Boring Yellow T-shirt and Hideous Wrap around Skirt get Flipped into a Cute Beachy Outfit

"Here she comes ... Miss America!!"

It doesn't get much sexier than an oversized, bright yellow shirt and a floor length , wrap around, polyester print skirt.

Yuck!!

 I decided that this whole outfit needed to be flipped and trimmed.  I took one of my favorite circle skirts and layer it over the shirt to make a pattern.

I barely had enough to work with. I had to piece together the remnants to make a waistband for the skirt. 

A side note:

I love making skirts out of shirts! They are so comfy, easy to make, and easy to wear. No elastic required since the jersey stretches. This is the first time I tried to make a circle skirt. Usually, I just make a straight, fitted skirt.

For the top, I used one of my favorite dress patterns. I cut just the bodice and hemmed the bottom edge to make a halter top.  

Originally, I did not install a zipper, mainly because I didn't have one and really wanted to complete the project. While it did work because the fabric has so much stretch, the straps would fall off sometimes and it was kind of bubbling out in the front. 

After a trip to DTLA and a massive zipper purchase, I cut the back open, taking it in a little, and inserted this little yellow separating zipper, so I can zip it on and off easily.

Not perfect, but it will do.  I wish I lined the straps up to cover my bra strap better.  Definitely much better than before.  I think this top will look cute with a pair of jeans and the skirt will be great for casual wear with a simple tank top.  Perfect for the beach.  I like that I can wear them together or separate.  I'm happy I could take two throw away items and give them new life.

Sticky Genius

Old Denim Jeans Become Cool Denim Dress

If you follow my blog at all you'll notice that I really enjoy working with denim. It seems like someone always has an old pair of worn out jeans to gift me and my ever growing son always has a pair that he's outgrown. I'm constantly on the lookout for denim inspiration. I found this cute little dress on Pinterest and I had to try to make my own version of it.

I found 2 pairs of these brand new jeans in the dumpster at my apartment. They were laying right on the top, tags still on, when I took out the garbage. Seemed like a score to me!! 

I used the two pairs I rescued from the dumpster to form the panels of the circle skirt and bodice top.

I quickly ran out of that denim, so I pulled out and old pair of jeans that my son had outgrown that matched the color fairly well. I cut off the legs, cut them into strips, and used them to make the braided edge and straps.

I had to hand sew all the braiding to the dress, which took some time.

Here is the finished product:

 I left the back panel off because I felt that the denim I used was a bit heavy and I wanted to give it a little more sex appeal. I feel like the bodice is a little bulky and I wish I would have made it a tad smaller. Otherwise, I like how it came out. It's definitely an eye catching, unique piece.

Sticky Genius

Embroidered Mexican Dress to Cute Top

I was given this pretty, green, Mexican dress with beautiful embroidery. The dress was a bit too potato sack size for me, so I decided to take try and turn it into a blouse instead.

I cut the dress into three sections. The top and bottom I used for this project and the middle I saved for who knows what ;).

First, I serged the raw edges of the top and bottom pieces.

I folded under the serged edge of the top piece to finish the hem because it will lay over the bottom piece and be exposed.

I then sewed the top and bottom pieces together overlapping the two to create a casing for elastic to run through, so it will cinch up around the waist.

Here is the finished product:

The top is a little tight across the chest, as was the dress. I think if I were a little less broad across the chest it would fit great.  I don't know that this is totally my style or that it will get much wear, but I had fun tinkering with it. I really need to start selling some of the pieces I make because I really can't wear them all. Something I may have to try out on Etsy soon!  

Sticky Genius

Funky Dress to Funky Suspender Skirt with a Mens Shirt Turned Half Top

I was given this crazy, funky dress in a pile of fabric from my friends girlfriend who works as a professional seamstress (score!).

It is so funky 60's, I can't help but love it!

I don't have any idea what this print is, but I don't care.  The colors are so vibrant and fun.

Here is my inspiration.  Don't ask me why.  It just spoke to me.  I was concerned it might go a little juvenile, but it was a risk worth taking.

I picked apart the dress and used my favorite skirt pattern to make the skirt (shown on my blog).

For the suspenders, I decided to make them detachable by adding button holes to them and inserting buttons on the inside of the skirt.

Here is my finished product. 

I really feel like it needs a white half top to go underneath.  Luckily, I found a perfectly good white shirt in my bin of hand-me-down victims.

Here is my mens, white shirt.

I cut off the sleeves, bottom, and up the sides.

I pinned the sides to fit the dressform.  Then hemmed the bottom, took in the sleeves, and serged them onto the shirt (got carried away and forgot to take pics!)

Here is the completed look.  For some reason the lighting was giving me trouble in the living room, so it kinda washes out the vibrant color of the skirt, but you get the idea.

Back side with suspenders.

Skirt without the suspenders.

I have some cute, white, knee high socks I can add to this look.  It's going to take a bit of bravery on my behalf to wear this out.  I'm not sure if it is too funky or young for a 40 year old women like me to wear.  Luckily, I never act my age.  

Ha!

What do you think?  Can I pull this look off?

Mens Dress Shirt to Country Cute Shirt

I had this cute checkered, mens button-up shirt.

It screams country to me.

I cut it up and used this pattern I recently purchased.  It's has a cute peasant/hippie/prairie/country feel to it, depending on the fabric you choose.

I really wanted to use the pattern with the ruffle across the top, but there just wasn't enough fabric to use.  I really need to make some more big men as friends ;).

I went with the simple pattern and added lace to the top instead.  I didn't like the free bottom, so I added some elastic to have it be more form fitting at the hem.

I'm happy with the finished piece.

Everyone needs a little country in their life and wardrobe!

Sticky Genius

Hawaiian Shirts to Summer Shorts

I was given these funky hawaiian shirts, both from Hilo Hattie.

I wanted to make shorts for the summer out of both, like I did with another button up shirt in the past.  I love those shorts.  Super comfy and easy to wear.

I made the pattern by tracing a pair of beach shorts that I love.  

Here is victim #1:

Just like that, they became shorts!

Victim #2:

Another pair!

We finally got some warmish weather, so I got to wear both of these out this week.  These will be perfect when the weather gets hot.  Nice and easy, breezy.

I have a bunch of these hand me down shirts.  I have a feeling I may make a few more pairs of shorts because they are so easy and comfortable. I need to push my refashion talents and try to make a top or skirt out of some of the others.

I love having so many old, gifted clothes to play with!

On another note ... I have been reluctant to come on here and post some of my newer refashions.  I have a few waiting to be posted and all of these were done prior to the death of my beautiful, loyal dog, Mississippi.  She is in so many of these refashion pics, like my shadow.  Always lying in the background next to me.  I miss her so much.  Words cannot even begin to explain.  14 years was such a long time.  It is so hard to say goodbye to such a wonderful spirit.  The best companion a girl could ever ask for.

I love you, Mississippi.

I will miss you forever.

Sticky Genius

Boring Red Dress Turns Polka Dotted Fun!

This simple red dress was given to me in a pile of hand-me-downs.  I didn't really love or hate the dress.  I held onto it because the overall fit was good and I figured maybe it would be a good dress during the Christmas season.  Christmas came and went two times and I never wore this dress.  

I had these pom poms I bought for another craft project, but never used them.

I had an epiphany after seeing this cute sweater on Zooey Dechanel.

The color of the pom poms were a perfect match for the dress.  It definitely feels very "fall", but I thought it would be worth a shot.  I pinned a few on to get an idea if it would work.  I got pretty carried away.  Since I had pinned so many, I had to hand sew them all to the dress while on the dress form or I would screw up all my measurements.

It is definitely a little funky, but I love how it came out!  My daughter calls it my fall ball dress.  My son thinks it looks like I broke out in a Skittles rash.  I call it my gumball dress.  Either way, I think it is super fun and totally unique.

Here it is on.  

As you can see, I shortened the sleeves, hand sewed pom pom balls to the majority of the front of the dress and I left the back plain.

I haven't worn this out yet, but I can't wait to see what people say.  I definitely think it is a conversation piece that people will either love or hate, but it is sure to make people smile either way.  

Sticky Genius

Sunflower, Elephants, and Mistakes

My mother-in-law sent this dress that she found at her local thrift store. 

I loved the vibrant pattern of the fabric.  I wasn't so keen on the shoulder pads and extra wrap around skirt.  This had easy, wearable refashion written all over it!

I figured all I would need to do is take out the shoulder pads, remove the wrap, take in the sides to hide the seam from the wrap, and hem it at the line right below the elephants.  Boom!  Done!  Brand new, cute dress for Erinn.

Except it's Erinn.

And when Erinn thinks its an easy project she breezes through hastily and makes really stupid, unnecessary mistakes that end up turning a really simple project into a huge pain in the ass.

Erinn knows this.

Erinn tells her this every time!

Erinn still doesn't listen.  

Erinn doesn't slow down.

Erinn made a mistake.

Erinn cut across the little line to raise the hem and somehow caught some of the fabric on the other side of the dress.  It cut much higher than the line below the elephant. 

Erinn is not a quitter, though!

As you can see I did complete the dress.

There were a series of mishaps I don't care to relive.

I added a band that I patched together out of the wrap and bottom piece of the skirt.

I sewed it on.

It was too long, so I hemmed it at the seam where I joined the fabrics.

It looked great until I lifted up my arms.

Too short.  AGAIN.

I put on leggings.

I win!  Its done.  

And I actually think I like it and will wear it...

...With LEGGINGS!

P.S.  I literally just made the same hasty mistake with my next refashion.  This time it was a bodice and a serger blade.  Ugh.  Will she ever learn??

Sticky Genius

Halloween Refashion - T- Shirts to Peridot from Steven Universe

My kids always like to pick impossible characters to be for Halloween.  The ones you either cannot find at the Halloween Superstores that pop up everywhere, but you can find on amazon for $375 ... for an adult size costume.  Lucky for my kids, they have a mom who is up for the challenge of making their costume dreams come true on a dime store budget.  

My daughter wanted to be Peridot from Steven Universe.  

Lord help me!

I prayed as I went digging into my collection of old clothes I have saved for refashions and found some perfect shirts that would work for her outfit.  I did have to go to the thrift store and buy one extra shirt to finish the top, but her outfit is made completely from old shirts.

I had to go to Joann to find material for her hat, but I scored this vinyl, pleather stuff off of the remnant rack for 50% off.  I sewed a bendable wire into the seam along the edges to keep it upright.

Here is my little Peridot!

I hope you all enjoyed your Halloween!  I meant to post this awhile ago and somehow we are now past Thanksgiving!  I better post this before it becomes Christmas!

Erinn

Sticky Genius

Dad's Clothes Become Son's Clothes

 A good friend of mine had a his first child a year ago.  He works in wardrobe, so he always gives me cool clothes and materials to work with.  I wanted to make him something nice for his son's first birthday.

I decided to create it out of his old clothes.

I forgot to take a pic before I cut into it, but I took one of his old western style shirts ...

And one of his old black t-shirts (size mens large).

I took the western shirt and turned it into pants and the t-shirt I sized way down using all the existing hem lines from the sleeves and the bottom.  I also cut out the original neck line and sized it down and re-attached it to the shirt.  I added a little bleach design of a body boarder to the front because he is a great body boarder and I know he wants his son to follow in his footsteps.  I'm pretty sure this will be his first body boarder shirt, since they don't make them this small. :)

I sized the mens clothes down to fit an 18mth size.

I thought the pockets would look super cute on his bum. :)

To see more details on the refashion and the bleaching technique please visit my blog.

Sticky Genius