How To Crochet Around A Wire Hanger

I would rather reuse things rather than throw them out. With this in mind, I created this tutorial for crocheting yarn around wire hangers to make them non-slip and to add a bit of padding.

Tutorial includes:
*List of supplies
*Step-by-step instructions
*Photos

Available for purchase on Etsy and Gumroad.

Reviews

★★★★★

This was soooo helpful!! I was actually able to pick it up as I read along! Thank you for breaking this down well for a beginner!!!

Buyer on Etsy

How To Upcycle A Sweater To A Purse

Upcycling at it's best! Turn a pullover sweater into a purse, giving new life to an old garment.

This sewing tutorial is a PDF you download and print off.

Included is a list of supplies, step-by-step instructions and color photo illustrations.

 Get your copy today!

Upcycle A Sweater To A Purse Sewing Tutorial PDF

How to Dye Fabric With Leftover Coffee Grounds

Needing new window hangings, I dyed an old sheet with leftover coffee grounds and created something for nothing!

How I Began

I made new covers for the living room throw pillows. The colors were exactly what I wanted, but after, I noticed that the blue curtains I had hanging did NOT go with the new color scheme.

Going through all the fabric I found nothing that worked. Then I remembered another garage sale sheet I had. It was white, which was too bright for what I wanted, but there was plenty of fabric.

Since the sheet was 100 percent cotton, I decided to dye it. I first consider tea dyeing, then thought coffee dyeing would produce a darker color. An internet search turned up several tutorials, and I found this one to be most helpful. What I really liked was I  reused the coffee grounds that I normally threw out each day.

Saving coffee grounds was not a problem! I took a large plastic container and added my grounds to it each day. If I had a bit of black coffee left, I poured that in as well.

What You Need

• Deep plastic container for soaking fabric in
• Leftover coffee grounds

Instruction

Be sure to do this outside!!! I am serious - it will make a mess.

1) Into the old storage container, I dumped in the coffee grounds, leftover sludge, and some additional water.

 

2) Mixed it well and added the fabric, making sure there was enough liquid to cover the sheet. Then, I mixed it around and rubbed the grounds into the fabric to get a bit more color.

3) Then I let it sit and soak. After about 15 minutes, I shifted the fabric around. And waited some more. Another 15 minutes, and more shifting. And more waiting.

In all, I let it soak over an hour, trying to get the color dark enough. Then I added some vinegar to the water (the tutorial I referenced suggested using alum, which I did not have, or vinegar. I didn't really measure it, just poured some in - probably about 1/3 cup) and let it soak about 15 more minutes.

 
4) I pulled out the sheet, wrung out as much liquid as I could, and draped the sheet over my patio table and chairs to dry. Since I did not rinse the sheet (because I did not want to remove the color) there were a lot of coffee grounds stuck to it. They do fall off as the fabric dries which is why this project should be done outside! I dumped the grounds and liquid in the grass.

 

5) On a warm and breezy day, the fabric should dry in a few hours (and out of the sun, so it wouldn't bleach any of the color out). I shook it well to get all the dried coffee grounds off and looked at the color. It was pretty much what I expected.

Then I used a dry iron to iron the fabric and help set the color.

Final Thoughts

And that's it - dyeing with coffee. It really was easy to do, a bit of a mess, but easy to clean up if done outside. And as an added bonus - it cost nothing! I was able to reuse an old sheet and used coffee grounds instead of throwing them away. 

If you like to sew, check out my tutorial How To Upcycle a Sweater to a Purse. Don't throw out that old pullover sweater - upcycle it to a new purse. Step-by-step illustrated instructions are available on Etsy and Gumroad.

Yarn Transformation - part 1

A few months ago, a friend was cleaning out her closet, and gave me several items to take apart and remake. Included was a sweater she had knit from wool yarn. I asked her if she wanted to unravel it and reuse the yarn herself, but she wasn't interested. Because I've had a hard time finding thrift store sweaters that can be unraveled, especially wool ones, I gratefully took it. Instructions for unraveling a sweater (and how to identify a hand-knit one that can be unraveled) can be found at Neauveau Fiber Arts. From this: To this: What comes next?? I think I want to knit something, although I may crochet. But so far, I haven't decided. A hat? A scarf? The yarn is really soft and warm, so I want to make something special. If you have any suggestions, please leave me a comment!

Treasures!

Look at what I received - a gift from a friend! Jewelry, yarn, and a cardigan just waiting to be remade into something else. For me, this is the best kind of treasure!


Here is a close-up of the yarn-----with fall and winter on the way, I'm already thinking about what I could crochet and knit with this.....


A close-up of some of the jewelry - this box is mainly earrings. I spent several hours just sorting through this, to see what was there. In a nutshell - a lot of raw material just waiting to be taken apart and make into something else!


Of course,this was all done under the supervision of my CCI (Chief Cat Inspector). Nothing missed his sharp eyes, and the yarn was found to be easy to play with!


He approves!! Now, let the creating begin----

Brown Tweed Purse

Here it is - a purse I made from an old skirt and belt. I am really happy with the way it came out. 

The Back Story of This Creation

 About 20 years ago, I bought a skirt. I always liked the brown tweed fabric, and even when the skirt no longer fit, I kept it. By the time I lost weight and the skirt fit again, it was seriously out of style. But because I loved the fabric so much, I kept it to use to make something. I never could decide what-----until a few years ago when I saw a magazine article about tweed purses.

Things clicked into place for me, and I decided to make a purse. To challenge myself, I also decided to create a pattern for it.  

My first try was the same shape as this one, but it was larger, and I used the waistband of the skirt for the strap. I realized I needed to line the purse with something stiffer - it needed more shape to it. And, I never liked the way the strap looked. So I took it apart and set it aside. I saw Susan Khalje on a TV program make a purse and lined it with buckram. That was what I needed!! 

Putting the Purse Together

I bought buckram and cut down the tweed fabric to make it a better size for a purse. I sewed the buckram to it, then sewed the pieces together. I loved the way it looked, the stiffness it had, but damn! Going through two layers of fabric with buckram was tough at times! Since I wasn't using the waistband for the strap, I had to come up with something else - and figure out a way to attach it. I decided to use an old belt I had for the strap. I took two belt loops from the skirt and sewed them to the sides of the purse. I ran D rings through the loops, then put the belt through the D rings. Buckling the belt closes it, and also allows for a bit of adjustment in the length.

  (I know the D ring isn't straight, but I was trying to hold the strap up while taking the photo!) 

Lining the Purse

Then I had to try to fit my lining. I originally made the lining from an old blouse I had. It was a bright yellow, and I liked the contrast with the brown tweed - a bit of sunshine when you opened the purse. I took it apart to cut down to fit the smaller sized purse, but the fabric didn't come apart easily. There were a couple of tears that I wasn't sure I could hide in the seams. I cut it down, but it still didn't fit right. I finally gave up on that and pulled out my fabric stash to look for something to make the lining from. I soon found something I thought would work - a taupe/grey silky polyester. It looked great with the brown tweed. Once I pulled it out and looked at it, I realized why - it was the lining that was originally in the skirt!! Yes, the two fabrics were going to be paired together again. Using the bag as a pattern, I cut out the lining and interfaced the pieces. After sewing it together, I sewed it to the purse.

A bit of velcro added to the purse helps keep it closed.

There it is - how I repurposed a skirt and belt into a new-to-me purse!

If you like to sew and are interested in upcycling your clothes, check out my tutorial How To Upcycle a Sweater to a Purse. Don't throw out that old pullover sweater - upcycle it to a new purse. Step-by-step illustrated instructions are available on Etsy and Gumroad.

'Tis the Season!

Yes, the holidays are upon us! For those in the US, Thanksgiving is next Thursday! Already?!? Well, there are five Thursdays this November, and since Thanksgiving falls on the fourth Thursday, it is coming early this year.

In that light, I've begun listing a few Christmas items in the Redux Designs Etsy shop. I don't have many items specifically for Christmas, but what I have, I'm putting up this week and next.

Today, I listed this bracelet:


Years ago, my mom found a necklace at a garage sale, and for some reason, gave it to me. It was made up of gold, red, and green beads, along with various Christmas charms. It was, to be honest, not my style at all! However, there was plenty of raw material waiting to be re-created into some wonderful things.

I first made a bracelet for myself (hey, I need to test out the design and my skills!), then I've taken some more of the beads and charms and made a couple of other bracelets. The one above, is the first one I've listed on Etsy. The beads are green and gold colored; the charms are gold colored and everything, except the jump rings and lobster claw clasp are reused from the necklace.

I listed this bracelet and another one last year, but they got very few views. Maybe they got lost in the Etsy shuffle. Here's hoping this year will be better. I also have a few holiday things I've crocheted, so I'll add them soon. Please keep checking back for updates.

Happy Holidays!

Plastic Bags

I never thought I would say this - but I could use more plastic bags!

Over the summer I have tried to remember to take my canvas bags with me to the grocery store in order to avoid using any more plastic bags. Since I already had a huge stash at home, I also began crocheting a tote made from plastic bag "yarn". (I hoping to get a tutorial up soon, but you can also search for "plastic bag yarn" and find several on the internet). I wanted to make it strong, to take to the store instead of/in addition to my canvas bags. (Yes, I'm hoping that someone will comment on it and I can both talk about the dangers of plastic bags AND talk about Redux Designs) So I began a bag made from Target bags - you know, white with the red design and lettering. And I'm almost through - and I've run out of bags! I haven't shopped at Target much for financial reasons, but I am facing a dilemma - how do I finish my tote? And, I had planned to make one for my mom as part of her Christmas gift (since I know she will use it) - will I be able to find enough bags?

Here is how my bag looks now - almost finished!

I do have a stash of bags from other stores, but the Target bags are sturdier so I've used them. My other source is my part-time retail job. We often get customers returning items in our plastic bags, so I hope to reuse them for "yarn". These bags are very thick and sturdy, so they will be great for crocheting with, but since I only work one or two days a month, I don't collect them very fast.

My stash of plastic bags:

Yes, I could ask my friends so save theirs for me, but I'm already looked at oddly most of the time - I'm not sure I want to venture further into that territory (maybe I just need some new friends who "get" me).

What a thing to complain about! I've been quite good at remembering my canvas bag, so I'm bringing home much fewer bags from the store and adding less to the waste stream. I guess I need to realize that my future is NOT in making things from plastic bags, but rather reusing things that I can easily gather together.

But first, I have to get enough bags to finish my tote!!

Remaking Shoes - Part 2

Finding shoes that fit my feet is hard. I take at least a size 9, and I need a wide width. When I find a pair that I like and that fit well, I try to do everything I can to wear them until they can no longer be repaired.I bought this pair of platform sandals and wore them a couple of times. I loved them, but while walking into work one day, I noticed that the left shoe was rubbing my foot. On closer look, I discovered this: See how the brown plastic ring has broken off - I have no idea when this happened, but it made them very painful to wear.  When I limped home that evening, I took them off and realized that either I find the missing piece and try gluing it back on, or I'd have to remake them somehow. I could not wear them again that way. And so they sat for weeks. I was upset that they weren't wearable, and since I had worn them several times AND thrown away the receipt, I couldn't take them back. 

Finally, I decided to do something, anything, to be able to wear them again. 

I examined them and realized that the plastic ring was really just decoration. It was not needed to hold the pieces together. I could remove it with no effect on the shoes.

Taking out my trusty hammer and a scrap piece of wood, I removed the offending plastic ring. I will add that I tried using a pair of pliers to snap the ring first, but it would not break. I wouldn't even chip off. I have no idea why the ring broke in the first place, but I needed the hammer and several hard whacks to break them off. And now, the shoes look like this: And note that not all clothing remakes make use of sewing supplies. My tool of choice here was a hammer! And here is a detail of the left shoe: There is a hole through there that I can put something else - I've thought about wrapping a piece of ribbon and gluing it in place. 

Before you give up on a piece of clothing or an accessory, take a good look at it and see if it can be remade. It is exciting to put them back in your wardrobe when you thought they were ruined.

Organization

Simple changes to thrifted clothes can give them new life. Replacing buttons is an easy way to get a different look that you like.

This tweed jacket was a recent thrift find. It is black, white, and aquamarine tweed. The buttons that came on the blazer were aquamarine and silver. They are lovely but not what I wanted on there. 

 Here is a picture of the jacket before:

 Here is a detail of one of the original buttons.

I love the buttons, just not on the blazer. So I decided to replace them with black buttons that I had in my button stash.

Here's how the jacket ooks with the new buttons.

And a close-up of one of the new buttons.

I did have a challenge. The jacket had three buttons and 3 buttonholes. I only had two black buttons that would fit. After trying it on, I decided that 1) if I didn't button the jacket, which I probably would not, the top button and buttonhole would be hidden under the lapel, 2) if I did button it, I didn't want it buttoned up as high as the top button anyway. I went with the two buttons and decided if I want a third, I'll need to thrift three matching buttons to replace them. 

And the buttons that came with the jacket? They went into my button stash to be used on something else. They may be used on a dress or jacket, or I may make some jewelry with them. 

What item(s) of clothing do you have that could be updated with a change of buttons to make them fit your current style and give them new life?

Remaking Shoes - part 1

Two pairs of shoes weren't working for me. Instead of getting rid of them, I made alterations and kept wearing them.

My feet are hard to fit. I've worn a wide width since my son was born (and a few even before then), so finding my size in a wide width that I can afford can be a challenge. 

I've noticed, however, a problem with a couple of pairs of shoes I have. Both have a back strap that attaches to the side of the shoe. Not to the front part, like a slingback, but to the sole. And this back strap keeps sliding off my heel. 

I like these shoes and want to wear them - heck, I've paid for them so I want to get to use them. Then I realized - why not remove the back strap and wear them as slides? Since the strap was falling off anyway, they tended to be "slides" by default. 

I got a pair of utility scissors, and a minute later, I had re-made the shoes to make them more wearable! 

My challenge to you - what items do you have that you never wear? Could you do a similar alteration to make them wearable? 

Duvet Cover to Pillow Cases

Not I remake is to be worn - by a person anyway. This remake is for my bed!

The backstory - in 1998, I bought a duvet cover for about $25 (on sale, of course!). It has served me well through the years, but a few years ago, I noticed it was faded and beginning to get some tears. I patched it as best I could, but it really needed to be replaced. However, I had trouble finding anything less than $50, and most of them I didn't like. So---I kept looking.

In March, while hitting the thrift stores to look for wardrobe for a movie I was helping with, I found one! In excellent condition, it was the right size, and - best of all - the place sold by the pound. So, my new-to-me duvet cover was under $5! YES!!!

The old cover, however, wasn't completely trashed. There was a lot of good fabric still in it, and I couldn't bring myself to throw it away. But what to do with it? It so happened that I also had a set of pillowcases that were getting threadbare and torn. So - make new pillowcases from the old cover!

It was a rather simple remake. Here's the steps:

•  I laid the old pillowcases on the duvet cover, and used them as a pattern, cutting extra to make them a bit larger and to allow for seams. 
• I stitched up the sides, zig-zagged the ope, then end turned it up and sewed a double seam to make it more decorative. 

I've been using them for several weeks now, and I am very pleased with the results.

There is still a lot of the fabric left, and I'm not sure what to do with it yet, but I'm hanging on to it for now. Surely inspiration will strike.

Dont worry,  the old pillowcases were not thrown away. Taking my pinking shears, I cut them into squares to use to remove my eye makeup and nail polish. 

My point is that before throwing something away, take the time to think of any alternate uses for the item - or the materials that make the item. I spent under $5 to buy the new-to-me duvet cover, and in the process got new pillowcases and new make-up remover pads.

If you like to sew, check out my tutorial How To Upcycle a Sweater to a Purse. Don't throw out that
old pullover sweater - upcycle it to a new purse. Step-by-step illustrated instructions are available on Etsy and Gumroad.

How Not To Felt a Wool Sweater

Attempting to felt a wool sweater did not go as planned. Hopefully you can learn from my mistakes.

What Is Felting?

Felting is when you wash a wool garment and the fibers meld together. It can produce a really cool look for knitted or crocheted items. I had thought about trying it for awhile, and had read some articles on it. It seemed simple enough. 

What I Did

When I decided to remake my Aran-style wool pullover into a purse, I thought about how it would look felted. Unfortunately, I thought about this AFTER I had cut the sweater in to. My "brilliant" plan was to try felting the sleeves to see if I liked the look of the wool. If I did, then I'd do the part I was using for the purse. Let me remind you that this sweater was machine made, not hand knitted. Which means that it is made up of many small pieces of yarn, not one continuous one as in hand knitting. So I throw the piece in the washer with some towels and go do other stuff. 

The Results

Return when load has finished to find-----a mess!!!! Bits of yarn were all through the washer, and what didn't come apart, was wadded up. No, I didn't take a picture. Fortunately, the trash can was nearby, and it was chucked in there. If I had any sense (which is doubtful, sometimes), I could have tried sewing around the cut edge to better hold it together. Or, put it in a pillowcase, again to help keep it together. But no, I just threw it in. Oh well. Lesson learned.

Next time, I'm going to follow these directions to felt a wool sweater and hope for better results.