Sewing: Refashioned Skirt

  Sometimes it is really amazing to make something new out of something discarded. It's curious and wonderful all in the same action of figuring out how to transform a piece. When you start to look at items of clothing as pieces of fabric then you can really see the potential. This is a simple refashion project...almost a no brainer. 
  I found this really easy to sew pattern. It only has three pattern pieces. The skirt front, back and waistband. I had a beautiful ribbon accented skirt with a broken zipper. I did not want to fix the zipper and little girl needed another skirt...so, I decided to refashion the skirt.

  I began by cutting off the waistband and across the top of the skirt to eliminate the pleats that were sewn into place. Then I cut along the side seams of the skirt until I had two perfectly useful pieces of fabric. Then I proceeded to lay out my pattern and cut it out accordingly.

  Since I had decided to use the already sewn hem on the skirt, I placed my pattern edge along the bottom of the skirt. This way I would only have to sew the side seams and waistband.

  The side-seams are sewn and trimmed. The pattern calls for a gathering stitch along the top of the skirt. This gather allows for a fuller skirt and a smaller waistband. The waistband is pinned and sewn onto the top of the skirt with very easy instructions. There is a small slit left on the inside of the waistband for the elastic. Then once the elastic is fitted and sewn, the slit is then sewn by hand. And whala...the skirt is finished and ready for embellishments.

  I had some flower sequins that I sewed in place by hand. I think it turned out quite nice. I also made up a couple more skirts in which I did different embellishments on. On a blue plaid skirt I embroidered flowers. And on a batik ombre skirt I highlighted certain designs with a gold fabric glitter paint. 

  Refashioning is an easy and practical solution to the old adage, "Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do with out." It is also very satisfying to give new life to something that wasn't being used. So, don't throw out those old clothes that might not fit anymore or have a broken zipper. Repair them or refashion them. Not only will it save the environment but it'll make your wallet fuller too!

Happy Sewing! 

~Christie

Refashion: Spring Shrug

      The best thing about refashioning an article of clothing is the fact that you do like a quarter of the sewing to get a whole new look. This sweater dress served its purpose until it was ruined by chocolate stains all down the front of the dress. It went into hiding for awhile...until I found it in my mending basket.

   So, I took my Ginghers and snipped a line across the top and one up the middle to create a little shrug. 

    I then cut 2 inch strips of printed cotton fabric in order to make up some bias tape. With the bias tape I pinned it from the top around the front, side, back and around to the other top corner and stitched it into place. I added a button loop and a sparkly button. 

{The natural lighting made the shrug look lavender-ish.}

    I made a fabric flower out of a piece of the bias tape and added some green polka dotted ribbon for the greenery in the little accent.It was delightfully simple to sew up and turned out quite cute. Season appropriate and perfect for any little sundress.

  Aloha!

~Christie

     
  Just a little piano music that I've been listening to. 

Have a great weekend!

Refashion: Skirt

 A quick refashion was in order for this striped knit tank top. It took me a couple of attempts, because I do not like sewing on knit, but I think it turned out cute.

 Basically, I cut the top off of the tank top and 

sewed a casing for the elastic waistband. 

Then I threaded the elastic through to fit her waist. 

I cut the knit ribbing off of the tank top bottom in order 

to create a two tiered knit ruffled hem.

I made some little flowers out of the 

left over knit and sewed them into place.

This is what I ended up with.

What I like about it: It is a super soft knit,easy to care for and a complete refashion. Nice.

~Christie