Remaking a Plain White T-Shirt and Jean Shorts into a Fabulous Ensemble

Refashioning a Dip Dye Shirt and Shorts Outfit #upcycle #refashion #sewing http://www.upcycledfashionista.com

September 30, 2013January 15, 2017 ~ Maureen ~ 1 Comment

Read the full how-to article on refashioning a plain white t-shirt and jean shorts into a fabulous ensemble.

I am super excited for today’s post. I’ve had this pair of short and this top for a while now. Having plain shorts and a plain white t-shirt is great if you want to pair it with something more intricate, loud, or flashy. But I didn’t like either of these pieces for that purpose. This is perhaps because both pieces scream “Do something with me!!!” And do something, I shall. Time for a refashion!

Man T-Shirt / Woman T-Shirt (alessandralucia.wordpress.com)

Upcycling an Ugly Dress into a Smashing Shirt

September 20, 2013January 15, 2017 ~ Maureen ~ Leave a comment

See the full how-to tutorial on refashioning an ugly dress into a smashing shirt.

I found this dress at the Salvation Army. The top part of the dress left much to be desired. The designer obviously thought it was fashionable, but the fit was not right. But the bottom … what a great material! Reminded me of handkerchiefs. Upcycling this into something better should be easy.

Making a Pair of Earrings from Extra Beads

July 19, 2013March 3, 2014 ~ Maureen ~ 2 Comments

Jewelry and I get along pretty well, and I especially like necklace and earring sets. I am not a big fan of bracelets or rings, though, because they bother my hands during the day. (It’s REALLY annoying to hear the clack-clack when I am typing!) So I try to figure out ways to make sets even if I don’t have a set, like this lone necklace.

Cut off the top wire, and be sure to file down (with a metal file) the end poking out. Continue reading “Making a Pair of Earrings from Extra Beads” →

Refashioning a Dress Into a Peasant Shirt

Refashioning a peasant top from a dress #upcycle #refashion #sewing http://www.upcycledfashionista.com

July 12, 2013March 3, 2014 ~ Maureen ~ 3 Comments

So I read that red was supposed to be a hot color (pardon the pun!) for the summer. I picked this up at the Salvation Army thinking to be in style, but I hate maxi dresses. (I look like a drowned rat in them!) Time for some restyling.

I was perusing the mall … and came across this cute little top at NY & Company. That chain is so cute!!

I had to have it. So I cut the top of my dress off and then sewed up the side, leaving some room for the armpits. Continue reading “Refashioning a Dress Into a Peasant Shirt” →

Refashion Plain T-Shirts into a Tie-Dye 4th of July Dress

June 28, 2013March 3, 2014 ~ Maureen ~ 9 Comments

I made a 4th of July outfit a few days ago, but I wasn’t feeling it. It came out pretty nice, but I felt I could come up with something more festive for our Independence Day. So when I found these two plain white t-shirts on sale at the Goodwill the other day, I came up with a flash of inspiration for a refashion. Since they were on sale, they both cost $1.50. Tie-Dye, here I come!

I wanted to create some swirly designs with the colors, which is the closest that I know to making stars. So I twisted the fabric around and secured with elastic. Continue reading “Refashion Plain T-Shirts into a Tie-Dye 4th of July Dress” →

Refashioning a Skirt from a Dress, Part II

Refashioning a skirt from a dress #upcycle #refashion #sewing http://www.upcycledfashionista.com

June 21, 2013March 3, 2014 ~ Maureen ~ 3 Comments

I got out my skirt today that I upcycled a while ago, and I decided that I hated the hem. So today, I’m going to refashion my refashion. It’s not going to make it look significantly different, but it is going to help the waist. I’m going to teach you how to make a nice waistband, since I messed this one up so badly. Remember this skirt?

Well, the skirt has side ruffles in it, which completely messed up my hemming. See my bad job at sewing? 🙂 Continue reading “Refashioning a Skirt from a Dress, Part II” →

Refashioning a Dip Dyed Dress

Remaking a dip dyed dress #upcyle #refashion #sewing http://www.upcycledfashionista.com

June 14, 2013March 3, 2014 ~ Maureen ~ Leave a comment

I found this great dress at the Salvation Army and it was only $3. It was also brand new, with the tags, which said it was a bridal dress. I’m not so sure any bride would wear it … as it was definitely see through as well. Almost looked like a nightgown actually. But with a few refashions, it will be a daytime dress!

I’ve wanted to try dip dyeing for a while now, so I went out and bought some wine-colored RIT dye. Here we are in the bath. Continue reading “Refashioning a Dip Dyed Dress” →

Remaking Capris with a Lettuce Hem

Refashioning capris with a lettuce hem #upcycle #refashion #sewing

June 7, 2013March 3, 2014 ~ Maureen ~ 2 Comments

My daughter and I share one really annoying problem: we both can’t fit into any pants. She is 11 years old, and fits into a size 8 except for the length. Come summertime, this problem is generally easy to solve since I crop off all of her jeans and make them into shorts. (Adding length, on the other hand, is a real pain.) So for today’s project, I am going to show you how I refashioned a size 8 pair of pants into a pair of capris. This is more of a tutorial rather than a remake. I don’t own a serger machine, so I have to make do on a regular machine.

First step is to make them shorter. If you can see, these pants also had a bleach spot on them. The easiest way to hem any pants is to fold them in half and then fold one pant leg over where you want to hem, making sure to make the fold perpendicular to the existing hem, since pant legs tend to be slightly angled. Continue reading “Remaking Capris with a Lettuce Hem” →

Refashioning a Skirt from a Shirt

May 31, 2013March 3, 2014 ~ Maureen ~ 4 Comments

My niece Courtney gave me this fabulous idea on Pinterest. I hunted around the Goodwill until I found the perfect shirt. So today, we’re going to refashion this one into a skirt. As soon as you figure out how wonderfully easy, and how wonderfully sexy the result is, I bet you’ll make a dozen of them.

Cut off the top, making sure there is enough at the bottom to cover your bottom. Continue reading “Refashioning a Skirt from a Shirt” →

Refashioning a Skirt from a Dress

May 24, 2013March 3, 2014 ~ Maureen ~ 9 Comments

This dress was one of dresses from my mother. I really loved it but I have such a hard time wearing anything that I can’t wear a bra with. I realize that there are strapless bras … but those suck. So it’s time for a refashion!