'MakeOver Monday' - The Simplest Frock REfashion EVER!

'MakeOver Monday' 
... sharing how I cut up & REmake items from my wardrobe 
in the hope you'll pick up scissors & start cutting up yours!

Seems that in keeping with the quick REfashion that was this frock

everyone who could take photos of me wearing her this morning

was in a rush to be somewhere else 

so I apologise if they're a little blurry or bits of me are missing

never-the-less I'm appreciative that amongst them 

there were enough decent ones 
for me to share how the NWJJ does become the star when worn over the frocks silvery grey blockiness

I love the frock and can see her being worn lots. 

As with any REfashion or REinvent you never really know how it's going to turn out until it's underway

and even though upon finding these abandoned volunteers in the back of my wardrobe

 it was a very simple idea that sprung to mind

and now 
I'm actually having trouble remembering the last time I undertook such an uncomplicated REfashion

it was literally a matter of chopping the tops

off the t-shirt & frock

swapping them over

and REstitching

so simple in fact 

that I went looking for more volunteers

to make another one!

a rescued blousey sleeveless cotton peasant style top 
[here's a link through to the last time I probably wore it!]

with a wrap skirt I'd REfashioned from two differents skirts 8yrs ago 

- never throw anything away!

psst! see the shoes - I'd like to thank the person in Albany who decided to donate these brand new embroidered red leather little heeled Hush Puppies so I could have them...there's a family wedding coming up later this year which I think they'll be perfect for - just need something to wear with them!

 ***

Next Week

feeling bruised & fragile
so looking for solace 
by creating
something soft & pretty, floaty & delicate  
because sometimes you need life to mimic your next sewing venture

An InLinkz Link-up

Inges Doily Jacket

I still remember one of the hardest things to master 

when I started sewing 

and which I recognise in others now 

be it sewing from a commercial pattern

REinventing from commercial garments

or a combination of both

is which fabrics 

or garments to use

and for what purpose

it can be a daunting task 

as there are many factors which need to work as a whole

if your creation is going to be a wearable success

colour preference & suitability, fibre content & fabric fall, fastening & finishes 

to name a few

the key to bringing it together is simple

listen to your instincts

if you're asking the question 

you already know the answer

and that is why sewing is much more than just making something

Inge did a lot of listening when creating her

Doily Jacket

and the result

I think you'll agree 

was worth it

created with a commercial jacket pattern

using pre-loved bamboo sheets as the base

Inge took her time & had fun 

combining vintage doilies, with colourful Kaffe Fasset trim

adding details in all the right places

ensuring that not only did she create the perfect garment for her
it is one she will cherish wearing for a very long time....

Op Shop Rescues :: Compliments

Over 20yrs ago I used to create garments from vintage bedspreads & curtains

and sell them

the only thing that has changed is I don't sell garments anymore 
instead I sell time, space & knowledge in the form of workshops

I haven't sold a garment in over12yrs
[these days I use my children to gauge time]

so

 I take it as a compliment 

when I see one of my creations hanging in an Op Shop

so far it's happened 3x in the last couple of years

and on 2 of those occasions I've rescued them.

This brocade Vest is over 20yrs old 
I know this because I was creating these just before I fell pregnant with Eliza

and she'll be 21 in June.

It was hanging on the 'Designer Rack'
and after I told the Manager my tale
she sold it to me for $2.

This barkcloth Jacket was a custom order -
I remember the client didn't want studs on the breast pockets.

Fortuitously I walked into the Op Shop
[one I don't frequent]
just as the Jacket had been hung up
and walked out with it for the princely sum of $5.

On an Op-shopping excursion while Regina was visiting from Victoria

we popped into one of her x-locals

and discovered this Pearl Jacket.

It had been created 15yrs ago from vintage curtains that Regina had given me

and it wasn't Reginas cos she's still got hers!

This one I didn't rescue

so I hope she found a good home and is treasured.

Playing with my Bambi Jacket

It all started when I enrolled in a hand stitching class.

Anyone that's known me for any length of time
knows how much I've always wanted to be apart of someone elses sewing workshop
so when Regina & I walked into
Trishs shop & I spied she was offering a stitching workshop
I could hardly breathe it felt so right.

It was 4 Tuesday evenings
- during the first 3 I tried very hard not to think about how to create something
and tried instead to connect with my inner embroiderer & focus on finding my 'thing'
- 'a symbol in stitch' which belonged to me, was how Trish worded it I think.

A symbol eluded me 
and so did the ability not to create something.

In true Jody Pearl style 
on the day of the last night
it all suddenly made sense and started to come together.

 

Along with being in the company of like minded souls 
the spark which ignited the creative flame

was REdiscovering a vintage childs hanky in my filing,

which then reminded me of the red wool blend Coat I'd bought brand new 3 winters ago

hanging unworn in the back of the wardrobe...

and slowly

 over the course of the next few weeks 
while sitting at my end of the couch 
channel surfing by lamp light
I played
with basic hand stitching techniques 
fabric scraps
potato printing with doilies
 vintage trims
and most amazing of all
 I totally lost the need to control this REfashion with a sewing machine.

I discovered along the way that

taking the slow road is good for the soul

and giving yourself permission to play

involves stepping away from what you know and loosing the fear of being wrong.