Guest post at Green Issues by Agy

Hi everyone!

Just wanted to let you know that I have an interview over at Green Issues by Agy. Over there you can here the story of how I got started with refashioning. Also, sometimes all you need is something quick and easy to make a refashion fabulous. Sometimes it is just a quick hem! Go and check out my post there!

Cheers,
Lauren

A is for Animal print, Iron Craft and refashion #18

This iron craft challenge is to make something with the letter A. So I thought about it... A is for ANIMAL PRINT! Oh yeah! As I am trying to refashion 99 things this year, I again wanted to focus on a refashion. My mom is responsible for this refashion. :) I don't know if this was a PJ or a cover-up or what. No idea but it is animal print and too big for me!!

I decided to turn it into a PJ based on the pillowcase dresses I made way back when for charity. And I'd make myself a PJ top for when it gets warmer over here (P.S. Dear spring- I'm waiting.....). The top is pure elastic around the neckline and some small sleeves. But the basic design is quite rectangular.

I stretched out the top and cut right below the sleeves. Then I cut out a J shape. It was 3X5 inches. Then I did a quick serge around the new armholes and the top of the freshly cut dress. Then folded over the armhole- sew down. Now it is nicely finished. Then folded down the front and back to make a casing- sew across. Then found some simple black satin ribbon in my stash. Wove it through, connecting the front and back. Tie in a pretty bow. :) 

Much cuter! Now I have a PJ for the spring and summer. Yeah not taking a picture with it on!

Let's recap and have some fun with the mustache option of picmonkey. ;)

Cheers,

Lauren

Easy knit dress by vogue with ruched sides.

I know that I was supposed to finish my other sewing plans first. But I just couldn't resist. I also wanted some pattern redemption as that Butterick dress is driving me nuts. So I grabbed this pattern, which has fabulous reviews online and made one for myself using the leftover houndstooth knit fabric I had.

It was a really fast sew. OMG I LOVE THIS DRESS ON!! It is comfy. And it has coverage so if I eat myself silly the gathered area hides my belly. And wow it gives me a great shape. Hey look I have a waist!!

I used a thin green knit, which is super comfy against the skin and doesn't make things bulky underneath. 

Yeah messy hair ... 

Would definitely recommend to do and would do again. Great for this cold weather! So I officially got my March project done. LOL fast too. Alright let's get the other 2 finished up! 

Cheers,

Lauren

Gluten free vanilla cupcakes

Found this at Target which surprised me, Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Vanilla Cake mix. Thought I would try it out for the boyfriend's bday! Pretty easy to follow...

Yeah my cupcakes were overfilled. Which surprised me b/c gluten free baking doesn't tend to expand much. The taste was really yummy! I added vanilla icing and done!

I also dipped strawberries in chocolate and I mixed up the topping for the cupcakes. Nom Nom. 

Would definitely recommend and do again. They were tasty and were not hockey pucks. :) Yeah!

Cheers,
Lauren

Muse dress pattern from Butterick (FAIL)

Last year I started to sew this pattern with some fun stretchy polyester I had. But it literally was such a challenge to sew...
Oy the sleeves

I totally picked the wrong fabric. This year I tried to finish it but the sleeves did not even remotely fit the armholes, everything was askew. 

Here is the fail... I stopped after this b/c I tried to "fix" but cutting the top of the sleeves down. Which then ruined my sleeves. Lesson learned. This was the wrong fabric to use. There is no easing polyester that is thick. 

I know I normally post- look what I did sort of posts on Saturday but right now I am out on travel. There may be minor interruptions in the blog. My apologies. Will be back shortly! 

Cheers,

Lauren

Velour top refashion, #17

First I started with this plain grayish but kind of black top. It is semi-shiny. Truly I have no idea why I got it other than I paid next to nothing for it.

Now brainstorming what I was going to turn it into, of course cardigan came to mind. But it was just sort of meh.... I have a lot of cardigans. I wanted to do something just a hint different then the standard "let's take it in." One day while at the cafeteria, I saw a girl who had a cool shirt on where it looked as if the neckline had simply been buttoned across the top and the rest sort of hung. Not trying to be creepy, I didn't get a picture. But I decided that is what I wanted to do with this top. I simply folded over the neckline and pinned it. And very, very careful removed it from my head-easier said than done! I sewed down (see the arrow- it is subtle).  

 I then took in the shirt and tried to rebalance the front. I also took off some from the sleeves. :) Done

Recap.. a new warm (b/c the polar vortex isn't going away any time soon over here!) top with something different for a neckline. Something different.

Cheers,
Lauren
(82 more refashions to go.....)

Blue sweater maxi dress refashion, #16

An awkward length "maxi" sweater dress.

So another sweatshirt-like BAD maxi dress made it into my possession. I don't have any during shots as it was a simple fix. I cut off the bottom and just hemmed it. Simple. And now I have a warm navy sweater dress. Paired with sweater tights, boots, and I added a cardigan (and I know with my hat- I didn't want to take it off, it is cold outside) I had an outfit I wore to work.

Ok without the cardigan.. but still with my hat.

Simple and easy. This dress has some new life in it! Here's the recap.... Must less awkward!

Cheers,
Lauren