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! 

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. 🧵

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. 🌟

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. 🌎

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. 📝

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. 💃

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. 😊

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. 🔔

Thank you for your support and happy sewing! 😊

 

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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!

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 😊. 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

 

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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.

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! 😊

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

 

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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

Restyle antique chairs with jeans

Usually, I project my restyling ideas on clothing but this time I'm restyling furniture with clothes. I recently discovered that the skai leather on the seats of my 2 antique chairs has been worn out. The seats definitely needed new covers, which was no surprise after more than 10 years of use. The chairs were given to me by my parents some 30 years ago when I was a student, and they are now in good use in my 'sewing room'.  

I needed a new, solid fabric and in my opinion jeans would be perfect for the job. Luckily, I had kept an old pair of jeans with from my better half D. I couldn't avoid a seam because the legs just weren't wide enough, but I placed the seam on the side so it wouldn't bother me while sitting on chair. 

Look at the cracks!

Denim can be very rigid and thick with multiple layers on each other, so the fabric needed a good pressing!

I placed the strips with the rivets back in the exact same way I had removed it, which saved me a lot of time. The strips are very practical by the way, you only need to place a rivet in every few holes and the rest of the strip keeps the fabric in place. 

In the meantime, I've had the chance to test the new seats and I can tell you that denim feels much more comfortable and warmer than skai leather, so I'm very happy with the result!

Don't worry, the chair didn't miraculously multiply itself... I had 2 chairs:).

You are very welcome to check out vermaakster.blogspot.com for more details and other jeans projects, for instance how to make a jeans belt or a Japanese knot bag. Until next time!

Learn How to Sew Two Lounge Sets with Free Patterns | Beginner-Friendly Sewing DIY

 

Hello! I have a special treat for you today. I have just uploaded a new video on my YouTube channel where I show you how to sew two lounge sets with free printable PDF patterns. These lounge sets are super easy to sew, even for beginners, and they are perfect for relaxing at home or going out. You will get a lounge pants and a blouse, with two different necklines and methods to finish. You will also learn two different ways to sew shorts, perfect for summer. You can download the free PDF pattern in five sizes from the link in the video description. All you need is 3 yards of 44" wide fabric, or 3 m x 150 cm, and a sewing machine. You can choose any fabric you like, such as soft silky cotton, silk, viscose, tencel, linen, or cotton. The result will be a comfortable and stylish lounge set that you can wear anytime.

This video is a great way to learn some basic sewing skills and make something beautiful and useful for yourself or your loved ones. You can also customize the lounge sets to your own taste and preference. You can mix and match the colors, patterns, and fabrics to create your own unique look. You can also add some embellishments, such as buttons, lace, or embroidery, to make them more fun and personal.

If you are interested in watching this video and learning how to sew two lounge sets with free printable PDF patterns, then click on the link below and check it out. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to my channel for more sewing videos. I would love to hear your feedback and see your creations. You can also share your pictures with me on Instagram using the hashtag #sparrowrefashion. I will feature some of them in my instagram.

Thank you so much for reading and watching. I hope you enjoy this video and have fun sewing your own lounge sets with free printable PDF patterns. I’ll see you in the next one. Happy sewing!

Link to the video: [How to Sew Two Lounge Sets with Free Printable PDF Patterns | Sewing DIY for Beginners]

 

 

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A Sweatshirt & Flannel Combo

 Hello Refashion Co-op. I like to make fun things for myself and this time I made 2 shirts. When I was done there was a shirt for myself and a shirt for me. 

This soft sweatshirt and this cozy flannel shirt had the same colors and the same length so I thought they would work well together.

I cut the shirt into thirds. I kept the middle twice as big as the side pieces I cut.

 

I also cut the sweatshirt into 3 pieces and again the middle was about twice as big.

 

Here are both the shirts after sewing them both together. I thought using the 2 shirts together would make a more interesting shirt. And it did, but it also makes 2 shirts. I had a shirt to keep and a shirt to share. Thanks for reading along, for more pictures and details go to I Can Work With That.
 

 

 

Sew a Winter Pajamas Set with a Free PDF Pattern | Easy Sewing DIY for Beginners

 

Hello, sewing lovers! In this video I show you how to sew a winter pajamas set with a free PDF pattern. This pajamas set is perfect for the cold weather, as it’s made with flannel fabric, which is warm, soft, and cozy. And the best part is, this sewing DIY is super easy and suitable for beginners. You can make this pajamas set in 5 different sizes, and it’s also a great gift idea for Christmas or any other occasion.

In this video, I guide you through every step of the sewing process, from cutting the fabric, to sewing the seams, to finishing the edges. You can follow along with me, or you can pause the video and sew at your own pace. The whole project should take you less than an hour to complete, and you will end up with a beautiful and cozy pajamas set that you can wear or give to someone you love.

To make this pajamas set, you will need the following materials and tools:

• 3 yards of 44" wide fabric, or 3 meters of 150 cm wide fabric. You can use flannel, fleece, thermal, cotton, or silk, depending on your preference and the climate you live in. You can find more information about the best fabrics for pajamas in this article.
• Some elastic, thread, scissors, pins, and a sewing machine.
• The free PDF pattern, which you can download from the link in description box of the video .

The pattern includes 5 sizes, from XS to XL, and it has a simple and comfortable design. The pajama pants have an elastic waistband and a straight leg, and the pajama sweater has a crew neck, long sleeves, and a loose fit. You can easily adjust the length of the pants and the sleeves to suit your preference.

I hope you enjoy this video and this sewing DIY. If you do, please give it a thumbs up, leave a comment, and subscribe to my channel for more sewing tutorials. Also, don’t forget to share your creations with me on Instagram using the hashtag #sparrowrefashion. I would love to see your winter pajamas sets and how you style them.

Thank you for reading this post.  Happy sewing!

[Watch the video here]

 

 

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