Linen and Lace

 This outfit was a combination of an old linen vest I've had for years and a tiered skirt that I picked up in a resale shop. The reason this works is that the fabrics are worn, soft, and in complementary colors. Scraps from my lace bin finished it off. This is a bit short for me to wear "as is" so I will probably wear with linen pants.

Linen and Lace

And yes, that's a little antique crocheted handbag added for my cell phone.

Tiered skirt, before.

I keep my eyes open for these types of skirts because the layers can be cut up and are already gathered. This one I used inside out because I liked the raw edges with a bit of fraying to them to give the feeling of age.

Side View

April is almost here and I will enjoy wearing this for Spring.

Can't wait for those flea markets and auctions to start!

What a Difference a Dye Makes!

Before                                 After

   

 I purchased this white coat ages ago, probably more than a decade, and it's hung sadly in my closet ever since. Even though I liked the shape and fit, whenever I tried to put it on it didn't feel right. I finally came to the conclusion that it was the white color which felt more like a lab coat than anything. As much as I admire people who wear lab coats, I am not one of them.

So I decided to try my hand at dye, which turned out to be totally fun and easy. First I ordered my Rit Dye from Amazon Prime (LOVE Amazon Prime). It cost $4.06 and was on my doorstep the next day. For this project I chose Denim Blue, but there are many colors to choose from.

This came in powdered form

Although the dye can be used in a washing machine I decided to keep life simple by using my recycling bin with very hot water and stirring it up with a wooden spoon. So easy.

And it turned out marvelously! After the success of this project I am definitely going to start using dye in more of my projects going forward.

       

DIY Natural planters from Tree Stumps

Just back from NYC, one of my favorite places. Saw the Great Comet of 1812 on Broadway with Josh Groban . . .  SO GOOD! Also went to Sleep No More, a show I had seen about five years ago and still find very interesting (and exhausting). 

After several days of fine dining, shopping, and walking all over the city I am happy to be home. My home away from home happened to be the new and awesome 1 Hotel Central Park, which I would highly recommend. The hotel is eco-friendly and decorated in natural elements including 24,000 plants. The lobby was gorgeous and made me want to redecorate my house, or at least add more plants.

I especially liked the way they used old stumps and blocks of wood as planters, which is so do-able!

Block of wood hollowed out for planter.

Natural planter from wood stump

So many options, each planter unique!

I am so totally going to do this.  

Fall Sweater Upcycle

Fall is in the air! Time for leaf peeping, apple picking, and pumpkin patches. I can hardly believe the summer is over but it's kind of fun to break out the sweaters and boots.

This week I decided to whip up a fall version of my sweater jacket. This knit oatmeal pullover was simply cut up the middle front, a soft suede skirt was cut up for the bottom ruffle, and lace was added for that original one-of-a-kind look. 

I almost always like to add a pocket to my tops for a cell phone and or other small items so that I can be "hands free" when out and about. This pocket is simple a densely crocheted doily. Sew three sides and leave the top open, easy-peasy. 

View from the back.

Have a Great Halloween and stay warm! --The Elevated Bag Lady

Refashioned Infinity Scarf to Kimono

Before

This pretty infinity scarf was found at the thrift store for a couple of dollars. Any scarf with enough fabric will work for this refashion. I find it easiest to find a scarf in a width that is pleasing for the length of my kimono. It can be longer or shorter, depending upon your taste. Lengthening or shortening a scarf/kimono can be done with trims or additional fabrics, but I found that keeping it simple gave me a nice clean kimono shape.

Since this scarf had only one seam I cut that off and then hemmed the edges, which then became the center front.

Next I cut the arm holes. I made mine 10 inches deep. You can cut more or less if you like, but this worked well for me. Next you will fold the right sides together so that the front seams are in the middle and the arm slits are on the sides. Then sew across the top edge to create the shoulders. Finally, hem the arm hole edges.

This project took less than an hour to complete, and I was taking photos!

Voila!

Finished kimono jacket, a very light cover up for warm days.

Morning Glories and Lilacs, Men's Shirt Refashion

Check out those Morning glories in the background

 This week I pulled another men's shirt from that "fill a bag for $5" stash that I'd scored several months ago at the local thrift store. I also had picked up a batik style beach wrap for $1.00 at a garage sale. It was in the same color family as the shirt and I liked the combo.

First I cut the sleeves and collar from the shirt.  The sleeves were sewn to the front, cuffs up, below the bust line. The beach wrap was cut to fit and sewn to the back along with a pretty embroidered piece cut from a damaged table runner.

Are these lilacs?

I used a tight zigzag to applique the embroidered piece to the shirt.

Finally hemming the bottom of the sleeves and adding some lace trim to finish off the raw edges in front.

I wore this top this weekend to an auction (one of my favorite summer activities!) and managed to spill coffee down the front. So now it's totally broken in!

Happy Sewing!  --The Elevated Bag Lady

Roses and Polka Dots

This week's upcycled fashion is a loosely structured long top combining a knit top and a tiered skirt. The cropped knit top was in my closet and I had worn it many times over other longer tops for a layered look.

I decided to give it new life by adding two tiers from the bottom of a thrift store skirt. It's always kind of  nice to be able to skip some of the detailing tasks by using something already gathered, hemmed and trimmed--as this skirt was.

Since I am hardly ever without my cell phone I added a pocket to the front.

Voila! Finished!