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!  =)

Funky Fresh Custom Wallet

My latest creation is for Shannon...she requested a custom quilted wallet with the following...

• hot pink
• zebra
• flower print
• lime green
• some black
• loves skulls

and here is what I came up with...

Shannon, I hope you love your new custom wallet...I had fun mixing these fabrics together for you! 

Enjoy!

--Nani   =)

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,

Back to School Sale!

Mermaid Wallet, originally uploaded by Nonerz.

Are you a Victorious Vixen Facebook fan yet?

Hop on over & "LIKE" it for your "Happy Back-to-School" coupon. $10 off all READY-TO-SHIP wallets in my Etsy shop, ends Saturday, 9/04...just enter "B2S" in the notes at the checkout & I'll send you a $10 refund.

Share with your friends & family...then drop hints on which wallet would make a great gift for you! =)