Wardrobe Refashion

New Post from New Member on old Patterns

My name is Donna, I live in Atlanta, and I am a mother of 5. Ages 24 down to 14 year old twins. We moved here from NJ back in '05. It's hard for me lately, maybe because of the holidays. My 3 older children live away and I'm still not used to being away from family.

I think I wanted to start posting so I could communicate as well as show my designs on this great website also.  I started sewing when I went on Ebay many years ago and looked for patterns. I found many patterns, but the thing that made me want to sew more was the patterns from the 40's and up. I started making clothing from that era and sold a lot of it. As soon as my camera gets back to working I plan on posting those photos. I now have a hugh amount of patterns that I started to collect and actually used. The ones from the 40's have nothing printed on them except holes, so that you can mark the fabric. The ones from the 60's are actually easier than the ones these days. They're larger on the printed pieces and I actually made more items with those patterns than any other ones. I haven't done as much work in GA than I did in NJ. People in GA don't like to part with money, so when they ask you to sew for them I think they're forgotten we are in the year 2007 (almost '08) and not 1980! Oh well I still love to design and sew and that's all that matters.

Next time I will download photos. Until then, I wish you all a happy and blessed new year!

Donna

Snowy day post

It really has been a while since I posted, so I thought this would be a good way to get reacquainted.  I did some knitting for presents for Christmas and now I need to finish up some gifts for my parents.  I made a pattern yesterday for one of these gifts and sewed it up, I am so pleased with how it turned out.  I can't show you all yet, but soon, after my mom receives it!  I can hardly wait to show you!!!!!  So, for now, a couple of gifts I knitted for family in Montana. 

First is a scarf I made for one of my nephews.  He's eight and is all boy, um, except that he likes to periodically crochet, and LOVES sports.

                      

                                             

And here is a scarf for his dad, my husband's brother.  It is made of a silky soft alpaca blend.

                            

I also crocheted a camo beanie out of this wool   

                                                

and forgot to take a picture.  It is a cabled pattern and turned out very nice.  I also serged a liner for it so if it needs added warmth, he can put the fleece liner on first.

Introduction

I'm Cindy, a SAHM of 8(only two left at home now), I homeschool, knit, sew, read about knitting and sewing, and love to thrift shop.

I have a few UFO's to deal with, as well as some pj's for grandkids, then I want to do some recrafting. I can't wait to get started!

A little down time

You may find you will not be able to post here on Wardrobe Refashion over the next day or so.  This is because i'm rolling up my sleeves and getting stuck into a HUGE clear up of the bottom of the wardrobe.  If you have already emailed me with your details to restart your pledge on January 1st then you should receive a new invite in the next day or so and can post straight away.  If you missed the post about resigning or are new to Wardrobe Refashion then please head on over there to read what details i need from you and email me asap if you want to continue or start your pledge in January.

Although you will not be able to post until you have received your new invite you can take this opportunity to check out the archives for inspiration.

2008 is going to be a great year for Wardrobe Refashion, i have some cool new stuff planned.

Ok, i'm about to get stuck into the cleaning, wish me luck!

Posting again....

Here are those photos I promised, you know, two days ago when I posted last...

My first photos come from my latest thrift store finds: Went in looking for khakis, since all my pants are dark colors, came out with amazing khakis for $3 US and this:

 

Four patterns total - 29 cents each, you can't even get M&Ms for that cheap.
The two others are a skirt and a baby sleeping bag.     They will all have to wait of course until I am done with my other stack of projects - but I am going to try to work fast, because I am pretty pumped about these.

Also, came across two bags of yarn balls in greens and reds, some wood spool thread and embroidery floss - all for less than $5.
   

And my favorite find - some perfectly kept late 1960's Pack-O-Fun Scrap Craft magazines - each has lots of funny and fun crafts.   
   

Finally, here is a dress I finished - It's the Built by Wendy pattern 3835, but I used a stretch knit instead of dealing with a zipper, and put the front panel pockets into the side seams as hidden pockets.  Sorry about the photo quality and that the photo is tipped sideways. My husband thinks this fabric is kind of matronly/floral like an old couch.  But he loves me and my creations.

Very excited to get going on reading my new magazines, finishing my sewing projects on my new sewing machine (Tangent - I had been borrowing my mom's old Singer and then she bought me one for Christmas, a White brand $10 garage sale special - all metal, 20 years old, BUT... NEVER been used.  Who does that?  And it can do buttonholes!!! and it's gorgeous, perfect - and still in the original packaging), and  finishing up my  company's year end financial stuff.    
Thanks for taking a look at my new stuff - More projects to come, hopefully soon!  Would love to see what you guys have been up to - Hope you all had a fantastic time hanging out with your families and friends and eating too many cookies and starches.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone!  We're finally winding down... just a few family members crashed in front of the tv...
This morning, instead of vacuuming and preparing for houseguests, I made this dress. :)  It's Simplicity 3681, view A.  I found this fabric in my stash.  It's a little baggy, but better too big than too small, which has been my trend lately. :)  It definitely needs a belt, but has been absolutely fab today for hiding my "Christmas cookie belly". 

My family is starting to "get" me - look at the great books I got as gifts today!  My dear husband got me The Happy Hooker (crochet), Second-time Cool: the art of chopping up a sweater, Sew U (BuiltByWendy, complete with patterns!), and Alternation.  My mom gave me a how-to knit book, as well as some pinking shears, and a new set of flat-head pins (all my pins are now bent and pathetic-looking), and my brother's girlfriend gave me the Sew What! Skirts.  I've worked with Sew What! Skirts and the Happy Hooker before, but they were on loan from the library - I checked them out so many times that I thought I probably should just buy them... :)  I also got a Hancock Fabrics gift card and a whole bunch of Christmas cash, so I'm thinking either a ton of fabric...or maybe a cheap serger... 

I hope everyone had a great holiday and got everything they wanted from Santa...but most importantly got to spent time with their family and friends (the best gift of all).  Merry Christmas!

More Gifts

Hello everyone and Happy Holidays. Here are a few more items I whipped up in a last minute frenzy.

Some more wheat bags. People love these. I would never think that they would love them as much as they do. My daughter got her's for her birthday two days ago, and has been constantly asking for it heated.

I also made some of headbands based on the one's in Amy Karol's Bend the Rules Sewing. The ribbon is from my recent trip to Stone Mountain and Daughter fabric store. 2 yards of remnants. I love it. It's so cute.

Well, I should go back to baking. Have a great day whatever you're doing.

Merry Christmas

One more bib for the baby. They are so fast and fun to make. I have to admit it was difficult to maneuver the machine around the antlers (I suspect carpal tunnel syndrome), but am pleased at the outcome anyway. Happy Holidays to everyone.

Two quick projects

Sometimes little projects give you a nice sense of accomplishment - each of these took about 10 minutes...

I found this sundress at the Goodwill for $.99.  These types of dresses never do much for me, but I liked the print, so I cut the top half off and added an elastic waistband.  Voila!  Instant skirt...although perhaps a little summery for a cold Nebraska winter... it'll be perfect once spring rolls back around.

This scarf is a blatant knockoff of this absolutely fabulous one that I saw on Etsy.  My version isn't as perfect, but it was a first try - if I make another, I'll be more careful.  I used this blazer from Goodwill (also $.99) and some leftover fleece.

 

 

Crafting or gift wrapping? what to do, what to do...

Actually I didn't have to make that choice as I finished my shopping weeks ago (not all handmade stuff, but some and lots of clearance-y items...) and I didn't get to craft as I spent the last few days working at my second and part time job.  oh the holidays.   Before all of this, however, I did sew a dress - hoped it would be done and ready for Christmas eve, but needs some darts in the back before the world can preview my work.  The neckline of this Built by Wendy dress was put on a time out several times to think about what it has done to me.  Took me about four times to get it to a wearable state - it's a little different, but well, it will be fine. 

Also sewed up about ten coffee cozies for gifts for my girlfriends.  This gift is both handmade and environmentally friendly.     Other than that I did some mending. Now it's on to a few days of family fun and a trip to Illinois then back to the sewing machine!

Happy Holidays!!!