This top would have been my contribution to The Refashioners 2020 which has unfortunately but understandably been cancelled this year. I had already completed my project and wanted to share it with you all as (despite not being the most dramatic refashion ever) it really pushed me outside my sewing comfort zone and I'm hoping it might inspire some of you to give it a try too! Portia's yearly refashioning challenge started back in 2011 and carries an important message, encouraging sewers to look at fabric and clothing in a new light. I try to make careful choices when it comes to the fabric I use and how it has been produced. Despite turning away from fast fashion and making my own clothes I am aware that my fabric consumption has its own impact on the environment. One of the best ways to care for our planet and sew sustainably is to reuse and repurpose textiles which already exist. The theme for this year's challenge was planned to be 'use what you have' which felt a little more accessible to me as a newbie refashioner as you can use household items with large flat surface areas of fabric like bedding, curtains and tableware. I was still really daunted by this challenge. I've always thought I that the transformation challenge on The Great British Sewing Bee would be my downfall. When I cook I'm not the kind of cook who throws things in to a pan on instinct...I like a recipe! My creative brain just does not seem to think in that way. So I eased in to my first refashion by using a tablecloth. Despite being a flat piece of fabric I really tried my best to make the most of what the table cloth gave me; right down to using one of the loops of edge stitching as the loop for my button at the centre back neckline. In the spirit of 'use what you have' the covered button I had stashed away, salvaged from an old RTW top. When I moved to Dorking last summer I had a huge sort out and only brought with me things I thought I really needed so I didn't have any spare textiles asking to be refashioned. Instead I turned to eBay as my source of unwanted textiles. I've long been a fan and follower of the work of embroidery artists on Instagram like Tessa Perlow who embroiders on to existing garments to transform them into unique worn works of art. However, I've never been able to find the time or patience to do this kind of work myself. This project is sort of a cheats way of achieving a hand embroidered top, by using an already embroidered textile! I chose this tablecloth because I fell in love with the embroidery. I haven't found a single flaw in the beautiful symmetrical handwork. I felt kind of awful cutting in to it but focused on the fact that all that work is being appreciated and given another life. I loved the colours of it and that it was quite big and bold, plus the embroidered green border added another element to play with. But what really sold it to me was how the embroidery was arranged in clear quarter and semi-circular sections. I enjoyed figuring out how to place those to their best advantage on the top and use as much of the embroidery as possible. I'm really pleased with how it turned out. I think my favourite part is the back with those big arcs of floral embroidery meeting in the middle. I made the refashioning project feel a little more manageable to me by starting with a pattern rather than diving straight in to draping or cutting something from scratch. Baby steps! However, I did fully flex my pattern hacking muscles to make the design of the top much closer to my inspiration. Pinterest is still one of my favourite ways to collect inspiration for my sewing projects and over the last year or so I've pinned numerous boxy little tops with interesting details and style lines. The simplicity of the example below really grabbed me. I considered using the free tank tutorial from Fabrics-Store.com (they have a tonne of great resources, patterns and tutorials on their website FYI) but ultimately decided I did want a bit of shaping in the bust. I was torn between the Afternoon Lyra Tank and the Ashton Top from Helen's Closet. I ended up plumping for the Ashton because it seemed to have a lot of mileage in it with options for an all in one facing or bias faced neckline and all sorts of hacks popping up online. When I'm splashing out on a pattern I like to think I'm going to use it multiple times. I'm really pleased with my choice as I think the shaping and fit is great but I'll discuss the pattern more in depth in a future post as I have another hacked version of it to share with you! For reference I cut the size 6 B cup. To start with I extended the length of the shoulder seam a little to match the squarer shape of the inspiration garment. Then I drew a line straight down from the outer edge of the shoulder to the hem on both the front and back pattern pieces. I cut down these lines and attached the pieces I'd cut off the front and back together to create my new side panel pattern piece (after folding the bust dart out of the front piece and remembering to add seam allowances where necessary). I straightened off the top edge of the side panel and shortened it by 3" to create the stepped hem. I found this to be about as much as you would want to remove before you start seeing flesh above the waistband of a high waisted pair of trousers or skirt. The final thing I needed to do was to cut a strip of linen to fill in the centre back which I wanted to cut two separate panels for to make the most of the beautiful embroidered detail along the edges of the table cloth. I hemmed the top and bottom of this little infill, overlocked the long raw edges then topstitched it in place between the panels 3" up from the hem again. The infill finishes about 5" down from the neckline creating a sort of keyhole opening which fastens with a button at the nape. I'm really enjoying the combination of the modern cut of the top constructed with the more traditional embroidery. The weighty beautiful vintage linen turned out perfect for this style of top as it holds the structure nicely. I did have some scraps of white linen left over from my Wrap Top to use for the centre back and side panels but I actually only used it for the bias facing in the end. I'm so proud of myself for embracing this creative challenge and can't thank Portia enough for encouraging me to try something a little different. It has really pushed my creativity and construction knowledge and proved that I can do more than I think with my sewing. I'll definitely be looking at textiles differently in future and will make an effort to incorporate more refashioning into my sewing practice. I even feel like I might have the confidence to move on to something a little more challenging next time!
I am short. There is no other way to put it. I’m barely 5′ tall. I think I’ve only bought two pairs of used jeans in my life that were already hemmed to my length…ever……
Hi, so happy you decided to drop by. Okay, no small talk. Let's get right to the round up. It was a lot of wo...
Beginner sewing refashion tutorial for how to add fabric to a shirt to make it bigger with a full photo walk through
It’s almost summertime, and that means it’s time to get out your T-shirts! This was a long winter, so it’s going to be great to shed some layers and show off some skin. Speaking of which, maybe some of your old T-shirts just aren’t doing it for you anymore. Maybe they’re a little worn or faded, or maybe you’re just bored with them.
Take a boxy t-shirt and refashion it into a feminine shirt with braided neckline and bow sleeves. No sew and done in an hour! So easy!
Fistly hi from a refashion co-op newbie, so excited to share on this great site, anyway enough gushing! If you've ever checked out my blog...
I love to turn old men's shirts into tops and blouses for me. This is a simple men's button-down shirt refashion!
These men's shirts refashion ideas will inspire you on how to turn them into feminine and stunning garments for yourself or other women in your life.
I made my first Alabama Chanin top four years ago and slowly but steadily I have been adding to my handmade collection. This time I made a matching top and skirt. I already blogged extensively about the process involved here and it includes some helpful info on materials used for the stencil and the sewing. For this post, I am highlighting the finished outfit with some pertinent details included. Here is a flatlay of the outfit. Front of the Top & Skirt Back of the Top & Skirt For this outfit, I layered two fabrics so I could use the reverse appliqué method. I used 100% organic cotton knit fabric purchased from Nina Chicago online store. The inner fabric is in camel and the outer fabric is called ruby red. This is the front of the top shown with stencil already painted on. Once again I used my favorite stencil, Anna's Garden. Here is a look at the stenciled front. I airbrushed it with Createx fabric paint in the color Pearlized Copper. For handstitching around the stenciled motifs, I used a variegated cotton thread. This is the Aurifil brand weight 12 in the color "Creme Brûlée" (no. 4150). This was my first time using this thread and of all the cotton threads I have used for my previous projects (that included Coats & Clark, Wawak and Alabama Chanin embroidery thread), I found this the easiest to work with. It hardly twisted and the texture is so smooth and silky! Photos of work in progress. The front of the top after all hand stitching was completed. The magic begins! Cutting out the center of the motifs. Two front skirt pieces with hand stitching completed. Back of the skirt after the center back seam was sewn. Magic begins on the skirt! And now the fun part--photos of the finished garments! Back view with center back seam. Front of the skirt has center back seam and waistline has 5/8" foldover elastic. 1-1/4" self fabric binding on cap sleeves. Sleeves are only made of one fabric layer. 1-1/4" binding on neckline. Skirt left unfinished. View of inside. In case you're wondering, those knots and threads don't really bother me when I'm wearing the garment! I really love how my outfit turned out! I cannot wait to begin another project!
It’s time to highlight an inventive fashion oddity from the past. No, the three-armhole, wrap-arounder, Simplicity #7572 “Jiffy” dress pattern was not meant for ladies with …
I am short. There is no other way to put it. I’m barely 5′ tall. I think I’ve only bought two pairs of used jeans in my life that were already hemmed to my length…ever……
Add a sleeve to a dress with this easy tutorial - take your sundress to the next level.
Today I'll be showing you my favourite neckline finish for knit fabrics. It's my personal method for sewing knit neckline bindings, and I prefer it to the standard method!
Aurora Sisneros shows you a quick and easy way to take in a shirt by yourself without using a dress form.
So, I am still very much into all the sewing projects. I am taking a break from buying ANY ready to wear apparel in 2018 and instead am trying to sew and knit anything I might like to wear or...
This sewing basic tutorial will teach you how to sew a gathering stitch for perfect ruffles every time.
How to sew knit neckband and knit binding - 3 options to finish your knit neckline, including photo tutorial and video tutorial
It's easy to transform your crew neck T-shirt into a more flattering V-neck shirt in a few simple steps. You don't even need to add any additional fabric!
Upcycled t shirts are a great way to recycle your old clothing into something fabulous! Here are some great ideas and tips!
🌸 Unleash Your Sewing Creativity with Milkmaid Top Pattern Hacks! 🌸 Calling all sewing enthusiasts! Today, I am thrilled to share an exciting journey of pattern hacking with you. We will be diving into the enchanting world of milkmaid tops and discovering how to transform my free PDF printable pattern into a multitude of delightful styles, perfect for those who adore the cottagecore aesthetic. In this blog post, I will guide you through the process of hacking the milkmaid top pattern with step-by-step instructions. Whether you want to create charming blouses, lovely tops, or even dreamy dresses, this pattern is your gateway to endless possibilities. To ignite your imagination further, I've also included a bonus free printable pattern for puff sleeves. These whimsical sleeves can be added to your blouses, tops, or dresses, instantly elevating your creations with a touch of romantic flair. This tutorial is designed with beginners in mind, making it accessible for sewists of all skill levels. Each step is explained in detail, ensuring that you can confidently bring your vision to life and craft garments that truly reflect your personal style. I invite you to watch the full video tutorial on my YouTube channel, where I demonstrate the pattern hacking process from start to finish. Don't forget to hit the like button, subscribe to my channel, and share the video with your fellow sewing enthusiasts. Let's spread the joy of creativity and inspire others to explore the art of pattern hacking. So, let your creativity flourish and embark on this sewing adventure with me. Download the milkmaid top pattern, grab your favorite fabric, and let's bring cottagecore dreams to reality. Happy sewing, my friends! Free printable Milkmaid top pattern Pattern Hacks CLICK ! Free Printable pdf Milkmaid top pattern CLICK! Milkmaid top free pattern CLICK! Milkmaid Top Free printable sewing pattern Check out my website, where you can find a variety of free PDF patterns for sewing and hacking. Whether you are looking for a new dress, a cozy sweater, or a stylish accessory, you will find something that suits your taste and skill level. You can also learn how to sew with these patterns or how to hack them to create your own unique designs. All you need to do is click the link and download your favourite patterns. Then, follow the step-by-step tutorial and enjoy the process of creating something beautiful. I hope you have fun and feel free to share your creations with me! Milkmaid top pattern PDF free Milkmaid dress sewing pattern free Free sewing patterns for beginners
Some times those tiny details really make the look! This quick and easy picot shell edge is made on your sewing machine with the blind hem stitch. I saw this adorable picot edge on Pinterest and I had to duplicate it. I think the original was on the edge of a peter-pan style collar, but […]
How to change to neckline of a crew neck tee with a professional looking finish. I was working on some maternity tees for my store and it got me thinking I should do a DIY post about neckline alter…
Ever since my first version of The Hibiscus Robe free sewing pattern, I've wanted to sew ten million more in every decadent fabric I can think of. Ombré charmeuse was dramatic and luxurious, but I can easily imagine cascading chiffon and billowing organza. Maybe even a voluminous faille to turn the robe into a dress? For this redux, I opted for one of my fabric faves: a stunning floral embroidered mesh. From boudoir to bourgeois, this all-lace version of The Hibiscus is sure to bring the drama.
Use your own clothes to make more clothes!
Update: October 19, 2020 Do you know what a gusset is? It’s an inverted triangular (or diamond shaped) piece of fabric inserted into a garment to make it fit more comfortably. If you’d …
If you are looking for DIY sewing projects with material you already have at home, check out these sewing project ideas and free sewing patterns by the yard. Whether you have less than a yard or several, you are sure to find your next sewing project in this collection. In these collections of DIY sewing projects and free sewing patterns, you will find one yard wonders, free dress patterns, small sewing projects that only take half a yard of fabric, and more! Go through your fabric and use any of these stashbusting sewing projects according to the amount of fabric you have. Even if you have strips of fabric that you don't think you can use at all, refer to this guide and you'll find a sewing pattern to use them up. A piece of fabric thrown by the wayside after you finished a sewing project can be reused quite easily. Check out an even bigger collection for more ideas: 200+ DIY Sewing Projects for Beginners by the Minute. Sign up for free patterns
We all have a denim shirt hanging around in our closet. Why not give that top a trendy edge? I know dip-dye bleaching is all the rage right now, but give this spray bleaching tutorial a try. It mak…
Check out these simple clothing alterations you can do yourself when those ready to wear clothes don't fit quite right or if your weight has recently fluctuated.
This is such a quick and easy way to hem jeans! It is GREAT for kids jeans too....I'll show you at the end but the hem can be undone so w...
