Easy Upcycled Jean Purse

I made this quite a while ago, but I have been getting a lot of compliments on it recently, so I thought I would blog about it.

The purses that I had seen at craft fairs usually were made out of jeans that had been cut off above the crotch area and then lined.  Somehow, I got the inspiration to make mine from a jean skort that my daughter no longer wore.  It already had the inside lined with knit shorts, so that made it even easier.

Here is what I did:

I started with a size 7/8 skort. I sewed each leg of the inside shorts together with a blanket stitch, and then hand-gathered and whip-stitched the bottom of the skirt.  For the ties, I used some 1" lace that I had on hand.  I chained the laces with a crochet hook until it was the length I wanted, and then fastened them to the belt loops, one handle to the two belt loops in front, and one to the two belt loops in back.  Finally, I used another length of lace for the "belt" by putting in through the loops around and then tying a big bow in front.

I would love to see pictures from anyone who tries this.


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WIP Wednesday

I am working on two projects at the moment.  One is a Granny Stripes prayer shawl.  I am using up left over skeins of various worsted weights, and trying to combine the colors as I go.

The other project is a pair of fingerless gloves.  I am using this granny square design, crocheting four squares, two for front, two for back in each glove.  I have one glove completed, and will show the whole set when finished.









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Crocheted Baby Dress

This is a dress I finished today that was based on a pattern at the Miracles Happen website.  Miracles Happen is a network of knitters and crocheters that help to provide for newborn babies' early needs.  From the website:

        "Sometimes, when a woman is pregnant, she experiences feelings of confusion, she may feel scared, or helpless. Her whole world is changing and she doesn't know what to do. Many women have their own resources (family, friends, medical professionals) to turn to in this time of need. But many do not. Staff at pregnancy crisis centers are there to listen to these women, to share their concerns, and to offer real hope for their future.

Miracles Happen is a network of volunteers who make and distribute handmade items for a newborn baby's early needs."

I have been crocheting for The Sewing Closet, a local charity for children throughout our county that, through poverty, would not otherwise receive new clothes.  Many of the women sew clothing, but I am one of a few that crochet or knit blankets and layettes for our local hospitals' maternity wards, for parents who are not prepared to have the items necessary for taking their baby home.  It is websites like Miracles Happen that are inspirational to me.

I am linking to:

http://www.acreativeharbor.com/

http://creativeeveryday.com/

http://www.create-with-joy.com/2012/01/inspire-me-monday-week-4.html