Necklace

I got this necklace from ebay, loved the main stones but didn't like the glitter...

I took off the citrine, cut one of the links with metal cutters and sanded it, Attached the metal hook to the inside of unworn earrings (removed previous bead).

& Put the agate on a simple chain. No sunshine for the next 4 days so the 12 noon photos are kind of dark!

Earring to Necklace

I ordered clip on earrings for my mum from an outlet, but they were clip on because they are big... Before. Too Bollywood for her.

 After.

And something for me! This necklace technically cost £0 to make as I already has these pieces lying around. When i was making a bag recently I left off the tassle as I didn't want to cut up any jewellery, but these were fine to do that! I haven't made jewellery for a long time and I think it would be a nice complement to handmade clothing. I started off jewellery with refashioning too. What about thrifted/one-missing/too-heavy earrings to upcycle?

Thanks for looking http://renatalaurarf.blogspot.co.uk/

Dress to Top & Coin Purse

When you can sew you can pick up faulty clothing at discount prices. This top was originally a dress with a broken zip that needed replacing. Also I couldn't see myself wearing a prom style dress so I made it into a top I can pair with jeans & cardigan or a skirt & blazer.

This is their top. I like the dressy one better!

I also made a little purse as they're really quick to make and nice penpal gifts (reusable packaging).

Some of my other sewing this year
http://www.pinterest.com/vegalante/my-dresses/

Gingham Shirt from Trousers

Made from the fabric of unwanted trousers. I used a vintage pattern (on the right) to cut the panels. I find pattern sewing so much easier,  I even left my mannequin bought last autumn outside for someone else!

I can see a few of these made up! The only challenges were the lack of fabric to make what I wanted and  sewing buttonholes onto raised fabric. - My blogspot here - 

Bag from Curtain

Vintage curtain from a charity shop and white fabric on stash

  I cut from the bottom of the curtain to encase the lining inside the ready made hem. I used a white bobbin and raspberry topthread to stitch down the lining & handles.

 I also made one from  an unwanted jacket/anorak on the sale rail for around £3 too!

Free pdf on purpleperson if you have linen to recycle! It would also work well in denim!
Thanks for looking! http://renatalaurarf.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/recycled-cotton-raincoat-totes.html

Skirt from Duvet

I made this skirt from a duvet cover, elastic and some white polycotton.

I prefer skirts to have a lining (if light coloured) and be knee length or longer. This year I have not needed to buy any new clothing as I make everything myself! http://renatalaurarf.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/new-look-2286-skirt-from-duvet.html 

Rainbow Run

I started off with one of my tshirts i designed - just cut the cap sleeves off. And a pair of white linen Monsoon trousers I sourced from a charityshop for £1 (they were rather short and a tad see-thru!) cut to above knee. It was only a 3k 'race' with POWDERPAINT stops - so easy compared to a half marathon!! I ended up with green and blue hair and the tshirt looks much cooler now!

Tried not to colour the black staffy! (Actually, there was a white dog at the event now orange!)

This one was a NEVER WORN dress that had tshirt material skirt and it was just too stretchy and weird to wear, in fact it looked like a bin bag on me! Now a waistcoat style top over a blouse or for underneath fitted jackets. Way to jazz up my frumpy long skirts that I loved the fabric of. I managed to find a brand-new with labels on pair of highwaisted trousers - which I was going to hem to shorts but actually they are really comfortable summer trousers. Better on than on the hanger. I think simple and clean cuts/tailoring is in fashion at the moment. 

RENATA-LAURA