Sailor Boy - ReP-A-R-E #13 (RePurposing, Alterations, Repairs and Embellishments)

Sailor Boy - ReP-A-R-E #13 (RePurposing, Alterations, Repairs and Embellishments)

Another repurposing, this time a RTW polo shirt which never looked good on me to a new shorts and t shirt outfit for the mascot.

Same idea as the Rugby outfit, only the whole outfit is a bit of a neater fit as it was made from a large women's t shirt.

The print on the original tee was of tiny anchors, which are more to scale on the bear than they were on me

UFO sleeveless top (recut from a 1990s skirt)

I made a skirt in the early 1990s, with a waistband, shaped yoke and skirt front and back.
I wore it with a white blouse and light aqua green jacket for my graduation from University.

Sometime later I took it apart and tried to cut a top from the pieces. There was a front, a 2 piece back, only one short sleeve and some funny shaped bits. I stuffed it in a plastic bag in frustration.

More than 10 years later I pulled it out, pressed the pieces and discovered my dilemma. I still love the aqua green colour (duck egg blue?) so it was worth persevering a little.

I've learned a bit more about solving problems now so I decided to cut bias strips from the one sleeve and use it to bind the neckline of a now sleeveless top. I don't wear sleeveless tops much, but for the very hot summer days it could be useful.

I could add some ruffles at the shoulder to give a hint of sleeve if I don't wear it sleeveless.

Golding Wedding Bunting

Golden Wedding Bunting (not for me!)

50 gold pennants on a gold ribbon, hopefully will be used to decorate the party.

Fairly literal and also fairly plain, so hopefully also generic enough it can be reused for other events like Christmas and birthdays.

Verigris Jacket

When refolding the fabric in the 'Resource Centre' I came across this remnant of curtaining and was able to squeeze out a simple Kimono style jacket.

The fabric is a light green colour with teal and gold random sponge print on it.

It reminds me of Copper Verigris, even though mine is green and gold, the effect is similar.

Pattern, Kinder Cardigan from Wendy Ward's 'Sewing with Knits' book, made up in a curtain fabric remnant fabric with no stretch. This garment comes in 5 sizes I made the 4th size and added 3 inches to the middle length which isn't shown below but is halfway.

This works with my new approach for dressy occasions (which as a 'natural' I find tricky). I have simple shapes like Kimono cardigan jacket, basic trousers and knit tops only made in slightly more luxurious fabrics to look more dressy whilst still being me.

Hanging pockets

So a peg bag is just a pocket on a hanger, so these could be used to keep accessories with a dressy outfit, not just for pegs.

I've now used all 8 of the child sized wire hangers, so would need a slightly different pattern for different hangers

New Peg Bags (and pattern)

I decided to replace my old peg bags (used to hold clothes pegs when hanging washing on an outdoor line), which were dated and worn.

My new bags were made to fit on some child sized coat hangers I bought, but you can use any suitable coat hanger and adjust the pattern to suit the hanger.

These could also be made in finer fabrics and used to hold accessories, lingerie or shoes which go with a specific outfit so they can all be hung together.

Now I've made the pattern I will do lots of different ones in various fabrics. It is a great way to use curtain fabric offcuts.

Cheesecloth stripe top

I had bought some cheesecloth/seersucker type fabric which was quite narrow. I wanted to make a simple top for hot summer days but with coverage for the upper arm area.

I started with the free pattern, sent to subscribers of the Prima women's magazine.

This is the pattern from the current magazine, July 2019. I used it as a starting point.

My version most closely resembles View B, however I curved the front hem, and cut the back curve slightly longer. I raised the back neckline slightly and scooped the front neckline slightly. I extended the cut on sleeves and added a band. I cut the back on the fold. Instead of the facing provided I finished the neckline with a bias band.

I'm really pleased with this, although its too cold and wet to wear it at the moment, when those hot days arrive I will definitely be pleased I have it in the wardrobe. It washes and dries quickly and doesn't really need ironing.

:-)

Ruthie

June Goals - UFO Maxi Dress and Bonus Top

As part of my June goals I decided to try to complete a dress I cut out in 2008, partly assembled and abandoned. The pattern was from Prima Magazine November 2003. 

I added bands to the sleeves, neck and front skirt edges (the original instructions had it finished with bias binding) and hemmed it. And worked out a way to add the tying bands.

I may shorten it in the future, but for now I've left it the length I cut it in 2008, which is to the ankle when I wear it. I don't recall why I chose this length (I had cut a size 16 and added 10 inches to the skirt).

The fabric seems to be a cotton knit without much stretch so may shrink.

There was enough fabric left over to cut out a New Look 6735 top, though some single layer cutting was required as the shapes left after cutting a wrap dress are rather peculiar!

The top should work well with the teal bottoms from SWAP and the sage bottoms from the sage May collection.

I have off white on the machines so will see what I could do next.

June Sewing Goals

For June I thought I would have 3 goals, which I will aim for.

1. Participate in the 'Fun with Stripes' contest on The Sewing Place. (Stretch use multiple fabrics or make multiple garments)

2. Use at least 2 different patterns (from my usual TNT set). (Stretch 3 or more)

3. Finish off at least 1 UFO (unfinished object) (Stretch 2 or more)

I want this to be a fun game rather than anything burdensome.

I shall report progress as I go and review at the end of the month.

Florals Rule Twinset

The Sewing Place have a contest called 'Florals Rule' and although florals are not my first love I thought I would have a go.

Here is the link to the contest information.

I bought this pretty floral lace from the Monday Market Man, who is back in Chesterfield again after a bereavement.

I've used the top and cardigan from New Look 6735. 

I've not included the belt for the cardigan, and I've underlined the front of the top with some white mesh just to add a bit more coverage there.

Here's a quick dummy shot, but I will do a photo of me wearing both pieces together.

However in actual life I suspect I'll only wear one piece at a time, and have the rest of the outfit quite neutral e.g. navy blue!

During June I am going to challenge myself to use some different/new sewing patterns to expand my repertoire a bit :-)

Summer Sage - Another knit top

The print on this fabric reminded me of African beadwork, very detailed and intricate patterns and 12 different colours. However the print is quite small so reads as fairly muted from a distance.
Unusually for stripes the print runs down the length of the fabric. However the stretch factor was similar in both directions so I was able to cut the neckband from the red stripe.

New Look 6735 is the pattern I used.

 With the rest of the collection

On the dummy with the cardigan and skirt.

I've now got 4 tops, 4 bottoms and a layer so may pause there. I need to do some mending, curtains and etc

Summer Sage - Sage faux suede skirt

Cut from the same fabric as the Nina cardigan, this faux suede skirt is based on the Simplicity 8175 view B, though with the front cut on the fold, pockets omitted and elastic waistband casing instead of the shaped waistband.
I also added a small tuck in the front each side, and 2 darts in the back each side.

And here are all the pieces so far (8 sewn).
All of these were sewn with the same colour thread in the overlocker, coverhem and sewing machine, however I did change the needle between the knits and wovens

I wouldn't wear the print skirt with the other print tops, but I do have a previously made ivory top which could work nicely.

Still planned (but not quite sure when/if they'll get sewn)
- another print top
- some darker sage wide legged Burda trousers
- a stripe cheesecloth blouse
- a bold leaf print tee (and dress)
 (and maybe more)

But even if I stop here I still have a very wearable little collection.

Summer Sage - Mushroom trousers

New Look 6216 again , this time in a lovely stretch woven (bengaline) from the local roll end shop.

I added belt loops of a good size which works well with this purchased stretch belt with leather ends.

The mushroom colour is slightly lighter and slightly less green than the previous pair so these will be even more neutral and hopefully work with lots of other things in my wardrobe as well as the sage tops. They also work really well with another orphan jacket.

7 pieces done, and a plain skirt in progress. 

I have some darker woven trousers planned, plus some more tops so should be able to complete a good collection which co-ordinates well together.

Hopefully the summer will be a bit easier with some co-ordinated summer work clothing.

Summer Sage - Cardigan and Tunic

I had some Sage faux suede which matched the trousers, but is a little paler than the RTW jacket, so I've made it into a StyleArc Nina cardigan. It had been in the stash for some years.

I lengthened the upper body slightly to hit me in a better place. I've also pieced the sleeves.

I found the pieces for this viscose (rayon) tunic already cut out but stuffed into a zip lock. I recall cutting it from a 1990s skirt (many years ago) having decided it would be more useful as a top. The pattern wasn't with it but I think was from a wardrobe pattern, where it was the blouse. Once I pressed it, and got going it was quick to construct.

The neckline is just turned and stitched as are the sleeves. The hem has side splits.

The fabric print seems a little dated now, but the colours are great, and on a hot day going to work it would be good to have.

If you are still with me on the Summer Sage, you'll know that by this point I have

A RTW jacket

A print knit skirt

And a print knit top

Some trousers with turnups

A leaf print top

A cardigan

and a loose tunic blouse

I have a skirt and another pair of trousers in progress, plus more tops and 1 more pair of trousers planned still so will end up with more of a whole SWAP (presuming I can keep going with the colourway!)

Summer Sage - Trousers and top

My Sagey Safari collection seems to be coming out a bit softer than Safari implies (to me at least), so its morphed into Summer Sage and seems to have a life of its own. It is going to have a lot more than the required 5 pieces in it, but should be nice for summer wear.

The sage trousers are made from a poly cotton fabric from the local roll end shop. It has zero stretch so have to see how comfortable these actually are in wear.

I've used the trousers from New Look 6126. I love the clever pocket on this pattern. I've added 5 belt loops as I like to wear these with a purchased belt.

And a top from New Look 6735 in a lovely leaf print. I've used this fabric before for a drop shoulder top. I wore it a lot last year and its looking a little tired now so good to have a new version.

Here they are outside in a more natural light.