Sunday, August 31, 2014

Sunday Sew-Day: Dragonflies

So you may remember this dress refashioned from a housedress a year and a half ago. I think I only wore it once though. It just looked a little too "homemade", the straps in particular. Know what I mean?

Dragonfly Blouse - BeforeDragonfly Blouse - Before

But those little dragonflies are just so cute!

Dragonfly Blouse - In ProgressDragonfly Blouse - In Progress

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Taking It All In

Guess what! I finally caved and started up an Instagram account. I actually think this is going to be really great! There are tons of times that I find something awesomely bad at the thrift store that I'd love to share with you guys but it's not worth bringing home. Or when I'm trying to decide which way to go with a refashion and need a fresh pair of eyes. Or when I jab myself with a needle and want someone to commiserate with me. Or a million other reasons that I'd love to interact with you guys more often! So click on the little blue camera icon just under the header up there (or click here) and follow me if you like. I promise to find some atrocious beauties to send your way.

So now that that's out of the way - Last week, when I should I have been packing for our trip, I took a little break to do some stitchin'. I didn't have long, so I just grabbed a couple pieces that only needed minor tweaks.

These khaki slacks I picked up secondhand a couple months back. I always think I'm going to wear slacks to work, but I never do. I just don't like the way they look or feel on me. I will, however, wear skinny khakis.

And the pale pink blouse I've had for a couple years now. What I really loved about it - when it fit - was the closely-spaced buttons. Being large-chested, it's hard to find button-down blouses that don't gape between in the front, so buttons that are really close together are fantastic! I'd love to wear this shirt again, so a quick re-fit is all it needs.

Pink Blouse & Khaki Skinnies - Before

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Be Right Back...

Hello! You have reached Carissa.

I can't come to the blog right now as I am taking a little vacation this week.

I'll be back next week with all new refashions for your viewing pleasure.

And I promise to visit at least one thrift shop while I am away and report back with my findings.

See you soon!

Sunday, August 17, 2014

Sunday Sew-Day: Shoe Redo

I thought since my thrift score this week was shoe-related, and since I've never done a shoe refashion, that perhaps it was time to give it a go. I've had these two pairs of Toms wedges for a few years now, originally purchased second-hand at Buffalo Exchange.

Shoe Redo - BeforeShoe Redo - Before

They fit great and were in regular rotation until I lost weight and my feet got skinnier as well. Now they slip off my heels with every step. All they really need is an ankle strap, but I feel like taking this a step further. (ha! a step further!)

Shoe Redo - BeforeShoe Redo - Before

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Thursday Thrift Score: Shoe Love

I fell head over heels (ha! heels!) for today's thrifty treasure: a pair of denim wedge sandals with little cut-outs on the toes and woven fabric around the soles. As soon as I saw them, I knew they had to be mine.

Denim Wedges

The brand is Volatile, and I'd guess they would have originally been in the $60-80 range. So at $5, these were definitely a bargain. Plus, they looked brand new - the bottom tread was pristine!

Denim Wedges

And the fact that were big enough for my huge feet has got to be a sign, right?

Denim Wedges

Yesterday, I paired my new shoes with my J. Crew toothpick jeans, rolled up a couple times, and my refashioned Butterfly Kisses tank top. I thought this was particularly fitting since the toes, with their tiny little straps and cute cut-outs, kind of resemble butterflies. Kismet, eh?

Denim WedgesDenim Wedges

Of course, the shirt's a little wrinkled as these pics were taken at the end of the day, but whatever!

Sunday, August 10, 2014

Sunday Sew-Day: Two for One

My friend came over the other day with a big box of clothes, some from her own under-grown wardrobe, some from other friends' closets. In it, I found this lovely batik fabric currently in the form of a 2XL skirt.

Batik Dress - Before

I swear, I was more excited about it than this picture lets on.

Thursday, August 07, 2014

The Power of Three

A friend of mine recently asked me to take in some maxi skirts for her. (She has lost over 80 pounds now and still going strong!) Among them were three skirts exactly the same - basic jersey knit maxi skirts - except one was black, one grey, and one navy.

Untitled

Sunday, August 03, 2014

Sunday Sew-Day: T-Shorts

I'm hardly being original here, turning an old tee into comfy pants - I've seen numerous tutorials on this - but due to the limitations of my materials, I had to take some liberties.

First, I found this tutorial. It explains everything very well and provides a template to create your own version in two sizes - adult and kid. And I love the comfy yoga-waist with no need for elastic or a drawstring.

Then, I discovered this tutorial. It shows you how to measure your body and create a customized pattern. It also takes into account the need for more space in the back for your booty than in the front. I also liked the contrasting waistband from a second t-shirt.

But here's the thing. I have thighs. And hips. More than either of these women do apparently. So though the shirts I wanted to use are an adult large (from my heavier days), they are not quite wide enough to accommodate my lower half. Now, some might say I should take that as a sign that I shouldn't be wearing yoga pants. BUT, I intend to only wear these to sleep or exercise; I will not be wearing them around town like they're normal pants. Plus, the more comfortable I am when I work out, the more I might want to do so, and the smaller those thighs could become.

Anywho, I had these shirts from when I worked at Starbucks years ago, but they weren't going to be wide enough. Since I planned to use a second shirt for a contrasting waistband, I figured I could use more of that second shirt to create a panel to widen the legs. It would mean cutting up the center front and back of the shirt, but I wasn't that concerned with maintaining the original graphic on these shirts, so that was fine with me.

So with this plan in place, I set forth on my experiment. I grabbed my least favorite of the Starbucks tees (just in case things go awry) and a coordinating solid tee (a basic one from the craft store on which I had previously ironed iron-on letters).

Green T-Shorts

Green T-Shorts