T-shirt Refurb

“Before”

This is a Liz Claiborne top, op-shopped from the bargain rack for $4 (is it just me, or have other Australians noticed that Vinnie’s and Salvo’s prices have suddenly gone UP?  It’s because it’s so fashionable, I’m sure!), while the knit fabric is good quality, diappointingly the shape was boxy and wrong and it was consigned to a pyjama top.  But after poring over this inspiring post at My Mama Made It I decided to take to it with scissors.

I’m so glad I did.

I used a favorite t-shirt to figure out how far to cut the sides in, took the sleeve length to midway between elbow and shoulder, took the pocket off, and swirled strips into a ‘rose’ to cover the studs from the pocket.  And because it’s a t-shirt, there is no hemming required.  None.  Fantastic for the lazy sewer, like me.

“After”

I like it alot!

Here it is with my new stash busted skirt (the best of two skirts I’ve ever made, the original pattern made it a weird bell shape, in my frustration it was nearly binned but saved by a second pattern) and my flower pots (what the…?).  I feel so French in this outfit…it could be the headless thing.

Refashion Pledge

  The Pledge

I, Alyson Hill, pledge that I shall abstain from the purchase of “new” manufactured items of clothing, for the period of 2  months. I pledge that i shall refashion, renovate, recycle preloved items for myself with my own hands in fabric, yarn or other medium for the term of my contract. I pledge that I will share the love and post a photo of my refashioned, renovoted, recycled, crafted or created item of clothing on the Wardrobe Refashion blog, so that others may share the joy that thy thriftiness brings!

Signed_Alyson Hill

Yeah, 2 months is just to try and cut my teeth on this, but I’m very excited and enjoy the challenge it sets out.  I figured that Christmas could be tricky, what with the whirlwind of parties, parties, parties….ha!  Actually more likely because in Summer I wear my tshirts to shreds and go through the bum of my jeans around about post-Christmas.  But in actual fact, if I’m going well I may re-pledge then too.  The thing is I love op-shopping.  I love it more than Mall shopping (which makes me claustraphobic and nauseous).  I love the hunt and the imagination, rather than the sensory overload of the same design in a billionty different colors and ‘which one: the buttercup or the algae?’

In an opshop, I am a woman obsessed: it wont fit but the fabric is fab, I’ll turn it into a purse/bag/dress.

Like this sheet that I’ve turned into a dress for my sister’s birthday which is err…today…

I got the pattern from UK mag Sew Hip, but you can find Heather Ross’ pattern here temporarily.

 Her breasties are much more, errm voluptuous than mine, so it should look a treat.  Can you believe that is the only wall in my house that has a soupcon of space for a photo?  Sad, is what it is.  Great sheet though, isn’t it?  I love the whole ‘thinking outside the square’ of repurposing, and I have so many more sheets.  I’m calling this one ’70′s Summertime’.

Channelling Laura

I don’t know what’s gotten into me.

First I did this:

People starved.  Washing quadrupled.  Dustbunnies multiplied.  And I mysteriously lost a shoe.

 

Then, I did this:

 We ate toast for dinner.  That the kids made.  And a sad looking bok choy from the fridge stormed out in protest.  And while I started my next project (a yoga mat carrier) my youngest stole the camera and did this:

 Noice!  Vanity thy name is Abbey.  You need to brush your teeth, Girlfriend.  What?  You don’t want me to say those things in public?  Then stop pinching the camera and taking closeups of yourself!

Actually, now that I think of it – I kinda made her too!  Well, the house may well have gone to Hell in a handbasket.  But, all in all, I’m pretty pleased with myself.