Limbs and head flopped out to sleep. Looking d-e-d.Filed under: How to do it, Refashioned it, Sewed it, Thrifted it | Tags: red, refashion, Salvy, silk, sweater
I bought this silk sweater set at the Salvy even though at a 1X, it was too big.
The silk was lovely, the muted red color is fantastic and sweater sets are in fact perfect for my work. Also, the bigger size meant the whole thing was longer than normal. And I’ve bought August Silk sweaters before – they last forever if you don’t dry the hell out of them.
Seemed like a worthwhile refashion.
Of course it took a while to get to fixing it. Pathetic: what an easy fix! Used the same technique as this purple sweater
Pulled in the sides. That’s it. Go see the how-to if you like.
The wide neck turned into de facto cap sleeves so I don’t need the top layer in the office.
Thinking now about adding ruffles using the scraps I cut off the sides and this trusty how-to.
Filed under: Fixed it, Love it, Made it, Refashioned it, Sewed it | Tags: dolly, How to do it, red, refashion, sequins, top, wardrobe refashion
Remember this mess of a fit handed down from a cousin?
Boxy cut is too big in all the wrong places, stretchy fabric catches on tiny front hooks, red square sequins a bit much for most uses.
But it’s precisely those red square sequins that made this an irresistable keeper.
Enter Dolly Parton concert for inspiration. Dolly has no fear. She grew up dirt poor. She married at 20 and stuck it out. She takes all kinds of risks. She laughs it off when people are rude and tacky to her. And she loves to show off a bosom.
So take her moxie to heart, and give a big chop of something you know fits really awfully a try. Here’s how I did it (and it was a long time in the making):
1. REMOVE SLEEVES. I sliced through the shoulder seams to remove the sleeves whole. I also cut off the tiny hooks and eyes meant to hold the front closed because they caught on the fabric.
2. PULL IN SIDES. Fit to your body, pin and stitch well. What were boxy shoulders now are effortless cap sleeves.
3. CUT OUT A NECK. The front used to close all the way up – I wanted a loose V-shape, so I had to cut off the excess fabric from the original neck. Also meant pulling off, one by one, the sequins that line the edge.
4. FINISH NECK. Hem the neck by hand or with a binding. I sewed in grosgrain ribbon with the machine, then hand hemmed it over.
5. CLOSE IT UP. Tried a bunch of things to make this a top rather than a cardigan. Wrap-style with ribbon ties looked silly. Pinned the sleeves like a band to the bottom to hold the wrap felt too bulky. Finally – since I knew I wanted the sequins to stretch out into a design – I sewed two big snaps on the bottom corners.
The first set was sewn to the inside and a corner,
the other to the outside.
6. PULL OUT THE BOOTS AND GO. I’ll add a tiny ruffled cami top underneath, and a fitted denim skirt on bottom before going out in public.
and back
Filed under: Fixed it, Love it, Made it, Refashioned it, Sewed it | Tags: dolly, How to do it, red, refashion, sequins, wardrobe refashion
She’s coming this week and I’m all set.
View cinematic oeuvre (9 to 5, Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Rhinestone, Steel Magnolias, Straight Talk). Check.
Check out old interviews on the Tube. Watch new video with Amy Sedaris, old musical specials on DVD. Check.
Learn words to Hard Candy Christmas, To Daddy, Tennessee Mountain Home. Check.
And now my bosom is ready to shine! I finished my fabulous TOP the better to sparkle along with the lady Dolly.
Lucky my Mister was stuck at work covering the Indiana primary until very late this eve, freeing me up to think about how to get this refashioned bugger to work.
If you recall, I started out with a giant boxy stretchy red cardigan jacket, handed down from a cousin. And I ended up with the Hottest Little Dolly Top in Chicago.
As always, there’s a How to… right here.
Filed under: Fixed it, Made it, Shook it | Tags: cowboy boots, dolly, red, refashion, sequins
Dolly finally set her dates for Chicago. Poor thing had suffered back troubles and postponed her tour. Thursday (05/08) isn’t as good as Friday (02/29) though May fashion possibilities totally trump Feb. fashion, especially in the Chi. My concert top’s in progress:
Next step: Stitch grosgrain ribbon along cut edges and turn under as a facing.
Filed under: Get it, Love it, Thrifted it | Tags: bill blass, dress, ebay, fitzfabulous, jeans, red, Salvy
Posted and reposted on ebay today during the fee sale. Few sweater dresses too fabulous to go unworn, and cute, cute thrifted dresses that just aren’t me. I’m having doubts about selling this one — can’t say I wear a lot of shirtdresses, but this one comes with a lot of cheek:
Last time I sold a batch of stuff, these poor little thrifted Bill Blass jeans piped in white were left over. They wanted to be worn by me, with their dark, dark color and fabulous trim details of silver tags and embroidery, but they were just sloppy long and the legs were too big. Just begged to be retooled. Thanks to pop’s serger, I now wear ‘em proud.
So I guess ebay will decide whether the red dress sells or goes back into the closet to await spring weather.
