Star Lord and Gomora

This year for Halloween, my husband and I dressed as Star Lord and Gomora from Guardians of the Galaxy.  It was pretty labor intensive making the costumes, plus decorating a room to match, but also lots of fun!

If you'd like to check out more pics, including closer details of the costumes, check out my blog, Second Chances by Susan!  Thanks!

Tent Dresses

This is my cute little granddaughter on Easter Sunday wearing her favorite dress.  I'm sure it's her favorite because first, it's polka dots, and second, it's comfortable.  

I decided I would add to her wardrobe by making her some "tent" dresses from items in my stash.  I remember having tent dresses when I was a little girl in the 60's.  I was able to make two from women's dresses, and one from a women's blouse, along with some matching accessories.

She's been pretty happy with her new wardrobe, and I've been pretty happy taking a trip down memory lane!

More pictures can be found by visiting my blog, Second Chances by Susan.  Thanks!

A Zero Waste Refashion!

I've had this 100% rayon dress in my stash for a long time!  I really liked the color and feel of the fabric.  I also liked the pleats and button detail on the bodice.  It was a lot of dress, though, and I had other plans for it.  Originally, it was just going to be cut off into a tunic.

But, I was also able to get this cute skirt from it also.  

For the simple details, please visit my blog, Second Chances By Susan.

Thanks!

Tunics for a Friend

I have an adorable young friend who inherited a bunch of XL shirts from her father.  She asked for my help in refashioning some of them before winter break was over and she heads back to school to finish the last few busy months of her dental hygiene program.

We only finished two that day, so the rest will have to wait for after graduation!

The first one was a combination of two shirts.  The solid gray one had a stain on the pocket, so we just used the lower half and attached it to the top half of a super soft plaid cotton.

The next top was from a black on black striped shirt.  

For more pics and some details on how we accomplished these, please visit my blog,
Second Chances by Susan!  Thanks!

A Christmas Dress

In searching my photos for the "before" picture of this refashion, I realized that this one started over two years ago!!  I had picked it all apart, set it aside, and then went on to live my life for over two years.  Well, with Christmas upon us I decided it was time to wrap this one up...no pun intended!

I really liked the red plaid rayon fabric, however, I didn't like the gunny sack fit, the length, or the the front patch pockets.

I removed the pockets and detached the bodice from the skirt.  I then took in the bodice along the side seams and added front and back darts to get a better fit.

Next, I decided on my new length and cut the excess from the top of the skirt, retaining the existing hem.  No sense making more work than necessary!  I gathered the top edge of the skirt and reattached it to the bodice.

From the excess fabric, I found a covered buckle kit in my stash (picked up some time ago at a thrift store) and created a matching belt.

I also didn't care for the original placement of the top button, so I added a buttonhole and moved it in line with the rest of the buttons.  One more buttonhole and button to close up the bottom front of the skirt and my dress was ready!

You can find more refashions on my blog, Second Chances by Susan!

A Simple Fix

I have a thing for black and white, and a thing for buffalo plaid flannel.  So, when I can find a new dress with the tags on for $3.49 at a thrift store that incorporates both of these "things," you know I have to get it!  The only issue was, though, it was too short for my liking.  A simple fix was in order.

I made a trip to the fabric store and picked up 2/3 of a yard of gray flannel.  After pre-washing it, I opened it up wide and folded it in half and laid it out flat.  I now had a piece of folded fabric measuring 12x45 inches.  I laid the bottom of the dress skirt on top of the flannel to mark my cutting lines.  After marking my lines, I added an extra 5/8" along the top edge and side seams for my seam allowances.  Then it was just a matter of stitching the side seams of the addition, pinning it to the skirt hem (right sides together), and stitching it on.  Once that was done, I completed it with a rolled hem.

I don't know if I'm completely sold on the addition of the white fur vest, but I thought I would try it.  Maybe if I'm making a trip to the North Pole this holiday season....

For more clothing refashions, you can visit by blog, Second Chances by Susan!

Men's Henley to Women's Tunic

After doing a quick alteration to my daughter's dress, I combined a men's henley with the leftover embroidered scrap to create a fun and comfortable tunic.

More details of how this was put together on my blog, Second Chances by Susan!

A Pirate's Life!

It's that fun time of year when it's perfectly fine to dress up in costumes!  This year, my husband and I dressed as pirates.  I was able to take two leather coats (one not pictured) and turn them into a fun pirate corset.

BEFORE

AFTER

I even made a new blouse with a fun sleeve detail.

Can you tell from the pictures what part of the coat was used to cut the new bodice?

If you would like to visit my blog, Second Chances by Susan, there are more close-up pictures and tips on working with leather.

Taming those sleeves!

This refashion wasn't a big one, but it made a big difference to me!  I really liked the colors and details of this tunic, but the sleeves just weren't going to work.  They were a bit too open and exposed more than what I was comfortable with.

I simply cut a band from some scrap knit fabric, gathered the sleeve edge and stitched the band in place.  Pretty simple!

  

And just for fun, I added some lace around the hem to give it a little more length.

For more tunic inspiration, please visit my blog, Second Chances by Susan!  Thanks!