Thursday, December 23, 2010

Grandpa Pants

Wardrobe Refashion- Shorts
I'm not 100% sure of the origins of this name. Well thats not strictly true. I bought theses shorts from Good Sammies. An Extra Large pair of pale linen shorts who were most likely owned by an elderly gentleman before me. It is quiet possible I invented the name myself and forgot. Another likely suspect is my boyfriend who has ben a strong anti supporter of the grandpa pants for quiet some time. Oh well the name has stuck.
Modifications made.
1. Darts. I had to, of cause, add in darts to the back of the pants to force them 'flatter' the female figure. In the vaguest sense of the word. A plus in adding in the darts was that I didn't have to alter any of the existing seams, still not sure if that was a good thing or not.
2. Waistband. To sew in the darts I unpicked a section off the back connecting the belt to the pants. The new design meant of cause the waistband was too big, so to re-attach the belt I had to take the extra length from the centre back overlapping and turning the ends in for a nice finish. To re-sew the back together I used embroidery thread (for the thickness) and hand sewed the pieces back. I also resewed the motives and tags back in place. Just for fun.
What I'm proud of. They shorts are defiantly a favourite in my wardrobe (as much to my boyfriends disgust!) They are comfortable, loose and the fabric is worn and breathable and huge plus in summer (very important!) Also it is easy to hide bulking t-shirts and dress converged shirts under.
What I would change. This pair I re fashioned quiet a while ago. Looking back at them I could have done better. I reckon now it could have looking better if I had altered the back seam a bit making the darts smaller. Also it bugs me that I didn't go to a greater effort to line up the back seam on the belt to the shorts.
Was it worth it. These shorts have served me well in a number of occasions, so it would almost be criminal to say no. Yes it was worth it.
Maybe soon my boyfriend will get his wish and I will drop this pair in favour of a new pair. But not quiet yet.
Chic a booti- Boob tube Dress
Good Sammies- Shorts
Photographer- Carolyn Smith

Monday, December 20, 2010

Top 2 -Wardrobe refashion
All women love gold. Me? well I'm no exception. So when i woke up one morning craving a gold garment in my wardrobe i vowed that i would go to any and all lengths to fulfil this craving. However i would starting to loose hope after trudging through every young adult clothing shop in perth, in a vain attempt the make my day better i waddled tail been legs into Good Sammies and found this top!
Modifications made.
1. Side seams, to get the size rights i used a comfortable t-shirt form my wardrobe as a guild to cut around. make sure when your cutting around a top you already own you either turn the shirt inside out and cut outside the seam allowance or add a seam allowance around the top as you cut. This insures that the top isn't to small after completion. To finish off the new seams i used an overlocked and straight stitch edge i normally use this because i reckon i looks neater and stops the fabric unraveling.
2. Sleeves. The original top had quiet a nice finish already on the sleeves, neckline and hem so i tried to re-use these as much as possible. I really wanted the shorter sleeves so when re-fashioning them i used the bottom half and re used the sleeve hem.
3. I could no however i re-use the hem at the bottom of the top as it would have been to long. To finish this edge off i overlocked folded up the hem and hand stitched around the bottom.
What i would do differently.
Not much really its good top, comfortable casual and goes well with with-in my wardrobe. Although i wish there was a way to stop the hem flicking up to reveal the overlocked seam.
Was it worth it.
Yes it was i got exactly what i want for a 10th of what i would have to pay if i had managed to find the top in the city! i'm very pleased!
Good Sammies- Top
Burda?- grey skirt no doubt you will hear more about this on a latter date!
Photographer- Carolyn Smith

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Top 1 -Wardrobe refashion
This is one of my
typical night out dresses. I have worn it a number of times to parties and outings. I didn't have an original photo of the dress I refashioned this jacket from but I have photoshopped an image together to give you an idea (please excuse the quality of the image, I'm still in training)
Modifications made.
I'm pretty sure I used pattern Simplicity 3538 B and didn't altered the pattern greatly in this jacket. Of cause there is is some minor adjustments that I just could help but use.
1. The sleeves have been lengthened, this was mainly for looks I wanted the jacket to be elegent than the design and longer sleeves always seem to help in making a garment look more like evening wear.
2. The button has been moved. preference I guess, I've never been a tight to the neck lover.
What I'm proud of.
I was sceptical wether or not i would be able to get all the pieces out of the dress. Even if it was a plus size there are many areas of the garment which are simply lost and completely unusable to the re fashioner. there for it was quiet rewarding to have a full kit of parts to complete the jacket.
What i would do differently.
I would line the jacket, at the moment the seam connecting the collar to body is on the out side of the jacket. Covered as it is by the collar itself i wish i had put the seam on the inside covering it with a contrasting lining material.
Was it worth it.
Yes, this was very much a 'because i can' garment . managing to get a jacket out of a dress very much filled my inner sewer with confidence and pride.
Dotti- floral dress with layered skirt.
SHOOBiZ- high heel sandals
Photographer- Carolyn Smith

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

A blue ball and polka dots

Skirt 2.
I made this quiet a while ago a crossbreed between two patterns Burda Young Fashion 8118 and Butterrick 5488
-Modifications made
Well its a cross breed, the front comes from the Butterick design C and the back from BYF design B (modified from hipster to waist)
- What I'm proud of
1. I like the polka dot fabric I reckon it looks innocent and kind of preschool suitable.
2. The combination is flattering allowing
unaltered walking ability as well as hiding my ever problematic... bum. However it also gives a flattering flat front.
-What i would do differently
1. I dont think i will ever use silky material as a facing material ever again. What. A. Night-Mere.
2. I think i would interface the pleats. Because i have opted for the lightweight patchwork material the lack of rigid-ability means the pleats struggle to stay straight through ordinary activities such as trying to get comfortable on the sofa and well not to be too confronting but using the toilet were the bunching and pulling of the skirt doesn't do it any favours.
Oh well all part of the learning process i see.
Good Sammies- black lacy slinky
Fabulous Fabrics- tan and white polka dot skirt
Photographer- Carolyn Smith

G-Good Morning Misses Burda

Im not much of a 'once a day' type of girl, especially it seems when it comes to blogging. No not with mymemory or patience. So today, considering I'm already here, I have quiet a collection.Most of my new wardrobe follow the general trend antique. Faded patchwork fabrics matched with pattens designed to be 'cute' rather
than 'hot'
Skirt 1,
I think is skirt is my most recent accomplishment. It doesn't follow a pattern as such but it is derived from Burda Young Fashion 8176 B.
- Modifications made,( the reason i was never good fashion an
d textiles student at schoo
l, i can never follow a pattern.)
1. hipster to waist skirt, i just prefer them thats all.
2. added pleats. No addition added to pattern, mod 1 offered addition fabric to play with. the pleat i have used i invented for my architectural folio this semester. All i have done is folded and
zigzagged at 1 cm.
3. zip. I have transferred the zip to the back lowing it below the waistband. Using the extra fabric in the waistband (from mod 1) to cross over and button close the waist for a clo
ser fit.
-What I'm proud of
1. I have hand sewn all the seams and the hem for a crisper finish that looks in my opinion more professional and
tidy.
2. Mod 3 creates an appealing asymmetrical back.
-What i would do differently
1. preshrink fabric, I will never forge this hugely important step again. no serious damage just a tad too short fortunately ironing at a hot setting helps stretch the skirt out again.
2. add interfacing to waist band. Just to keep it flat and in place even after along long days work.
I never want to be thrusted into adulthood with all its burdens and i feel when wearing this skirt that I'm still a kid. It can be a pleasant comfort.
Country Road- Cream 3.4 sleeve top
Fabulous Fabrics -silver beige floral skirt.
photographer- Carolyn Smith