Momma Art

I had some fabric left over from my refashion of THIS  dress. I just love it so much, and my beautiful daughter saw it again recently, and wanted a dress to match Mommy.  How could I say no?  I love me some Starry Night...I am an art teacher ya know.... I grabbed a black tank top that she already had, and I cut two rectangles about 6 inches wider than the tank top. I sewed the rectangles together (RSF) and then sewed it to the tank top.  I pinned the sides and the front and back centers of the fabric to the tank, and stretched the tank top as I stitched. I used a zig- zag stitch to make sure there would be some "give" when she pulls it over her head.  Hem the bottom, flip it right side out, and it's done! Cute and comfy! Quick and easy! She was so happy to wear it to a family BBQ! See you next time!!

HELP!!!  What is this thing!!! It's hand painted (says so on the tag) It was $3.00. But....what is this thing? Top? Dress? NOT FLATTERING!  I posted this picture on my FaceBook Art Teacher page for some help.  They had some wonderful suggestions, and I took them up on it. First I chopped the sleeves off. It was a drop shoulder top, so I cut just below the seam to create my own "facing" and tucked the extra "facing" inside. Then I sewed up hem. Now the top of it was manageable, but that ruffle...YIKES!! I chopped it off!!! It became a t-shirt....That wasn't exactly what I was going for, so I put it on, and measured where my waist was, and chopped it off just below my waist. I put the excess fabric on top of the ruffle to measure the waist, and I cut diagonally from the waist to the bottom of the ruffle to create my new "handkerchief-hem-peplum". SNIP! I sewed it together, and now.....

I purchased this plain white cotton fabric thinking I wanted to print on it myself. Ya know, make a stamp and repeat a little bunny or something all over it b ut, then I thought why not let my students have at it? I'll let them create a unique one-of-a-kind fabric, and I'll wear THEIR art!!! (I still might make some bunny fabric though.) So off they go with some fabric markers.... ...and go... ...and go... ...and go... This was a great way to end the school year! I cut out the fabric with one of my free patterns I pulled of the internet. Snip, snip, cut, cut, sew, sew. I followed the pattern instructions, and Voila! One of a kind dress that showcases my students doodles and fun! This dress sat in my sewing room for the summer, and I finally got around to putting it all together.  I added some black fabric spray paint after it was all sewn together, just to add some pizzazz! Now, it was all ready for my second day of schoo...

Do you wonder where I get my creative side from? Well here she is!!! My wonderful Aunt refashioned her own skirt, and didn't waste a scrap! My Aunt Essie emailed me and told me I inspired her to refashion a skirt that was entirely too long, and it was a no-waste refashion, because she used the extra fabric to make an infinity scarf! Go Auntie!!! She said I inspired her, but I think I get it from her... Aunt Essie Rocks!!!! I hope I can inspire some more peeps out there to refashion some unloved clothing into loved pieces again! See you next time! P.S. Here's a sneak peek into something I've been working on... YIKES!!!

I'm not sure what to say about this one. I'll start with the $3.00 it set me back. ( Totally worth the price) The fabric was silk, and the print was just gorgeous, but the style.....ohhh that style has got to go! First things first.  SHOULDER PADS OUT!!! BUH BYE! Then CHOP CHOP CHOP, off come the sleeves, and a few inches at the bottom. I also removed the plastic button that was visible when I had the top button undone. It looked silly with the other button, and I would never button the dress up all the way. That button had to go too! I also took in each side about an inch. See! I hemmed everything up, and I was ready to go to dinner with my family! Happy to be wearing my new dress It even came with a matching spiffy belt!!! See you next time!

I just go with my gut when picking through items at the thrift store. I transformed a different  FISHY PRINT DRESS  a while back, and didn't question my inner voice.  Samezies with this one. It was a bit drapey, and not in a good way.  One fish, two fish First thing I had to do was take off some of the heaviness at the bottom. Then I needed to shape the waist. I cut 2 strips of elastic and sewed one in the front, and one in the back. The whole time I was sewing I was pulling the elastic taught so the fabric will gather when it's done.  Not so pretty pinning.... ...But the finished product was great! I also sewed in some bust darts to give it more shape. See 'em? I liked the color and the print, so I decided to leave that part alone. Kenny and I took the munchkin to day care/camp, and I finished up sewing this dress for our grown-ups only lunch date. The hubs LOVES BBQ, and we decided to try...

House dress???? This was cute, but it needed something... Pick, pick, pick.....off come the sleeves! It was raglan style, so it would be halter style with that funky collar. I love this print!! I sewed the raw edges down...and.... Now I'm ready to celebrate the 4th of July on a boat  with my family in Westlake in California!! Vacation dress!! See you next time!