Working on the Fall Wardrobe

Have I mentioned lately how much I love Fall, and how much I can't wait for it to be here?  Well I do.  I got a little giddy for Fall last year too.  I'm excited for all those same things this year, and

the crisp air

the apple crisp ;]

crunchy leaves

boots

sweaters

scarves.

I'm pretty excited for Fall fashion.  I love layering, and with this abnormally hot Maine summer (I know!  It's not hot compared to a lot of places, but seriously!  It's Maine for crying out loud!) layering has been scarce.  I miss my boots.  And my cardigans.  And my scarves.  Anyway, Fall will be here before we know it, and I received more hand-me-downs from my little brother today. 

After a frustrating day with a 2.75 year old and then a frustrating start with sewing machine tension, I finally came up with a happy refashion.  I present to you, my new fall shirt dress/tunic!



Before:xxl men's button down


After: super cute plaid tunic!

Tunic: refashion  Belt: hubs closet  Cowl & Boot socks: made by me  Boots: Target (2011) Leggings: F21 

One thing I super duper love about this refashion (and my previous ones) is that it's not maternity exclusive.  You can totally wear it and rock it while not pregnant.  I can wear this tunic minus the belt for a looser, more comfy fit, but I do love the way belts give me some shape and highlight my belly.  I kind of followed this tutorial.

PS are you getting tired of my 70s bathroom mirror cell phone pics with bad lighting yet?  I have this thing for sewing at night and/or when no one is around to take a decent photo.

last week and this week

This thing is growing!!

making

so.  I've kind of been in the upcycling business lately.  I was actually working on something right before this, but it was frustrating so I decided to take a break.

anyway, pictures!


Before:  This is a shirt from the hub's closet.  I actually claimed it a good year or so ago, and used it as a sleep shirt, but I decided to make it more fitted.  That way it will be a cute, stretchy, fall item for me!


After:  Ta da!


I didn't take a before shot of this (or the next one) but they were size XL men's v-necks my brother didn't want anymore.  I used this tutorial.


This one I just took in the sides to fit me (I just use a shirt that already fits me well as a guide) then cinched up the sides with elastic.  Mostly because it was pretty long and I didn't want to hem it, partially for the side-ruching effect.


I used masking tape to make the chevron stripes then painted the turquoise with acrylic paint mixed with textile medium.  I'm not sure if the textile medium makes a huge difference or not.  (It's supposed to make the finished project softer, I think?) I did not make the Maine State Aquarium sticker. =P  I love this little shirt and I have 1 or 2 more blank ones that I need to make into little, unique, beauties.


And lastly, this little set I made out of an old shirt that was mine.  I made this right when I found out I was pregnant, before anyone knew!  (Besides the hubs.)  I grabbed a cute pair of nb pants out of Z's old clothes, and used them as a pattern.  For the hat I traced around the hat she wore in the hospital. =]

Upcycling? Don't mind if I do...

So, I've been wanting to try this for awhile... and thought today was a perfect time.

One pair of extremely over-loved ae jeans...

+ One ridiculously orange, stretchy dress from Goodwill =

One pair of maternity jeans with full belly panel! =] (Sorry for the blurry pics...I had to take them in the mirror with no flash!)

The finished product is...alright. I'm not going to apply to go sew pants for Motherhood or anything, but they are fairly comfy! The bottom hemming is what's really getting me. The back heels were all ripped and frayed so I trimmed them and now in order to hem them, they seem really short to me. Maybe these will just be good with flats or flip flops. =] And I still have some of that dress leftover! So there should be more upcycling where this came from. =] Hooray!