A New Shirt! (& DIY)

My latest wardrobe addition/new lovee. I was totally inspired by this Vain and Vapid shirt but am obviously poor and pretty decent on the sewing machine, so made it myself for about $10 with remnant fabric from Jo Ann and thrift store upcycled wool for the sleeves and details! 

Here's the basic concept for constructing this shirt - sew along the dotted lines in the diagram  and remember to cut two pieces for the main body of the shirt, two of the bottom pieces and fold the fabric in half when you cut the sleeves! It's not a complicated shirt for a person who's just starting out to sew and should be a fun simple sew for those more experienced sewers. So, get ready - let's sew!

The easiest way to do this (and the way I still sew) is to lay a shirt that fits you well (in this case, a loosey goosey fit) on top of the fabric for the new shirt and cut along the seams of the old shirt. (Don't cut up your old shirt though!) For this shirt, I recommend cutting two inches wider than the seam of the pattern shirt. This shirt's trump card is in its boxy/bagginess so it's much better to go big than to have to quit and go home.

If you're up for the challenge, a more detailed post is on my other blog, Of Cats and Crafts, so check it out for a little more guidance. Questions? Post 'em in the comments! & good luck! -Amina

A Green Holiday

Source: witanddelight.tumblr.com via Amina on Pinterest

I've been really inspired by green this holiday season. Like a heather green. It's such a deep color, and together with brown, they make a really sexy combination. This picture and pallet is inspiring all my holiday packaging this year. Everything has to be in green fabric with brown kraft paper and decked out with pine cones (or some other reusable way to wrap presents). It's a shame that on Xmas morning my family throws out a bag or two of wrapping paper every year, and I know we aren't the only culprits.

So my plea today is to give Mother Earth a chance this holiday season. It is the greatest gift for all of us; a lessened impact means a greater future. In this season of over-consumption, which is a large part of the reason for the wreckage of the Earth, make a few conscious gestures to either buy sustainable products, wrap sustainably, buy from the most sustainable method of production of all - the craftsman - or even become the craftsman and make gifts for your loved ones yourself! Nothing more can express your care for others than that.

Later on in the season, I'll be posting gift wrap ideas, but for now while you're on your own, try using recycled wrapping paper, cotton bags, wrapping with fabric or even using reusable shopping bags! Themes are always fun to work in. & Stay tuned!