Major ReCon

Artwork by Steven Tabbutt.

At long last, my dress rehab has made it through.  yea!!  and I love it's new look.  Another one of my old mini shifts with matching boxers from days gone by, but this time I went with some major re-construction.  Influenced by my Japanese sewing books, I took bits and pieces from one of the styles - dress Y of the Stylish Dress Book - which you probably wouldn't recognize after all my alterations & additions.

If At First You Don't Succeed...

artwork by Chris Scarborough.

Okay, so third time's a charm right?  The old combat boots are back again (see post Tweak, Tweak for Revision #1, and then The Long and Winding Road for Revision #2).  They just keep self-destructing and I won't let them go apparently.

I had some suspicion that the multiple layers of glue I used on one of the boots last time would be counter-productive - and it was.  The glitter cracked and peeled off in big chunks.  (I wonder if all those people out there that glitter-glued their shoes did any follow-up posts about what actually happened when they wore them, or if they wore them?)

Anyway, I ended up re-glittering that boot with one layer of glue & big glitter.  This time I used fabric mod podge rather than fabric glue.  We'll see.  I think Revision #4, if it comes to that, will be covering them with fabric.

Whether it's Black or White

Artwork by Chung Hie Lee.

Another one just like the other one - only this time in white!  I found an old pair of gauze shorts and refashioned them into a pair of transparent capris. To wear under skirts, tunics and dresses, of course.  It's amazing how much difference an article of clothing makes simply by being made in white or black fabric.  It changes character completely.

Just check out these white transparent capris compared to the black ones I made (in previous post).  Interesting.  Do you think it's a cultural thing?

Who Wears Short Shorts?

artwork by Pipilotti Rist.

Found some old yoga shorts that still fit, but no-way-am-I-gonna-wear-them-as-is.  So I used them as a basis for some sheer capri pants instead.  Yea, and I'll wear those...conditionally.  Like with a long tunic top, a dress, or skirt, or something else that's sheer.

I flat-felled the side seams because of the potential for raveling, but more for the look, and added some tucks going horizontally around knee length.

Still wondering if I might want to add another couple inches to the bottom...guess I'll wait and see.

*Also check out Clothes Collages: BLACK & WHITE

Who Likes Pink?!

photograph by Petrina Hicks.

Spotted a fully functioning pink calico blouse in a bin of fabric bits & pieces to be recycled, so I rescued it.  It was in good shape, only problem being that it didn't fit.  No big deal for SewInGirl.

Had some calico in a coral shade I used for side inserts and under sleeve gussets.  Didn't care for the hem - it was a little puckery in places - so I ripped it out and then added some 2-inch wide pale peach lace to finish it off.  Can't get much more girly than that - pink and peach, calico and lace.  mmmm...mmmm...mmmm.

*Also check out Clothes Collages:  ALL FLORAL ALL THE TIME

I've Looked at Life...

artwork by Camila de Rosario.

Rehabbed an old reversible vest I made long ago to fit me now-a-days.  Just added a side insert in a compatible color that worked both ways.  But of course, it wasn't long before I made it a bit more complicated.  Decided to put buttons going both ways too.  Since I didn't have enough of the vintage ones, I nail polished a

State of Project Minima III

artwork by Sebastiaan Bremer.

Nine months into the project and still going strong.   Can't see myself stopping sewing, mending, creating and/or making do - why would I?  And I certainly no longer have an interest in shopping for stuff that I don't need, crave or want.  How cool is that?!  What I'm doing is way more satisfying...and fun too.

Anyway, let's tally up.  I've completed &/or reworked approximately 29 pieces this quarter,