#RefashionFriday Colorful Stripe Dress to Shorts Refashion

May 8, 2020 trishstitchedLeave a comment

This refashion was intended to be blogged a few Friday’s ago during Fashion Revolution Week but day the just got away from me! If you follow me over on instagram, you will have already seen this refashion – but I wanted to share a few details here about it!

#RefashionFriday Colorful Stripe Dress to Shorts Refashion - Trish Stitched

I picked this dress up at one of my local thrift stores (weeks before lockdown started) with full intentions of upcycling it. I fell in love with the colors and stripes, and really loved the fabric. It was well loved, but still in good condition – making the fabric that perfect washed and worn feel. I didn’t know what to do with the dress at first, but knew there weren’t too many options because it was a pretty short dress! (This dress is size S, brand is Soda Pop. Based on fit and style, I’m guessing it is a junior department dress.)

#RefashionFriday Colorful Stripe Dress to Shorts Refashion - Trish Stitched

A fabric like this screams summer, and the first piece of clothing that comes to my mind when thinking summer is shorts. Now yes, my wardrobe also needs like, basic denim shorts, but a pair of colorful shorts would be a welcomed addition to my wardrobe! Since this fabric was so bright and fun, I wanted my shorts pattern to be a little fun as well. I used the Paperbag Waist Shorts from Peppermint Magazine for this refashion and cut a size 8 (the pattern is free, but donate if you can!)

#RefashionFriday Colorful Stripe Dress to Shorts Refashion - Trish Stitched

This was a refashion that required me to seam rip almost the entire garment. I removed the bodice and straps, and removed the front pockets. I seam ripped open one side of the skirt to work with the material, and let down the hem.

#RefashionFriday Colorful Stripe Dress to Shorts Refashion - Trish Stitched

In order for the shorts to fit on the fabric, I had to cut the pattern in half before tracing it onto my fabric, and piece together the fabric. Had the skirt been a little longer, or fuller (gathered or pleated skirt) I probably wouldn’t have had to do this. This part was frustrating, because I thought the pattern would fit without issue, and I needed to re-think my cutting. (If you have to cut a pattern piece in half, don’t forget to include seam allowance where the pieces meet!)

#RefashionFriday Colorful Stripe Dress to Shorts Refashion - Trish Stitched

I was able to use the dress bodice for the new waistband (along with a little extra from skirt leftovers). This pattern has you insert elastic and a little fake tie in the front so I used one of the dress straps for a tie! I also re-purposed the front pockets into back pockets! For the shorts front pockets and hem facings, I used a light pink cotton that was in my stash.

#RefashionFriday Colorful Stripe Dress to Shorts Refashion - Trish Stitched

I really love these shorts! I think I made them a little too early in the year but by the time summer rolls around they will be getting a lot of wear!

refashion · sewing · Tutorials

Fashion Revolution Week & Simple Dress to Midi Skirt Refashion

April 20, 2020 trishstitched3 Comments

It’s Fashion Revolution Week! This is a very important week, and as a refashioner /lover of the planet, this week is a chance for me to bring even more awareness to a cause close to my heart. If you’ve been following this blog for some time, you’ll have seen my posts in previous years about Fashion Revolution. But for those who are new here, or somehow stumbled upon this post – I would love to share what Fashion Revolution is!

Fashion Revolution.org explains it best:

On the anniversary of the Rana Plaza factory collapse, which killed 1,138 people and injured many more in 2013, we encourage millions of people to come together to campaign for systemic change in the fashion industry.

We are living in a climate emergency and the fashion & textiles sector is one of the most polluting and wasteful industries. The industry continues to lack transparency, with widespread exploitation of people working in the supply chain. Never before have there been this many people on the planet in slavery, and fashion is a key driver of this reality. Brands and retailers are still not taking enough responsibility for the pay and working conditions in their factories, the environmental impacts of the materials they use or how the products they make affect the health of people, animals and our living planet.

If the fashion industry is so horrible, why do we still love shopping and getting new clothes? It’s so easy to ignore something that isn’t directly affecting our daily lives. But if we know what is wrong with the clothing industry, why can’t we do something about it? As a consumer, there are a few things you can do: ask your favorite brands who made your clothes and how. Hold them responsible for their impact, and if they don’t have a good answer or plan on changing – find an alternative.

I am fortunate to have a passion for sewing that has helped me to find alternatives to shopping fast fashion, and with second-hand shopping gaining momentum, it is now easier than ever to say “no” to buying new, unsustainable fashion. This week I’m talking about alternatives in the fashion & sewing industry, ways to be more sustainable in every day life, and sharing some new refashions. One of the most important things to remember about your sustainable journey is that it isn’t about being perfect. Change doesn’t happen overnight, and taking time to make little changes can be more impactful than diving straight in. My wardrobe still isn’t 100% sustainable, and probably won’t be for a few years, but I’m doing what I can at my own pace. World changers aren’t here to judge, we are hear to encourage and inform.

Why do I care about Fashion Revolution? I’ve been part of the world of fashion since I was a child, playing with paper dolls and creating new clothes for them. I’ve dreamed of being a designer, owning a fashion house and making several new lines a year. I’ve envisioned seeing my clothes on people walking down the street, and in shop windows. I’ve always known I was meant to be in the world of fashion, but when I started to really learn about the industry, my dreams started to blur.

I learned about the horrible working conditions, and it was a complete eye opener. A world that I loved had just started crumbling around me – the realities of what my dream meant to others and the planet started setting in and I believed I wasn’t meant for this industry. And I was right. I’m not meant for the traditional fashion industry. I’m meant for this new industry that is forming. One that cares about employees and working conditions, fair pay and materials used, sustainability and inclusivity.

My love for clothing hasn’t changed, but I no longer desire to have my own clothing company. Now, I dream about encouraging others to create. One of the best alternatives to shopping fast fashion is to take a second look at the items already in your wardrobe- and if you sew, you’ll have a lot more opportunity to love your garments over and over! This week I’m transforming a few pieces that have been sitting in my closet into something new for me to re-love.

Fashion Revolution Week: Dress to Midi Skirt Refashion - Trish Stitched

The first piece up is an Aeropostle dress I thrifted quite a few months ago. I originally bought this dress to wear as-is, but after washing it and trying it on, it was clear the top was too tight for me. The underarms were too high and cut into my armpits, and there were a few stains along the bodice. What drew me to the dress was the longer skirt, so that’s the part I wanted to keep! It didn’t take long to turn this dress into a cute midi skirt for spring/summer.

Fashion Revolution Week: Dress to Midi Skirt Refashion - Trish Stitched

There’s a short video for this piece, but a few written instructions as well. This is for a skirt with front buttons but can be done with a zippered dress as well. With a zipper, you may have to remove and re-install the zipper.

Measure waist to midi length (or the length you would like your skirt to hit) and add 1/2″. Starting your measurement from the bottom of the dress, measure and cut that length on your piece. This way you will get to keep your hem in tact and save a step! My measurement came to 29.5″.
If you are raising the waist of your dress, you may need to take out some extra fabric. I took out 8″ total on my new skirt from the back seam. Starting at the waistline and tapering down to the seamline.
Using the excess material from the bodice of your dress, make a waistband. I wanted a small waistband so mine was 2″ x the length of my waist (+2″ for seam allowance) Add lightweight interfacing to waistband.
Stitch the waistband to the skirt, right sides together with a 1/2″ seam allowance.
Fold the other raw edge of waistband in, then fold waistband in half with wrong sides together, enclosing the raw edges. Topstitch waistband.
I added a hook and eye to the very top of my waistband, but if you have a zipper, there will be no need.

I wanted the front of my skirt to have a clean look with no gathering, but I will be going in and adding elastic to the back, as I tried my skirt on the next day and it wasn’t as secure (thanks to the short detox I’m doing!). Adding a little bit of elastic on the back will help with fit.

Fashion Revolution Week: Dress to Midi Skirt Refashion - Trish Stitched

I’ve wanted a midi skirt in my wardrobe for a long time, but never thought it was right for my short body. Being able to try the style with a second hand piece showed me I can rock and LOVE how midi’s look on me. I am so excited to wear this piece with sneakers and tees, and also dress it up with heels like I did here. It’s going to be a perfect piece for summer in my sewing studio when I want something light and airy to wear.

Fashion Revolution Week: Dress to Midi Skirt Refashion - Trish Stitched

And how cute is that print and those buttons?! I hope you’ll join me along for the rest of the week and ask your favorite brands who made your clothes!

For more info and ways to get involved, visit FashionRevolution.org

sewing · Uncategorized

Striped Anni Jumpsuit

April 16, 2020 trishstitched1 Comment

Happy Thursday! Over the past few weeks it’s been really hard to get motivated and stay motivated . I find myself having good days and bad days, but am fortunate to have a great partner who frequently tells me it’s ok to have bad days. We’ve been playing a lot of ping pong and UNO, making sure we take time to just relax and breathe.

At the end of March, beginning of April, I made 80 masks for friends who work in hospitals, and for family working in grocery stores. If you’ve made masks, you can know how time consuming it can be, but more than that, how exhausting. While it was hours of labor, it was also mentally exhausting for me thinking about who would be using them, and the guilt for not making more or not going fast enough. It became a little too overwhelming and I had to stop. Last week I took some time for selfish sewing and made a project that’s been on my list for a few weeks.

I picked up this stripe fabric on my last trip to Fab Scrap, and originally planned to make some sort of dress, but the more I looked at Pinterest, the more I was attracted to striped jumpsuits! I had bought the Anni Jumpsuit Pattern for a different project that I didn’t have enough fabric for, but I had just enough striped material to make this jumpsuit.

What really attracted me to this pattern was the unique bodice design. I fell in love with the diamond shape and the options that came with the Building Block Bundle. This pattern was a little pricier but with several options, it was a price that made sense to me, and a pattern I could see making multiple versions of.

Now, if you want to make this bodice option, I do not recommend this as a beginner pattern. I don’t consider myself a sewing expert but I do have experience, and I wanted to throw these instructions out the window. The instructions and photo representation for this bodice pattern were not enough for me. I spent hours sewing seams, then directly ripping them out. It was frustrating. But eventually I got it, and it was one of those “ah-ha” moments. Once it was actually sewn, the instructions made sense. I could see how it worked, but couldn’t explain it to someone else. While it was frustrating at first, I would make this bodice again in a heartbeat. I don’t say this information to scare you away from making it, but as a warning that it may be difficult to get it at first.

Pattern details: I made Anni Size 4, shortening the bodice by 1” and shortened the pant length. I forgot to save the bottom of the pants to confirm how much I cut off, but my full length pant pattern measures 37”. After sewing the pants, I shortened the top rise by 1.5” as the crotch was just too long for my torso. I also tapered in the pants by 1” as well. I spent so much time making sure my stripes were as matched as I could make them, the last thing I wanted on this jumpsuit was a poor fit.

The last step I did was insert the zipper – and then found another fit issue. After sewing in the zipper, it felt like the jumpsuit back was too long. I went back in and removed 1/2” from the center back, under the waistline to eliminate some of the sloping. Seeing the photos made me question what was actually wrong – and I figured it out. The belt is tied a little too tight causing the zipper to puff out and the butt to look a little more sloped than it actually is. I have since tried it on with the belt tied looser – and no belt- and the fit is great.

I had just enough fabric left over to make a fabric belt to complete look. The pattern does not call for a belt, but I really love defining my waist, and think this striped version looks cuter with the belt.

I love this jumpsuit! I’ve been spending a lot of time defining my style, cleaning out my wardrobe and re-thinking my look, and this fits right in with how I want to dress! Floral prints are definitely still my style, but I love adding in stripes as well.

For anyone interested, the pattern I used for my masks was from Instructables – for a nurse, by a nurse. For family I have been making the pattern from Mimi G.

sewing

Purple Floral Magnolia Dress – With Craft and Thrift Shop

March 15, 2020 trishstitched2 Comments

Happy Sunday! I hope you are safe and healthy wherever in the world you may be! Sewing helps to distract me, and calms me in times of uncertainty, so I hope my work can calm/distract you if only for a moment.

Part of my sustainable fashion journey is buying secondhand/sustainable fabrics, which can be difficult to come by. I’ve often talked about one of my local sources, Fab Scrap, but little online shops are popping up! They often have collections of deadstock, and thrifted fabrics, meaning there is a limited amount – and limited time – for purchasing. For me, this is the perfect way to shop for fabric because I love letting the fabric speak to me. That’s exactly how this dress came to be!

Deer and Doe Magnolia Purple Floral Dress - Trish Stitched (with Craft and Thrift Shop)

Amy from Craft & Thrift Shop on Etsy reached out to me a few months ago about making a piece with fabric from her shop. Amy’s shop is filled with some of the most gorgeous secondhand fabrics, and this stunning print jumped out at me!

Deer and Doe Magnolia Purple Floral Dress - Trish Stitched (with Craft and Thrift Shop)

I thought this material would make a great dress, and Deer & Doe Magnolia was the first dress to come to mind. I had seen such glamorous versions of this dress and have always wanted to make it. Having this fabric seemed like the perfect opportunity! My vision was View A with the full sleeve in midi length, since I knew I would be able to get more wear out of the shorter skirt. But, I realized I had plenty of fabric to go with the full length, so I wanted to test it out before making any final decisions.

Deer and Doe Magnolia Purple Floral Dress - Trish Stitched (with Craft and Thrift Shop)

I cut the full skirt length and full sleeves from my fabric – which thankfully juuuuuust fit! After stitching the bodice and skirt together (without sleeves) I took a progress photo and asked instagram what to do. It was a resounding yes to keeping the full length skirt. Quite a few comments also said to keep it sleeveless, which I was still on the fence about. But the comments that made the most sense to me were to keep the long skirt for now, and shorten it later if I want to!

Deer and Doe Magnolia Purple Floral Dress - Trish Stitched (with Craft and Thrift Shop)

I still had dreams of the dress with full sleeves, so I had to try it out. I made one long sleeve and kept the other side sleeveless. I tried it on in front of the mirror and for Drew to help me decide. The full sleeve was definitely too overwhelming for me, so I cut the flutter sleeve from the full sleeve. And I think it is the perfect touch! I have a lot of sleeveless dresses, but I don’t have one with flutter sleeves!

Deer and Doe Magnolia Purple Floral Dress - Trish Stitched (with Craft and Thrift Shop)

Pattern details: I made Magnolia in a size 36, I cut out view A with the plunging neckline but wound up stitching the neckline a little higher because the plunge was too open. The dress came together very smoothly, and quickly! Instructions were great, as was sizing.

Fabric Details: I chose this amazing purple floral print from Amy’s shop to make my dress. It was designed by John Kaldor, and is a woven polyester. Amy ships from Scotland so it was really cool to receive a package from overseas (and quickly!)

Deer and Doe Magnolia Purple Floral Dress - Trish Stitched (with Craft and Thrift Shop)

Shopping for fabric online can be tough. You can’t feel, you can’t see the true colors, all you can go on is the photos and description listed. What makes me thrilled to recommend Craft & Thrift Shop is because you get to buy from another seamstress, who knows what you want to know about the material. What’s the fabric content? What’s the best thing to make with the fabric? Bags or garments, a dress or pants? How about washing instructions? Amy has it all covered. Her shop is organized by fabric type, and she even sells notions, buttons and yarns! Here are some of my current favorites in her shop:

Vintage Orange Floral

Craft and Thrift Shop

Vintage Orange & Green Floral

Craft and Thrift Shop

Multicolor Polyester

Craft and Thrift Shop

Geometric Teal & Gold Upholstery

Craft and Thrift Shop

Oh, in case you were wondering why they are called flutter sleeves, the wind showed me why today!

Deer and Doe Magnolia Purple Floral Dress - Trish Stitched (with Craft and Thrift Shop)

{Fabric was gifted to me from Craft and Thrift Shop, but all opinions are my own}

#RefashionFriday · refashion · sewing

#RefashionFriday Dress to Shirt Dress

April 26, 2019February 1, 2020 trishstitched1 Comment

Happy Friday! I am so excited because it is Fashion Revolution Week! I really love this week because it’s a time for everyone to come out and ask the fashion industry about what they are doing. For those that don’t know what Fashion Revolution Week is, you can read about it on their website!

To be honest, I like to believe like every week is Fashion Revolution week, and one of my goals with refashioning projects is to educate others about reusing resources we already have, whether that be through clothing in our own closets or thrifting items. I’ve found my best solution to the messed up world of fashion is through my sewing. Over my 13 years of learning to sew, I’ve become much more aware of the textiles I’ve been bringing in, and the waste I accumulate. My sewing has become much more mindful, and I’m really honing in on my style, and the quality of my makes.

That being said, I have a new refashion to share today! I’ve had this dress in my refashioning pile for months, waiting for the right idea. I went onto Pinterest and started searching around for denim dresses, and one style that popped up was a shirt dress. I don’t have a casual shirt dress in my wardrobe and I thought it would be a fun, easy going style to carry me into summer.

#RefashionFriday Dress to Shirt Dress - Trish Stitched

The one thing I really wanted out of this shirt dress was a longer sleeve, but because of the limited amount of fabric, chances were that I wouldn’t be able to get the full sleeve – and I needed a pattern for it. That’s when I remembered I had a pattern in my library for a shirt dress- and I already made it once before! I was able to take a few of the pattern pieces from Mimi G for Simplicity 8084 for this refashion.

One of the reasons I bought this dress in the thrift store was because it had a lot of stains, and I knew most people wouldn’t want it. It sat around for so long because I was trying to figure out ways to work around the stains. But after washing it, quite a few of the front spots came out so it wasn’t that big of a concern anymore. There were a few large stains I could work around, but two smaller ones that I couldn’t do anything about.

The first stain was right next to the side seam- a nice bleach stain that was easily cover-able. The second stain was on the sleeve, and thankfully I had enough hem left over to make a new upper sleeve! There is still a small stain on the bodice that you can’t see unless you are right on top of it, and one more that’s on the button placket but it gets covered by a button.

#RefashionFriday Dress to Shirt Dress - Trish Stitched

The first step was to remove the skirt gathering. It was just a detail I didn’t want, and it allowed me to use some of the extra fabric in other places. I really wanted to keep the side pockets so I had to remove fabric from the center of the front skirt pieces, since I also wanted to keep the front button placket in tact. I did the same with the back skirt, removing material from the center. Since I wanted to make this look intentional, rather than just having two seams down the front skirt, I added some stitching on both sides of the seam line for detail. This was just a little trick that can go a long way for refashioning.

#RefashionFriday Dress to Shirt Dress - Trish Stitched

I didn’t want to mess with the top bodice at all. I remember from my denim dress refashion that removing the pockets left deep holes in the fabric that have to be covered, so while I think this dress would be cuter with smaller pockets, they will be staying in place!

#RefashionFriday Dress to Shirt Dress - Trish Stitched

I absolutely love how the sleeves turned out! At first I thought I would get rid of the hem, but decided to play around with it instead! With the seamlines in the skirt, having more exposed seams just made more sense, and added cute detail. I cut sleeve bottoms from the dress hem and attached them to the original sleeve bottoms. I made some tabs from leftover scraps and added buttons from my stash to complete the sleeves.

#RefashionFriday Dress to Shirt Dress - Trish Stitched

The final step to making this look into more of a shirt dress was adding in the curved hemline. Again, I used my pattern pieces to get the curve. You really don’t need a pattern for this step, but it was easier since I already had it on hand!

#RefashionFriday Dress to Shirt Dress - Trish Stitched

Overall, this refashion required way more steps than I thought it would take because as much as I love the “oversized” look, it does not work on my body. I love the boxy style, and have made several pieces in the past with this style in mind only to remember that I don’t look good in it. I originally left the back bodice in tact – figuring the original size would give that over-sized look, but after trying it on several times, I had to face the fact that I looked like I was drowning. I wound up taking an extra two inches out of the entire back, then adding a back tie to pull in ever so slightly.

#RefashionFriday Dress to Shirt Dress - Trish Stitched

I LOVE how this piece turned out. There were so many times throughout this refashion when I didn’t like it. It wasn’t looking right, wasn’t feeling right, but as soon as the sleeves were put in, the whole piece was brought together. It is going to be the perfect spring/summer casual dress to throw on to go out to the grocery store, or run errands, and go out with friends. This is the type of wardrobe piece I’ve been needing to add. Every summer I want cute casual dresses but I never wind up making them. So hopefully this will be the kick I need to keep going with sewing this kind of wardrobe staple!

I do have the video footage, and will be working on a youtube video showing the entire process. Coming soon! If you want to be notified, be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel!

sewing

Spring Stripe Dress with Measure Fabric

April 25, 2019 trishstitchedLeave a comment

Have you been following along with Fashion Revolution this week? I’ve talked a lot in past years about Fashion Revolution and things we can do to during the week and beyond, but today I’m talking about how my general sewing has changed.

When I first started sewing, I would go to JoAnn Fabrics often, and after college, I bought from Fabric.com about twice a month. I spent a lot of money on fabric, fabric that I didn’t think about buying, I just wanted to make and make and make. I was on this path for a few years, buying new fabric whenever I wanted, trying to finish a project a week to have something new to write a blog post about, but it wasn’t a sustainable path.

Since I now don’t have a consistent income, I don’t have as much money to spend on fabric like I used to. But it has also made me incredibly aware of the quality of fabrics I’ve been purchasing. Now I only want fabrics I truly love and want in my wardrobe – not just because it’s on sale. What I love even more is getting to work with companies I really believe in, and want to work with.

Spring Stripe Dress with Measure Fabric - Trish Stitched

I am so proud to work with Measure Fabric. Their quality and collection is beautiful and getting to work with these gorgeous fabrics is so special. I saw this striped fabric on their website, and was intrigued. I’ve been falling in love with stripes, but have no stripes in my wardrobe! I thought this was a perfect stripe to get into the Spring Spirit, and try out a new silhouette. This dress was a total experiment for my body and my sewing, but I am so proud of the result!

Spring Stripe Dress with Measure Fabric - Trish Stitched

This dress was inspired by one from Kate Spade. I used a pattern already in my collection (Simplicity 8086) with many, many changes. I really only used the bodice pieces in view A, and added a gathered skirt and an additional hem band.

Spring Stripe Dress with Measure Fabric - Trish Stitched

I don’t have a lot of experience working with stripes, so this project was a little new to me. I had to re-do the zipper about three times to get the stripes right. The first time wasn’t bad, but what I really want out of my sewing projects now is a more professional look. I want to re-do steps to get things right even if it takes longer. My favorite pieces are ones that I took extra time to complete. (and as I say that I know I have to add a hook and eye to the top of the zipper!) I was so happy with how the stripe matching came out, and definitely took time to get them to match up!

Spring Stripe Dress with Measure Fabric - Trish Stitched

Now, lets talk about this fabric for a minute. The colors in this stripe pattern are beautiful. A light pink and olive-y tan on a cream background. It is a beautiful mix to ease my way into more stripes. The fabric is a really cool cotton twill, that gives it a more casual feel. I can see this fabric going into a number of different projects (my mind is still on dresses) including apparel and home projects. After washing, it became much more comfortable, and relaxed. I was a little nervous that it would be too stiff for apparel, but I have no problem with it against my skin! The bodice is lined with regular cotton, and even though the skirt is unlined, it’s comfortable.

This silhouette is definitely different for me, since it is a much longer skirt than I normally wear! I’m still not positive where a “midi” length is supposed to be, and I think taking this up just about an inch will make it perfect. (sometimes you have to see the length through a lens to get the full picture). But overall, it feels like a classic design for a dress that will do well for me throughout summer.

Spring Stripe Dress with Measure Fabric - Trish Stitched

Uncategorized

Thrift Haul! Second- Hand Shopping

April 12, 2019April 12, 2019 trishstitchedLeave a comment

If you guys follow me over on Instagram (@trishstitched), you may have seen I did a huge closet clean out earlier this week. I had a bunch of handmade and store bought pieces that I was saving for no reason. They weren’t getting worn, but I just couldn’t part with them until now.

I really went over my wardrobe and looked at what I need and decided to do a little shopping to fill in the gaps. I need more basics, but don’t have time to make everything for the upcoming spring/summer, so I thought I would try a little second-hand shopping! I shopped with ThredUp and at my local Salvation Army. Of course, I didn’t find everything I need, but I found a few great pieces to add to my wardrobe!

You can watch my entire haul here:

ThredUp is such a wonderful resource for shopping second hand online, and I will definitely be shopping there again! (This haul was my second order from them, I’ve also sent in a few closet clean out bags in the past) I truly believe the company is doing amazing things and if you want to do some second hand shopping of your own, you can get $10 off by using the code below! (I also get $10 if you use this code, but this post is not affiliated with ThredUp, I just really love this site!)

Shop ThredUp!

And we are rapidly coming up to Fashion Revolution Week! So if you are looking for a more sustainable way to shop- check your local stores, online sources like ThredUp, Ebay & Poshmark before hitting the mall!

#RefashionFriday · handmade wardrobe · refashion · sewing · Tutorials

#RefashionFriday Skirt to Pinafore Refashion

March 29, 2019April 5, 2019 trishstitched5 Comments

Happy Friday! I have a whole list of sewing projects to get to, and with Spring finally peaking out from the winter weather, I’m so motivated to tackle some new projects!

I picked this skirt up a few weeks ago, while filming my thrifting trip for my Simplicity takeover. I originally wasn’t going to buy it, but it looked like it would actually fit me ‘as is’ and that excited me. It was also this gorgeous golden color, and looked to be of really great quality.

I got the skirt home, tried it on, and had to suck it in for it to button! Thankfully it was a button close and I had plenty of room to move the buttons over for a more relaxing fit. The skirt looked very frumpy on me, as most maxi skirts do. Originally, I was considering making a knee length skirt and calling it a day, but about 5 minutes later, I had the idea to create a pinafore. Maybe it was because I kept seeing the #SewBibs challenge on instagram, but the thought of a pinafore just clicked! Since I wasn’t sure just how often I would wear a pinafore, I thought I would take this project a step further and make the bib removable.

#RefashionFriday Skirt to Pinafore - Trish Stitched

Overall this project was a simple transformation, and I was able to use my Turia Dungaree pattern from Pauline Alice to help with the top.

#RefashionFriday Skirt to Pinafore - Trish Stitched

I will have a video tutorial coming up, and will update the post once it’s completed! But for right now, I’ll break down some of the steps.

Update: Here’s the video!

First, chop the bottom off. Mark where you would like a hem to go – and add in some seam allowance. The more you cut off, the longer your bib can be. Since my skirt fell on my high waist, that meant my bib could be shorter, and I chopped about 9″ off the bottom.

#RefashionFriday Skirt to Pinafore - Trish Stitched

My favorite trick with this refashion was using the original skirt hem in two different places! I used it as the finished top of my bib and I was able to use the rest in the straps. The original hem was pretty wide, so by adding some extra seam allowance, I was able to keep the original fold.

To make the top removable, I added buttonholes to the bottom of the bib and the ends of the straps. Buttons were sewn onto the skirt itself, so the pieces could easily be attached and removed.

#RefashionFriday Skirt to Pinafore - Trish Stitched

During the making of this refashion, I was getting really annoyed. About halfway through, I looked at the piece and it reminded me of an apron. I stepped away for a bit, but even after returning, I couldn’t get the apron vibes out of my head. Before quitting for the night, I took out a pack of dungaree metal strap pieces and pinned them to the straps. Adding in the overall straps and separating the straps from the top made a huge difference and I no longer saw an apron!

That wasn’t part of the original plan, but it was definitely a detail I was happy to add.

#RefashionFriday Skirt to Pinafore - Trish Stitched

After the top was finished, I completed the project by hemming the skirt! I was so happy with how this refashion turned out, and it was made so much easier by using a pattern I already had! There are so many dungaree and pinafore patterns in the sewing world, here’s so inspo to make your own!

Tilly & the Buttons Cleo

and Tilly & the Buttons Mila

Closet Case Patterns Jenny Overalls

Jenny_Overalls_Pattern_

Seamwork Magazine Dani Pinafore

Dani Pinafore

Simplicity Knit Overalls (I have this pattern and can’t wait to make it!)

simplicity 8855

McCall’s Overalls (this comes with pants and pinafore!)

M7547_a

Inspired to make your own Bib pattern? Check out the #SewBibs competition over on instagram! I follow Meg from Cookin’ & Craftin’ on insta and she’s been sharing loads of inspiration. Here’s her blog post! The challenge is on until April 12th, so you still have time to work on your makes!

handmade wardrobe · sewing

Mustard Ebony Tee

February 13, 2019 trishstitchedLeave a comment

Do you ever get cravings? Usually the kind of cravings I get are food related and involve diet coke or french fries. But for the last few months I’ve had a craving to make an Ebony Tee by Closet Case Patterns. It’s a pretty peculiar craving for me, because usually I find a pattern I want to make and just make it. But I could not find the right fabric to make my Ebony. After multiple trips to JoAnn’s, and constantly looking in my own stash, I thought I would come across something that would fill my desire for a new Ebony. Thankfully, I finally came across a piece of fabric to fit the bill.

A few weeks ago, my mom and I went to TexWorld, which is a fabric show at the Javits Center in New York. I went to search for fabric for a new project, but it just so happened that my favorite fabric “store” had a booth with fabric for sale! I was able to pick up five different fabric cuts from Fab Scrap– one perfect for an ebony tee!

I’ve talked about Fab Scrap before, but for those who don’t know, Fab Scrap is a company that retrieves unwanted materials and fabric scraps from fashion companies who are looking for a more economical way to recycle them. They sell yardage and larger scraps to individuals like you and me, or to small companies who are looking to be more sustainable in their production! They have a warehouse in Brooklyn, where you can shop all their fabric, or volunteer to sort fabrics, and they do small pop-ups around the New York/New Jersey area. And… not saying it’s official but… they are looking into opening up an LA location! But in the meantime – you can shop online!

Anyway, back to Ebony. It’s the perfect pattern for me. I’ve actually made 4 versions now- two unblogged, and love this pattern more each time I make it. This is my third cropped Ebony. I usually add between 1.5″ – 2″ to the cropped version, to make it the perfect length.

Mustard Ebony Tee - Trish Stitched

The piece I got from Fab Scrap is similar in weight to a scuba knit, without the scuba texture. It has this beautiful floral burnout that was what really gave me all the “heart eyes” for this material.

Mustard Ebony Tee - Trish Stitched

Since the fabric was reclaimed, it wasn’t a clean cut, so I had to do a little tweaking to fit the pattern pieces just right. I had to take out a little bit of the body from both the front and back, and 1/4″ from the 3/4″ sleeves. Since I cut a size larger than I typically cut in patterns, taking a little of the angle out of the sides didn’t change the shape much.

Mustard Ebony Tee - Trish Stitched

Specs for this top:

I made View A, Cropped, with 3/4″ sleeves and an added 1.5″ in length. I made size 4. The sleeves are a little tight because I couldn’t cut them on grain properly, so the stretch is going the wrong way, but it doesn’t bother me.

(You can get the pattern here)

Here’s my total haul from Fab Scrap – and a close up of this mustard!

Mustard Ebony Tee - Trish Stitched

This top is the epitome of my style- and a great basic to add to my wardrobe (yes, I consider it a basic because it is a solid color!). I love wearing skinny jeans and a flowy, or larger, top. I feel put together, and comfortable at the same time, and I am so happy to have another Ebony to add to my collection.

Have you had any pattern cravings? What have you been dying to make?

#RefashionFriday · inspiration · refashion · sewing

#RefashionFriday Blazer to Moto Jacket Refashion

February 8, 2019 trishstitchedLeave a comment

Happy Friday! The refashioning world has been on fire for some time and it is so awesome to see other people taking clothing and making it into something new! I am so happy to see other people watching their apparel intake and re-using things they already own, or buying second hand instead of new!

I have a few links from around the web to share:

1. A mall in Sweden is 100% committed to recycled and upcycled goods. A small mall featuring 14 specialty shops sell their goods, and teach others to upcycle! I would love for a mall like this in New Jersey, and would most definitely have a store! Read about it HERE.

2. Looking to get paid for your old t-shirts? Send them to this company! Marine Layer will pay you $5 for your old tee (up to $25) and re-spin it into a new tee! Order a kit or shop their collection HERE. I am super curious about this myself and have to go through Drew’s closet to get rid of some of his tees!

3. I’ve been a fan of ThredUp for years, and they recently released a clothing line geared towards sustainability! Their collection Remade was created with the garments second life in mind. It is a collection of basics that ThredUp guarantees to take back and pay out 40% of original cost when you are finished with the item. I absolutely love the idea, but do wish it was taken a step further and that the items were created with sustainable fabrics. There isn’t much info on the creation of the line, but the clothes are fairly inexpensive so production lines are still a little blurred. But I’m happy to say it is a step in the right direction! Shop Remade HERE.

Whew!

So much good recycling happening in the world! Now it’s time to share my own!

#RefashionFriday Blazer to Moto Jacket - Trish Stitched

I love a huge refashioning challenge. I can’t do them too often because the ideas just don’t come all the time, but when I get hit in the head with a crazy idea, I have to try it out. I really wanted to sew something floral. It’s been awhile since my wardrobe has seen a new floral piece and I miss my colorful apparel. I had this blazer hanging in my refashioning closet for months – probably purchased last summer – and was trying to figure out what to turn it into.

Then pinterest did it’s magical work and I saw a motorcycle jacket online and thought “how cool would it be to turn a blazer into a moto jacket. I wonder if that’s possible”…. and down the rabbit hole I went to see if it has been done before and gather inspiration photos!

Over-sized blazers have been in and out of fashion for years. This particular one had a lot of length, and that was the first thing to go. Since it was longer, I was able to cut the pockets right off and not have to worry about them.

#RefashionFriday Blazer to Moto Jacket - Trish Stitched

I thought the hardest part of this refashion was going to be the zipper. But it actually turned out to be pretty easy. I was able to open the lapel seam directly on one side to insert the zipper. The second side was also easy to put in. My blazer had an interior facing that I was able to trace, then used that line to put in the zipper.

#RefashionFriday Blazer to Moto Jacket - Trish Stitched

The next step was adding in the zippered welt pockets. I have a moto jacket with zippered pockets, so I took similar measurements for my jacket. After inserting the pockets I created a lining for the sides. The back of the blazer already had a lining so I just had to add the sides.

#RefashionFriday Blazer to Moto Jacket - Trish Stitched

The hardest part of this refashion was the sleeves. And I’m still not 100% thrilled with them, but until I decide what to do, they work well!

#RefashionFriday Blazer to Moto Jacket - Trish Stitched

I originally wanted to take the same fabric I took for the lining to make the sleeves but after shaping, the fabric was too rough for a comfortable sleeve. I’m not sure if I want to get a new sleeve fabric, or leave the sleeves as is. I am also curious about adding sleeve zippers, but instead of throwing this to the side waiting until I decided, I wanted to have a finished product. So I re-sized the sleeves and put them back in!

#RefashionFriday Blazer to Moto Jacket - Trish Stitched

I took some video of the process, but I’m not really sure how it came out. There were a few steps I did, then un-did, so it’s going to take awhile to make a video – if I look enough to explain the process! Now that I know how to do it, I really want to find another blazer to do this with. Fingers crossed I can find the perfect one to replicate!

Inspiration:

There were several cool blazer refashions after The Refashioners suit competition last year including this one from Heather over at Closet Case Patterns :

Refashioned-blazer_Heather-Lou-4