Pink Plaid

 Hello Readers. I loved this pink plaid when I saw it at the thrift store. The fabric was very "Barbie" to me. I decided to bring these pants home and see what I could make from it. 

 

Before and after. 

I cut the pants into shorts. I really wanted this to be a matching set. Could I make a top from the pant legs?

I opened a seam on the pant leg. I wanted to connect the pant legs and make one large piece. 

I used the "Luna" tank pattern to cut out a top from the pant legs.

 

I was able to make a small tank top from the pant legs. It was just enough fabric to get this set together. 

 

I liked the pink set. The tank by itself was a little revealing so a added a shirt on top. 

The shorts really worked with my "Barbie" t-shirt. This might be my new favorite casual outfit. Thanks for reading along, now go make something fun for yourself. 

***Year End Update***- These shorts were so perfectly pink.

Bassinet Sheets to Pajamas

 Hello Readers. I was given a big pile of the cutest bassinet sheets. They were soft cotton knit, like t-shirt material.  I don't have a bassinet or a baby so I could do something else with these sheets. I decided to make pajamas.

 Who needed new pajamas? Me!

A sweet wonderful on-line sewing friend @brightpracticalfabricart sent me a collection of cotton knit bassinet sheets made by Poppi & Max

These are a soft knit cotton, like a t-shirt. I first noticed the giraffe and it really caught my eye. (My mom loved giraffes and they make me think of her.) This is a really pretty giraffe. I cut the elastic from the outer edge of each bassinet sheet and then I thought about what to make. 

 

I realized I needed summer pajamas and since I am a hot sleeper, tank tops would be great. And they don't use a large amount of fabric. I had smallish pieces of fabric to work with here so this seemed like a good plan. I used the Luna Pattern by Helen's Closet Patterns. You can download it online and it is such an easy sewing pattern to use.

 

  I extended the length of the body as far as I could with the length of the bassinet sheets. I wanted a longish shirt.

 

 I could get one tank top from 2 sheets. One sheet for the front of the shirt and one for the back. 

 

I made matching shorts to go with each shirt. 

 

 I used other shorts as a pattern. And I kind of made it up as I went along. That wasn't  perfect because the fabric was different in stretch.

 

I added a center piece to make the shorts wider. That worked really well. The next pair I cut bigger and wider so I did not need to do this.

 

I used elastic for the waistband that I had it on hand. I wanted to use items I had. I used blue thread in my serger for the edges of the shirt and legs of the shorts. I liked the contrast of colors.

I made 4 sets of pajamas, but these giraffes are definitely my favorite. I used pink elastic and white thread for this set. The giraffe is the star of the show. Thanks for reading along, now go make something fun for yourself.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Travel Refashions #2

  Hello Readers. I am going on a trip to England and I decided to coordinate my travel wardrobe. I am packing all new refashion projects and I will be posting about my journey and my outfit of the day along the way. This post is about a tight dress that became a fun tank top. 

Before and after.

This dress is too tight but I loved the design. The bright floral design with the white seemed perfect for summer time. But I couldn't zip it. I haven't zipped it in a long time. 

I cut the top of the dress off. I unpicked the pleats and used the skirt to make my new tank top. 

I used the same Luna tank pattern that i used a  a few weeks ago. I extended the length this time to make a tank I could tuck in. 

 

I used bias tape to finish the neck and arm holes.

 

Bias tape close up! 

I actually made 2 of these tanks tops. This blue dress had a couple bleach spots on it so I cut it up too. 

I made them together because you can't have too many tank tops for summer.

I used a different bias tape for this blue tank top. These retro flowers were so pretty.

 I think these will be great shirts on their own but also great to layer with other things. Thanks for reading along, now go make something fun for yourself.

***Follow up review***

My trip was so much fun.-These 2 tanks were so handy. They were great alone when it was warm and they were a good layer when it was cooler.

***Year End Update- I didn't know how much I needed these summer tops until I made them. I wore them all summer.

Making Work-out Tanks

 Hello Readers. It is honestly cold and rainy today but I know summer is coming. Its going to be hot and i am going to want to go sleeveless. I decided to take these 2 men's t-shirts and make 2 tanks.

Before and after.

I had a big t-shirt.

Actually, I had 2 of them.

I am using the Luna pattern from Helen's Closet Patterns. (Not an ad.) It is free to download. I love free! It is a loose tank top. Perfect for summer work outs. Or moderate walks. Or watching TV. Whatever you are in to.

I cut out my fabric pieces. I am going to make 2 of these tanks. The men's shirts I had are a perfect material.

 I needed to put them together.

I used my serger to connect the shoulders and the sides of the shirts. 

I liked how that stitching looked so I used the serger on all the edges. I liked the visible stitching.

These light flowy tank tops will be great in the heat of summer. Thanks for reading along, now go make something fun for yourself.

***Year End Update- I haven't worked out in a while but it isn't because of these shirts. The shirts were great.

Linen Luna Tank

 Hello Readers. It is hot, hot, hot! Maybe because it's summer... Maybe because the world is on fire... At this point I'm not really sure. One thing I do know is that when it's hot, I need iced tea and clothes that breathe. Like a linen tank top.

 

 Before and after.

 

 I have been in loving linen lately because its so nice in the heat. I went searching in my sewing stash for some linen pieces that I could make into a summer tank top. I washed the linen pieces that I had before sewing in case they shrank. The linen I have is from my mother-in-law so it was probably designed to be used in home decor. I was hoping this linen wouldn't be too thick or heavy to be the summer shirt I was wanting. But let's try and see if it works. (My life philosophy!)

 I wanted to make the Luna tank from Helen's Closet Patterns. You can get it free from the website. (Thanks Helen!) This is a super great project for beginners. And check out that size range!! 0-34!!! That is amazing!

I printed my pattern pieces on my home printer and put the paper pieces together. I set the paper piece on the fold of my fabric.

 

I had to move my pieces around to get a front and back from my small piece of fabric but usually you would just fold your fabric in half, put your paper pattern on the fold and cut your fabric pieces out.

Linen frays very easily and quickly. I decided to use my serger on all the edges right away so they wouldn't fray during the sewing process.

My light gray serger thread matched the fabric really well. 

The linen had a nice drape to it. It is a heavier weight linen but I liked it as a shirt. I liked it so much I left the serged edges just like this. I didn't sew in the neck band or arm bands like the pattern directed. (I have trouble following directions.) The edges looked good to me and because they were only one layer of fabric. It keeps the from getting bulky which would make the hemline get thicker and stiffer. It would lose its light flowy quality. 

 

Video summary.

This tank top turned out great. I liked it made of linen and it will be so nice in the heat of summer. Thanks for reading along, now go make something fun for yourself.

*Year End Note From Chickie- This is a great piece. I love the linen and I added a cardigan to wear it into fall.