Project Upcycle: Week 2/Shirt Upcycle

I'm so excited, I won last week!!!  Below is my entry, I'm writing up tutorials on some of the projects for later this week.  In the mean time, don't forget to vote for your favorite project this week, you can vote once every 24 hours through Friday night!

2+3+5=1 otherwise known as a lesson in math!

My math was off on the project I originally planned for this challenge.  I figured while my son was at school, I'd figure out if I was going to salvage it or start over.  As we pulled up to his school, a little voice said, "Mommy, are you going to make something for me today?"  Since he doesn't usually ask for much, I knew I had my answer!

So, $2 for a giant thrifted button down shirt + 3 hours of work + 5 project from that shirt = 1 happy little boy!  But I learned more than just how this added up.

First up, I made a "handsman" (aka handsome) apron with the front half of the shirt and repositioned the pocket.  Since he has a tendency to wipe his hands on the sides of his pants, I made the apron so it wraps around him, covering the sides of his pants.   Lesson learned:  I mentally size everything for my daughters, I need to keep his measurements handy.

Then I thought I'd solve a problem we've been having with boots... he doesn't want to wear socks but his feet stink. Before leaving for school he'd ripped off his boots and socks and changed to Crocs.  Boot liners!  Since this shirt was rather soft, I figured if the boots had a washable liner, that would solve the stinky foot problem.  Again, he was thrilled but still wouldn't wear them.  Lesson learned: make sure the boots actually fit him before making custom liners... good thing I have the next size up boots and enough fabric left for another set.

Hey, look, one of the sleeve cuffs fits perfectly on my coffee cup!  Ok, no real lesson there, but now I can button it to my wrist until I slip it on the coffee cup and not use one of those cardboard ones, green in more ways than one!!!

My little guy earns pennies for doing different jobs.  He also gets a dollar to put in the offering plate at church.  He's asked for a purse like his sister's to carry it in...  A quick seam up each side of the other cuff and he has his own "wallet".

 

This project was a bit of a two-fer.  When buttoned on the lower button, his pennies don't fall out.  When buttoned on the top button, it can slip on a belt to hold a few bucks and a chapstick!  Lesson learned:  Bribes work, he asked what he could pick up to earn pennies to put in his wallet!

Finally, I had the whole back side of the shirt.  Daily we battle over needing "soft pants."  He is super skinny so fit is always a problem.  Time to try my hand at pants.  I had hoped to get a better picture, maybe of the pants hanging up... alas, he is sleeping in them and has informed me he will wear them to school tomorrow.  Lesson learned: the mummy shirt goes with everything even in February!  He thinks they are a perfect match!

The biggest lesson is something I learned a while ago: Upcycling is a great opportunity to not only be environmentally friendly, but a great way to practice and learn.  If I spend a few bucks on an item at the thrift store, I'm not concerned with failure, I can always pick up another one and try again!  Plus, it's a great opportunity to try things new for little money...  I practiced using my new rolled hem and blind hem presser feet and wasn't worried about wasting brand new fabric!  All that for only $2.

Peace be with you,