Funky Revamped Skirt

Here is another Wardrobe Refashion I crafted using a pair of old jeans.  I was going for a funky & comfy skirt...here is the "before" shot...

 

I turned the jeans inside out, cut up along the inseam & cut to the length I wanted.

Then I picked out some hot pink cheetah fabric to "fill in" the gaps in the front & back.  I cut it to size, pinned it in place & did some wild free motion zig zag stitching using pink thread..

You can see the stitching here, along with the black & white zebra ruffle I pinned along the bottom of the skirt.  I wanted mine to be on the wild side so I kept the raw edges frayed, but you can finish the edges for a tidy look.  I also pinned the ruffle with the skirt on top...again, for a wild & frayed look.

Then it was time to sew on the ruffle...I used a zig zag stitch, pulling the pins as I go.

I attached a funky pocket to the side of the skirt, made from a quilted log cabin block that I had in my stash.  Before I stitched it on to the skirt, I did some more wild free motion zig zag stitiching...no plan, just going for it!

Then I added my signature free motion "V" to the back...

...and she's all done!  I now have a funky revamped skirt with a cool little pocket, made especially to fit my cell phone.  =)

Here is the wild free motion zig zag stitching I did on the front and a couple pics of the front & back. 

My next revamp is in the works right now...it features some really fun fabric I scored & another t-shirt.  Can you say comfortably cute!!!  Thanks for stopping by...if you have any questions or comments, I'd love to hear from you.  =)

Happy Revamping!

 

"Let's Get It On"...& Revamp this shirt!

I recently shared my pledge to re-fashion my wardrobe in an effort to add some funk to my closet, keep money in my pocket & save the planet!  It's a fun & practical challenge that I am really excited about participating in.  You can read more about the challenge here: Wardrobe Re-Fashion

I had a super soft brown UFC t-shirt I bought way back in August of 2006...UFC 62 - Liddell vs. Sobral.  It's an extra large and is a bit frumpy on me now...time to cut it up & refashion it.

My first step was to find a good fitting shirt that I liked which will be used as my pattern.  It's comfy & flattering...simple too.  =)

I put my UFC shirt on top of my "pattern" shirt, matching up the sleeves & neckline, then using a sliver of rescued bar soap...hey, it's readily available & marks your fabric nicely!

Then I cut the neck off my shirt...once again using the scrap of soap to mark my cut line.

 
I have to say...it was pretty liberating to grab my scissors & cut up my shirt!  =)

To create that simple little gather at the bust, I stretched & pinned 2 1/2" of elastic, stretched over 4" of fabric...then stitched it on.  

The tricky part is that you have to hold on tight to the elastic while you stretch & sew it.  I found it helpful to crank my presser foot down a few notches.

 This was surprisingly simple with great results.

I should have stopped right here...but I didn't!  I got the bright idea to cut up the back...wanted to try some lacing.  I cut the shirt straight up the middle of the back, then made a "V" shape on top.  I tried it on & pinned it to fit comfortably. 

I liked it so much at this stage, but really wanted to try that new leather cording I just got my hands on...so I punched some holes in it every inch or so on each side...then laced it up.

I wasn't in love with my bra showing through the back...and I sewed it back up!  Much to my dismay, it was now too small...so I'll have to revamp it again.  I think I'll make another t-shirt dress with this shirt...but I'll leave that for another post!  Can't be afraid to just go for it sometimes...lesson learned!  =)

The Pledge

I recently stumbled upon a blog called, "Wardrobe Re-Fashion" where members pledge not to buy any new clothing for a set period of time, but must re-fashion clothing that they already have or picked up secondhand somewhere.  I loved the idea of...

• upcycling & repurposing my old clothes...
• raiding my friends & families closets...
• adding some funk to my wardrobe...
• learning to sew clothing...
• doing something eco-friendly...
• scoring good finds at garage sales & thrift shops...
• saving (and making) money with my skills!

I'll be posting over there at least once a week to share my ideas & designs.  I hope you'll check it out & try to re-fashion something that is lingering in your closet, just waiting for an encore! 

The Pledge

I, Nani Luculescu, 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, renovated, recycled, crafted or created item of clothing on the Wardrobe Refashion blog, so that others may share the joy that thy thriftiness brings!     Signed,