To Linky or not to Linky?

Hello Etcetorizers!

I need your help with a BIG decision....

Many of you will remember that in the not too distant past I used to host a Linky Party every Monday.

And you guys did 'Make it Great'!  It just became a lot of work trying to visit every project and leaving a meaningful comment, something other than a computer generated generic message.

So, I put the party on hold while I tried to catch my breath and get ready for Christmas.

Now, I'm wondering if I should reinstate it?

Let me know what you think in the comments below...

Is there room for another linky party?

If I bring it back should it be a free-for-all or more specific?  For example, Sewing Projects only? Mod Podge projects only?

How do you feel about linky party hosts who don't leave a comment on your project that you link up?

I really want to know what you guys think so let me know~

Flirty Sweater

I picked up a nice little black turtleneck for a cool ONE buckaroo recently.  Not bad right?  There's a bit of mohair in it so it's nice and soft.  But I already have a black turtleneck (or two).  But how do I pass up such a bargain?!!?!  Oh, what a dilemma~

Aha!  Let's cut it up!

Here's what you need to make your own flirty sweater:
-sweater
-basic sewing kit
-chalk for marking lines
-lace or ribbon

This is what my turtleneck started out as:

Booooorrrrring~

Steps:
1) Cut off the neck!  Don't be scared, just measure it out, draw a line and then go for it!

I measured an inch all the way around first and then widened it out on the sides to make more of a boatneck (round necks don't suit me, but you can make it whatever shape you like to wear.)

2) As soon as possible run over to your serger or sewing machine and finish that edge off.  By that I mean zigzag it or even better take your serger to it.  Whatever you do, don't pull or stretch it or it'll unravel.

Here's what my turtleneck looked like once it was cut.

I was tempted to stop here,
but what kind of crafter would I be
if I didn't embellish?!?!

Be careful not to cut too drastically in the back.  I find that tops lie much nicer when you don't take too much out.  The extra fabric gives it some stability to stay up~

3) Next, choose a shoulder and make a couple of diagonal cuts.  This is where your tie will go.

Cut that little triangle right off.

4) Again, make sure to serge the cut edges.

5) Now turn your serged edges to the inside and press.  Pin it down and sew your edges evenly.

Now my turtleneck looked like this:

6) I love the look of the inspiration sweater (see below) but I felt like ribbon just didn't suit me.  I tried some lace I had but just couldn't find the right one.  I didn't want to go out and buy anything because firstly, I have waaay too much stuff in my stash, and secondly, it's too freaking cold outside to go out if I don't absolutely have to.

Then I remembered that I have a whole bag of lace collars!  Aha!  So flirty, so romantic.  They were perfect!

But I didn't want to use them the way you're supposed to use lace collars.  Instead I pinned the longest end to the part of the shoulder that I cut out, sewed it down, and voila!

If I hadn't been watching a fairly stupid episode of Housewives of Beverly Hills (ugh, why do I even admit to such embarrassing behaviour) this probably would've taken about 20 minutes to complete.  So easy, and so pretty!

Now get out there and flirt!

Here's the top I found on Pinterest that inspired this project:

                         Source: k.ifeng.com via Etcetorize on Pinterest

Hmmmm, I just realized how low the cut is on the sleeve, I might have to make some adjustments, that's far more flirty!

Here's another pic for inspiration:

                                                                             Source: lolobu.com via Etcetorize on Pinterest

This project was featured here:

Rock On!

From time to time I join a group of very talented musicians for a little jam session with my guitar.  The last time I went I was inspired by a T-shirt I saw one of the guys wearing and thought I'd make my own version.

I just used a vintage t-shirt pattern, opened up the neck a bit, added some fullness under the arms and then appliqued my pretty guitar heads on it using some scrap cottons I had on hand.

I used these images with my Silhouette to make the outlines:

 

 source

I ironed on the sewable heat transfer interfacing to the back of my fabric, cut out the images with the Silhouette, and then ironed them onto the T-shirt.  Then I sewed around all the edges, otherwise it would probably just wash right off.

That's it!  Super easy.  Rock on~

Little Chefs

Here's another project that's been on my 'to do' list for far too long....

I wanted to give my niece and nephew and cute little cookbook that I got when I was a kid and thought a chef hat and apron would be the perfect addition.

Do you recognize this book?

It was a Hallmark book for kids in the 70's.

Each recipe page had a window that opened or some kind of texture element.

I've always been a picky eater...well, let's be honest, picky doesn't even begin to describe my eating habits.  So, I never did make anything from the book. But I sure did look at it a lot.

The hats and aprons are from another book I told you about while ago, Fabric by Fabric One Yard Wonders.

You can see another project I made from the book HERE.

What book from your childhood to you remember?  Do you still have it? Leave a comment below~

Muslin Scarf

This week's tutorial is a tiny bit late.  I was stuck out of town for work in a snow storm.  Ahhh, the joy's of winter in Saskatchewan~

Anyway, on with the show... any time you see me there are two things I can pretty much guarantee I'll have on me....a scarf of some sort, and at least one tube of lip gloss.  (The last time I checked my purse I had no less than 10 in there, so silly, I know, but it's just one of those things~)

This project is beyond easy but a great little addition to your closet.

Here's what you need:

Materials:
-cotton fabric/muslin (approximately 37" or .95 m)
-wide lace ( I used stretch but it can just be regular flat lace)
-thread
-standard sewing kit

Steps:
1) I picked up this fabric from an old first aid kit that was about to be thrown out.  The piece of muslin is for making a sling so that's why it's shaped into a triangle.

I decided not to alter it or cut it into a strip.  The extra cloth gives it more body and something to play with.

2) At the last minute (after ironing the fabric) I decided to do a rolled hem on the two raw edges.  If you like raw edges you can just leave it as is, many of you know that's a pet peeve of mine though, so I couldn't leave them.  I went with contrasting thread but you could just zigzag or turn your edges over and use a matching thread if you prefer.

3) See how it's folded over up there?  Keep that in mind and add a strip of lace between that gap.  My lace is about 15" long (around 6" wide for you perfectionists out there).  Pin it down, cut off the end, and sew down the edges. (I added a rolled hem on the lace edges before I sewed it down.)

That's really all there is to it.  See?  Beyond simple.

For those of you who follow me on Facebook this is the haircut that I mentioned earlier in the week.  I didn't go for the platinum blonde pixie cut but I did cut off about 6-8".  Now I can grow it out again I guess~

What is the one thing that you ALWAYS have with you?  Leave a comment below~

Giganto Knitting

Just thought I'd share this fun YouTube video for anyone who's looking for something a little different in the knitting world:

I can't embed the video, but just CLICK HERE to go to YouTube and watch how Laura Birek knits with the biggest needles you've ever seen!