November 29, 2011 by ginghamgirl
The original creator of this top clearly knew that women LOVE their arms and shoulders to look 5-10times larger than their actual size. I mean who doesn’t like to look like they could smuggle a cat in their sleeves? (actually I would love that, can you imagine how cute it would be if you trained the cat to pop it’s head out every now and then?)
Regardless of the storage possibilities, I chose to remove the sleeves in order to actually wear this top. I got it from an Op shop, un-worn with the tags still attached (apparently the original owner felt similarly about looking like their shoulders had wings attached). I also only had to pay $2 for it, which already makes me extremely happy with myself. I removed the sleeves and shoulder pads, and simply turned the sleeve over twice (to enclose the raw edge) and sewed it with my sewing machine. I also took the sides in about 2cms on either side, as it was a bit gapey.
This project took a total of 10 minutes, the majority of that spent unpicked the mass amount of fabric on the sleeve seam. The top is a bit sheer, and in polyester, what feels like lining fabric, but as it was so cheap I’m not complaining. Plus the collar is amazing so hopefully that will distract from the loud ‘swishy swish’ sound that accompanies any movement. This is such an easy project, and a wonderful way to make use of the pile of 80s shirts people seem to accumulate for ‘all those costume parties I go to’. Go forth, hack into your clothes!
The title of this post is a bit misleading, it should instead maybe be called ‘making things re-wearable’. I’ve decided to tackle the massive amount of thrifted clothing in my ‘to edit’ pile and hope to capture this here for you. Oh also- I can attach bows to the centre of this top, which, regardless of what my face is doing in this photo, makes me very happy.
Have a good day, happy sewing. Bry xo
Category Sewing, Tutorials | Tags: re-fashionating,Sewing,stash busting,Top | 3 Comments
November 23, 2011 by ginghamgirl
Patten: Simplicity 8889 (Printed in 1970)
Fabric: Black cotton with flowers running down it
What, a dress that ISN’T too tight? One that allows me to eat as well as breath? Can it be so? Apparently it can, if Simplicity 8889 has anything to do with it.
I actually made this dress as a wearable muslin to try out this pattern that I found in my Nan’s horde. I want to make a dress in cream and navy silk (finally giving in to the colour block trend) and just wanted to test out the proportions of the princess seams. This is completely different to what I normally wear, it would appear I have an obsession with defining my waist, but I actually rather enjoy the floaty-ness of it. Plus this pattern has my Nan’s handwriting and notes all over it, which is adorable. I love that I’m the same size as all of her patterns and clothes. The best part of that being I don’t have to share with my sisters who aren’t!
I chopped off quite a bit of the length so I didn’t feel too much like I was wearing a muu-muu, and deepened the neckline slightly. I also omitted the facings and the zipper after doing a ‘Mena Test’ to make sure I could get the thing over my head.
Clearly I’m going to have to move the bust darts down a bit (sob). Seriously, I’d like to meet the woman in 1970 whose breasts sat this high, obviously she never run for the bus (or even walked fast). Or maybe I’m just ‘low bust challenged’. Despite this, I really like the detailing at the bust, which is visible if you squint really hard.
The best part of this dress is that everything came from my stash (which qualifies me to do some fabric shopping right ; )? ), it was super dooper quick, and really easy –that is unless you accidently sew the princess seam wrong three times. That’s what I get for deciding to make a dress at 11:30pm apparently. Regardless, horrah, new dress!
Oh P.S. Please ignore Grug hair in last photo, I really, REALLY need to trim my fringe. It is taking overrrrrrrr! Happy sewing : ) Bry xo
Category Dresses, Sewing | Tags: dress,Sewing,stash busting | 3 Comments
November 20, 2011 by ginghamgirl
Patten: Sencha from Colette Pattens
Fabric: 1m of Mystery Green polyblend fabric
Yes I am quoting Kelly Clarkson (SINCE you been gone. Check THAT English out). I have been gone for quite a while. But do not fret, look, a top.
My second Sencha from Colette Patterns, I made version 1 again, but this time drafted a peter pan collar with lace trim and used 5 buttons instead of four (more back aerobics for me hurruah). Seriously sometimes I completely understand women who had dressers ‘back in the day’. My back can only contort so much before I realize I may actually have to go out in public with some of my bits on display. Oh the horror.
I really love this pattern. I think it is so versatile and looks so varied with different fabric and button combinations. This top looks both dressy and more relaxed, depending on whether I wear it untucked or tucked in. This time I chose to use this very odd green fabric I found at an op shop, it looks like cord on one side and is really silky on the other (the side I used). I think it’s a synthetic blend of some sort, I’ve had no issues with washing it so far so it is a champ in my mind. The lace was from my MASSIVE stash my Nan gave me, and the buttons are from a pile I brought from my local op shop last year. So that’s kind of stash busting…right?
I’m between a Colette Size 2 and 4 and I think I made this shirt a smidge too tight, but that hasn’t stopped me from wearing 5 times since I made it (OUTFIT REPEATER OUTFIT REPEATER). I had originally made it a size four but when I was fitting it, it was quite big so I pulled it in a bit. A bit too much but shhhh, and at least it makes me think twice before I have that second serving of cake.
I have actually already made ANOTHER sencha, a knit one, without closures (hello two hour top). If you are reading this and you don’t have a Sencha pattern, I think you should get one IMMEDIETELY, its one that you’ll want to make over and over again.
These photos were brought to you by my camera’s self timer. Be not afraid of pressing the button, running to approximately where its pointed and posing for the obligatory 10secs before you run back and realize you counted wrong and have instead caught yourself in flight. With a very odd face. This is what the delete button is for.
Have a good day, Bry xo
Category Sewing | Tags: Colette Patterns,Sewing,stash busting,Top | No Comments
