Upcycling: Men's sweater

Suddenly, the summer is here, with wonderful, lovely sunshine! My family and I are part of an outdoor life association and I give you some pictures from our meeting last week-end.

 

 

 The mornings are still a bit chilly though. As always, it is our oldest son that is short of clothes. I have been contemplating sewing a sweatshirt from Ottobre Design, but haven't been able to choose a pattern yet.

Now, there were no time for indecision! Last night I grabbed one of my husband's old cotton sweater and my scissors, et voilà:

 

 

Something for myself

I had some old projects laying about that I finished the other night!

At last something for myself!

Sewing for kids: Ottobre design Good Old Basic Jeans

Another pair of jeans is done for the summer. It’s no 21, Good Old Basic jeans from Ottobre Design 4/2015. I made size 116 for my 4,5 year old, and they are a little bit big, but, fit good enough.

 

 

 

The fabric, a purple twill, is from Stoff och Stil, and the pockets and inside waist band are made from a light blue cotton fabric with flowers.

Purple is my sons favorite color, but he is getting doubtful about it after being told at kindergarten that it’s just for girls. I think it’s upsetting that so young kids should have such thoughts! However, I hope that the design and the fire truck will make him more comfortable wearing them outside the house. At the moment he’s enjoying his Easter break, and he is very pleased with the pants.

 

Sewing for kids: Ottobre Design Happy Champ

 

I’ve finished a new pair of pants for our oldest boy. Happy Champ (no 14) from Ottobre Design 6/2014. The little Sir grows faster than I sew!

 

I used an army twill fabric from Stoff & Stil, and there is black fold over elastic around the pockets.

 

I have a pair of pliers from Prym, and I wanted eyelets on the waistband for a more professional look. However, I couldn’t find the tools, so I had to order a new package. The eyelets and the rivets made these pair of pants quite expensive!

I didn’t have any black elastic for the waistband, but I found a solution!

I had to stretch the waistband a lot!

My boy is really pleased with his pants, and I am pleased with the pattern. I used the size 116, and it fits very well.

 

Strathcona henley

Last week end I finished the Strathcona Henley from Thread Theory for my husband.

I had some trouble getting the size of his trousers right, so instead of using the pattern for the shirt I drafted a basic tee shirt pattern. I used the placket pattern piece, and the instructions from the Strathcona.

The henley came together quite quickly, the only tricky bit was of course the placket. I’ve never sewn a placket before, and I imagine that it is easier using woven fabrics.

I measured really carefully:

 

But when I folded the placket as instructed, I didn’t manage to cover the seam allowance. If I had used “the little grey cells”, I would have added a few millimeters on the “right side” of the placket. Live and learn!

 

I would like to have sewn the placket using the machine for a really crisp, nice look. But, I figured that my machine would not approve of so many layers of jersey. So, I hand stitched the placket on the right side.

 

When I was done, I liked the placket better on the wrong side! So, I simply made up the rest of the henley using the wrong side of the fabric as the right side.

 

My husband is really pleased with his new henley, and I will certainly use this pattern again!

Jutland pants and henley shirt

 

 

Finished a new henley shirt for my husband! Looks good with his new jeans!

Remake: Icelandic sweater

My husband got a hand knitted traditional icelandic sweater when he was on Iceland for over 15 years ago. Unfortunately, the sweater was too big, and he has never worn it!

As a part of a new outfit I’m making for him, I will remake his Icelandic sweater!

 

The original sweater has a nice pattern. It is knitted with an unspun yarn, could be Plötulopi.

 

Now the sweater is no more!

I have a book about Icelandic sweaters, and I’ve found a pattern which I hope will work with my colors.

 

Now, back to work!