Well Fancy That

Designed by Larisa Katz

After finishing that gray skirt piece of penance, I felt like kicking up my heels, being devil may care and fancy free, etc.

So.  I took this top I recently converted from a mini shift that just bored me to tears.  And I just waltzed around with it on my sewing machine - at first willy-nilly and then as it started lookin' good, I became more deliberate (if that can be the right word) in my accidental stitchin'.

I thought my stuff looked pretty darn tame next to those designers out there, 'bout time I got a little arty here myself. 

So there it is.  Something to wear with my new/old gray skirt.

Did I Lose My Head?

Sculpture by Janet Cooper

Maybe, maybe not.  Or maybe that's not even the question (see below).  Anyway, I've been working away - night and day, day and night - on some reconstruction.  Okay, not literally, but obsessively and excessively would be accurate.  It's this great skirt.  A gray cotton and gauze skirt.  Really.

But it's very intricate and I basically un-did it all.  All the layers, and ribbons, and lining, and french seams, the invisible zipper, and teeny waistband.  And of course, I did that many times over, because What was I thinking! or Where was my head?! incidents occurred on a regular basis.

But I also had some of those moments I usually only notice during art-making.   They're basically wordless, but a rough translation would be: How cool is that, man! or Wow, did you see what just happened?  Something like that.  And I'm not done yet.

Another One Bites the Dust

Painting by Alex Katz

Knocked off another mini shift into a top yesterday.  It was so hot.  Not the top, the weather...100's lately - at least the heat index.

I made so many of those back in the day with the matching boxers.  This time I was better at the reconstruction and didn't even have to go after the knickers.  Just used the trimmed-off hem as the extension along the side seams on up into the sleeves.  Piece o' cake.  Oh I already used that pix...

Go With the Flow

Dress Design by Lia Griffith

Keeping in the lingerie department, today I altered an old nightgown.  Originally I thought it would be a lost cause and the only thing I'd be able to save was the embroidery.  But when I started with my trusty seam ripper I discovered there was 4 inches of fabric folded back behind the buttons.  That enabled me to enlarge the bodice as necessary, but left me with a funky asymmetrical look.  So, hey I said to myself, why not go with it?

Along with relocating the buttons, I played with adding more ribbon of the same coral color I had on hand  - and, well, you be the judge.

Victoria / Victorian

Performance by Jana Sterbak

Ooo la la.  Off goes the top of an "ain't gonna happen" Victoria's Secret teddy and out comes a very sentimental-looking cotton brassiere.  (drat, again no before pix.)

Off goes the bottom of a one-piece Victorian undergarment, and out comes bloomer p.j.'s!  So cute.  For the bloomers all I did was cut the pants part off, add a wide white satin ribbon as a waist band, and threaded some elastic through it, and Voila.

The brassiere was a bit more complicated... 

Mini Shift Cut Short

Photo concept by Natsumi Hayashi

It was just too small and came with matching boxer shorts.  I had made several such summer shifts in the past and now it was time to move it into the present.

First, I shortened the mini to hip length to create a tunic top.  Next I ripped open the

Reverse Engineering?

Sculpture by Mary Tuma

Yes, I think that's what I've been doing...along with my other tools of the trade: de-constructing (with a specialty in seam ripping).  It all sounds so much better with the labels, don't ya think?

After days of the aforementioned activities, I produced a lovely outfit.  Yes, I would have to classify it as an outfit, even though it is quite casual and comfy.  Again, no before pix, but you can see the after effects. 

It all started out as 3 pieces in dark gray cotton I'd made a long time ago:  a tank top, a pair of shorts, and some capri-ish pants - none of which fit.  I sacrificed the shorts to put sleeves on the top and enlarge the pants to fit plus added back pockets.

De Construction Zone

Artwork by Peter Callesen

Haven't been dilly-dallying, I've been Mz. Seam Ripper Extraordinaire, if I do say so myself.  For days on end, I've been de-constructing and then re-constructing this old pink linen suit.  A major rehabilitation took place and I have the pix to prove it...more or less.  I forgot to take the before shots again.

Anyway, I removed the funky poofy patch pockets on the front of the jacket and the

Pet Peeves Reckoned With

Cake Dress by Lukka Sigurdardottir

Okay, I've been cooking today, man. Nothing special, just basics. [pay no attention to the lady eating her cake...]   What I did was hem up a light-weight cotton shirt I have (same shirt in several colors, so more to come...) It had a very long tail in back, so I did it up all 'round and it looks much neater and stylin'. yea.

And I finally got rid of some troublesome back pockets on an old pair of denim capris that I liked. They had big metal zippers that constantly got snagged on everything. Note to self: when you remove denim attachments from old faded denim clothes, you will be left with a big ole dark area of the same size. yep. So...