Rainy Day Project

As I had the day to myself, I thought I would create a new ReFashion... sometimes I have a vague idea in mind, but often I have no idea what I'm going to do when I go up to my sewing room.  Today was one of those days... But when I walked in the room, I saw a thrifted pillowcase laying on my work table and knew I had to use it. I'd gotten it at my local thrift store for 49 cents, and it was just so unusual and pretty...I searched through my stash to find things that would go with it... and so it began :)

 

I decided I wanted a flared mid-length skirt with alternating wedge-shaped panels... so I cut the pillowcase into 5 panels, and found a pink T-shirt and cut it into 5 panels.  I proceeded to sew them together, forming the basis of my skirt...

I double seamed all the panels with a straight stitch and then a zigzag, then trimmed the seams with my pinking shears to limit fraying.

 

 Now I wanted to make a wide "waistband", but I'd used up the T-shirt for the panels, so back I went to my stash and found another pink T-shirt that would work.

 

I cut the bottom 10 inches off of it, and took it in a little... then I just sewed it to the top of my skirt section...

It needed some kind of finish on the bottom - both because the pillowcase sections were fraying, and I wanted a bit more structure to the skirt.  I rummaged again, and found the perfect answer - pink double fold bias tape!  Adding that to the bottom really gave me the look I was after :)

Something just didn't feel complete, so I put it on my dress form, and started playing around with sashes, ribbon, trims etc...  I think I found the perfect solution :)  What do you think?

 

Thanks so much for checking out my new project!  And, as always, any and all feedback is greatly appreciated!!  Remember - think outside the box!

Woo Hoo, A two for one!

I have to say, I am seriously happy with my newest refashion... for once it went fairly smoothly, and as an added bonus I discovered by accident that I got a two for one! :)  
I started out with my usual thrifted and donated items (including a piece from a previous ReFashion Flop).  

Here is the "finished" project -- Intentionally a skirt and happily also a top! ;)

For all the details and pics, just pop over to my blog at: https://repurposefulblog.wordpress.com/2016/04/28/wow-a-skirt-and-a-shirt/

Thanks for taking a peek at my newest, and as always, any and all feedback is greatly appreciated!

Disappointment Turns Sweet!

Happy Spring Day Everyone, it finally feels rejuvenating!

On that note, I am feeling quite excited about my latest Refashion Project... and once again wishing I had made it to fit me... (sigh) 

I started with thrifted pieces, as usual... A tank, pillowcase and T-shirt...  Said goodbye to the ruffle on the bottom of the tank, and cut the pillowcase and T-shirt into matching wedges.

 I didn't like the way the wide section of beige looked, so I took the leftover pieces of the pillowcase, and put them in the middle... much nicer :)

 Next it was time to sew all those panels together... Now it's looking like a skirt :)

 Okely Dokely... now I get to attach the top...

 So excited to put it on the dress form and see how it looks!!!   Aaauuuggghhhhh, it looks awful!  --- so dumpy and shapeless!  OK, time to walk away... take a day or two to consider what to do... does anybody else do this??

My self-imposed ban from my workroom worked!  Sleeping on it, and considering what to do next, I came up with what I thought would really help this frumpy frock...

I cut the neckline down the center about 5"... Made little plackets out of leftover scraps to cover each side, sewed buttonholes on each, and used matching satin ribbon for a tie.

 I then used the ruffle I cut off the tank earlier to make tie backs on each side of the waist, and Voila!  Now, I'm happy with my newest ReFashion :)

2 Shirt Skirt

My daughter recently cleaned out her closet, and gave me a bag of clothes!!!  You can imagine my excitement to go through and decide what would be the first project!  These two seemingly unrelated shirts won :)

I cut the tops off of both of them (I'll use them at some later date I'm sure!)
I used the bottoms, one of them flipped around, to make a double layer skirt.

Here is the finished product... Pretty jazzed with it! 

To see the details of the transformation, just check out my new blog: https://repurposefulblog.wordpress.com/
And, as always, any and all comments/feedback/suggestions enthusiastically accepted!!!

From Bad Fitting Sweatshirt to Fun Jacket!

I've had this sweatshirt for over a year, and literally have never worn it...   Unfortunately, I didn't try it on in the store -- I mean, it's a sweatshirt, right???  Wrong :(   When I did put it on, I realized there was a reason it was on clearance at the back of the store --  The waist band was absurdly tight!  Un-wearably tight... 

After sitting in my closet for months, my first attempt to "fix" it was to cut off the waist band, and attach some brown eyelet trim...

Not horrible, but just didn't do it for me... Soooo, I had to face my most 
dreaded part of sewing --- 

 

Phew!  When that was finally done, I decided to just cut the sweatshirt up the middle, and make some double fold trim to edge it with...

Now I am a serious pocket lover, so I figured as long as I had some fabric left over from the edging, I'd make a couple of patch pockets.... now I can wear my "jacket" all Spring! :)

Thrift Store finds to Sweet Summer Dress

Started with a few things from the local thrift store, plus a piece of antique lace I've had for years...

Here's the finished product...
(That's my beautiful daughter modeling for me:)

I cut four matching wedges - 2 from the Tshirt, and 2 from the pillowcase... sewed them together, gathered the top a bit and attached to the top half of the tank top.

I cut another coordinating Tshirt into strips, sewed them end to end, then ran a basting stitch along the long edge to gather for a ruffle...


  

Then, I attached the ruffle to the bottom of the skirt, using seam binding I inherited from my Mom to make it neat.

 .... added a little decorative stitching just for fun :)

Made a fabric flower out of some leftover pieces to embellish the top.

Attached the piece of antique lace to the bottom hem of the Tshirt I cut off before, and added some pretty coordinating ribbon streamers...
This piece has so many different uses, I just love it!!!

 

The End! 

Thanks so much for any advice or feedback! :) 

From thrifted Tank Top, Tshirt and Vintage Pillowcase to Bohemian/Gypsy Skirt

I started with this funky vintage pillowcase, a tank top and a Tshirt I scored at my local thrift store...

 Just cut that pillowcase into wide strips, sew them together, and gather at the top edge.

 Cut the Tshirt into strips, sew them together, hand pleat and sew along the bottom edge of pillowcase section.





Add another tier from a thrifted sheet... then....

Take some trim off of an old valance, and add between the tiers for accent.

The bottom of the tank top becomes the waistband...
then the valance trim makes a another appearance as a tie up for a style option.

I had a few pieces left over, so I made a matching bag :)

Please forgive the amateur style of rudimentary first effort at blogging... all feedback and advice is welcome!