Old Denim Jeans Become Cool Denim Dress

If you follow my blog at all you'll notice that I really enjoy working with denim. It seems like someone always has an old pair of worn out jeans to gift me and my ever growing son always has a pair that he's outgrown. I'm constantly on the lookout for denim inspiration. I found this cute little dress on Pinterest and I had to try to make my own version of it.

I found 2 pairs of these brand new jeans in the dumpster at my apartment. They were laying right on the top, tags still on, when I took out the garbage. Seemed like a score to me!! 

I used the two pairs I rescued from the dumpster to form the panels of the circle skirt and bodice top.

I quickly ran out of that denim, so I pulled out and old pair of jeans that my son had outgrown that matched the color fairly well. I cut off the legs, cut them into strips, and used them to make the braided edge and straps.

I had to hand sew all the braiding to the dress, which took some time.

Here is the finished product:

I left the back panel off because I felt that the denim I used was a bit heavy and I wanted to give it a little more sex appeal. I feel like the bodice is a little bulky and I wish I would have made it a tad smaller. Otherwise, I like how it came out. It's definitely an eye catching, unique piece.

Embroidered Mexican Dress to Cute Top

I was given this pretty, green, Mexican dress with beautiful embroidery. The dress was a bit too potato sack size for me, so I decided to take try and turn it into a blouse instead.

I cut the dress into three sections. The top and bottom I used for this project and the middle I saved for who knows what ;).

First, I serged the raw edges of the top and bottom pieces.

I folded under the serged edge of the top piece to finish the hem because it will lay over the bottom piece and be exposed.

I then sewed the top and bottom pieces together overlapping the two to create a casing for elastic to run through, so it will cinch up around the waist.

Here is the finished product:

The top is a little tight across the chest, as was the dress. I think if I were a little less broad across the chest it would fit great.  I don't know that this is totally my style or that it will get much wear, but I had fun tinkering with it. I really need to start selling some of the pieces I make because I really can't wear them all. Something I may have to try out on Etsy soon!  

Sticky Genius

She's Crafty Beer Shirt

Recently, I've been on a brewery tour kick. I love beer, but craft beers are by far my favorite. There is something nice about picking out a fresh, in-house brewed beer straight from the source. It feels organic, natural, farm fresh, if you will. I also really enjoy the atmosphere of most breweries. They are usual very bare bones, rustic, and inexpensive. I think they lend to a more socially interactive experience than a regular bar does.  People are usually casual and friendly. Dogs and kids are usually welcome. It's just an all around laid back experience that I really dig.

I've been dabbling in learning how to screen print my own shirts and designs. So far this design is my favorite. It's a fun little play on words. Super cute to wear to the brewery, Octoberfest, a night out drinking with friends, or just casual everyday wear. 

I have 4 colors available in 4 different sizes:

 

Scarlet Red

Silver

Royal Blue

Hunter Green

And actually one additional one in this tropical blue in size small.

I have 24 of these bad boys in stock in my etsy store. 

Here is a link if you are interested in showing of your love of crafts:

She's Crafty T-shirt on Etsy

Funky Dress to Funky Suspender Skirt with a Mens Shirt Turned Half Top

I was given this crazy, funky dress in a pile of fabric from my friends girlfriend who works as a professional seamstress (score!).

It is so funky 60's, I can't help but love it!

I don't have any idea what this print is, but I don't care.  The colors are so vibrant and fun.

Here is my inspiration.  Don't ask me why.  It just spoke to me.  I was concerned it might go a little juvenile, but it was a risk worth taking.

I picked apart the dress and used my favorite skirt pattern to make the skirt.  

For the suspenders, I decided to make them detachable by adding button holes to them and inserting buttons on the inside of the skirt.

Here is my finished product. 

I really feel like it needs a white half top to go underneath.  Luckily, I found a perfectly good white shirt in my bin of hand-me-down victims.

Here is my mens, white shirt.

I cut off the sleeves, bottom, and up the sides.

I pinned the sides to fit the dressform.  Then hemmed the bottom, took in the sleeves, and serged them onto the shirt (got carried away and forgot to take pics!)

Here is the completed look.  For some reason the lighting was giving me trouble in the living room, so it kinda washes out the vibrant color of the skirt, but you get the idea.

Back side with suspenders.

Skirt without the suspenders.

I have some cute, white, knee high socks I can add to this look.  It's going to take a bit of bravery on my behalf to wear this out.  I'm not sure if it is too funky or young for a 40 year old women like me to wear.  Luckily, I never act my age.  

Ha!

What do you think?  Can I pull this look off?

Mens T-Shirt to Half Top

This is not the most amazing refashion ever, but I like to document them all anyway.

I had this super comfy mens shirt.  I know this sounds strange, but in the work out video I use there is a girl that wears a cute half top that looks a lot like this shirt (obviously smaller).  I decided that would be my inspiration for this shirt.

I kinda winged this one.  I cut it on the dressform.  

I gave the back a low dip.  I've been considering raising it up because it bunches a little in the back, but I don't really want to go to all the trouble of pulling out the seam just for a little nit picky thing like that.

And on.  

Apparently, I am always dreaming of summer, short sleeves, and SUN!

Mens Dress Shirt to Country Cute Shirt

I had this cute, checkered, mens button-up shirt.

It screams country to me.

I cut it up and used this pattern I recently purchased.  It's has a cute peasant/hippie/prairie/country feel to it, depending on the fabric you choose.

I really wanted to use the pattern with the ruffle across the top, but there just wasn't enough fabric to use.  I really need to make some more big men as friends ;).

I went with the simple pattern and added lace to the top instead.  I didn't like the free bottom, so I added some elastic to have it be more form fitting at the hem.

I'm happy with the finished piece.

Everyone needs a little country in their life and wardrobe!

Hawaiian Shirts to Summer Shorts

I was given these funky hawaiian shirts, both from Hilo Hattie.

I wanted to make shorts for the summer out of both, like I did with another button up shirt in the past.  I love those shorts.  Super comfy and easy to wear.

I made the pattern by tracing a pair of beach shorts that I love.  

Here is victim #1:

Just like that, they became shorts!

Victim #2:

Another pair!

We finally got some warmish weather, so I got to wear both of these out this week.  These will be perfect when the weather gets hot.  Nice and easy, breezy.

I have a bunch of these hand me down shirts.  I have a feeling I may make a few more pairs of shorts because they are so easy and comfortable. I need to push my refashion talents and try to make a top or skirt out of some of the others.

I love having so many old, gifted clothes to play with!

On another note ... I have been reluctant to come on here and post some of my newer refashions.  I have a few waiting to be posted and all of these were done prior to the death of my beautiful, loyal dog, Mississippi.  She is in so many of these refashion pics, like my shadow.  Always lying in the background next to me.  I miss her so much.  Words cannot even begin to explain.  14 years was such a long time.  It is so hard to say goodbye to such a wonderful spirit.  The best companion a girl could ever ask for.

I love you, Mississippi.

I will miss you forever.

 

Green Sweater Dress

My Mother-in-Law found a bunch of this green sweater material at the thrift store.

I decided to use it to make a sweater dress that I can wear in the winter with a pair of tights.

I used this pattern, which I have used a few times before, but never with the sleeves.

Here is the end result:

This pattern is very easy to work with.  I took a lot in on the sides, so it would be more form fitting, since the fabric would be bulky if I cinched it in with a belt.  I ended up hemming the sleeves and the bottom, rather than doing a slip stitch.  It took a lot less time and it ended up looking much better, in my opinion.

I need to take this one out for a test drive, since the weather is cool.  

Who wants to go out for a drink?

Boring Red Dress Turns Polka Dotted Fun!

This simple red dress was given to me in a pile of hand-me-downs.  I didn't really love or hate the dress.  I held onto it because the overall fit was good and I figured maybe it would be a good dress during the Christmas season.  Christmas came and went two times and I never wore this dress.  

I had these pom poms I bought for another craft project, but never used them.

I had an epiphany after seeing this cute sweater on Zooey Dechanel.

The color of the pom poms were a perfect match for the dress.  It definitely feels very "fall", but I thought it would be worth a shot.  I pinned a few on to get an idea if it would work.  I got pretty carried away.  Since I had pinned so many, I had to hand sew them all to the dress while on the dress form or I would screw up all my measurements.

It is definitely a little funky, but I love how it came out!  Aubrey calls it my fall ball dress.  Bayne thinks it looks like I broke out in a Skittles rash.  I call it my gumball dress.  Either way, I think it is super fun and totally unique.

Here it is on.  

As you can see, I shortened the sleeves, hand sewed pom pom balls to the majority of the front of the dress and I left the back plain.

I haven't worn this out yet, but I can't wait to see what people say.  I definitely think it is a conversation piece that people will either love or hate, but it is sure to make people smile either way.