This Thrift Store Find Needs No Refashion!

Hi Everyone!

    One of the best things about thrift shopping and refashioning is that I can afford to take fashion risks and choose things I wouldn't even look at ordinarily.  Typically,  I would choose my wardrobe based strictly on need for the basics.  Don't most of us do that?  We put ourselves on the back burner because the car needs tires,  the kids need this and that...you know how it goes! 

     However,  when you only have to pay such a small amount for something you like, you can afford to take a risk.  This blouse was one such purchase.  I would never have picked this out before thrift shops.  I would have chosen something much more sensible, probably a basic T-shirt.  I only paid $3.00 for this one and I received so many compliments.  Once again, the tags were still on  it!

The stripe is totally denim friendly, the fabric is comfortable,  and I can move easily around the house and the classroom.    This one even helped me with a lesson on adjectives. We made a list of adjectives to describe my blouse.   Love that kid who came up with "winged!"  What's not to like?  Worth the risk?  I think so.  No refashion required on this one!

Remember!  Just reminding you that big changes are coming!

Thrifty Chic will be getting a new look and a new address.  I will give you plenty of warning and advance notice so you can follow me and my refashion adventures.  I'll keep you posted as the time grows closer.

'Til Next Time...

Happy Refashion and thrifting

 adventures to you all!

Mary

Size 16 to Size 8 Refashioned Blouse

Hi Everyone!

A few months ago, I found this  size 16 beauty at my local "Goodwill" thrift shop.  It was not my size but I could picture a great blouse when I saw it.  I was careful to check it out from top to bottom.  The biggest thing about purchasing white shirts it to make sure there are no yellow underarm stains.  You want gently used or preferably unused.

Size 16 and frumpy, but I see potential.

                                                               

AFTER

       I must tell you that this blouse gave me quite a struggle.  I was going to go with set in sleeves but I kept playing with them and this cap puffed sleeve is what I finally ended with.  At one point I was ready to put this on the blooper pile but I never gave up!

Following is the tutorial:

                                                         Cut off the sleeves

  

                       Pin size changes on the  side seams. Make sure to check the fit.

Cut a short sleeve from the  old sleeve

Gather the cap of the sleeve and reset to the desired length

I struggled with it for a while but then ended up changing it to a capped sleeve.  Resetting any sleeve takes time and patience.

The final product! This one was a hard fought battle to get the sleeves just right.

 

  ATTENTION!  Just letting you know big changes are coming!

Thrifty Chic will be getting a new look and a new address.  I will give you plenty of warning and advance notice so you can follow me and my refashion adventures.  I will keep you posted as the time grows closer.

'Til Next Time...

Happy Refashion adventures to you all!

Mary

Lace Dress Refashion

                                                                 MY INSPIRATION

Hi Everyone!

I coveted this look for quite a while but could not even think of buying it new.  The lace tunic pictured was $238 retail.  Yikes!

Finally, the perfect dress appeared at "Goodwill." I had to pay $7.99 for it but I was sure I could make it work.  Remember, this is LA and even Goodwill is expensive!  I liked the fact that this lace had a stripe pattern.  I don't like lace to come off as "wedding" or look like a tablecloth or curtains.
                                                                          BEFORE

 

 AFTER!  I am trying to loosen up a bit with the modeling thing LOL!

I think I achieved the look.  Don't you?

THE LACE PATTERN

  1.     I started by cutting off the bodice and making a square panel and sleeves.  My plan was to make a boat neckline.  After studying the shape and the way the fabric fell over the form,

I quickly decided to get rid of the sleeves.   The new plan was to add lace edging to the armhole edges and the bottom hem.  I found the perfect lace at the bottom of my "Bag O Trims."  The lace I used was one that I bought back in 1990 to use refashioning my wedding dress.  (You'll see that post in May for my anniversary).


2.     I took the large rectangle and pinned shoulder seams and neck opening.  I basted these together by hand first, then carefully stitched them down.

3.      I carefully sliced both sides of the fabric for the armhole.

4.     The next step was to pin and hand baste the trim around the armholes.  I folded over the edge of the trim to encase the lace and automatically finish the inside edge.

5.  Once the lace was set I sewed it down outward toward the sleeve.

6.  The hem was easy.  I just topstitched the lace over the edge.  No turning edges here.

Hope you like this one.  I paired it with a tank underneath and my accessories are very similar to the picture.  I don't think I will wear this as a swimsuit cover.  the lace is much too delicate.

I love to hear your comments.  Let's dish!

Mary

70's Style Tunic Refashion

                 I purchased this for a whopping $3.99 at "Goodwill."

     The tags were still on and it had never been worn!  Retail value $32.00

                                               BEFORE

                                             

This garment was a size large, :(  but it was from a junior manufacturer.  This means it was not meant to fit a 53 year old mother of two LOL!

      My solution?  Add some gussets on the sides.  That gave my curvy hips more room while giving the illusion that I am a little skinnier.  Love the magic of color blocking!

  I have paired it with my retro bell bottoms ($9.99 from "Old Navy") and a necklace I made myself.  (See below)  The purse is a long ago purchase.  I can't even remember the price or where I got it, but it is a denim friendly shade of blue and a basic barrel style.  The boots are the brown version of what I like to call my "faux stillettos."

                                        

AFTER

Check out the accessories and the tutorial below 

Necklace of my own design made from an old bracelet, chain, and a variety of of blue white and clear beads.

I adore these boots.  I am trying to find them again on line or in the stores.  They were a steal at $30 by "Nickels"

 

70's style Tunic Tutorial

 Cut the side seams open and let them fall naturally around my dress form so the top will skim (not vacuum seal) my body

Add a matching brown panel piece to the side.  Once I fit it to the size I wanted, I  cut another one for the other side.  This took a while to shape and fit.  Once I was finished,  I hand basted and checked the fit before sewing.  From there it was just a matter of hemming and seam finishing and I was done in about 2 hours total.

Hope you like this one!

As always, happy thrifting and refashioning!

Mary