Simple Summer Cardigan

Why do summer cardigans have to be so expensive? Even at Old Navy, they range from $20 to $25, and that's just too much for me to spend!

Happily, I love thrifting. Not just for the thrill of the bargains, but also for the idea of re-purposing and recycling. I went to a local thrift store recently and lamented the lack of summery cardigans on the thrift store racks. Then, inspiration hit: why not make a super simple cardigan out of a lightweight cotton V-neck shirt? All I would need to do is make a cut down the center of the shirt and find a way to bind the edges so they wouldn't unravel.

For $4 each, I picked up some V-necks in summer-appropriate colors, like lemon yellow, cornflower blue, black, and white. Then I headed over to the fabric store to see what I could use for the edges. I wasn't quite sure it would all work out, but I figured it was worth a try! And guess what happened? Success!

This is how I started out; I just drew, then cut, a straight line from the bottom of the V to the hem:

 

Then, I used this bias tape ($2) in a matching color (you could also use a contrasting color, which would be super cute):

This is what the tape looks like, when it's opened up:

After you open the tape and trim the length, you cover the raw edges you have just cut into the shirt, like this (I left the tape a little longer, and then folded the extra length under, so the tape wouldn't have a raw edge, either):

 

Pin it in place, and sew it on (I know my pins are going the wrong way, but the fabrics were too thick to place them the correct way). Or, if you don't sew, use iron-on fusible web to secure it: 

The end result: a summer cardigan for $6! I also love that it's cotton instead of a heavier knit, because when it gets burning-hot in Vegas, cotton is much friendlier!

I may try to get fancy and add a button or an eye and hook later; for now, I'm happy with the open-front look that is trendy right now. Plus I'm super scared of making buttonholes!

DISCLAIMER/WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT: I really don't know how to sew. I can make a straight line, and that's seriously it! I had Home Ec in junior high school (remember that class?) and I must have goofed off when we were taught sewing, because I don't remember anything I learned that week. To overcome my sewing deficiency, I picked up a $99 sewing machine at Wal-Mart and read the manual. If that's too ambitious/expensive for your taste, you can accomplish just about the same results if you use the fusible web. Also, I'm allergic to ironing; I'd rather sew stuff together!

Flip Flop Swap

I don't know about you, but I covet new sandals this time of year. I look at all the bright colors and I want a pair in every hue! Then reality hits, and I realize that even if I could buy a pair in every color (and my husband didn't kill me), I really wouldn't have room for all of them.

That's when an idea hit me: what if I had some plain sandals with interchangeable ornaments? Then I could satisfy my desire for new colors and styles without taking up so much room, not to mention breaking the bank.

A quick search online told me that some clever girls had already invented these. One girl sells ornaments that are affixed with snaps, and another girl sells some with magnetic decorations. Of course, the deal-breaker for me was that they sell for about $20 for each set of ornaments. Is it just me, or is that a little ridiculous?

So, I offer you my version of flip flops with swap-able ornaments.

You start with a pair of flip flops, to which you glue Velcro dots. I made a pair in white, and a pair in black. Make sure you use very strong glue (I used flip flop glue, available at the craft store):

 

Then, glue Velcro dots (from Wal-Mart or a home improvement store) to ornaments of your choice. I selected flowers, bows, stones, and acrylic gemstones from the craft store. Just make sure whatever you want to use has a flat back, and that it's large enough for the Velcro dot:

 

Here are the finished products:

 

And because I'm a freak about organization, I had to have a fun, attractive way to store all the decorations. So I took strips of Velcro, affixed them to an old photo frame, and mounted it to the back of my closet door:

Warning: I've worn many of the different ornaments already, and several of my friends have asked me to make some for them. Be prepared to make them for your friends, too!