Dress to Skirt; Using Shirring as a Waistband

 Hello Refashion Co-op. I love to get hand-me-downs and this dress was such a pretty floral design. Sadly, it was too tight. Like really too tight. It did not feel good.

Before and after.

I cut the top of the dress off. I just took it off.

I used my serger to finish that cut edge. 

I thought I wanted a really wide waistband but then I made it a bit smaller.

The skirt fits so much better and the shirring made and easy/instant waistband. This was so easy and quick to do. Thanks for reading along, for more go to I Can Work With That.

Zumba pants turned into sportive jacket / vest

 

This refashion is about celebrating my dancing years. No, I'v never been a professional dancer, far from it! But with the arrival of Zumba at the beginning of this millenium I got to relive my childhood memories. On the rhyhtms of Latin music I cheerfully performed the steps I'd learned as a child practicing jazz ballet, like the Pas de bourrée. My moves felt perfect and smooth as long as I avoided the mirrors:). 

I quit Zumba a few years ago, but I still kept the pants (and the memories). So what to do with them? I draped the pants on the tailors dummy to to get an idea of what I wanted.... Yes, that could work, a sportive jacket!

Let me take you through a few steps in the process. I cut off the elastic waistband and used the lower legs to create the front pieces. The top part of the back could be transformed into the back piece of the jacket. And yes, it's still the same fabric, but purple and photo's don't always go well together...

For the front piece I cut the fabric diagonally from the shoulder to the mid front. Since the fabric had no stretch it would be comfortable to have more space in the shoulder- and neckline area. And I also thought it would make the front look more playful.

I also thought it would be fun to reuse the pocket straps so I pulled them through the metal rings in the (new) front piece.

Unfortunately the fit was just a little too tight so I added an extra strip of fabric between the side seams. Here's a view of the side and the back piece. Personally, I love the pockets and like the fact that you can still see that they were once pants.

As always, you are very welcome to check out vermaakster.blogspot.com for more details and a step by step explanation in Dutch and English.

Upcycled Bed Sheet to Stunning Long Wrap Dress ✨

 

Hey there! 🧵🌟

I'm excited to share my latest creation with you all. I transformed a simple bed sheet into a breathtaking long wrap dress, and I couldn't be happier with the results! 🛏️➡️👗

In my newest video tutorial, I walk you through the entire process, from choosing the right bed sheet to cutting, stitching, and styling this versatile, elegant dress. And the best part? I'm providing free PDF patterns, so you can easily recreate this project at home.

Check out the full tutorial here

I'm truly amazed at how creative we can get with sewing and how we can repurpose everyday items into stunning fashion pieces. This project isn't just about sewing; it's also about sustainability and upcycling in the world of fashion. 🌍🌿

So, if you have an old bed sheet lying around, don't toss it—sew it into something extraordinary! Let's continue to inspire and support each other on this sewing journey. 💪🧵❤️

 

 

My blog

 and 

You Tube

 

A Summer Dress to 2 Piece Set

 Hello Refashion Co-op. I know fall is coming soon but it is still boiling hot where I live so I refashioned this summer dress. 

Before and after.

This dress was too long on me and the shape wasn't quite working either. I cut the top off. The empire waist had elastic around it so I left that elastic in the top. I hemmed the bottom so it had a little ruffle along the bottom of the shirt.. 

I added an elastic waistband to the skirt and made it a lot shorter. It fit me a lot better this way. 

This skirt also matched the "Hamilton" t-shirt that I thrifted and dyed. The skirt also matched the sweater I dyed along with the t-shirt. I accidentally made a little peach capsule wardrobe. It was serendipity. Thanks for reading along, for more pictures and details go to I Can Work With That.

Upcycle a t-shirt with sweater sleeves (plus boniu

It's that time of year when we put away our summer clothes and pull out the sweaters for fall. In this sweater upcycle project, I added sweater sleeves to a t-shirt and made a skirt with the leftover sweater.'

Read on or watch the video below.

I picked up the t-shirt and sweater at the thrift store for $5.

I cut off the t-shirt sleeves 2 inches above my elbow and added the sweater sleeves.

To make the skirt, I used an existing skirt as a pattern and laid it over the bodice of the sweater.

And now I have a complete outfit for the fall.

For a step-by-step tutorial, check out my blog Pivot Point Patterns.

It has pockets and I have ears

 A family member no longer wanted some jeans that had been part of their uniform at a fast food outlet (original picture... gone).  The denim is lightweight and soft, and they fit me quite well.  So I soaked them in dish-washing detergent a few times to remove the grease (not kidding), and good to go.  But they had fake front pockets - sewn together with no pocket bags.  That would not do!

Easy fixed (or so I thought).  There are so many seams and so much top stitching... and I should not have tried 'short cuts', just look how awry that belt loop is.

 

I went back and unpicked and then basted the seams first, something I forever avoid even when I sort of know it would be quicker in the long run.
 

It all came good in the end and now they have pockets!  I am not sure if I saved time by not dis-assembling them more first, because there was a lot of tricky maneuvering on the sewing machine to get them back together.  I have a new appreciation for how much work jeans are to make.

 

                                                                          

 

Moving on to jewellery upcycling - I've been fiddling with the necklace at the top for some time and I still don't know how I'm going to lengthen it a little and attach the catch.  So instead I started pulling apart other bits and pieces for parts (so soothing) and found some that could be whipped up into earrings right away. 

 

 

 

I auditioned some components.

 

And ended up with four new pairs of earrings just like that (well, really, I have a store of hooks, jump rings, crimp beads and tools for when the mood takes me).

 Happy upcycling!

Mimi