Tuesday, December 26, 2023

Upcycle denim skirt to festive (blossom) skirt


Happy holidays everyone!

Today is the 2nd Christmas Day where I live,  but I know the day after Christmas isn't celebrated everywhere. So whether you're celebrating Santo Stefano, 2nd Christmas day, Boxing day or having a nice 'normal' day, I wish you happy holidays and here's some extra festive inspiration: I upcycled this plain denim skirt with denim and (silver) sewn branches. In my head I saw branches with blossom but it seems I skipped the flowers and it's just branches and small leafs. But I think you grasp the concept:). 

Official design:)

The plan was to cut the main branch out of denim fabric, so I went to the thrift store and found the perfect jeans for only €4. I wanted to embroider or sew the smaller branches with silver thread, that would make them look more delicate...




...and, hopefully, more festive! A good thing I'd drawn the design of the smaller branches beforehand, since it was a real challenge to sew the smalle and round shapes of the leaves.
 

The small branches were sewn with silver thread



Fraying the branch made all the difference!

To bring the branch more to life I frayed it with the seam ripper, which was actually a fun thing to do, destroying something and at the same time creating a beautiful effect!







Find out about a small surprise I left on the back peace (or if you're interested in more details) on vermaakster.blogspot.com



Saturday, December 23, 2023

From Scraps to Skirts: How to Sew 3 Bias Cut Skirts for Beginners (Free PDF Pattern and Video Tutorial)


 

Hello! I have a new video to share with you today. It’s all about how to sew 3 bias cut skirts for beginners, with a free PDF pattern. ๐Ÿงต

Bias cut skirts are very trendy and flattering. They are also easy to make with some basic sewing skills and a few tips and tricks that I show you in the video. Plus, you can wear them for any occasion, whether you want to dress them up or down. ๐ŸŒŸ

But the best part is, I made these skirts from fabric scraps from different projects. Yes, you heard me right. I used leftover fabric from other sewing projects to create these beautiful skirts. This is a great way to use up your stash, save money, and be more sustainable. ๐ŸŒŽ

In the video, you will learn how to measure yourself, how to cut the fabric on the bias, how to sew the seams and hem the edges, and how to make the perfect fit for these skirts. You will also get a free PDF pattern that you can download and print at home. ๐Ÿ“

I also wrote a detailed post on my blog where I explain more about bias cut skirts, such as:

  • What is a bias cut and why is it so flattering?
  • What kind of fabric should you use for bias cut skirts?
  • How to choose the right size and adjust the pattern if needed?
  • How to care for your bias cut skirts and prevent them from stretching out?

You will also find some photos of my finished skirts and some styling ideas for different occasions. ๐Ÿ’ƒ

So, what are you waiting for? Go watch the video and read the post to learn how to sew your own bias cut skirts from fabric scraps. Trust me, you don’t want to miss this one. ๐Ÿ˜Š

You can watch the video here and read the post here. And if you like what you see, please give it a thumbs up, leave a comment, and share it with your friends. And if you haven’t already, please follow me on YouTube and my sewing  blog for more sewing tutorials and tips. ๐Ÿ””

Thank you for your support and happy sewing! ๐Ÿ˜Š


 

My blog

 and 

You Tube

 

Friday, December 22, 2023

Adding Sleeves

 Hello Refashion Co-op. I have really been excited for the holidays this year. I celebrate Christmas and I wanted a festive dress. I decided to add sleeves to this red dress with some Santa fabric. 

This fabric was so cute!

I made 2 basic sleeve shapes I wanted the biggest puffiest sleeves I could make. They were so puffy that the sleeves were easy to fit in the armholes of the dress. 

I really love them. They are silly and fun. For more details about the sleeves go to I Can Work With That. Happy Holidays to all of you!



Saturday, December 16, 2023

Sweater Dress to Cardigan

 Hello Refashion Co-op. I liked this sweater dress, it was a sweater dress made from a natural fiber I had never seen before. This sweater is made from baby alpaca. (They just shave the wool off, no baby alpacas were harmed in the making of this sweater dress.) Alpaca wool is very good quality and warm as can be... like it's super warm... like too warm... I am too hot... I can't wear this dress. I start to over heat every time I put it on. I was going to pass out, but I had an idea.

  

Before and after.

 
I decided to open up this sweater. It is going to have a new life as a long cardigan. To start, I cut the sweater right up the middle. It looked like this. Would that cut edge fray? I wasn't sure.  It didn't seem to be fraying at all but I wanted to be sure it wouldn't fray over time. 

I used my serger on that edge. I started at the hem and went up one side of the opening and down the other. I used black thread so it would blend in. This was so easy and fast. I love the new open sweater and I can take it off if I get too hot. Thanks for reading along, for more pictures and details go to I Can Work With That.



 


 

The Secret to Sewing a Long Dress with Any Fabric You Have | Free PDF Pattern


 

Do you want to learn how to sew a long dress using recycled fabric? In this video, I will show you how to turn your old clothes, curtains, or sheets into a beautiful and sustainable dress. You will also get some tips on how to choose the right fabric, how to cut and sew the pieces, and how to add some details like pockets, buttons, or embroidery.

This video is perfect for anyone who loves sewing and wants to reduce their environmental impact. You will not only save money and resources, but also create a unique and stylish dress that you can wear with pride.

I include free PDF pattern in 5 sizes as well, just remember to add seam allowance to it ๐Ÿ˜Š. Check out how to do it here.

To watch the video, click on the link below. Don’t forget to like, comment, and share if you enjoy it. And if you want to see more videos like this, subscribe to my channel and follow my blog.

How to Sew a Long Dress Using Recycled Fabric Video

 


My blog

 and 

You Tube

 

Thursday, December 07, 2023

A (P)Leather Dress Refashion

 Hello Refashion Co-op. I found this faux leather dress at a clothes swap and loved it. It was too long on me and I knew I needed to shorten it. Would my sewing machine be able to handle this material. I have heard it can stick to the presser foot. I have heard you need a Teflon foot. I have also heard that you need to put tissue paper on top of it and sew through the paper to get it through the sewing machine. Then you go back and rip the tissue paper away. It sounded like a lot of problems. 

Before and after.

I started cutting the top off the skirt. I left the waistband attached to the skirt because it was going to need a waistband. 

I also cut off about 6 inches from the skirt. I noticed that the hem of the skirt was just a cut edge. They didn't hem it so I didn't either. This was an easy project so far. 

The dress came with a belt that tied in front. I could use that as the waistband of my jacket. 

I used my sewing machine to attach the belt. I stitched over the existing stitches so it would all blend in. This was so easy. My sewing machine acted like it should and did not fight me or get jammed up even one time. The thread didn't break, the bobbin thread didn't get stuck in any way. I was so anxious about it all and it was fine!

I really like these 2 pieces, I can wear them together or alone. Thanks for reading along, for more details go to I Can Work With That.






Wednesday, December 06, 2023

Blanket into a Warm and Cozy Coat with Hood: A Free PDF Pattern and Video Tutorial

 


Hi, my fellow sewists! I have a very exciting video to share with you today. I have made a long coat with hood for cold time, using a warm blanket that I had at home. Yes, you heard me right, a blanket! I wanted to make a cozy and stylish coat that would keep me warm and comfortable in the winter, and I thought, why not use a blanket that I already have? It was a fun and easy project, and I am very happy with the result. The coat is very soft and snug, and it has a lovely texture and pattern. And the best part is, I have also included a free PDF pattern in five sizes that you can download from the video description. And as a bonus, I will also show you how to use the fabric scraps from this project to sew a cute coat for your pet. How adorable is that?

In this video, I will show you how to sew a long coat with hood for cold time, using a blanket as the main fabric. You will learn how to choose the right blanket, how to cut and sew it, and how to add a hood and pockets. You will also learn how to sew single welt pockets, which I have explained in my previous video and post. You will also get photos and diagrams to guide you through each step. This is a very simple and fun project that anyone can do, and you will end up with a unique and beautiful coat that you will love to wear.

So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and watch my video  and learn how to sew a long coat with hood for cold time, using a blanket. And don’t forget to share your feedback and your creations with me. You can leave a comment below, or tag me on Instagram or Facebook. I would love to see your coats. And if you like this video, please give it a thumbs up and subscribe to my channel for more sewing tutorials. Thank you for your support and happy sewing! ๐Ÿ˜Š

Here is a photo of the blanket that I used to make this coat: 


 


My blog

 and 

You Tube

 

Monday, December 04, 2023

Make More From a Shirt

 Hello Refashion Co-op. I had a stiff uncomfortable button-up shirt I didn't wear much and I thought of 3 projects to make from it. 

The first project was a dickie to wear under other tops. This was pretty easy and quick to make. 

The second project was a little skirt to wear with leggings or tights. This was even easier to put together. 

The third and last project was a couple of wine/gift bags from the sleeves. The holidays are coming and I knew I would need these. Click the links for all the details. 
Chickie