Custom made straight jacket...with upcycled materials!! :-D

 SO, it took a couple of weeks using all of the spare time I had but I did it.  The canvas was a freecycle find and the buckles were from a couple of thrift stores.  I had fun working on this because I got to get out and hunt for the buckles. 
The straight jacket was a request made months ago that I was finally able to get around to do. It needed to be finished by Thursday March 28 and I am so happy to say that I finished early! 

Anyway, check it out and tell me what you think!

Here is the back view >> 

The Process:
I knew that I was the approximate size that the jacket needed to fit so I was lucky there.  I just used a shirt that was a little loose on me and started tracing out the shape onto the canvas so I could get started. 
I then took apart a dress shirt that I got at the dig and save thrift store so I could use it as a pattern for the sleeve.  The dig and save thrift store charges by the pound so it can be a cheap way to get materials for projects.
I measured the length of my arms and added several inches so I knew the sleeves would reach wrapped around. 

I was about to be lazy and not make it into a turtle neck, but then I changed my mind because I NEEDED to prove to myself that I COULD do a turtle neck with a buckle on it.  I am glad it worked. 

After I got all those pieces cut out and assembled with pins I measured and cut the bottom piece that is sewn all along the bottom.  I originally was going to just roll it up and hem it but I figured that adding a piece would match better with the turtle neck.

After I got all these main pieces together I started on all of the straps.  The straps were pretty easy once I figured out exactly how I would do them.  I just measured the space in between the buckle and multiplied it by 2 so it could be folded over, making for a nice thick strap. 

My machine really had a huge hand to play in this because without the extra features I wouldn't have been able to complete it.  Specifically monogramming and the button hole features.  To make the holes on the straps I monogrammed an "O" so that the holes would be secure and not stretch out.  On the sleeves I used the buttonhole attachment and set it the size of the largest possible button hole.  I pretty much got lucky that it was the perfect size for the strap. 

Anyway I am going into to too much detail and this isn't meant to be a proper tutorial.  :-) 


**UPDATE**
Many many many thanks to my husband for trying this on multiple times so I could place everything!  He was completely integral for getting it right!  :-D

Floor cushions

 I haven't been able to post in forever since it seems like it has taken me forever to finish my set of 6 floor cushions. 
They are made just from stuff that I had around.  I don't really buy fabric unless it is used or given to me so this is made up from thrift store, garage sale, and free cycled finds.  Even the zippers.  Anyway, without further adieu, I would like to show you. 

Here is the tops.  The patterned fabric is from a garage sale.  I only had a small piece that I hoped to get 2 pillows out of but I am glad I let it sit and marinate in my mind until I came up with this project.  Now it's on 6 pillows!

 Tea party?  This is completely staged, if you can't already tell. :-P 

Anyway, the blue fabric I received from someone on freecycle and the pale yellow was from a shalwar kameez pants that I was using as pj's.  I took them completely apart and doubled up the yellow because it's a pretty thin fabric.  Finally the foam was from some floor cushions that I used in a previous project.  I drew a circle, traced that circle onto the foam and went at it with a knife. 

 Since I used that I had around, one cushion has 2 zippers that close in the middle instead of a single zipper closing to one side like the cushion below.

 Zipper closes on one side.

And the pièce de résistance!  They are stacking, perfect for small places but still decorating enough to be a piece of art on their own.  :-) 
This picture is a vintage craft project where you are to make the picture filled in with yarn.  So all over the design there are letter and number combinations meant to be a "color by number" sort of thing.

I absolutely love how this project came out and I hope you do to.  :-) 

Leave a comment and let me know what you think :-D

Here is the before cushions.  That time I did actually purchase the fabric.  I now regret doing that, but in my defense, I haven't built up the fabric stock I currently have.  On the up side.  The fabric I have from these are currently on use on another project which will be to come.



 Going after the foam with a knife.  It definitely was a stress relieving activity.