Mini Pip

Refashions - Past Projects

I haven't had a chance to sew many new things so I thought I would post my past refashions. I love refashions because the basic garment is already intact so the hard work is done for you!

The first refashion I did was for my junior prom in 2007. I bought a dress (that did nothing for me) and decided a few days before prom that the dress wasn't going to cut it. My grandma had given me her dress from the 50s a few years before that was sitting in my closet.

the before-I added the belt.

After!

 

I tried not to cut anything, since it is vintage, so the third tier is folded up into the skirt. It was an incredibly easy project, just enough for my beginning sewing skills to take on. I have almost no photos of me in the dress, but here are a few that show the added buttons, and my jewelery from the night.

My sister and I have the opposite taste in fashion and you can really tell just from our prom looks.

 

The next refashion I wanted to share is my favorite! I took an old vest of my moms and made a dress out of it.

 

Refashioning is a great way for beginners to get the hang of sewing. It's really how I started and to this day, refashions are some of my favorite pieces.

Have you refashioned lately? I would love to see some creative ways to use old clothes!

High-Low Spring Dress

I mentioned two weeks ago that I was invited to a wedding for my boyfriend's cousin, which was this past weekend. Usually I plan to make outfits and just don't have the time to finish (really I procrastinate too much and rush things at the very end and pieces wind up not fitting). But I made it a point to start early and actually finished with time to spare!

You can see my original sketch here.

 

finished dress!

 

In progress: I added boning and interfacing to the bodice just to give it more structure.

 

Before I cut the skirt out:  I loved the look of the maxi and might make one with the extra fabric.

 

Dress before hemming and before halter was added. You can kind of see the exposed zipper in back.

My original sketch had the Georgette on top, but I didn't feel like trying to figure out how to do that, so I stayed with the sweetheart neckline until trying it on and realizing it would be more comfortable with a strap. Other than that, the dress stayed pretty true to the sketch.

 

 

This is the first dress pattern I've made, the first time using these fabrics and the first zipper I put in that isn't crooked! The solids are peach skin and the floral is georgette (on sale right now for $3.99/yard), all from JoAnn's. I bought way more than necessary, just in case, and the total came out to $54.33 for the fabric.

 

And just for fun: 5 years ago, I was making my prom dress around this time (this was taken an hour before we were taking prom photos...still sewing).

This was my workspace last week:

Some thing's don't change much.

Apartment Shopping

I am getting excited over cutlery. Needless to say, I'm ready to start shopping for my new apartment. A few days ago, my boyfriend and I got the final approval for an apartment in Hoboken, so we will be moving in May 1st! That date is just a few weeks away so I've been looking for some good deals. We don't need much because we are getting a lot of furniture that was already in the apartment (Drew, my boyfriend, knows the previous renters) and we have furniture from home, so it's really just accessories. If you have seen my products, you know I love color and lucky for me, color is everywhere at Macy's.

 

Martha Stewart Collection Cutlery     $49.99 (originally $84.99)

 

Fiesta Flatware. $12.99 for a 5-piece set (originally $19.00)

This set is "lemongrass" but I also love Peacock.

 

I still have a lot of things from my apartment at school, mostly bathroom and bedroom accessories, so I'm being more conscious about what I purchase. I plan on making pillows for the living room, but it doesn't mean I can't lust over these!

Trina Turk Wave Stripe Decorative Pillows ($69.99-$84.99)

 

Just a couple things I'm looking at now.

 

I've been going back and forth with my "future plans" and have gone from wanting to do my business full time to reality setting in and realizing I need a real income for these student loans. I've been applying to jobs in the city to hopefully stand out,  I set up my online portfolio: http://tris00.wix.com/minipip

tell me what you think!

The Patchwork Wristlet

I am so happy with my new design The Patchwork Wristlet. I designed this about three years ago, wanting to work on it but not having the time with school. The design has been stuck in my mind since I first sketched it out and a few months ago I finally made a mock-up.

 

original sketch. good thing my mind remembers what I want.

 

I've mentioned before that I am NOT a quilter. I don't think I could have the patience for the amount of work that is involved in a quilt. This patchwork definitely took some time, but I've been making it in small batches, just enough for two bags at a time, which allows me to enjoy the process rather than dread it.

 

work in progress photos-the fabric has a total of 9 patches across and 7 down.

 

The finished bag. More photos and info on etsy.

AND in other news:

The fabric and design for my new dress

 

and my fabric from monaluna arrived! stay tuned for some new products!

 

wow. that was a long post. it is also making me realize how much sewing I have to do. more to come.

Spring Wedding

Sometimes I want to go to events just to make a new dress. It's a really lovely excuse, especially when you know you have plenty of dresses hanging in your closet ready to go. And they will make fantastic back up dresses. This wedding happens to be in 2 weeks, and with the short notice, that means less time to procrastinate! I've been doing some market research and am so surprised by the lack of florals in my favorite stores! IT'S SPRING! FLOWERS, PEOPLE, FLOWERS.

I'm thinking something high-low. I actually hated this style when I first saw it, but I like the ones that aren't so high, then so low. Something like this, but a little dressier and not so short.

American Rag From Macy's.

 

Next is searching for a pattern. Any suggestions?