Hanky Skirt to Shirt

I took a too small skirt & refashioned it into a super adorable shirt! My inspiration came from this post on two butterflies.

 

You can find all the details on how I made it at my blog oh sew fantastic!

Anthropologie Inspired Brushed Lace Cardigan

My version of Anthropologie's Brushed Lace Cardigan

Total cost: $2

My inspiration:

Anthropologie's Brushed Lace Cardigan - $128

I loved the coral lace on this sweater. But how could I create it on a budget? A quick search on my friend Google and I found this tutorial on dying lace trim with acrylic paint. I had plenty of white lace on hand, and acrylic paint is super cheap (around $1 for a bottle) - so I decided to give it a try, although I have to say I had my doubts about whether this would work or not. Luckily it worked like a charm.

See more info on my blog

Anthropologie Inspired Winking Sky Cardigan

When I say Anthropologie -inspired, I truly do mean "inspired" as my cardigan is done a little different from the original.

My version, total cost $1:

And the Anthro version $128:

The Anthro version is actually beaded. To make mine, I used a thrift store plain cardigan - $1 - and added lots of tiny french knots (good photo tutorial here) using white embroidery thread that I had on hand.

This is part of my 30 Days For 30 Dollars Project of which you can see more on my blog:

mytwobutterflies

Some ideas...

Just a quickie post today. I thought I'd share with you some of the images that I was pondering as inspiration when wondering what to do with the two T Shirts Zoe challenged me to refashion as a part of my recent "The Refashioners" series..

Images are from Anthropologie, Megan Nielsen, Cal Patch, Monsoon, Next, Whole Living,

I think pretty much all of these styles could be replicated as a refashioning  project. Some of them are just simple ways of providing a bit of interest or shape to a plain tee. Some of them would require more in depth reconstruction. See what you think. There's a couple of them I may yet have a go at doing myself....even without friendly coercion!
Px

Eclectic Upcycled Brooch

Myself and my daughter refashioned a lot of redundant items today, in a Recycled Jewellery Workshop.


Above is my brooch, more detail can be found on the blog post I wrote: http://inexpertcrafter.wordpress.com/2011/08/13/recycled-jewellery-workshop/

I hope it inspires some customising/upcycling with all of the broken or disused bits and pieces you all collect. I know I am not alone!

Triple Peter Pan Collar

Here's a slightly different take on the Peter Pan collar - The Triple Peter Pan Collar Top from Topshop.

And not too hard to replicate:

This started out as a plain coral tank top that I already had in my closet. I've posted a tutorial for making the triple collar on my blog.

Ruche Inspired Polka Dots

My inspiration today: The Bristol Polka Dot Dress from Ruche - $52.99

And my version, made from a $1 thrift store tee and a $2 thrift store skirt - total cost $3:

You can see how I did it on my blog.

The Retro Reveler Dress Refashion

And after . . .

Inspired by The Retro Reveler Dress from Modcloth:


More info on my blog

Power Phrase

Last week I purchased a sewing book.

Stitch by Stitch: Learning to Sew, One project at a Time

by Deborah Moebe

Today I would like to share with you something from the book

that I have decided to live by in my sewing world :)

Power Phrase #3

When you finish a project you've sewed from scratch, there is always a strong temptation to apologize for the flaws. Say you've just whipped up a cute skirt and someone says, "Cute skirt!" Don't reply to that compliment by saying, "Yeah, but the hem is uneven, and the pocket didn't turn out the way that I wanted ..." Heck, no! Always say, "Thanks! It turned out really well." Plus, it prompts them to say, "Did you make that?" To which you can reply, "Yes. Yes, I did."

I hope this will help you to be a more confident sewist

as much as it is already helping me :)

~Yelena~

Me-Made-June '11!!!

If you are a reader of sewing/refashioning blogs, then chances are you may previously have heard about the me-made/self-stitched challenges (such as the recent Me-Made-March '11) that I have organised before. Maybe you have even participated in the past. Maybe you haven't the foggiest idea what I'm talking about!

Well, either way, I hope the editors of Refashion Co-op may permit my using this platform to announce the latest of these challenges: Me-Made-June '11. To briefly explain, the premise of MMJune '11 is to encourage those of us who make and/or refashion our own clothes, to actually wear those creations in our everyday lives, by pledging to do so each day for the duration of the month. You can pick how 'involved' you wish to make the challenge, thus tailoring (excuse the pun) the details so that it challenging but do-able.

If you feel you could use a little extra push to actually wear the fruits of your refashioning/sewing/knitting/crochetting/etc. efforts, and be part of a lovely community doing so all over the globe, then maybes MMJune '11 could be for you. All you have to do is sign up and decide what specifics would make the most sense for you and then give it a shot when June rolls around. You don't have to have a blog yourself to be part of this, although if you do, documenting your me-made month on your blog can be a lovely way to share your experience, as well as all your lovely creations! There will also be a Flickr group created through which participants can share their daily outfits/creations, but once again this is totally optional.

Past participants in these challenges have noted heaps of benefits from getting involved: from finding the motivation they needed to complete some unfinished projects, to discovering a wealth of inspiration through what other participants have been wearing, to learning to look past the flaws that they saw in their creations. Not convinced? Then check out the Flickr group of the most recently completed me-made/self-stitched challenge, Me-Made-March '11 for some serious eye-candy and interesting and supportive discussions.

Oh, and there's a cute blog widget/button available to announce your intent, should you so desire!

Happy refashioning lovelies

Zoe xxx

New(ish) Maternity Clothes

Hello Ladies! I'm so happy to be here, joining such an awesome group of re-fashionista's! I found this site a few days ago and promptly read through the entire thing. There is a treasure trove of information and inspiration here. You all deserve a pat on the back for your creativity and attention to detail. Let me introduce myself, before I ramble on endlessly and forget! My name is Anne, I live in Ontario Canada, and I blog over at Anne's Antics. Stop by and say hi. I always love company! Well. I imagine you are all waiting to see my latest re-fashions! My son and his girlfriend are expecting a baby in August. Poor Rachel is in dire need of maternity clothes, and if any of you have seen the prices of even a simple tee shirt, you will understand our desire to re-fashion. They are very quick and easy to do. I simply cut off the top portion of tee's that fit her, and replaced the bottom's with gathered 'skirt's' made from large men's tee's! Fast, easy and economical. My favorite kind of project!

My pictures aren't the best, but you get the idea. I made three altogether, but the last pic wouldn't load. You can see more on my blog. There isn't as much colour difference in the pink top as it looks in this picture. In reality, it is almost the same colour.
Have a great week!  Anne

Fields of Heather Dress

This dress was created from this old tunic top . . .

. . . and this old XL men's t-shirt:

My inspiration for this one was The Fields of Heather Gray Top from Ruche:

You can read the whole story plus a little tutorial for the flowers on my blog.

Ruche Inspired Under the Sea Necklace

Made from this 100% silk thrift store shirt:

Based on this necklace from Ruche


This was a very easy project! I've posted a step-by-step tutorial on my blog.

Some "It's-Almost-Friday" fun...

Have y'all seen Regretsy? It is so hilarious and they find the most random stuff people make to sell. Definitely makes you think twice about selling anything remotely weird (is this avant-garde, or just regretsy-bound?) but so funny to read.

Take this vest, for example. Must try to incorporate into my next sewing project.

Lace Back Top

My inspiration:

from Charlotte Russe, although I don't think it's available anymore

My version:

I choose not to cut out the fabric underneath the lace - I actually tried a version where I did but did not like the way that it looked on me (probably more suited to someone in their 20's)

I don't have step-by-step photos of this project because there is really only one step - cut your lace to the shape you would like, lay out on the back of your shirt, pin in place, and sew down - an easy little way to incorporate the lace trend into your wardrobe.

www.mytwobutterflies.blogspot.com

Guidelines

Hi everyone, I trust you are all enjoying your weekend, wherever you are in the world!

We've put together a guideline for blog posts we are looking for on Refashion Co-op, which we've put up on our about page, and also copied below:

We are focusing this blog on fashion garments. By this, we mean things that you wear -- clothing, purses, belts, jewelry and such. Of course, all projects shown should be created out of something reused or repurposed. If you've refashioned something un-wearable but fabulous, please feel free to share a link to the project on your blog, so that interested readers can see what you are up to. Just add the link to a post about a fashion project so that ReFashion Co-Op stays on task. Questions? Ask the Editor on Duty by emailing us at refashionco-op @ gmail.com

I also leave you with a refashion inspiration; shorts by JunkyStyling made from reworked shirt materials:

Pretty cool huh?

Erica and the Editor Team

The Spring Cardi

version #2 made from thrift store fabric

version #1 from a thrift store jersey sheet

This is a really, really easy project - it's made from 1 piece of fabric with just 2 little seams. You can see the full tutorial on my blog.

The Flower Power Cardigan

This great little spring cardigan was re-fashioned from this plain cardigan:


. . . with just a little embroidery. Link to the tutorial on my blog.

Fleece Pull-over Re-do

You all know them - the plain, fleece Old Navy Pull-over. Cheap, comfy, cozy - but boring. Just like this:

And my new and improved pull-over, via a little reverse applique:

This was part of a little project called The Embellished Five and you can see 4 other fleece pull-over re-fashions as well as a little tutorial on my reverse applique on my blog.

Boden Inspired Cardigan Refashion

Lots of refashioning going on at twobutterflies this week. Here's today's, inspired by Boden:

how-to on my blog