Refashion Runway Week 1 Voting Has Begun!

Hi Everyone,

Check out my design and the competition at this link :
Refashion Runway Voting


You will have to scroll down and look at everyone.  At the end of the post there is a simple click on the bubble voting menu.

The competition is fierce.  Everyone is so talented!

Check it out and place your vote! :)

Thanks Mary

Hi Everyone!

Here is the scoop on "Refashion Runway."  I can't believe I will be competing with 7 of the best refashion experts around.  What an honor!  Here is a link to see the other talented ladies in this competition, hosted by Beth the Renegade Seamstress ,  or you can also click on the button to the right in my sidebar. 


The themes are very open ended for interpretation:

Week One: Stripes  (almost done!)

Week Two: Denim

Week Three: Copy cat from a magazine, catalog or celebrity

Week Four: Summer Dress

You will be able to view all of the designs on Beth’s blog this Saturday June 8th, and you will be able to cast your vote that day for your favorite refashion!  Just link to her blog for instructions.  (Don't worry I will remind you.)  I am nervous and excited at the same time.  What a great way to get to know everyone and make friends with people who love to do the same things.

Hope I can earn your vote on June 8th.  I will keep you informed along the way.

Happy Refashioning,

Mary


Mary

Refashion Inspired by Pabral Gurung

 Hi Everyone!
If you haven't already done so, please remember to sign up for updates on my new website
                                                                 marysthriftychic.com

Latest finished project inspired by Pabral Gurung

 Here is my latest project followed by the inspiration and turorial.  Great things are happening at Mary's Thrifty Chic.  I am to be part of the online competition "Refashion Runway" hosted by my friend Beth the  self titled, "Renegade Seamstress.  Details and links to follow soon.  I am already working on my first project, simply called "stripes!"

I was watching "Katie" over the Memorial Day weekend and was immediately obsessed by the Pabral Gurung dress Jeannie Mai is wearing.  This picture does in no way do it justice.  The color, print, and shape were amazing!

I immediately saw potential for interpretation when I saw these two pieces at Goodwill.  The black t-shirt was a 1x with the tags still on it, and the ABG chiffon T-shirt was gently used.

Following is the tutorial

Make fit changes in the side seams and under the arms

                                                       Cut the back off of the chiffon T-shirt

 Size the front panel fitting the floral pattern in the middle of the t-shirt

                                                      Mark the panel on the black t-shirt

 Cut the center panel centering the floral pattern

Hand baste the applique

                                     Sew the applique close to the edge all the way around.

                  For the last step I shortened the sleeves, and from there it was just press and done!

I knew I had a hit when I attended this training at school and quite a few people admired it.  I typically test drive a garment before I post.  If it goes unnoticed, I will often go back for a few tweeks to the design.   I had fun with this t-shirt and I am still looking for the right garments to try a dress version.

Well that's it for now.  Keep watching for updates.  My "stripes" project is coming along.

Until then, Happy Thrifting, Refashioning, and Sewing!

Mary

Recent Thrift Shop Purchase

Hi Everyone!

Have you moved to my new refashioned website? marysthriftychic.com

Check out my latest deal.

I found this little accessory at "Goodwill" very recently.  Original price was $7.99 but I got it for $3.99 on half price tag color day!  This purse was never used and  I just loved how happy it made me feel. The colors are perfect for Spring/Summer.  I went out to do my errands with it today and it did spark a few conversations while standing in line.  Fellow fashionistas are never afraid to speak up when they see something that catches their eye!

See you next time.

Until then, Happy refashioning

Yours,

Mary

Prom Refashioned/Then and Now

Hi All!

Just a friendly reminder to switch over to my new site:
marysthriftychic.com  in a few weeks or so I will stop sending out posts from this site.  I just want to give all of you busy people a chance to move over with me.

This week I want to talk about prom.  My how times have changed since I was  a teen!  "Back in the day,"  the guy said, "do you want to go to prom with me?"  This was followed by dress buying, maybe a salon hairdo if you were lucky, and no one I knew ever got their nails done back then.  Your date knocked on the door,  followed by pictures in the family living room, and you drove off in your date's family vehicle.  That was my experience.  I had a great time in my simple little floral cotton print dress with puffy sleeves, platform shoes, (you can't see them) and a borrowed bag from my mother.

Below are two of my nostalgic pictures.  I have blurred my date's face to save him any embarrassment by being seen in the "Brady Bunch" prom fashions LOL!

Please forgive the picture quality.  These came from faded Kodak photos.  No digital cameras back then!

              Do we look uncomfortable or what?  What inspired this prom nostalgia you ask?

                  Well from time to time I take on alterations to earn a little extra "mad money."
                                    I happened to take on this little number by Sherri Hill.

As you can see,  these days prom dresses are all about the bling and many look ready for the "Red Carpet."  Prom invitations are now total extravaganzas.  The biggest and most clever invitation wins. Prom goers have salon hair, nails, make-up, and are transported in party buses or chauffeured limos.

There were four layers of dress to hem here.  The last was a bias cut chiffon that needed to be meticulously hand basted and rolled before sewing.  The bottom line on this alteration was it was hard, painstaking, and made me sweat plenty!  Happy to do it for my friend, but bias cut chiffon, arrghhhh!  Never again...LOL!

I have big things coming up!

Stay tuned...

Mary

Thrifty Chic Has Been Refashioned!

Thrifty Chic has been refashioned!  Please move with me!  I would love to see you at:

marysthriftychic.com

More refashions and Thrifty Chic Lifestyle await!  See you there...


Your Friend in Refashion,

Mary

Happy Mother's Day /Thrifty Chic is Being Refashioned!

Happy Mother's Day to All!

I had a wonderful day with my family.  We met my son at his college campus, had an enormous breakfast and a beautiful walk before it got too hot.   Here we are in the Zen Garden for a picture after breakfast.  I am so proud to have these two handsome boys!

Of course I had to wear one of my refashions.  So perfect for our casual breakfast in a college town.

As I have been telling you, Thrifty Chic is undergoing a major refashion.  It is still undergoing tweeks and changes over the few weeks, but I am so excited for you all to see a preview.  Let's start the move!  I hope you will sign up and change to the new site.  If you have any problems please contact me.

The new site is:

marysthriftychic.com

Hope to see you there!