Spring Polk-a-Dot Refash

 Pretty pattern but very unflattering on me. 

I removed the sleeves and those faux pockets! No sense in having faux pockets!

By removing the faux pockets I was left with this opening on each side. I quickly stitched that back together and it was good as new!

These adorable little green apple buttons were on the cuffs of the sleeves. I'm reusing these for sure!

I took in the sides by 1 1/2 inches.

Oh look at that! Found a place for those apple buttons! Then I added some green bias tape to sort of break up the dizzy polk-a-dot pattern.

I removed 4 1/2 inches from the bottom.

Pinned my new hem.

Whatever shall I do with this scrap?

Make a sash of course!

Ready for spring!

I wore my new dress to Bunny Brunch and Bowl and the Grosse Pointe Yacht club which my boss and her family were so nice to invite us to!

I was a little but nervous for the bowling part because I'm the type of bowler that would get a gutter ball when bumper bowling. Yes I am that awful of a bowler!

What the what!? 2 strikes in a row!? I was on FIRE!  

I actually won a game! This was a total miracle because like I said I am the world's worst bowler! Looks like my Irish luck is paying off! 
Happy Refashioning!!!

Check out my stash of refashions on my blog: http://therefashstash.wordpress.com

Tanks, but no tanks

Well, I've 'bean ' a busy girl.. I like to think it was productive busy. But alas, it was my sons wisdom teeth, I was sick, appointments etc... But the coffee beans help me thru .. (Hence the name jillybean, I love love love coffee)... Anywho, on to my post...  This is simple... So here you go... First, I love empire waist type clothing. So I thought I would try something out of my box. First I went to my favorite shirt and measured from the top to the edge of the empire waist. Mine was about 14 inches. Then I measure my tank top, from the top down 15 inches on the front and the back... Pinned and cut ....

I then grabbed my material that I got from GIRLCHARLEE... It was at least 1/4 of a yard... I sewed the end to create a tube... Then attached it to the tank top... Ta-Dah!!! I'm not convinced I like it on me (middle age hasn't been kind to my body, gravity ya know what I mean?) . But it was fun to try ( and since I have a ton of material from GIRLCHARLEE's bargain lots making more will not be Problem). Plus I cut the shoulder straps & tied them in a knot... I mean the dog & cats like it... Lol.. It's not exactly a true empire waist... I gave this to a friend... I will give it another go for me nwxt time..

5 Minute Easter Dress

Due to an unfortunate bout with the stomach flu I didn't have much time to work on my Easter dress this year... I didn't think I'd make it to church at all, in fact.

Luckily, I pulled through by Saturday and was able to refashion this dress in about 5 minutes!

I cut off some length and finished the raw edge with a rolled hem. Easy Peasy!

I'm really glad I got better in time for Easter. It's my absolute favorite holiday! Hope your Easter was just as great! :)

Check out my full tutorial here if you wish.

~Laura

Thrift Store finds to Sweet Summer Dress

Started with a few things from the local thrift store, plus a piece of antique lace I've had for years...

Here's the finished product...
(That's my beautiful daughter modeling for me:)

I cut four matching wedges - 2 from the Tshirt, and 2 from the pillowcase... sewed them together, gathered the top a bit and attached to the top half of the tank top.

I cut another coordinating Tshirt into strips, sewed them end to end, then ran a basting stitch along the long edge to gather for a ruffle...


  

Then, I attached the ruffle to the bottom of the skirt, using seam binding I inherited from my Mom to make it neat.

 .... added a little decorative stitching just for fun :)

Made a fabric flower out of some leftover pieces to embellish the top.

Attached the piece of antique lace to the bottom hem of the Tshirt I cut off before, and added some pretty coordinating ribbon streamers...
This piece has so many different uses, I just love it!!!

 

The End! 

Thanks so much for any advice or feedback! :) 

DIY TUTORIAL HEADBAND WITH CAT EARS

Winter is over , the weather is much warmer , it's perfect time to hide hats and sew headbands !.
I saw those inspirations on google:

(removed by editor, but links to inspiration are absolutely welcomed!!!)

I think they absolutely wonderful.
To sew my headband I used this old skirt. I love this color :-)

My  headband:

 On me:

Whole tutorial with all photos here.

Love,