Marilla's Top + Top Shop Top

Two new tops. Both from re-fashioned fabric.

First up is a relaxed V neck top by Marilla Walker. It is view D from the Robert's Collection and I have been meaning to make this for a while now. I wanted to use a fabric with a nice drape, cue this M&S wrap skirt that I bought from Traid in Camden a few months ago. I bought it for the black geometric viscose which seemed ripe for a re-fashion.

After unpicking the waist-band and removing eight darts I was very lucky to squeeze this top out of the remaining fabric. I cut the V detailing at the back on the cross-grain to take advantage of the interesting silhouette.

I used French Seams throughout and sewed them down for a faux felled seam - I actually really liked the effect of this technique more on the inside than the 'right way'. Maybe next time I will use this technique on the outside as a feature?

Cool V detail at the back!

I used a black cotton to face the neckline which has given it a nice bit of stability.

There is nothing nicer than a well-behaved facing

Marilla's instructions are great and her construction methods direct you to make a beautifully made garment. Lovely on the inside too (just like Marilla).
When I finished this top I realised my friend Charlotte would love it and so this will be gifted to her tomorrow - I hope she likes it!

Next, a quick and easy re-fashion on a Top Shop dress that I bought in a second hand shop purely because it was 100% silk and it was a bargain at £6.00. It was however one size too small for me. Never fear, I knew I could chop it up into a top as the dress wouldn't fit over my hips. A simple rolled hem later and voila, a new silk top!

Done. Two Autumnal-looking tops ready for the next season.

Re-fashioned Bettine Top

This project started life as a Tilly and the Buttons Bettine dress that I made in 2016. I didn't really get on with the exaggerated tulip style skirt as it was too wide around the hip area (and being pear shaped seemed to make it worse) so I decided to take it in at each side seam.

I took it in too much and now it was too TIGHT! Unfortunately I had already removed the excess seam allowance so when I wore the dress it used to ride up to what I would consider cheekily short proportions. Evidenced in this photo below (I always had to wear it with leggings to save my blushes). Yes, this dress is supposed to be around knee length!

It sat in my wardrobe unloved until yesterday when I had an idea to re-fashion it into a top. I carefully unpicked the waist seam and removed the elastic waistband. 

At this stage after trying the top on I realised that with an additional couple of cm's removed for the hem I would be left with a VERY short crop top. If it was 20 years ago I would have certainly gone ahead with a cropped style but in my mid 40's you have to consider the mental health of others and avoid flashing a pasty white un-toned belly at people......

Long story short, I created a bias band using the cut-off skirt section to mirror the bias cut cuff of the sleeves. I wore it today on an adventure to Dalston Curve Gardens and I loved it!

Here are some lovely shots of the fabulous Dalston Eastern Curve Gardens just two minutes walk from Dalston Junction train station. A secret oasis of gardening magic and a chilled out and calm atmosphere.

Large scale outdoor cross-stitch tapestry at the back of this planter is awesome!

Disco greenhouse!

The opening hours are from 11am - 10pm and there is a small cafe to buy homemade food and hot drinks. My friend Charlotte and I enjoyed a pot of tea sitting on outside sofas like this awesome one below!

 

Overall a lovely day! Have you re-fashioned a not-so-great hand-made into something better recently? 

Talking of re-fashioning.... are you going to join in with the Refashioners 2017 this year? 

Portia at the Makery is running the challenge again this year and the theme is 'Suits'. I think I'm going to give this one a miss and concentrate on working through my own stash of patterns, fabrics and half-made clothing!

1980's Dress Re-Fashion

Two weeks ago I bought this bold 1980's dress from Fara charity shop in Islington for £2.00. It is a lovely printed viscose with a nice drape in a cheerful bold red with purple and white floral bouquets.

The fit of the dress was not quite right. The main issue was the too generous bust allowance and shoulder width (even taking into account the 1980's fashion for wider shoulders).

The bodice of the dress has large red buttons at the back opening until the waistline then an elasticated back-band with a zip too. The skirt has an interested gathered section at the front and the seams slightly taper towards the hem. It has a split in the back of the skirt for easier movement.

I decided pretty much straight away that I would cut the dress into two sections so I could have a skirt and a cropped top. I set about this task by ripping the overlocked stitches with my un-picker and removed the zip. I sewed the open seam left by the zip opening and hand-stitched a little rolled hem at the top of the waistband above the gathered elastic.

As for the top, I blind-stitched a hem all the way around, re-positioning the button bands a little higher. I tried the crop top on and the shoulders were still too wide so I put a row of gathering stitches in the ditch of the shoulder seam and secured to the neck facing on the inside.

Now I have two garments to wear from one ill fitting 1980's frock and you can see the skirt in action below. I will get some photos of the cropped top when I get a chance.

Have you re-fashioned any clothes recently?

If you are on Instagram there is a competition in conjunction with the British Heart Foundation to up-cycle garments you buy in their stores. It's called The Big Stitch details of which can be found here. You have until the 31st July to get your entires onto IG tagged with #thebigstitch.

Pop-up Re-fashioning

Over Christmas I spotted a free crafting event at the Southbank in London for the first week in January - so I booked two tickets and invited my friend Natalie along. All you needed to do was turn up to the event with an item of clothing you want to adapt or re-fashion. It was part of a Pop-up charity shop for 'Mind' the mental health charity. The re-fashioning tools and accessories were provided for you to get creative! The choices were pretty extensive, they had; pom-poms, safety pins, sequins, beads, wool, embroidery threads, buttons, zips and pockets cut from other garments.

I had brought a selection of clothes but decided upon a simple navy gap tunic dress to change. There were no sewing machine available for any complex alterations so opted for a DIY re-fashion with these awesome coloured safety pins - the advantage being when I get bored I can easily remove them!

I also found any amazing bargain in the Pop-up charity shop - a bright green Paul Smith shirt in my size with the original labels attached for only £10. The original price on the tag was £148! Happy days. The button placements are quite unique and the buttons have been sewn on with different colours for an interesting touch.