Upcycling: Too Long Crop Pants into Crops for me and Shorts for 4 Year Old

These soft and cozy crops were too long for me.  Like I-went-for-a-walk-in-them-and-had-to-fold-them-up too long.  So I took the scissors to them and cut them just around knee height.

What to do with the excess? 

Make little boy shorts, of course!  For my four year-old.

To make these, I measured the cut ends against his leg and determined the length was right but they would need an added waistband instead of a rolled-over one.

Then I cut the angled crotch seam and stitched the sides together, right sides together.  

Next, I measured his waist to a snug fit against some 4-way stretch fabric (you could always do any fabric and add a piece of elastic inside), and cut it about 4" wide.  I stitched it into a  loop.  Then I folded it over and put the right sides together around the waist.  The seams both face up, towards where the body goes, when you use this method.  Then I stitched it around once with a regular stitch and again with a wide zig zag (faux serge) next to the seam.

Viola!  Cutest shorts ever and a pair of crops that I can go use for walking.

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DIY Quick Kids' Shorts

My son woke up and told me he was out of shorts.  I thought it would be quicker to whip up a new pair than to slay the growing laundry dragon.

And it was!

These took maybe half an hour, including choosing the fabric and the extra time for putting them together when both kids were awake and in the room.

To make them, I took some fabric and folded it in half.  I then took a pair of (ahem, dirty) shorts that fit nicely and matched the side seam to my fold.  I made sure I had enough fabric to do this twice, then cut a square.

Then I cut an angle up for the crotch seam.

To put them together, I stitched up the inside of each leg.  Then I stitched up the middle seam. Then I hemmed them with a zig zag.

 Lastly, I made the waistband.  To do this, I measured my son's waist against a piece of elastic and made it into a loop with a zig zag.  I took a 4" wide piece of the same fabric as the shorts (but could have easily chosen a complimentary fabric).  Making sure its stretch went wide-ways, I sewed it into a loop.  Then I folded it in half and tucked the elastic loop inside.  I matched its rough ends with the rough ends of the shorts and folded the nice parts downwards.  This I looped around my machine and stitched it in a loop.  I like to reinforce this seam by going around twice.  These look sharp if you also topstitch after, sewing down the seam allowance.  I didn't do this on this pair.

Viola!  Quick kids' shorts.

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Upcycling: Velvet Curtain into Travel Booster Seat Bag (for 2 seats)

We chose the old velvet curtain for this project because velvet is sturdy and soft, and the color is dark and will hide some travel marks.  We wanted a bag to hold the booster seats and possibly make it easier to get through the airport.  If that's possible.  

 To make it, we stacked the two booster seats together then cut the curtain to fit around while still giving space to get the seats in and out.

I added a pocket for a card with our contact info.

Snaps go across the opening (they are black).  

I made a strap from the top of the curtain because those rings are so cool, and we can hang a name tag from there, or strap it to another bag through the holes if needed.  To make the strap, I hemmed the width of the cut side (the other side still had its hem).  I used a box stitch to attach it.  I chose the length by trying to walk while having the full bag over a shoulder.  It is shorter than I expected.

Wish us luck traveling!

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Upcycling: Lululemon Groove Pants into Kid Pants and Bikram Yoga Shorts

This particular pair of Lululemon Groove Pants started to wear between my legs.  So I cut them just at the wear line and hemmed them up.

Viola!  Fabulous Bikram Yoga shorts.

  

And with fabric as great as "Luon" (what is it? I don't know but it feels so nice on the skin), I couldn't let the bottom go to waste.  So I checked the length against one of my son's pairs of pants and found it to be just right.  I cut the center seam inwards and stitched it up.

I would usually use the waistband again for kid pants when upcycling, but, since it had already been used for my shorts, I used a bit of fabric with a piece of elastic inside to make a casing.

In making these, I left the width as it was.  They are wide on him for sure, but I love the bell bottom look for the kids.

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Upcycling: My Jeans into Kid Pull-Up Jeans

These were my old jeans, and I didn't want to throw them away because the fabric was so deliciously stretchy and I love how jeans have contrast stitching.  This pair in particular was worn in and cozy, and I decided to cut them into pull-on jeans for my older son.  

To make them, I cut them to height using a pair of sweats that fit him as my pattern.  I added an extra inch for the waistband.  Then I curved them in, left the width as it was, and stitched up the center seam.  

I originally just turned the waistband, wanting to use the stretch of the fabric to hold the pants up.  They immediately fell down (yes, even though I measured them).

So I cut that off and added a 2" piece with elastic inside.  The rise is a bit short in back.  Next time I will leave closer to 3" to play with as I do the sizing and fitting around the waist.

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Little Heartbreaker Pants as Shorts (again)

This time around, I made three pairs of Little Heartbreaker Pants from Sewing for Boys as Shorts.

Previously, I made one pair here and four pairs here.  

As you may recall, the last time I made them I had an issue with the back bunching up and causing the hem to not be straight all the way around.  I was able to catch that before stitching the middle seam this time, and adjust accordingly.  To fix it, I had to match up the shorts and cut out the excess fabric BEFORE sewing the middle leg seams.  I changed the angle and it worked out great.

Another adjustment I made this time was to skip the adjustable elastic inside the back casing.  My older son complains that the snap rubs into him and doesn't like wearing them.  So I did everything the same, except stitched a piece of elastic at both ends of the casing instead if snapping one at the same location.

Now we are ready for summer!

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Simple Twenty Minute Tote with Exterior Pocket Tutorial

These are so quick, and they are quicker still if you choose not to include the exterior pocket.

First, choose a piece of fabric to fold in half as the main body fabric and cut it to square it up (actually it is a rectangle, but you need to make the corners square).  Then choose a pocket size and fabric, and cut the pocket and the straps.  The straps will be about 14" by 2".  Check your length by imagining holding the bag.

Press the edges of the pocket under on all four sides.  Stitch the top hem.  Pin it to one side of your main tote piece.  Stitch it around the three unsewn sides.

Now fold up your bag and stitch the two sides together.  Press the top hem under and stitch it.

To make the straps, which are 1" wide,  press them inwards with the edges hidden inside.  Then  stitch up and down both sides.  Next, pin and attach the straps to the bag using a box stitch in four places. Make sure the attachments across from each other are actually directly across from each other.

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DIY Wheelchair Bag Tutorial

We needed to use a wheelchair for my son's broken leg this winter.  When it arrived, the first thing we noticed was the lack of carrying space, especially since we have recently used strollers, which have copious storage for the parent and child, plus extra underneath.

We pretty much immediately set to work making a wheelchair bag for the handles.  My son chose some heavy canvas-weight Ikea fabric I had (stripes and a coordinating pattern).            

To make the bag, we measured against the wheelchair for the width, then folded it in half and stitched the edges together.  You could make it any height you want.  Ours went less than halfway down the back of the chair.  

Then we stitched a hem around the top after pressing it

.

To make the straps, which are 1" wide, I held up the bag to the back of the wheelchair and decided on the length.  Then I cut them 2" wide and pressed them inwards with edges hidden.  Then I stitched up and down both sides.  These are attached to the bag using a box stitch in four places.

This ended up being just the right size to stash his water bottle, a tablet, and headphones.

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V and C Toasty Homemade Hand Warmers

We made two sets of the Homemade Hand Warmers from V and Co in about half an hour this afternoon, including my little helper filling them and helping hand sew up the holes.

They are basically 4" square pouches filled with rice and 3 drops of lavender essential oil.  I microwaved them for 20 seconds to make them warm, but she also says you can freeze them for cold packs.

Can't wait to try these outside!

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Xtracycle Rain Cover and Sun Shade using Hooptie and Upside Down Kitchen Cart

There is a rumor that it rains in Northern California in the winter, and we actually witnessed the rain last week.  On that day, we decided it was time to make the rain cover we have been talking about forever.

It turns out that a rolling cart I had in the garage from The Container Store was nearly the same size as the Hooptie.

I took the wheels and middle racks off, flipped over the  upper rack, zip tied it onto the hooptie, and we were in business.

I happened to have a small bit of the same fabric left that I made the cushions and side bag out of (an Amy Butler Laminated Cotton), so I laid it on top and hand stitched it on.  

The boys liked it.  Then my taller boy said it was a bit short with his helmet on, so he wedged the cart frame up, and added more zip ties.  I am thinking of buying a clear vinyl and making roll-up sides and front and back to protect them more from the weather.

Stay tuned.




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UPDATE: I hate it!  It slows me down and makes the kids feel squished.  BUT- it was useful one day when I had to bring a booster seat to school.  We tied it on top.



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Upcycle Birdseed Bag into two Totes

We recently emptied a bag of bird seed and I thought it would be fun to make it into a bag.  It ended up as two little totes.  The boys each have claimed one and want to bring them to the farmer's market for their goodies.

Tote 1:

This is the back of the bird seed bag, stitched together.  Then I pinched the bottom corners (from the inside) and sewed across them to give it a structured bottom.

The handles are made of the sides of the birdseed bag folded in half and stitched together.  I used a box stitch to attach them to the tote.

Tote 2:

This is the front of the birdseed bag with the same pinched corners stitched across as with the first tote.

But with this one, I used canvas material from my stash for the handles and for a credit card/ money pocket.  

To make the credit card pocket, I took a rectangle of fabric and folded it in half, right sides together.  Then I turned and topstitched it together to make a patch pocket.  I added a snap.

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Sewing for Boys: Little Heartbreaker Pants as Shorts

The last time I made the Little Heartbreaker Pants from the Sewing for Boys Book into shorts, they were a huge hit.  They fit perfectly, and have weathered well (my younger son is in them now).  They are fun but polished.  My only beef is that I need to iron them every 4-5 wearings to keep the top front flat waistband looking flat.  I suppose it was to be expected.

I had a few issues this time, namely, that the rise in the back seems low and that I had to cut a bunch of fabric off the backs to make the hem even, then now the hems seem shorter and angled in back.  

I wonder why I didn't have these issues the first time around?  Maybe making four at a time hinders quality control?  Maybe not.

But the boys chose their fabric (my younger son got the top pair and the others are for my older son), and they love the result.

My younger son actually would love a pair of the sunflower ones. I am going to have to start buying more than a yard of fabric at a time!

One other change this time- as seen in the last photo- is that I finished all the seams.  They are all finished then turned under-- there is great care in the underpinnings of these...

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Sewing For Boys: Bobby's Bathers

I made Bobby's Bathers a while ago - from the Sewing for Boys Book- and those upcycled shorts have slowly become a favorite.  

We were in need of another pair and I chose to make a few of these.  They are a bit long, but really comfortable to wear and my son likes the "treasure pocket."  I made these, knowing the book sizes large and skipping the tabs and pulls in front.

These bottom two pairs are in a larger and smaller size, and the boys have gotten comments every time they have had them on.  I mean, they are iridescent.  The boys love matching, and they love having freedom to move.

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DIY Passover Matzoh Bag (for Sedar Table)

 This bag has 3 compartments, one for each ceremonial matzoh, and is used during the Passover Sedar.

It was QUICK, in fact, I made it in the 30 minutes between finishing the gefilte fish and showering before our guests arrived.

To make it, I took a box of matzoh and measured a square of fabric around it.   Then I added a seam allowance.  Then I cut a matching piece for the back.  Then I cut two other pieces for the dividers.  I hemmed all of the pieces for the top.  I did a binding for the edging by using a ribbon.  You could turn it and topstitch, or make binding.  

I loved this addition to our Sedar!  

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