Thursday, April 21, 2011

Wool Sweater Re-Fashion (and forcing creativity)


Since I've been in a bit of creative slump lately, I challenged myself on Tuesday to make something of one of the wool sweaters in my sweater stash.  I really didn't know what I was going to make but left it out on the table so I could look at it each time I walked past.  Around lunch time I figured I'd better stop procrastinating and do something with it.  I decided it would become a little jacket for my daughter.  I removed the zipper, did a quick felting job in the washer, and did a quick cut and sew. 

Sweater before: (Avert your eyes from my wrinkly backdrop.  Avert I say!)


Sweater after:



Obviously I am no pro at this, but she really liked it.  She loves hoods and poppets (pockets) so this was just her kind of thing. 



The chickens seem to like it too.


This exercise hasn't exactly cured my slump, but it did get my hands moving in a new way.  What was probably most notable to me was how much I enjoyed photographing the completed project.  I was photographing it for fun and because of that it was fun.  I didn't have to stage anything like I would when trying to take shots for saleable work.  I've felt that my product photos have been lacking a certain luster lately.  Hmmm... work vs. fun...that might be part of it right there huh?  Perhaps. 

Tomorrow is Earth Day, is anyone planning fun things?
Nothing major here.  We'll be starting the rest of the tomato seeds and working on our easter eggs.  I'll be using turmeric again this year for some color but we have a different idea in mind this year that I'll share later.

Have a great day.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

it's GREAT!!! and so is your daughter ;o)

RedTwigBrownTwig said...

Sweater is cute! Model is even cuter! Love the little hearts on the pockets and the button. Perfect thing to wear to hunt for some eggs!

Karen Larko said...

That wee one of yours is the cutest ever and the sweater is darling! I know what you mean about forcing creativity. I get that way too. Your photos are great. I think fun is the key too.

Tumus said...

Have you tried dying them with beets yet? It'll be pouring buckets here again tomorrow so I will be trying to clean the house in a more natural way instead of planting my corn which was my intent.
Photography for fun always makes better pictures imo. It's (photography) one of the biggest things I dislike about selling online.

Anonymous said...

Sweet upcycle, your daughter us just so adorable and obviously a bit of a ham, looks like she loves having her photo taken. Happy Earth Day, too cold to plant much. Maybe some greens...xox Corrine

Marchi Wierson said...

Hi Lisa. You may feel a slump but I think your work lately doesn't look like you feel that way. Could it be the time of year? Maybe something in you is like a seed trying to grow. It's not easy being a seed. It appears not much is going on, but strength is building inside and roots are about to be set. :)
x

Amelia said...

Hey Lisa, I have that exact same sweater in my stash. Only it accidentally made it's way into my closet... You see, I, too, love hoods and poppets. And snugly wool sweaters.

Anonymous said...

25 cents for this sweater???

O. Man. I am so jealous.

And, you whipped this up during lunch hour? I am dying to see what you would come up with if you had a whole day!!


E is a great model! You can tell she loves the sweater and her poppet.

Tonya Gunn said...

Oh that is just so sweet! And what an adorable model.
Warm wishes, Tonya

Scrapiana said...

Lovely job! She looks so happy with it too.

I haven't noticed any lack of lustre (luster... we've kept the French-ish version, for some reason) in your work shots, but it's how you feel that's important here. Hard - so hard - to keep the 'work' pictures peppy. Keep finding ways like this to have fun and it will eventually feed back into your other stuff, I'm sure. It so easy to be wise for other people...! Thank you for sharing this great project with us, Lisa. You're always an inspiration.

Wear Your Wild said...

Love it! Looks very comfy. Lucky girl. :)

I would love to head up to Crystal Lake for the weekend, but rain is in the forecast. Camping + cool, rainy weather is no fun. So Earth Day will be spent here. Undecided as to what the plan is yet.

Heather Woollove said...

I love the special little details that you added to the sweater... esp. the lovely button closure!
I've had these 'dry phases', too, and it seems like trying something in a new medium can sometimes break the slump.

Tara said...

Wrinkles? What wrinkles? I am immune to wrinkles and no longer acknowledge their presence. The sweater re-do is awesome and your daughter looks so cute and happy. Beautiful button. We are hoping for a little break from the cold and rain so we can squeeze in a hike. Happy Earth Day, Lisa!

Margie Oomen said...

what a doll
i think she is the most adorable girl in the most wonderful jacket I have ever seen
and I haven't even gotten to the chickens

Lora said...

I had the same sweater in my stash also. It became a kitty. See http://feltedwoolies.blogspot.com/2011/04/same-sweater-different-result.html I'm still working on this kitty's clothes. I like how the same sweaters circulate in the thrift stores all over the country--and how they become different things for different people. (I have that great stash of buttons now, and I think this kitty needs new eyes...)

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