One of the things I really wanted to do when I first started to get into sewing, and thinking about a sewing business, was to learn how to turn things that had outlived their purpose into something new and useful. The Laundryontheline sentiment strikes again as I dream of being more like my (mythical?) penny-pinching, earth-saving, waste-not want-not ancestors. (Actually, this is not a myth where my grandmother is concerned, I can attest to that having inherited the piles of zippers and buttons that she carefully saved from years and years of worn clothing…)
And so it is that I have saved every worn sweater and pair of jeans (the ones that for one reason or another aren’t in good enough condition to donate) for that day when I was ready to create something wonderful and new out of them.
That day was Saturday. And I’m pretty happy with what I came up with, although I’m not sure about the useful part…. 
My inspiration started from here (you will see some similarities) and then I branched out into other animals. There was one casualty along the way. One blue elephant that just didn’t work out. I have learned from that experience that ribbed cotton sweaters are too stretchy for animals that require some structure. He would have made a very nice octopus if he had had more legs!
I’m pretty happy with this little menagerie and I think I might just have to make a few more (after all, there are still sweaters in the pile!)
What a sweet story about your grandmother and how you save things like she did:) The animal creations I imagine are so nice and soft!
oh my gosh…. they are adorable!!! What an amazing collection of friends. I love the pig and elephant the most. They are soooo cute!
I once made a helicopter out of an old sweater… It isn’t the most authentic looking helicopter but it worked.
Andrea
My opinion: very useful! What’s better than a handmade toy made with love????
P.S. – That pig is AWESOME!!!!
Oh wow! These are amazing! I may need to dust off my sewing machine and try really, really hard to make something. A snake should be right around my skill level.
Good evening, Andrea! I hope that you had a pleasant and productive teaching week.
Congratulations again on completing an amazing sewing project! Your stuffed animal creations are so adorable! I especially love your pink elephant. I love all animals, but I’ve always had a special love for elephants. Hopefully I will have a child or children someday, and I definitely will purchase your children’s toys for them.
Stephen and I both read through your blog the other evening. I wanted to pass on to you that Stephen was genuinely impressed by both your blog in general and your sewing in particular! He asked me about your sewing business, and I looked through your blog trying to find information about it, but I couldn’t find your sewing info. Do you have a sewing company website? Or link through an arts and crafts website? Please give it to me so Stephen and I can look and marvel at your projects. An idea – maybe include a link to your sewing business in your “About Me” page so blog readers/ potential customers can access your business info.
Have a good weekend!
-Jennie
Thank you for all of your kind comments. I actually don’t have an online presence for my sewing business at the moment. Between teaching, writing, cooking and gardening, I am lucky if I have time to sew a few things for the local store that is currently selling my items. Someday I do hope to have some kind of online store, I will be sure to let you know when it happens!
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