Gift for a Friend....and for Me

Cowl cover up

Do you get inspired to sew a new project from watching what other people are wearing?  I do.  The winter before last I noticed women in SW Florida wearing filmy, sheer shawls as a top layer over sleeveless tops.  But rather than a shawl that you have to keep adjusting and managing, these were much more stable while still covering the upper arm area.  I made rough mental measurements then went home to figure out my version.  I started by taking a pashmina shawl and pinning it together and pretty quickly figured out this project.   The ones in this post are winter, cold weather versions....but it works just as easily in sheer silks.

23' by 68"

Instructions:  You need a 68-72 inch length of fabric.  Cut it lengthwise so that you have a panel 24" wide.  The sample you see is a black and burgundy mohair that I have washed and dried one time.  The fabric piece is 68" by 23'.  Since this is now a felted wool, I didn't have to worry about the edges raveling.  When I make these in thin silks I do a rolled edge on my serger on all four sides, trimming off some edge to get that 23 x 68 finished piece.

Fold the piece in half and pin it leaving 13" open from the fold edge.

 Now you are going to sew one seam 1/4", from the bottom to the start of the 13" opening, backstitching at the start and end.

I slipstitched the seam to keep it flat in this wool.  For the rolled edge versions that's not necessary.

So what do you get?  A cowl neck, feminine short shawl that slips over your head.  It's warm in wool, polarfleece or a sweater knit.  It's a lightweight coverup over a tank top when done in silk chiffon or filmy rayon.  If your fabric is more that 48" wide to start with, you get one and a friend gets one.  

Polarfleece version showing length in the back

Lightweight wool version

Sew a gift for your favorite cook

Taking a break from sewing a dress, Simplicity 2404, to share the first of a few posts on gifts.  Mr. Lucky and I come from very small families and don't really exchange Christmas presents with the few adults in our immediate families.  And I feel like it's Christmas every day since retiring after paid employment of 34 years.   Early retirement is the best gift I ever got....and one that has kept on giving for 10 years.  I also don't usually sew for others generally because think most of my friends and family would rather purchase clothing or an accessory rather than get something I made.  It's nothing personal...or maybe it is, since we each have our personal taste.  But there are some presents that I make as a hostess gift or small memento, good for any time of year.  Today's post is about these terrific pot holders.    

hot pads in various sizes at our house

They started with leftover Fabric Mart mohair.  I had made a throw with 1 1/2 yards of it and had about the same amount leftover.  I put it into my front loader washing machine on heavy duty then in the dryer on the same.  Yes, it shrunk but I'm not scientific enough to tell you by how much.  I just wanted to change it into felted wool and then decide what to do with it.  I was considering a felted purse but I knew I would never use it.  Since wool is such an excellent heat insulator, why not try pot holders?  One layer wasn't thick enough so I just used a long serpentine stitch on my machine to join two layers.  Perfect.  I tried a few different sizes and like the finished 6"x9" the best.

12 pairs later and I have an easy, useful hostess gift.

Felted wool jersey in 2 layers

I did the same with the leftover felted wool jersey from my Kwik Sew jacket.  I imagine that these would be just as simple to make with wool sweaters that accidentally---or on purpose---ended up in the regular wash.  Trim them with wavy edged rotary cutter and you have a lovely gift.  You'll feel better using up scraps and ruined sweaters and both the planet and your friends will thank you.
Nest post, a new dress.  Hoo hah, all you great dressmakers are getting to me.