Day 28 - I Did It!

The last day of the month has come!  Finally my fun-a-day for February is complete!  Here is my very last project (for this month long project anyway)!

How about that beautiful little country prom dress!?  Probably should have just left it.

More views of my new dress.  I had the fabric for the top part laying around, I think I bought it 2 years ago.  I didn't have a specific project in mind for it when I bought it, but it matched so perfectly with the peachy orange of my rockin' 90's prom dress.

So this picture totally looks staged, and it was a little... but both my boyfriend and I have been busy little bees all month and we split some wine to celebrate!  This is just a break while he took pictures of me.  Who could blame us?  This month was tough.  However, very very rewarding.

For this dress I ripped off the top part of the dress (probably will refashion that at another time), and kept the zipper in tact.  I drafted the patterns for the bodice and cut out the new bodice.  I sewed the new bodice together and attached that to the bottom half.  Then I hemmed the bottom half to my liking as well.  I know, probably too much with the bottom longer in the back, but I just really like that for multi-layer skirts!  Perfect for this one.

Thank you to everyone who has been so supportive and complementary during this project!  It really kept me chugging at 2 AM.  Also, thanks to Alex and Sarry for taking a million pictures of me (cause I hate being in front of the camera).  Stay tuned for lots more creativity!

Total Time: 5 Hours
Total Money Spent: $3
Outcome: Art Show Dress

Almost There! - Day 27

Well it's the second to last day, and I'm feeling a little sad about it.  Also really excited to sink my teeth into some new projects!

Todays project was a little white dress that I picked up and loved the texture of the fabric.

Here is the before & after;

Cute right?  I love the fabric.  So much fun.

You like?  I like it alot!  I'm a huge fan of white, pretty much all year around.

I took in the sides about 1 inch on each side, and took in the sleeves about a half inch.  I took up the hem about 4 inches, and changed the neckline to a scoop neck.  Really easy changes that completely overhaul the dress.

Also, my serger was a superstar with this project!  I'm in love with it.  Makes everything so clean and neat.

Get ready for my last project for the fun-a-day tomorrow!  This month flew by...

Total Time: 2 Hours
Total Money Spent: $5
Outcome: White Party Dress

Day 26, A New Tank.

Well, I was really at a loss as to what to do today...so this is pretty much all I could come up with.

I really just hated this dress.  I actually bought it eons ago and wore it as is for awhile.  It's been one of those dresses that just sits around at the bottom of drawers forever, and today, mostly because I'm out of refashioning items, I dug it out.  I thought the only way I would really wear this was if I made it into a shirt.  Something about the dress was just not cutting it for me.

But I actually am really happy with the way it turned out.  It's both a perfect lazy reading day shirt (which is exactly what I did today), as well as a good yoga shirt.

Now I will finally wear this red number that I've hated for probably the better part of 4 years.

So for this dress I cut off the bottom part and shaped it to be about 2 inches shorter in the front then in the back.  I didn't hem the bottom because I wanted it to have the natural hem that knits have, basically to not be too stiff.  I cut off the ruffle from the neckline and armholes and hemmed those shut using my new machine!

Drum roll please...

My Mema & Papa gave me a brand new overlock machine (or serger) today as an early birthday gift! It makes everything look more professional, and really it's just a better quality finished project.  Thank you so much you two!

Here it is!

Yay!  Isn't it beautiful!?

That brings my sewing machine count up to 4... good thing I have ample studio space.  Ample for now anyway.

They also just celebrated their 69th Wedding Anniversary!  Can you believe that?  They are still together and living just the two of them, and are two of the most amazing people I've ever known.  Such kind, sweet and unbelievably loving and supportive grandparents.  I'm a lucky gal.

Absolute bombshells they are.

This picture is hanging on my inspiration wall in my studio to remind me of how wonderful my family is, and to inspire me when nothing else does.  Thank you so much Mema & Papa!

Day 25. More Mint.

Agh!!  We're getting so close to the end of the month!

My fun-a-day project will be done but I am hoping to keep up all my work in my studio.  Probably not until 1 AM most mornings....makes me way to sleepy,  but hopefully lots of projects and sewing to come!

So anyway, here is my project for the day!

Mint scallop shorts!  Hooray!

I guess I really have a color palette I'm drawn to in my wardrobe more than I realized....

Well what I did for this project was basically just cut the scalloped edge at desired edge.  I just backed the fabric first so that they wouldn't fray when I cut them, but I didn't hem them!  I'm not entirely sure if that will work, but it looks good so far!  I think it might work....well, who knows really.  Probably my Momma, but we'll ask her another time.  Now it's time for bed.

Total Time: 30 Minutes
Total Money Spent: $2
Outcome: Minty High Waisted Shorts

Finally, Day 24.

Alas!  I am finally caught up!

Here is what I did for my project today.

I guess by now you probably figured out my favorite color is sunshine yellow.  Followed closely by salmon.

I love this one.  Makes me so ready for some warm weather!

For this project, I took the hem up about 10 inches. and took the sides in about 3 inches total.  I made the sleeves about an inch shorter too.  Just a couple of changes make all the difference with this dress.

Hope everyone enjoyed the Oscars.  I unfortunately do not get ABC (I know, in this day and age), but I will be scouting out the red carpet dresses tomorrow and reading who won what.  Exciting stuff I'm sure!

Now, I'm hopping into bed.  Nighty night.

Total TIme: 2 Hours
Total Money Spent: $2
Outcome: Picnic Spring Dress

Day 23 With Stripes!

Yes I know, still a day late....  The weekends are hectic over here what can I say.

This was another quick little refashion which is all I had time for yesterday.

Before & After Day 23;

Now it doesn't look like an over-sized little girls dress.

I've been really into stripes recently.  I blame Deb from the most recent season of Dexter, that girl has a plethora of cute striped tees!  I'm a fan.

So all I did for this one was shorten the sleeves about 2 inches, the neckline about 2 inches all the way around, and the hem about 2 inches too!  Now its a grown up striped tunic!

Total Time: 1 Hour 15 Minutes
Total Money Spent: $1
Outcome:  Nautical Tunic

Addie likes it too as you can see.

Day 22, Yeah I Know, Dropped the Ball....

So this was a quick little project I did for Friday Day 22, and am now just getting around to posting it!  I know, I'm two days late.  Forgive me?

Here it is;

Not to different, but I just hated the sleeves on the before.

It's way cuter now I think.  I like the buttons especially.

All I did for this was rip the sleeves off and hem the new armhole.  Easy enough right?  It makes this one piece ensemble more updated, and I'm just not really into the puffy sleeve.

Total Time:  45 Minutes
Total Money Spent: $2
Outcome: Cute Summer Dress

Day 21, More Yellow.

I tried my hand at another pair of pants, and I would have to say it was much easier this time around.  Practice makes perfect!

My Day 21 Before & After;

Made them into little yellow skinnies.  In my favorite color!

You like?  I want pants in every color now.  I'm hooked.

All I did was take in both side seams, shaped to taper like skinny pants, hem the length a bit, and take in the waist a smidge.  Not so hard at all!  

Total Time:  1 Hour 15 Minutes

Total Money Spent: $2

Outcome: New Favorite Pair of Skinny Pants

Day 20 & Space.

I've recently been really into the new space inspired clothing/accessories I've seen.  Between the constellation tights, scarves and bags I'm a little bit obsessed.

That being said, I own nothing of the aforementioned theme.

Until.........

Now!

Now it's a galaxy dress!

Here is a closer look at the "stars".

And some more of my new dress.

I am really pleased with this refashion!  Yay!

So for this dress I took in the sides and sleeves quite a bit.  Then I took the hem up a couple of inches and then I hand embroidered all of the little gray polka dots to get the effect.  That was probably the most time consuming part, but well worth the outcome.

Now I'm exhausted, and I just watched about 4 episodes of Law & Order SVU so I'm also incredibly disheartened...and I'm a little creeped out.  Tomorrow I'm going back to Buffy or something less depressing.

And on that note;

Total Money: $2

Total Time Spent: 3 Hours

Outcome: Space Dress!

Day 19 - Tailoring A Blazer.

This blazer I got a long time ago because I loved the emblem and had visions of grandeur when I bought it.  Having had my eye on the black Ralph Lauren blazer for $80 at Macy's I thought, I could do that (for much cheaper)!

In actuality, it sat in my studio forever collecting dust and becoming a cat pillow.

Until now!  I finally did it!

Yay!  My blazer is now much more stylish and without the giant shoulder pads that once lived in the 90s before version.

Much cuter right?  It would be perfect over a maxi dress or shorts in the summer.  Can't wait!

So this required a lot of seam ripping and taking in.  I took out the lining, then I took in the back seam, side seams, shoulders, and sleeves.  After that I sewed the lining back in (by hand = ick), and called it a night.  I'm sure there was an easier way to do this, but live and learn right?

Sorry for all the looking down in these pictures - not much in the photo mood today.  These things happen.  Also, I'm super sleepy.

Night night!

Total Time: 4 Hours
Total Money Spent: $2
Outcome: Ralph Lauren Sass Blazer

Mint Day 18.

I did in fact make this yesterday, but ya know... I maybe didn't feel up to putting the post up after work.

So anyway, here it is!

My Before and After for Day 18!

The layer on top made it easy to do a fun asymmetrical hem with the sheer fabric.  I of course won't be able to wear it all naked legged like this for a while, but you get the idea!

All I did with this one was cut the hem and sew!  Pretty easy fix.  I knew what I wanted to do with this one as soon as I saw it.  It's exactly what I wanted!

Total Time: 45 Minutes
Total Money Spent: $3
Outcome:  Mint Cocktail Dress

Day 17 - And A Dress.

So this is my other project for the day!

Before & After Day 17.

How about that little awkward attached vest number?  So confusing.

Some more pictures of my new dress!  Much better huh?

For this refashion I had to (very painstakingly) seam rip out the elaborately sewn in shoulder pads and little vest number.  Then I shortened the sleeves about 3 inches, and the hem about 8 inches and voila!  All done for my Day 17.  Hooray!

Total Time: 1 Hour 30 Minutes
Total Money Spent:  $3
Outcome:  Plaid Party Dress.

Oh My Pants, Day 16.

Here it is, my first attempt at refashioning pants!

I personally just love them.

Before & After Day 16:

I'm really into this skimmer pant thing for this spring...so I thought these would make a cute pair of stripey skimmers!

Here is a different way to wear them since I realistically can't wear them with naked ankles like that for
a couple of months.... Maybe next month!  You never know...

I basically took in every seam I could.  It ended up being about 3 inches on the center seam, and about 2 inches out of the waist band.  I also made the hem a little shorter too about 2 inches.  It took lots of putting on and taking off to figure out what was right, but it was worth it!

Total Time: 3 Hours
Total Money Spent: $2
Outcome: Nautical Skimmer Pants

Day 15 - Past the Halfway Mark.

This was another quick refashion (what can I say, I'm feeling lazy today...).

My Day 15 Before & After;

Just took up the hem is all.  Now it's a sassy date dress.

Again you can't tell in these pictures, but there is a tiny blue polka dot on the dress. I do love dots!

All I did was change the hemline on this dress and now it's a nice layering knit dress I can dress up or down.  You like it?  I do.

Also, I'm exhausted and ready for bed.... So goodnight everyone!

Total Time: 30 Minutes
Total Money Spent $1
Outcome: Tee-shirt Jersey Dress

Valentine's Day 14.

Well, I had a lovely Valentine's Day!  Hope everyone else did too!

Here is my Valentine's Day dress!

Here it is!!  Not so different, but I love it now.

All I did with this one is cut off the bottom and hem it!  Took no time at all, which gave me plenty of time to do lots of other fun stuff on one of my favorite holidays!

(Photos care of my SJB)

Here's my day via pictures!!

So I had brunch with my Valentine early, then met my favorite lady for coffee and muffins.  Alex and I got our little weasel girl a skunk toy for her Valentine.  I made my first attempt at vegan cupcakes for our neighbors and my coworkers.  I made Addie a matching scarf out of my left-over fabric from my dress.  Gave Alex his gift - 52 reasons why I love him so much!  And then we cuddled in our annual Valentine's Day fort all night and watched Woody Allen movies.

It was a perfect day.

Total Time: 45 Minutes
Total Money Spent: $2
Outcome: Valentine's Day Dress!


(Sorry I was late with this post, I just wanted to spend time with the people/dogs that I love yesterday = no time for blogging.  Oops.)

Plaid Day 13.

Had another long day at work, but both jobs were really nice today!  Plus the sun was shining and that always makes the day a little nicer.

Without further ado,

This was a pretty awful jumper/muu muu, but I repurposed it into a lovely little dress.  I love pockets in dresses and am always naturally drawn to them when I'm shopping.  It's so nice to have them.  Being someone who isn't a big pants wearer, I can certainly appreciate pockets when I have them!

This looks a bit like a funhouse mirror, but you get the idea.  So many Kayleighs!  

Well anyway, this was a relatively easy project.  I took the hem up about 10 inches, took the straps up about 1 inch, took both the sides in about 1 1/2 inches and added a zipper to one side.

It's hard to tell, but this is tiny plaid print.  Almost a gingham actually!  How very Dorothy of me.


Who is excited for Valentine's Day?!  Me me me me!  I love it.  It's one of my favorite silly holidays.  There isn't anything better than pink, red, chocolate, & hearts is there?  I didn't think so.

Total Time:  1 Hour 45 Min.
Total Money Spent: $2
Outcome:  Perfect Picnic Jumper

Day 12.

I had a very productive morning!  I woke up early (ish) went thrifting, ran a couple errands, and have already finished my project for the day!  Next I'm gonna make some Valentine's Day cupcakes!

Voila!

Here it is!  How do you like it?

I plan to wear it to our Lindy Hop dance tonight!  Alex and I have been taking swing dance classes for the last month and a half, not that we've improved that much, but it has been an absolute blast!  Tonight's Lindy Hop dance is with a live band, so we're excited to try out some of our newly learned moves.

A perfect dance dress!

So I took off about 10 inches off the bottom and shortened the sleeves by about an inch too.  I took in the sides and that's all there is to it!  I like the floral print on this dress a lot.  It's what drew me to the dress in the first place.

Wish us luck in our swing dancing endeavor!

Total Time: 1 Hour
Total Money Spent:  $4
Outcome:  Lindy Hop Dancing Dress

Day 11 & Some Violet.

Well this dress almost got thrown out on a recent wardrobe cleansing.  The Before dress was just so frumpy and I bought it without thinking about refashioning it.  After closer inspection (knowing I was going to do this Fun-A-Day Project), I thought this has potential.  I'm glad I kept it!

Here it is!

Just a couple of little changes makes it much more wearable.  I love this color, don't you?!

So what I did was cut off the bell sleeves and make the neckline a scoop neck.  The collar before made it look like a Stewardess dress....not so cute.

It's now a perfect dress!  Casual for work, but could dress it up for after.  Yay!

Much better now.

Happy Monday to everyone!


Total Time: 1 Hour 15 Min.
Total Money Spent: $4
Outcome: Darling Violet Jersey Dress

P.S.  Thank you so much to everyone who has been so supportive of this project!  It's been unbelievable to get so much positive feedback!  Thankyouthankyou!