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!

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

Vest Refashion with Applique

I picked up this vest at the thrift store recently.

There are several things about it that I really like:

1. Fits great!
2. Sturdy 100% cotton
3. Has interesting details like those grommets, snaps, pockets and collar.

There are a couple of things I don't like about it:

1. Those rhinestone palm trees on the lower back!
2. It's boring!

Um, No.

I decided to spice up this vest with a vintage remnant that was gifted to me by some vintage relatives (sorry, that was a weak joke at the expense of the relatives) who've spent time in Africa. This piece is too small to do much with, but the color and pattern are so pretty. Those flower and birds in blue and yellow look almost Scandinavian, but that interesting circular pattern is definitely African or even Aboriginal in design. For a vest that hints of safari, I think this will do nicely!

It is probable that you do not have vintage African fabric in your fabric stash. No worries! You can use any large print, like maybe Aunt Mabel's tablecloth with the giraffes? Haha. If the fabric you would like to use is too fragile you can purchase an iron on interface to give it support.

When doing applique you want to make sure that your fabric doesn't shift around. On this refashion both fabrics were sturdy enough to stay where placed when pinned (pins are your friends). When I was able to fold down the edge I did a straight stitch. When I was sewing a raw edge I chose a zigzag.  And to shake it up a little I made sure the front wasn't symmetrical, but if that's your thing, by all means . . .go for it!

I'm looking forward to wearing this with jeans or a denim skirt.

Stay cool and have fun,

The Elevated Bag Lady