Peasant Blouse to Kimono

Hello Refashion Co-op. I love to go to clothes swaps and thrift stores. I usually pick things based on the material rather than the size or shape. If the material looks good I figure I can always do something with it. I loved this red peasant blouse because the material was so pretty. When I got home I realized it was open down to my belly button. It looked rather strange. Why was it SO low cut?

I decided not to fight it and cut it open all the way down the front. If it wanted to be open, I would let it be open.

 

I cut a little more off each side until it was smooth and flat like a little kimono jacket. I turned the edge under and stitched it down.

I liked the end result. It is a nice layer on top of a plain shirt.

Thanks for reading along, for more pictures and details go to I Can Work With That.

Buffalo Plaid Sleeves

Hello Refashion Co-op. It has been SO, SO cold here. That polar vortex was no joke. It was far below freezing every day. Short sleeves won't work, but my sweater dress had short sleeves. What to do?

This sweater dress was soft and cozy. I thought it had a hood but it was actually a big soft collar/shoulder wrap. That would be nice and warm but the dress needed new longer sleeves. I had this great buffalo plaid shirt to use for long sleeves.

I cut the sleeves off the sweater dress. I left the seam in place so the arm hole wouldn't stretch out.

I pinned the plaid sleeves into the sweater dress.

I liked how the sleeves worked in the dress and they were much warmer. I still had the body of the shirt and I made a warm infinity scarf from the it. They were both great for the very cold weather we had.

 

Thanks for reading along, for more pictures and details go to I Can Work With That.

Bell Sleeves Part 1

Happy February!!! ! I have been so busy creating but not very busy in posting. I am now finally playing catch-up with my posts, so get ready for some awesome refashions!

Here we have this very lovely fruit/flower dress. Very nice, but a wee bit too big for me. Since the cold weather has hit Michigan I did not really see the need to make this into a better version of its self as a dress. I need long sleeves!!!!


I decided to use the fabric of this dress and add it to a long sleeve shirt.


I had this navy cotton long sleeve shirt which fit perfectly but was very plain. To incorporate my fruit/flower I opened up the seam of each sleeve.


I cut the dress in half making a ring of fabric.


I then cut 2 triangles out of the corners of that ring of fabric.


Then I used the triangles of fabric  to sew into the open seam of the sleeves. Thus, making a bell sleeve!


Ta da! This was a simple way to update a plain shirt! I love how it turned out!


Happy Refashioning!!!
Stay tuned for Part 2!
Check out my stash of refashions on my blog!

The Modded Knotted Vest

I'm in love with open-front vests! They can add a splash of color to any outfit, and they're useful for covering up spaghetti straps and other skimpy tops when you want to stay cool but don't want to show a lot of shoulder.

This particular vest just wasn't doing it for me. I didn't like the way the front panels curved and connected in the back. I think a straight-up-and-down front opening is more flattering.

Before

During

I detached the front panels almost the entire length, and then reattached them so they hung straight down!

After

Now I can wear the vest two ways: with the front panels hanging down like a maxi vest (is that a thing?)...

...Or I can knot the panels in the front for a twisted look! I never had a knotted vest before, but I think I could get into it!

I have one more photo of the reassembly process on my original blog post, but you've basically seen it all! Thanks for reading!

--The Unfashionista

The Gaping Waistband

Hello Refashion Co-op. I wanted some new black jeans. My current pair of black jeans was very old and faded. I was really motivated to  make these jeans I found at a clothes swap fit well.

 I hate when jeans fit everywhere but the waistband hangs open in the back, or the front.

 

 I took the sides in a little. That helped but didn't fix the whole fit problem.

To fix jeans like this I like to make 2 tucks in the back of the jeans, right at the waistband and tapering down into the pockets. The pocket help hide the tucks themselves and any imperfections in the tucks.

I don't alter the pockets I just make a tuck behind the pockets. It's fast and easy.

I was happier and more comfortable with these jeans now that they fit so much better. 

 

Thanks for reading along, for more details and pictures go to I Can Work With That.