A Corset for us "Country Gals"

When my husband, Phil, caught a pair of perfectly good jeans on the fence while doing a repair ripping them right alongside the zipper, I decided to make good use of them. I went to one of my favorite free pattern sites (free is good, right?) M-Sewing and downloaded this pattern.

Again, no before picture since I made this a while back, long before the dreaded computer crash. But then we all know what our husband’s bluejeans look like, right? As for the refashioning process, I simply used the jeans as though they were fabric, placing the pattern pieces strategically along the pants.

I love this top. It’s fitted and fun and corset-y without being frilly and formal. I can wear it around the farm or even horseback riding comfortably.

It was pretty easy to fit this pattern onto useable parts of the jeans since there was only the one tear and the pattern is made up of several panels. The zipper and pockets were added to my stash “just in case” I might need them “someday”. I also had some mattress ticking lying around and used that to make bias binding and the front plackets for the project. I’m pretty happy with how this turned out, but I do have some ideas on how to “tweak” it. I’m going to adjust the front to under lap a bit rather than just meeting in the middle. The loops for the laces came from a drawstring I removed from a skirt I’m going to refashion “someday”. Some leather lacing to pull it together and it’s done. Of course, I misplaced that leather lace when I put the summer clothes away last fall, so for this picture I stole a shoelace.

What I love about that free pattern website is the patterns are easy to download and the instructions are very easy to follow. A pattern’s difficulty is also posted right at the top of the description page. I have several favorites I plan to make “someday”…

First I have to figure out just when the heck is “someday” anyway?

My blog.

Easy Peasy

This past week, my favorite thrift store, 4 N.I.N.E., has been holding a buy one get one sale on all clothing. They are apparently overwhelmed with clothing there. 

I bought a few items for myself and for refashioning. Here’s a “tunic” I got for refashioning.  I love the embroidery.

                                   

My first thought was to lace paint the embroidery and insertion lace.  After making an inquiry, I decided to dye the entire top first. So I got out my bottle of Teal Rit Dye (I prefer liquid dye since you can limit the amount you use). I keep lots of colors on hand just for "emergencies".

 

The tunic took the dye incredibly well, but the embroidery didn’t.  I guess I won’t be using dye to paint the embroidery, but maybe fabric paint. I’m still mulling that over.

Another suggestion was to remove the “skirt thingy” from the bottom. I liked that idea too. I used one of my handy seam rippers (I have several; they disappear), and first removed the elastic at the waistband, then the entire “skirt thingy” and lining.

I was left with these pieces. I’ll save these for another project “someday”.

                                     

The end product? Viola!

Okay, it’s not the end. I still have to hem it (need hem tape, it’s a bit short) and I’m still contemplating fabric paint on the embroidery to jazz it up a bit. But by golly, I’m happy with it so far.

Posted on my blog.

WWYGD?????

What would you guys do? I have this, well I guess it's a tunic. I got it from one of my favorite local thrift shops at a BOGO sale. My locals have some wonderful bargains!

It's boring & I need to do something with it.

I was thinking about lace painting on the embroidered parts, but I'm not sure if this is the garment for that. The top has some very interesting lacework and embroidery.  Maybe I should dye the whole thing...teal, ala Jillian, perhaps?

Sooooo...I thought I'd ask you guys for some ideas. PLEASE bear in mind I am 57 years old.

I have tons & tons of stuff to refashion & may just rely on you for inspiration for some of it.

Too Old for Shorts?

This is my first post to Refashion Co-op. I'm excited to be here. I have to apologize for not having "before" pics for a few things as I post away. My computer crashed recently & I lost all my pictures. Shame on me for not backing things up.

Anyway, a bit about myself...I live in NWPA on a small farm with my husband, son, two dogs, three cats, two horses, five dairy goats, one turkey & a host of chickens & geese. I collect & sell vintage clothing & accessories online at my etsy store http://www.moosewoodvintage.com/ .

I'm a compulsive thrifter & addicted sewist.  I also complain a lot about the lack of "hip", up-to-date styles for women, like myself, over the age of 50. (I'm 57, but refuse to admit it.) I don't want to look like some old lady trying to relive her 20's, but geez, I don't want to look like an old lady either. (Any ideas from you folks would be greatly appreciated.)

So, just to get started on my commitment to post refashioned items here...  Sometimes I'm just not comfortable in shorts.  Capri length works better for me.  I'm a thrift store junky & tend to buy jeans to wear or for recycling.  I found two pair in my size with just the right amount of stretch, but with battered hems.  One pair I cut off to capri length & simply hemmed.  To the other pair, pictured here, I added pieces from my favorite, but badly worn "cowgirl" shirt.

I also "appliqued" the shirt pocket onto one of the back pockets of the jeans. I did leave the appliqued pocket open at the top, so it is functional.

Okay. Nothing fancy, but dang it, I loved that shirt!