Project #11a-11n

Clutch Mania

So I decided for the end of the year to make thank you gifts for the teachers at the school I work with, and I have 3 boxes full of fabric swatches that a friend at Pratt gave me, so I decided to shoot two birds with one stone and make some gifts out of those swatches. And this is what happened.

I made 14 in bags in the space of 5 hours. I was getting button holes done in 45 seconds. They are quite simple and I actually complicated them more than I needed two. It's two swatches and a button, pleated on the bottom for expansion room and buttoned at top to keep the flap down. Very simple design, but the fancy upholstery fabrics make the clutches durable and elegant without crazy designs. I was lucky enough to have friends and family help me start a great button collection a few years ago. It was fun and simple and I got them done! That's my favorite part.

Project #4

Menswear

I know, it's no longer January. Far from it, Happy May. But since I really still want to get my 31 projects done, I'm aiming for 31 projects in 12 months. And I think I'm going to make it. So here we continue...

Probably my favorite project. It's been in the makings forever, but now it's here. I've worn it twice. I love it.

It's a mens shirt worn backwards. Thats it. I unpicked the collar which created the neckline. I cinched the sides of the shirt to fit under the arms. I cut off the sleeves, pulled the extra fabric back to the side and added pockets in the fold it created. The front of the shirt is now the back of the dress (love the buttons) and I used some extra fabric from the sleeves to make a halter with a support strip in the back so the dress wouldn't sag. I also made my first buttonhole on my machine. (yay firsts!). It's fabulous, and it doesn't blow up in the wind. bonus.

This is my favorite dress.