Bad Seersucker?

 Hello Readers. I love seersucker fabric. It's so cool in the summertime. Is it possible for seersucker fabric to be bad? I didn't think it was but I found it...this is it.

 

Before and after.

 

I was perplexed by these pants. I love seersucker but these were awful. The elastic was completely useless. It had to go. Then they would actually fit.

 

 I cut the entire elastic band off the pants. It was stitched in with 4 rows of stitching. I didn't want to sit and unpick all that. They were very high waisted so I could cut that off and still have enough fabric at the waist to make a new waistband. 

I used my serger on the cut edge and then stitched it down to make a casing for some new elastic. 

I cut the shirt to make a tank top. I folded the shirt in half. I made a cut that followed the V-neck. Then I made a second cut that removed the whole sleeve. It's too hot for sleeves.

I tied the straps in a knot on each shoulder. This is a fun refashion because it doesn't require sewing (T-shirts don't fray!) and it is adjustable. You can get the perfect fit by adjusting the knots.

 

 I liked how this all came together. Stay cool in this end of summer heat everyone. And thanks for reading along, now go make something fun for yourself.

***Year End Update- I feel like I improved the fit of these pieces but the color isn't as cheerful as I would like. I am not drawn to it and haven't worn it.

Making a Skirt & T More Flattering

 Hello Readers. It seems like fall has really arrived in my part of the world. It is chilly and windy and leaves are flying off the trees. I started this refashion when it was warmer and the cold weather made me restyle this outfit for fall at the end. 

Before and after.

 

This shirt and skirt caught my eye because they were both stretchy knit materials and I am all about comfort. The t-shirt was just so encouraging and positive that I had to bring it home from a local thrift shop. I am always trying to encourage myself to stay positive. Maybe this sweet shirt could help? It can't hurt. 

 

I tried the skirt on and marked it where I wanted the new side seams to be. You can see here that I cut off the extra fabric.
 

I made new side seams and I explain it here. I wanted a more fitted skirt.

This look is not doing anything good for me. 

I cut the sleeves at an angle to remove the name of the school it is from and to make a fluttery little sleeve.

I cut the neckband off and cut the sleeves but I wanted to do more. Tucking the shirt in the skirt wouldn't work well for me but I had a plan.

I cut the hem of the shirt off and stretched the cut edge to make it curl. Then I cut a slit in the middle of the front. This is to make a knot. Not a regular knot and tummy hiding,  tummy camouflaging knot.

The more fitted skirt is more flattering and the shirt is a huge improvement too. Is my mom tummy gone? No. This isn't magic here. The shirt with the knot is just a a better look for me. It is a little cold for this outfit so I added some layers to make it wearable for fall.

This is more appropriate for the current cool weather.

I wanted to highlight a great jewelry company. World Finds is a fair trade, sustainable company the has handmade jewelry and bags. They employ and empower women in India with fair wages and employment. They products are colorful and fun. I think they are irresistible.

You can see more at worldfinds.com And this isn't an ad. They don't know me. I just really love the jewelry and the business model. Thanks for reading along, now go make something fun for yourself. 

*Year End Note From Chickie- I loved this whole outfit. Everything worked for me.

A Tea Shirt

 Hello Readers. I love to sew and refashion but you don't always have to sew to refashion your clothes. No-sew refashions can be a lot of fun and easy to do. Let me show you a couple recent refashions like this.

Before and after.

I am still in my happy yellow phase this month and this shirt was a fabulous find for me. I am a tea drinker and I love a good pun. This shirt had everything I could want in a tea/T shirt. It was a little boxy so I decided to do some quick work on it.

I usually find the round high neck on t-shirts to be uncomfortable. I like to cut the neckband off. The knit fabric will not fray so you can cut the neckline however you like most, round or V shape. Removing the neckband opens up the neckline, elongates the neck which is more flattering on me. It also feels more comfortable to me when I am wearing it. 

My next step was to cut off the end of the sleeves. I cut mine at an angle so I would get a little cap sleeve look.

I pulled on the cut edge so that the fabric would roll up in a curl. I like this look and I thought it would look cute on the short sleeves. I wanted them to be as loose and fluttery as possible.

I cut off the bottom of the shirt. I also pulled and stretched the cut edge to make it roll. Then I cut a slit in the center of the shirt. I liked the curled up edge. 

I tied the 2 corners into a knot in the front. The knot looks cute and it pulls the sides of the shirt in and gives shirt more shape. With no sewing! It's so fast and easy.

*** PART 2 ***

These black jeans fit perfectly and were very comfortable. But they were too long. I am really short so that was not surprising. I wanted to make them shorter. I could have just cut the jeans straight around each leg but I wanted to do something different.

I cut the jeans shorter and made it fun too.

I washed and dried the jeans and I got some great fraying. I cut off the really long strings so they wouldn't tickle my feet. (No tickling allowed ever! I hate it.) You can cut off as much of the jeans as you want. Have fun with it. 

The shirt was easy to wear and felt light and open. I tucked it in for this picture. The jeans were now the right length and I liked how the back of the leg is longer than the front. I really liked the fit of these jeans. They are Gloria Vanderbilt from Kohl's. They make my mom gut seem to disappear. (Not an ad. I just like them.)

I like the knot detail on the front out as well. Thanks for reading along, now go make something fun for yourself. 

*Year End Note From Chickie- I love this and will forever. A "tea" shirt! Come on now, that's funny.