Archive for the ‘refashion’ Category

Refashion: Lengthened Crop Top

June 7th, 2012
6 Comments

While at Target the other day, I noticed rows upon rows of clearance racks in the women’s clothing department. That is very dangerous for me. I usually steer clear of that department, because there are too many cute things to tempt me, but I had to take a look to see if there were any screaming deals.

We’re on scrimp and save mode, so I do feel a bit guilty about buying clothes that I don’t need. But this top was $4.50. And the print was just too cute. So now I won’t buy any more clothes until after we move into our new house.

The top was a simple crop in XXL. It was more than a bit too wide, but at the perfect length for a longish crop. It hits right at the top of my jeans. BUT, the back was somehow shorter than the front. How was this?

I added a black block of accordion pleated jersey in the back. This lenghtened the back hem by 3 1/2 inches. So I can comfortably wear this top without my guts showing in the front or the back.

I also pinned a little gathering (true late 80s style) with a yellow heart earring that I have. Earrings make pretty great pins, did you know that?

Outfit Details:

  • top: target + thrifted
  • necklace: handmade
  • pants: Pac Sun
  • shoes: thrifted

Tutorial: Mini Tee-Dress Refashion

May 24th, 2012
8 Comments

I’m feverishly trying to make a few last-minute outfits for our fun at the beach next week. I’ve made Penelope a few sheath dresses from my old shirts, but I’ve never shared them here. They’re ridiculously easy. In fact, I’ve sewn this so many times, I can do one of these in just under 15 minutes. Not bad for a new outfit, no?


She looks so cute in her little dress. It’s the perfect length for running around with a swimsuit underneath. Otherwise, she really should be wearing leggings underneath. She’s always showing her (albeit ridiculously cute and neon) underwear.

Find out how to whip one up for your toddler after the jump.

(more…)

Style: Button-Up Refashion Result

May 24th, 2012
11 Comments

Kate from See Kate Sew made a yellow striped jumper for me. Interestingly enough, she was in Utah last month to hand it to me in person. It was so great to meet her in person! I’ve loved this refashion swap, but the thing that would make it infinitely better is if we were able to make these clothes and swap them all in-person. Project Runway style.

Kate knew how much I love yellow, she did a fantastic job of scoring this light yellow stripe for me. It’s such a fun color!

I don’t wear jumpers, at least I haven’t in a very long time, so it’s fun to have gotten something that pushes me out of my normal comfort zone.

I used to be far more adventurous with my wardrobe than I am now. I was the first in my high school to wear stilettos. I’ll never forget sporting my camel stiletto booties; feeling super self conscious as I clicked and clacked my way down the hall turning heads and I’m sure getting plenty of disgusted looks. I was no popular girl. It’d be safe to say that I was more of a “popular loser”. Most people knew who I was. Probably because I always lugged around my 30 lb portfolio the size of a small bilboard like a security blanket. But I never quite felt like I fit in. My ridiculous pairings of hot-pink golashes with 3-piece suits was my way of keeping the tame people away I guess. Oh what I would give to see snapshots of those outfits I wore back then.

Kate reminded me that I need to be more adventurous with my clothing. So for the next half of the year, that’s going to be my goal.

Outfit details:

 

Read how to make your own jumper out of a large mens button-up shirt here.

Refashion: Reversible Maternity Top

May 17th, 2012
40 Comments

Several months ago, I was asked to see if I was interested in participating in a refashion swap between 10 bloggers. There was no question if I was game or not. OF COURSE I’m game! The idea being that we all took a button up shirt and refashioned something for someone else with it. Here’s my shirt before. It was one of Chris’s old shirts, too small for him now, but I was too nostalgic about it to let go of it. It was one of the shirts he wore often when we were only dating!

I was assigned to sew something for Krista of Lazy Saturdays. She’s currently 30 weeks along, so I wanted to make something maternity-friendly. Then I got to thinking, why not make it both maternity and post-partum friendly?

After seeing a really cool mom at the park, sporting a rad top with a cape-like top (the very top that inspired Penelope’s refashioned top), a lightbulb struck. It looks cool with the extra fabric in back, but that extra fabric would be useful in the front for a pregnant gal.

The maternity side is color blocked in front and longer in front to accomodate a growing belly.

The nursing side has a flat front and flowy back, perfect for hiding bulges. The button-front allow for easy nursing access.

I’m pretty excited about this top, I sure hope it fits Krista! Be sure to check out the other participating bloggers’ projects:

Grainline Studio • Lazy Saturdays • Cotton & Curls • Megan Nielsen Designs • One Little Minute • MadMim • See Kate Sew • A Fashionable Stitch • Adventures in Dressmaking

More after the jump on how to make this reversible top.

(more…)

Refashioned: High-Low Floral Skirt

May 8th, 2012
11 Comments

Last Thursday, it was high-time I head over to the thrift store to see if there was anything inspiring there. I didn’t find what I was looking for (naturally), but I came across this lovely floral skirt.

The floral pattern and the fabric are fantastic. The length, however, is a bit on the matronly side. That or I wasn’t styling it well enough when I brought it home with me.

I’ve been thinking of trying a high-low hemline for a skirt for some time, and thought this would fit the bill for a refashion. I pulled out my rolled hem foot, some starch and made quick work of the whole thing.

In all the refashion took about an hour. I was sure to go slowly as I rolled the hem. The hem is a 2mm rolled hem, so I had to be extra careful that it wouldn’t go nuts on me. I’m getting pretty good at it, too. Since this was a curved hem, I sprayed and ironed the skirt with heavy starch before hemming. I found this video to be most helpful. I was hoping that I would find a larger rolled hem foot for my sewing machine, but alas, the 5 stores I went to didn’t have anything bigger.

I would be thrilled if any of you had suggestions for where I could find a larger rolled hem foot (5mm or 10mm) for a Babylock.

I don’t own any skirts that have a high-low hemline, but now I’m convinced I need more. I love the extra coverage in the back. I don’t have to worry about baring it all if I’m bending over to pick up Felix. The rolled hem (shoulda posted a detail shot) makes the skirt look like it was bought this way. It looks so professional, in my opinion. I love it!

Outfit Details:

  • top: Ruche
  • belt: thrifted
  • pink bracelet: H&M
  • brown bracelet: handmade
  • skirt: thrifted + refashioned
  • shoes: Payless
mobile site