Altering a Wedding Dress

Ok, so from the title you may think that I got myself into some heavy duty alterations...I mean, a wedding dress! Thankfully, the alterations were not extensive. Though, I will say from the get-go, I wish I'd dedicated more time and attention to detail on this project. Having a week to do it, seemed like plenty, but I think my son got wind of me having a special sewing project and made it that much more difficult to sit down to work on it for more than a few minutes at a time ;). However, I took this project on for a very dear friend, and she didn't complain one bit about some of the, erhm, imperfections in my work. Let's just say, it was a learning experience...and I have a lot more learning to do!

Shall we take a peek at the project? Ok, here's what we started with. My friend found this dress on one of her trips out to visit me, shortly after they'd decided to have a small legal ceremony and party for family and friends stateside. She is from Japan, and they will be holding a more 'traditional' wedding there with her family and friends very soon. We did some quick shopping around on a day trip to the city (NYC) and happened upon this dress. It was two sizes too big, she didn't like the sheer top, but  she loved the rest and we thought we could work with it.

The first, and simplest step, was to remove the sheer fabric. I did this by trimming it off right along the top edge of the bodice, getting as close as I could so there'd be no fraying.

Next, I marked where it needed to be taken in, planning to do so at the back zipper. Then, I found some staining on one side of the dress and decided that instead I'd take in each side of the bodice.

I removed the flowers from the area to be taken in along each side and then unpicked the seams. I then trimmed off the excess fabric and closed them back up topstitching to do so. I took in the lining of the bodice first, before pinning everything in place with the outside and stitching closed. It kept going wobbly on me where the layers of fabric were thicker, but I figured after resewing the flowers I'd removed along each side, the seams would be hidden anyway. Well, the following weekend, I traveled to Michigan where we met up for a bachelorette weekend, and where I could do any final adjusting/fitting with my friend. The waist was perfect, but the top was just a bit too big still, so I took it in. Then it was too tight, so I let one side out a smidge. We kept going back and forth without getting the perfect fit, and all of this was done by hand. Now, I am by no means a neat seamstress when it comes to hand stitching. So, even though it came out wobbly on the machine, it still looked better than what I was doing by hand. :-/ We reached a point where it was 'good enough', and I covered up the side seams with the flowers, concealing now very ugly work.

In the end, I think that if I'd taken it in along the darts on the back of the bodice, as well as the sides, shaping it a bit more, it may have fit much better. She had to do a bit of readjusting :( throughout the day, but even so, she looked absolutely beautiful! I'm honored that she asked me to do this for her, and that I was able to be there to celebrate their big day! Here's to hoping this is just the first step in learning more about altering for others, and improving my hand sewing skills ;).

The timing of this project was also perfect in sharing an article that a fellow refashion enthusiast put together about recreating formal dresses, whether bridal, prom, etc. I've already pinned several of the ideas, and some of the projects featured are from refashionistas that I know! If you haven't come across this yet, please stop by Paris Ciel and take a gander at all of the inspiration for remaking those 'one and done' types of dresses! (Carissa's winter white party dress is my absolute fave!!!)

I know my thrifted/refashioned wedding dress could be the perfect candidate for a remake one day, so I'll be keeping this post in mind for when I work up the courage to tackle that project ;) Here's what mine looks like:

I had to take the top in/up a bit and tacked the train up so that it created a draping effect in the back. I had it shortened by a professional seamstress and cleaned as well. I paid $20 for the dress, but including the hemming and cleaning it went up to $100 total. Not bad for a wedding dress, if I do say so myself ;). It's 100% silk...might be where my obsession with thrifted silk began, and I wonder what I should do with it to make it wearable on future occasions. I'd love to try dyeing it (though that scares me), or creating a dramatic skirt with the bottom portion, or something, but taking that first step will definitely be the hardest! I'd love to hear your ideas on what you would do if faced with the task of refashioning this dress to be a more versatile special occasion dress...so leave me some comments!!! Any and all ideas welcome :)

Peace,
Andrea

Friday's Quick 'Fix': Hemming and Patches

Just a quick 'fix' for you today...I had a pair of pants that needed to be shortened up. I wanted to keep the original hem, and the thin fabric made it easy to match everything up and topstitch through the layers. I started out by marking where the length would be:

I folded the pant hems over, pinned them in place, then ran a straight stitch around right along the edge of the hem. I trimmed off the excess, finished the seam edges, folded the hems right side out and topstitched just above the seam (not the typical way, but I wanted my seam to lie flat that way). Done!

The extra 'bits' were the perfect size to create patches for my son's favorite pants...he blew out both knees in the first week of school. And three weeks later, I'm fixing them :-P hahaha, yeah, it takes me a while with mending jobs that just aren't very fun.  I put the patches on the outside, creating a two-tone pair of gray pants that I hope will last a bit longer. And since I have two more pairs of pants with blown out knees (added in the second week of school), I may share a couple of different patching methods in the following days ;).

Hoping to work on some 'fun' sewing this weekend, and I may even push to have a post up tomorrow! So, stay tuned ;)

Peace,
Andrea

Cargo & Polka Dots

Today I've got a refashion, and an alteration. Let's get started with the refashion! I found this polka-dot blouse at my local thrift and picked it up for $2. First things first? Cut out the shoulder pads!

As I am a major 'wing it' kinda gal, I got down to it. I turned the blouse inside out, chopped off each sleeve, put it on, then pinned where the armholes would need to end. As you can see, I not only removed the sleeves but cut halfway down each side at an angle, and I needed to close the sides back up.

Now, as I was just 'winging it', I ran into a couple of small issues...I decided to finish off the arms with bias binding. My first time ever! Aaaand it went well until this happened (notice the shoulder). I redid it three times...yeah, and this was the last cause then I thought, "It's my first time finishing off this way and it should look like it was my first time." ;) I was basically done trying to fix it. To 'make' the bias binding, I simply cut a section of the cutoff sleeves that was long enough to finish off the armhole. Oh, and did you notice the bust dart? Yeah...didn't realize I needed one until I'd already done with the bias. So, I thought, "Screw it! I'm gonna add it after and not care...again, its my first time."

The alteration comes into play with this pair of pants I thrifted while in MI last month. They're a size 8, and I normally wear a 4 or 6, depending on the brand/cut/style/etc. I could have simply always worn them with a belt, but even for that they were a bit saggy. And without a belt, they created 'droopy crotch'...not. good. So, what method did I use for taking them in the required amount?

First, here's the after:

Starting just above the cargo pockets on each side, I took them in by about a half an inch (measuring from the waist in). I also ran them through my machine 3 times to get a super strong seam. Because I only took in a small amount on each side, I didn't trim the excess fabric. It doesn't create any extra bulk and isn't uncomfortable. And if I ever gain weight I can simply undo the process. ;) Not planning on that!

 I decided to wear the two pieces together, and added a faux black leather jacket I got for $30 at Uniqlo last year, a yard sale statement necklace ($2), and my thrifted cognac leather booties ($6). I'd prefer this with black booties...but I haven't had any luck in finding them at the thrift store and I seldom find myself at any type of shoe store. They're on my thrifting wish list :).

I feel like I might like this top better under a jacket or cardigan as long as I'm wearing a belt...seems boxy. But that could just be me. Here's the before and after of the top:

 Happy Refashioning!

Peace,
Andrea

Quick 'Fix': Pants...

I've been working on my pants today. I've been lucky enough to have to take the waists of my pants in lately :).  And I had a few more to give the 'treatment'. In case you need to do this, I've compiled the four simple steps that it takes to slim up the waistband of your pants in about 5 minutes! Time for a quick 'fix'.

First, you'll determine how much your waist needs to come in. I usually try my pants on, then pinch two different spots in the back to eyeball it, but you can pin them if you want specific measurements. Once you've picked the two points at which you'll be doing this (I pick spots equidistant from the middle back belt loop), pinch towards the inside of your jeans/pants. You can mark it, put a pin in it, or just jump to the next step. Second you'll throw this in your machine lining up how much you'll be taking in. Third, stitch it up! Starting at the top of the waistband, simply angle out towards the edge of the pinched fabric anywhere from 1-2 inches down. The fourth step varies: you can trim off the excess, finish off the edges and open up the seam and press, OR you can press the pinched fabric to one side (without trimming anything). This will depend on how it feels wearing the pants. Cool? Ok.

So, along with the waist, I had to slim up the legs from the knees down just a bit (only because I wanted a more fitted look). With time, jeans start to give and stretch and don't always bounce back after you've had them for a while, so I was taking in some of that slack. And here's how they fit now!

Quick disclaimer: I haven't pressed the seams on any of these yet...too lazy ;)

This next pair I just picked up. I love the bright colored jeans that I see all over, but thrifting in a very small shop makes it difficult to always find just what you want. Well, I snagged this pair of Anthropologie jeans because the color is AMAZING and the fit is super great! Minus the waist ;). No big deal, though, right? Repeated the same process for taking in the waist, and voila! A super cute pair of colored jeans for spring...

I came across this pair of J Brand jeans the same day as the colored jeans. Again, they didn't fit so well in the waist. Five minutes fixed that problem. However...

the length and shape of the lower legs was weird! I slimmed up that portion and now I have a pair of cigarette length jeans! Pretty hot with a pair of heels.

And, not that you need to see yet another picture of my butt in pants, BUT I am actually looking for your ideas on this next pair. The waist is ok, I think I can go without an adjustment there for a bit, but I'm not a huge fan of the extra fabric in the front and how it lays. Also, I've got a couple of grease spots on the front of each thigh (only one pictured) and am not sure what I want to do about it yet...so my question is:

Seriously, what would you do? I love the color and like I said, the fit is pretty okay. I've thought of reverse appliquéing some contrasting fabric (think floral) in different spots to take care of getting rid of the stains, but am not sure.

I'd love to hear your ideas! So send them my way :)

Peace,
Andrea

Basic Whites

I did some really easy fixes this afternoon on a few whites I had sitting in my sewing inbox. It's not always the most exciting thing to make these kinds of fixes, but when needing to build up on basics, its a necessary task.

First up is a white tank top whose straps are just far too long and when needing to wear this under something with a low neckline, it doesn't help that this works its way down to be too low as well. :-/

So, I simply cut the straps in the back, removed about 2 inches, then folded them under and sewed them back in place.

 Much better :)

Next up is this white top I thrifted last month for $2.50. Very white, not a spot on it, and super soft! Just a little big.

So, I turned it inside out, laid a top on it that fit well, and then pinned around where I'd need to take it in. I ran each side through my machine and trimmed off the excess.

And now I've got a nice fitted white t-shirt.

Last in my group of whites are these boot cuffs that I refashioned from a thrifted cardigan. They are very simple but pretty and I just wanted to add a little something.

So, I rummaged through my stash of thrifted buttons and came across the ones I wanted. I didn't want to create contrast, but just add a subtle detail and the tone on tone does this. Now they are ready to wear!

On another note, I'm working on a tutorial for some pretty spring scarves! I received a message on my Etsy shop asking if I'd posted on how I made the scarf I'm wearing in this pic...

which is my main blog picture (also on my shop page). I hadn't created a tutorial on that scarf as it was something I did 3 years ago, but upon responding to the message I found that she'd been looking to see if I had scarves like that one for sale. Well, why not make some more and create a tutorial for it for any that would simply want to make one themselves? So, keep an eye out for that this weekend!

Hope you are all well,
Peace,
Andrea

Some alterations...

It's a cold, rainy, very gray day today...bleh :-/ Not great for taking pictures and not very inspiring in the way of refashioning creativity. So, I'm mending and altering and I've come up with  a way of inserting a smidge of detail into an otherwise pretty basic fix.

I don't have a before picture of these leggings (for running), but I'd ordered two pairs online in medium and they were just too big and kept sliding down on my hips. So, all I did was turn them inside out and sew up each outer leg seam (from the waistline to the ankle), taking them in about an inch on each leg. I decided not to trim off the excess, simply folding it to one side. Then, I picked out a decorative stitch on my machine and using a contrasting thread, sewed up each side seam (adding strength to the alteration, as well) to give some detail. Here's a closeup of the stitching and a full-length shot:

I chose gray in this instance.

Now, I've also got a pair of blue leggings to add this same detail to, but I'm undecided on which contrasting thread to use. So you get to help me decide! :-) I've pulled bright orange, bright pink, and aqua:

Which should I choose???

Let me know which you like best :), pretty please?

I also had to take my favorite pair of skinny jeans in at the waist...again. :-0! So, the original darts that I'd done are the ones closer to the middle belt loop, and the new ones are spaced out evenly towards the side belt loops. A super easy alteration and probably one that most women need to do (are have done) to their jeans. All you do is pinch in the amount to be taking in, mark it or pin it and then sew a line 1-2 inches long down from the waist out at an angle and then press so that they lay flat.

I also took a pair of my husband's running pants in (not to be pictured here) by two whole sizes. AND I've got a ton of buttons to sew back on and more pants to take in and a whole pile of t-shirts to turn into clothes and pjs for my son...well, the sewing inbox is definitely full, and I've got time on my hands! So, back to it ;) 

Peace,

Andrea