Monochromatic Black on Black

 Hello Readers. I wanted to put together some monochromatic outfits from the clothes on my refashion rack. This mock-neck sweater is a men's medium and my daughter didn't want it. Where these dressy pant's came from is a mystery. I really don't know. Let's make a simple but cool outfit.

I look like I work at an art gallery and I am going to sell you a blank canvas and say it's modern art.

Everything was just too long. The waist and hips fit well but the pant legs were too long for me. (I'm short.) The body and the sleeves of the sweater were too long too. I guess medium men have longer arms than I do. I wanted to shorten the pants and crop the sweater. 

 

I shortened the pant legs and sewed a new hem. 

 

I used my serger to shorten the sweater. I turned it inside out and folded the hem up. This will put the new seam inside the sweater. The serger cuts the excess fabric off as it stitches along. I took about 4 inches out of the body length. I stitched right along the top of the waistband so the new seam will look like it is part of the waistband. 

If you do not have a serger you can still do this. I will show you using the wristbands. I cut the bands off right at the top and set them aside. 

I cut off about 3 inches from the sleeves. Now I need to reattach the wristband. I will have to stretch the wristband as I sew to make them fit together but sweaters are stretchy so that will be easy. 

I put the cuff and the sleeve together with the right sides facing each other. You can use a serger here or use a sewing machine with a zigzag stitch. I am stretching the cuff but not stretching the sleeve. I sewed all the ways around the sleeve and it was put back together.

The length of these pants is great and the waist of the sweater hits right at my waist and it looks like it is my sweater and not some mans. Does the black outfit need a little color? I like the black but I also really like bright colors. Let me know in the comments. Thanks for reading along, now go make something fun for yourself. 

***Year End Update***- This is so neutral and basic, this was a great make.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bell Sleeves to Balloon Sleeves

 Hello Readers. I have been trying to really use all the items on my refashion rack. I save pieces and parts from projects along with clothes from swaps and thrift stores on a clothes rack in my sewing room. Sometimes items sit for quite a while. This outfit is all from things waiting on the rack and it was time for them to come out and have a moment in the sun. 

 

Before and after. 

 

 

This sweater was a hand-e-down from my daughter. She is taller than me so she gives me things she doesn't want anymore. I likes the statement sleeves but bell sleeves are tough when your arms are short like mine. This sweater probably fit her perfect because her arms are longer than mine are.

 

 

Both of these pieces really needed some elastic. Let's start with the sleeves of this black top. I decided to make the sleeves into balloon sleeves. I cut the tiniest hole in the hemmed part of the sleeve, on the inside. 

 

 I threaded elastic through the hole and around the end of the sleeve. 

 

 

I connected the ends of the elastic with my sewing machine. The elastic will keep the puffy sleeve on my wrist instead of having the long sleeve hang over my hands. Look, I can use my hands!!

 

 

The skirt is part of a skort I refashioned last summer. The skort had biker shorts under it and I had been wanting a pair of biker shorts. I cut this skirt piece off the shorts and I loved those shorts a lot. (Still do!) But the skirt was leftover with no waistband. 

 

 

The skirt needed a new elastic waistband. I had some ugly black elastic I could use. It's OK if its ugly, no one will ever see it. 

 

 

I measured my waist and connected the ends of the elastic with my sewing machine. Then I marked where the sides and middle of the front and back should be. I wanted the skirt to be evenly gathered around the elastic waistband. I clipped it in place.

 

I connected the elastic with a zigzag stitch all around the elastic...

 

 and then flipped the elastic inside the skirt and stitched all the way around again. This method uses less fabric than making a traditional casing for the elastic. 

 

 

 It looked great to me when I was done. 

 

 

I wanted to go for a monochromatic look with this outfit. But is it too much black? I like black so you can let me know what you think in the comments. I tried to break it up a little. Thanks for reading along, now go make something fun for yourself. 

***Year End Update- This sweater and skirt are so soft, and black is always easy to wear. This was a great easy outfit to throw on and it always works.