Sweater Dress- Yes Please!

Love this sweater dress!

Must make one!
Click here to see the tutorial!
It just looks so comfy..

Dress Inspiration

I love this dress.. the ruffle detail especially.
Kristina has a full blog post about how she created this- you can read here.

Sew Old School

So- I thought this whole, up-cycling and reconstructing clothing was so new!
A new concept for a generation more aware of reduce-reuse-recycle- how naïve of me!

Of-course not! duh- is how I feel now.
I found a blogger at Of Dreams and Seams who has a couple of original German Pattern Magazines from the 1940's! How amazing is that! She says in each copy there is a page- of refashioning ideas!



They certainly had to use all the resources they could get their hands on. In this example, they suggest using an old long-sleeve blouse on which the collar, buttons, underarms and cuffs are torn up and turn it into this cute short-sleeve version, for which you can cut away all the problematic areas...

They even provide the pattern and show you how you best lay it out on the old piece of clothing (bottom of the page):
I hope Of Seams of Dreams will share more of these vintage ideas. Here is her recreation of this 1940's blouse. So sew cute!



You can click HERE to her tutorial. WARNING: her blog banner is a bit creepy looking- I am not sure what that is about. I am trying to look past that, because she shares amazing ideas. I like to look for the good in others, find the similarities and accept we are all different. But ... hum... yeah- every time I go there... my stomach turns. Just to warn you.

Thrift Store: Kelly Green Shirt

The flash on my camera made this green shirt light up neon- it is not this obnoxious. It is a happy Kelly green.
I bought this shirt at that 1/2 off sale at my favorite thrift store.
This shirt is XL, but I really liked the color- so I looked forward to resizing it and structuring it.



I had great expectations for this green blouse. I really really really want a shirt like this- with a fantastic bow!

I tried slimming down the sides- first. I tried it on- saw I needed about an inch off each side and stitched accordingly.

It was really long- so I cut off the bottom- thinking I could make it a cute peplum. (In hindsight- this was a big MISTAKE- stick to the inspiration picture! But I didn't- I switched gears half way in.)
I cut the collar off also- because I want a cute bow.

I thought I had- thought this through... but a peplum bottom AND a bow.. is a bit much. Especially because If I am going to wear it as a peplum- I need to wear a belt to hide the buldge where the buttons line up.

See how it kinda puckers? The bow is cute-  right? It isn't as big and flouncy as the inspiration picture. But I was thinking about bows and interpreting. I can't have anything too big and bulky. I touch my chest and gesture near my chest and face a bunch- so I don't want anything that might snag on my hands.

 

Here's my refashioned green/bow shirt- with my skirt I made from a pattern!

 

 

I know how much people enjoy seeing heads in pictures- so I asked my 8 year old to take a picture. A bit fuzzy. Naturally I couldn't find the bow! (As of now, I pin in on when I want it- because I kinda like the mandarin collar when I wear it out like a peplum shirt.)

 

 I am going to get my husband to take a picture of me- but I just wanted you to see the photography talent I live with.

Do you wonder why I take bathroom headless shots?

Wonder no longer.

 

In the end- I deemed this a DIY Failure- it looks very homespun.

That is not the goal/look I am going for.

I want classy.

chic

something that doesn't draw attention- or need endless tucking in.

The shirt, because I cut it, won't stay tucked in.

I am disappointed because... I do love the color and think it would have been a great

blouse in my work wardrobe.

 

So the lesson learned: stick to the inspiration photo.

See it through- don't "improvise" on a whim and cut.

I can't take the peplum off- because that leaves the shirt too short now.

 

It's sad, but now this happy Kelly Green shirt sits in my RIP pile.

I keep all these, in hopes I will be able to use parts of them in another project.

If not- I think at the end of the year, I will make a scrap quilt out of the pieces.

ya know my motto:

USE IT UP < WEAR IT OUT# MAKE IT DO= or DO WITHOUT

 

 

Inspirational Blogger: Rita

So Rita is a really cute blogger that has all kinds of great DIY ideas.
I loved her Shabby Apple inspired dresses she made!
Whenever I stumble upon a new reFashionista... it really inspires me....
 that.. I can do this!

I can create cute/chic clothes using my creativity and sewing skills.
(And it doesn't have to cost a zillion dollars!)


http://suburbsmama.blogspot.com/2011/06/dress-refashion-inspired-by-shabby.html

http://suburbsmama.blogspot.com/2011/07/shabby-apple-inspired-dress-2.html

http://suburbsmama.blogspot.com/2011/05/shabby-apple-inspired-dress.html

For this green/striped dress- I like the bigger stripes better on the original- but I think her other knock-offs are spot on!

Vintage

Love this gal: http://luckylucille.com/

She set a really great sewing goal this year: 12 Month Pattern Challenge.
12 months /12 patterns.

She is the blogger/seamstress who inspired MY sew along in July!
(She said she didn't plan to host a sew along for her goal- and I was sad! I would have TOTALLY played along!)

So that is why I decided to host my own!
I think if July's Link Party is a success- then I will host another one in December! That way all of us, inspired by the 12 Month Challenge- can then show off our creations for the last 6 months of the year.


Here is a blog- that inspired LuckyLucille. She is just as adorable!

Inspiration: From Some Where

Have you ever been blog surfing and found a movement- that you just didn't know was out there- but you are so "into" already?

I have loved thrift shopping... since I was a teenager. (We're talking 30 years give or take.)
I have been trying to re-fashion/up cycle clothes for about 20 years. (On and off, here and there- as I have said, my things have looked more homespun... kindergarten craft project and not fashion forward... or even wearable. I will try to find some pictures of my past creations.)

I love that up-cycling and re-fashioning clothes is now trendy!

"Chic"

Not just "socially acceptable" but....

Socially responsible

 

I found this designer label from the UK called: From Somewhere

Their motto/mission?

 

"From Somewhere is a designer label that works primarily with pre-consumer surplus from the manufacturing houses and textile mills of the luxury fashion industry.

The label is a pioneer in combining sustainable thinking with fashion-forward design; bringing quality and craftsmanship to “exquisite rubbish.”

 

 

I love this!

I love this idea/concept.

I love everything about this- I just don't know where to start!

 

I also found last night.. late.. late at night.. and didn't tag it for later, now I am kicking myself- because I was dreaming about this her all night....

 

Anyway- I found a blog by a seamstress last night who works at a THRIFT store in London that does the same type of thing!

 

It's a charity/thrift store that collects donations and sells them on consign- pretty normal business plan. We have a bunch of these around the United States too.

 

But they have a side "boutique" of items that have been up-cycled by their team of Re-fashionistas!

The Re-fashionistas only get articles of clothing that were damaged donations.

Ya know... the junk.

The clothes that have stains and rips and such.

 

The trashed clothes- get washed and then re-made into something fashionable.

Love-love-love this!

 

I am on board.

We will see where this takes me.

I am excited.

 

 

 

Past Crochet scarf projects

Here I am wearing a cute red scarf I made, following the directions I found HERE at Redheart.com  (My son was goofing around with my camera- taking random pictures- as I was deleting them... I noticed, my red scarf! Now I don't have to use my bathroom picture!)

This is a fun scarf to make- and simple! I only know two things about crocheting- a single crochet and a double crochet. I have made this scarf 4 times total. One in red, I kept for myself. One in purple- I gave to my sister two years ago for Christmas. Last year I made 2 more, multi-colored scarfs and gave them to my mother and my grandmother for Christmas.

Another Garment Down

Oh dear peeps!
Another article of clothing has suffered under my hands.

I had such great success with my black t-shirt, making a cute peplum, I wanted to try again!
Except this time- I had to resize the whole t-shirt.
Last time, the shirt fit my body.
This shirt, I love the color, but over time it has stretched and become very baggy. (100%cotton if that makes any sense.)

So I had to cut the sleeves off and make it smaller. I thought it was going along great!
I was getting so excited.
I used a million pins- to space out the ruffling on the peplum.
(The sleeves did turn out good- that was my first time doing that!)

Look how the peplum is all bunched and puckered.

Not very pretty or flattering.
A sad fate for this top.
(But I had stopped wearing it- because it was so stretched out.)

I think I will keep it- just because I love the color so much and it can add a nice pop of color under sweaters (that will hide the DIY:FAIL element.)

So sad.
I guess the lesson learned from this fail- is the fabric choice? A t-shirt is and always will be a t-shirt- don't try to make it something it is not.

Casualty= 3

Project: Adorable Upcycle apron

Remember the bag I made out of some beloved jeans?

It was time to accept that they just aren't ever going to fit again. (sniffle) I'm over it.

Really-

I better be over it- because the jeans are no longer intact!

 

Now they live on as a really cute bag ...

 

 

But I have the top half of the jeans left. Not wanting to waste-  I looked for another project.

I found this cute apron!

click here to see the original tutorial- at Life Made Creations.

I thought this would be a WONDERFUL project to do with my daughter-for-the-week.

Finished Project: straight skirt

Straight skirts- you can find them everywhere! Here is a little number I saw at Walmart this morning. $21? When straight skirts are so easy to make! No need to buy- I found some cute fabric on sale for $1.50 a yard! Perfect for someone learning to sew.

I modified my skirt from the tutorial that I shared on Friday.  Instead of two side seams, I just made a tube- having only one back seam.
I started by measuring my widest part. (I don't want my skirt to be too tight around my thighs.)

 

 

The fabric is folded in half- so I cut my measurement in half but added back an inch for my seam.

I also measured how long I wanted this skirt plus an inch for the hem.

I stitched up the back seam (so it would lay flat and not bubble over my butt), and then folded over the top- to make a casing for the elastic.

I measured my waist and that was the length of the elastic to this measurement.

Super simple skirt!

Fast and straight stitches- right in my comfort zone!

Cute-  but maybe too much in my comfort zone?
I mean... I want to learn to sew.. using patterns.
So my next project is going to be with a pattern! (gulp)
There! I've committed myself!

 

Here I am at work.  I am trying to be better about taking pictures out and about-

and not sneaking around in bathrooms snapping pictures.

(But no promises- you might see more pictures in bathrooms.

You've been warned.)



Inspiration: Simple Pencil skirt

I've made two of these types of simple skirts. Merrick is so adorable and her restyles- seem simple enough.

Here she shares a tutorial on how to make a simple skirt.

These are so cute! And really a great simple project for the beginner seamstress.

This might be a project I tackle with my "daughter-for-a-week".

We'll see if she is interested in learning how to sew.

 

It just seems silly to buy this type of skirt. Pay $20? or more? what for?

Thanks Merrick for your cute re-styles and great tutorials!

Style Rut?

Spygirl is a very quirky fashionista, but I love her Idea- 52 ways to re-pick and remix your wardrobe and create new outfits.

It's a link party- every week.
52 pick-me-up

She is an artist- and has a series of fashion sketches that are amazing!
I love her series of "fashion icons"- who are fellow fashion bloggers.

This is of Sue- at A Colourful Canvas. I visit her blog on a regular basis- she is so bubbly. The clothes/ outfits she makes (sews) are always so happy!

I think it is important to add whimsy in my life. It is so easy- to fall into a rut of the mundane. I love my creative outlets that add joy, laughter, humor into my life.

Especially in a career (ASL Interpreter) where I spend my days- conveying the thoughts & feeling of others and not any avenue for self-expression. I NEED AN OUTLET. lol



( I am babysitting a little 9 year old girl for a week, while her parents travel Europe. At first panic set in... what are we going to do??? I am babysitting her brother also- but boys... no problem. Toss him into the mix I already have. A little girl? That's a horse of a different color. I bought some "girl" stuff. Remember "Fashion Plates"? I played for hours with mine growing up. I bought a set so we can do this type of creating/fashion designing together.)

Sewing Project: Reversable Bag

I have needed a new "scripture" bag for months... maybe a year. My cute bag I used in Hawaii- gave up, and broke down. :0( It didn't like the transition to Utah climate.

I found a really cute tote pattern at Joann.com. You can see it here and download the pattern!

I decided, after looking at the pattern, I might need to find a easier pattern. I wanted to use supplies I had on hand- and I don't have any batting required for the Zest Tote. (Although it is adorable!)

So I found a great bag, with a wonderful tutorial by Very Purple Person, she even provides a free pattern to download! (Click HERE)


Happily this pattern fits perfectly on the boot cut portion of my jeans I wanted to re-purpose into my new scripture bag.
 (Cute jeans- right? Sadly they don't fit.)

 

I followed the pattern.

I read and re-read the tutorial.

It was a great/fun project that took me about 6 hours from start to finish.

 

One side is sturdy denim

The other is made from extra curtain/couch pillow fabric- lol!

 

 

 

 

Sew so cute! I would highly recommend this project for a newbie.

Resized: Blue Dress

Merricks Art: does it again. This time she used a easier way to re-size a dress- I really want to try. You can see her tutorial here.

How cute is that!? 

She found the dress on the sales rack of Old Navy for $12!
Learning how to do simple tailoring/sewing really can save you lots of money!
(And you will always have cute clothes that fit you!)
Love this idea... you can be thrifty and still be stylish- without spending a lot of $$.

Wish I had known some of these skills as a poor college girl... young mother...etc.. but better late than never! It is always a great time to jump in a start saving money!

Color Me Challenge: Work

Okay- I belly ache enough about what to wear to work. (as I interpret)
I thought I would show you what I usually wear.
please try not to fall asleep

Here is one outfit- Navy Blue shirt with khaki pants.
Here's another outfit- Brown shirt with khaki pants.

Then I might pair Khaki's with a sweater- if it is really cold. (which in the winter- it usually is...)
You get the idea... very basic.
But after playing with my Navy colors- I thought maybe I'll add this light purple to the navy blue sweater... it adds something...

You have to admit: it is a challenge- because I can't wear light colors, prints on my top half, no distracting scarfs, earrings, necklaces, bracelet's, etc.. ( I changed sweaters- this one was less bulky/ box shaped.)

That is why I am thinking BELTS might be what I should focus on.
??? and better color combos...
Here's another outfit from work:

I like my blues and greys- what can I say?

Here are some cute ideas from pinterest.

 

 

This looks effortless too- classic shapes.
Okay... I'm off to search on pinterest!

Brown Version

These cozy - knit/stretch dresses are so trending now!
I can't wear stripes at work- but I love, love ... love this time of dress.
But why buy one... for $30 when you can make one for about $12?


That cute blue dress (can see HERE)-- was so easy, so comfy and so fast to sew!
So I made a second!

It's just brown.
kind of boring.
When I bought the fabric- I thought maybe that was too safe?
(I really like patterns- but I am gun shy- in picking out a patterns. Especially one that will work- at work, as an ASL interpreter.)

I am glad I made a solid brown dress.
It is a neutral - that will look great with many of my cardigans.
I can see wearing this and the blue dress a lot!
Did I mention how comfy it is?
It's like wearing cozy pajama's to work! Except- I don't look like I am wearing pajama's.

 

 

I cut the dress- exactly the same as the blue dress. (YES! the front is cut smaller than the back- lol)

Besides that goof-up,  I had modified the pattern to accommodate my smaller top half-- to my larger bottom half...

 

This time- when the pattern with fabric was cut out...

I placed the top piece over the bottom and lined up the silhouette's. I made sure they were the same. (trimmed where the shapes didn't match up)

That took care of the bubble- problem I had with the blue dress.

 (so glad I figured out the problem.)

 

Sleeves are the same as the blue dress.

 

So cute! I love this pattern. But I am going to limit myself to 2 dresses.

I feel like I have conquered this pattern.

(I might make another one in the future- a striped dress? Wouldn't that be fun for summer?)

 

I need to move on... continue on my path- of learning how to sew.

 

Buttons next! (gulp)

Ready or not...

Here I come!