Textured mini tote from random Goodwill T-shirt

I found a T-shirt in my stash that I had purchased some time ago at the Goodwill. It was from an event in 1998 in San Clemente. I bought it because I thought it had possibilities with it's fireworks design. 

I recently purchased a new color of dye, Cayman Isle Green, I was excited to try.

I cut out all the pieces for the mini tote. There are 4 layers - a red T-shirt fabric for the top texture, the firework image layer, a muslin fabric for stability, and an orchid T-shirt fabric for the lining.

  

To create the texture, I ran a straight stitch every 1/2 inch, sewing the red fabric and the firework fabric together.

Next I cut the fabric in the middle of every section. For a more interesting texture I wet the project and put it in the dryer to make the raw ends curl.

Here's the finished mini tote. Just big enough for an evening out (9" x 9") - it can hold your wallet, keys, cell phone, lipstick, and a little bit more.

This side is the top half of the image.

This side is the bottom half of the image.

Cosmetic bag from Mission Inn Run shirt

This week I didn't dye anything new, so I pulled from my stash an already dyed and de-constructed T-shirt from the 2010 annual Mission Inn Run. I used the back to make a cosmetic bag.

I wanted to pair the T-shirt with some tie-dyed fabric. I chose a piece left over from my 

re-satchel project.

Next I cut out all the pieces for my bag. There are actually four layers - the outside, some batting, inside lining (dark blue T-shirt), and clear plastic (top layer inside).

To construct the bag, I first sewed together the outside pieces. Next I basted together all four layers. I then sewed in a zipper. The last step was to sew up the side seams.

This little bags are great for holding things other than cosmetics. I have used one for a couple of years now to hold my knitting accessories. The bags are also machine washable. They just need to be kept out of the dryer because of the plastic lining.

Fitted tank from souvenir T-shirt

I found this wonderful XL, souvenir T-shirt from Washington D.C. at my local Goodwill. I thought it would be perfect to make a hand-stitched tank top found in Natalie Chanin's second book, Alabama Studio Style. 


(If you're interested, http://www.amazon.com/Alabama-Studio-Style-Celebrating-Sustainable/dp/1584798238)

I decided to dye the shirt Orchid because I thought it would contrast nicely with the gold colors in the image.

Next, I cut the pieces out for the fitted tank. I had just enough fabric from the XL T-shirt to squeeze out all the pattern pieces. XXL T-shirts are actually more suitable for this project.

The entire garment is hand-stitched. I settle in on the couch and get myself in a mediative state of mind when I'm ready to begin stitching. I decided to use red thread for the seams and gold thread for the neckline and armholes. I always use contrasting thread on these projects as the hand-stitching is part of the design, and should be featured rather than blended in.

Here's the finished tank. My favorite model wasn't around for me to photograph wearing the top for this post.