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!

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

Upcycled Men's Shirts, and an Auction Adventure

There is almost nothing more fun than an auction in the summer. I had a blast this last weekend attending one. The weather was just perfect for a June day in Wisconsin, and I ended up bringing home boxes and boxes of books which I am having fun sorting through. I wish I had completed this men's shirt upcycle before the auction so I could wear it there,  but it's done now!

I've combined three men's shirts in the same color family, along with an old T-shirt from my own closet. I did NOT cut up all of SW's shirts for this (!) but I was lucky enough to hit the thrift shop on a day when they had "fill a bag for $5". So I loaded up on men's shirts in various sizes with colors that pleased me. It was a terrific bargain. The back of this top is made from sleeves of the shirts, something I borrowed from a post on Pinterest. The front is a layered look which includes buttons and pieces from the shirts. There is a surprising amount of fabric in a men's shirt, especially the XXL ones, so there is plenty of fabric to use in other projects if I choose.

To make the top super fun I added a shirt pocket and this vintage clothing label which I picked up along with a box of others at an antique store about ten years ago. Rescuing them from obscurity, is how I think about it (although sitting in my supply bin for ten years did not bring them out of their exile very quickly, haha).

Suzy Perette was not a real person. This is a 1950's clothing label from a manufacturer that copied Parisian designs for cocktail dresses. I do not cut labels from vintage clothing, but since someone else did, I thought I'd use it. Now if anyone asks about Suzy Perette I can tell them all about it.

Here's one of the books I got at auction.

Guess I should start reading up on this. Haha.

Stay cool out there, and try shaking things up with an upcycled fashion of your own. It's fun and easy! --The Elevated Bag Lady

Guest Refashions Dress into Sassy one-of-a-kind Top!

Happy Memorial Day to Everyone

Special thanks to those who have served and continue to serve in the Armed Forces. 

You are appreciated.

I was excited to have a visit from my sister over the weekend, and what a surprise when I saw her first refashion which was inspired, of course, by Elevated Bag Lady creations which she is subjected to every time she sees me. (haha)  My Sister has only rudimentary sewing skills, so if she can do this . . . so can you! She said I could say that.

Jode, Sister of the Elevated Bag Lady

I think this one-of-a-kind creation looks GREAT on her, don't you? She bought this first as a dress, $1.50 from a thrift store. She cut off the length on the bottom and on the sleeves and sewed lace that she had crocheted herself some time ago.

Back

Lace edging

I am totally impressed with her first clothing upcycle/refashion and can't wait to see what she does next!

Thanks Sis!

Country Rose Dress from Duvet Cover

What do you do with a worn out duvet,

What do you do with a worn out duvet,

What do you do with a worn out duvet early in the morning?

(sung to: What do you do with a drunken sailor)

YOU MAKE IT INTO A DRESS, OF COURSE

Country Rose Dress 

After about 15 years, my favorite duvet was finally wearing out.  The fabric had worn thin on the edges but it had a wonderful washed and worn feel to it.  I was just too much in love with it to toss it out...and just look at all that fabric! In addition to the pretty roses on the front, the back was lined with a pink plaid.  

My plan of attack was to take another jumper/dress that I really liked, and use that as a pattern.

Since I was using the pink plaid as a lining for this dress I just placed the jumper on the duvet cover, lining the seams up in the middle of the pattern (the duvet cover had two vertical seams to make it wide enough for a bed.) I put one seam in the middle of the dress front, one seam in the middle of the dress back. I did need to flip the dress over, as the pattern was slightly different (higher) in the back.

After sewing the pieces together I trimmed with old tablecloths and lace, damaged pieces that I've been collecting for years.

Favorite worn out bed duvet 

This was a before shot of the duvet cover.  Now when my mom says, "It looks like you slept in that dress", (thanks Mom, for always noticing my ironing skills) I can say, "Yes actually, I DID!"  

More good news:  I have enough leftover fabric to make a dress for my brand new granddaughter.  My project list is getting longer!

Green Sweat Jacket --------> Vest

 

AFTER

BEFORE



 



BACK

 

The little green sweat jacket that grew up into something more fun!

 

I found this green jacket in a thrift store at an amazing BOGO sale, so the cost turned out to be $1.50.  I know, crazy, right?  I had actually seen a green "army vest" in a department store for mega bucks and I new I could fashion something similar from this green jacket. 

 

First I cut off the arms and the collar.  The collar was then split in half and sewn to the bottom of the front to give it a little more length.  I also cut off one of the cuffs on a sleeve and sewed it to the back for more detail.  I have an amazing assortment of vintage buttons that I've been hoarding collecting.  Should I use those amazing buttons on this piece or save them for something better? I decided to use them here.  If something more amazing comes along I'll just cut them off and re-use them. 

 

This vest can be worn with jeans or with a peasant or jean skirt.