Tuesday 29 January 2013

DIY Hand stitched infinity scarf

DIY Hand stitched infinity scarf / head band / necklace / accessories / emergency scarf for freezing kids . . .

I don't think I have enough infinity scarves. My first Hand stitched infinity scarf was made out of a bit of scrap material. I found a piece of cashmere knit exactly the right size to fit twice around my head. The material (rectangle) was longer along the grain line which was fine for me because it stretches less this way and is perfect for a headband that keeps its shape.
So that is how my infinity scarf production started and I adapted it in many different ways. One for example is made out of the leftovers of an Organic Cotton jersey top I made and turned into a scarf with lots of necklaces. Another one is made of a warm knit and a bit wider so I can pull it over my head and it is very warming and cozy. . . So if you would like to stitch your own infinity scarf by hand, 
this is what you need:
. Fabric - anything that does not fray but stretches
. Cutting Matt
. Rotary Knife (optional)
. Plastic Ruler
. Milward Sharps Needle No4
. Gutermann Top Stitch Thread in colour(s) of your choice
. Thin Pins
. Embroidery Scissors
. Fabric Scissors

STEP ONE
First decide what shape your infinity scarf should have. This project demonstrates a thinner version, that serves as a headband but also a necklace or scarf. 
The width should fit twice around your head, add about 1.5cm for seam allowance. The height is about 33cm but again decide what suits your purpose. The grain line runs with the length of the rectangle.

STEP TWO
Then pin the (shorter) edges (pic 2).
I usually fold the material so the wrong side is inside and the felled seam you will create will be outside. The reason for this: When you wear the scarf it twists and so when the inside is visible it looks neat and still attractive and the seam being placed on the outside gives another element to look at (pic 5+6).

STEP THREE 
Make 1 knot at the very end (about 2mm away from the edge) to prevent fraying and then about 1cm higher make 2 knots in the same place to fixate your thread at the start.(The double knot in the same place might take a bit of practice)

(fot the knot also see http://icancu4more.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/diy-hand-stitched-wash-bag.html) 

Start stitching. I loop the first stitch around to the back and up very close to the first hole which seems to give it more hold. Then sew in a straight line a straight stitch. 
The stitches should have a nice rhythm. Too wide leaves a gap, too narrow might ruin the fabric. When you reached the end run your finger along the stitching from the beginning to the end to find the right tension between fabric and thread. Too tight and the fabric looses its stretch, too loose and the thread makes loops. 

Finish as you started. Loop the last stitch around to the front and down next to the same hole, make a double knot in the same place (on the wrong side) by using your nail and a single knot further away, trim the thread. Ideally both knots the first one and the last one are on the same side.

STEP FOUR
Pin the seams to the side where your knots are (so they will hide under the seam). Thread your needle, it is nice to use a contrasting colour for this eye-catching cross stitch. 
The start is the same as for the straight stitch by looping your thread around the edge. Come up next to the loop and make the first bottom part of the cross stitch, the needle should come up at the same distance from the edge as the stitch that came up next to the loop. The top part is exactly the same as the bottom part but moved to the right and you come up at the same distance from the edge as the last stitch that came up on the bottom. . . Keep your top and bottom parts of your cross stitch in a line so your stitch looks regular with a nice rhythm. In the last pic you can see the wrong side. 
End as you started by creating a loop that goes to the back right next to the last stitch. Knot off and trim.
Enjoy!




And now you can also watch The movie for making a Hand stitched infinity scarf:
If you enjoyed watching this movie please don't forget to like an share it, thank you!!! ♥ handmade!

Monday 28 January 2013

Yoga pants test phase

Testing Day for my new Hand stitched Yoga pants

When I did my training as a graphic designer I remember finding myself criticizing the to my opinion wrong spacing on shampoo and soap packaging or whatever was there in the bathroom while I was washing my hair. 

For my Birthday I got a voucher for Liverpool One, which is a popular shopping corner in the center of Liverpool. And again I was looking at seams and shapes . . . .


It has been now over a year that I am 'off high-street' and wearing handmade. I am far away from having a whole wardrobe stitched by hand but I am getting there, slowly.

So the next project are these Hand stitched Yoga pants. I designed already classic leggings which are very comfortable but I wanted to top it with a band made of the same fabric as the pants instead of an elastic band. The reason for this is it is soooooooooo comfortable and gentle around the waist. I call them pants because they are not as tight as leggings but still have a snug fit. The eye-catching cross stitching transforms this rather simple design into some very nice Hand stitched Yoga pants.

Today is the test phase for the cut and so far no pulling and adjusting and only comfort . . . .
Soon to be tested in an Organic jersey made of bamboo, cotton and elasthene. Really looking forward to that!


Wednesday 23 January 2013

% SALE - get ready 4 spring!

Icancu has a new SALE section to help you to get ready for spring and refresh your wardrobe!

It is January and spring is wanted! 

I am really looking forward to a warmer season and thought it is good to get prepared. 









This new SALE section will help you to refresh your wardrobe . . . . Enjoy!

Monday 21 January 2013

Hand stitched Yoga Tank Top

Minimal art in harmony - favorite Hand stitched Yoga Tank Top in purple
This is the favorite Tank Top that you miss when it needs a wash, waiting impatiently by the washing line.
This time the seam is on the back and in pinkish red. 


Feminine, light, comfortable it is ideal to wear for Yoga or Dancing or just every day.

The material is a soft knit, so cosy and still so delicate.















The knit is very stretchy and you hardly feel it. Made in size M.

ps:
This photo shooting was the hardest so far and I thought I am fit ; )

Sunday 20 January 2013

favorite Yoga Tank in progress

Minimal art in Harmony - a new Hand stitched Tank Top is taking shape - Yoga, Dancing, All rounder

In the process of designing a new garment I often feel like drawing circles in one place and all of a sudden it is clear: a new garment takes shape. This one continues to be part of the Harmony collection but I think it might move to the classic edition. 

I happen to have a favorite tank top for ages basically until it falls apart. So it was really time to start creating one myself - one that is easy, soft, comfy, cool, feminine, hardly to feel, to wear as a base layer, but also as only layer. . . 



Very important for this Hand stitched Tank Top is the choice of material. It needs to have a nice stretch, should be very light but not too fragile, and the seams should still feel as if they weren't there at all. Ideal to wear for Yoga, Dancing or just casual wherever you go . . . This is enough said for now, have to go. To be continued ......






Saturday 19 January 2013

DIY - Hand stitched Wash Bag

Make your own Wash / Gadget / Storage Bag

I always need a container for something so I chose this project to DIY but also because it is easy and fast to do. It is inspired by a design of a book by Amy Carol, this project is used to learn stitching by hand.

What you need:
. Jersey Fabric - either 2 T-shirts in colours of your choice or material
. Cutting Matt
. Rotary Knife (optional)
. Plastic Ruler
. 2 Buttons
. Milward Sharps Needle No4
. Gutermann Top Stitch Thread in colour(s) of your choice
. Thin Pins
. Embroidery Scissors
. Fabric Scissors
. Iron (optional)



How to start:
Step ONE
Iron your material/T-shirt. If you use a T-shirt then this will determine the maximal width and height of your pouch. Keep in mind that the ratio length to width should be easy to use as in don't make it to narrow and deep or short and wide. Cut a rectangle which is double the length of your final pouch, the bottom part is where you fold it in half. Test your shape by folding it over and see whether it has a good ratio.
Repeat with your 2nd choice of fabric. Depending on the designated use choose probably a brighter or lighter colour for the inside to make it easier to search for the content.

Step TWO
Fold your rectangle in half, right sides facing each other, wrong sides outside. Pin the left and right edge as seen in pic 3.
It is good if you pin the inner pouch a tick smaller so it fits nicely later in the project when you place the inner pouch into the outer pouch. 

Make 1 knot at the very end
(about 2mm away from the edge) to prevent fraying and then about 1cm higher make 2 knots in the same place to fixate your thread at the start.
(The double knot in the same place might take a bit of practice)

Start stitching from the top. I loop the first stitch around to the back and up next to the same hole which seems to give it more hold.(pic 4-5)
Then sew in a straight line a straight stitch. (pic 5-7)

The stitches should have a nice rhythm. Too wide leaves a gap, too narrow might ruin the fabric. When you reached the end run your finger along the stitching from the beginning to the end to find the right tension between fabric and thread. Too tight and the fabric looses its stretch, too loose and the thread makes loops. (pic 8-9) Finish as you started. Loop the last stitch around to the front and down to the back, next to the same hole (pic 10), make a double knot in the same place (on the wrong side) by using your nail (pic 11) and a single knot further away, trim the thread. (pic 12)

You have finished the first part of your pouch.

Step THREE
Turn your pouch to the right side and fold your seams (now inside) to one side (This is a felled seam on the wrong side). (You can iron again if you wish.) Fold and pin the right edge of the pouch to the back and the left edge to the front. You will do the opposite for the second pouch, so in the end when you fit the inner one into the outer pouch the seams on both sides face opposite directions. The reason for this: you don't need to sew through all layers and it leaves the top corners more flexible.
You have pinned your seams now thread your needle and stitch both edges in a straight stitch. (I used a cross stitch on the outer pouch for decorative reasons but it also gives more stretch, if you don't know this cross stitch yet, use a straight stitch. How to do a cross stitch will be published soon.) (top pic 1-2)(below pic 1)

When you repeated Step TWO and THREE for your second pouch you should have 2 bags stitched on both edges with additional felled seams (inside).
Step FOUR
Place the outer pouch into the inner pouch, right sides facing each other (pic 2-3). Pin the top edge and leave some open to be able to turn the pouches to the right side later. Thread your needle and do the single and double knots and start sewing from one side of the opening all around to the other side. Knot off, trim, and turn your pouches to the right side. 

Step FIVE
Prepare your loops using scrap material, cut it along the grain to have less stretch. If you use single Jersey you will notice that the edges curl up. This is exactly what makes the loop. The length of your loop is determined by the size of your button, see in pic 7-9. Rather stretch the loop when you adjust it around your button because it will stretch more later anyway. Pin the ends of your loop together where your button needs it and sew them together using the same knots and stitching as before, knot off, trim. Place your loops in the right position where you want to have your buttons (take care that the gaps are not too big so the pouch closes nicely). You can also place the loops into their position in Step FOUR.

Step SIX
Pin your top edge and sew around in a straight stitch starting on one edge and all the way around, fixing the loops in place. Don't forget to loop the first and last stitch, knot off, trim.

FINISH
To make sure your loops are safe you can stitch them onto the material another time further up as seen in pic 12. Iron your pouch if required. Finally determine where to fold your pouch over and mark the position for your buttons (pic 10). Sew your buttons onto the pouch through both layers.

Done!

Repeat in different colours, sizes and for different occasions. (I did a single layer version for recyclable gift wrap.)





Thursday 17 January 2013

♥ HAPPY BIRTHDAY ♥





prolonged for one more day *

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!


♥ ♥ ♥ shop at icancu ♥ ♥ ♥
type HAPPYBIRTHDAY (couponcode) 
to get 38% off 
only today ; )

* icancu2.etsy.com

Enjoy!


Tuesday 15 January 2013

more joy - in grey


50 shades of grey. . . more Joy - grey/white/purple Hand stitched arm warmers

Cool and warm, they are in my shop available now!
These unique hand stitched arm warmers in shades of grey 
are calmer than the pink ones though still refreshing.



The purple, mid grey and white elements are Organic Cotton Jersey and have a subtle energy that invigorates.


And the contrasting seams are another shade of grey which adds more calmness.


These arm warmers not only look good but also warm you! Enjoy!



Sunday 13 January 2013

DIY packaging 4 your gift


Create packaging for light gifts and get familiar with stitching by hand

I thought it is a nice thing to make: some packaging made by yourself and sewn by hand. It is a good start if you are new to sewing by hand. You can also experiment with different materials. . . make it yourself and find instructions here.


Create packaging for light gifts and get familiar with stitching by hand

What you need:
. A cutting matt
. A paper cutting knife
. A plastic ruler (sew easy metric sew square)
. Some of your kids IKEA paper roll.
Or any other stronger paper that you can fold nicely and is not as stiff as ordinary copy paper (too heavy paper would break when you fold it unless you make a groove first)
. Buttonhole thread in a colour of your choice. (Gutermann Top Stitch Thread)
. A needle that has an eye big enough for your thread (Milward Sharps no4)
. optional a pen to write onto your packaging (edding calligraphy pen 2.0)


Measure your gift and add on the left and right side about 1cm each for your stitching (if it is thicker a bit more).
The length needs to be double the length of your gift, if it is thicker add a bit in length plus about a third of the length of your gift for the triangle flap to fold over.
(So 2x gift length + a bit (if it is thicker) + 1/3 gift length to fold over)

When you have cut the paper fold it over after the first gift length which makes the bottom of your packaging and try whether your gift is likely to fit in after sewing the edges (I just mention this because of my own experience).

Cut your thread, make it much longer than 2x gift length.
Thread your needle.
Make 1 knot at the very end (about 2mm away from the edge) to prevent fraying and then about 1cm higher make 2 knots in the same place to fixate your thread at the start.
(The double knot in the same place might take a bit of practice)

Start stitching from the top. I loop the first stitch around to the back and up through the same hole which seems to give it more hold)
Then sew in a straight line a straight stitch. You can do this by turning your paper over each time you go through the paper to see where the next stitch should be. (Too close stitches rip the paper, too wide ones leave a gap. The stitches should have a nice rhythm.)

Finish as you started: loop over to the back through the same hole, make 2 knots in the same place close to the paper and one single one about 1cm further away. Ideally both knots are on the same side. If you don't mark the wholes in the first place just adapt the length of your stitches going towards the end.
Cut your thread 2mm away from the last knot.

Repeat on the other side.

Cut the triangle by dividing the top in half and cutting to each top corner.

If you want to write a message on your packaging do it before you put in your gift, keeping the triangle flap in mind. As this wrapping is made of paper don't touch it too much as it might leave your gift wrap creased. If you want hold the triangle flap in place with some glue stick.

My tools

Don't touch my tools!

The tools I am using are really important for my work. They are well hidden and looked after . . . Have a look in the tool section.

50 shades II

50 shades of grey - Hand stitched unique arm warmers in shades of grey+

Not yet finished this is the 2nd of more joy Hand stitched arm warmers in shades of grey. A piece of love these gorgeous accessories are perfect for your wardrobe essentials. They brighten up everything or just add a bit of uniqueness to a classic outfit.

from left to right: Organic Cotton Jersey in middle grey marl, purple and white 
and Cotton Jersey in dark grey and light grey marl







After preparing all the pieces in order and shape you can see the first stage of stitching here, the basic straight stitch which holds the design together. I take care that they leave enough room for the fabric to stretch. 
Look at 50 shades of pink here.

Then I turn the arm warmers to the right side and pin the felled seam (wrong side). 
I started already with the cross stitch on this one. As it is a small piece to work on it is quite tricky to sew. 

And it is worth it as the finished product is a piece of joy! 

Soon in my shop available.

Saturday 12 January 2013

Home for your feet


Home for your feet - purple/plum organic and handstitched - cool and warm

This Organic Cotton Jersey is without any exaggeration the nicest colour and fabric I have seen so far. It is an Interlock Jersey/double knit which looks on both sides the same. It is a bit stronger than T-Shirt material but incredible soft. And now the best: the colour! Plum-purple. . . it looks in every light different, it is not really a colour it is real!!!!

Purple Yoga socks in Organic Cotton Jersey with red contrasting seams.
I made these Hand stitched Yoga socks to keep your feet warm while walking barefoot or doing Yoga. The colour is rich and energetic. They are so light and comfy that you might forget to take them off. 

Cool & Warm

denim blue fingerless gloves - Hand stitched and extra long - warm your arms
I came up with these hand stitched fingerless gloves because I like showing off my tank tops but still want to be warm . . . and they look good and cool.


They are made of Cotton Jersey Interlock which is a bit stronger than T-shirt material but still soft. The colour is a middle blue. 


I love the combination with the red thread. .
Warming, cool - a must have for your essentials of your wardrobe.


I start somewhere . . .


50 shades of pink . . . more Joy - pink Hand stitched arm warmers

Valentines Day is coming and it is still grey and cold. . . but to cheer you up I designed these hand stitched arm warmers to brighten everything up. 


They are unique and a piece of love.

here with black hand stitched jacket and grey tunic
Made of different shades of pink and held together by a pinkish red cross-stitch they gently warm you and are a nice accessories and a must have for your wardrobe. They extend a short sleeve or change the end of a long sleeve into a bright statement . . .

. . . love love love
♥ Happy Valentines Day ♥


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