Quick runs

Because my sewing life has been in a bit of a slump, I decided it was time to get some quick runs on the board with simple projects (not sure what the sport metaphor is about, I am soooo not sporty).

Apart from some mending jobs I won't bore you with (but which made me feel virtuous and reduced the piles around the house), I adjusted these jean-style cotton trousers to fit:


 

Looks like a mistake right?  Not at all - I have a sway back and I don't like the gaping I get when I sit down or ride a bike or similar.  The elastic gathers the excess in against my back and  the waistband smooths out when I wear the trousers - I never tuck in tops anyway but, even so, they don't look weird on.  It's quick and it's easy and it works.   I use safety pins to get the fit approximately right, then take a few more cm off the elastic each side as it tends to fit looser than I wanted when sewn.  This doesn't work with jeans though, the denim is usually too heavy for the elastic.

Then the hems - I'm tall and trousers are never long enough so I always check the amount of fabric left in the hem and the wear on the bottom edge.  These aren't too bad, a few more sprays with vinegar before washing and the previous hem marks will fade out - not that anyone but me probably notices even now.  I use grosgrain ribbon in the very edge (1cm or less) and turn under and blind hem by hand.  Usually more skilfully than I have here.  But I was in a hurry, and it doesn't show on the outside, so I'll live with it.

 This shirt "fix" was even easier:

 

 

I tried the shirt with the sleeve scrunched, rolled and left hanging and it just looked better left alone - so, sleeve tabs be gone!


Back in my sewing groove again.  Happy refashioning until next time!

Mimi

Jeans Pockets Makeover (Part 2)

Hi, I'm Maria! I am a Christian style blogger excited about being a new contributor to Refashion Co-op. Thanks for having me!

Do you like decorated jeans pockets? I'm not a huge fan, so not too long ago I removed the flaps from this particular pair with a seam ripper.

If you missed Part 1 of this refashion, here is a quick recap:

Before

After

I thought it was a good start, but I still didn't like the orange embroidery.

And so, onto Part 2!

 

Before

After

Cost:  $0.00
After close examination, I realized that I could seam rip all of the embroidery off too without damaging the pockets. I think the result is interesting: subtle, polished and yet deconstructed at the same time. And much more appealing to me  :)

http://adifferentfashionmm.blogspot.com

No Doubt About It – Gwen Stefani Copycat

I can't believe I made it to week three of Refashion Runway! How exciting is that? (Pretty exciting, I think.) If you haven’t been following the competition, you should definitely check it out and vote for your favorite. Each week participants are challenged to refashion an item of clothing to fit a theme. Weeks one and two were stripes and denim, and this week we recreated a look seen in a catalog or on a celebrity.

I decided I needed to break out of my “refashion a dress” rut. It was time for something different. Something outside my comfort zone. Something Gwen Stefani. I’ve secretly admired her sense of style for quite a while. She’s definitely more daring than I am when it comes to clothing, and copying one of her looks gave me an opportunity to break out of my refashioning rut. I started with a pair of black slacks that were too long and too loose for my short self, and a black satiny blouse that didn’t quite fit. (Gwen’s original top was leather, but the satiny fabric was a more sensible and versatile choice.)

Where do I begin...

Taking in the pants was pretty easy. Basically, I put them on inside out, pinned them to fit my legs, and then sewed along the pins. The shirt was far more challenging.

First, I removed the sleeves, collar, and ruffles, and undid the side seams. Then I removed the front darts and turned the shirt around so that the back was now the front. Next, I altered the neck and arms, chopped some of the length off the front, and added new darts and a side zipper.

Back to front. Front to back.

I drafted a pattern for the asymmetrical peplum using some old paper palettes (they’re like wax paper), tape, and some other tools of the trade.

Using my math and drafting skills.

I cut out the peplum using the sleeves of the shirt and some black cotton for the lining. Before sewing the satin and cotton pieces together, I pinned the cotton to the dress form to figure out where the pleats needed to be.

I'll figure this out if it's the last thing I do.

Since I had left the back (formerly the front) of the top as it was, I gathered several inches along the left side so that it would fit the asymmetrical peplum. Then I attached the peplum and finished closing the sides.

Once everything was put together I threw on my favorite heels and tried to strike a rocker pose. Try being the operative word…

Refashion Runway week three: copycat (Gwen Stefani)

Next week's challenge is to refashion a summer dress. Now's your chance! Won't you sew along?

 - Elizabeth

   aka The Hungry Octopus

UPDATE!!

I've been asked to post more photos of the top so that everyone can better see how it was constructed, so here they are! 

Close up of the shorter side of the back of the top.

You can see where the fabric has been gathered to match the

length of the short end of the asymmetrical peplum.

Back view of the shirt.

I kept the buttons as they were in the original top, but I added

a zipper to the longer side of the refashioned top so that it

would be easier to put on and take off.

Front view of shirt.

From this point of view you can see the three pleats on the long side

of the peplum, and the two pleats on the shorter side of the peplum.

The pleats wouldn't be necessary for a regular top, but I was trying to

copy how the layered look of the leather from the Gwen Stefani top.

Front/side view of top.

You can better see the pleats and zipper from this angle.

I hope the update is helpful!

- Elizabeth

   aka The Hungry Octopus

Polka-Dot Skinnies

Hey peeps, here's a tutorial for turning plain black pants into ankle-length skinny polka dot pants. Who doesn't need some of these? 

Here's the before and after

The first thing I did was flip the pants inside out and sew them down into a skinny pant. Here's a more detailed tutorial for turning pants into skinnies. After I sewed them as tight as I needed them, I tried them on and marked how long I wanted the pants to be and did a 5/8 hem on the bottom.

 Now, time for the polka dots! I bought some cheap paint from Wal-Mart and used the eraser from a mechanical pencil for the stencil for the dots.

 It was the perfect size and shape. I poured some paint in a small dish and lightly dabbed the eraser in the paint to make the dots.

 Using masking tape, I laid out the tape about 1 1/2 inches apart. Starting on the left side of the pant leg, I made polka dots every inch or so. I only did the polka dots above the tape, and when those were finished, I made the dots below the tape, trying to make the polka dots lined up the opposite direction of the tape.

 This part was very time consuming, and probably took about two hours. Also, I was nervous about getting the dots even, but it is actually very difficult to mess up on.

 The final product. I was so proud of how they turned out!

 These pants are so versatile! I like wearing them with a white tank top and sandals for a casual Saturday, or dressed up more with a bright tank top and heels.

Also, if you need (cheap!) style inspiration, I would love for you to follow along as I try to complete 31 Days of Copycat outfits this month. I'm using almost entirely clothes from second-hand stores. :)

Crazy pants refashion to skirt, 2 bags and a top.

This week has been a lovely trip down memory lane for me as I have transformed a pair of pants that haven't been worn in about 10 years into four wearable items that I love. I held onto them for so long for sentimental and historical reasons, but the time had come to give them a new life.

Here are the pants. Crazy awesome patchwork fabric made for me when I lived in Ghana, with lots of memories attached, and ill-fitting.

First I took the seam ripper to the whole inside seam and made a cute skirt - I've already worn this twice this week.

And then I made two bags and another top from the rest of the pant legs. There's barely a shred of fabric left now.

You can see how I made these in more detail over on my blog - 365 crafty if you want. 

Thanks,

Sharon

Dotty Upcycling

On Saturday, I spent some sisterly time with this beauty crafting up a storm at the Goodwill Boutique store in the West Village. It was such a nice time! David, who I met through BurdaStyle, hosted the upcycling event. Using fabric paint and pencils I enhanced not one, but two projects! The tees were provided for us and I brought the pants along with me. I finally got around taking some pictures of them both, today.

I LOVE how they came out!! I see so many dot print refashions in the future. Look at what David did with his project. I've already thrifted the perfect pink oxford to try this with, next! It's the perfect project for pants like these, that are a little boring and a little too big. This bit of paint gives them new life!

Punkish pants from trashed pants.

     So been rather busy with summer cleaning and moving things around but I now have a workable space and so to my husbands happiness was finally able to repair his favorite jeans using a pair of pajama bottoms and some zippers I picked up at the thrift store. They were selling zippers a quarter a piece so I just bought 3 dollars worth to use on other projects :).

Before

After

     I used the zippers to help patch up the holes in the back though you cant really see them and added the the pajama material to patch the holes in the front inside and added some behind the zippers so that their functional, then added the cuff from the bottom of the pajama bottoms to the back pockets to try and fix as well as hide the deterioration of the top of the pockets. I did what I could considering how far gone they were, but hes happy with them and says there still comfortable. More importantly there now wearable. I wound up doing the fabric behind the holes in full panels though just in case of future ripping. well ttyl :) --QueenOfNothing

Tangerine with a Spot of Leopard

Refashioned my old capris to fit.  I don't know what decade I used to wear them in, but they were at least 5 sizes too small now.  But I loved the tangerine color and softness of the fabric.  So I cut up the side seams, removed the side zipper, and added side inserts of a stretch jersey leopard print fabric I had. 

my new & improved loungin' capris

I wanted to raise the waistline so I undid the inner facings and sewed them back on as an extension using some leftover pink piping as a bridge.  Then created new facings for the waistline out of the leopard fabric. Also sewed in small sections of elastic at each side insert so the gathering happened there and kept the front and back of the waistline smooth.

raised waistline using old facings & pink piping

Finally, I found an old clothing label and sewed it on the back waistband, which summed up my thoughts exactly about this piece.

and aptly named, "Lounge Lizard"

To see me wearing 'em, go to Project Minima, clothes collage page, under "Tangerine Dream."

My pants to tunic turned out like this.

Here's the final results of my latest refashion as promised.

Check out my blog: House of Estrela.

Denim Refashion

"Little Dude Double Denims".


Okay, so I know the fashion rule...you can't wear double denims! But, I love double denim. Double denim rocks, especially on 12 month old babies.


So here is the before
    

And here is the after








Full story @ 'Little Dude Double Denims"