Re-defining successful sewing

Thanks fellow re-fashioners for your posts where things didn't go quite as planned!  I'm glad I'm not as alone as I thought.  I haven't posted as I've had a series (and I'm not counting how many) of refashion fails.

And I kept trying to make them work, but sometimes you just have to call it a day, or your sewing time is sucked away for weeks (or months).  Here's a couple of fails (and I was a bit erratic with the before photos):

Looks okay right?   You've no idea how hideous the refashioned t-shirt really is on me - and there will be no photographic evidence.  I forgot to take photos of the three t-shirts I used making this, but I'm sure you know what t-shirts look like anyway.  But I did get a lot of practice on my overlocker (serger) and even followed the instructions in the DVD to make really neat circular seams - see how tidy that looks?  There's a join in the middle of that sleeve insertion.

I also copied a sleeve from a RTW top and it's very flattering, at least at the bottom - but turns out you can't put a shaped sleeve-head into a straight armscye and end up with something without weird folds...   Maybe it will be just right for someone else but if not, I still learned a lot.

Part 2 - that scarf.  It started out as a skirt that just needed a lining and a new zip, but then something about it started bothering me.  See if you can spot the problem (it's disassembled here already).

I thought I was just being picky, so I asked a few friends and family if it was obvious and turns out even blokes could spot it.  The fabric had been cut out without considering the nap - all hearts except for one back panel that's upside down.  No problem I thought - I'd since found a very similar skirt with the pattern right way all around so I could repurpose this one into an infinity scarf.  I love the way they look - but then I forgot how much I hate having things close around my neck.  I can't stand wearing it and it's too short as a standard scarf which I do wear.  But it's useful to know what you don't like as much as what you do - I'm putting this on the "not for me" list with bolero jackets, polo necks and raglan sleeves.  Sew and learn eh?

Until next time - happy (and successful) sewing!

Mimi

Refashioned Dress into Scarf

 

I refashioned on old thrifted dress into this summer dress, but grew tired of it.

 

 

So, I turned it into an infinity scarf. I am sure I will get a lot more wear out of it now : )

 

 

Zigzag Reversible Scarf

I found this dress at the thrift shop that I had intended

 to chop off and make a shirt. But is was too tight and so

uncomfortable.

 



 

I wanted to utilize it somehow because I just love the fabric.

I chopped off the bottom and made it into a scarf.

 

The dress had a lining which makes it a reversible scarf!

Just Sew: Ruffled Scarf

 

WARNING:  If you have made a New Year's resolution about decluttering your wardrobe or closet, you may not want to look at this project.  It is ridiculously quick (less than fifteen minutes), extremely cute, and very versatile.  Even the post will take less than five minutes to read.  Be careful!

Infinity Scarf

This dress was given to my daughter who gave it to me to refashion. I thought that it would make a nice scarf, reminiscent of the one I had long, long ago.

 

 

I cut off the bottom ruffle and the top. I used the middle part of the dress to use as the scarf.

"What If" Scarf.

This is a "What If" Scarf, so the story goes like this. What if I created my own scarf that was pretty, individual and quirky? What if my scarf was created with colours that popped? What if I used a t-shirt, cardigan and a secret fabric. Sounds like a plan. Ohhhh ahhhh let's see if I can make my vision a reality.

So I started with this

And this

And ended up with this

And this

And finally this.

To see all the steps in between and the mystery black fabric please visit me @ my blog

Still doing my thing...

Hiya just got sent a wee reminder that I hadn't posted in awhile! woops! Didn't even realise it had been that long...
Ofcourse I'm still doing my thing & those of you that follow me on facebook would have already seen these refashions but these are my favourite lastest completed projects.

I thrifted this sweet little dress but then found a hole in it right where i'm holding it...usually I check garments over closely before buying so who knows how it skipped my attention?!
Well I still loved it so decided to give it a chop & make a scarf from the extra :

My next refasion to share I started last year. I sewed up the dress but never got round to finishing & hemming it before it got lost in my stash!
The before...my bridemaid dress I wore in my sisters wedding when I was 16:

Three panels at the front & four at the back...So alot of unpicking came next! Then I made a toile out of an old thrifted sheet before cutting out the dress pieces:

And finally I found my dress & finished it:

I've got a coulpe of things waiting to get fixed up so i'll do my best to post a new refashion in the next couple of weeks :)

Too Much Bling Bebe!

I acquired this super-soft brown top at a clothing swap. Trouble was that it was terribly outdated with white satin collar and faux-cuffs and that blingy-sparkly “bebe” logo in the chestal region. Not happening in my closet! Time for an infinity scarf. Check out the tute over here which is also a lesson in zero-waste refashion.