More quick ones

I've been pretty busy lately with non-sewing related projects so I haven't had a ton of time to work on clothes.  I've been doing a lot of quick changes, rather than complete overhauls.  Allow me to share a couple of my recent 30 minutes clothing adjustments.

First up is this hot pink tunic.

I got it at a garage sale for $1.00.  I've worn it a couple times as it is, but I'm really not into this color with  this style of top.  There's just something about it that I don't like.  I thought it would look better if it was a lighter pink so I decided to bleach it.

I put the tunic in the sink with warm water and some household bleach.  I let it sit for about 10 minutes before I rinsed it out.  Then I ran it through the rinse cycle in the washing machine, just to be sure it was totally rinsed.

I also cut off those silly strings that were meant to tie in the back.  I think the length is a little awkward, so instead of wearing it as a tunic, I paired it with a high-waisted skirt and wore the light pink tunic as a blouse.

I think the color came out perfect.  In my opinion, the pale pink looks much better with the white lace.

I also adjusted another skirt last week.  I told you a few weeks ago that I'm obsessed with skirts right now.  Well, I wasn't joking.  I've probably done about 10 skirts in the last 2 months.  Plus, there are at least five more in my closet waiting to be made adorable so I can wear them.

This skirt came from a thrift store.  I think I paid $1.25 for it.  It started out quite large for me.

Look at how pretty the colors and the print are.

I just did the usual; took in the waist and took up the length.  I wore it with this pretty top I got at a thrift store recently.  I wish the picture was better so you could see how cute this top is.

What's most fun about this outfit is that the top and the skirt were both originally home made.  I love finding home made things at thrift stores and garage sales!

Glitch

Hey friends.  Thanks for  being patient while I figure out why my blog keeps trying to get you to sign in.  I REALLY don't get it.  Especially since it's asking you to sign in to a completely different blog!  Anyhow, if anyone uses blogger and might now how to fix the problem, please share your info with me.  Thanks again!

A little bit country, a little bit rock and roll

Donnie and Marie just might be the most obnoxious singing duo I've ever heard/seen, but they provided an excellent description of today's recreation.

I only have before and after pictures of this one.  Nothing of the process.  Mostly because there wasn't much to show.  So here's how it started.

I got it at the Salvation Army Thrift Store for $3.00.  It's actually home made.  I'm really not sure what this person was going for.  It had a muu muu-esque quality to it with some interesting additions.  Each side had an almost inappropriately high slit, yet the sleeves were full length and the collar reminded me a bit of something fit for an Elvira costume.

After some sleeve removal, length removal, and width adjustment I had a whole new dress.

   

Speaking of awful music; as I'm looking at this picture, I can almost imagine it with Doc Martens being worn to a Gin Blossoms concert in 1993.  I would not have been the one attending the concert, however, since I just in middle school.  And anyhow, if it was up to me I would have preferred Alice in Chains or Nirvana.

I digress!  I love this dress.  I've worn it twice now with two different styles of boots.  It's perfect for the scorching weather we've been having and it's just darn pretty!

A lil' su'm su'm

So, I made couple things recently.  Thought I'd show you all.  I've been a bit busier since work started again.  But I have had some time for refashioning.  It's just that by the time I'm done refashioning, I don't quite have time to blog.  So, I'll go ahead and give you two at once.

The first is this darling top I found at an estate sale.

It belonged to an old lady.  I'm sure you're not surprised.

First things first; remove the sleeves.  It has been about a million degrees outside so sleeves just aren't happening right now.

After that I just hemmed the arm holes and took in the sides.  It became a super-cute summer top.

Next, I'll present this skirt:

I got this one at a thrift store for $1.25.  The color caught my eye.  And I think the print is really cool too.

I didn't have to do too much with this one.  I took in the waist and took a few inches off the bottom.  The hemming was a little tricky because it's pleated but I think the whole project took me less than an hour.

I love, love, love this skirt!  It's so comfortable and fun.  I've worn it three times in the last week.  I really feel like these pictures don't show quite how cute the skirt is.  You'll just have to stop me on the street when I'm wearing it :)

It's official!

My Etsy shop is officially in business!  It's been a long time coming and I'm so happy to announce that things have finally come together.

Here is a sneak peek at some of the items you'll find in my shop.

For now I'm only selling jewelry (link below), but keep checking in with me because I plan to add other items too!

RecreationStation on Etsy

Work outfit

Summer is winding down for me.  I have a couple jobs and both will be picking back up shortly.  Since I have had some time on my hands I thought it was a good idea to put together some work clothes before things are in full swing and I don't have the time.

I started with this shirt:

I bought it for $2.00 at a thrift store and it reminded me a bit of the puffy shirt from Seinfeld.

Obviously something needed to be done.  I began by removing the ruffle from the neck.

After that, I chopped off the sleeves.  Not only is it too hot for long sleeves but they were also a bit too Amish for my style.

Using the ruffle from the neck and some elastic, I created ruffled short-sleeves.  Much, much better.

This is the shirt, all finished.

Next, I got started on the skirt.

I picked up this beauty at a thrift store for $2.50.  I really liked the colors and print, as usual.

There wasn't a whole lot of work to be done on the skirt.  I just had to take in the waist and take some length off the bottom.

I put the top and the skirt together to create my "new" work outfit.

What do you think? Do I look sophisticated and stylish, yet relatable?  'Cause that's what I was going for ;)

Quickie

I didn't take any pictures of the process on this one because I was in a bit of a hurry.  I was meeting my sisters-in-law for dinner and the farmer's market and decided last minutes that I wanted something "new" to wear.  

Earlier in the day I was cruising A Beautiful Mess, my current blog obsession, and came across this picture:

Both skirts are totally adorable.  The one on the left reminded me of a dress that had been sitting in my closet for about a year, waiting to be refashioned.

In about 30 minutes I cut the dress in half, created a casing and inserted elastic for the waist, cut the straps off and sewed them to the front of the skirt, and added three buttons.  Then I was set to go!

Pretty close to the picture, right?  I think this is my new favorite skirt.  I wore it Thursday with a white t-shirt and again today with a black tank top.

This is too much fun!