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! :)

Beatlemania

It was the mid-80's when my dad made me my first Beatles mix tape from his records. I would ride my bike around the neighborhood with my boombox playing and of course I was singing along. At the time, I think "I Want To Hold Your Hand" and  "Penny Lane" were my favorite songs and John was my favorite Beatle.
Almost 30 years later, I still have that mix tape and my dad's records- yes, I have a record player too- and I have expanded it into a much larger library. Some of my first CD purchases were Beatles' albums. I was a senior in high school when the Anthology came out and John Lennon was the topic of my senior theme. Michael and I walked down the aisle to "All You Need Is Love" after our wedding ceremony.
All the media coverage reliving the 50th anniversary of the Beatles arriving in the US has inspired me to refashion one of my Beatles shirts. I found it at the Goodwill and couldn't resist getting it. I've only worn it a few times, which means it eventually ends up in the refashion stash. I also pinned this wrap skirt as inspiration:

I wasn't sure how to get measurements for a wrap skirt, so I did some research and found a complicated formula. I hate math and just decided to wing it. I came up with a one-size fits all version rather than a specific size.

I had forgotten I think how wrap skirts hang funny on me- probably because my waist measurement is so much smaller than my bottom measurement. (I don't know if it's normal or not, but there's a 10" difference between the two!) I have been assured it looks fine and I will definitely wear it more as a skirt than I did as a shirt.

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.

 

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!

Zipped Pullover

A friend brought me a box of hand-me-downs for Mayer. He doesn't really need any more clothes, but I found a pair of pajamas and a t-shirt that begged to be refashioned into something new for his birthday. I read a blog post on making a t-shirt into a jacket and knew it was something I wanted to try.
Before- t-shirt and fleece footie pajamas:

 After- a zipped pullover

I decided I didn't want another hoodie because he prefers to wear stocking caps. I didn't realize until I was re-reading the first post I had seen that she had also made a zipped pullover. I loosely used her tutorial as a guide. I mainly used it to help with adding the zipper because I'm still not comfortable sewing them. 
I added long sleeves, extended the neckline and made a knit trim for the front pocket. I also added an "M" because he's learning to spell his name and loves to point out every letter M we see.
Back view:

 I will try to get a picture of him wearing it after his birthday. 
Updated photo: 

Mad For Plaid Refashion #2

As I stated in "Mad For Plaid Refashion #1," I am loving plaid this fall.
I'm not completely satisfied with how this shirt turned out. It will likely become a refashioned refashion. I think the collar and neckline need some work. (You can't see it very well, but there is a collar.) It also is a little shorter in length than I like (the white lace is on a camisole).

The black part of the shirt was a knit mock turtleneck. I got it for $0.50 at a garage sale. The plaid shirt came from Salvation Army for about a $1. I still have the front of the shirt remaining to use.

Black and White Tee

I can't believe September and National Sewing Month are almost over. I'm running out of recent projects to share, but I should have enough to finish it out. I think this is the most posts I've ever had in a month's time! :)
This t-shirt idea started out as a tank top, which is how I cut the top of the shirt. I'm not sure what made me change my mind, but I decided to add sleeves. The shoulder seams don't hit me exactly where they should, but other than that, I like the fit. I love using my existing wardrobe as patterns. It makes it easier for me to visualize what the piece should look like on me when I finish.

My photographer was begging me to make a funny face and that picture happened to be the best shot he got of the front of the shirt. :P

Shin Guards From a T-shirt

September is National Sewing Month and fall soccer season.
Last spring, I upcycled a pair of baby legwarmers into a pair of soccer shin guards. Unfortunately, the elastic in the top is now completely gone and now they barely stay up. They also no longer hold the guards in place. Case in point:

Tate got an old hand-me-down soccer t-shirt from an acquaintance. I thought it would make the perfect pair of shin guards.

They weren't the best fit, but they were lucky- he scored his first goal ever!! I wish I had been recording it because it was a sliding kick that accidentally went into the goal.

I made them a little too wide in order to keep the entire print intact. You can see the guard starting to peak out on his right side. I may try to make a plain pair a little narrower to see if they fit better.

Retro 80's Running Shorts

It's National Sewing Month, so I'm sharing my recent sewing projects.
I wanted a new pair of running shorts. I pinned a tutorial for a pair of boy's 80's running shorts, but I totally wanted to make a pair for myself too! (No, I haven't made the boys any yet, just myself.) I followed the tutorial, but ran into a snag... literally. 

I used some old pillowcases as my fabric. Everything went fine, until I tried them on before adding an elastic casing. The fabric started unraveling where I had sewed on the bias tape. Obviously these pillowcases have a low thread count! :)

I was still determined to make a pair, so I switched to my favorite refashion stand-by, t-shirts. I had plenty of grey t-shirts and to make them more retro- 80's, I added neon orange "bias" tape from another t-shirt. I must have wanted to add as much neon orange as possible because I didn't line up the curved edge very well. The picture on the far right is how they should have looked. I ended up adding a neon yellow piece so not as much of my upper thigh showed.

They are a little baggier than I would like. (Michael doesn't like them because they are too big.) About a week after I made mine, Melly Sews, a blog I follow, posted a pattern and tutorial for the same shorts I made. It was only when reading that I realized another reason my shorts were so baggy- I also forgot to count in the stretch factor of the knit fabric. The shorts I used as my pattern were bigger because they are made of woven material. I should have known that, but lesson learned and we'll just call it a blond moment!
These make me miss running! I haven't been able to run in about a month because on my shinjury. I am going to the doctor later this week to find out why they are still causing me so much pain. I've been doing some cross-training, but almost every leg exercise seems to put stress on my shins. I will definitely be asking the doctor for some options.

T-Shirt Scrap Refashions and Pattern Adjusting

I have so many t-shirt/ knit scraps and I am always looking for ways to use them. I absolutely love the Elisabethan Eco Fashion styles. Last summer, I used one of their skirts as an inspiration. I have since had to refashion it because I kept finding holes in the pink t-shirt I originally used... it's a refashioned refashion.

Since I have plenty of skirts, I decided I wanted to make a shirt to use up some scraps. I decided to use this raglan pattern as a guide to make a shirt for my mom and myself. I had already used the pattern twice before to make upcycled/ refashioned shirts.

I didn't like the fit under the arms, so after I made alterations to the shirt, I made the adjustments directly on the pattern in case I used it again in the future. When I made a shirt for my mom, I actually had to print a second pattern she didn't need the same alterations.The shaded areas show the differences.

 

Since I wanted to center the design on the front of the shirts, I found it helpful to print the pattern in reverse and attach the two sides together. It made it easier because I couldn't iron a fold in the center or I would have ruined the printed designs. Also, if I made them V-neck, I would have ruined the design.

I have never printed or attached the bottom of the pattern mainly because I just wanted it for the raglan style and knew the length would vary.
Here's my new t-shirt dress:

My photographer had a little trouble handling the camera. These were the best two. The dress ended up shorter than I anticipated, but I had already put a lettuce edge on the bottom and felt it would look weird adding to it. Although I haven't tried it yet, I think it may work with jeans too.
Here is my mom's new shirt:

Mamaw gave me a t-shirt to make her one. I had a pair of "scrap" sleeves from another shirt I wanted to use. I love the earthy tones on hers!

When my niece saw Mimi and Mamaw's shirts, she decided she wanted to make one. We made a pattern and she made the back, but then got distracted by something else and hasn't finished yet. We need another sewing date. :)

 I think my next scrappy t-shirt project might have to be a pair of short or capris or maybe even some yoga pants.

Upcycled Running Skirts

A friend gave me a huge sack of clothes to upcycle/ refashion. I found an activewear t-shirt and I knew I wanted to try to make it into a running skirt. It was a woman's size small, so I knew I wouldn't have a lot of fabric to spare after I made the skirt portion.

The bottom was a little tight, so I added some pleats made from regualr t-shirt scraps to make it wider. I used 2" elastic to give it a little more length because it is shorter than I am usually comfortable with. It's still pretty short, but they work.

Inside, I decided on a boxer brief style rather than briefs. I didn't have enough yellow, so I made the center panel orange. I know you can see it through the white of the skirt, but I don't care. I wanted something bright and fun paired with the white. In case you can't tell by the pictures, the orange and yellow are neon. :)

I had just enough white activewear fabric left to line the orange section, although I did have to do it in pieces.
Michael was going to get rid of several Under Amour heat gear t-shirts and asked me if I wanted them. Of course! Activewear fabric is expensive, so if I can reuse the fabric I already have, I am saving money. I also found a shirt at a garage sale for $.50 and I also used a pair of yoga pants that were too big.

Here's what I came up with:

There are lavender stripes on both sides. You can almost see one on the left side. (I lost the attention of my photographer after 2 pictures.) The only reason I added the stripes was because I felt all black was just too plain. I added lavender trim at the bottom too.

I cut the legs off the yoga pants to make the shorts. I ended up using the top of the yoga pants to make my triathlon shorts.

Boy Wonder

The superhero craze is still going strong at our house. Mayer's favorite is Robin. He has a Little People Robin that he carries around. The problem is Robin hides from us and we have trouble finding him. He doesn't always hang out in the Bat Cave (pictured below, but SHHHH.... it's in a secret location!!), so it's hard to locate where he has gone when Mayer wants him.

 

Since no toys are allowed in bed, Mayer has been wanting Robin to watch him sleep, from his bookshelf, at night. When he woke me up in the middle of the night wanting Robin, I knew I had to do something! I was not about to get out of bed at 2AM to search for Robin hiding somewhere in the living room! I decided I would try to make a stuffed Robin.
First, I drew a picture to use as my pattern.

Then I gathered my material- t-shirt scraps, of course!

I ran into a problem-- I forgot to allow for a seam allowance when I traced my picture! It's really only obvious on his arms. I stuffed him with fleece and smaller t-shirt scraps cut into tiny pieces.

Mayer was pretty excited to see the finished product! He even had to wear part of his Robin Halloween costume to bed.

I realized I forgot Robin's cape! I found a t-shirt sleeve and hand stitched it on. I didn't painted the gold on his belt (so he will match Mayer), yet I don't think it matters. He could have used some more stuffing too, but I was afraid he would look too fat.

It's easy for me to be too critical of my work. As long as Mayer is happy with it, that's all that matters! This Robin is probably a one-of-a-kind creation; although, now both boys are begging for a Batman to go with Robin because they are partners. :)