Transform your Shawls and wear them as Tops in just a few minutes. They also make awesome gifts.

Turn a shawl into a cool looking top or cover-up. Just 1 seam that is about 15" long. It's fun with instant gratification. Ideal for beginner sewing!

Many of us have beautiful shawls in our drawers. We love the patterns and colors. But are at a loss on how to wear them. So they stay tucked away in darkness.
Let's bring them into the light so we can enjoy and admire them. Plus you get instant gratification for creating something beautiful. Making you happier and more joyful. Then you can really enjoy your day with more energy and a big smile on your face.

How about transforming them within just a few minutes so you can wear them as tops?

It's a fantastic way to dress up leggings and tank tops or t-shirts.
Or give that simple skirt/dress/pants an extra kick for going out for dinner or an art opening.
Or use it as a cover up on the beach or on a cruise.
Or flip it on to shine on your zoom sessions.
Wear it watching movies at home.
Keep one in the car/purse. They come in super handy in those freezing A/C restaurants and stores.

When we wear beautiful, uplifting things our mood changes. We have more fun, breathe deeper, our eyes light up and we feel overall happier and more joyful. That also affects our family, our friends and people we meet throughout the day.

Whenever you need a gift fast, that totally delights your friend, mother, daughter, co-worker - give her one of these shawl tops!

It's a great excuse to keep buying those gorgeous shawls.

Pretty cool looking!
The best part: it's fast and fun.
Check it out:

Most shawls are about 24"x 72" . But you can use narrower and a little bit shorter scarves too. I've used burnt-out velvet scarves to do this with. It's really stunning looking over any solid colored clothing - even over a tank top and worn with jeans. And you don't have to fuzz around with how to tie or drape it.

Instructions:
- fold the shawl in half
- measure 14" from the fold for the neck opening. Mark it.
- measure about 5" in from the fringes. Mark it. Leave the end open.
- sew the part between those 2 markings.
TIP: It's easier when you lay it out flat and use a zig zag stitch or decorative stitch to sew it together. Or simply hand sew it. It's so little, it'll go fast. Plus, sewing by hand is a beautiful way to calm down the nervous system.

Takes just a few minutes - and - TA-DA - a gorgeous piece of clothing to wear. No more hiding in drawers.

Of course - if you know me, you know I like options! So here are some ways to wear it.

TIP: When you wear the seam to the back, it keeps your lower arms and hands nice and free. And keeps the poncho edges out of your dinner. For eating, driving, shopping, doing things you might want to wear the seam to the back.

Now - if you want to make it very special: get a solid colored shawl and hand paint it.
And YES - it's also very easy and really fun.

With just about 1-2 ounces of Dye-Na-Flow and a squeeze or ketchup bottle you simply splash some paint in lines, circles, squiggles - like you see in the photo above.
It takes sooo little to turn a shawl or any a solid piece of clothing into a piece of art. And it gives such big satisfaction and joy.
You can absolutely paint. No artistic genius required. Just having fun and squirting paint is enough. (See the link in the next paragraph for the free course which has segments on how to paint a shirt in 2 minutes or less. Use it on the shawl or any other piece of clothing or fabric).

Back to painting a shawl:
Lay your shawl out flat on a well protected surface. The liquid Dye-Na-Flow paint will seep through the fabric.
Tip: you can put another shawl - or a piece of fabric that you will further embellish underneath of the shawl.
Make sure you either have several layers of cloth - like old folded bed sheet, or folded blanket under your shawl - or a waterproof drop cloth/ table cloth as a layer under the shawl.
For instructions on painting it within just 1 or 2 minutes, go to the free course "The Joy of Creating with Fabrics" - and view the 2 videos in Module 1 - "From blahh to wow" and "Jazz it up".

Warning: you might fall in love with this simple way of painting and getting fabulous looks. It's so easy and fun. You can jazz up your tote bags, pillow cases, clothes, gift bags, journal covers, fabrics for mixed media..........Have fun, giggle and splash paint

When traveling these shawl poncho tops come in very handy. They look fabulous worn as a shawls. See the "Poncho top instructions" above on how to do this.

Dye-Na-Flow paints are available at Dharma Trading, Dick Blick, Jerry's Artarama, Amazon etc..

I am on a mission to spread the joy of creating with our hands around the world.
If you like this, pass it on and help sprinkling creative joy around the world.
Thank you!

Leave your comments below - or send them via e-mail directly to me.

Have fun creating!
Monika

P.S.: Let me know if you want the fun, creative and inspiring blog posts delivered directly to your inbox. Just click HERE. Please, put "BLOG" into the comments.

P.S.:Check out the free courses HERE. They are compilations of fun, short ways to create in little time.Creating - for even just a few minutes at a time - restores our batteries, wipes out tiredness and exhaustion and makes us happier and more joyful.

P.S., P.S.: if you want to dive deep and create awesome hand painted tops for yourself, your friends or your business - while having exquisite joy - check out the Signature Program: Hand Painted Art Tops, Happiness and Joy HERE

Categories: easy patterns, easy to do clothes, short creative project