Refashioned T-Shirt Gauchos Tutorial
In Megan Nicolay’s newest book titled Generation T: Beyond Fashion: 120 New Ways to Transform a T-shirt
Here’s how DIY:
1. gather 3 tshirts (l or xl), chalk marker, ruler, scissors, pins, needle thread and Megan’s book.
2. Turn your shirts inside out and cut two of the shirts into 15″ wide rectangles that extend through the bottom seam.
3. lay all four pieces together and cut off the bottom seams.
4. separate into two pairs of rectangles and pin along one side of each to create the legs of the gauchos.
5. Lay the pinned legs together and draw a gentle arc on each side to form the crotch of the gauchos about a 1/4″ from the edge and extending about 2″ long. Cut along the chalk line to finish shaping legs.
6. Open the panels and place them design side together, matching the curved edges and lining up the seams. Pin and sew with at least a 1/4″ seam allowance.
7. Use the third shirt to cut 2″ wide tubes of fabric from the bottom, just above the seam to create the waistband ties.
8. pin to the tops of the pants with an even amount of fabric hanging off both sides of the pants and sew on.
9. Turn your pants inside right and rock out! To wear, start in the front or back and tie the first panel around your waist like an apron. Pull the other panel up and tie to overlap. Now go show everyone how awesome your new pants are.
If you don’t want to make these pants yourself, pick up a pair in my Etsy shop. If you don’t see the ones you want, just convo me with your measurements and color preferences I’ll make them to order.
Filed under DIY, Tutorial | Tags: DIY, eco-friendly, Etsy, recycle, refashion, thrifty, Tutorial | Comment (1)Rethinking the Cotton Round
Photo: Sproutzstore.blogspot.com
As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, the production of cotton uses a lot of water which is a valuable and dwindling resource. Shortages of fresh water worldwide lead to famine and starvation, war and terrorism, poverty and disease. In thinking about how I can do my part to help eliminate the unnecessary use of this precious resource globally I have been looking to reduce consumption of disposable products that I can replace with reuseable options. The first and easist switch for me was to stop purchasing new clothes and reuse fabric that I have available locally. Next, I began to investigate other household items that I could replace and while I was washing my face last night it dawned on me; cotton facial rounds! These little cotton pads are great for removing eye make-up and cleansing, but I use several of them each and every day. I thought,”surely, there must be some way to buy or make my own reuseable pads”. This morning I began to look for alternatives and was pleased to find that I can both buy and make my own easily and inexpensively. There are packs of Organic Reusable Cotton Face Rounds
Environmentally-Focused Christmas Shopping
Maybe you had planned to handmake your Christmas presents, but they didn’t turn out, or you just didn’t have the time to finish them (both of these have already happened to me). Even more likely, you just don’t have the time, energy or urge to make your own gifts, but you still want to buy something cool for your loved ones, but want to buy something recycled or refashioned to cut down on your enivronmental impact. With expedited shpping in most cases you can still purchase up to a few days before Christmas, but always check your estimated arrival dates and read the shipper’s policies before you purchase. If your items don’t arrive you can always print a photo and description of the item frome the website and give to your relatvies in a pretty card and let them know that they’ll receive it soon (again, I’ve had to do this more than once). I’ve scoured the innertubes (ie, the internet) and come up with a few really cool items and here they are in no particular order.
Warning: Shamless self promotion plug – buy something from me 
You can always request a custom item as well from my Etsy shop.
“SerendipiT sources fabrics from clothing purchased from thrift stores like Goodwill (and occasionally my own closet) and recycles the fabric into new, fun and practical items. Recycling these textiles ensures that they don’t end up in landfills and by purchasing repurposed, upcycled and refashioned goods you can reduce the harmful chemicals used in the production of new items. So reduce your carbon footprint, do something good for the Earth and your wallet by purcashing something fun or funky from SerendipiT.”
Here are some of my favorite Etsy items:
Upcycled Vinyl Record HEAVY Guitar Picks Free Shipping
Custom Vintage Silverware Garden Marker
Recycled DEF LEPPARD cassette wallet / iPod Nano case / business card holder
Antique Silver Spoon Ring, Avon Pattern.. Any Size… Free Shipping
UPCYCLED Blue Grey VINTAGE Train Case with RADIOHEAD Quote Black Star and Skeleton Keys
Try putting “recyled” in the search box and find thousands of goodies to suit your taste.
Amazon has lots of great recycled items too like:
terrasoles Women’s Tuckerman Clog,Charcoal,8 M
Nahui Ollin Itsy Bitsy Wristlet,Hearts,one size
terrasoles Men’s Snowmass Slip On,Charcoal,7 M
ROGUE Mingo Knee Boot,Honey,6 M
Nahui Ollin Large Cutie Pie Purse,Zig Zag,one size
There are so many online stores offering recycled and upcycled gifts that a simple search will reveal more websites than one can sift through in a day, but here are a few that caught my eye:
Eco-Artware.com
So hopefully, among your search for presents you’ll find something interesting, unique and sustainably crafted to give this year. Nothing says I love you like passing on a healthy planet to our future generations. Happy Shopping!
Filed under Environmentally Focused, Products, Shopping | Tags: eco-friendly, Etsy, gifts, recycle, refashion, SerendipiT | Comment (0)My Very Own Etsy Store
My Very First Etsy Item!
So about 6 months ago I got this crazy idea to start selling my recycled tshirt stuff at outdoor fairs, or even our own Lauraville Market Connection. Unfortunately, neither time nor bank account allowed me to get my little shop off the ground. Fortunately Etsy makes it easy and cheap to try it out. The site listing that I picked out previously is currently being sat on by someone and as my husband reminds me, he did tell me to buy it over half a year ago, doh. The Twitter name is gone too, but luckily it was still available on Etsy and I’ve even uploaded my very first item for sale. www.SerendipiT.etsy.com. It’s alive! So, come visit my little slice of homemade heaven and tell all of your friends about it too, who knows maybe someone else will share my love or passion for recycled tshirt stuff and mabye even buy it. While I can’t give up my full or part-time job status any time soon, maybe this will at least buy me a beer. So, I’ll be adding new items as I finish them in my spare (ha ha) time. Sadly, being married to a graphic designer doesn’t actually get your marketing materials completed first in line, so I’m hoping to have some of those available later this year and you know I’ll post more information up as soon as I’ve got picture. Cheers!
Filed under News, Website | Tags: Etsy, SerendipiT | Comment (0)
