Bathing Suit Modifications (1-Piece to High-Waisted 2-Piece + a Halter Top)

Two modifications today :) First, let's review the original refashion of this black 1-piece that I did last year. I cut it just below the bust, finished off the raw edges with elastic and that was that.

However, the leg holes on these bottoms were a little snug and when you have a rear and hips that are not toned, a small leg band will cut into your skin (fat) quite uncomfortably (and IMO unflatteringly). So, I unpicked each leg band and found this rubber strip was overlapped by about an inch, meaning that if I only overlapped the ends by a smidge I'd be gaining almost two inches around each leg. Perfect! I zigzagged it to the leg opening and at the point of overlap my machine had a bit of trouble and I couldn't get a clean stitch. Oh well!

Rubber+SewingMachine=FunkyStitches

It didn't matter much as I then folded this in and zigzagged yet again all around the hole to get my finished edge.

Outside and Inside

My next step was to replace the thin elastic I'd originally placed at the waistband with this super wide elastic for better tummy control. I sewed it into a tube, then zigzagged it right sides together with the top of the waistband. By folding it inwards I now have a high-waisted pair of bathing suit bottoms with tummy control that are also super comfortable!

Finding so many uses for this elastic!

Here's how they came out. The leg openings are much more comfortable and don't create that 'double' butt by digging into my rear :).

The gratuitous before & after:

Next up is the halter top from yesterday's bathing suit refashion! Post refashion it was a halter with a gather in the center that I took out before taking this next 'before' shot.

A small preview of the mix&match potential of these two suits ;)

After wandering around Pinterest looking for the perfect neckline, I landed on something similar to yesterday's but halter style (obviously). I started by folding the front in half and cutting at an angle where it started towards the straps. I then unpicked the edges in each direction from each cut by 3-4 inches and resewed the edge to create a slight curve over each side of the bust. This also allowed the straps to set farther out on my sides (which was my goal).

Notice the difference in stitches? Yeah, shoulda checked that before I sewed each new section...:-/

I sewed the bra that didn't work yesterday into this top using a straight stitch along the top edge and tacked it in place along the bottom. I also made a small gather in the center top by pinching and tacking a few stitches.

And that's that! The reshaping and the insertion of the soft foam cup bra were exactly what this top needed and yet again, I feel like I have another great option that flatters and gives me confidence.

Again, one last before & after shot!

Neither of these fixes were overly involved but I feel the results are quite dramatic...especially in how I feel post refashions in each piece! Hope these give you some more ideas on how you can manipulate clothing/bathing suits to work for you!

Peace,
Andrea

Modifying Bathing Suits (For the smaller-busted)

I've mentioned before that I'd like to share a bit more about me and my struggles with self-image as I work through refashioning clothing to suit my style and my body. This week I decided to tackle a bathing suit that I'd refashioned once, but still haven't felt confident enough to wear (I did this refashion around this time last year and don't believe I wore it once last summer). Part of that has to do with insecurities surrounding my no longer flat stomach, but more so it has to do with being small-busted. No matter what size a woman's breasts, a bathing suit needs to flatter in order to effect a feeling of confidence, and I've rarely had a suit that elicited confidence rather than self-consciousness.

Unfortunately, I was teased all through adolescence for being 'flat' chested. Even into adulthood people made comments on my chest size and likened me to a 14-year-old girl because of it. Tough stuff to let go of... Such is life, and being as shy and self-conscious as I was it just sank in and became truth for me. Nobody was negating it, so there was obviously something wrong with me. Wow! How messed up, and how sad to know that so many people who are bullied about their looks, appearance, bodies, etc feel this way. 

Thankfully, I have actually advanced to a higher level of confidence in general (my husband is to thank for that!). But I still have moments when I simply feel unattractive and one of those is when trying on bathing suits. Time to take control of the suit and make it work for me instead of feeling I need to just have bigger breasts, or a slimmer waist, or thinner thighs...blah! If I can make clothes that flatter, then I will try my hardest to make my bathing suits flatter my body, as it is. Let's do it!

Now, I received this maternity suit by way of my sister who had received it from our sister-in-law. It is as old as my nephew (at least), and therefore around 7 or 8 years old. The first refashion consisted of removing the fabric that would cover the belly and creating a gather in the middle of the halter top to give it a v-neck. I finished off the bottom edge with elastic and the cutoff portion (after a bit of folding and sewing in place) became a sort of convertible piece so that I could either wear the bikini bottoms solo or make them into a high-waisted vintage inspired pair of bottoms. The original bottoms had their waistband removed (as it was larger to accommodate a baby bump) and I created two darts and inserted new elastic to take them in a bit. Here's a look at the before and after of that first refashion:

Sorry about the poor photo quality. The two on the right were taken at night.

The bikini bottoms actually work fine for me, so I decided that in this next revamp, I'd let them be. I'm also setting the halter top aside for now, though it needs help, for sure. I did grab that 'skirt', high-waisted thingy though and took it in along the back seam so that it would be the same width, top and bottom. Then, I pinched and pinned a gather along the top front. This will become a new strapless top. My hope was to create a top that didn't flatten me out, but also wasn't ridiculously padded.

I tried to use one bra that I'd bought specifically to either sew into a backless dress or something (like this), but it didn't have enough structure to stand up to the stretchy fabric and ended up flattening out. So, I rooted around in my bra drawer and came upon this old strapless bra that I've had for more years than I can remember. The back band's lace was ripped and it had stretched out so that it no longer stayed up. I cut off the back band, cut a length of this extra wide elastic that I thrifted last year (still have tons left!) and sewed it to each side of the bra. I also sewed down that right side that is sticking out in the pics... ;)

My last steps were to make the gather permanent by sewing it in place, then sew the bra+elastic inside the animal print top. I used a straight stitch along the top edge of the bust, then zigzagged where I sewed along the black elastic. Here's how it came out!

Not only do I feel confident in this top, I feel supported and comfortable! And, I think it's pretty sexy...even if I do say so myself ;). I love that the molded foam cups are enough to give me the shape I wanted to achieve, but are also true to my size. I think for far too long I felt that I needed to hide my size by wearing padded push-up bras but I'm FINALLY (thank goodness) finding that I can be content with my size. Finding bras (and creating bathing suit tops) that fit me well and look great is so empowering after a long adolescence and adulthood of being teased and belittled. Phooey on the bullies! Cause I feel and look beautiful :-D.

Now, if only I could get over the tummy issues...;) we'll save that for another day! Here's a last look at the before and final after. Hand-me-down maternity suit no more!

What do you all think of this one? Have you ever considered making your own bathing suit or customizing one so that you get the perfect fit for YOUR body? You may have the opposite 'problem' and may need more coverage, stronger/wider straps, or any number of 'issues' fitting into mass produced bathing suits. I always have issues with the waistband and leg holes of bikini bottoms fitting ...if the waist fits, the leg holes are too small and vice versa. I'll show you how I fixed that (on another suit) and the halter top to this one tomorrow! If you've got an old suit with 'potential' why not get to work and remake it? I dare ya!

Peace,
Andrea

Healthfulness: Workout Wear "Quick Fixes"

So, for the past couple of days I've focused on 'healthfulness', and in particular, working out. Thursday, I shared a bit about my struggles to stay motivated in this post. Yesterday, I posted some great thrifted workout wear finds that are perfect as they are. If I feel good in my workout wear then that's one less barrier between me and keeping at it. So, to follow that train of thought, I'm taking some great thrifted finds and making them 'feel good' to me.

These refashions really are some of the easiest to accomplish, I think. Similar to taking a pair of bootcut or flare jeans and making them skinny, I 'skinnified' these workout leggings that I found at the thrift store.

This first pair is so cute with the patterned band and the fabric is incredibly comfortable and a great thickness. I paid $4 and will be getting TONS of wear out of these.

My t-shirt just so happened to match perfectly ;) 

But, as I'll be wearing these running, I have an issue with the leg shape. I don't like extra fabric flapping around or the hems brushing together...nitpicky, I know, but that's what's so great about being able to personalize your clothing to your exact 'needs'. ;) I simply laid them out, put another pair that I already own and love the fit for on top. They'll serve as my guide on how much to take off. I ended up taking these in from the inner seams and used a tiny diagonal zigzag stitch that allows a bit of stretch but is super strong as well. Much better!

This next pair is just plain black with a drawstring at the waist and the Everlast logo at the bottom of the left hem. I paid $3 and again, will get so much wear out of these in the next few years.

I repeated the same process, but this time took them in on the outside leg seams. Now they are fitted and I was able to completely eliminate the logo on the leg. Score!

Now, I'd planned to leave it at that, but then I popped in the thrift store for hangers this morning and came across another activewear top.

It's cute and fits and was only $3, so I brought it home. However, I'm not loving the sleeves...they look fine but they feel a little weird, and if they feel weird now they'll feel weird running. So, I chopped them off cutting as close to the seams and neckband as possible, then removed the hem of the short sleeves and cut them each in two pieces.

These, I pinned to my top creating a total of three thin straps to see how I'd like it. It's good! And it takes care of the little gap that was happening after removing the sleeves.

Next step was to sew the straps on, and I did so using white thread to match and a ladder stitch. Last step was to trim off the extra bits nice and close to the stitching.

And there you have it! Short sleeves gone, and now a strappy tank top for running and other workouts :).

I love the refashions that I do on the fly that come out so well :). The only bit of advice I'd add with refashioning activewear is that if it's fitted, then you'll need to sew with stretch stitches so that the clothing moves well with you. Reinforcing seams with decorative stitching is also helpful, again, as long as it allows for stretch. Now that I'm all geared up, I'm biking to the park where I'll watch my husband and son play then go for a run before heading home for supper! Hope you're having a lovely weekend...the weather here is incredible!

Peace,
Andrea

Healthfulness: The Workout Wardrobe "Thrift Scores"

Part of me gearing up for a consistent year of exercise is having/finding workout wear that suits each season...even winter when the pathways are clear enough to run :/. I like to have a specific wardrobe for workouts only. My thought process is that if I invest (albeit a small amount) in gear specific for exercise, I must then exercise! It is kind of like guilt-tripping myself ;). So, today, I'll be sharing my thrifted workout wear! And, here again, I've been pretty lucky as it seems someone donating to my local thrift store is exactly my size and has very good taste in clothing.

This first pair of leggings are heat/dry technology (specific fabric to help release the sweat instead of soaking it in like cottons, for example, and retaining body heat) and perfect for winter or slightly cooler weather. I found them for $4 and wore them yesterday on my run and floor workout. Really comfy and I appreciate the reflective fabric at the zips as some fall/winter mornings are still darkish when I go out to run.

Post workout hair ;) Gotta love it! The top is from Marshall's and bought a year ago ($10-$12).

I tend to like my gear quite fitted as I want to meet as little wind resistance as possible when running, so this thrifted top is an activewear XXL shirt that I sized down to fit. I absolutely love to wear bright colors while running, because I often run on the street (we have wide margins to each side for parking/biking/running). This way I stand out to motorists.

Capri leggings are from Marshalls ($8-$10).

This next type of top is great for summertime when it's incredibly hot, even in the mornings. I found it for $2 and it has a built in shelf bra, though I still wear a sports bra as well. I'd love to find a couple more of these for the summer months, so I'll be keeping an eye out at my thrift store. The shorts are the only pair of running shorts I own. I've worn them a couple of times, but I'm not a huge fan of showing so much of my thighs (self-conscious not modest). They were found last year and I probably paid $2-$3.

Another recent find was this pair of UnderArmour black yoga pants. They are also made with the active-dry material, and are so comfortable. I'm not huge on the flare, however, and the brand is marked not only on the hip but the outer seam of the right leg. So, I'll probably take them in to be fitted leggings and do away with some of the branding ;). I paid $2.50 on half off day for these. The Adidas jacket is something I found last year. I love that its black but also has those bright stripes and zipper so that I can wear it on my walks in the colder months. I have worn this running as well, but to be honest, once your body warms up, this can be a bit too heavy.  I paid $5.

It helps, I think, to find workout gear that you like and are comfortable in to help spur you into motion a bit more quickly...at least, it helps me :). Hope you all have as much luck finding the pieces that fit your workout style!

I've got a couple more finds to post this weekend, but they'll be refashions, so keep an eye out!

Peace,
Andrea

Healthfulness: Motivation...or the lack thereof

So, remember when I said I'd be sharing some of my wellness journey (physical, mental, emotional, etc.) here with everyone? One part of that was my goal to get back to running after the, erhm, 'lovely' winter we enjoyed here in the states. If there's one thing I lack motivation for more than running, its running in cold, nasty weather. So yeah, I basically had stopped for four months: December, January, February and March (I had a handful of walks/runs that I did on random nicer days during that period). And I cannot stand exercising at home...there's no space unless I clear a space which requires arranging furniture, seeing the mess under the furniture, vacuuming up the mess, which leads me to vacuum the entire room, then the next and the next because they all flow together, right? (I'm an endless fount of excuses...) By the time I get to starting a workout, I feel like I've worked out and don't want to. Yeah, I suck at having motivation. I also refuse to (read, can't afford to and despise it anyway) workout at a gym...not my thing. Unless I can get my rear in gear I don't get exercise AT ALL for a third of the year.

Not. good.

Running in fall is lovely...until it gets too cold ;)

I finally got out for my first run of spring and could only go a mile. I then slowly walked back home, chatted with my husband as he had his coffee and then made us a late breakfast. I felt a bit discouraged, however, that I only made it a mile and didn't try to push myself a bit farther. I'd been in a bit of a funk after coming down sick last week, so this run was my attempt at doing away with said funk and getting myself straightened out. Though it didn't feel like it right away, it actually worked. I ended up with a much brighter mood, had a good day enjoying some alone time with my husband and spent the afternoon at the library with my son. I fell asleep an hour earlier than normal, had a great night's rest and then had another great day, with lots of energy and only a little muscle soreness in my hips and legs. You see, I know that exercise gives me more energy, boosts my mood, helps me sleep better, etc. but even knowing all of that it is still so hard to get back on track.

Love those running shoes!

I think what keeps getting me is that I compare my physical fitness now to what it was in college and the years following. Though I've never been a long-distance runner, 3-5 miles was pretty comfortable, and now my average is 2. I did however, love to bike, and would ride 15 miles a day without feeling it afterwards...I miss biking like that, I miss feeling that strong. So, how do I turn that into positive motivation towards fitness post-baby (by 5 years now)? Any suggestions from you all? Do you struggle with being fit (I'm not talking about being skinny or looking like a magazine cover, but healthfulness)? I'd like to find what can get me on track and keep me there...

Looking for some motivation...

Here's to getting back on track...

Peace,
Andrea

Quick "Fix": Two Piece Dress

Ok, I'm back to dreaming of spring/summer...Not that our current weather situation in New Jersey inspires much hope of even the possibility of warmer weather! But, I refashion in hopes that it will soon come and all of this will be quickly forgotten (or at least relegated to the dusty corners of my memory).

I bought this dress at a thrift store in Queens 3-4 years ago and wore it maybe 4 times over two of those years. It was pretty fitted, as you can see in the picture, and I was still carrying about 15 pounds of baby weight at this point. Looking back, it doesn't look bad at all, but at the time, I felt self-conscious and therefore, it spent way too much time in my closet and not enough on my body.

About a year ago, I decided I'd get more use out of the dress by cutting it in half and using the bottom portion as a skirt. So, I chopped it just below the bust and attached a portion of a refashioned top (shirred with elastic) to create a waistband for my new skirt. Again, I wore it less than a handful of times. So, here's what I was left with...a cropped top and a skirt with a weird waistband that I was getting almost no use from. The wonky waist made the skirt uncomfortable and awkward to wear as I had to constantly adjust, and up until this point, I'd never considered myself able to "do" the cropped top (you know, post baby skin?). But I decided to experiment and putting the two pieces together and then pulling the skirt down to leave some space actually gave me an idea! Time for a quick "fix"!

Please ignore the panty lines for now, will ya? K, thanks :)

This is super simple as I am doing the same thing to the top as I am the bottom. First, I started off with a length of elastic (1 1/2 inch or maybe 2...) cut to length by measuring my ribcage where the top will fall. I sewed straight across the width towards the ends, then folded the ends back and zigzagged across the width to create a flat seam.

I then pinned the elastic band to my top (wrong sides together) and zigzagged around the edge, stretching the elastic slightly as I went.

Now, for the skirt. I cut off the weird waistband, then trimmed the top of the skirt so that it was straight across. Then I repeated the above steps with the elastic using my waist measurement.

That's it! Easy, right? Breaking it up by showing just a bit of the midriff completely changes the feel of the dress, for me, and though I feel a teeny bit self-conscious, I can objectively look at these photos and know that it doesn't look bad...well, except for the refashion bin that made it into the photos :-/

Of course, I had to start playing with possibilities, now that I officially had a two-piece set! A little less skin...

or as a dress, again! Or maybe just the skirt...

and back to a two-piece with a black pencil skirt! Pull it up a bit to have a dress, again ;)

Or change over to a bright blue midi and call it a day!

However I decide to style these two pieces, the options are many and now I feel pretty in both the top and bottom of this set. It's a win-win!

OK, let's get real for a moment. I don't do any retouching on my photos (gotta keep it real, even when real isn't looking so good), but for this one I thought that I might have to because who wants to see post-baby-saggy-skin stomach (internal thoughts)...why do I describe myself this way? It's ugly and mean and degrading in a way that can do irreparable damage. And I am not damaged...or ugly....only sometimes mean ;). Of course if I do retouch, then I wouldn't actually be showing you an outfit as I would wear it, but only as it "could" be worn. And that's exactly what I'm trying to avoid in my current and future refashions. After giving birth I would buy clothes and shoes that were pretty but that absolutely did not function in my wardrobe or daily life AT.ALL. It put unrealistic expectations on me for how I "should" look and my life for how it "should" be. Not. helpful. I still find myself doing this every now and then (I still buy heels though I seldom have a chance to wear them), but I'm definitely learning to examine myself and my life where I am. Right now. I am happier than I have been in years (postpartum depression is a meanie-face), and also learning to see myself as my husband has always seen me...I've got A LOT to make up for in that 4-5 year gap, but here's to new beginnings!!! Hopefully, you'll stick around for the journey and share in it with me :).

So, to be brave I'm sharing this next shot...it feels safe because it's not close up, but my stomach is doing flips as I'm getting ready to post!

I won't be wearing this top in this fashion...its not my style and not necessarily appropriate for my life. But it shows me that my self-image is wildly out of skew and needs some readjusting. Hopefully you cannot relate and have an amazing sense of self and self-worth, but if you are simply on your way there (like me), you are beautiful. You are worthy. Baby or not. Stretched out skin or not. Tall, short, curvy, straight, single, attached, whatever. Believing it will not only help YOU improve but it will transfer to the people around you who love you and already see you as you are.

One last look at the, well, looks!

Peace,

Andrea

Baring some skin...

Now, I've never been super confident about how I look in a bathing suit...even before having a child, I had my "issues". Stupid? Yes. Fact of life? Unfortunately, yes. Can this change? YES! 

Every year as the new year would roll around I'd make the resolution to be bathing suit ready by summer.... This never happened, because I wanted to look a certain way that honestly, I will never achieve unless I, 1. have lots of extra money to blow on ridiculous things, and 2. choose to blow said money on surgeries and procedures that would make me look "a certain way". Not gonna happen. So, how about a change in mindset instead? This is something that I struggle with, but I'd like to share my journey to being "bathing suit ready" as I not only explore changing my mindset, but also creating a mini wardrobe that helps me feel confident in my skin when at the beach or pool. As.I.Am. Now, I have set small goals for myself in the way of physical fitness, but they are not reached only by what I see but also in how I feel. Nothing wrong with wanting to be physically fit and healthy, but I've gotten rid of the ridiculous standard that is more harm than help. Diet will play a role as well. When I use the word diet, I don't mean trying out some fad diet to lose weight, because I don't need to lose weight (lucky me). What I'm referring to is cutting down on/out certain things that bring down my energy level and keep me from feeling my best. Okay? Okay. 

So, as a first step in my journey, I am baring some skin...right here. right now. Here we go!

I started with this lovely yard sale shirt/jacket thing:

Shoulder pads big enough for a linebacker? Check!

First things first, get rid of the shoulder pads!!! (They'll be added to my collection for later usage) Also, get rid of the discolored tag...then start seam ripping those sleeves off!

Next, cut the sleeves at about a 3/4 length, cut the cuffs from the ends of the sleeves, and slice open the cutoff portion. Now, seam rip up the main portion of the sleeve and pin the extra fabric in place to create a sleeve that is the same diameter from shoulder to hem.

Here, the sleeve is now about the same diameter from shoulder (the angled end) to the hem. I simply zigzagged the edges of the fabric so it wouldn't fray and left them. I like the "unfinished" look, though, if you prefer a more professional look, choose a different overlocking stitch, or simply fold under twice, pin, and sew the sleeve hem in place. Last, attach the sleeve cuffs at the waist on either side of the blouse so that a button and buttonhole end meet in the middle (this becomes your "sash" or robe closure!)

There were only two tiny scraps cut off of this entire project that I didn't use, and they'll just be added to the scrap bag. 

Because of the high side and back slits, when I wear it as a top I'll wear some sort of cami underneath...or I could close them up a bit.

or as a beach coverup with my previously refashioned one-piece to vintage style high-waisted two-piece!

Open or closed, I simply folded the collar and button plackets under and they stay...I may add a few stitches to ensure they stay that way when at the beach in the wind.

And one last look at the before and afters!

I like that this is now a versatile piece that can transition from my everyday wardrobe to a beach/pool friendly piece. I like how I feel in it...I feel more confident and sexy while maintaining a bit of comfort by being partially covered up. I hope to get to the point where taking it off doesn't cause me to start darting glances around wondering who is noticing the "imperfections", but for now, that is yet to come :).

What do you all think? I'd love to hear from you!

Peace,
Andrea