Costuming and Cons

I’ve been in sewing limbo for the past few weeks trying to work on a project. I’m going to Dragon*Con weekend after next and still haven’t finished a costume. It’s eaten up a good chunk of time, though I have slipped little projects in around the sides.

I did try out some of the upcycled tee projects. I made a shopping bag, which is holding up nicely. I can see where smaller shirts make the best bags, but there is something to be said with oversized tees making bags big enough to hold all your groceries in one go! (As long as you’re not stocking up on canned goods…) I also tweaked a few tees to improve the neckline, and love how those turned out.

I also made/tweaked a few costume accessories, they most faster and involve slightly less frustration and swearing. The leather belt pouch I made from the center of an old renfair bodice, and the fan is swatches of chewed up fabric from salvaging for my vest (aka the project from hell…).

If anyone’s been to Dragon*Con before, I’d love tips. It’s my first time and looks a bit overwhelming.

Upcycled Tees

I don’t know how I managed to own so many T-shirts. I wore them all through high school, but have hated the neckline for ages. Therefore I’ve a fair number of no longer worn shirts. Some are in perfect shape, some have been worn during painting or woodworking experiments. I tried to be brave and give away a lot of the ones in good shape, but some I just liked too much. The paint spattered ones would count as rags to anyone but me.

This was another of those times where the internet can really be useful. I found what felt like 1001 options for making fancier outfits, underclothes, bathingsuits (!) and children’s clothing out of T-shirts… Oh, and one for a cute cool weather scarf.

Some projects were a little simpler. I thought turning old T-shirts into shopping bags was a great idea, and it’s especially appropriate given that a lot of my beloved paint stained T-shirts were environmental themed shirts in the first place. I also love the fact that this means they’re completely washable, unlike a lot of the bags markets sell as reusable bags.

I also found a fantastic tutorial on changing the neckline of a T-shirt, which might help me remodel some of the shirts I would love to still be able to wear. (Like my history geek shirts and the rock geek shirts I want to be able to buy!)