21 August 2008

On the Sew Again


Yesterday, CRAFT Magazine's blog, courtesy of Google Reader, offered up temptation too good to resist: a tutorial for converting old t-shirts into newborn clothes. Might not sound like something so terribly irresistible to you, but this weekend I replaced oma's broken sewing machine with a brand new little gem that is a joy to work with. I've been sewing off and on for years, but eminent arrival of the little one has me sewing loads. This weekend was the first time I've worked with a machine made after 1980. You can't imagine my surprise and delight!

Since this was my first attempt with the pattern, seriously sewing knits, and a more complicated project with the new machine, I used one of F's old t-shirts. The results are super pleasing. I used a lightly contrasting thread to just give the outfit a bit of color, but that turned out looking quite nice as well, and showing off the stitches, too! Check out the neckline. I used a zig-zag stitch for knits that is actually two stitches on each zig and two on each zag. It gives a great finished look without pulling the fabric.



The other neat stitch was the substitute interlock or as I prefer to call it, the fake-n-lock. It's going to keep hold of those edges for me and look good on the outside all at the same time!



The only disappointment I encountered was realizing that my old t-shirts (mostly kids extra-larges) are too small to turn into these cute little outfits. But F's got a stash I can raid and surely local friends and the thrift store have treasures waiting for me to discover as well. The whole project (including making up the pattern) took a couple of hours, so with a pattern ready, I'm guessing it would only take an hour or so to put another one together. Sizing up the pattern will be my next challenge!

10 comments:

  1. Ive read this topic for some blogs. But I think this is more informative.

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  2. Great job! Now you get to have fun searching for fun shirts. Men's XL are the best size to get. The only way I've found to get one out of a women's shirt is to change it to short-sleeves (and cut the sleeves out of the sleeves) and the women's shirt has to be extra long.

    With a men's XL, you can cut the long sleeves out of the shirt sides once you cut out the front and back down the center. Most mass produced cheap t's don't have side seams which makes it perfect.

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  3. Wouldn't it be easier just to shrink a big T to make a tiny T? That's just a guy prespective.

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  4. Well done. It's beautiful and creative.

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  5. Aahh, I am also an American living in The Netherlands! But it gets better... I, too, live in Haarlem. Perhaps I've bumped into you at the Albert Heijn! ;-) I'm usually asking people things like, "What is this?" or "Is this for my face?" (about face wash). Anyway, glad to have waltzed onto your page!

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  6. One more thing... you mentioned a thrift store--is there one in Haarlem?

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  7. Alright, I have no idea what you just said, but I'm going to explore and look for those places! ;) In your opinion, do they have decent clothing items? I'm interested in being all Bohemian and working some thrifted treasures into my wardrobe!

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  8. Jamie - the Schalm has plenty of clothes. You'll be looking bohemian in no time!

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  9. Hurray! Another of your crafty posts! They are my favourite...Pity my little one is already 2yo!!! But my friend's daughter will benefit from all your informations...you are a STAR!

    oh, yeah...another thing: good luck with the Consultatie Bureau ;-)

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  10. Manu - what an encouraging comment! Eventually, I'll try sizing up the pattern - although probably without sleeves as that seems like quite a challenge.

    As for the consultatie bureau - I've no idea what to expect!

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