Boring Red Dress Turns Polka Dotted Fun!

This simple red dress was given to me in a pile of hand-me-downs.  I didn't really love or hate the dress.  I held onto it because the overall fit was good and I figured maybe it would be a good dress during the Christmas season.  Christmas came and went two times and I never wore this dress.  

I had these pom poms I bought for another craft project, but never used them.

I had an epiphany after seeing this cute sweater on Zooey Dechanel.

The color of the pom poms were a perfect match for the dress.  It definitely feels very "fall", but I thought it would be worth a shot.  I pinned a few on to get an idea if it would work.  I got pretty carried away.  Since I had pinned so many, I had to hand sew them all to the dress while on the dress form or I would screw up all my measurements.

It is definitely a little funky, but I love how it came out!  My daughter calls it my fall ball dress.  My son thinks it looks like I broke out in a Skittles rash.  I call it my gumball dress.  Either way, I think it is super fun and totally unique.

Here it is on.  

As you can see, I shortened the sleeves, hand sewed pom pom balls to the majority of the front of the dress and I left the back plain.

I haven't worn this out yet, but I can't wait to see what people say.  I definitely think it is a conversation piece that people will either love or hate, but it is sure to make people smile either way.  

Sticky Genius

The Darth Vader Sweatshirt

Hello Refashion Co-op. I put together a sweatshirt and a T-shirt recently. I had to find a way to save this cute image of Darth Vader.

The T-shirt had some bleach damage on it. Laundry accidents happen to everyone, right?

I cut the image off the T-shirt and pinned it in place. I was worried it would shift around when I used my sewing machine so I basted the piece right where I wanted it to be. I used my machine and stitched it in place. The basting worked well, there was no puckering or shifting around. 

I wore it to Target, sometimes mom needs to run errands. 

This little guy is a great shopping buddy.

Thanks for reading, now go make something fun for yourself.

I Can Work With That

#43 Back to School Wardrobe: Pendleton Blazer to Red Plaid Vest

BEFORE: Red plaid Pendleton wool jacket from the pre-retirement wardrobe. This was a beautiful jacket, but not worn much. The cut was restrictive and uncomfortable for office work or driving. 

STEPS:  

• Use a seam ripper to remove sleeves and sleeve linings.
• Cut and insert panels to widen new vest sides.
• Cut armhole facings from an old t-shirt. The stretch is perfect for curved edges,
• Replace original hem tape with lace from the stash.

AFTER:  Red plaid vest to wear with black, red, white and even with denims. Dress it up or down.

AFTER: New vest to dress up or down.
Wear with black, white, red, denim

After: New vest

After: Matched plaids

T-shirt strip cut for armhole facing

T-shirt used to cut armhole facings. 

Stash lace replaces old hem tape

Nice but seldom worn Pendleton Jacket

Before: Very nice, but seldom worn
from pre-retirement wardrobe

#42 Back to School Wardrobe: Fleece Pullover to Vest

REFLECTIONS: During winter school break I created a Jan/Feb winter wardrobe for school days.

• Main colors: greys with pinks, maroons, blacks, greens.
• Most items: from pre-retirement wardrobe in need of updates. Some had never been worn.
• This motivated Re-fashions to move items into the “back to school days wardrobe.”

BEFORE: Too small, grey fuzzy fleece pull-over from re-fashion stash.
Grey strip t was in the pre-retirement wardrobe and still had the store tag. 

STEPS:  

• Seam rip to remove tight waist/sleeve cuff ribbing, bulky collar, short zipper.
• Cut / insert facing cut from old ribbed yoga pants.
• Cut sleeve 1 inch from armhole. Serge edge. Turn to create sleeve facing.
• Lengthen waist ribbing with sleeve cuff ribbing.

AFTER:  Fleece vest for the winter "back to school wardrobe." A new combo for the never worn t.

Winter Wardrobe:
Many in need of Re-fashion

After: Grey fleece vest
 enters the Winter Wardrobe
Tag is on the years old stripe t.

After: Fleece Vest

After:
Ribbing lengthened with cuff ribbing 

After:
Grey facing cut from yoga pants. 

After:
1 inch left on sleeve.
 Turned to form facing.
So easy!

Before:
Too small fleece pullover.

refashion skirt fail turned shirt dress success!

I tried to make the bottom half of this shirt dress into a skirt with a waistband from an old pair of jeans
   

loved it....but....


the waistband and the button band didn't match up. #refashionfail

so....i chopped off some length on the skirt and on an old striped cotton shirt...


and made a shirt dress instead!


here it is styled it with a new pair of oxfords and a blazer!