Updated an Old Backpack

Extended the use-life of this old Jansport pack by adding large mesh pockets to each side and covering the inside bottom frayed seam with grossgrain ribbon.

Merino Hoodies Sewn From Thrifted Sweaters

Several weeks ago, a local chain of thrift shops had a 99 cent sweater sale. I found many merino sweaters, though only a few cashmere sweaters to repurpose as mitten linings. What to do with the merinos after they were machine-washed and dried? For starters, these two hiking/workout hoodies. Some had holes, some shrunk more than others during laundering, so I cut apart and pieced them together to fit my patterns. Both were an experiment of combining sweatshirt patterns with a close-fitting balaclava pattern instead of a traditionally looser sweatshirt hood, and the results turned out well. The hoods are cozy neck gaiters when not in use, fit easily over baseball-style brimmed hats, and do not need a cumbersome drawcord. The face edges of both of these hoods were finished with ribbing harvested from the sweaters. 

Outer front with large kangaroo pocket. This grey/black combo has longer cuffs with thumb openings.

Back:

Outer front with exposed serged seams:

Front pocket open edges finished with ribbing harvested from the sweaters:

 

Winter Hardshell Pants Receive Side Gussets

This pair of non-stretch winter hardshell pants were purchased in approximately 1995 or 1996. They haven't been worn much for several years and were now a bit too snug for hiking/snowshoeing uphill, but the outer and inner fabrics, waistband hook & loop, bottom snaps, and YKK 2-way fully separating side zippers are all in good shape. How to revive them for a current outer layer? I added gussets to the upper sides, moved portions of the zipper tape accordingly, and altered the velcro top closures by adding 1" webbing, D-rings, and additional loop tape at the front waistband. While seams were open, I replaced the back waistband elastic. Now they will easily accommodate any base and mid layers for extreme winter weather. 

Do you have clothing or gear that needs an adjustment? Contact me for a free cost estimate. 

After:

Gussets:

Before:

Gifted Vintage Fabrics

 Looking forward to sewing these vintage fabrics given to me by a quilter friend, who was given them by another friend. Planning some bags, as most of the fabrics are upholstery weight. 

Resized Jeans and Extended Front Pockets

While recently resizing these jeans, I extended the length of the front pockets since the side seam was open. Who or what is behind the ridiculously tiny size of women's jeans front pockets? Now a credit card and ID may securely be tucked in the pockets without worry of them popping out when sitting down. 

Adjusted Webbing On Chacos Sandals

 My well-worn Teva sports sandals needed to be replaced this year, I was ready to try other brands, and I was lucky to find one pair of Chacos that fit at a large discount shoe store this winter. I had not previously worn Chacos sandals and was perplexed by how the webbing "tails" hang down to the ground at the back after adjusting the straps on my feet, but while still in the store I figured it could be fixed. A quick google search found that the company intentionally does that to allow for variation in foot volume and to make sure people can safely get the shoes on and off, though they will shorten the strap on request. After assessing, I decided to adjust them myself. Instead of cutting off length on the webbing tails, I carefully unpicked the stitching on the webbing that holds the tabler hardware, adjusted the tabler webbing to have one additional inch of an overlap, and resewed that webbing. I think this will be more comfortable to have the tablers more on the side of my feet instead of under the ankle bones, though will have to see with wearing them when the weather warms up. I used grey thread in case I need to unpick and resew at some point; tight stitches in black thread on black webbing is most difficult to unpick without accidentally picking out some of the webbing threads. Typically, I have footwear adjustments/repairs done at a licensed shoe store or through the manufacturer, including having my old made-in-Italy leather Vasque hiking boots resoled, and new soles and footbeds on leather Birkenstock sandals, but I have sewn and resewn so many webbing straps for bags/belts/etc over the years that I decided to try this adjustment myself. The most difficult part was fitting the webbing under my sewing machine presser foot, since I have regular sewing machines that are not made for footwear. 

With my assistant:

Summer Hiking Gaiters

These summer hiking gaiters were quick to make. Cut off the lower portion of an old long-sleeve knit top. Hemmed the cut edges to become the new lower edges of the gaiters. Added gaiter hooks with elastic. Sewed small tucks at the upper center back (the old sleeve hem) for a just-right snug fit above footwear. Keeps trail debris out of hiking boots or trail runners.