2-for-1: Stripes & Floral

I snatched up these striped pajama pants at a bag sale yesterday...they set me back a whole $.27. Now, the problem with these is that they are size XS (which I am not) and absolutely wouldn't work as they were. But there's a pretty simple solution...and this process works with many kinds of pants! (Jeans, slacks...even sweatpants)

Love me some stripes!!!

After all was said and done, I've got myself a new hi-low stripy skirt :). I like how this came out and the high-waist makes it much more flattering on me, imo. One little quarter, and about half an hour is all it took.

Wanna see the step-by over on my blog? Check it out here.

Here comes another one! I had cut off so many scraps from my striped skirt that I had to do something with at least part of them right away. I've had this floral maxi dress for a while now and haven't been wearing it because it is too clingy on my waist and the thin fabric is a bit unforgiving. So I'd brought it out thinking I'd make it into a maxi skirt but had no wide elastic for a waist band. In comes a scrap of striped stretch fabric...

Stripes, meet Floral ;)

With a bit of chopping, sewing, and 15 minutes, I was victorious. This was incredibly easy...but that's kinda what I needed in the effort to get my sewing mojo back. And hopefully I have! Here's the final before & after shots:

Want to see how I did it? Hop on over here. :)

So, what do you think? I'd love to know what you would have made with each of these pieces! Sometimes I go with the most obvious choice, out of habit I'm sure, but maybe getting a different perspective could help me broaden my vision for refashion possibilities! Happy Refashioning :)

Peace,
Andrea

Oversized Top Refashion

Aloha!  I hope all of you are having a relaxing, lovely summer. Mine is almost coming to an end. 

Fortunately, I was able to get a refashion in before I head back to work. 

You can find details for this refashion at www.feelingkindathrifty@blogspot.com. 

I love 80s prints!

This was actually quite difficult and frustrating because the sewing machine was faulty so... I returned that and bought a new machine, and it was smooth running from then on!!

 I changed the long collar to a closed collar. And resized the blouse also. I liked the original sleeves but went for a 60s mod look instead. Here is what became of one of the sleeves.. Create a pocket, turn it inside out, fan the material, sew in the centre and pull then knot. And A MENS SHIRT AND TIE:
http://flashsparkle.blogspot.com/2014/07/cropped-box-blouse.html

DIY SCARVES: Better and beautiful

So, I've had these simple scarves that I had crocheted a few years ago during my big crochet kick. I'm not sure why I don't wear them more often because they are nice, comfy, and warm. But the bigger question is: Should turn these crocheted scarves into infinity scarves? I'll answer that question with a question: Why not? Maybe I would wear the scarves more often if they were simple infinity scarves.

So, I took my two favorite crocheted scarves: a lovely dark brown with colorful specks and a black-white-green striped one. The obvious fix was simply sewing or crocheting the open ends together. I'm sure I could've figured out a way to crochet the ends together, but I didn't want to take the time to do that. I opted for the easier and faster method -- a straight stitch with my handy dandy sewing machine (completed before sewing machine kicked it).

At this point, I could be done with the project, cleaning up the new seam and making sure the stitches won't fall out. But I had a brilliant and beautiful plan. I took a few inches of the section containing the new seam and carefully wrapped matching brown yarn around the designated area. I briefly thought about crocheting a simple two or three line strip to wrap around the scarf, but I decided against it. 

I wanted a different textured or pattern look to make this small section stand out a bit. So, I tightly wrapped matching yarn around the designated section, simply tying end pieces. Once I find or make the right accessories, I'll probably add them to the scarves, but for now, I'm pretty happy with the minor fixes.

To read more about the process, click here and take time to check out my blog -- jenniferelliott14.com.

Jennifer Elliott

No-Sew Lace Tank

Sometimes all you need is a pair of scissors to give a garment a completely different look. I took this bland lace tank top...

...carefully cut out the lining and built-in bra...

...and now I have a cute tank that I can pair with a brightly-colored cami to make that lace really pop. Plus, without the built-in bra stiffening it, you can't really tell it's a bit big on me.

Get more pics and details at CarissaKnits!