Beat the Pleats: A Skirt Refashion

I found this two-pieced dress/outfit at the shop for a few bucks.

I look like a strange mushroom that no one should eat

 The only plus side to this is that I can get at least two items out of it.  First thing to tackle was the skirt.  The waist's elastic was stretched out and the length was atrocious.  I cut it off with about an inch allowance to make it fall around knee-length.

Don't worry.  This remnant will find another home soon!

 Trying to create a pocket for new elastic without securing the pleats would prove to be nigh impossible, so I sewed a couple lines across the pleats to keep them in place.

Lines in the picture are not as wonky as they appear. I promise.  

 I created a pocket for the elastic, threaded it through, finished it off, and this skirt was finished!

Dog in action shot

 I paired this with a black top and my old reliable red knot bead necklace.

Apparently I stand with my legs crossed while I teach, or so a student told me.

 The length is just right about the knee, and the pleats fall nicely.  Who doesn't like a bright skirt for a day at work?

This might be my attempt at looking coy, not sure

Show Me the Monet: A Dress Refashion Claude Would Be Proud Of

If you recall from this post, this Vera Wang dress was a contender for the wedding re-do.  It's definitely too big and terrifically sack-like overall.  It's got a whole lot of...stuff going on up top also.  

I'm sure my shape is in there somewhere

 How can I bring this Impressionistic canvas into the present?

Place the Lace :A Gap Long-Sleeved Top Refashion

I found this on a thrift store go 'round with my best friend from Atlanta.  We had a much better time than this top is having...

Wrinkly with a chance of long sleeves!

Here is a close up of the front of the top...see the curved area on either side of the buttons?

Sad and lonely bib shape

Time to do something with that!

Collared and Boring to Sleeveless and Fun!: A Casual Shirt Refashion

I got this little gem for a buck at the shop because of its cuteness factor.  The fit itself wasn't bad, but it was just too much of a very busy pattern.  It is also just not my style, the collar, the ruching, the short sleeve, the odd stringy accoutrements.

Strings or tentacles? I guess we'll never know

Here is a close up of the fabric.  Cute little flowers in a fun green and coral color palette!

Topsy Turvy plants in action! 

I performed this refashion before starting the blog in earnest, so I am woefully bereft of any during pictures.  Essentially I cut the whole top of the shirt off, sleeves, collar, and all.

Light and breezy for J-ville summer!

I used those string things to make straps and crossed them in the back for something a bit more interesting.  Doing this made the back gape a bit, so I just gathered evenly and sewed up the edges.  I love how this shirt fits; it is so light and airy (probably cause it's mostly gone).  Take a shirt you don't like the top of and hack away!  It'll be alright (it's only a shirt after all).  You might create something you love!

Comfy shirt for casual days!

The Sinking of the Tartan-ic: A Plaid Dress Refashion

I found this at the Humane Society Thrift Store (right next door to where we found little Lady).  As you can see, it has some issues.

Thes frock has wings!

  Horrible length, weird elasticized waist, long poofy sleeves, and...whatever these are.  Dog ears?  What is the random tab thing for?  Color me confused.  Note: All captions for this post are translated into Scots dialect using this site.

Ersit dug lugs.  I put in "awkward dog ears" and I seriously got out "ersit dug lugs."   

I have big plans for this frock!

Live to Dye Another Day:Strapless Dress Refashion

I got this strapless Old Navy dress at the shop and was not a fan of the color (or lack of color).  I'm accident prone and white clothing is always imperiled on my body.  The dress also was too big on top (as in, it wouldn't stay up...less than ideal).  

Literally keeping it up for decency sake

Time to break out some dye and thread!

Heraldry, I'm Home!: A Patterned Blouse Refashion

When I saw this at the shop, I thought of my friend Michelle who teaches British Literature at school and was known for her heraldry project.  I'm not sure what family this heralds from (get it?), but they are probably disappointed in the execution.

Frumpy and boxy

Here is a close-up of the fabric.  It has the shield and some Medieval-style writing.  The silky material is quite pleasant on the skin (too much information?) and the colors are nice and autumnal.

Vermilion and silver and gold! Oh my!

I did this refashion quite a while ago, so I didn't take many during pictures.  The reconstruction was pretty simple overall.  I first removed the sleeves (rip 'em off, rip 'em off, wa-a-a-y off!), and then cut a slit in the neck and made it into a v-shape.  When I was taking out the shoulder pads, I found some fun little bits of ruffled black material used to give even more puff to the sleeve!  I detached and reattached them to the tops of my new sleeveless top.

I also used a quick and easy pant alteration from a flared leg to a straight leg.

This is literally my fifth pair of black pants, time to fiddle wit it!

I just pressed the seams of the pants really really well and created a tailor's chalk line from the knee straight down.  I then sewed a new seam following the line and trimmed the edge.  You can see the lighter thread I used for visibility below.

Just like drawing in elementary school!

Here is the final ensemble!

Classic backyard shot

I paired the heraldry top and revamped pants with a thrifted gold necklace.  Another work staple!

Anybody else see a face in the necklace? I will call him Toby.

50's Frump Updated: Another Work Dress Refashion

I feel like this could be on an episode of Ozzie and Harriet in which the mother has to be disappointed in her son's behavior.  I'm mostly disappointed in how this dress looks.  It's ill-fitting, too long (wow, awkward length), and the collar is definitely not cute.

"Ricky, I expected more from you"

Here is a close-up of the material.  It reminds me of those mini-Ritz cheddar cheese sandwiches.

Mmm, looks good enough to eat.

Remember these?

What to do next?

Hair of the Dog: A Houndstooth Refashion

I love Houndstooth.  I think it is so classic, very Sherlock Holmes (obsessed!), and oh so in right now (so it says here, here, and here).  I'm thinking this isn't what they are talking about...

My apprehension is genuine.

As you can see from the picture, this is blinding in an M.C. Escher sort of way.  It's making patterns that don't even exist in the fabric!  This is what it looks like up close...

Houndstooth be mine!

The dress itself was also totally shapeless and fell like a polyester sack.  How to bring this from the past to Fall 2013?

Happy Labor Day!

I'm celebrating laborers by laboring over some pieces to put up later this week!  Here's a sneak preview of something I've got for tomorrow...

Hello Houndstooth!

If you have the day off, I hope you are relaxing, and if you are working today, I celebrate you!