A couple of weeks ago whilst sorting through my winter woollies, I came across a long forgotten item of clothing – a sort of woven cotton fisherman’s smock, but with a scoop neck and without the useful pockets. I remembered that I had stopped wearing it because it had a small stain on the front that I had been unable to remove and so I had put it to one side whilst I decided what to do with it.
Time, I thought, to see whether I could revive it.
I started by running it through the washing machine with a small amount of laundry liquid, a couple of teaspoons of bicarbonate of soda and some white vinegar. I dried it in strong sunshine on the washing line and was surprised to discover that I simply could not find the stain afterwards. However, I felt that the garment could be significantly improved by the addition of pockets. I wanted something with plenty of capacity… no point in tiny pockets! So I rummaged through my scraps, dismissed several fabrics because the top is an odd pinky-purple colour that seems to clash with lots of things, before settling on some pieces left over from a sewing project that Mr Snail is currently working on (well, the pieces are cut out – sewing is yet to begin).
I started by cutting a rectangle that would fit across the front of the top, but I decided that it would be too floppy on it’s own so I interfaced it and cut a second piece for lining. Then combined the layers and attached the resulting piece, stitching round the edge, folding the lower edge (left without interfacing or lining, so it wasn’t too bulky) around the bottom of the garment, and stitching up the middle of the pocket to hold it in place and ensure it didn’t gape and allow things to fall out. It looked a bit like an afterthought, so I added some binding round the cuffs. After washing it again, I decided it looked a bit unbalanced, so I also added binding round the neck too.
I think it’s now a much more useful item of clothing, plus if I get any more stains on it, I can simply do a bit of embroidery over them based on one of the motifs on the pocket. It feels like I have a brand new garment – all from the addition of some scraps.
-oOo-
I’ve been inspired to write this (and future) ScrapHappy posts by Kate, Tall Tales from Chiconia. On the fifteenth of every month lots of folk s often publish a ScrapHappy post, do check them out:
Kate, Gun, Eva, Sue, Lynn, Lynda, Birthe, Turid, Susan, Cathy, Tracy, Jill, Claire, Jan (me), Moira, Sandra, Chris, Alys, Kerry, Claire, Jean, Jon, Hayley, Dawn, Gwen, Bekki, Sue L, Sunny, Kjerstin, Vera, Nanette, Ann, Dawn 2 , Bear, Carol, Noreen, Preeti, Edith and Jule
If you fancy joining, contact Kate and she’ll add you to the list. It would be lovely to see more non-sewing posts, but any use of scraps is welcome.
The Snail of Happiness 
katechiconi
/ September 15, 2021I do like this! It has a vaguely clerical look to one brought up seeing that stuff, a sort of surplice, but it’s lovely, and I can see how much more attractive AND practical it now is with the pocket and trims. I have a dress that has been hanging in the sewing room so long waiting for alteration that I can now wear it again on my new slimline self without said alterations! Sometimes, procrastination pays!
LikeLike
The Snail of Happiness
/ September 15, 2021It was so long since I put it away, I had completely forgotten that I’d got it! I have a feeling that when I bought it, the colour was darker because it seems rather wishy now, so not only has the addition made it more useful, it’s brightened it up again.
LikeLiked by 2 people
nanacathy2
/ September 15, 2021You can’t beat a good pocket. An excellent rescue.
LikeLike
The Snail of Happiness
/ September 15, 2021Absolutely… I can’t imagine I would ever have worn it again without the pockets.
LikeLike
Rainbow Junkie
/ September 15, 2021Good to see someone who uses pockets. My mother though pockets shouldn’t be used for anything more than maybe a hankie.
LikeLike
The Snail of Happiness
/ September 15, 2021I think this should be good to wear for all sorts of activities… dog-walking, sewing, gardening…. I can always find a use for pockets!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Going Batty in Wales
/ September 15, 2021What a transformation! From tidy but dull to bright and useful.
LikeLike
Quimper Hitty
/ September 15, 2021Excellent save!
LikeLike
onesmallstitch
/ September 15, 2021well done, it looks very comfortable, bright and cheerful. Pockets are so necessary for all sorts of “stuff”.
LikeLike
The Snail of Happiness
/ September 17, 2021I probably stuff too much “stuff” in my pockets!
LikeLike
rutigt
/ September 16, 2021Wow! A whole new clothing, just by adding some fabrics! Great!
LikeLike
The Snail of Happiness
/ September 17, 2021And quite simple in the end
LikeLiked by 1 person
DawnGillDesigns
/ September 16, 2021That’s #Geniarse as we say, Chez Gilly.
LikeLike
The Snail of Happiness
/ September 17, 2021An excellent term 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Debbierose
/ September 17, 2021I do like this revamp of a practical top. I have a few of these around the house tops, I liken to a long sleeve t-shirt. Now I am inspired how to spiffy them up
LikeLike
The Snail of Happiness
/ September 17, 2021Excellent – I hope they come out well.
LikeLike
cedar51
/ September 17, 2021Mrs Snail, I’ve got behind with blog reading – but it now looks completely different, as if it’s a new garment you just created. Love how you appeared to have enough “scrap” to make it look cohesive etc. Now to enjoy wearing it
LikeLike
ipatchandquilt
/ September 18, 2021What a fabulous idea to add to an existing piece of clothing!
Esther
LikeLike
The Snail of Happiness
/ September 22, 2021I’m really pleased with how it turned out
LikeLiked by 1 person