Thursday, May 28, 2015

Thrift Style Thursday: Pastel Perfection

At first glance, I didn't think Kristi's pastel challenge this week would be all that difficult. I mean, surely I would *something* appropriate in my closet, right? Nope, apparently not. What can I say? I like bright, saturated colors. Also, I'm clumsy, so light-colored clothing is risky, at best. With the wearables eliminated, I delved into the refashionables and found this men's XL silk shirt from a clothes swap a couple years back. It's not quite pastel, but it'll do.

Silk and Lace Blouse - BeforeSilk and Lace Blouse - Before

I didn't want this to be just another men's shirt refashion though. What say we add a little lace to go with that silk, to feminize it a bit more, yeah? So I pulled out this mesh tunic from our TST swap that, while cute, just isn't really my style. I used my seam ripper to remove the piece of lace around the collar.

Thrift Style Thursday: Swap!Silk and Lace Blouse - In Progress

To get started on the shirt, I first cut off the sleeves, leaving about 1/2 inch of fabric to finish those raw edges in a bit.

Silk and Lace Blouse - In Progress

Then I cut off the shoulder flaps and the collar.

Silk and Lace Blouse - In ProgressSilk and Lace Blouse - In Progress

Once the extra fabric was out of the way, I folded over the 1/2 inch sleeve remnant to finish the armhole edges.

Silk and Lace Blouse - In Progress

Next, Rosy and I got to draping and made a plan.

Silk and Lace Blouse - In ProgressSilk and Lace Blouse - In Progress

I unbuttoned the top two buttons and gathered each side of the front with a few folds. Each side was sewn to the tops of the lacy bit, then folded downward and top-stitched, and the excess fabric was trimmed away.

Silk and Lace Blouse - In ProgressSilk and Lace Blouse - In Progress

For the back, I sewed down each side of the lace, along the straight-ish line a couple inches in from the scalloped edges. Once the excess with trimmed away, you can see I left a sizable amount of fabric at the bottom for a big pleat. Then I folded down the edges and the pleat and sewed along the "V" shape again, about 1/4 inch away from the first line of stitches.

Silk and Lace Blouse - In ProgressSilk and Lace Blouse - In Progress

I thought about leaving the scalloped edging of the lace to hang free, but opted instead to go ahead and sew that down as well, which also helped secure the pleat at the bottom of the lace insert.

Silk and Lace Blouse - In Progress

Finally, I reattached the laundering tag in the side seam, and salvaged the collar button to replace the missing button at the belly.

Silk and Lace Blouse - In ProgressSilk and Lace Blouse - In Progress

I *adore* how the lace back turned out. It's exactly as I had envisioned. Still not what I would call pastel, but apparently, this is as close as I get.

Silk and Lace Blouse - AfterSilk and Lace Blouse - After

Silk and Lace Blouse - AfterSilk and Lace Blouse - After

On a related note, I am getting so sick of dodging thunderstorms for five minutes at a time just to take pictures in my backyard. When is this rain going to stop already!?! It's hard to feel cute and springy when I can't remember having seen the sun in probably two months!

Silk and Lace Blouse - AfterSilk and Lace Blouse - After

Silk and Lace Blouse - AfterSilk and Lace Blouse - After
Top: refashioned // J.Crew jeans: $10 thrifted // Pastel Pink Converse: $15 Target clearance // Crocheted cuff: me-made // Necklace: me-made from Granma's brooch // Yellow rose earrings: Etsy

Silk and Lace Blouse - Before & After


Do you think the other Thrift Style Thursday ladies had any luck finding pastels in their wardrobes? Click their pics below to go see their blogs, or the TST logo in the center will take you to our Facebook page.

And don't forget our newest member, Alison!




25 comments:

  1. O Carissa - You have "pinned" Pastel Perfection ! This top is really great - dressed down or dressed up with skinny slacks, heels and long dangle earrings. Once again you have succeeded in wowing us !

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    1. I felt like, even if the shirt wasn't quite pastel, the combination of silk, lace, and feminine accessories would at least fit the spirit of the challenge. I wanted to wear heels with it for this photo shoot, but all this blasted mud!

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  2. I love, love, LOVE how this refashion turned out! You did a great job. And you're similar to me on the pastel front, I go for more brights and bolds too usually!

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    1. It's hard to pull off pastels when we're so fair-skinned, isn't it?

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  3. So nice ! I love it ! Bravo

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  4. Oh wow, that is one amazing transformation! Well done! I really love how you incorporated the lace into the should straps adding a little glimpse of lace on the front too... and the pleats, on the front and back! Who cares if it's not pastel, it is so gorgeous. :)

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    1. I second your emotion!

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    2. Thanks! I think the peak of lace over the shoulders is just the perfect prelude to what's in back.

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  5. I love, love, love the back of this top, the tunic length and the beautiful crochet lace detail you've added is perfect!! And I think the color is gorgeous (even if it isn't entirely pastel, I don't blame you!!)! Awesome refashion this week!! :)

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    1. Thanks, Kristi! I really didn't expect this to be such a difficult challenge!

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  6. As much as I did love the original net tunic thing, this is much better...so you!!! And SILK!!!! Also, this is my kind of pastel (bold colors are the best in my book)! I have two silk shirts waiting in my refashion pile that I'm just itching to get to work on!

    JJ
    www.dressupnotdown.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks, JJ! Can't wait to see what you do with your silk shirts!

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  7. I'm really jealous of your wardrobe ;) This is awesome!

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  8. Your Chucks totally count as pastel!! And if I may say so, you look gorgeous!

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  9. What a lovely refashion! I hope to be able to do something similar eventually, because it's such a clever idea <3

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    1. Oh, I'm sure you will! It really wasn't too difficult.

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  10. This is beautiful and unique - nice going.

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    1. That's one of the things I really love about refashioning - each garment is truly unique!

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  11. So cool, I have already started redoing some shirts. Your direction are right on. Thank you

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  12. I like this diy project idea.I can have a try to save my old clothes.

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