It measures about three feet square. When the boy was but a baby, we used it to bundle him up in the stroller. Now, he's well beyond such things. And my darling little girl is too much of a lady to wear such a masculine piece of cloth.
So the beautiful blanket is relegated to the status of a decorative throw over the back of a wicker chair in the house. Too small for any grown person to actually use in any way, it has been these last few years merely a decoration. That's fine, I guess. Only every time I looked at this thing I couldn't help but wish there was some way I could wear it...these little pieces of cloth really are top quality, after all.And then it hit me...
I cut the blanket carefully in half. Then I sewed the open ends, and attached the two halves back together to create a long rectangle rather than a square, and folded it lengthwise.
Turns out, it makes a ripping good scarf that looks extraordinary with a Barbour jacket and a lambswool sweater from the House of Tweed. Best of all, it's warm as anything. Wrapped around my neck and draped across my chest, this patchwork masterpiece gave the old Barbour just the extra stuffing it needed on a clear and chilly day.
If you're going to be cheap and thrifty, it is essential that you develop an eye for possibilities, and realize that things need not always be what they are at first. It doesn't hurt knowing how to sew, either. Say you find a jacket made of a beautiful piece of glen check for a dollar or two, but it's got a little hole or two in it. Maybe you can cut enough pieces of cloth out of it to make some killer accent pillows for your sofa. Or maybe you find some crazy go-to-hell cotton pants that are way to short. Maybe they'll make a good pair of shorts come summer. Learn to see things not only for what they already are, but what they might be, given a little creativity.
Go out there and get crafty!
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22 comments:
What a great look!
Let's hope that somebody steals this idea and starts to produce such scarfs!
Extraordinary indeed.
Let sleeping blankets lie I say.
Maybe brown pants would help?
Great idea! I'm actually in the process of turning some old suiting fabrics into pillows - patch pockets included for quirkiness.
fantastic! I'd wear it!
I am collecting slightly moth-eaten cashmere sweaters and am planning to make a big patchwork blanket when I get enough. The thing about cashmere is that it doesn't felt, so sewing is going to be tricky.
Good job in the scarf! Reduce, reuse, recycle!
You are cheap and thrifty, yes, (and of course, stylin') but I'm sure you also remember fondly those days when your little man was but a babe in arms every time you don your creation. Nice work!
I'm lovin' it.
i can't believe you destroyed that charming blanket; it was a treasure!!!
i can''t believe you cut up that beautiful blanket. it was such a traesure the way it was...
Like the old saying goes, "waste not, want not". You now have a one of a kind patchwork scarf!
Pretty awesome.
OCBD,
Actually, someone is producing such scarves.
Check out her bow ties, too--that's her main line.
I still can't get on board with patch anything (and doubt I ever will). Even so, I think that Giuseppe has shown great creativity and thrifty resouresfulness in creating a scarf with great personal meaning.
G-
I was thinking scarf the minute I saw the photo - great job. I'm going to TRY to piece together a few old scarves to make a new patchwork scarf - if I ever get it done I'll let you know.
DAG
Thomas,
Believe me, I thought about for a long time before going at it with a seam ripper. And it was a treasure. Now , however, it's useful again.
Mr. G: That has got to be the most fantastic scarf I have ever seen. I'm red with envy.
Best,
Sir Cingle
That rules.
gotta love a man who can sew! great look!
Giuseppe,
I love it. Did you see my post about patch wool scarves? They are really cool looking. Good job re-using. What a neat find.
Seems to me it's just as much a treasure as before. It carries all the same memories. Only, now instead of being a neglected relic, it's a treasure that in use and brings back those memories on a regular basis.
Right, my baby son wore it first, and now I wear. I think that's cool, because usually it's Dad who goes through things first, not the other way around.
And this keepsake could one day be bestowed to your son ... thus completing the circle.
Fantastic!
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