2013 Refashion #7: Comfy Nightie from lace LBD and modal skirt

I usually prefer to work on one item at a time (UFOs not included), but somehow this time around I have 2 projects currently on my table that I cannot put away but dragging my feet to work on, AND the nagging need to make this particular refashion ASAP.

It literally took a few hours (A couple last night, and a couple this morning) even at my very casual pace.

The black (with silver metallic) Guess dress has been in my possession almost a decade it seems. It used to be loose on me. LOL. Very rarely worn. But I do remember wearing it during a work presentation I had to make at the UN in Geneva way back when. I can't even remember exactly what about, it was a lifetime ago, but I remember that it was a last minute trip coz my boss had conflicting schedule, and I didn't have my suits or formal stuff with me (i was living and working in another country at the time). Worn it with a green cardigan buttoned up I think, so as to look as if only that I was wearing a black pencil skirt? Who knows what those delegations thought. 

I've been holding on to the dress to make embellishment on a white or red charmeuse top (yet to be made, perpetually on my mental to do list), especially after inspired to do so by Carolyn's designer interpretations series (of the diary of sewing fanatic blog). But I won't need the whole dress for what I had in mind anyways. 

Chop the top part plus 3 inches under the bust. Fold to keep the bottom half, for my inspired-by-Carolyn project.

Choosing what to use for the bottom part of the nightie took the longest coz I had a few ideas. But this modal knit maxi skirt (which was already refashioned once into a hilo skirt and last worn out on my birthday picnic in May) made the cut. The modal knit fabric is a dream against the skin, but I lined the skirt with the same fabric, so it was quite heavy. Not a good idea, hence skirt not popular with me. I reckon that it will be a dream to wear as a lounge wear/sleepwear. Provided that I don't make it heavy again.

I unpick the zipper from the back of the bodice, and added 1.5in strip of the modal knit in lieu of the zipper. I kinda trace a shorter version (hits 2 inches above my knee or thereabouts) of a maxi skirt pattern (minus the waist band) for the skirt portion here. Stitch the sides and then stitch the bodice and skirt part together.

Yes, very comfy! :) Lots of the modal knit fabric left to practice making lounge/sleep shorts and so on. Next time...

Happy sewing!

Far

2013 Refashion #6: Tardy Neon Toddler Pants

This was done back in May, but was posted onto the blog nor Refashion Coop then. Main excuse would be that each time that I managed to actually get in front of PC, I can't find the original photo on the pc ;) But now it's all sorted out (and am seizing the opportunity while the boys are still slumbering...)

Original pieces:

1) My old neon barely worn CK cotton dress

2) Scraps from the sleeves of denim shirt from another of May 2013 refashion project

 

The play pants was based on the pyjama bottom pattern of McCall's 6458 I've made for the Bean made previously with tweaks to the sizing. I also added patch pockets to the sides, and added "appliques" of the letter I on one side and giraffe on the other. 

More play shots:

:) Happy refashioning and sewing!

Far

MMM Mmmmm?: Day 20 to 27 Recap

My MMM'13 original pledge:

I, Far of Memoryseed blog (farsland.blogspot.com), sign up as participant of Me-Made-May '13. I endeavor to wear (and document that fact) at least one self made/refashioned garment everyday in May. Repeats are a possibility. It is also a time that I am going to truly 'investigate' my relationship with my Me-Made items. Time to take stock, and cull when necessary.

 ~~~~~~~~

I missed my self-timed recap post yesterday :) It was a 3 day weekend for us here in the US to celebrate Memorial Day. So the computer was monopolized by the 2 boys...

Spent the last week sewing a lot, but very slowly as always. We didn't go out a whole lot, also because the weather was a bit dreary at times, but there were some grocery runs, short walks at the park/lake in between some light misty rain that people associate with Seattle. 

Here are some of the pics I managed for this round:

May 21st

Was cold, about 50-55 deg Fahrenheit the whole day. A quick run with the fam to the grocery, and I didn't want to carry my down jacket, so I get to wear this.

Top: My refashioned wool knit pinafore-esque dress (that is now supposed to be peplum, but not apparent on me here. Probably the weight of the knit plus the length of the peplum "skirt" portion. 

Bottom: A thrifted choco brown corduroy with good stretch

Accessories: Me made slouchy clutch bag (refashion project from a jacket)

Verdict: It's a winner in my book. I love the overall shape and feel of the tunic. I'm stumped with how to pair it though. Will resurface again come fall. Carrying the clutch bag is a pain, but if I throw it into my tote bag which was what I usually do, it's great to fit in a bunch of stuff.

 May 25th

Top: Me made Asymmetrical caftan top with shell beading on neckline

Worn with: Dark blue jeans, and carrying my down jacket. Yes, it's kinda cold for me. Taken off jacket just for a quick pic.

Bean wearing one of his mommy made play pants again, with bought tshirt and hoodie.

Verdict: I'm not a fan of this look. Last time I wore it was probably last MM/summer. Beading it was hard work tho. What I don't like is the fabric (clings), the size of the neckline (i hate large gapey neckline), and the asymmetrical-ness of the sleeves. What will I do with it? I don't know yet...

May 27th

This was what I spent my last week sewing. Nope, it wasn't from scratch. It was a refashion project. A men's denim shirt + floral silk twill dress = denim blouse with contrast sleeves.

Essentially I started off with a too big men's denim shirt that I thrifted. I fiddled with it a lil bit each day. My initial target was to make it into a denim shirt with contrast peter pan collar ala Zoe. First the sleeves were off. The more I fiddle and think (thinking can both be helpful and a detriment sometimes) and unpick, the less I want a peter pan collar with this shirt. So while I chucked the original collar, I kept the collar band. I added bust dart (by the side of  the pockets). My next idea was to turn it into a cap sleeved denim top. But the cap sleeves (which was just the original bodice without original sleeves) was stiff and made my shoulders look big. I measured where I want my shoulder to stop at, took the french curve and mark (with approx. seam allowance) and cut off excess. 

And my thinking made me want to have a contrast sleeves instead of the original plan of contrast peter pan collar. Having 2 tubs of saved old clothes, I fished out the perfect treasured silk dress (this one was a silk twill dress) many years old and only worn once!!! Perfect = I will use up most of the dress and leave minimal waste. 

Used up all (with very little left over) of the skirt part of the dress for my self drafted sleeves (drafted to max the fabric).

Unpicked the original sleeve bands from the dress and used it as sleeves band on the new blouse. Added brassy look buttons from stash (purchased from JoAnn's last year), and changed up all the buttons from the denim shirt to match too.

[Saved the bodice part of the original dress with sleeves sans sleeves bands. Maybe turn it into a kid's dress. I do have 2 little nieces (my cousins').]

Verdict: I guess technically the blouse could use with some more shaping (than just at the side seams). Darts under the bust/at the back came to mind. I've never added darts like that before. not that I could recall at least. I tried pinning to see how it will look, and was thinking maybe with the 2 pockets in front it's kinda having eyepatch effect that will look more severe with extra darts under the bust... And If i just added shaping darts on my back, it will make the back falls nicely from the back, but not that nice to look at from the front. So right now it remains an a-line ish blouse, which is basically the same silhouette as always. But, I think this blouse has more of a punch than usual because of the high contrast, and also a shorter hem than I usually opt for, so it's something different in my wardrobe in essence. I really feel happy wearing it.

MM on other days

Mostly on crappy stay at home mode. I did wear my maxi skirts worn before in the previous weeks at home paired with non-me made tshirts around the apartment. That's way better than lounging in my boring pj bottoms. 

Verdict: Yeap. Need nice lounging pieces, so that I won't ruin my nice suitable to going out clothes.

First week recap: mmm-monday-day-1-2-3-4-5-recap
Second week recap: mmm-monday-day-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-recap

Abstract Polka Dot Maxi Skirt with Hat

:) Today's photo theme for the Me-Made-May '13 is hat, and since I have pattern Vogue V8844 in the stash for months now, it's the perfect time and excuse to make it! :)

I suppose this is a refashion project, coz the main fabric used for the hat was what's left from the pants that I cut up firstly to up-size my linen blend jacket, while the contrast fabric was leftover from one of my sad skirt projects. (P/s: I made View A)

And, here worn for the first time my yoga waistband maxi skirt (a Simplicity pattern that I can't recall right now but will link later. Hey, it's Simplicity 1616!) done up in a bold print ITY knit called Urban Moon that I got from Marci Tilton's booth during the March 2013 Sew Expo in Puyallup. (They don't have it on their website in this color anymore, but there's one with black background with grays, taupes and teals which is quite lovely too). Mine is burnt orange with black, chocolate browns, beige, emerald green I think. :)

What do you think? Isn't it quite bold of me?

Really nice weather today. It was nice to walk a bit by the waterfront and then grab some shrimp and fries with the Bean. :)

Have a great weekend y'all! And happy sewing!

Far

2013 Refashion #5: Sweater Dress to Peplum Tunic

With the Me-Made-May'13 challenge looming closer, I am starting to take a closer look into my self-made wardrobe to see what works and what doesn't. 

I have been sewing (or daydream about sewing) pretty much all the time for maybe a year and a half now and sewn quite a few item of clothing for myself. However, there are still some huge gaps in my wardrobe, and then there are some me-mades that I wear all the time, and some that have never seen the light of day.

First outfit being investigated was my buttery yellow wool knit sweater dress (Butterick 5523). Made early last year, I searched high and low for a suitable pattern for this fabric. Chosen for the pretty cowl neckline (I heart cowl necklines...), I also was interested in the back tab in the pattern. Pretty sure I changed up the sleeves (made it bell sleeves than a slim one), but no thanks to my not so detailed blogpost, can't recall if I made any other changes to the pattern other than making it A-line.

It was a very cozy sweater dress. I love the fit around my shoulders and of course I love the neckline. But I don't like that the pleats in front and back were not kind to me and makes me look frumpier.  And the back tab (I could probably have attached it better) further highlight the messy back skirt pleats. 

Wearing the sweater dress, the back skirt part clings to the back of my legs (curved inwards), which is definitely not helping my case... Also because I have the tendency to wear my dresses with pants. Yeap. Or leggings. I think it is because I get cold pretty easily, and/or the traditional style influence of my Southeast Asian culture ;)

I did wear it out quite a number of times last year, most of the time it remained under my huge black down jacket out of public view...

So with all that in mind, I decided to redo the outfit into a top so that I can wear pants/skirts with it and not have the skirt part of the dress cling to my legs.

I unpicked the skirt part from the bodice part (including the back tab portion) keeping the upper part intact, and add peplum to the raised waistline. I used the Vogue 8815 pattern for the peplum part. Luckily I had enough leftover fabric, so I used those instead of the original skirt part of the dress (not wide enough). Worry not, I have plans for it very soon.

This refashion is very straight forward. It took me just a night for most of the work including basting the hem. By the next morning, I had it all hemmed and ready for MMM'13!

Sharing with friends @ Refashion Co-op and Recycled Fashion Finds...

2013 Refashion #2: Light Jacket Upsizing & Relining

A lengthy refashion project I started a couple of weeks ago: to upsize my old linen jacket and reline it.

• In order to evaluate how much to add to the too-small jacket, I unpick the lining and used that as my "muslin". I guestimated that I needed 3 inches added to each sides of the front bodice and under-arms of the kimono sleeves for wearing ease. I contemplated under-arm gussets for a while, but ditched that plan and stick to just adding panel insets. I added the same amount to panel inserts for the jacket.
• I used the matching linen pants to cut up panel inserts for the jacket.

• Using the old lining-turned-muslin as pattern pieces, I cut out new lining for the upsized jacket out of a set of thrifted grey and beige rayon blouse and skirt.

I am very happy with the outcome! The relining took 2/3 of the sewing time because I got side tracked by other ongoing projects and a sewing meetup I went to this recent Saturday (was the first actual sewing meetup I participated in, I had great fun and did not feel out of place! How could I not: talking to kind and warm adults other than my husband about sewing, fabric, crafts and whatnots without the toddler sitting on my projects or trying to pull out my pins? :) )

I did not re-sew the buttons and snaps back on (there wasn't buttonholes on the original, the self-covered buttons were just there for embellishment) because I kind of like it left open like that. Very casual. (I might consider adding some sort of closures in the future...)

~

Currently on my sewing table: 

• Refashion project of an ultrasuede skirt to a handbag (status: pattern adjusted and pieces cut)
• A white rayon-cotton knit V1261 alice + olivia vogue patterns view A (status: maybe 80% done, but man, i'm now thinking that at this stage of my sewing clothes I should consider getting a serger finally. sewing a light knit on regular sewing machine is a beast. Not looking for anything fancy, a lower end but can do good cover stitch, rolled hem, and whatnot. Using twin needles and this and that fancy detachable feet on my regular, cheap but beloved sewing machine is not cutting it anymore...)

Anybody have any suggestion on a good lower end (by that i meant $300 and lower) serger/overlock to start on? Are you using one currently?

Happy Valentine's Day!

:)

In the homefront, I am working on a bunch of different things at the same time since last week: Reworking necklaces, refashioning a linen jacket (from too-small jacket, too-small pants), relining that same jacket (using fabric from thrifted blouse and skirt), making cushions and cushion covers, and making a seat cushion for my new thrifted sewing chair. Trying to finish all that so that I can proceed with making my spring tops and blouses...

Verdict: Not so good at working too many projects at the same time.

Have a great rest of the week! Can't wait to watch Project Runway tonite!

The 'Sew Over It' book I Won (for my friend...)

Last October was my blog's first anniversary which I celebrated by stash-busting my patterns in a giveaway :) I met a few more sewing friends since (in blogosphere and in real life) and kinda excited that a couple of my old friends shared with me of their interest in this hobby. One got herself a machine around Christmas, while the other is shopping for one as we speak :) I sent a Japanese sewing pattern book I bought back in 2011, 'I Am Cute Dresses: 25 Simple Designs to Sew', to a friend in Malaysia since she wanted to learn to sew herself some tunics and flowing tops and I figure she will appreciate the designs in the book more than I had. :)

As for the other friend, I entered Zoe's of the "So, Zo..." blog giveaway and won for that friend the 'Sew Over It' book! [p/s: Thank you again so muchhh for the giveaway and the book Zoe!!! My friend is ecstatic!] Let me tell you that I can be quite a selfish person... So to make sure that I don't fall prey to my own greediness and keep the book for myself (because let's face it, new sewing books are lovely to look at, smells good, and all the pictures are well, yummy!) in my entrance comment I mentioned to Zoe that I'm entering the giveaway for my friend who is new to sewing!

And somehow, for the first time in my life, the sewing stars align, and I won a giveaway! Can you beat that? Now, why can't I win something I want for myself yet? :)

The book took a while to reach here from the UK, and then after a quick glance over it got locked up with the rest of my sewing stuff for a while. I'm going to post it to my friend this week, so last night I check out the book more closely.

Let me tell you now that I love this book. It's so pretty and well organized! Be warned that I'm not a good reviewer since I ramble rather than string critical, thought provoking, clever observations... (hence why I almost never try to pattern review or review a book), so this is just my opinion on it.

In her giveaway blogpost, Zoe described the book as being aimed mostly at sewing/refashioning beginners (read more on Zoe's description of the book here), while still providing those with more experience things to learn from and ideas to take up as inspired by some gorgeous pictures of the gorgeous author.

Based on my own scale I always insist I am a novice, but I suppose compared to those who are just getting acquainted with sewing, like my friends, I would be nearer to intermediate level. So while I am extremely itching to hide this book for my "collection" and claim to my friend that it never got here, alas I know that the sewing fairy will not look upon this transgression lightly and since it will be so much more beneficial for my newbie-r friend who will be able to grow (and hopefully fall in love with sewing) and try her hand on the easy-to-follow projects shared in the book I will bid adieu to this loveliness.

The author Lisa Comfort who runs Sew Over It, a sewing cafe in South London that this book was named after, included in the book from basics such as introducing the sewing machine, to customizing and altering your existing clothes by resizing or adding interesting details such as beading.

In fact, beading on clothes is something I have always been interested to learn more about - I signed myself up in the "'Embeadery' on Fabric" workshop in the upcoming sewing and stitchery expo in Puyallup, WA next month (I got my tickets in the mail last week, yay! I'm super excited! Join me!!! Or if anybody reading this going, I will be there on the Saturday :) ) The last time I added beads to my sewing projects were the M6204 asymmetrical top and my sewing class dress, which need to be reworked, donated or refashioned!)

One thing she mentioned was refashioning from larger clothes to fit a smaller sized person being much easier (and easier to write about and illustrate I am sure). I do not know of any resource about refashioning or altering a too small clothes to fit a bigger body. For me, this is often the case, as my body changes (read, grow rather than shrunk) in the past decade, especially the past 2 years of post-pregnancy.

Unless I buy/go thrifting some too big clothes with refashioning in mind (which is rare, and sometimes I purchased even smaller thrifted stuff: a red leather jacket and so on), my "raw materials" so to speak are the stash of clothes that I saved up; the too-small clothes from my early 20s up to pre-baby, that I can't part with because of the fabric or design, and thus the challenges to refashion them is greater but still IMO doable. As my confidence in sewing grew, the more I will dip into this treasured box of clothing, take the seam ripper to them and experiment with my refashioning! I do share my refashion projects here on this blog every now and again. :)

Anyways, if anybody interested to get a copy of the 'Sew Over It' book, you can get it from Amazon UK. The US Amazon website do not have it (says it's out of print/limited availability).

I still have a bunch of sewing books to get through, and projects in them to try out... But same as music, movies, fashion trends and so on, I might get on to those when they are no longer popular or in the wrong season ;) Never de rigueur, moi ;) But hey, here I am slowly sewing along and happy as a clam, trendy or not!

2013 Refashion #1: Black Silk Dress to M6711 Top

In my overflowing big box of "to be refashioned" clothes was this lovely decade-old (at least) black silk dress from Zara:

Before

Empire waisted with a faux wrap and bow, it was pretty snug when I bought it (hence short wearing lifespan), and quite light weight too since it wasn't lined. It's a pullover dress, but knowing me I might have worn it over tights or jeans. It was so long ago and I doubt I have ever been photographed wearing it.

I love the fabric - it's been auditioned for countless number of refashioning projects, but I kept on putting it back into the box until last week that is when I went to Joann's and bought yet a few more sewing patterns (gasp!) on sale... ;) I went in search of the Issey Miyake's V1142 spurred by Carolyn's yummy yellow pleat top, but alas the pattern is not there (I didn't investigate if it's sold out at the particular store, or out of print)...

I know I want to pick up patterns with interesting details, and the McCall's M6711 top meets my requirement to a degree. The pattern itself is a multi pattern: Misses' lined jacket, top, dress, lined skirt and pants. And the top's description is: very loose-fitting, pullover top that has self-lined yokes and forward shoulder seams. :) (The dress pattern is also based on this top, btw.)

After

After close up

As usual, I made my very own slapdash sizing adjustments that I figured will work out for me for a loose fitting pullover top: neck, shoulder, armhole at 16, sides underarm/bust level at 22 though and tapered out towards the hips an additional inch where I added another inch to the hem length too. (as pic below). 

There wasn't going to be enough fabric for the back piece, so I unearthed this black thrifted fabric of unknown material. It's kinda a knit (but no stretch!) with burnout velvet or some such mix. It's not so heavy but still heavier than the silk, hence the back pulls down the top :)

I cut the back size kinda the same like the front pieces... Thrifted bias tape finishes the armholes.

I made some adjustments to the pattern for my next top (and there will be more than one of this top coz I love it!). To make the sides at underarms smaller by .5" for the front, and take off 2 inches from each sides off the back (the back was too full to wear and even apparent in the pic above).
[Add: Note to self: For the back --> experiment on either taking off 2" from the sides of the back or 2" off the fold, since the size of the armhole is okay...]

Here is an action shot wearing my me-made. But of course the black down jacket will cover up everything the whole time I'm outdoors.. Hmm, my hat looks like a swimming cap! And I've been wearing it for 2 years and never realised it. Darn. Oh, and the Bean's hat was refashioned from a thrifted men's sweater during winter 2011. His daddy has a matching hat. They both need another one each I suppose, but spring is almost here ;) Maybe for next winter!!

Joining the linky parties at Recycled Co-op &

Itty Bitty Quilt / Unfinished Quilts

Just sharing pics of a baby quilt I finish last year for our nephew.  It's just a simple design (or no design? :) ). I love the colors I used for this though: light blue, orange, dark brown, white :). I handquilted the whole thing, hence why my wrist was in further agony... I am not going to handquilt anything anymore, esp not blankets! And no more basting my patchwork pieces.. I have the 1/4 in sewing machine foot now... I'm keeping the handstitching parts to my garment sewing thank you very much. Urrmmm, although I suspect I will still be hand stitching close the quilt bind... Ugghh...

Front

Front close up

Back

Back close up

I also made 6 orange and burgundy colored quilted placemats (meant for Thanksgiving, but only completed in time to post for Christmas pressie) for my mother in law, but I was in a rush to post that time and now can't find/remember if there's any pic of those.... Those I machine piece without basting (it was just squares), machine quilt, although I still hand stitch close the binding coz it looked neater that way....

 ----

This particular blanket which is meant for the Bean (yet to be quilted) are mostly made from cut up thrifted men's shirts. The light blue square is from thrifted fabric. The white fabric is thrifted flat sheet, and the gray striped backing fabric is a thrifted flat sheet. The only brand new is the cotton batting. I started this one when the Bean was born (during my maternity leave) and he is going to be 2 and a half in 2 weeks ;). To be fair, the patchworked top was done 2 years ago, I basted the layers earlier last year, but of course I have yet to finish quilting it. I started to hand quilt this long before I finish the baby quilt (in the pics above), but I'm not going to continue handquilting this anymore...

 

This is also intended to be baby quilt made earlier last year... Unfinished yet. :) I used some Moda jelly roll (it's called jelly roll i think? those long rectangle strips) and some nice peace sign designer cotton purchased from Fabric.com wayy back when.

Front

Front with the backing showing

:) Hope that Liz saw these pics... :)