vintage refashion!

My sister and I recently went antique-ing and I found a bunch of pillowcases and sheets that I was dying to turn into frocks!!! 

The process is pretty much the same - except for a lot of the work is done for you! 

I measured the length and decided how much to cut off the top {if any} and then cut the armholes just as I normally would.  Typically, the armholes are trimmed in bias tape made from the same fabric as the dress, however, I didn't always have enough left over pillowcase to make the bias tape.  When that happened, I just bought bias tape that matched.  See how the armholes are trimmed in solid pink below?  That's store bought bias tape.   

I made the ribbon casing the same and added the ribbon tie!  DONE! 

I added some fun trim to some of the pillowcases - ric rac or lace.  The pillowcase below already had a dainty lace trim!

On one frock, I made the tie out of the same fabric because there wasn't really a good color to match - but I also had the matching sheet so I had yardage to work with.

I love these!!!!  Lil Miss does too!  

sweater refashion!

I was picking out my clothes for work and I was looking for a cardigan to wear with my plain black dress.  I had tons of solid options but I really wanted something with a pattern or a design! 

I found a sweater I bought at Target this winter...I love the dots but don't love the shape of it on me.  I googled "sweater to cardigan tutorial" and found {this} tutorial from Delia Creates.

Generally, when I am hasty in a project, I end up trashing everything...so I was nervous that I would not only not have a cardigan to wear today, but also not have a sweater {even though I didn't love it!}.  There are no "before" pictures - I was just praying that it would turn out!!

 

I followed the tutorial {more or less} and I LOVE my cardigan!!!!

 

modifications

I recently got this super cute Matilda Jane skirt - just to find that it is the longest skirt ever made!  It came down mid-calf on my short self and looked very Little House on the Prairie.  

I was talking with a friend that has the same skirt and we decided that a tank-dress-refashion was in order!  I ordered this tank from Maurices to be the top of the dress.  I liked that it wasn't ribbed and that the straps were wider, so I can wear it to school! 

I cut off the waist band of the skirt and attached the tank.  Ta da!! 

 I love how it turned out!  The length is perfect and it's super comfy! 

I was super stoked to find this cardigan at Target {on sale even!} that has the same blue & white polka dots as the pocket on the skirt!  This might just be one of my favorite outfits!!

Lil Miss has the little girl's coordinating Matilda Jane top that I made capris for. 

I ended up adding a tie around the waist with the left over fabric - she's in between sizes and the top was just a little bit wide.  The tie does the trick!

I am taking advantage of Lil Miss actually enjoying it when we dress alike or similar.  Luckily for me, MJ has a lot of options that are cute for me too!!

dress to capris refashion

I stumbled upon a dress I bought and only wore once.  I was pondering what to do with it when I realized it matched the straps of one of Lil Miss's Matilda Jane knot tops!  So I refashioned my dress into capris for Lil Miss!

I used {this pattern} minus the ruffles. 



 And the best part - they were totally free to make - I took elastic out of the dress and already had matching thread on hand!!

I'm working on another re-do, but I'm waiting for a tank to come in the mail...stay tuned!!

Scarf Refashion

I have fallen in LOVE with infinity scarves like this one from Body Central...

My only issue is that I spent A LOT of time and energy last year finding scarves to go with all of my winter clothes! I couldn't imagine trying to replace them all with the infinity style!

So, I decided to turn my scarves into infinity scarves!! So easy!!!

Here's how...

Step #1 - Fold your scarf in have length wise {so your scarf is long but short} with right sides together.

Step #2 - Sew along the long edge, using 1/4" seam allowance.

Step #3 - Pull one end of your scarf through the other, so that the right sides are facing & line up your open edges.

Step #4 - Sew along the open edge, leaving a 4-5" opening {to turn it rightside out}.

Step #5 - Using the opening, turn your scarf right side out. Turn in the open edge 1/4-1/2" and hand or machine sew the opening shut. Try on immediately!!!

I love this option for scarves because my scarves usually end up crooked or uneven....or I end up sitting on one of the loose ends and choking myself!!

Refashion

I recently purchased a dress from H&M on a super quick impulse shopping trip. I love the dress, but it didn't fit like I thought it would! Not a problem!!

I have enough fabric left to make one for me if I really wanted to!!

Sweater Refashion

As I was figuring out what I was going to wear for Easter, I came across a sweater/shell set I got at Target awhile back. It is light pink and pretty boring.....so I jazzed it up a bit!!

Using the same fabrics from lil miss's Easter dress and this tutorial, I added two fabric flowers! I love how it turned out!

Have a very happy Easter!!!