12.30.2008

Birthday Week Day Three

Today is my birthday! I am turning 30 today....I've heard good and bad things about this age...we'll see. This is a two part post, giveaway AND tutorial, so just keep scrolling down!
First, the giveaway: Up for grabs today is a scarf (scarflette) upcycled from a vintage men's tie (circa 1970s...). The tie is gold with very narrow brown stripes in different shades. It is backed with gold silk and lined with thin batting. It is warm, but feels very cool and silky against your skin. It is designed to be buttoned closed across your upper chest, but can also just be hung around your neck. I seriously will probably not ever wear a regular scarf again, this is so comfortable. To win, just leave me a comment sometime today.....
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And in case you don't win, here are the directions to make your own. I would guess this is a beginner to intermediate level pattern. Please make this only for your personal use, not for sale. Thanks!

Step 1 - find a tie, and take out the stitches in the back (it's usually one handsewn piece of thread that can be pulled out all at once if you're careful). Also carefully remove the stitches from the lining on the ends ONLY DOWN TO THE CORNER (the stitches on the triangular piece at the bottom should be left intact). Do NOT remove the original silky lining that is attached at both ends.
Step 2 - remove the inner stiffener and iron the tie flat. Make sure your iron is set to the correct temperature. Step 3 - lay the tie on your fabric backing with right sides together and pin well, then cut it out. If you would like, cut the triangular piece at either end 1/4" longer than your tie.
Step 4 - lay the tie and backing down on batting, pin, and cut it out. You should have three identically shaped layers pinned together at this point.
Step 5 - unpin just the ends of the tie and do a rolled hem on the lining piece on both ends. Sew this neatly.
Step 6 - move your pins to the other side one at a time so that the batting is now the top layer. It is MUCH easier to sew this way.

Step 7 - sew two seams, one up each long side of the batting/lining/tie sandwich. Leave both ends open. Go slowly and keep your stitch lines smooth.
Step 8 - trim the batting on the ends down so it is the same size as the lining. Also trim the batting off the seam allowances so your seams aren't as bulky.
Step 9 - Turn your tie right side out carefully and iron flat.
Step 10 - pin and handstitch the lining to the tie, being careful to just catch the original lining and not go through to the front of the tie.
Step 11 - Choose three buttons and sew them onto the wide part of the tie and put a buttonhole in the narrow end.

Step 12 - make your husband or boyfriend take you out to show it off.....but don't tell them you stole their tie.

12 comments:

•´.¸¸.•¨¯`♥.Erin.♥´¯¨•.¸¸.´• said...

Happy happy birthday! Hope you have a wonderful day! From what I've heard 30 is better than 20, 40 is better than 30. *shrug* Here's to life!

Heather said...

Happy Birthday!

I'd love this darling scarf to jazz up 2009!

annies home said...

Happy Birthday you have gotten past the 25 so if you were ok you should be this time as well. You seem to really wake up in the 30s and feel refreshed in a few years will turn 40 and that one scares me. But yes I would love to win this dazling scarf

Mesa said...

Happy Birthday to you! I think I have been wishing you a happy birthday almost everyday..lol..

Antoinette said...

Happy Birthday for real today! Hope you get to spend it with people you love, doing things you love. xo

Just Lisa said...

Happy Birthday! Cute scarf!

Lisa said...

Happy Birthday! I turned 30 in August - I hope you have a better first half of the year than I did, LOL!

Anonymous said...

Oh that is wicked cool, I'll be linking.

HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY!!!!! Here's to 30 more amazing and creative years!!!

Cassie said...

Happy Birthday! Isn't 30 the new 20? That's what they say anyway! Cute, cute, cute scarf! Brilliant!

Vickie said...

Happy Birthday!!

The scarf is very chic. It would go so well with my leather jacket.

I have been to your blog before your giveaway and you are a very crafty gal!

Liz said...

Very cute, and I understand about turning 30, I just did on November 1st and it has been really weird for me! Good luck,
Liz

Unknown said...

Yes...again, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I hope you keep up the awesome craftiness!!