS same pattern.

Then I made my third thing from this leather: a pair of boots using THIS pattern for my granddaughter.  I changed/improved the pattern by adding some sticky back felt onto the sole area of the boots. Then I added another layer of sticky foam because these boots needed stability and warmth for taking a child outside in this frigid weather we've been having lately.  

Sadly, these boots kept sliding off of her so I had to do a few extra things. As seen in the below photo, I added elastic right at the ankle height stitching the elastic to the seams.

Finally, these boots stayed on her cute little feet. But oh, how I wish I had of known before I sewed them together. That fur was HORRIBLE to unpick! But that leather... oh that leather! So glad I found it!  

If you want to sew with leather, be brave and purchase a leather jacket at a thrift store. Trust me, it'll save you oodles of cash that you would have spent otherwise at a fabric store. Such a fabulous price for leather!   Since you've now splurged on the leather, don't forget to get a leather needle too for your sewing machine. It'll help your sewing go so much smoother.  

xoxo Grandma

Linked to: Crafty Allie

Simply Warm Toddler Leg Warmers - a Tutorial & Free Pattern

It's been anywhere from 1 to 24 degrees where I live lately... and baby that's cold outside! Here are some toddler leg warmers you can make that will be sure to keep your little one's legs warm. The best things about these leg warmers are they are simple to make and they're super cute too.

Allow about 20 minutes maximum to make these leg warmers.

  

Supplies needed:

• Faux fur, 9 1/2" x 10"
• Elastic (I used 1" wide elastic and 1/4" wide elastic. Any size you have laying around will work for this project.)
• Thread

Directions:

That's it! They are ready to add to an outfit and should help keep those little toddler legs a lot warmer.   xoxo Grandma

Linked to:  Crafty Allie, Frances Suzanne Free Patterns

Adult Sweater into a Toddler Varsity Letterman Sweater - a Refashion & Tutorial

My daughter likes to peruse Etsy from time to time to get ideas of cute things for me to make her little girl. This letterman sweater is one of those ideas. Thankfully, a friend had recently given me this pretty magenta sweater. It was too small for me, so I decided to refashion it and turn it into my daughter's wish list.  I was a little nervous to try this project but it was so, so easy... which made me a happy grandma!

Supplies needed:

• One adult sweater or child's sweater
• One monogramed letter
• Thread
• Scissors

 Take one adult sweater. 

Fold that sweater in half.  Lay on top of that sweater, a sweater or jacket that fits the child you're making this for. Using sharp scissors, cut around that article of clothing to size making sure you add at least 1/4" for seam allowances. When I cut the sweater for my granddaughter, I left as much of the ribbing of the original sweater, plus all of the bottom ribbing intact.

Try your refashioned sweater onto your little one.

Love this little girl & love that this refashioned letterman sweater fit her so perfectly!  

xoxo Grandma

Linked to:  Creating my Way to Success, Nap-Time Creations, Crafty Allie

Glamorize a Sweater - a Tutorial

Do you have an old sweater that needs a little pick-up? For an easy, easy project, take that sweater and glamorize it with some ribbon and a few pearl beads. You'll be impressed with how quick and easy this project is to complete!

(This sweater was refashioned for an older child but this technique would work on any sweater, any size.) 

Supplies needed:

• 3 different ribbons
• thread
• needle
• scissors
• sweater
• pearl beads
• Bowdabra (Mini Bowdabra® Bow Making & Design Tool – Small)
• Aleene's OK to Wash-It Fabric Glue

Let's get started.  Find a sweater that you want to refashion:

Thread a needle with a length of thread that's been doubled over. FYI, the thread color should match your basic sweater color.  Using a Bowdabra, push the thread into this tool vertically.  Now horizontally, push 2 loops of ribbon onto each side of the dividing piece on this tool.  (This handy gadget holds the ribbon in place while you continue to push more layers of ribbon in place.)  You'll do this step with all three ribbons.  I started with the widest ribbon and ended with the narrowest ribbon. 

Push the ribbon tightly to the bottom.  Once all the loops are in place, take the thread and loop over the ribbon, pulling the ribbon loops to the top of the tool. Tie a knot onto the back side of the ribbons.  (The back side is the side with the widest ribbon.)

Push the needle through all the layers of ribbon.  Push the needle back through all the layers of ribbon loops and wrap the thread around the center of the ribbon.

Make as many ribbon loops as desired for your sweater.  I used six ribbon loops.  Next sew the loops in place going through the ribbon and the sweater several times per ribbon loops.

Now it's time to add the pearlized beads to the sweater.  Use white thread and a small eyed needle to sew the beads in place.

My 9 year old neighbor seemed happy with her new glamorized sweater.  

Give this technique a try because it's really easy to make these ribbon accents when using this simple Bowdabra tool and by adding pearlized beads this sweater looks more glamorous.  xoxo Grandma

Linked to:  Creating My Way to Success, Nap-Time Creations, Crafty Allie

2014 Top Posts

Can you believe it's the end of another year?  It's that time of year to reflect upon the past and think about the future. I want to thank you all for making this such a fun year for me. I've created so many new and fun crafts (some not so fun, as it turned out) and I've loved hearing all your valued feedback along the way. Thank you so much for following along with me this year as I tried to be creative.  

And now...  drum roll please...  here are your top 10 favorite posts from 2014:

Readers' Top 10 Favorite 2014 posts:

1.  Warm Lined Baby Booties - a Tutorial and Free Pattern 

2.  Summertime Clothing for American Girl Doll - a Refashion using a child's swimsuit

3.  Turning Dollar Store Purchases into Doll Clothes - Little Miss Santa Outfit  

4.  Never Throw Away An Old Wallet  - Free Pattern   

5.  $1.00 Doll Night Gown - FREE PATTERN & TUTORIAL 

6.  Making Doll Sized Sandals

7.  Newborn Leggings - Free Pattern 

8.  Warm Baby Bunting for a Cold Winter Day

9.  Nativity Finger Puppets - a Free Pattern

  10.  Designing Boys Shirts With Bleach Pens - Free Pattern & Tutorial

I'm seeing a pattern with these posts, you like free patterns.  I'll admit that I like free patterns too. I'll try to provide plenty more in 2015! 

My Favorite Projects:

Vintage Tea Dyed Onesies - a tutorial

Layers of Ruffles Blessing Dress

How To Make a Tee Pee From Sheets - a tutorial

Make a Baseball Cap from a Onesie - a Refashion and a Free Pattern

I also loved creating the Halloween costumes for my grandchildren

...but I'll spare you those links this time of year.

This may be your last chance to voice your opinion in 2014, what free pattern(s) would you like created next?   All IDEAS are welcome via the comment section. 

Thanks for your support and kind comments throughout 2014!  xoxo Grandma

Petite Penguin Ornament - FREE Pattern & Tutorial

Let's face it, everyone loves little furry animals. And penguins rate right up there with the cutest creatures!  I bet you might even know someone who collects penguins, do you? Here's a last minute ornament to make, perfect for tying onto a gift or putting on your tree.  When it's finished, this petite penguin ornament stands just 3 1/2" tall.

First up, you'll need to download the free pattern HERE.  Print it making sure the "fit to page" is not checked.  

Supplies needed:

• White fleece or felt
• Black fleece or felt
• Gold cord
• Black embroidery thread
• White embroidery thread
• Fiber fill
• Scissors

1. On the front of the penguin:  Lay top of head onto white body and stitch around the inside of this piece.  Sew on French knots for the eyes.
2. Sew on the stomach piece but stitching a running stitch all around this piece.
3. On the back of the penguin:  Stitch lower edge of round head in place. Stitch two feet together with a blanket stitch.  Find the center of the penguin and pin the feet in place.
4. Tack the feet in place on the wrong side of the fabric.

5.     Sew beak using 4 strands of golden orange embroidery floss.

6.     Sew around penguin using a blanket stitch.  Use black thread for the top of the head and white thread for the body.  At the top of the penguin's head, do the following: 

.

Cut 2" of gold cording and tie a knot toward the bottom of the cord.  As you are stitching closed the penguin's head opening, sew the thread in between the stitching.

When you have about 1 1/2" to sew, stuff the body with fiber fill.  Continue sewing until the whole body is stitched together.  Pin the flippers in place.

7.  Sew the flippers in place with black thread.

You adorable petite penguin ornament is finished! Enjoy! Have a great Christmas!  
xoxo Grandma