Posts Tagged ‘refashion’

Refashion: Winter to Summer Clothes

June 15th, 2012
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While at a blogging event (Apricot Lane) a few weeks back, I scoured the clearance section (as I always do) to see if there were any fun pieces. And I was lucky enough to find long-sleeve midi sheath dresses for $9 each. I bought two; one in charcoal grey the other in an ashy brown. It was obvious these were meant for fall and winter, but I quickly saw how easy it would be to transform those dresses into something a more seasonably versatile.

I haven’t done a thing to the grey one, although I might shorten the sleeves on that one. The ashy brown one fit well, but the color looked terrible on my lifeless pale skin. I dyed it a deep purple, really the perfect color for all seasons. I could pair it with browns for fall, blacks for winter and bright hues for spring and summer. The dye job didn’t turn out as solid as I would’ve liked. I think it might be related to the fact that I didn’t wash the new dress before dyeing. It’s almost uniform like a tie-dye, but it’ll be interesting to see if it will even out with wear.

I shortened the sleeves and in an attempt to bring up the hemline of the dress, I added three pleats across the chest.

The pleats were trickier than it might seem. I had to be very particular with measuring and steaming in order to get all of the seams straight, and I needed a stretchy straight stitch. I found that the stitch with three stitches like this: ||| worked out the best.

This dress is perfect underneath my shear tops. I love that I can wear it plain, under crop tops or shear tops.

Outfit details:

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.

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Pushing Myself on Refashions

May 3rd, 2012
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I’ve been working in my studio the last couple of days tailoring these tops for my sister.

It’s been a little challenging because of the slippery nature of the fabric, but it’s been a great excuse to perfect my technique with the rolled hem foot. Each of these shirts, meant to be worn with tops underneath, were wider than they were long.

The whole style was supposed to be flowy, but my sister couldn’t help but feel completely drowned by each one of those tops. I shortened the sleeves and took in the bodice by about 6 inches on each side.

The pink one had an elastic drop waist, so I cut that off and hemmed the bottom. I do hope she likes these tops more now. Aren’t those prints so fun?

Handmade: Earth-Friendly Outfits

April 27th, 2012
28 Comments

This post is brought to you by Baby Lock. Baby Lock is dedicated to the love of sewing by creating a full line of sewing machines all with ease-of-use, high quality and a touch of elegance.

Connect with Baby Lock on Facebook and TotallyStitchin.net.

This weeks challenge for Project Run and Play was to create an Earth Day look. We could recycle, use earth-friendly materials, etc. I went the recycling route and whipped up a mommy-daughter look. What Earth week look would be complete without a little green? I combined several greens for an eclectic look.

Materials used for this look:

Penelope –

Me-

The two dresses I used to make Penelope’s top were rescued from the donation pile. The dark teal top had knit binding that was falling off, so I unpicked the rest of it and added it as trim. I really like how the raw jersey edge rolls up and adds a new dimension to the bias tape look. the buttons were originally on the sleeves of the print dress/shirt.

She’s such a mini hipster with her skinny jeans and fake tatts.

I used twin needles and topstitching for all of the finishing details. It really helps stabilize the stretch and add a polished look.

The tank dress I used on the back panel was originally pieced together in asymmetrical lines, I thought I’d include those lines in with the back. I also gathered and lengthened the back. When Penelope runs around, it’s like she has a cape on her back. SO freaking cute.

Check out these little motorcycle jeans. They’re so hot on her. She really likes her “knee pads”. The ankle length skinnies and vintage oxfords are screaming to be discovered by the Sartorialist.

This competition has been so intense. And I feel like I wouldn’t be able to hang with the crowd if I didn’t do something extra. Penelope’s look is really quite simple (but hey Michael C. made it really far in Project runway and his designs were simple, right?). So I thought I would dig into my pile of “clothes to refashion/tailor/alter/etc” and made a coordinating outfit for me. I’ve had this bow top for a while, but I didn’t really dig how bulky the bow was. I know. I MADE IT WITH MY OWN TUTORIAL. So I revamped it. And it’s way better now. I’ll share a new tutorial, if you’d like. ;)

I also made this maternity top into a skirt. It wasn’t really a maternity top, I got it from Ruche, but since I only ever wore it in the maternity context, I couldn’t help but feel fat and pregnant every time I wore it. It’s stupid, I know. That top was awesome. I really loved the print, and on a whim, Sarah convinced me that I needed to make it into a skirt. I love it a million times more, now. I also love the striped elastic waistband with it. It’s an unexpected combo. I love unexpected combinations.

Oh, sweet Penelope. I love you. I love that you let me dress you and make clothes for you. I love how excited you get over them. Please never change.

P.S. Thanks for all of your support with this project!

Fabric supplied by Fashion Fabrics Club. Connect with FFC on Facebook and Pinterest

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