May 10, 2012

altering some aqua pants




Hey all! Happy thrifted Thursday! Instead of an outfit post, I'm going to share how I quickly turned some thrifted straight leg pants into skinny (though a bit more slim-leg than skinny  because that's my personal preference) jeans! It was super easy and you can do it too! Here's how!

March 27, 2012

pink pants


Sources: 1, 2, 3
I've been crushing on pale pink pants lately! Like the pretty ones in the above pictures! So, of course I was absolutely thrilled when I found some at the thrift store! Although...the pants I thrifted just weren't quite right until I did a little altering! Now I've got a pair of perfect, pink pants! Wanna see how?!
While they're not absolutely terrible..the pants were just all around too baggy. But that's not anything that a few darts and side seams can't fix! 

March 19, 2012

short in the front + long in the back {and no I'm not referring to a mullet!}


I've been wanting to test out the high-low skirt trend for a while, but hadn't yet found one in stores that suited my fancy..or my pockets. So, I made one! Or rather re-purposed a frumpy thrift store skirt into one! I found a floral print (because you know I love anything floral) skirt at my local Goodwill and had a vision for it. Pretty sure the lady at checkout thought I was crazy for buying it though, especially because of the semi-grandma floral pattern.. :) But it's fine, because I really like how my high-low skirt turned out! Want to see how I refashioned my skirt ?



The thrift store skirt I bought had buttons all down the front and I did not like this at all, as buttons tend to gap open..and who wants to wear a slip? seriously?! So, I just removed all the buttons, pinned right sides together, and sewed a straight seam right over the button placket. My seam allowances were pretty wide (3/4 inch) because I had to catch the button holes in my seam. Then I pressed the seam open.


To make my high-low hem I kept the skirt right sides together and folded it in half, matching side seams. Then I placed my pins in a line along where I wanted my new hem to be. My high-low hem is not very severe, it's more gradual. Then I cut my fabric along my pin line and then sewed a narrow hem. I kept the hem that was already sewn on the back of the skirt because I didn't want it to be any shorter. This made it a little difficult to make my new narrow hem on the front of the skirt match up with the hem that was already on the back. If I were to do this again, I would probably first unpick the entire original hem and iron it flat before cutting my new hem length and sewing the new hem. If that even makes sense? Either way it's an easy (and quick) refashion!

I love my new skirt! Come back on Thursday and see me wear it in my Thrifted Thursdays outfit post! :)



February 23, 2012

plaid is fab

hello friends! Happy thrifted Thursday! I know I've been slacking on the diy/craftyness/sewing front, sorry about that! BUT, here's an outfit for ya! :) I just love this dark gray and hot pink plaid skirt (thrifted, possibly vintage!- the size number is significantly larger than my modern ready-to-wear skirt size.) I paired it with a semi-sheer, gray lace-y blouse, silky gray striped tights, and a black belt and shoes! I did have to hem the skirt...it previously hit me at a really awkward length below my knee...not a good look for my short, 5'2" body! Needless to say, I'm super pleased with it now...and it even has pockets! An added bonus for sure!

outfit details: skirt/thrifted, blouse, necklace, tights, shoes, purse/JCP, sunglasses/Charming Charlie's

January 27, 2012

a simple blouse makeover

Making alterations on thrift store purchases is one of my favorite things to do, but when it comes to purchasing ready-to-wear garments I like them to fit...and fit well! What I don't like to do is spend a bunch of money on something that I'm just going to have alter! However, I made an exception when it came to this cream blouse! It was on clearance for super cheap, and I loved everything about it (the color, the bow, the sheer-y fabric)...except for the awful band of shirring at the hem! Ah! It. looked. awful! Especially from the side...what is with that weird droopy section?! So, I figured the band would be easy enough to chop off and sew a narrow hem in its place...and I can't believe how much better it makes the blouse look! Especially with this camel colored belt! Happiness!
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