Soon to be Finished Dress Hacks

When I refashion, I refashion one thing: dresses. Actually, that's not always the case, I occasionally do t shirts and make pants into shorts. But for me, nothing is as fun and interesting as a dress. I've got 2 here and a few more at my blog Craft, Thrift, or Die.
I've been totally slacking, lately. First, I think I broke the sewing machine at my parents' house (probably not). Then, I recently opened an Etsy shop! That means before I start cutting and stitching an item that's too big for me, I consider if the dress is too valuable to risk ruining it with my uh..."talent."
I've actually got a bunch of dresses that I started refashioning for my own use and failed to finish (for any number of  reasons.) I've got them pinned and sitting in this pile just waiting to be completed. And then, a Christmas miracle...

 

A new sewing machine with my name on it under the tree! Which is actually not a miracle. I expressed interest in owning one and my wonderful family purchased one for me. Thank you, family!
It's out of the box and on top of an old vanity, that's step one. Step two will be threading it up and hoping I can make it work. Baby steps...I still have three days left until school starts. Until I get started, here are some "before" pics of the works in progress. Think of this post as a tease and the big reveal comes later.

I've been sitting on that number since summer time. My phone pics didn't do its color justice, it's a muted minty color. I think I was in the middle of changing those ugly buttons and lost motivation.

 

 I'm not sure why I even bought this one, but I guess I wanted a challenge. With the amount of material that I removed from the top I could make a nice king size duvet or something.

REFASHION: SWEATSHIRT SAVE!

THE JERSEY SHORE SWEATSHIRT — JUST A LITTLE TOO SMALL

During the past few months, I have been showing my co-workers some of my refashion projects (mainly the skirts and the infinity scarves). One day, one of my co-workers, Juliet, asked whether a sweatshirt could be expanded a wee bit. One of her nieces had given her a cute Jersey Shore sweatshirt during a recent trip. Unfortunately, the sweatshirt was a tad too small for Juliet. Well, the neckline, sleeves, and armpit areas were well fitted for her, but the body of the sweatshirt was too small.

HMMMMMM. I HAVE AN IDEA.

When Juliet modeled the sweatshirt, I knew exactly how to remedy the issue, which is odd because I’ve never refashioned a sweatshirt or anything similar. Because the armpit area was a fine fit for Juliet, I decided to cut out a tall triangle piece from the side seams and simply insert a slightly bigger triangle piece from stretchy knit jersey fabric. The process sounded simple, but I was still terrified to work on the project.

MY CO-WORKER EVEN BOUGHT BLACK RIBBED JERSEY FOR THE PROJECT. SUCH A SWEETIE.

This sweatshirt wasn’t mine. I had no room for major errors. If I made a mistake, I couldn’t give up and throw it away or turn into an infinity scarf. Not to mention, Juliet was kind enough to even buy way too much black ribbed jersey. I wonder whether professionals get a little nervous working on expensive bridesmaid dresses or wedding dresses. I would be too terrified to touch anything like that. I guess I shouldn’t enter that profession.

SNIP SNIP SNIP — CUTTING A SMALL TRIANGLE FROM THE SIDE SEAMS

One night while watching the amazing 50th anniversary Dr. Who special for the third time, I worked on the sweatshirt. I carefully cut out a slim triangle piece from the side seams and cut a slightly bigger triangle from the jersey fabric. I then simply sewed the jersey edge to the sweatshirt edge with a zig zag stitch. Next time I’m on my sewing machine, remind me to lower the tension wheel thingy. I very rarely work with jersey so I learned a few lessons during this project.

CUT JERSEY INTO A SLIGHTLY BIGGER TRIANGLE PIECE AND SEW!

I am so incredibly happy with the end result! I think the sweatshirt looks fabulous! More importantly, Juliet absolutely loves loves loves the minor refashion and is excited to wear it. I’m pretty proud of myself for not making too many mistakes (I had some minor issues with the triangle tip) and not giving up. And with the rest of the jersey fabric, I plan to make an infinity scarf for Juliet. Yay!

Jennifer Elliott

My Daughters Military Shirt

Buttons in bright colours!

My daughters shirt..

This project is made out of my daughters military shirt.
Together with some cotton fabric - I think it is ment for duvet covers - white whith grey flower print -
it became a summer dress.

And suddenly it became a dress

Fix the Gap in Your Jeans!

I don't know about everyone else, but I have a problem with jeans gaping at the back waistband.  They fit well everywhere, except at the waist.  In just a few easy steps, and about 15-20 minutes, you can fix the problem.  For a step-by-step tutorial, you can visit my blog, Second Chances By Susan.

Ugly 80's Dress to Cute Wrap Dress

I found this monstrosity of an 80's dress at the thrift store for $1.50. I'm not really sure why I snagged it, as it is pretty atrocious and it took me a while to figure out how to refashion it. 

So I started by removing the sleeves and the huge collar. 

Then I cinched in the sides and hacked off some length from the skirt.  With some of the extra fabric I made two 1.5'' skinny tubes. Then I seam ripped the shoulder seams apart and slid the one tube down each side of the bodice. Then I reattached and tightened the shoulder seams. Then I slid the tube over the shoulder seam to create the strappy gathered look. Voila! New wrap dress! I know it's a sundress in December but hey the temps over here in California are in the high sixties. 

I've been gone for a bit but glad to be back and refashioning!

the dropped necktie

a previously refashioned necktie top + a torn bedsheet + my skirty tee dress tute = an amusingly awesome knee length dress…

that can also be worn as a quirky drop-waist!

Check out my tutorial index for loads of groovy projects!

Super easy, no-sew t-shirt sleeve necklaces

These is an incredibly easy no-sew project that can be made with all those extra t-shirt sleeves you have hanging around, left over from other refashions. It's a twist on the classic sliced t-shirt necklace we've all seen and loved.

Gather all your extra t-shirt sleeves.

Slice them up into strips, open them up into loops and give them a gentle tug to stretch them out.

Gather the stretched-out loops into your hand, distributing the colors more or less evenly and positioning the armpit seams in one point. Take a non-stretched-out strip of t-shirt and wrap it around the loops, covering the seams. When you get to the end of the t-shirt strip, tuck it under itself so that it doesn't stick out.

And you're done! Wear it with the wrapped strip hidden in the back or off to the side to add a little added bit of color. For more refashioning and upcycling tutorials, take a look at my blog, Cucicucicoo! (or more details on this particular project here)

"Better Late Than Never Jacket"

 A year ago I promised my co-worker Tom, that I would create a denim jacket refashion for his 4 year old daughter Amber. It has taken a year to find the right thrifted child's jacket. The butterfly painting I have had for approx six months and again this was a thrift store find. Tomorrow I return to work after a two week break and I will be delighted that I have finally fulfilled my promise to Tom.

So here is the pretty painting that I found in a thrift store. This I will carefully cut away from the picture frame. Then I cut the painting to fit the centre back panel of the denim jacket.

The jacket cost $3.25 from Bayswater Salvos.

Here is the back before it is transformed.

To the front I sew a couple of ornate hearts on the pocket flaps. This is to create a bit of interest and detail.

Close up of the hearts which I sew from underneath.

Here is the completed back panel. To protect and hide the edges of the canvas, I sew bias binding with a zig zag stitch. The jacket is now complete and ready for young Amber.

For more fun ideas please come and visit me at Penelope Hanger Refashions.

Bubble dress to batwing blouse

Bubble dress. Far from perfect for my body shape.

I removed the narrow skirt.

Then cut just beneath the bust.

Attached the narrow skirt to the remaining upper body+sleeves garment.

Adjusted the neck opening.

Absolutely no natural light right now = difficult to take photos of something black.

I brightened one photo so the details show: 

More refashions and creative projects at: http://www.sagaifarver.dk

Cobalt Blue Maxi Skirt

This weekend I picked up a super-soft, super-huge jersey dress in that beautiful cobalt blue I've been harping on for weeks now. This 2XL piece cost me only $3 and is going to make an awesome maxi skirt.

I cut the skirt off just below the waistband. Then I made a new waistband out of the top back panel. I took in the sides of the skirt and attached my new waistband - easy peasy!

For a full run-down of how I did it, click on over to CarissaKnits!

Santa Sack Sabotage.

 Are you bored with the same old same old Santa sacks? No need to be embarrassed anymore carrying your beautiful upcycled homemade gifts in a dull old commercial Santa sack. Dump the sack, break the rules and create your own personalised Santa sack. Say hello to Patsy Penguin. Patsy Penguin is single, 25, enjoys a good glass of red wine and loves the night life. At dusk every night she comes out to party while many come to join her at Patsy's Penguin Party Parade on Phillip Island. Not wanting to look like every other penguin in the parade, Patsy likes to glam up for a big night out. Tonight and tomorrow Patsy will party with her new friend Sue. Merry Christmas Sue.....hope you and Patsy have a great time together.

Nice little penguin, but could do with a style injection.

I love shopper bags and the money that I paid for this goes to a good cause.

1940's vintage buttons will do nicely as an alternative string of pearls. These I hand sew on.

Left over vintage silk tie will make a lovely hair clip.

Finished off with another 1940's vintage button.

Penguins like to run to their nests through native grasses. Okay so these are not quite native grasses but these too will be hand sewn onto the bag.

Patsy is finished off with a 1970's doily cut into a skirt, plus a touch of lippy and nail polish.

Patsy you are looking glam.

Ready for Patsy's Penguin Party Parade.......now off to find a glass of wine.

If you like to see other fun projects come and visit me @ Penelope Hanger Refashions