Another photo of patch

Read article below for DIY. Later,Colleen

DIY tricks to cover spots and holes

Hope you are having a great day, I know I am!  I wanted to share a little secret to fix a garment that has a hole, a stain, something you have on it that you are about ready to toss it out but you LOVE it.  Well I have the perfect trick.  Personally I like denim on anything but you may not, so go to your scraps and find a piece of material that you feel coordinates with the garment-personally I think denim goes with everything, even something formal.  Cut out a shape that you like-I love hearts.  Then pin it over the problem.  Sew it on using a heavy or universal needle (depending on your machine of course) and use the thread of your choice.  Use a thread of the same color of the scrap if you want it to blend in and a contrasting one if you want it to show.  You are going to be sewing from the top so bobbin color doesn't matter.

Then you can start at one end of the scrap and go back and forth down the scrap with a straight stitch and angle down about the same width until you reach the bottom.  Of course you could do anything you want and you may have fancier stitches on your machine, so go to town,  Also, sometimes I then turn the material with needle down and go across my stitches the opposite way to make like a checkerboard type stitch.  Remember wabi-sabi-there is perfection in the imperfection, and do it your own way.  This is what makes it unique and yours.  I then place similar shapes and fabric around the garment (no too many unless that is your design) and stitch them the same, or different if I want unique look to each patch.

When you are done clip your threads and wash, especially if you want tattered look it happens in the wash.  After a wash and dry (if fabric can take it) you have a garment of art and you can wear it once again, only this time with even more pride so when they ask you, "Where did you get that," you can say, "I made it."

Below is a photo of only one patch on the Target sweater I love but I put about 5 patches at random places so this one patch is not singled out.  Have a great day-more upcycle ideas and a tutorial this weekend.  Working on website but it is tedious.  Shooting for Sunday or Monday.  Later, Colleen

Following this blog is another photo of two patches-had trouble getting them to page.  Take care!  You know you are already thinking of the garment and ideas are flowing through your head.  You can do it!

Upcycle Ideas

Here are some more upcycle ideas!  Still working on the .com of business which will be a full store of my creations and I have hundreds of items to share with you.  I hope you are trying to look at your clothes differently and create something that you will wear, or you could buy one of mine!

Upcycle Ideas:

 This upcycle uses women's and men's shirts and notice the little tassel in the front left (in picture).  The black trim id black bias tape.  The colors are light blues and gray-so you are laying back and can accessorize with colors for intentions.  Used black thread and trim for grounding,

 I love the way it hangs and the flowers on the right,  Very different from store bought and only one because there will never be another dress with quite the composition.

 I put a tie on the back so it can be adjusted for width.  Just love the way the different layers (which I sewed together to get that effect) come together.

Tassels on front with applique.  Gives it a tattered look that I love and only gets better with wear.  Tear the material if you can to get a rougher look rather than cutting.  The edges will fray better.

 Here I am ready for the rodeo.  I love to pick up interesting tshirts that are a little short to wear and add something to them to make them more modern.  Went for men's shirt that had a western looking color theme and left the bottom tattered.

 Love that play of the front with buttons from the shirt going down the side!

 The shirt already had the metal details at the top.  Don't you love her, little western pin-up.

 I took in the back with darts on each side and double seamed them down before attaching the bottom.  Also wanted to call attention to the back, so I pieced in a triangle going down from the back center.  This way you can tailor the t to fit any shape or use a shirt that is not as fitted as you would like.

 The men's shirt was Abercrombie and I made sure I used that piece of the shirt in a place I was already calling attention to.  I thought it was fun.

 Here is another upcycle if re-figuring a shirt and adding other tshirts to get a layered boho look gone fairy.

 I used the little tassel/applique in the front.  I selected colors that were already faintly represented in the shirt and played them up.  Now we have pink, burgundy, and green.

 Side view of dress shows how flattering the drop waist can be.

Close up of the tassel front and the lines I pieced together.  I like to add material to material so I will sew on one layer and then add another.  I try to use conflicting or different tones for this to make it obvious.

Hope I gave you some more outlandish ideas to upcycle your clothes.  These items will be in my store.  I will let you know and we will have a grand opening, eat cake, and drink tea to celebrate crafters everywhere doing what they love to do best and make money so they can do it some more.  

I will always share my ideas with you as I design and give away my secrets.  I do not do this for any other reason than I have been given this all freely and want to share it with everyone, call it good karma!  So go make a cup of tea and enjoy your present, unwrap it, it is your one moment only like this and was given to you freely to enjoy.  Later, Colleen

New Upcycles/Business going viral!

I am so excited! I am going to be putting my designs for sale online.  My husband is working on it right now so I will let you know but it will be www.magickalthreadsandstitches.com how cool is that, I am putting more of my upcycles up now and later today so you can see them first. I added some features on blog so we can communicate better. Shout out to Kenya, Russia, and Germany! I am so glad you are here, lets be friends. We can set up hang out and talk!


UPCYCLES:

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This I love!  It is my favorite, almost don't want to sell. Lollapalooza concert shirt married with men's shirts and Chicos 3/4 sleeve jersey tshirt. Having the dress form really helps when getting the hang of the garment right, keep checking online or at thrift stores in your area.  You could even ask retailers if you could purchase mannequin from them, that would work too. Of course nothing replaces trying the garment on to see how it hangs prior to sewing. Pins are my friends!

This is a thermel t married with mens shirts. Remember what I shared about color magick. This first entry would be bold and presenting your best self yet grounding and protecting with the interspersed black. This is green and blues predominantly and would incorporate both the effects of those colors (see posting on color magick). Both are 100% cotton so they would be great conductors of your intentions with color for the day.  Plus while I was sewing I thought about my intentions and usually use black thread but sometimes utilize different  colors depending on my intentions. Starting to see my methods of madness?!!

Here I stayed mostly with gray or grey depending on where you live. I can just feel the differnce putting this on.  Remember gray is...

 neutral so you are invisible or almost wearing a cloak. Now if I want to I can accent with any color using color magick and add desired intent (like red, purple, blue, pink, etc.). So you see, it is more versitile if you will, leaving me with even more possibilities and feeling super safe!

Another favorite I won't sell marries Isaac Mizra (Target) sweater with Anthropology skirt with appliques and part of a dress ( the peach at the bottom). I did not really wear skirt so pulled stuff together and wah'la. The skirt had rolled down waist so I incorperated it in the front in case I don't want to wear cami. I am wearing hand dyed cami that was once dingy white. Looks great now and perfect layered with this upcycle. Now we have orange, yellow, peach, etc. Cool right.

I really would like to interact so leave reply, should work now and happy sewing! I will post pictures later today so check back and I hope you are seeing more possibilities in your own closet. How green and frugal of you! Later, Colleen.

DIY Upcycle Slip Dress

I love the look of slip dresses under other garments but will not pay the large price tags.  So I scoured my closet and found a dress, now too large for me-even arm holes were showing my under garments. I nominated it for a project. Look for something with an under slip at thrift or your closet that may have a lining (mine was polyester) with some sort of lace or flouncy feature at the bottom.  If you find a slip, you could easily dye it and attach lace.

I included some images of other upcycles with the slip under these garments.  I converted the slip to hi low hem line-love this-but you may not want to do this.  It is black-we talked about colors before, and is a good psychic protection under other garments. I also added some lace that I found at Walmart at the collar, which peeks out under other garments.

I was having trouble with my machines, two out of three are now out of commission, and used the old trusty Kenmore-which has issues of its own but was my only option yesterday.  I met with  much frustration but did not give up.  If I can continue with my craft through these moments-sometimes they result in destruction and loss of a garment for that purpose-but if I can just keep going without breaking something they always result in some sort of fantastic break through.  I will say here as an artist, and I am not alone, some of my greatest design breakthroughs or discoveries come from my mistakes.  It is like finding your way in a blizzard, or when you are lost somewhere, or charting new territory, and finding your way is personal.  Sometimes the way can not be guided by anyone else.  It is your path and you need to keep walking!  So with that I will say I stayed close to my higher powers and got through it.  Not totally happy with the way it hangs but convinced myself it did not matter, I did not need to wear it as a garment and could delegate it as a "slip," an undergarment, and work on perfecting the next one.  Let me also say that I am a perfectionist, even though I believe in wabi-sabi-perfection in the imperfection.  Wow, what a contradiction.  In any event, don't use your favorite garments to try something you are unsure about the first go around, or realize that you CAN accept if things do not go exactly as planned.

Sticking through the creation process is spiritual in nature to me.  I stay close and realize that I am being guided and that the errors or difficulties I am having are part of the process to learn what I need to learn.  When I am determined to continue to accept my precious gifts of discovery and major breakthroughs in my art and finally get there, it is always well worth the journey.  I have a giddy kid like reaction, jumping up and down, telling people who really don't care or who don't understand my craft and how amazing this event was.  Regardless, they rejoice with me and sometimes share my enthusiasm genuinely.  So keep on sewing, or doing whatever it is you are passionate about, and realize it is a process to something great that will be given just to you!

Upcycle Slip Dress Tutorial:

Slip Dress under upcycle of turtleneck sweater dress (I hate things around my neck) with pieces from another project with a sweater that I appliqued into a sun-part of my spirituality.  I appear to be rocking out-could't resist.

FINISHED PROJECT.

Original garment

Slip underneath.  I cut away the top garment, which was like a sweater weave, leaving a little wabi-sabi edge to later sew down for tattered look.

I left little less than 1/4 inch.

I just cut away sides at top where attached a little closer.

Cut away the back how you will.  I matched it to the front.  You can see top overlay folded for another project another day at top.  Oh, I will use it-you can count on it!

I pondered to hi low.  I could have detached the whole skirt and the reattached but seemed like too much work, so I pinched material in front when trying on how I wanted it to hand, pinned and sewed.  This is quick, but next time I will detach the bottom and then reattach hi lo because I did not like the way it hung-blame it on the polyester and the Kenmore.

 After I took the sides in-it was too large, especially arm holes.  I again would do this differently.  I tapered stitch back into the side seam and it hung weird for me, so I would take in arms and marry to garment quickly, letting the garment hang looser rather than worrying about a tailored fit.  Then, as above, I went over the seams with denim thread (Walmart) so it would lay flat and look fun.

Used denim thread to sew down the material left when cutting other garment.

Found fun double zig zag stitch on Kenmore and sewed it over the hi low adjustment seam in front.  Made it lay flatter and looks fun, I like stuff to stick out sometimes, but would change next time-even though I accepted and embraced it in the garment.

Pin and sew trim to collar, I overlapped on one shoulder and may add embellishments later.  Seriously got this trim in spool for $3.49 at Walmart.  I used less than one spool.

Attached two seams (showing second seam attachment) and then went down middle in that double zig zag on the Kenmore to match the front.

 Now you are all done.  If you don't want hi low, it would be a snap.  I did not worry about extra little material around neck-just attached and it was fine.  I love it and am on the hunt for another one.

I am going to be dying material (natural fibers take dye better) in a DIY soon.  Going to use beets (purple), blackberries (black), and onion skins (pale yellow or off white) to start because of their magickal properties and the associated color magick (see previous posts on color magick in your wardrobe and the fabrics you choose and their magick).  Keep reading to see the DIY Slip Dress layered with some of my previous upcycles.  Happy Sewing!  Keep on the look out for items that you can use for slip dress at thrift stores and garage sales (too cold here for that right now, but maybe not where you live).

Here are examples of the DIY Slip Dress other under Upcycle Garments.  Hey, if you see a project below that you like and would like a tutorial, let me know.  These garments are for sale and can be custom ordered, let me know if you are interested.  I may fall in love with it and keep it, but I can always make you another one and show you how it was done.  Happy Sewing, Later, Colleen

Sorry for messy house, this is just a leopard Gap sweater of slip dress with sweater leggings and booties.

Rear view.  Don't you love how it peeks out under sweater!

Slip shown under upcycle Hollister sweater and pieced together bottom with back tie tunic.  The tunic is longer on the sides but slip just adds to fun.

Slip dress shown here with Cowgirl tunic I constructed marrying a mans shirt,

Side view.  My dog Lilly kept trying to get in the action, what a Diva.

Here I layered it under a top/tunnic upcycle marriage of  a t-shirt with pockets, another top, and my grandmother's broach.

Another view, love it.

Have a great day and realize your beauty!  Really feel it and enjoy your creations and flaunt them.  Be BOLD!  Let me know how it goes and leave comments if you will.  I feel so alone in blogville.  Adios 

Welcome! How about the fabrics that your clothes and accessories are made from, does that matter?  Tell me you don't like comfy cotton, and there is nothing like warm wool or a wool blend to cozy you up, and tell me you don't love silk-it may take a little care-but it is simply fantastic.  Today we are having a blizzard in Minnesota, I will be reaching for a sweater to layer for sure! I am going to enlighten you to fabric and how it fits into color magick when you face the mirror and endeavor to face your day.

I forgot two colors last night, grey and silver. If you have not read my last post, do yourself a favor and scroll down when reading this and embrace it; colors not only impact us, they impact those we encounter throughout our day and can be used to our advantage to manifest what we wish.
Grey- Illusion, neutrality, glamour, promotes invisibility (remember that when combining items to wear), neutral color, wear with other colors it adds to the magick!
Silver-Self-respect, spirituality (imagine it with lavender) reduces fears (I could use that some days) pumps up feeling of safety, spirituality, security, if you believe in such things it is the Goddess color, motivational, receptiveness, and can be worn in jewelry too (I create a lot of jewelry-I will post some, and I primarily use silver and combine different colored precious stones-how effective)!

Back to the subject of fabrics or textile in you garments and accessories.  Natural fibers are best, you already intuitively know this.  You like the way they feel, breath, move.  They are the best conductors of energy-your energy and the energy of those around you.  One of my favorites and the one I tend to demand in my own clothing (especially being from Arizona) is cotton.  Cotton increases clarity and is associated with the element of Air, no surprise. Even individuals who are sensitive to other fabrics can usually wear cotton.  There is an ever increasing manufacturing (you can even find them at thrift stores) of cotton products.  Advertisers have captured this in their campaigns: "Cotton, the fabric of our lives."

 Silk is the most valuable and the most magickal of all of the fabrics.  I acts as a protective shield, no wonder so many undergarments are constructed of silk.  It protects you from outside influences or psychic energy or attacks (we mentioned that yesterday, those people or situations that drain the energy right out of you, give you a flush of anxiety, the ones you find yourself crossing your arms or legs over your body when around them for any prolonged time, the ones you feel your physical distance's presence and actually may take a step back).  If you do Tarot cards or have some, silk is great to wrap around your cards to shield them from others emotions and vibes (I haven't lost you yet have I-read on).  In fact silk underwear, a blouse or dress would be a great idea if you would like some self-assuring protection.  And silk can be worn year around, especially under everything.  If you live in a cold region, buy some silk long-underwear, or cooler buy a cami or slip, underwear or brassier.  Silk is linked to emotions, intuition (who doesn't want that), Water, and shields negative energy.  Choose color of silk carefully for VERY effective mirrored psychic armor!

Colorful clothing combinations can add to your intentions for your day and your life.  I like to have an array of colors to choose from.  After practicing color magick, and choosing my intentions with what I wear, I have embraced hues of colors I never wore or seldom wore prior.  Yellow for example, not my favorite, but combined in patterns within the fabric, or as an accent piece in a less threatening hue to my liking, it has been effective in my life.  I know you have some gold jewelry somewhere.

For work you want to choose a fabric that projects an aura of power, boosts your confidence, or you may choose to blend in unnoticed.  By combining colors in your outfits, you can accomplish this, then by selecting items to add in a particular fabric, you are on your way to being proactive rather than ignorant to the effects of what you wear and how they affect you and the world around you.  This is why I made my wall hanging (below post) to hang near where I get ready in the morning-my closet, which I am fortunate enough to posses a small room that was probably a Victorian nursery at one time, to assemble myself for the day.  It surrounds me in lavender walls, with positive and empowering sayings or quotes written selectively on the walls, images of things that are important to me, accessories displayed artistically so that when I enter the organized space (work clothes in one closet, every day by similar items and colors, layering pieces, dresses arranged just so) I get warm fuzzies like being around a close friend.  Then I go to my wall hanging to look at the colors and how I want to use them, or I just feel like a certain color for the day. I have hooks to hang different combinations, and then I put them on thinking about my day and the intention I have for it, say a few positive words I have written down, smile confidently in the mirror (full length of course) and I am out the door to enjoy the present I have been given to unwrap today.

Here are some of the things I say to myself which I have written down to consider which I borrowed from Ellen Dugan:
"*Today I will work with the powerful energy of color red or other to manifest success.
*Today I utilize the gentle energy of color blue or other and will be more open-minded, sympathetic, and compassionate.
*Today I harness the power of color yellow or other, may it bring illumination and boost my communication skills.
*Today I work magick of the color black or other, I build my shields with strength and reject my coworkers' power to make me uncomfortable."
You get the idea and can write affirmations ahead of time or just say a positive affirmation correlating to the color of choice(s) for the day.
Then Ellen suggest visualizing light and energy (don't freak out if this seems a bit out there because visualization is used by the most successful companies and individuals of the world) flowing around you, wrapping you up with strength (change the words to me on your hanging or poster).  You may even notice a "tightening of the solar plexis or a warm feeling."  Now thoroughly "woven" in magick around you, you can make a positive affirmation for the day, take a deep breath, letting it out slowly and center yourself.  If you do meditation you know what I mean.  Then flash a smile in the mirror at the most important person you know-yourself! Now you can confidently head out to your day knowing your personal power and the choices you have consciously made for yourself and work and practice your own personal magick.

One more note.  Most individuals practice some form of prayer, meditation, intention, wish, dream in their lives.  I am not talking about religion.  For instance, nature is very important to me and my spirituality, it is my church if you will.  I pay attention to what is around me and embrace my encounters throughout the day, flowing like water around any obstacle that may come my way.  But there are moments my feathers are ruffled, I feel uneasy, I have a feeling I do not like like frustration, anger, sadness, anxiety, fear, depression, anticipation, stress, etc.  When I feel these things I stop and ground myself.  Sometimes I will even excuse myself from others and public bathrooms are an asset to society.  I can close my eyes in the stall and surround myself with goodness-tap into what I believe (for you it may be different than others) is in charge or the energy of whatever you believe in to center myself, to ground myself, to take a deep breath and say something positive to myself so I don't give away my power!  I do not need to allow situations or others to throw me about in my own life, I do that enough.  So centering and grounding when away from my home where I meditate and practice my faith is invaluable!!

Think then before you re-enter your life, about what you are wearing, about what you said prior to going about your day, visualize the power and energy in the choices you made when getting dressed.  It is still with you right now, use it.  You will be amazed when you tap into this magick how it can enhance your spirituality and self-worth, your confidence, how you see yourself.  And no clothing or accessory can project your positive self-perception more that how you really feel about yourself.  You think others can not see this, but they can and they use it to their advantage.  So I ask you, why are you giving your power away.  Why not keep it and use it to your advantage, for good.  Why not use what the Universe has given you to make yourself, those around you, and the world a better place rather than knocking everything and everyone down around you without conscious effort.  Well, you have now been informed, enlightened to the impact the items you wear and carry have on life.  There is no turning back so arm yourself and enjoy a more positive life, because if you project positive-watch-you are going to get a lot more of it back. If you want to read more about this subject any of the books by Ellen Dugan are great.  I thank her for enlightening me and give her kudos as a mentor and teacher. And don't forget to scroll down if you have not read the power of the colors you wear and harnessing that energy.
  Later, Colleen

Color Magick-Manifest what you want with colors you wear

I want you to keep an open mind and think about what you feel like when you see or wear different colors.  You have heard of the black suit being the power suit, or perhaps navy.  When you wear a certain color you feel safe, cheery, have lots of energy, feel like you are on top of the world!  Well I will give you some information on colors and their magick when you choose your outfit for the day, an event, or based on how you feel when you wake up or have to approach something you are unsure about.

When upcycling think about what you want to portray, how you want to feel, what you like (there is a reason you like a particular color you know), what you will use it for, or just to express yourself.  It will definitely get you thinking when you go to your closet and then you can look yourself in the mirror and seal your intention for the day, give yourself a great big smile, and be on your way confidently.

First of all I believe in miracles, many know the power of positive thinking, having a positive intention for something you want to manifest in your life is not a new concept.  So why not use this when you get dressed.  Why not think a bit more about what you want to do or say with your day and dress the part, walking out of your closet or dressing room with confidence that you will welcome what you wish for yourself.  Are you with me-here we go!

I made a fun hanging (nothing special) as a reminder to myself-because I can not remember this all every morning when I get dressed.  But as I practice this I do start to think about the meaning and power of the colors I am wearing and some of it actually sticks with me.

My dressing room is actually lavender, but here is a picture of the wall hanging inside the door that I can glance at when choosing outfit for the day.

This is a blurry picture of a close up of some of the colors and their meanings towards manifestations.

Color Magick
Brown-warm, comforting, grounds and helps quiet a mind that won't turn off, nonthreatening, Earth, soothing.
Burgundy-red (power) and black (protection) mix.  Protect from needy/emotional people from psychic vampires (oh come on, I know your thinking of a few by name right now.  They suck the energy right out of you-even from a distance).
Mauve-intuition, lessens mental confusion and sensations of overwhelming people or stronger personalities.  This color is like a lighter burgundy (above).
Coral-(hot pink/bright orange) is an assertive color, impression of confidence and extreme assertiveness, approach-ability, for meeting, presents you in the best possible light-your best self.
Yellow-Sunshine today, promotes personal vitality, brightens mood, reduces depression, Air, communication, flow of ideas, professional talents shine to best advantage.
Neon Green-Apple, lime, stimulates, gets you and others fired up, encourages new business opportunities.
Royal Blue-Electric, dynamic, strong, boost, prosperity of planetary energies of Jupiter, movers and shakers, grabs attention, forceful color, uplifting, protective, and powerful.
Dark Blue/Navy (blue/black)-Respect, confidence, creates impression of emotional distance, opposite of softer tones of blue-keep that in mind.
Lavender-Relaxing, brings out inner-beauty, calming, wear with a crisis or deadline, Water, encourages tranquility and helps counteract jealous coworkers.
White-Teaching and healing, use in small amounts, try shirt, blouse, sweater, part of a garment, warm up with ivory.
Black-Power, intrigue, mystery, authority, fashionable and dynamic, establishes boundaries, can create a color shield-if feelings get hurt easily, can attract attention or deflect it, choice and power to wield that type of color is magick but it is up to me.
Pink-Reduces stress, relaxes wearer, soothing, receptive, soft fuzzy feelings-offset with navy/burgundy will project compassionate, relaxed individual who is secure and confident-own style.
Red-"I am in charge," passionate, dynamic, Fire, strong intense emotions, full attention, vibrant, strong, and intense.
Orange-Confidence, energy, enthusiasm, garner all the success you deserve, boost self-assurance and personal energy.
Green-Promoting career objectives, brings prosperity, good luck, growth, health and strength.  Chakra is Energy, it is the color of life. Stay gently grounded, excellent link to Earth and all it's magick.
Turquoise-Mystical-green and blue means healing protection, relieving stress, pulls up strength from deep inside yourself.
Blue-Soft, healing color works wonders in making magick in your wardrobe, Water, emotions, psychic, receptivity, shades pastel to denim (no wonder we all wear so much of this-right), open-minded, trustworthy, nonthreatening.
Purple (denim and purple are my favorite colors)-Favorite for magick, fame, riches, respect, spirituality, power, promotes inspiration, and imagination.

Now given all of this information some of you are with me, some can't wait to get started, and others are skeptics.  So I challenge you to experiment with colors and see what you find out-put this information to the test.  And when you see that it is real, it will be a useful tool to manifest in your life what you truly want, enjoy, and ultimately, what will make you happy.

Tomorrow I will blog about different materials and their magick (are you with me-good).  There are also colorful configurations that work to project what you intend or what you need for that day.  There are days you need protection, and if wearing the right clothes helps, why not.  I will expound on this and some things you can say to yourself, an exercise to prepare you for the day as you smile confidently at yourself and go out to accomplish what you will.  Later, Colleen