Easy turtleneck fix, refashion #94

This was one of the tops, I thought I would wear "as is" but I realized I did not care for the lower band of fabric.

Got to love funny photos when the camera takes and you are not ready.... lol enjoy

This was an easy fix. I cut off the lower band and then used my twin needle to stitch up the bottom. Boom done!

Much more wearable now! Sometimes simple is just better! Refashions don't have to be complicated.

Here's the recap! Easy peasy!

Cheers,
Lauren

Mom's beach coverup, refashion #93

Alright well my break has been nice and I have been playing catch up with my personal life. And even began to sew and take pictures. Some of the last of my 99 refashion challenge were completed, I just needed photos. I have just been so slow with doing things!

This beach coverup was from my mom and a challenge to see what I could do with it. The shirred top with cotton gauze bottom was a bit of a challenge.

It hit me one day to turn it upside down and utilize the shirred band for a waist. First, I pulled off the front tie.

Next, I used brown bias tape and made strips to create an open shoulder/arm look. I measured  so they would be even. I sewed them on. I additionally took in the sides some. But I don't have a picture of that. Here's my new piece! Totally different and unexpected huh? :)

The shoulders....

This would be perfect for walking around the beach during the summer. Here's the recap!

6 more to go! Can you believe it? I can't believe I have sewed that many clothing items. But I also can't believe where the time has gone!!

Cheers,
Lauren

Blue Chiffon/lace top, refashion #92

Boy this top gave me a lot of grief for sewing. Let me state this from the get go! I liked the chiffon and the lace inserts. I just thought this wouldn't be difficult to make it fit.

The arm holes needed fixing and needed to come in closer to my body. I also pulled up the sewed the top at the shoulder. I made the elastic smaller and took in the sides because it had a sagginess. I also wound up sewing out the lace insert on the sides and cut off some of the bottom. The middle picture shows how much I took off. This took a long time because I would do something, try it on, and then say MEH I still don't like it.

Even though this took a lot of work, I made it work in the end. Yes this is me sneezing. LOL

Better!

No more lace on the sides- I was slightly bummed but it does look better.

The recap! Whew! Glad that is over!

Cheers,
Lauren

7 more left!!!

Union Jack Sweatshirt Refashion, #91

I think this sweatshirt I found was a mens. It was a size small and it was still pretty big on me. I always need warm clothes. I also wanted to give this sweatshirt a little bit of a personality. I have seen a bunch of union jack items and thought, oooh! I could add that!

First, time to just take in. I hemmed with my twin needle- OMG LOVE!!! I also took off the bands from the bottom of the shirt and sleeves.

Next, I had this holey sweatshirt that I really can only use for scraps.

I have used it previously to refashion another sweatshirt but I made a heart. Click here for the post!

I first printed out the flag so I would be accurate. I also printed out the size I wanted to achieve for the sweatshirt. Then I traced what I would need for the red part on one sheet of paper and then the same for the white. Cut out. I used scrap white fabric that was like t-shirt material. I lined it up as center I could. Then I cut out the red.

 

I sat down and watched a movie and grabbed some embroidery floss. In red and white. I then hand stitched it to my shirt. Which this is the first hand stitching I have done since my injury. I can do it but MAN! Sometimes I get nerve flares. Eek! Here is me almost done. I just had to add the small stripes. 

And here it is done! In LOVE!!!! BTW I would like to draw some attention to my legs.I started aerial yoga and I saw this picture and noticed that it has begun to get my legs in nice shape! Yay!

Up close

Yeah for new sweatshirt! A much better improvement! Here is the recap!

8 more to go !!!!

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

Funky print long sleeve top, refashion #89

Today is just a quick and easy refashion. Again, it is winter- I need some long sleeves. Blah blah. You know the drill! Found this long sleeve top with bright patterns and at first I wasn't on planning on keeping the top as is but then I changed my mind. BTW forgive me in this picture- but what is up with my hands and my wrists in this photo?

I simply took in the sleeves starting at the sleeves and working my way in through the waist and hips area. I serged off the excess material.

Poof done! Now this might be a little flashy for your taste but this will make a great shirt under a sweater for the cold weather. And something great for yoga as well. :) Simple, easy and a nice outcome.

Here's the recap!

Workout wear refashions #87/88

Alright well I am back. I decided to take some after photos this past weekend and I even got some time to sew. I also was lazy, watched movies, and caught up on sleep. Happy Holidays.

Now for some refashions.... I am so close to my 99 refashion challenge and been furiously sewing away. Here is a big shirt made out of spandex I found and of course I loved the pattern. But seriously how do you wear it? It was a fabulous spandex. And I mean fabulous!

I recently became introduced to Jalie patterns which offer a bunch of workout wear, skating, and dance patterns. I was looking for a pair of hot shorts that I first wanted to make from this top. Boom found this pattern!

Here are my shorts. This is my first time with a double needle and spandex and wow can I say I'm in love? Double needle where have you been all my life?

I looked at the leftover fabric and realized I had just enough to make the sports bra with the same pattern with the criss cross straps in the back. Yes! So here is my matching sports bra! It fits great!

I just love the back.

I learned how to use foldover elastic (got it on amazon, now I have a giant spool of black foldover elastic!) for this project as the pattern specifically calls for it. It was slightly stressful but I got over it. And I put it on with no threads popping! Yes!!!

Not bad huh? The recap looks great! And I got a new workout set (that I will wear the shorts at home) for less than $5. The sports bra is not meant for serious jumping but it will be great for dancing and yoga. :)

Cheers,
Lauren