Sunday, May 22, 2011

Refashions

These are my first two attempts at refashioning.

I didn't get a before picture of this blouse, but I did change it quite a bit.  Just use your imagination and see a puffed-sleeve, maternity-looking, too long blouse.  I made cap sleeves, put in princess seams and hemmed it shorter. 

I paired it with my thrifted Limited skirt and am very happy with the results.


In a way I'm sorry that I did get a before picture of this next one.  Pretty pathetic, huh?  It didn't help that the only time I could remember to get sweet hubby to snap the before was at 6:00 in the morning.

This dress was two sizes too big for me so I fitted it by taking up the side seams (including the low arm holes) and taking in the princess seams more.  I also took off about 10" at the bottom and hemmed it.


You'll so NOT see my third refashion attempt! Who knew that you would end up with  huge armholes when you take out the sleeves?  I can't get it right no matter what I do. Bummer! It was a light blue pure linen blouse that I loved!  Oh well, it was a cheap mistake.  As I mentioned before, I got all these garments at a church yard sale for 19 cents per article.

Have you tried your hand at refashioning yet?  I'd love to see what you've done.  Please leave me a comment with links to your work and I'll come a-visiting!
                                                      

Nothing But Country

23 comments:

  1. Your blouse and dress turned out great! They look very nice on you, congrats:@)

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  2. I'm totally impressed. I don't refashion because I don't have time with all the sewing I already do. BUT...I do have a gorgeous dress I bought for my brother's wedding at a Neiman Marcus OUTLET for $100. It is a pink strapless beauty with shimmery silver strands and is floor-length. I ABSOLUTELY AM going to shorten it to make it wearable to other places. It would even be beautiful worn out to dinner with my man! You've inspired me!

    xoRebecca

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  3. Oh Sherry! I LOVE your new clothes!! The blouse is adorable, and what a makeover on that dress! It fits you beautifully now!.. Very pretty, and Nice work! I'm looking forward to seeing what other fun fashions you come up with now! ~tina

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  4. Sherry,

    I just did the same thing with a formal for Rebekah. Got the dress for $30 took it from a size 10 to a 2 and cut off about 30 inches! Check out my fb page and the pictures are there. You inspired me! Tressie

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  5. Your first two attempts look great on you! And you can't beat .19 cents!!!! You can always chop up that third piece and use the material for something else and it is still a win-win! Have a great week. Tammy

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  6. Sherry, It's even better that you did get your hubby to take the photo at 6 am...the results are even more dramatic, LOL!

    Great job refashioning BOTH the top and the dress. I've done the same thing with a dress that was a classic sleeveless shirtdress from about 10 years ago...the shorter length brings it years forward!

    You make a great model too :) I'm going to share your refashioning post on my blog if you don't mind.

    Love, Leslie

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  7. I got a couple of Old Navy button up shirts on sale I've got to shorten. I've been intimidated to do it but now I'm looking forward to trying! It won't be nearly involved as your projects.

    Thanks for posting your pics. I really enjoy seeing before and afters. It helps me to think outside the box. You did a great job and you are really blessed with sewing skills.

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  8. I love refashions - especially good ones! Yours turned out great. So much more flattering to your cute figure than over-sized clothes. Thanks for sharing!
    shannonsews.blogspot.com

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  9. Oh Sherry, I love the results! That dress looks totally different. I can't wait to pick up some cheap clothes and try my hand at this. My daughter also would like to try this. Please share more of your refashioning!

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  10. How do you form a princess seam from an already sewn blouse? Do you cut the fabric first into 2 pieces? I'm unfamiliar with this.

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  11. Excellent job!
    It turned out very cute!

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  12. Hi, Sherry, I found you from MSP's blog. I really like what you did with the refashioning. I wish I had sewing expertise and the equipment to sew. I like the blouse and the dress. Great job!

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  13. Thorina,
    If the dress already has princess seams you can just make the seams a little bigger. If the garment doesn't have princess seams already you can add darts for better fit. HTH ~ Sherry

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  14. Love the refashioning. I wish I sewed that well to do something like that for myself.

    Would love if you would link up with our party @ http://www.nothingbutcountry.com

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  15. These are fabulous! I'm learning to look at the yard sales and thrift stores in a whole new way.

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  16. Thank you, Sherry!! That does help.

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  17. Great! You have made me want to rework some things I already have!
    I love the blouse and dress!
    Shirley

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  18. Sherry, you can use the linen from the failed project to make a brooch pillow! I got a cheap piece of linen at a thrift store, added some beautiful (cheap from the thrift store) trim and have a gorgeous brooch pillow to use for displaying my brooches. Linen works especially well for these pillows because the pins do not "hurt" the fabric when you push the back pin of the brooch into the pillow. Kathy

    P.S. LOVE your refashions! You really did a great job on both of these.

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  19. I think you did a great job!

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  20. I really like your outfits! My high school FACS students are very creative during the recycle and redesign unit. When I showed them your projects, they suggested wearing a tank top under the sleeveless dress.

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  21. Thanks for the comments everyone!

    Linda, I'm honored that you showed my post to your students. The tank top sounds like a great fashion idea. I'm not sure I'll be able to try it before Fall though since it's a little too hot for layers in Alabama right now. :)

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  22. Hi Sherry! I enjoyed your sweet comments so much...thank you for your visit. Your refashions are FABULOUS! It gives me courage to try this whole idea again. Thrift store here I come!

    I'm your newest follower! And like you, I am happiest when I'm enjoying my sweet, simple life at home.

    Blessings,
    Donna

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I'm so happy you're leaving me a comment! ~ Sherry