Layered T-Shirt

 Hi Everyone!

Below you can see one of my latest.  It is simple, but I think quite a good staple with the ability to be very versatile.

 It all started here. The picture is grainy, but this is a basic black t-shirt in a heavy quality knit. The neckline is faced in a shiny satin fabric and the stripes are a shiny poly blend yarn. It was on the dollar rack and looked brand new, so I scooped it up.


It was too boring as is. So, when I found this too small lace bottom blouse with the gorgeous lace hemline, my task was clear. I was so excited that I chopped up the shirt before I took a picture, but pieced it together so you can see what I did.  I love the look of a shirt under a t-shirt or a sweater but hate the bulk. Thus, I cut out all of the bulk and added a smooth middle piece. Here it is pinned and ready to sew and press.

.

Here is a close-up of the neckline. You can see that the fabric is a great looking Swiss dot fabric. It adds great texture to the entire look.

.

 

.

What do you think? I love it and the best thing is that I can use the blouse portion under a lot of other sweaters and T's. This is an easy one...you have to try it.!..Mary P.

.

.

.

.

.

Refashion Runway VELVET!

Hi Everyone!

Velvet? I have to say that I have NEVER used it or worn it before. When I was asked to participate in this Season of Refashion Runway , I had to think about what kind of velvet I would wear. I never refashion anything that I don't actually wear as it would just take up space in my life. It had to be functional. I found this great velvet dress at Goodwill but it was a 1X and way too matronly!. BUT, I could picture it as a cocktail top for a holiday party worn with jeans. I don't have the lifestyle to wear formal dresses, so this is what it had to be! Below you can see the before and after!  Click on the link above to vote for your favorite.  (hopefully me! :)  Love and Happy Refashioning to you all...Mary

 

Flannel shirt plus sweatshirt equals flannshirt

Hi Everyone!

.

What do you call a cross between a flannel shirt and sweatshirt? Why, it's a "Flannshirt" of course!

.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a quick little pic. Not my best, (my photographer is away at college) but you get the idea! I have been living in this thing all winter here in So. Cal. It is perfect for rainy cold days. Here I have paired it with jeans and boots but I have also worn it with leggings and boots. (It covers the bum!)

                
                                                             

This creation started with a wonderfully heavy flannel shirt (lumberjack quality, not your average flannel shirt) and a like new too large sweatshirt!  See Below.  Here you can see I have already marked my yoke line on the sweatshirt.  See the entire tutorial here!  Til later...

Mary P.   AKA Thriftychic!

.

 

.

a new summer top

Hi Everyone!

.

OK! How many of these have you seen in your lifetime? Ugh right?

.

I turned that awful maxi into a totally functional summer top!

  

See how I did it here!

See ya later!

Love ya!

Mary

Tablecloth to Sweater Part 2

Hi Everyone!

.

I had a circular piece of a tablecloth left over from this prior project:

.

                          

This is what came out of it!!!!

Front

Side

.

Back

                                                                                                                         
See how I did it at: Mary's Thrifty Chic

Later...Mary                                                  

Quick Sweater Rehab!

.

Hi Everyone!

It has been too long my friends! But alas! I am back!!! The following is my latest rehab, just a simple one. Both the sweater and the skirt were given to me by a friend. The skirt was a perfect new one, exactly my size! The sweater was a 2X however, and had to be cut down.

The sweater in this picture was in perfect new condition but unfortunately was a 2X.

.

.

I saw great potential as a good basic and the knit was a close tight one, thus easy to cut and sew!

.

Step 1) Once again my sewing professors would shudder, but this is the "Thrifty Chic" talking. I just laid down a favorite t-Shirt and lined up the top of the sleeves and the neck.

.

Step 2) I cut away the excess under the arms leaving a 1/2" seam allowance under the arms.

.

.

Step 3) I pinned the underarms together and made a 1/2" seam followed by a finish with my overlock machine!

Enjoy Everyone!  Til next time!
Mary

Silk Skirt to Elegant Evening Bag

Hello Everyone!

.One of my latest transformations has been to take this way too skinny silk beaded skirt and turn it into an elegant evening bag.  Here is the finished product.

.

.It all started with a skirt that was gorgeous but it was too tight. I had planned to make 2 bags but the bottom beaded portion did not allow for 2 of them big enough to make the proper size bag. This was because the skirt itself was uneven from side to side.

.

.I closed the bottom and the side seam first. Then I used the center section of the skirt to create the lining and a tab closure. The lining is the wrong side of the skirt fabric, and I purchased the cording and the frog closure for finishing. It was all pinned and sewn together in one step. Here it is ready to sew the lining closed and turn it to the inside.

.

.Here is the lining turned to the inside. 

.

Add the frog closure and call it done!

.

Love Ya, Mary

Chiffon and Silk Refashion

Hello Everyone!

Here is my latest AFTER without glasses so you can see my refashioned lashes, as well as this great blouse/tunic I refashioned over the weekend.

 

.I have been wanting to jump on this trend for a while now, and finally the perfect pieces presented themselves to me in the thrift shop. Below you see the two inspiration photos that got me thinking. I wanted to put these two ideas together in a way that works for my life. I love the chiffon see through pieces that have been appearing on different styles over the last few months and I believe I have married these 2 ideas in a perfect combination for me.

.

.

Here are the two thrift shop pieces that made it happen. The first is a beautiful, lightweight, raw silk blouse. It was way too big, and I had already chopped off parts of the sleeves for another project

The second piece was a very ugly chiffon dress (bought strictly for the chiffon) with a printed branch across the waist YUCK!

 The entire Tutorial can be seen here!
'Til next time,
Mary P  AKA: Thrifty chic!

T-Shirt+Skirt=Refashion

 

Hey Everyone!

.

Fall is in the air! I am so excited. With that, I give you my last summer offering for a while.

Here is the AFTER of what used to be a t-shirt and a "Mullet" skirt.

Front view:

Back view:

.

These two pictures (with the fun already started) is where it all began. I have been totally inspired by all of the basic T-shirts I have been seeing with added chiffon layers. The possibilities are endless!

..  

See the entire tutorial here!

"Til later...

Mary

.

Sweatshirt With a Twist

Hello Everyone!

Here is a sweatshirt with a little twist!

After:

The Twist? A panel of damask in the front, no bottom rib, and no terrycloth! But, I still consider it a sweatshirt. At least it still feels as comfy as a sweatshirt.

.

The inspiration was this little article about "Luxe Sweatshirts." I love a sweatshirt just like everyone else, and why not make it "LUXE?"

.

.

Once I found this piece of damask fabric for $1 and the unused man's shirt below, I knew I had a match.

.

.

.Here you can see a close-up of the fabric from the man's shirt. It is a beautifully weighted 1x1 knit.

            
You can see the entire tutorial here.

"til later,
Love ya!

Mary
                                                                                                                                                                    

Room for one more Maxi?

Hello Everyone!

.

I know what you are saying...Another maxi?? But I love them and there is always room for one more! They are so comfortable and flattering. Then let me be the one to say what we all really love about maxis...You can wear a dress without having to shave your legs!LOL!

.

Here is my latest maxi makeover:

.

It all started here. You know I can't pass up a border print! Say bye bye to this frumpy frock!

.

See the entire process here!

'Til next time!

Happy Refashioning...Love ya!
Mary

Chambray Shirt and Scarf Refashion

Hi Everyone!

.I am back from a wonderful and scenic vacation in Alaska! While I had a great time visiting family and soaking in the sights, it is good to be back home creating once again.

This week I have a new piece to share with you:

AFTER:

Front Details:

Back Details

What was it before? Check it out!

This large man's chambray shirt was the perfect base to show off the colors of my scarf. The only problem was that it looked like a prison workshirt as is!

I have owned this gorgeous floral scarf for over 20 years, but I can't remember the last time I used it. The size made it tough to put around the neck, but I just loved the colors and the print.

You can see the entire tutorial here!
'Til next time...
Love ya'
Mary