Repurposing

Shimmery Shawl from a Repurposed Bedskirt Tutorial

I want to share a quickie tutorial, a simple cotton fabric shawl with a finishing option that would make a lovely gift for a mom, grandma, aunt or other lady in your life. And my version recycles too, which satisfies my need to be frugal and green!

Begin with a yard and a half of gauzy cotton fabric, this sparkly cotton dobby weave caught my eye, from JoAnn's. It is fancy yet it can be casual too.  I split mine in two so I can make one for myself too!

 I have a huge stash of cotton lace and pieces from thrift stores and even my own collection. This eyelet bedskirt had seen better days, in fact I made it for our own bed, with pieces from old curtains. No longer needed, and in some disrepair, I have been keeping it for future projects. I measured 6 inches from each end of the gauzy fabric piece, cut across, then finished the longer piece's end by turning the edge over.

I split the last 4 inches on each end, separating the pieces and then inserted the eyelet pieces. Then I ewed the unfinished side right sides together to the raw edge of the opposite cut edge.

I laid the eyelet pretty finished edge over the finished edge and stitched along keeping it straight. I turned the edges of the sides under kind of like a rolled hem, to no frays stuck out. (Sorry, the pics are not the best, it is hard to show and shoot!

see the pretty finished edge on one size of eyelet piece, I overlapped it over the cotton piece and stitched it down.  Press seam on back side away from eyelet, and topstitch.

 Finish the two bottom edges the same and the finishing touch was this cute ball trim, I had left over from another project.  Pincushion is a recycled kitchen doily over a cleaned tuna can stuffed with batting.

Some pretty options or alternatives, would be to trim the bottoms with rows of lace, or ruffles. Fringe would be a fun choice as well. Use up whatever you have laying around, and you can make this shawl wider or narrower, depending on what you have.

This shawl would be a comfortable option for spring events like weddings, or tied around the neck as a warmer option for cooler weather. The scarf I saw that had some of the same features was over $30.00 at Coldwater Creek. Of course they didn't have the jaunty recycled eyelet like I do. Their loss! The best part of this project is that it only cost around $2.00 with inexpensive yardage bought with a 40 percent coupon! Treat your mom or grandma to one for Mothers Day or any occasion!

And don't feel guilty when you indulge yourself too!