Military shirt de-blinging (un-blinging?)

I bought a rather snazzy military shirt because I loved the colour and just knew that I could do something with it to make it look 'me'.

Here it is in its full 'before' glory:

A little on the 'riotous' side for me!

So I set about de-blinging it (or should that be un-blinging?!)

I removed all the ornamentation from the breast pockets (and there was a lot of that!)

 

 

 

And added one of the spare buttons from the inside of the shirt.

 

 

Then I looked at the epaulettes.  That had to be doctored too.  So I removed the jewel.

 

 

And added yet another button to the shoulder.

 



 

I am so much happier wearing it now!

Next...

Cashmere hat from a jumper

Cashmere.  One of the most sumptuous fabrics there is, so you have to be careful with it when you wash it, don't you?

You know, I KNEW that.  I really did.  Didn't stop me from throwing it in the washing machine and putting it on a mid-wash.  When it came out it might just have been big enough to fit a gnome.

Ok, so I can't wear it as a jumper any more, but is there anything I COULD do with I?

Yes!  Make a hat!

I used the rib at the bottom of the jumper for the base of the hat (no hemming required!) and then shaped the top of the hat and sewed it together.

As a final flourish I decided to add a 'felted' flower decoration and a little bit of sparkle.

I was a bit miffed that I couldn't wear the jumper, but the resulting hat has me smiling every time I see/touch/wear it!

Next...