Sleeveless Tuxedo Buttondown

A friend has been cleaning out her closet and giving me bags of clothes to refashion. When I found a white long-sleeve button down and a black lace tank top in one bag, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with them!
Inspiration: Free People Sleeveless Tuxedo Buttondown

I took off the pocket and the buttons. I replaced the white buttons with black ones- except for the top one, which I put a jeweled button. I cut off the sleeves and hemmed them. I also had to take in the sides because it was several sizes too big. In the end, I think I took too much in because it's not quite as loose as the inspiration version. I stole* found some cool trim for the collar in my mom's stash. (* I only took what I needed and returned the rest. :))

 

My version:

 

I wore it with a cardigan since it's still chilly. My photographer cut off the top of my head because I just asked him "to take some pictures of the shirt." It must be time to invest in a tripod and a remote. :)

Bandana Sweatshirt

Since the weather isn't exactly warm yet, I decided to refashion another sweatshirt. 
Inspiration: Anthropologie Bobbie Pullover

I had an XL sweatshirt that I knew would be perfect. I ripped the sweatshirt completely apart. I decided I wanted a sweatshirt base under the bandanas.
Before pictures:

I had some trouble with the stitching. It reinforced the importance of using good needles. Mine were pretty dull. I also had a hard time deciding on the lace embellishments. The picture on the left is a close-up of the details on the Anthropologie version. Mine is on the right, but not what I decided on for the final product.

My final version:

As usual, I have some criticisms of my work. The sleeves are a little short, the top is pretty loose and the bottom is a little tight. I could made alterations, but I would have run into more issues. If I took in the top, I would've lost more length on the sleeves. A sweatshirt with 3/4 length sleeves would drive me crazy! Making the bottom a little wider would have required a lot of seam ripping and I didn't want to rip out any more! (Maybe I should just make MY bottom a little smaller- ha ha!) It looks best on the hanger:

Scarf Tank Top

I am ready for warmer weather to stick around. It hasn't been the coldest winter by any means, but Mother Nature has been awfully moody. We enjoy warm temperatures in the mid-60s only to have temperatures drop over night to single digits and usually accompanied by snow. To make matters worse, I saw this tank top and of course,  I was inspired to make one and now I want to wear it.
Inspiration: Anthropologie Slung Scarf Tank

Mine isn't as loose and flowy as the inspiration. The knit shirt I used on the back wasn't big enough to add pleats. It seemed pretty lopsided too. (The brown shirt on top was my pattern.) It was the back from this refashion.

I used a scarf from Michael's grandma for the front. I don't think if I would have made it more flowy, I wouldn't have had enough left over to make the trim around the raw edges of the sleeves and neckline. It was my first attempt at making a front placard. I'm pretty sure I didn't do it the right way, but my excuse was I had a limited amount of scraps to use. Luckily, it worked out in my favor!
My version:

I can't wait until it is warm enough to wear! :)

Long-Sleeve Graphic T-shirt

Lately I've been hooked on lace refashions. I saw this shirt and knew I had to try it. Unfortunately, I am disappointed with the results of my first try.
Inspiration: Free People Long-sleeve Graphic Top

My 1st version:

I still wear it, but there is a lot about this shirt I'm not happy with. I made the sleeves too big and when I attached them, they became pleated. They are baggy too. You may not be able to see in the picture, but the back has blue and navy stripes. I don't really like the dark on the back with the white on front.Since I'm not happy with the results, but like the idea, I will be trying it again. I'm thinking a short or 3/4 sleeve version for round two.

Anthropologie Inspired Colorblocked Lace Pullover

I made lace sweatshirts for my mom and my niece, but I was still looking for a lace top to make for myself. I chose this t-shirt as my inspiration.

I like the mint color, but the closest color I had in my stash was a light blue. I liked the fit, so I used my seam ripper and took the shirt apart at the seams. I didn't use a pattern. The t-shirt pieces were my pattern. I decided I wanted long sleeves and the blue shirt had short sleeves. I used them to get the shape I needed at the top of the sleeves. In measuring the length, I ran into a problem... I tapered them too much.

I have skinny arms and wrists, but there was no way it would work! I had used most of the plain grey t-shirt to make them, so I came up with a creative solution. I used the back of the blue t-shirt to add a stripe.

I love the way they turned out! The sleeves are actually my favorite part of the shirt. I have been trying for over a month to get a picture that I like. I finally decided to post it anyway.

 

Western and Lace

I got several western shirts from Michael's grandpa. I was really excited because no one else wanted them and his grandma kept going on and on about how nice they were. I didn't study them carefully until I pulled one out to refashion. I had to change my plan when I looked at it.

There were burn marks and one of the pockets had been ripped off and stitched back on. First I laughed because grandma really made a big deal about how nice they were and then changed my refashion plan.  I liked the details on the front- the pearl snaps and the pockets. I have refashioned several shirts with lace on the back, so this time I decided to try the in the front.

I had some trouble lining up the pockets back up, but unless I point it out, I don't think anyone will notice. :)

Patched Lace Sweatshirt

Wow, I've been a little negligent in posting lately! It's time to play catch up and post what I've been working on.

I have a lot of scrap lace from garage sales and my various refashion projects, so I am always looking for ideas to use them.

My inspiration:

My version:

 

I had a cheap white sweatshirt. It was an emergency purchase before participating in the color run because it was so cold! There were still a few light colored spots that didn't wash out- not that I tried very hard. I may have worn it once or twice on runs since then, but it was mainly just taking up closet space. Now I wear it a lot more often!

Anthropologie Inspired Lattice Lace Day Dress

When I saw this dress, I knew I had to have one! I also knew I could do it for a lot less than $118.

I didn't have a lot of plain grey in my t-shirt stash, so I decided on black.

 

The worst part in making this dress was the seam ripping! I wanted to keep the basic shape of the shirt I used on top. The easiest way to do that is usually just to rip out the existing seams. It also makes it easier to hide the edges of the lace. These must have been extra reinforced seams because it was more difficult than usual. Since it was also a v-neck, which I didn't want, I had to add a patch across the top.

I used the same crocheted lace tablecloth I used to make my mom's lace shirt. It was the closest to the lattice look in my stash.

 

The top of the dress took 1 1/4 black t-shirts, only because I had to cover the v-neck. I also needed the neckband from another shirt since I wasn't reusing the existing neckline.
The bottom of the dress took one t-shirt and the bottom ribbing from my niece's lace sweatshirt. The shirt was a double panel front so when I took it apart, it gave me the extra fabric to make the fuller skirt I was looking for. I made a yoga waistband.

I attached the shirt to the skirt and voila, I had my dress!

Back:

The total cost of my dress was $0 because everything came from my stash. I am lucky to have friends and family donate their old clothes to me instead of to a thrift store or garage sale!

Lace Patched Denim

My niece, Lily, has always had her own unique sense of style. We enjoy doing sewing projects together, especially refashions. She asked me to help her refashion a pair of jeggings (denim stretch pants). She came up with the idea herself, asked Mimi for some lace and asked me to put it under the holes in the knees. We also created one more hole so she could add more lace.

I don't know how she came up with the idea-- she's only 8 1/2 and isn't on Pinterest yet, which is where I saw the idea! :) I bought a pair of jeans from my favorite local store- Brick House Boutique- that were already frayed. (Yes, I paid for jeans that already had holes in them.) I love the frayed look, but I ripped one of the frayed parts on my thigh and now my skin pushes out the hole when I sit down. It is not a flattering look! I knew I wanted to patch the hole with lace.
With Lily's, I just sewed the lace in as the patch. I did mine a little different. I sewed my lace to some scrap denim. I pinned my piece inside the jeans. I used jean thread in my bobbin and stitched around my patches. Since I used the jean thread, you really can't see my seam. The only place I can tell is on the top and bottom of the patches and one place where I didn't line my patch up to cover the frayed hole. I'm sure no one else will notice... as long as you don't tell!

I'm really happy with the way they turned out. I may have to make a few more holes and patch them the same way!

Mad for Plaid Refashion #4

I saw this shirt on ModCloth and knew it would be an easy refashion. 

I went to the Salvation Army and found a plaid shirt I liked for $2. There were a lot of choices, but I chose one that didn't need any size alterations.

I like it, but I wish I would have extended the lace further, especially to cover the bleach spots on the front. I will definitely be trying this refashion again. I just got some vintage western style plaid shirts complete with pearl buttons- yeehaw- that would look awesome with some lace!!

Anthropologie Inspired Lace Sweatshirts

I love Anthropologie, I just don't love the prices. When I saw these two sweatshirts, I knew I could make something similar for a lot less than $88.

It turned out to be a little more challenging than I anticipated mainly because of the lace I used. I made the sweatshirt the size I wanted and I cut the lace curtain about 1/4" wider. I thought that 1/4" would be enough to accommodate for the lack of stretch in the lace; unfortunately, it was not.
I tried to fix it twice. It fit me, but with the lack of stretch in the lace it was a struggle to get on and off. It was also shorter than I wanted, so I ended up giving it to my 8 year old niece. She doesn't like long sleeves, so I cut them off for her, which changed the look (picture below). I offered to take it in under the sleeve, but she liked them bigger. They look a dolman style sleeve on her.
For my second (or fourth, if you count the times I tried to fix my first shirt) attempt, I used a lace tablecloth, which was much too delicate. This is what happened when I wore it for the first time:

It literally unraveled at the seams.
For my next shirt, my mom gave me a heavier crocheted tablecloth. As a thank you, I made her a shirt first. I love the way both turned out. I have enough of the crocheted tablecloth to make one for myself and one for my sister. Other than the same lace used, they will all look different.

I would guess the total cost for both of the completed shirts was about $2. The sweatshirt was a hand-me-down from Michael. He gave it to me a few years ago because he didn't want it any more. The lace curtain came in a stack of material from a garage sale. My mom's shirt is a heavier knit shirt, which cost me $0.50 at a garage sale. Since she gave me the tablecloth, it didn't cost me anything. :)

Linen and Lace Swing Shirt

Happy National Sewing Month! I am sharing my recent projects- most of which happen to also be refashions. This is the second project #2 from this linen dress:

The top half is featured in this post, so is the refashion of the middle section. It was inspired by a shirt I saw on Pinterest. 

I wish I could crochet because it comes with a patten; but alas, I have forgotten everything my great grandma taught me! (If you click the shirt, it will direct you to the pattern.) Since I can't crochet I had to fake it with a lacy table runner.

These pictures aren't very good, so I will have to post some better picture later.

Lace Shirts

I'm sharing my recent sewing projects because September is National Sewing Month. Last year, I made a lace shirt but I had a horrible time with it fraying. It was more like crocheted lace. This year, I decided to make a new one with a different type of lace.

Back:

This lace was more like tulle. I also used a loose raglan style shirt as my pattern. I actually made one short-sleeve and one long-sleeve for different looks. I also finished the necklines differently. The cream shirt is just folded over and hemmed. For the pink shirt, I hand-stitched a ribbon around the neckline.

Lace Back Shirt

September is National Sewing Month, so I decided to share some of my recent sewing projects.
I've seen a lot of denim and lace styles on Pinterest- probably because I follow a lot of sewing and refashion boards. I like the look and thought I would try one. The dress came from one of my mom's friends. She gave me a huge trash bag full of clothes to refashion! It's actually blue linen, but it looks like chambray, so close enough.

I cut it off about halfway to make a shirt, cut out the back panel and then I inserted a lace table runner in its place.

Most of the refashions I have seen don't have anything underneath the lace, including on the models. In some of the pictures, you can see their bras underneath, but I don't really like that and I almost didn't cut out the back panel before I inserted the lace. I usually wear a camisole under my shirts anyway, so I decided I would like the color pop under the lace. The only thing I don't like is how wrinkled the fabric gets. I am still trying to figure out what to do with the bottom half.

The high, the low and the fix

The high: A customer came in to my office today. We started talking about the ridiculous cost of living. He mentioned my "designer clothing." Apparently, I make designer clothing because here's what I am wearing:

I didn't have the heart to tell him that I made my shirt using 3 different shirts, but better yet that my shorts are actually made from a tablecloth and men's underwear!!! My cowboy boots are Ariat and are at least 5 years old. Based on his outfit, he probably isn't the best fashion judge; nevertheless, he Made. My. Day.
The low: The whole good feeling was ruined when I saw my mom at lunch and she told me I had a hole in the backside of my shorts. Blowout! Ironically, on my way back to work I heard "Baby Got Back." Of course, I turned it up and rapped along with Sir Mix-A-Lot, as well as a Kansas girl can any way!
The fix: Luckily, the lace was just unraveling at the seam. Nothing a little craft glue (because I didn't have any fray check or fabric glue and they are going to be hand washed), a needle and thread couldn't fix!

 Before

 the patch

 double stitched it in place with my machine

 hand stitched the rest of the patch in place

 the unraveled part stuck out like a sore thumb, so I trimmed it

 patched from the inside

final result

Every seam got a liberal coat of craft glue and hopefully it will stay together now! My lace shirt is also getting a good coat of craft glue along the seams too. I don't know how I am so hard on clothes, but I seem to have a horrible time with anything that isn't made from knit or denim. It is a good thing most of my wardrobe is made from recycled/ refashioned clothes because I have a feeling I would ruin expensive, designer clothes.