Family Fashion Week Day 1 - T-shirt for Daddy!

Welcome to Family Fashion Week on Sew Homegrown!
This week we are going to revamp the whole family's wardrobe.  Time to get everyone ready for summer!

We're starting out with the men, because they are tricky to make things for.
Okay - how funny is this shirt?!

It's a copycat of this t-shirt from Urban Outfitters.

When Ryan and I saw it we literally laughed out-loud.  This shirt would be a great gift for your hubby, brother, son, cousin, dad, or friend.  It's pretty easy - no sewing required - just some simple freezer paper stenciling.  Now, I know that I am like the last person in blog world to do freezer paper stenciling...but better late than never right?
So let's get to it.  Here's what you'll need:

1 T-shirt in the appropriate size
fabric paint (or acryllic paint and fabric medium)
freezer paper
FREE T-REX PATTERN (that I drew...just for you.  because I love you.)
paint brush
xacto knife

Step 1:  Print the pattern.  Connect the dino at the x's.  Trace it onto the freezer paper.  Cut it out with an exacto knife. It's up to you to make the words.  I just used Microsoft Word.  I would recommend a simpler font than I used - those little curves were tricky.

  

Step 2:  Using a dry, hot iron, iron the stencil onto the t-shirt.  

Paint the shirt.

Step 3:  After it has fully dried, peel the paper off.  If you are using the acrylic/fabric medium combo you will need to let it dry overnight, then iron it, then wash it in cool water.

Easy craft for a guy right?  

Enjoy!

jessica

*Merry Monday* Handmade Dude

Okay, you know guys are THE hardest people to make things for.  I mean how do you make a circular saw?  And I'm not about to undertake making a dress shirt.  Of course you can knit a hat or give them a coupon saying you will wash their car.  All good.  All been done.  So I did some research and found a couple of unique ideas
(*spoiler alert* if you are a man in my family - don't read anymore unless you don't want surprises).

• Beef Jerky:  One site had a quote from a guy saying "If I can't eat it or drink it, don't make it for me".  Well, there you go.  It is easy to make, unique, and not that expensive.  Here are a couple of links to recipes:  Island Cowboy Beef Jerky     Homemade Jerky     Marinated Spicy Jerky
• Dude Rice Bags:  You know, guys get aches and pains too - why not make a manly rice bag?  I am going to make one from an old flannel shirt

and one from an old t-shirt.

• You can find my rice bag tutorial here.
                                        
• Spice Rub:  Does your dude like to barbecue?  How about mixing up a ready to use spice rub?  Put it in a jar with a label and you're done.  A very practical gift.  This is one of Ryan's favorite rubs:  Wild Willy's Wonderful Rub
• Candy:  Back to the food genre - how about these homemade peanut butter cups or chocolate bark?

So those are a few of my ideas for the guys in my life.  Please, please let me know some of yours!  And remember, as you're making Sew Homegrown projects, upload your pics to the Flickr Pool to be entered to win the adorable Bridget and Lucy Ruffle Joy Kit!

jessica

Quick Fix - Men's Vintage Jacket

As you know, my husband is an excellent thrift store shopper.  He always finds THE BEST deals.  Well, a couple of weeks ago, he found a vintage jacket for $10 that reminded him of one he'd seen Tom Brady
(Quarterback of the New England Patriots ) wearing.
The only problem - my man is so tall and handsome the sleeves were just too short.

So we investigated the one Tom was sporting and noticed the lamb's wool around the cuff.  So I snipped some from the inside lining, hand-whipped it into the inside of the cuff, folded it back....and voila!
Move over Tom Brady!

(Let the record show I made Ryan pose like that :)

Cats like to help with ALL photo shoots :)

Anyway, just thought I'd show you a simple way to fix a sleeve - here's a better pic of the whole jacket-

Have a great day!

jessica