Hi  - Jen here.

Was just checking out the recent free projects, and love love LOVE this week's sewing and fashion project - funky denim headbands. Now that summer's coming (fingers crossed!), I'm starting to think about ways to wear my hair up, and looking at the lovely butterfly, corsage and ribbon hair accessories in the shops. Gorgeous, but a bit expensive for a thrifty sewer such as myself, so am looking at ways to create my own hair accessories.

Raking through my sewing stuff, I've found various bits of ribbon, scraps of fabric, buttons and beads. I've also got tons of old hair clips, bobby pins and stuff. Now I just have to think of a way to bring it all together . . . 

The denim headbands have really inspired me to have a go at something, so does anyone have any more ideas?!

Thanks!!!

Inspired by Christine, had a shot at altering my own CHA t-shirt, and here are the results. Wasn't quite sure where to start, so had a look at tops I already had for inspiration, and here's my 'creative process' (!?)

1. Cut out scoop neck right round neckline and ran stitch along raw edge. Cut off bottom couple of inches to shorten overall length.

2. Cut off sleeves just below shoulder seam, unpicked sleeve seams, sewed pleat into cuff-ends and attached this end back onto shoulders.

3. Tried t-shirt on and realised that combo of wide scoop and heavy sleeves created off-the-shoulder Flashdance effect (now I'm all for retro looks, but firmly believe that if you did it the first time round, you probably shouldn't go back there).

4. Felt dejected, ate some chocolate and asked the cats for advice - they looked concerned but were ultimately not much help.

5. Neatened strip of fabric I'd cut from hem and used this to make a halter neck to keep sleeves up.

6. Cut out slogan that had come away when I'd cut the scoop and stitched onto bottom of shirt with a funky zig-zag stitch.

7. Put t-shirt on and spend a frustrating 5 minutes trying to photograph self.

8. Tidied sewing area, picked up husband from a work's night out. Husband suggested I make t-shirts for the cats. Cats looked horrified. I think he'd had one or two beers . . .

So that's my first brush with altered clothing, and I'm sure won't be my last. Looking forward to seeing more altered creativity from other members!

Jen xxx

One of my new favorite magazines, Blueprint (a Martha Stewart magazine), is ceasing publication with its March 2008 issue. It has all sorts of fun home decor ideas, life ideas, craft ideas--all that you'd expect from Martha Stewart. Anyway, I picked up the January/February issue at the bookstore last weekend, just to soak in the last bits of goodness before it goes away, and I found a terrific article on re-inventing your clothing.

In it, they show different ways to alter clothing to give it a new look. Everything from pants (making them into capris) and winter coats (shortening the sleeves and removing the collar) to shoes (embellishing and even changing out the heel!).

Check it out while you can. And if you end up loving the magazine as much as I do, we can be sad together.

Until next time,

Christine