Saturday, August 15, 2009

one (plus) stash (equals) two

I really enjoy infomercials, or any commercial really, in which a product is promoted in juxtaposition to "the old way" of doing something. An example is for some car washing product, and the item being sold is filmed in bright colors while the inferior item or method is shown in black and white. The people in the latter shot always have bad posture and frustrated expressions ("oh, filling a bucket with water to wash my car is so awful... isn't there a better way?")

Well, that's how my "Before" picture looks today. It was not intentional, I promise! Just the combination of bad lighting and poor fit, but it's the "Before" and if there wasn't anything wrong with it in the first place, why would I have refashioned it?


BEFORE:
Thrifted 1970's double-knit skirt.

AFTER:


"But wait... There's more! If you call within the next 15 minutes we'll throw in a shirt as well!"


So as not to waste all that fabric that was sliced off the bottom of the skirt, I fashioned myself a little top using some soft double-stretch fabric from my stash.




The yoke and cap sleeves are from my converted version of this (free) Burda pattern.

I also picked up a copy of the Alabama Stitch Book recently, and decided to throw down a bit of reverse applique to give this top some much needed personality.


Happy Sewing!

14 comments:

  1. Super cute! Your reverse applique detailing is perfect!

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  2. The shirt is absolute inspiration! I love the Alabama Chanin "up-cycling" technique, tho I don't really like her fashions. Did you do anything to keep the skirt material from fraying? Does double-knit fray?

    Thanks for sharing this refashion.

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  3. I didn't even think that skirt was the same one at first because the colours look so different from one picture to the next, but it's ADORABLE! Oh how jealous am I? BUT WAIT! That shirt. Oh that shirt! I'm in love!

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  4. "But wait!... There's More!" made me shriek with laughter. I'm sure my neighbor appreciated that!

    Love the updated skirt and the top is gorgeous! I love the embellishment also. I need to look at that free pattern more closely. I've skipped by it a few times, maybe it's worth another look.

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  5. I love the top. I keep meaning to try reverse applique and this is just one more reason!

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  6. Lovely job and thanks for the inspiration and link to the pattern. Keep up the great work, I'll let you know if I manage to pull any of these off :)

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  7. The reverse applique is just dandy. What a great refashion!

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  8. The reverse applique is just dandy. Great refashion!

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  9. I have just found your blog and am delighted to have done so. I won't be making clothes but love some of the refashion and decoration ideas you use. Cherrie

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  10. Jerilyn, hope you don't mind that I linked to your blog. (see http://clothesline.squarespace.com/blog/) Also borrowed a little pic to go with the link. Any probs, please let me know. Thanks!
    Carmen

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  11. Those are both adorable!! Love that shirt!

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