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

Happy Thanksgiving apron, fixing an apron neckline, Refashion #90

Yay! Another refashion! Yeah. But I will say this has been in the works for some time now. I just finally finished it. First I had this apron that I was surprised that I got at a charity event. It is perfect for Thanksgiving! But one thing that drives me nuts about aprons is having that knot behind my neck. And if it comes undone while I am cooking- not good. I thought there has to be some sort of solution.

I dyed the apron sunshine orange first b/c I could probably not wear this color on a normal day. But perfect for a Thanksgiving apron. Next, I had some extra bling and I ironed that on. Next to fix my neck tie issues I cut and added D-rings to the apron. OMG no more knots behind my neck!

So only got 1 picture before my camera died. I also sewed on lace and sequins to the apron. Yay for shiny.

Soon I will update with a closer photo. But here is the recap. And yes I did wear it while cooking. Just didn't think about taking a photo!

So close to the end! Yeah I can do it! I can't believe I have done that many refashions! Whew!

Cheers,
Lauren

The big white crochet top, refashion #79

Today will not be a 2 for 1, I am almost all caught up so you will just have to settled with 1 refashion per post. Guess that isn't a bad thing!

First,behold... a white t-shirt. A white shirt that is a 2XL. But it has a cool crochet neckline.

Yeah.... hello! it is Big!!!! 

So I didn't take a picture, nor do I know what color I actually dyed it.... but I got like a periwinkle blue. Not too bad but I still need to do something with it!

I cut off the sleeves and decided to try and convert it to a halter top. The sleeves were on an angle so by following those lines I could create a halter top pretty fast. I made sure I didn't cut off the crochet from that part. The neckline was removed from the back of the top. After that, I needed to take it in on the sides.

What that essentially created was a back flap. I cut it off and left extra to create a casing. No matter what I did, to get a good fit without odd fit issues- I needed some elastic across the back. So cut, create casing, add elastic across back- secure in the side seams. Close casing. Done! 

To get the last part of the halter complete, I folded over the excess fabric and sewed down- I did it very slowly on my sewing machine. I cut the center of the old neckband- which was way too big and trimmed it down to a smaller size to fit my neck. To secure I opted for a snap.

Towards the end of finishing this garment, I realized that I didn't like the bottom band so I cut it off. I hemmed the top with a double needle- which I have no idea why I have not sewn knits with it more!!! It is fabulous! Love it!! My hems look great! Happy!

Here is my new top, which I won't be wearing anytime soon since it is fall and winter is coming!!

The back....

The recap!! You almost don't recognize the top!

cheers,
Lauren

omg- 20 more left! wow!

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

white dress quick dye, refashion #51

Another dress that was white and I didn't know what it was. The knit was so thin. Is it a dress, a nightie, a top? Who knows but I realized I didn't like the white.

Another spin in the washer machine, and teal RIT dye. I messed up my soak time so it was only in the wash for a short period of time. It needs to be longer. But what I wound up with was a light color, which I liked.

After thinking on it, I realized this garment would be best served as a sort of  a nightie. Too thin for outside public wear. Changing it to a blouse would be really hard to do a bottom hem, and I don't think I would like it anyways. Keep as it, but at least it isn't stark white!!

Will make a super comfy nightie!

Cheers,
Lauren

Sherbert dreams dress refashion, #34

Iron craft challenge! This challenge was about art. To do something inspired by art. Again I am striving to do refashions this year, so I am going to start out with dress my mom gave me. It was the wrong color for my skin tone, not to mention that it was big and the sleeves tended to fly up.

Wahoo big!

I decided on my options and literally went on pinterest and just looked at art. I came across the poppies from Georgia O'Keefe. They have an orange base. I decided I could dye the dress and refashion it.

I went for RIT dye scarlet red and dyed the dress. It came out great!

I decided I wanted to take it in using elastic. My aim was to keep the dress, if I failed then I'll turn it into a skirt. 

I drew a line on my dress.

Cut a piece of elastic slightly smaller than my waist. 

Sew it to the dress while stretching i. 

To fix the sleeves, I took it in 3 times-you kind of don't see them b/c of the gathering of the sleeves.

I serged off the excess.

Then did a rolled hem on the bottom portion of the sleeve.

That lead to some stretching on the  bottom portion of the arm hole. 

The fix for that was taking it on the sides by machine. Done! 

I think i got the poppy red (with orange undertones). Dress is much wearable now 

With a belt. 

Yeah felt a little too much like Miss Claus so this belt is a no. 

Recap. The dress is wearable now! Yay!

Cheers to another refashion and another iron craft challenge! 

Lauren