Polo Makeover and Little Fixes by Disney Powless

Recently I picked up a book by Disney Powless called Little Fixes and rocked one of my old polo shirts with one of the chapters!  A little fabric and a few simple stitches and you have something new to wear....I figured this one was headed to the thrift store so why not give it another life?  Little fixes is filled with super cute projects that will easily extend the life of your child's clothes.  Even if your sewing skills are limited, these projects are pretty easy to accomplish.

Have fun!  xoxo, Mark

Chubby cheeks strikes again!

See how to make this here!

STUFF YOU'LL NEED

Old Polo shirt

1 yard striped knit

Fabric pencil

Sewing machine

Matching thread

Scissors

Little Fixes by Disney Powless

 1. Cut the bands off of the sleeves of the polo.

2. Fold an 18" x 22" piece of fabric in half lengthwise.

3. Place the folded fabric under the polo sleeve so that the sleeve overlaps by 1".

4. Measure from your shoulder to your wrist.

5. Using that measurement, measure from the shoulder of the polo to the wrist 

(on the fabric) and mark.

6. Draw your sleeve extension pattern on the folded fabric adding 1/2" all the way
down for seam allowance.

7. Fold another piece of 18" x 22" fabric in half, place it under your drawn sleeve extension and then cut both at the same time.

8. Fold a 7" wide by (about 10" long) piece of fabric in half lengthwise and wrap it around your wrist.

9.  Add 1/2" and cut it out.  This will be your cuff. 

10.  Fold the 7" long ends together and stitch.

11.  Fold in half to create a tube and you have a cuff ready to be stitched on your sleeve.

*Stitch the other one

12.  Using 1/2" seam allowance, stitch along the length of your sleeve extension.

13.  Match the raw ends of the cuff to the wrist of the sleeve extension and stitch together.

14. Turn the polo inside out and stuff the sleeve extension inside the sleeve, 

matching right sides together.

15. Pin and stitch around the sleeve, stretching the fabric as you sew.

16.  Create your pocket pattern, add an extra 1" along the top and cut in fabric.

17. Fold and zigzag the 1" extension of the pocket.

18. Pin the pocket on the shirt and zigzag around the edges to create the pocket.

CREATIVE SCARVES book review!

My friend Tiffany Windsor, Heidi Borchers and Savannah Starr just released a book 

called Creative Scarves!  It's colorful, festive and filled with inspiration from cover to cover.  The thing I like most about this book is that their techniques could be used on almost any piece of clothing!  They just happened to put these fabulous ideas on scarves.  There is seriously something for everyone in this book and it's worth a gander!

Creative Scarves

20+ Stylish projects to craft and stitch 

Tiffany, Heidi and Savannah

This chain stitched scarf is

one of my favorite projects from the book.  I think it looks 

like a piece of art.

If you're up to it, you can also learn how to finger crochet!

This heart embellished scarf is right up my alley!

Easy to follow, step by step photographs and instructions

for every project!

I'd recommend this book for your craft library

as it is filled with inspirational ideas that can be 

incorporated into every aspect of crafting!

Craft Your Stash by Lisa Fulmer

A few months ago my friend Lisa Fulmer told me she was writing a book and asked if I could contribute a quote for the back cover.......What can I say?  I was honored.  Lisa is not only one of the most creative people I know, she has a heart as big as Alaska. I would say Texas, but Alaska is bigger.     Her book, Craft Your Stash, is inspiration and eye candy from cover to cover.  Not only is it filled with fun projects, there are essential design basics and lots of different techniques to try.  This is definitely a book worth having in your inspiration collection!

Craft Your Stash

Transforming Craft Closet Treasures into Gifts, Home Decor and More

I'm a sucker for shadow boxes and Lisa makes one to 

commemorate her vacation.  Just terrific!

This door plaque project is elegant and 

would look terrific in any home!

Give me a personalized ornament any day of the year!

Inspire me to be more organized and I'll be

your best friend forever!

Grab CRAFT YOUR STASH on Amazon.com