Thursday, February 19, 2015

Thrift Style Thursday: Marsala + Refashion

The theme this week, suggested by Miche of Buttons and Birdcages, is Pantone's 2015 Color of the Year: Marsala!

Marsala
Image credit: Pantone


I already had a pair of pants to fit the theme, but wanted something more. So I pulled out this dated (and super wrinkled) wrap skirt I got at the clothes swap last autumn. The carnation print will make a fantastic kimono-style jacket, don't you think?

Kimono Refashion - Before

I began by salvaging the buttons, elastic, hanger straps, and laundering tags, as well as giving the whole thing a good press. Then I folded the front panels inward, leaving about 4 inches between the edge and the center back seam. I pinned the bottom hems together, which will become my shoulder seams.

Kimono Refashion - In ProgressKimono Refashion - In Progress

Before I could sew the shoulder seams though, I had to cut my armholes straight down the folds about 12 inches from the edge. I unpinned the shoulder seams and hemmed the armholes.

Kimono Refashion - In ProgressKimono Refashion - In Progress

Then I was able to repin and sew the shoulder seams.

Kimono Refashion - In Progress

I reattached the hanger straps at the shoulders and the laundering tag in the side seam.

Kimono Refashion - In ProgressKimono Refashion - In Progress

At this point, I thought I was finished, but when I tried it on, the way the skirt tapered to the waist made the bottom of the kimono hang funny. I also wasn't keen on the sleeve length (or lack thereof). So I chopped off the bottom 8 inches and cut that in half at the center back seam. I pinned these two pieces to the armholes to become sleeves.

Kimono Refashion - In ProgressKimono Refashion - In Progress

Once the sleeves were sewn on, I sewed the bottom seam of the sleeves, right-side-out. Then I flipped it inside out and seamed the bottom of the sleeves again to create that French seam I so terribly fond of.

Kimono Refashion - In ProgressKimono Refashion - In Progress

Finally, I hemmed the bottom edge of my kimono.

Kimono Refashion - In Progress

Then it was off to do a little photo shoot with my marsala skinny cords and my new kimono!

Thrift Style Thursday: Marsala + Kimono RefashionThrift Style Thursday: Marsala + Kimono Refashion

Thrift Style Thursday: Marsala + Kimono RefashionThrift Style Thursday: Marsala + Kimono Refashion

Thrift Style Thursday: Marsala + Kimono RefashionThrift Style Thursday: Marsala + Kimono Refashion

Thrift Style Thursday: Marsala + Kimono RefashionThrift Style Thursday: Marsala + Kimono Refashion
Pants: clothes swap and skinnified // Cami: $1 thrifted // Boots: Target clearance
Necklace: me-made // Earrings: Target clearance // Chopsticks: kitchen utensil drawer

Kimono Jacket - Before & After


How do you think the other ladies incorporated marsala into their wardrobes this week? Click their pics to find out!




16 comments:

  1. I love the refashion Carissa! It's beautiful!

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  2. WOW! You did amazing job on this refashion - I'm very impressed. You've got some mad sewing skills!!

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    1. Thanks! This one actually wasn't that difficult since there's not a lot of shaping that goes into a kimono. But I've done some refashions before of the total reconstruction variety - now those are a challenge!

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  3. This refashion is epic! You did a great job, Carissa!

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  4. Omg Carissa, you have done an amazing job with that kimono refashion! It looks beautiful, especially with those fanatic skinny cords! Seriously great job this week - I love Thursdays!! :)

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    1. Thanks! I'm really happy with how the kimono turned out. And those cords are maybe my favorite pair of pants at the moment. I love 'em!

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  5. Well, Carissa ---- Everyone agrees that this project was a WIN ! I love the fabric and the kimono jacket is the perfect garment choice. Adding a narrow fabric tie/belt to close it and black slacks would give the jacket a new role for a dressy evening look. Your "think tank" just makes us beg for more.

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    1. I did try it on with a wide white belt, going for an obi feel, but ultimately I decided to let it hang free this time. For such a unique, statement garment though, I'm thinking it's gonna be super versatile!

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  6. I want a top like this. the sleeve bands are the bomb!

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    1. The sleeves bands are really just the original waistband of the skirt. I didn't even have to do any extra work to get those!

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  7. Beautiful fabric and you made a lovely garment from it. Now I'm mourning the maxi-wrap skirt I gave away awhile back :(

    Oh well, a good reason to go looking, which seems to be my most favourite part as yet :)

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    1. Oh I know! Rummaging around thrift shops might be my favorite part too, even better than the sewing and wearing my refashions!

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  8. I made a kimono top last Summer that I just wasn't happy with. Now that I've seen the adjustments you did, I think I'll apply them to mine and see if that fixes it. I love how you went all out and styled yours with chopstix! :o)

    PS: I've been unofficially following you for who knows how long. I just added you to my Bloglovin feed, so now I'm an official follower. :o)

    JJ
    www.dressupnotdown.blogspot.com

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    1. Sometimes a little tweak makes all the difference. I hope you can make your kimono more to your liking.

      Thanks for the follow!

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