Oversized Shrug

Check out my oversized grey shrug that I finished recently. I tried making this without any patterns at all, just a go-with-the-flow project.

I figured since it was going to be big and loose that measurements weren't so important and I could probably wing it. At one point when it was too wide for me and the sleeves were still full-length and loose, I was quite discouraged with how much it looked like a judge's robe! Not sexy. But then I made a few adjustments and the shape came out much better; I cut the sleeves shorter, put in cuffs, added three long pleats in the back to bring the shoulders closer together, and rounded off the bottom edge.








I also put in binding along the entire opening edge to help it hang nicely in the front. Finally I added some detailing with ribbon, just like with my cushions and Boxing Day shirt. I was ambitious enough to use the zigzagger to sew in the floral ribbon pattern in the back of the shrug. That was pretty tedious and not necessarily easier than hand-stitching but it was good practice!

Floral Flounces

Flounces, flounces, and more flounces! I made this shirt for my mom just in time for Mother's Day today. The fabric and zipper came from an old skirt that my mom had made years ago and no longer ever wore. She still loves the fabric pattern so she never got rid of the skirt. Now she can finally wear the fabric again but in a totally different form.

My original design included only the five flounces along the front portion of the shirt with just a simple, plain neckline. Unfortunately I didn't do a great job lining up the flounces evenly along the neckline and the lack of symmetry really irritated me. In the end I had to mask the error by adding a ruffle for some more detail. I think it turned out pretty well overall and more importantly, the fit was just right. My mom tried it on just before we headed out to High Park to see the cherry blossoms in full bloom and it was a very good fit.