Purple coat and bonnet

Here are a few more - she looks very purple.

refashioned purple wool coat

The ladies wool coat was picked up at a Value Village in Spokane, WA - it was only $4.50. The pattern was purchased on Etsy.com for $5. I was willing to give Simplicity another shot since this one was vintage. Unfortunately even going down a size this pattern was frustratingly over sized! Clara looked like a football player at our first fitting. I also poked her with a pin and had to bribe her with chocolate chips with each subsequent fitting.

It took me days but I got through it. It looks especially cute with the matching bonnet and fabric flowers. Clara is still afraid of getting poked by a pin though so I'm still bribing her to wear it. Once it is really cold though the promise of keeping warm should be enough.

refashioned blanket to maternity coat

I've been bidding on wool maternity coats on ebay but I guess I'm just not bidding high enough - too much garage saling has made me kind of cheap on re-sale items.

My mom pulled out an old blanket wrap she got in Austria and suggested I use it as a coat. The edges were already finished and frayed so the transformation was simple.  The sleeves are not set in but sewn kimono style and the closure is just a tie.  I also added some inseam pockets, back elastic and fabric flower to prevent it from looking too much like a witch costume or even a bathrobe.

 I will have very fond memories of my mom helping me pin it and shape it late at night.  We were laughing so hard it was hard not to get pricked from the pins.   

refashioned sweater to toddler coat

Here's what I did with another wool sweater from Karen's Dad.  The ribbing was added as a collar and pockets and the hood is detachable.  I hope it keeps this little guy warm!  (pattern info here)  

refashioned purple sweater

Here is another project finished just in time, it was quick and no pattern was required.  The sweater was purchased for $1 at a garage sale.  It was first shrunk in the washing machine on a hot cycle then leaving the neckline in tack I cut a high yoke and attached a slightly gathered front and back.  The sleeves were cut narrower and shorter and the bottom ribbing was cut off allowing extra scraps for the added pockets.  The bottom was serged then turned up and hemmed with a regular straight stitch, the felting process kept it from stretching out.

This is "super warm and cozy" says Clara.  She also likes it because it is purple and she can hide things in the pockets. 

Mad sewing and Moving

Our moving truck is just about packed and we'll be rolling out across the plains in just a matter of days.

I should have packed up my sewing supplies weeks ago but instead broke all my own rules finishing up projects and starting projects all because it calms me and especially because I know it will be weeks before my life is settled enough to resume sewing.

Here are two (there are several more to follow) that were photographed yesterday:

Wrap maternity dress.  This fabric has been sitting in my stash for 15 years!  The small floral print is so out dated that I think it's almost back in.  Well, that is what I'm seeing all over French and Japanese blogs lately, small floral prints in muted colors.  Either way I was ready to use it up and in need of a new dress.  I didn't really use a pattern for this one (probably because it is impossible to find a pattern that fits) but just went at it with some scissors, pins and very awkwardly draped it around my jelly bean body.  You may notice the front hem is hanging long but that is because I still have 3 months to go and I get really big with my 9lb babies.  You may also notice I look very tired but that is because this picture was taken after church and it is hard to hold a toddler still for 3 hours especially when you are losing your lap.

Refashioned baby sweater.  One of Paul's co-workers passed a size L merino sweater on to me to refashion.  I used it in combination with one of Paul's old Brooks Brothers button down and am very happy with the result (pattern info here).  I should have made it bigger but Henry will still get several wears out of it this Fall/Winter.    

Oma's old turtle necks

"Oma" is my mom, it is German for grandma.  She really likes turtle necks and I can even remember her wearing them at the beach, she said it was to protect her skin.

With all the sewing and refashioning I've been doing she was motivated to clean out a couple of drawers and donated a pile of turtle necks in a  variety of colors.  Here's what I made for Henry and his cousin (pattern info here).  There were so many turtle necks that I went ahead and made them double layer T's - they will be almost as warm as a sweatshirt.