Do It Gorgeously: How to Make Less Toxic, Less Expensive, and More Beautiful Products (29 page)
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Authors: Sophie Uliano
5.
Cut off extra fabric on the rectangles to fit the waistband of the pants. You may have to trim off an inch or two on either side. Make sure the finished edges of the sleeves are facing up. Sew the rectangle pieces together.
6.
To attach the waistband to your pants, pin it on the pants, wrong side of waistband to right side of pants. Sew with a zigzag stitch to allow some stretch.
Cute Cover-up
I have found the most wonderful second use for old, fraying towels. The first part to go is always the edges along the length of the towel. Towels are tough to dispose of. You can use them as cleaning rags, but when you cut them up they fray badly, so they’re not my favorite rags to use. You can’t throw towels into the recycling bin, so they’ll likely wind up in a landfill. Here’s a better idea.
This cute cover-up is perfect for after-shower activities such as painting your toenails or drying your hair. It’s also great for the gym or spa. If you’re using new terrycloth, this cover-up makes an amazing anytime girlfriend gift or even a wedding present (you could do a his and hers!).
YOU WILL NEED
1 old towel: For sizes S–M, a bath towel (29 inches x 55 inches) will work well. For sizes L–XXL, a bath sheet 34½ inches x 61 inches) will be perfect. If you are buying terrycloth, use these measurements to see how much fabric you will need.- 1 1¼-inch button (if you have a sewing machine capable of making buttonholes) or a 2-inch strip of Velcro
- 1 yard of 1¼-inch elastic
- Basic sewing supplies
HOW TO
1.
If you are using a towel, wrap it around you as shown in the last illustration (Frugalista). If it wraps too far around you, mark where you want the fastening to go and add 2 extra inches for the 1-inch turned-under seam. Cut the excess fabric off. If you are using terrycloth, make sure your measurements fit.
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2.
If your towel fits perfectly, so you haven’t had to cut off any of it, go to step 3. If not, machine sew a 1-inch turned-under seam on the side of the towel/fabric opposite the selvage (finished/uncut edge).
3.
Machine sew a 1-inch turned-under seam along the bottom (long side) of your rectangle.
4.
Machine sew a 1½-inch casing on the other long side of the rectangle.
5.
Measure the elastic around your chest, allowing an extra inch for the seam. Cut off the excess.
6.
Using a safety pin attached to one end of the elastic, thread it through the casing and secure at each end with a backstitch.
7.
If you have a sewing machine capable of making buttonholes, create a buttonhole through the fabric and elastic at the end of the chest band (you’ll need to stretch elastic as you sew).
