Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Matariki Crafting Blog-hop : Upcycled merino tops.

I wanted to make something for this blog-hop, that would be used a lot. I'm so busy filling orders, that I felt a little guilty sewing something non-Croutons - the only way I could justify it was by sewing something that we genuinely needed.

If there's one item of clothing that never goes astray over Winter, it is merino tops. Am I right? They are pretty much the perfect item for layering, for both adults and kids. Not too heavy, but nice and warm.

I decided to my project would be a semi-tutorial on upcycling secondhand merino, into tops for kids.




With merino tops becoming more and more popular, the op shop racks are starting to have a greater population of them, too. If I see an adult's merino top, especially in a larger size, in good nick, then I nearly always snap it up. I generally pay no more than $5. This way, I always have a good stash for upcycling into clothing and hats for kids and babies.



For this project I used the 'Flashback Skinny Tee' pattern by Made by Rae, but you can use any t-shirt pattern you like. You can also make your own, by tracing around a tee your kids currently wear. There are some great tutorials for doing this on the net.

I cut the pattern pieces from the garments. I tried to use some of the details from the existing garments - the puff sleeves on the grey, and some seaming on the back of the red. I though that was a bit of fun.



Once I had cut out the arm and body pieces, I cut out some bands to use cuffs and bands around the bottoms and around the necks. For the red top, I also cut out a little collar (and a pocket I didn't end up using!)



 I used my overlocker to put the garments together, but you could do it with a regular machine (using a appropriate stitch and a ballpoint needle, of course!)



With the grey top, I added two little hearts cut from Tiny Happy fabric. I was really pleased with how it turned out. Love those sleeves!


The red top, though, was a bit of a fail.
I was one of those people at high school, who did their projects on the very last possible night. I always send swaps at the last possible minute, and I leave birthday presents until the day I need them. I tell myself it's because I work well under the pressure of a deadline - but, really, I'm just not very organised.

This top was a victim of that disorganisation - I left this project until this past weekend to do. And, in the rush to get it done, I cut out the wrong size pattern for the tops! Silly lady. The grey mernio was much finer, with a lot more stretch, so it's small but wearable. This red one is just too tiny.
(When she says 'skinny tee', she means it!)

Oh well, I'm sure I'll find a little lady to gift it to. As I said at the start, merino tops never go astray!

Thanks for joining me today! If you'd like to see some of the other posts in the craft-hop, head over to Tartan Kiwi for the full list, and more info.

Tartankiwi

15 comments:

  1. Gorgeous tops! I have some merino, I must get cutting :)
    xx

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  2. very cool!! love your personal touches to the new tops you made!

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  3. Ooh this is awesome (although kicking myself for passing up on a merino jumper the other day in the oppie- silly me!)

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  4. Ohhh sweeeet! so much detail i could never manage that. Your lovely Mol

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  5. I love them! I want the red one in my size! I'm always snapping up merino top in the op shops, but I have a fear of sewing with knits so I never get around to making with them!

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  6. Love it! Well done - making some more merino tops is def on my to-do list for my kiddos ...also, can I ask with the heart patches did you use vliesofix so they didn't fray? I usually use knit fabric for little patches etc, but it would be good to just use not stretch stuff for a change.

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  7. They're cute - even if they're a bit skinny! love the little colour and the hearts - the little details really make it :)

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  8. so great i have a beautiful merino dress from kilt that has a fews holes in it, cant throw it away - if only i could sew like u .... or sew at all ha ha

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  9. i'm so gutted the red doesn't fit! it looks adorable with the collar.
    lovely work, lady
    x

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  10. They are both gorgeous and a great way to upcycle....I did some dresses for my girl when she was a baby out of my old merino's and now they make great tunics, I ask my mum for her old ones too and stash them away ..... you've inspired me to grab them out and use them again....oh and I had to giggle, as I also leave everything to the last minute too! serial procrastinator! :))

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  11. Great idea. I'm sure someone will be totally stoked to receive your 'fail. They look beautiful :o)

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  12. Everyones op shops are better than ours! This is a great idea! Did you use ballpoint needles on the overlocker? The other day I realised Holly was wearing $80 of merino and I was in my 3 year old hoodie I wore right through pregnancy. I could definitely do with sewing her up some cheaper merino outfits I think!

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  13. That grey top is cute, an the sleeves just make it! I am a very beginner sewer, but this gives me great inspiration.

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  14. Hey Rhiannon, thank you for being such an awesome upcycler!
    P.s I just nominated you an award winning Super Sweet Blogger!

    xx

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  15. Great idea, those were lovely, it really looks good on your baby.

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