DAY 3 HEMMING JEANS

There are some people out there that can't find a pair of jeans long enough. This post isn't for you. There are others out there that don't like the hem of their pants dragging in the dirt. This post is for you.

The best solution is wear heals. They will look hot and classy. However, if you are a mom like me and running around in heals all day doesn't sound appealing then here is another option, hem those jeans. Don't let them sit in your closet and never wear them.

Also, if you are a conservative like me and you were walking through the thrift store and found a pair of jeans in perfect condition that are a size too big for your daugher, buy them and hem them. Here is a great tutorial for hemming jeans, especailly for little kids. Most people don't fold they cut but if you want to hem temporary until your wee one grows then this is a great solution. Click here.

P.S. If you are interested in some of the things people have made from an old pair of jeans, click here.

DAY 2 SKIRTS to DRESSES

I know you all have one of those skirts in your closet that you are never going to wear again. Trust me you are never going to wear it. It is so bold in color, it has polka dots or strips or large flowers all over it and you keep looking at it and thinking, elephants are large and canaries are small for a reason. Besides, you don't want that pattern on that area of your body. Well, don't worry it wasn't a total waste of money because bold patterns are so cute on little girls. Try doing this with it instead of giving it to good will. Click here. If you use this tutorial then leave her a comment and post a picture to her flicker group she will love it.

DAY 1 FLOUNCES

Each of these little girl shirts cost more than $40.00 from J-CREW. You could make some out of an old t-shirt cut into flounces and applied to one of your daughters shirts. Also, if you have been to your daughter's closet and all of her long sleeve shirts are too short and have turned to belly shirts. Then add a flounce to her sleeves and the bottom of her shirt. It is so easy. There is a great tutorial on how to create your own flounce. Click here.

8 DAYS OF REFASHIONING

WOW. I am sorry, that tutorial was long but we are going to do so much with that shirt and make at least five variations. It is a great staple for any wardrobe. Look for the variations in upcomming months.

Today, right now we are going to do the 8 days of refashioning. I am going to take you on a journey through the web and give you a peak at some of my favorite sewing tutorials and introduce you to some very talented people. Get excited. This is going to be fun. This will run from December 1 - 8.

FINISHED

Isn't she hot? If you want to look as hot, just follow this tutorial. I know it is a long tutorial but some of my friends who haven't sewn much begged me to make it as detailed as possible. This shirt would typically take me two hours to make and the tutorial took me two months to write. I am better at sewing than writting.
This shirt was made from a pile of clothes I was just going to thrift. I love the saying, "Use it up. Wear it out. Make it do or do without." I love making something beautiful from another person's trash. All you need to make this shirt is an old shirt your husband no longer wears, as long as you have a smaller frame than him. (Curse skinny men. ;))A sewing machine and some thread and a little elastic thread and the pattern you are good to go. If you don't have a sewing machine look on craig's list. The best brand is a Bernina. Even a really old Bernina will do an amazing job.
All my sisters are begging me to make one for them for Christmas. Maybe I will. Maybe you should make some for a few women you love.

A1 WATCH THIS TRANSFORMATION

It all starts with a man's shirt. An old one you have lying around the house or one that you buy at a thrift store. Just watch what we can do.

A2 McCALL'S 5929

A pattern is nice to have. I refashion a lot for little kids without one but when you are refashioning for an adult especially a woman you need a pattern. There are a lot of curves to a female figure so a pattern is necessary. (Was that redundant, yes.) Eventually, I would love to write my own patterns but until then this one will do the trick. DO NOT BE INTIMIDATED BY A PATTERN. I WILL BE HERE HOLDING YOUR HAND THE WHOLE WAY. :)

P.S. Our final shirts will not look like the one pictured. It is simply a pattern we are going to base our shirt on.


A few things to note about patterns.

1. Pattern Pricing.

We are refashioning to save money. Pattern's are expensive. Luckily, fabric stores often have sales on patterns, especially during the holidays. You can call your local Joann's or Hancock and ask when their next sale on patterns is. Usually, the pattern will be .99 - 1.50, which is super cheap. However, if you want to follow this tutorial day by day and want to start now then just click here and order it. The cost is around 10.00, which isn't a lot of money for a shirt especially if you are going to use your husband's old shirt to transform. Then the total cost of your shirt will be 10.00, + plus thread, elastic thread, and interfacing. However, each additional shirt will be substantially cheaper. Around free. We are going to make different variations of this shirt, so it will be a good pattern to own.

2. Pattern Size Selection

You aren't fat, patterns run large. Gap, Banana Republic, Abecrombie and Finch have all have learned that women like to feel skinny. Through the years these companies have made the labels to their clothes smaller and smaller while pattern companies have remained consistent. If your pattern says you are a size twelve, don't be offended. I know you are a size two, it is okay. I have given a lot of sewing lessons through the years and this is always a discussion with my students. Look at the back flap of your pattern envelope. You will have to enlarge this picture to get a good look at it. Then take a measuring tape and measure yourself. If you have any questions about measuring yourself click here or leave a comment. On the flap of your pattern look at the body measurement chart. The most important measurement for this pattern is Bust, Waist, Hip. Here are my measurements. 35 inch bust, 31 inch waist, 38 inch hips. As you can see from the flap there is no size I fit in. My bust is a size 12 1/2. My waist is a size 16 1/2. My hips are a size 14. Yeah, now what? It would be easier if we could all fit in a mold. Sigh. I am going to start in the middle. I will make myself a size 14. If you have any questions on which size to choose write, "My friend is ____ measurements in the comment box below and ask for a suggestion." No one will ever know it was your measurements. Or, just send me an e-mail. Then get your pattern and get ready to start. We are going to have some fun.