Recycle a t-shirt into a tank top

So I was bored, and wanted a new shirt...and have been wanting to do an upcycle project for a while. So I dug around the closets and found this over sized t-shirt and went to work.

Here's the before and after products:

Before-

After-

Here are the instructions in case you would like to try it out yourself:

Step 1: Pick a t-shirt you don't mind experimenting with.

Step 2: Cut off sleeves and shoulders just under the neck line (save the sleeves for later):

Step 3: Trim the sides at an angle starting from bottom and cutting upwards to the corner to the shoulder. Repeat to the other side. This will create a slight flare with the bottom of the shirt being a little larger than the top of the shirt:

Step 4: With right sides facing each other, sew a seam along each side using the zigzag stitch on your sewing machine due to this is stretchy material:

Step 5: With right sides still facing each other, iron down flaps on both sides to prevent rolling:

Step 6: With shirt still inside out, fold flap on top of shirt down about an inch and sew using zigzag stitch. Be sure to leave enough room to run elastic through the inside. Sew all the way around except for about the last inch which will be used to insert the elastic:

Step 7: Measure the distance in inches around your chest above the breast. Reduce this number by about 2 inches and cut the length in elastic. Attach a safety pin to one end of the elastic. Slide the safety pin through the path created in step 6 until all the way through but be sure to hold onto both ends on each side:

Step 8: Hand sew the each end of the elastic to each other to form a complete circle and then sew the gap in the seam of the shirt.

Step 9: Using one of the sleeves of the shirt cut off the seam:

Step 10: Cut along the bottom seam to open up and cut along each side to make a straight edge:

Step 11: Cut 3 strips long ways about an inch thick from sleeve. Place each upon each other and sew along short end (regular stitching is fine):

Step 12: Stretch each strand, allowing to roll on ends and then braid to opposite end. Sew end of strands to secure. Repeat with other sleeve. These will be the straps for the shirt. Attach to shirt and sew on.

I love my new shirt, I hope you have success with your own projects! Let me know how it goes. :)

Star Pattern

I just finished making one of these for a project that I'm currently working on and just had to share it as it was incredibly easy and only took about 5 minutes to make...maybe less. I'll post my finished project soon so check back for that. Anyways, click here for the link. Thanks to Rachel at the Crochet Spot for sharing this pattern!

Another Lacy scarf - Mirror Lake Scarf

I love this pattern so much of the scarf I made last year for my sister's birthday, I had to do another one...I'm thinking more will be in my future...even if it is starting to get warm...can't hurt to be ready for next winter! :) Here is the pattern if you want to try it yourself. Enjoy!

Kithen Towel Toppers

Every year I like to use one of my hobbies to make up some gifts for my co-workers, just to spread some Christmas cheer. This year I settled on kitchen towels with crocheted toppers for the ladies and home baked cookies for the men (men are too easy). I knew the theme in a few of the ladies' kitchens so I knew what type of towel to use, the rest I just sort of felt out. Each got a set of two coordinating towels. I searched through several patterns before I found one that I liked.

Doggie Sweater 2

In addition to the first sweater I made, I made these for the more not so cold days, but are on the brisk side. I guess you could call these "sweater vests" since they don't have any sleeves. lol Honey is wearing the purple, and lil Sedona is in the pink. Don't they make such cute models? :) Click here for the pattern.

Cashmere Breeze Scarf

Here's another scarf outta the hat. I made this as a Christmas present for a friend last year...just didn't get a chance to picture it until recently. It was one of my favorites. Click here for the pattern.

Mary Jane Booties

Every time a baby shower comes around, I have to whip up these adorable little sets of booties. I sell these for $5 (plus s/h) each pair. These Mary Janes make wonderful gifts for little girls and seem to always wind up being among the most popular gifts. The last 3 showers I attended, the booties ended up being past around the whole room followed by ooo's and awww's.

I made these particular booties for one of my best friends from high school, Nicole, who just had a little girl, Layla Nicole. Her chosen baby colors are brown, pink and green. I'm working on a baby blanket to match so be sure to follow up later to see it.

For little treasures of your own, here is the pattern for these booties.

Perpetual Calendar

These might not be as common anymore, but they are still super cool. In case you never heard of a perpetual calendar, it's a calendar that you manually switch out the months and rotate the days of the month. You'll never need to buy another calendar again because this calendar is accurate for every year to come. Here is the pattern if you'd like to take a crack at it yourself. Enjoy!