The Renegade Seamstress

Bundle Up Your Hot Drinks in a DIY Felted Wool Cup Cozy

Posted on November 15, 2014 by The Renegade Seamstress

Oh my gosh, the first winter storm of the year. Beautiful white snow covering everything!

LOVE IT!

Definitely time to bring out those cute sweaters and bundle up. How about wrapping up your favorite winter drink cup in a cozy sweater, too?

Perfect for my coffee cup as we watch Cooper’s state playoff football game in Burns today. Eleven degrees here as I write, Brrrrrrrrrr! But it’s a beautiful, blue sky day and the temperature is supposed to get all the way up in the balmy 20’s. Please send out good thoughts into the universe for the Union/Cove boys to play hard and win today at 1:00 Pacific time. Even though Burns is undefeated this season, our boys only have one loss and there is every reason they can win today and advance to the final rounds of the playoffs. Go Wildcats!!!

In other news:

Thank you for all of your pins and comments on last week’s Thanksgiving wreath project.

This week’s winner of The Refashion Handbook is….

Margaret Winters!

Please send your mailing address to bhunting@eoni.com and I’ll get it out to you ASAP.

To be entered to win next week’s book giveaway, just click here to take a look at the Cup Cozy Tutorial over at eHow, pin it to one of your Pinterest boards and make a comment. I’ll announce the winner here next Saturday.

Have a wonderful day!!!

Beth

For more refashion inspiration:

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged cup cozy, DIY, felted wool, giveaway, recycling, Refashion, Sewing, The Refashion Handbook, tutorial, upcycling | 44 Comments

DIY: Fabric Wreath for a Thanksgiving Hostess Gift, a Winner and Another Book Giveaway

Posted on November 8, 2014 by The Renegade Seamstress

Originally, wreaths symbolized eternal hope, were usually displayed at Christmas and were made from evergreens to represent the strength of life they showed by persevering through long, cold winters. Wreaths still represent an unending circle of life, but now they can be found at all times of the year and are made from all kinds of materials.

Because my daughter, Katie is hosting our family’s Thanksgiving celebration this year, I thought this wreath made with the leftover fabrics from her wedding would be the perfect hostess gift to remind us all of that very special day.

To see the entire wreath tutorial and for your chance to win a signed copy of my new book, The Refashion Handbook, click here, pin the tutorial to one of your Pinterest boards and leave a comment. I’ll announce the winner next week.

Congratulations to last week’s winner, Susan Pearlman! Send your address to bhunting@eoni.com and I’ll send it out to you ASAP.

If you’ve already purchased The Refashion Handbook and would like to write an Amazon Review, I’d be forever in your debt! The powerful and almighty Amazon algorithms love 5 star reviews and they directly affect the sales of the book. A big hug and thank you to everyone who has already written a review, you guys rock!

Have a wonderful weekend!

I’m off to Cooper’s first round of state playoff football games this afternoon. It’s an absolutely gorgeous day and I can hardly wait!

Beth

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged crafts, DIY, fashion, giveaway, recycling, Refashion, Rustic Chic Wedding, Sewing, The Refashion Handbook, Thrifting, upcycling | 45 Comments

Wrap Up in Style in a DIY Wool Blanket Coat

Posted on November 1, 2014 by The Renegade Seamstress

Look!

Is it a cape? Is it a shawl? Is it a poncho?

NO!

It’s a BLANKET COAT…

and apparently, all the major designers have them in their 2014 fall collections. You can be right on trend and easily make one from a blanket you might already have around the house.

My sweet husband says I’ll be the best dressed mom at the state football playoffs next weekend. I love him!!!

(And yes, Cooper’s football team made the state playoffs!!! I’m so excited for them!)

I found this wool blanket at my thrift store awhile back and have been waiting for just the right moment to use it.

It’s so soft and I love the fact that, like me, it made it’s way out west from Minnesota.

Click here for the rest of the tutorial and your chance to win a copy of my new book, The Refashion Handbook. Just pin and make a comment to have your name entered to win.

Congratulations to last week’s winner…..

Teresa Wulgaert! Send your address to bhunting@eoni.com and I’ll get it out in the mail to you ASAP.

Thank you to everyone who already purchased the book and to all of you who have written 5-star reviews over at Amazon.

If you enjoyed The Refashion Handbook and would like to write a 5 star review over at Amazon, I’d be forever in your debt. The mysterious and powerful Amazon algorithm loves 5 star reviews and the more 5 star reviews a book has, the better the sales. Which would help my family more than you will ever know! 🙂

For more refashion inspiration:

Stay warm,

Beth

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged clothing, DIY, fashion, giveaway, Refashion, Sewing, The Refashion Handbook, Thrifting, tutorial, upcycling | 102 Comments

Six Easy Ways to Finish a Seam Without a Serger and Another Refashion Handbook Giveaway

Posted on October 25, 2014 by The Renegade Seamstress

Back in junior high school, I made my tall, blonde, guitar playing boyfriend a western style, woven, plaid shirt. Oh, I was so proud of how well it fit him and it was one of the most involved sewing projects I had mastered at the time. I concentrated on getting all the seams to match up perfectly, measuring the hems to perfection and not to mention all the buttonholes I had to make. It was truly a labor of young love.

However, I did neglect to finish off any of the inside seams. Which, thinking of it now, I’m sure horrified his couture seamstress mother. Norma never said a word about the unfinished seams, in fact, she was quite gracious and raved about the shirt to me. But the next time I saw the shirt, all of the inside seams were lovingly finished with double fold bias tape. So this tutorial is for you, Norma, wherever you are! Thanks for finishing that shirt for me so long ago and I promise, I’ll always remember to finish my seams because of you.

Using a serger is one way to get beautifully finished seams, but if you don’t happen to have a serger, there are many ways to finish your seams with a regular machine.

Click here to see how to easily finish your seams with your regular sewing machine. While you’re there, if you’d like to pin the post and leave a comment, I’ll put your name into another drawing for my new book, The Refashion Handbook. I will announce the winner next Saturday. Thank you so much for taking the time to pin and comment. You all really know how to brighten my day!

Congratulations to Barbara Heathcote, you are the winner of The Refashion Handbook from last week’s maxi skirt post. Send your address to me at bhunting@eoni.com so I can get your book to you ASAP.

For more refashion inspiration:

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged clothing, DIY, fashion, giveaway, Refashion, Sewing, The Refashion Handbook, tutorial | 47 Comments

Weekend Reading: Upcycled Fashions for Kids and a Giveaway

Posted on October 24, 2014 by The Renegade Seamstress

Cynthia Anderson is a girl after my own heart and she has some of the luckiest children on the planet. Her new book, Upcycled Fashions for Kids, is filled with ideas for creating one of a kind, upcycled creations for kids. If you enjoy refashioning and have some children in your life, then you’ll love this book. She shows you 31 ways to upcycle sweaters, t-shirts, scraps and linens into clothes that both boys and girls would be proud to wear.

My favorite project is the Ivory Wood Sprite Dress that she created from nothing but white and ivory scraps, bits of ribbon and some pearls from a broken necklace. I’m so inspired by the beautiful fabric roses on the sash, and crushed silk bodice. I want to make one for myself. 🙂

Cynthia wants to graciously give away a copy of Upcycled Fashions for Kids to one of you. All you have to do to enter to win is leave a comment below explaining why you would like to have this book. I will announce the winner next Friday.

Thanks for checking out this book and supporting the sewing community. It’s such a friendly and encouraging group of people!

Happy Upcycling!

Beth

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged clothing, DIY, giveaway, reconstructed clothing, Refashion, Sewing, Thrifting, Upcycled Fashions for Kids, upcycling | 53 Comments

DIY: Make a Maxi Skirt with a Yoga Style Waistband, a Refashion Handbook Winner, and Another Book Giveaway

Posted on October 18, 2014 by The Renegade Seamstress

Last winter, I declared that I could wear my upcycled sweater dress everyday if I thought no one would notice. Well, this week’s maxi skirt project is definitely right up there in my “wear every day if I could” category.

It was so quick to make and uses easy to find thrift shop items. All you need is a long shapeless knit dress and a coordinating t shirt.

Click here for the full tutorial and another chance to win a copy of The Refashion Handbook. To be entered in the drawing simply pin this project to one of your Pinterest boards and make a comment to let me know what you think. I’ll announce the winner next Saturday.

This week’s book winner is………

Gloria Benson!

Congratulations Gloria! Send your address to me at bhunting@eoni.com and I’ll get it out to you ASAP. Thanks for playing!

For more refashion inspiration:

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged clothing, DIY, fashion, giveaway, reconstructed clothing, Refashion, Sewing, Thrifting, upcycling | 63 Comments

The Refashion Handbook: Launch Party Photos

Posted on October 17, 2014 by The Renegade Seamstress

Like I said the other day, at one point during the book launch party, I looked around and became so overwhelmed by all the love and support that filled the studio. I was amazed and touched by how far many of you came to celebrate the release of The Refashion Handbook. Friends and family came from Portland, Walla Walla, Boise, Bend, Baker City, LaGrande and even California. I am one lucky girl!!!

Thanks to my friends Kris and Justinn for taking pictures throughout the night! I had a great time going through the pictures and reliving the evening. I hope you all enjoy this glimpse into the night.

I mean really, who wouldn’t feel loved surrounded by all these wonderful people!

Linda and Rick did a great job with the door prizes!

Connie was one happy door prize winner!

I was so honored that my friend and very special guest, Jerri Farris came all the way from California to help us celebrate! She was the “rock star” of the party. 🙂

The sewing themed cocktails and mocktails were a big hit and The Bodice Ripper was a big seller! My daughter in law, Heather, did such a nice job writing the menu. It’s a work of art in itself! Thanks, Heather!

Who wouldn’t want to hug the handsome bartenders. I’m sure hugs were their favorite tips.

Kaitlin and Brie rockin’ book sale table!

And seriously now, how many parties have you been to where you were served hors d’oeuvres by dressed up handsome high school football players in ties? Thanks guys!!!

Of course, I love all these boys. They’ve been a big part of our family since they were three years old, but my favorite dressed up high school football player is my youngest son, Cooper!!! Isn’t he handsome!

Rick and Evie’s beautiful music filled the studio throughout the evening.

John Lennon said it best when he sang: “I get by with a little help from my friends.” The night was a big success because of a lot of help from my friends! My friend Cindy made these amazing strawberries!!!

Some of the “Creative Cocktail Attire” of the evening! Lookin’ good Ruth!

My beautiful daughter Katie…

my son in law, Adam and my grandson, Conner!

I love that Dawn left the $3.00 price tag on her beautiful thrift store cocktail dress.

There was even a bit of dancin’ going on…..

I just wish it would’ve lasted all night long.

Thanks to everyone who celebrated with me!

Hugs,

Beth

For refashion inspiration:

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Book Launch Party, clothing, DIY, fashion, painted antlers, Refashion, Sewing, The Refashion Handbook, Thrifting, upcycling | 36 Comments

Upcycled DIY Leather Fringe Bag and Another Book Giveaway

Posted on October 14, 2014 by The Renegade Seamstress

Ok, so maybe, just MAYBE, listening to Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton and The Rolling Stones in the studio influenced this week’s project just a little bit. I have to admit, I totally think I’m so cool now loading up my laptop and flaunting this bag with all the fringe flowing back and forth behind me as I walk. 🙂

About a year ago, this huge leather coat found it’s way into my stash after a bag sale at my local thrift shop.

But the leather was a bit stiff for a coat, the buttons were hard to button, and it simply needed a new life.

I know what you’re thinking. But there really is no reason to be afraid of sewing leather on your regular machine! Just make sure you are using a leather needle (110/18) and your machine will do just fine. I promise.

Click here for the rest of the tutorial.

To thank you, once again, for taking the time to comment and pin this week’s Leather Fringe Bag Tutorial over at eHow, I’d like to give away another copy of my newest book, The Refashion Handbook to one of you. I’ll announce the winner next Saturday.

Have fun channeling your inner hippie!

Peace,

Beth

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged accessories, clothing, DIY, eHow, giveaway, Leather fringe bag, recycling, Refashion, Sewing, Thrifting, tutorial, upcycling | 77 Comments

The Interview With Pat Sloan Today Was Super Fun!

Posted on October 13, 2014 by The Renegade Seamstress

OK, now that interview on the American Patchwork and Quilting Show with Pat Sloan today was SUPER fun!

I know it was in the middle of the work day for many of you, so if you’d like to listen to the recorded interview (and hear my silly voice 🙂 ), you can click here.

Happy Monday!

Beth

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged American Patchwork and Quilting Show, DIY, Interview, reconstructed clothing, Refashion, Sewing, The Refashion Handbook, Thrifting | 4 Comments

Live Interview Today on the American Patchwork and Quilting Show

Posted on October 13, 2014 by The Renegade Seamstress

Just a reminder that you can catch my live interview with Pat Sloan on The American Patchwork and Quilting Show today at 4pm Eastern, 3pm Central, 2pm Mountain and 1pm Pacific time here:

We’ll be chatting about sewing, refashioning, thrifting secrets, The Renegade Seamstress blog, and my new book, The Refashion Handbook. I hope you can join us!

See you there!

Beth