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Mpls, MN, United States

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Monday, February 15, 2010

Shirt Refashion

So, my first project with the duct tape dummy wasn't entirely successful, but it was good practice for the refashion I want to do with another of David's castoff shirts that I like even better. It also took kind of a ridiculously long time; later projects should go faster.

Before:

After:
And some in-between: (pinning, wonky sleeves before I fixed them [sort of], prior to shortening, and cuff detail)


Sadly, I am a laughably bad seamstress. As in, I laugh at myself as I'm sewing (on my hand-me-down machine, which screams, clatters, and generally makes noise David refers to as the tortured screams of the souls of dead babies) because I'm such a mess. And although I spent the aforementioned ridiculous amount of time on this shirt, repositioning buttons, sewing double seams, securing the belt with hidden snaps (!), etc., major problems remain, such as that the sleeves are still kind of crazy, there's a bulge in the left hip, and it doesn't fit comfortably across my chest unless I undo several buttons.

However, I think I may still actually wear it when the weather warms up (with a shirt under it, thanks to that button problem). And in the meantime, I'm looking forward to revamping another of his shirts into something sort of like this. Actually, the Anthropologie web site is quite inspiring for refashion ideas. They make the shirt I just finished look pretty pathetic (though generally about $100 cheaper)--but inspire hopes for future projects!

11 comments:

Carissa said...

Wow! Even if it doesn't fit right, it looks amazing in the photograph! :) I've always been disappointed that I didn't learn to sew; my mom is a great seamstress, but I was never interested.

strovska said...

i think it's very cute--i'm a big fan of tabbed sleeves. my sister has done a lot of "re-fashioning", but i've always been too scared to try anything that major (this is my favorite of her projects: http://absintheandorange.blogspot.com/2009/10/sweater-refashion-80s-oversized-crew.html ).

CëRïSë said...

Thanks, ladies!

Carissa, if sewing interests you now, I'd say give a try! I think I sew like I cook: I learned some from watching my mom, took a semester of each in high school (International Foods and Home Ec), frequently make big messes, but learn (and hopefully improve!) from each new adventure. If you're enjoying yourself, the end result isn't even all that important.

And Rachel, thanks for the link to your sister's blog! I've added it to my Reader. I guess having a shirt that David was going to throw/give away anyway took a lot of the fear out. I have a too-big concert T-shirt that I am scared to refashion, even though I've done one T-shirt already; I just love the shirt!

Leah said...

That's a great refashioning, Ceri! Even if it's not quite perfect, it's the practice that counts. I love the tabbed cuffs too.

Mumsie said...

Adorable!

CëRïSë said...

Thanks, Leah and Mumsie! Practice practice practice...

Becca said...

Yo yo! Upcycling. So hot right now.

Unknown said...

I am so impressed! Looks awesome and I can't wait to see how the next one turns out. Goddess, you really can do anything and everything.

CëRïSë said...

Becca, YOU are so hot right now!

And Heather, you humble me with your unflagging encouragement. I would like it if you could maybe just stand beside me repeating positive messages as I try to write my dissertation. I could even hold V while you did it!

Ashley Barber said...

You're awesome! I think on Etsy.com they'd refer to your work here (the repurposing, anyway, I too am sorely lacking in any knowledge of the sewed goods) as upcycling. I see a Etsy business opportunity awaiting you! Or maybe it's just a smudge on my crystal ball :)

In any case, keep having the fun and sharing it here, please!

CëRïSë said...

Thanks, Ashley! Oh man... if I seriously thought I could make a living (and, you know, be able to travel) selling stuff on Etsy, I'd totally be there. One of my problems is that I tend to be a bit sloppy in my projects, and am not at the point yet, anyway, where I'd be comfortable selling them to people for money. But thanks for the encouragement, and we'll see what happens!