Week 8 One Shirt Two ways!!

Well guys, I've been slacking.. And by slacking I mean I have been busy and at times lacking for inspiration, but here I am to play catch up! Week 8 starts with showing you one of two ways of how I refashioned a shirt my sister donated to me! 

This pretty was just a tad loose on me and the double layers just wasn't working for me..(see that broom.. Proof I sweep.. Occasionally) and here's the second layer...

First I cut off the drawstrings that pulled the front tight...

And the I cut off the top layer keeping that layer completely in tact. 

Next I took the under layer and sewed the top edges down. And then I sewed the string edges to the top edges on both sides on the back and front..

I'm not sure why I didn't get a picture of the finished product before I put it on... But here I am with part one.. A tank top .. I paired with mom jeans and my go to black shoes! 

And went off to the farmers market that dad & step mom work at!

They had candy buttons!!! My favorite!!!!! I hope you enjoyed part one.. Stay tuned for week 9 where I made the top layer a shirt of its own!!

Week 7 Small Robe to Perfect Dress :)

My cousin who is as thin as a poll passed some things onto me.. You know, just maybe I could squeeze into her old wardrobe. Well, that didn't happen.. So I donated most items to a few people that I knew could use them, but I did keep this fancy little piece because I saw some potential for making myself a new dress... At the very least I knew I could make a shirt from it. 

First I decided the length of the dress and began cutting and then I added a piece of white material that I had randomly lying around to create the closed top.( ignore the mess .. ) 

Next I hemmed the bottom to create a shirt and then went onto the skirt. I really liked having the option to wear the two pieces separate, but when put together it looked like a dress. 

After some touch ups and a little altering .. Here you have my finished look.. And please excuse the boring background... And freezing look on my face.. Mississippi decided to have a little bit of winter for a change!! 

I tried to get an indoor picture but my dad really isn't talented with the iPhone camera ...

Then he just messed up my hair ..so here's a selfie :)

Week Six - Oversized Shirt Downsized

My sister gave me this shirt that fit her awkward and I instantly fell in love with the color. Of course I've made this into a summer shirt, because let's face it.. I am so over winter.. And I live in the south, so really it's not even a real winter. Okay, back on topic. This shirt was just a tad bit big on me.. But I knew I had to save it!  

First I snipped those sleeves.. Because heyyyyyy, another tank top! 

And then I turned it inside out to pin down the sides and cut off the extra fabric.

Next I sewed the sides and the edges of the arm holes. I also took the shoulders up just a bit.( not sure why I didn't snap a picture of that step) .. And here you have it.. My Spring / Summer shirt & I'm wearing it tonight under a cute jacket of course! It's a little snug, but I've been trying to lose a few pounds by actually working out.. So here's hoping it is a little less tight in a couple of months! 

Whoaaaa. Where's my foot!?!? It's there.. Just hiding! 

Week Five - Man's Shirt to Women's Top

I wasn't sure when I first saw this if I wanted to make it a shirt or skirt.. But since I have so many skirt refashions planned I decided a top would be my best bet. It started with this shirt that was too small on my hip and belly area...

But that's okay because I don't mind experimenting and trying to utilize making a cute top out of something that started out too small for me! 

First I flipped the shirt backwards and cut up the middle of what is now the back of the shirt. Got to let out a little breathing room ya know! 

Next I took some sheet material from an old shirt that had a hole in it.. 

An used it to fill in the space I let out of the original shirt. I wanted something flowy and cute! 

So I turned the original shirt inside out and pinned the white material where I wanted it to be sewn. 

Once the material was sewn on, I added a blue bow which is actually the fabric from the original collar and used the lace from the white shirt to add a little detail. 

Finally I decided to gather the material in the front of the shirt to create somewhat of a neckline and used a button from the white shirt as a small embellishment. And here I am...Rocking out Thursday night on the Ridge ( our weekly extended family dinner) and loving my new to me shirt. :)  oh and that's my Dad! Always throwing the camera some big eyes!! 

And excuse my mom jeans.. I ummm.. Forgot to do laundry.. Yeah, that's it!! Haha ;) 

So... Whatcha think?

Week 4 Mans Shirt to Funky Skirt

Well up until now, I have kept things pretty simple & calm .. But now is where I start showing off my true colors and style! I like weird things.. I like fabrics that really shouldn't go together .. And I like odd things in general. With that being said.. This transformation may seem a little odd to some people, but keep in mind you can do the same basic steps with any type of fabric and design. 

My sister donated this shirt that was her husbands. I loved the colors, but I wasn't feeling a shirt for myself. So what was I to do? Well, I made a skirt of course! 

First I had to cut from the arms & neckline down, but notice the material is horizontal. I am a plus size girl and confident in that fact.. But let's be real.. I don't need any sideways stripes adding definition to my bum. ;) 

So I cut down the middle and placed the fabric together going up and down for a more elongated look. 

Yes, it seemed to be coming together. ( one day I may get my own sewing room.. For now I'm using my daughters nursery)...I then added some lace. I told you I loved lace right and that contrasting materials make me smile. Now to see what the skirt looked like on the mannequin...

I roughly pinned the lace on to get an idea of what it would look like all while keeping in mind that my butt ( no matter how far I extend this mannequin) is still going to be larger than this fitting. Big bootie for the win! See look, no comparison..

After pinning the lace ( which was from an old skirt I had ripped apart before) I started sewing it on and kept the fabric as one long strip to make sewing the lace easier. After, I sewed the edges and hemmed the top to complete the skirt.  

Next I just knew I couldn't let the sleeves go to waste.. But what should I do with them?? Of course, give them to my mini me. My daughter is still very young, so maybe she won't hate looking back on a matching outfit with her mother.. Or maybe she will.. I'll feel nostalgic and amused either way. I took the sleeves and cut the full side from both and sewed them together, this time keeping the horizontal look. ( they had to be a little different.) .. Then I folded the extra lace I had and sewed it to the bottom. 

And finally I used the collar of the original shirt to create a headband. I also used the last little bit of sleeve material to make a bow for the band. In the picture she wouldn't keep the headband on so I put her silver sparkly one on. Anyway, enough of my rambling... Here are the finish products!! 

She really didn't want to cooperate.. (And pants under her skirt because it's cold!!) 

So, what do ya think??? 

Week 3 Dress Refashion 4 Ways!!

There were so many possibilities with this dress, but since I am not a fan of the material.. I decided I would go out on a limb and try something really new to me. Since I didn't like the fabric, screwing up wouldn't totally upset me. Here's the before: again, fresh shower look-- I actually took this before with last weeks before-- so I'm sorry for the double dose of no make up me!! 

And off to work -- 

First I had to cut around the edge of the material at the edge where the top half was sewn to the bottom half. I actually liked the top half and the bottom.. Just not together as a dress. 

Then I pinned the material to cut off some of the excess fabric. 

And then opted for the side shoulder look..

That's me in my leftover makeup - early morning- sewing glory!! Ahhh--- anyway, ... 

I took some of the leftover fabric from the excess side material to braid a lining piece for the top of my shirt. And here it is! It certainly isn't my best piece, but given that I'm new at this, I am very pleased.. (The braided part is actually flipped up in the picture.. Note To self to double check it next time...and ignore the crazy messy house pics.. Currently renovating and about to paint walls!!) 

As promised, here are the other three alternative looks made from this dress!! 

Using the top half as a short topper.. 

Dividing the shirt topper and using the new shirt as a skirt.. And then using the shirt as a skirt alone without the topper. 

So which is your favorite style??