Last refashion of 2014!! #99- Lace tablecloth

I found this wonderful lace tablecloth. For some reason I didn't realize that it was circular. Don't ask b/c I seriously don't know. I thought I could make a cute pair of shorts from them but the size put me at a bit of a disadvantage with wanting to stay on the grain

Problem was if I was going to use it for anything then the color was not going to work for me. I did not care for the tan. So I dyed it using 2 different RIT dyes. Since the lace is a lot of thread, that I don't know how it is going to react, I went with 2 dark dyes- dark green and denim blue. Thanks Mom for the dye you got on clearance.

The end result was awesome! It was a grey mixed with some blue green. There was no tan left. I cut off the ruffle around the edge. My initial plan was to make a lace circle top. But then I cut the circle too deep.

It was no longer going to work as a top. I sighed and it fell down, landing on my hips. Then I realized this fit perfectly as a skirt! Win!!! I needed to line it, which I found this brown fabric in my stash. And as serendipity would have it... it was the perfect size needed with my existing skirt!  Double Win!!!

So I cut out the brown circle and cut a line down one side. This will allow me to put in a zipper. Now I need to make a waistband. I used this new sewing notion I found by chance when I was looking for something else online. It is fusible interfacing that has cut line that allow for easy folding. Time to try it out!!

So Triple Win! This made making waistbands SOOOOOO easy. I attached it to my skirt, which I had to lightly gather to adjust it to fit. Boom done! Prior to this I added an invisible zipper.

Finally, hemming. I took apart the lining from the lace and resewed them individually. This was solely because I wanted to individually hem each layer. The lace layer, I folded twice and ironed. Then sew It was really smooth. I used my serger for the brown layer.  Done!

Here is my new skirt. OMG! It was completely destined to be a skirt. How fabulous is this!

It also had a bit of a retro feel to it. It was a full circle skirt, no doubt!!

Even though the hem was a bit of a challenge it looks great!

And with all circle skirts, you have to twirl with it! It is just sort of mandatory!

Here's the recap. Before a tablecloth, after an awesome circle skirt! Yay!

So this my readers finishes my 99 refashion challenge for 2014. Wow. It was really hard as my life got in the way of my life. I also realized putting numbers on things can at times make things harder. And stop some of the creativity. All of the refashions will go stored here on this list. It was a fun challenge and I came out with some fabulous clothing.

Yes there are more refashions and sewing on the way! :) No worries, I don't know what I would do with myself if I didn't refashion something. :)

Cheers,
Lauren

White dress refashion, refashion 70

I can't pull off white, all white-without some color.

It was a little big, too long and a bad color.

First, let's use up on some dye! Yeah! I used RIT dye navy blue. And when I pulled it out of the dryer- I was so excited with the result!

OMG OMG OMG, How great is this dress now! The white lace didn't take much of the dye. But I still have a problem, too long. I decided to cut off the fabric below the white lace. Very carefully!

I serged the inner lining quickly in order for it to not peak out from the lace. Done! And the hot water shrunk some of the fabric so the fit was better. No need to sew anymore! Yay!

Here is the recap- I love this new dress!!

Cheers,
Lauren

oh that pantsuit.... refashion #64

Yup a cotton pantsuit. In a light shade of taupe/beige. And pockets. I mean what else says I am ready to go out and have some fun?

Ok kidding. This was not working though. Bad color and the pants is meh. Just a smidge too tight. 

It did bring out that silly side of me. hey....... 

So now what? First- cut off the lower legs. Undo the seams in the middle legs. Convert to a skirt. But here is the problem- the legs taper. There is not enough room to cover my thighs if I do as is so I need to add an insert. But..... the remaining fabric is tapered too. The solution was to use the very bottom on the legs, flip it so the wider part will widen the skirt and now I can cover my thighs and you know.... walk! I sewed in those lower legs as triangles. 

This now dress is still ugly and won't work. I need some color! My paleness needs some color! I got inspired by this photo I saw in a magazine and thought I would give tie dye a try. I know I am not one for tie-dye. Actually, I am usually not a fan but I thought this circle pattern might work. I used dark brown RIT dye. Grabbed a whole bunch of rubber bands, made sure my cats were far away and won't eat them, and went to town. The dress was now a sight! Into the dye pot, let it simmer. Rinse in cold water and cut off the rubber bands. Again I had to do this on the down low for my cats. I don't get their fascination with trying to eat rubber bands. I don't get it! 

I had a super cool pattern but I needed to fix the hem. We got all thready after the tie-dye. I cut and serged, then hemmed. Done! 

Now I have a dress! 

A dress with pockets and fun patterns. 

The back, at the time of taking pictures (which are the same batch), I had slept really wrong and messed up my neck through shoulder blade, you can see my patch to calm down the inflammation. But the pattern was crazy on the back. I still like it! 

You can't see the triangle inserts now with the dye. This dress is super comfy and will be a great pool cover up. And hey I can walk in it. So challenge succeeded. Who knew it was a pantsuit?? The recap....

Cheers,
Lauren

Banana Republic Eyelet lace dress fix, refashion 53

Found this lovely white eyelet dress that was from Banana Republic. It appears that someone DIY'd it as the satin straps were an add on (and sort of cheap).

Upon closer inspection, there was a small stain I could not get out. 

First off came the satin ribbon straps. Already better.  Next I attempted some ombre dyeing. My arms hurt after this. Used RIT dye in dark green (thanks mom for the dye- she got it on sale!). :)

Now we are complete. Easy refashion. What is funny is I did not get green in the end, it was actually blue in color. and it is a slight ombre. Either way it is better than white with a stain on it. :)

Works much better now! Yay!

Cheers,
Lauren

Too bright yellow dress refashion, #52

More fun with dyeing. I don't have a picture on but I do have a picture of it while I was prepping the dye bath. I usually create a "holding area" while I either prep the stove or washing machine. Sometimes I use my bathtub... case in point. So it was a fluorescent, bright yellow dress. It fit well. I just bough it on clearance from Urban Outfitters a long time ago. But I never wore it. Probably because of the color.

Dark green dye again with RIT and my washer machine. I have a new dress. I can wear green but not yellow.

See you can see the yellow zipper that did not dye. 

Recap. I didn't know how short it was b/c it had been so long. But I feel quite curvy in it!

Cheers,
Lauren