backpack attempt

yeah, I know that it's been a while.  I went on a semi-long trip and haven't quite gotten back in the groove of things.  Anyway, here is a backpack that I tried to make, but am not too thrilled with the way it turned out:

This bag is made from some of a huge men's wool coat and a leather jacket.  This is my first time sewing with leather, and though I absolutely love leather, and want to sew with it more often, I don't think I will any time soon because my sewing machines don't like it too well.  If I were to show you the inside where the flap was sewn to the back, you would understand.  Sigh!  

In the pictures, it doesn't actually look too bad.  But in person, or rather, on my body, you can see that it doesn't sit very well.  Personally, I think it's a flop.

But, never to be deterred, studying this adorable bag from Target (if you ever see someone studying one bag for ages and not buying it, that's me) has shown me the changes I need to make in the shape and construction. 

I would love to make it in a vintage floral too, but the fabric I would have used went to those pants.  But anyway, you should see another attempt at some point, when I can buy the hardware and cotton webbing 'n stuff.  We'll have to see what fabric I'll use...

linen top refashion

This is made from a thrifted linen top that I picked up for fifty cents.  It had some holes and stains, but the front was so cool and there was just enough to make a cropped top. 

I had a lot of trouble with the sleeves.  I wanted plain cap sleeves, but I had to redo them because of a silly mistake, and then I redid them too small and I couldn't lift my arms up without making them stand up all weird.  I ended up having to use an old doily to make the little inserts, but I think the lace really looks nice!

first jeans ever

It's been a little while, but I can blame the heat!  It's finally come upon us!  The hot weather totally zaps my energy when it first starts coming.

But, there's been a little break in the heat, so I've finished these pants that I've been working on.

They are sort of jeans, with the fit and the back yoke and the five pockets, but they're made of some vintage corduroy from a yard sale.  I don't know if that disqualifies them from being called jeans or what.  They're cords, anyway.

This is my first attempt at jeans, and my first successful attempt at pants from scratch.  I guess they look okay! 

This pattern is killing me.  There is still way too much fabric in the seat, even after modifying the original twice then adding the back yoke (which is supposed to help with that).  I also took it in a size from when I used it for these shorts, and then again while sewing, but they still look a little baggy, as you can see.  My goal for this pattern is to eventually have the perfect go-to base pattern for any shorts, slim trousers, and skinny pants, tailored to me, but it is slow in coming! 

Easter outfit

sweater/blazer: Thrifted

scarf: made from thrifted fabric

dress: Target, $13

lace skirt: Target, around $6

boots: stole 'em from my mom, she got them from Zappos

You've seen this dress before, with teal tights, which brought out one of the colors in the print.  The boots that I borrowed from my mom bring out a different color, and with the gray and yellow, I think it worked out a lot better this time!  I have a thing for boots, and I'm so jealous of these!

some knit tops

Yes, it's been a while since I last posted, but I promise I've been working on things!  Here's some knit tops that I've just made.

First is a top made from a men's  turtleneck shirt.  I did the anchor in reverse applique from another shirt, a men's tee shirt.  This is one of my favorite refashions ever!  I love the anchor.

This was made from the rest of the tee shirt, plus some fabric from a shirt I bought that I sewed too small the first time I tried to refashion it.  The neck was the original, cut off and sewed here.

This is from a knit floral pillowcase. I did the neckline a little different this time, twisting it before I sewed it on.

This is from a size 22 women's shirt from a yard sale.  It was almost one of my best sewn knit things ever; I can't tell the difference between the binding on the armholes (which I sewed on) and the binding on the neck (which in from the original). Sadly, I cut a hole while trimming the extra seam allowance by the armhole, and had to patch it up.  Not so great...

This one I just took in the sides.  Big deal.  Liked the navy and white, though!

So, yes, I've been working on things!  I got a few things that have been sitting around taken care of, finally!

gingham shorts

I made these shorts out of a Ralph Lauren new, unused top sheet, which someone gave to me knowing that I like to sew.  They are a modification of these shorts, with front pleats, cuffs, actual back pockets (the pattern had like fake pockets), and shaped carriers.  These have got to be my very best project, how they are finished  and detailed and everything.  I am so happy with them!

The jacket is a hand-me-down from my little brother, a boy's size 10 jacket which looks great but is a little tight in my broad shoulders. The next project that I am working on is a jacket that has the same shape as this, but will actually fit my shoulders.  Can't wait to show you!

gaucho refashion

So here we have the other piece of the liz claiborne set:

And here is what I made.

I've been so excited about this pattern for a long time, because I could see the potential for modifying it.  This is my first attempt at it.  There are no modifications to the pattern for these shorts outside of eliminating the facing on the pockets, though the fit needs to be worked on a little.

 

I used the inside of the fabric for the outside, so that it wasn't quite so bright...I'm really glad I did, or they might have looked like pajamas.  They're just as comfy as pajamas, though!