As much as I'd love to pop down to Coles or turn up at a parent/teacher meeting
wearing a picture frame sewn into my frock
or wake up every morning knowing I look good in a paper bag
I'm realist enough to know it ain't never going to happen
I need/want clothes that I can throw on
that will allow me the freedom to express my individuality
without being uncomfortable, making those around me uncomfortable
or breaking the bank in the process
short of turning back time, indulging in plastic surgery
and in the absense of much motivation to exercise or give up sugar
REinventing & REfashioning
are my preferred options for creating wearable wardrobe items
REfashioning by my reckoning is when a garment is altered
unlike REinventing where it's completely transformed
my latest REfashion happened through necessity - lunch with the girls
and long sleeves in the middle of summer meant having to wait for winter in order to wear a recent treasure rescue
in any event I'm not convinced I'd even wear it with long sleeves
being I like a cardy with a frock in winter
so she needed to go from this
to this
and in 5 steps this is how it happened:
1.
it's always a good idea to check options before picking up the scissors
I checked to see if the existing hem detail would work as well as the new hem detail once it was shortened
realising quickly it wouldn't
2.
I then measured down from the shoulder
the depth I wanted the finished sleeve to be
adding 3cm for hem allowance
3.
with the frock folded in half and both sleeves lying flat & even on top of each other
I marked a cutting line with my trusty soap shard
99.9% of the time I use 'old' soap to mark lines
especially when dealing with clingy knit fabrics as it glides rather than grips
4.
I cut
5.
to finish the sleeve edge
I overlocked [for stability]
then turned under my hem allowance and stitched with a twin needle
so when finished it looked like a bought one
in 30-45minutes I took a garment I'd not wear as-is
and turned it into one that will feature quite heavily this summer in my wanderings.
wearing a picture frame sewn into my frock
or wake up every morning knowing I look good in a paper bag
I'm realist enough to know it ain't never going to happen
that will allow me the freedom to express my individuality
without being uncomfortable, making those around me uncomfortable
or breaking the bank in the process
short of turning back time, indulging in plastic surgery
and in the absense of much motivation to exercise or give up sugar
REinventing & REfashioning
are my preferred options for creating wearable wardrobe items
REfashioning by my reckoning is when a garment is altered
unlike REinventing where it's completely transformed
my latest REfashion happened through necessity - lunch with the girls
and long sleeves in the middle of summer meant having to wait for winter in order to wear a recent treasure rescue
in any event I'm not convinced I'd even wear it with long sleeves
being I like a cardy with a frock in winter
so she needed to go from this
1.
it's always a good idea to check options before picking up the scissors
I checked to see if the existing hem detail would work as well as the new hem detail once it was shortened
realising quickly it wouldn't
2.
I then measured down from the shoulder
the depth I wanted the finished sleeve to be
adding 3cm for hem allowance
3.
with the frock folded in half and both sleeves lying flat & even on top of each other
I marked a cutting line with my trusty soap shard
99.9% of the time I use 'old' soap to mark lines
especially when dealing with clingy knit fabrics as it glides rather than grips
4.
I cut
5.
to finish the sleeve edge
I overlocked [for stability]
then turned under my hem allowance and stitched with a twin needle
so when finished it looked like a bought one
in 30-45minutes I took a garment I'd not wear as-is
and turned it into one that will feature quite heavily this summer in my wanderings.
Love the simple transformation. I'm with you on the sugar and exercise. Wish I'd been there for lunch, gale to hear you had a good time.
ReplyDeleteLove this! Thank you so much Jody. For those of us who don't have overlockers, could you stabilize the edges of the sleeves with a zig zag stitch? Fiona
ReplyDeleteThanks Fiona,
DeleteI avoid at all costs over-handling knit fabrics and a zig zag stitch on a knit in my books is definately over-handling - you'll likely end up with a stretched 'lettuce' look finish which will be difficult to turn under and stitch evenly.
Being a knit fabric the cut edge will never fray which means there's no danger of loose untidy threads [which is the main reason for finishing an edge with an overlocker] so I would suggest simply turning under & stitching…if you're concerned at maintaining an even hem all the way round give the edges a gentle press with the iron.
Hope that helps. x
Thank you!!!! This is really helpful. x
DeleteGreat refashion.....so lovely to share with us all your tips on making a fun new garment ourselves. Xxxxx
ReplyDelete