#MMMay14: Day 9

Ready for Day 9 of Me-Made May 2014?!?! I'm excited because today I'm sharing two, YES 2!!!, refashions that I've just completed :). And they make me happy...on another gray, rainy day.

First up, I tackled this lace sleeveless top. I bought it for $2.50 at the thrift store planning to use the lace for scarves or something. But then I got an idea in my head and figured I'd try it out. I started by cutting straight across the top a few inches below the bust. I then cut this portion into two equal size pieces.

I pieced these bottom two loops together by opening up the ends, gathered the top edge and sewed it back to the top using a strip of elastic. Here's how it turned out.

I wasn't completely satisfied as I'd left it loose and the width of the straps wasn't working for me, so I made some pleats along the back portion of the elastic waist to cinch it in, then bunched up the lace at the shoulders and sewed them in place. Much better.

Next I grabbed this floral t-shirt that I bought for $4 at the thrift store. It's a nice thick stretchy knit and this morning it struck me that it would make a perfect little jacket or cardigan. I don't own many cardigans with patterns (only one leopard print) so I figured a floral cardi would make the perfect addition to my growing collection ;). I started by cutting straight up the middle, then chopped off a few inches to make this more of a cropped length.

I grabbed my enamel cub of twill tape, bias binding, etc. and found what I needed to finish off the now open front. I first hemmed the bottom, then used my twill tape and bias tape to finish off the front edges. I then decided to take it in on each side a bit to get a better fit, as well.

And that was that! Here's the before and after...which segues into today's OOTD!

I layered an ivory tank top underneath my new lace peplum top, put the floral cardi over top and finished off with thrifted 'skinnified' jeans and boots for a bit of edge.

I ventured out into the misty gray day and took these shots while trying to avoid getting my phone too wet...

A messy braid and some geometric gold earrings add both to the romantic and edgy look that I was going for today...just a little edge was needed to balance off all of that floral lacy goodness!

So, what do you think? I find this one lifts my mood as the grayness continues outside...I hope you like it, cause I love it! :) And I can see myself wearing both of these new pieces often. In fact, I'm already planning how to wear them next.

Hope you're having a beautiful day...
Peace,
Andrea