Feeling Thrifty

So... I have been seriously into thrift shopping for the past year and I've done some skirts from mens dress shirts when I first got my sewing machine but, in a way I guess they were just a way for me to pratcice and experiment with my new toy,lol because I hardly ever wore ANY of them.
But, since then I have resolved to make pieces I know that i'll wear and I feel like I've hit the nail on the head with this one!
I was at the Salvation Army a few months ago and I picked up this really long,oversized green checkered dress,thinking that I'd just do a simple update by taking it in and making it shorter...

But once I reached that point I realized that I wasn't satisfied with the result...I wanted something different than the usual and a more dramatic change.So I played around with it and I ended up with this..

I figured I would get more wear out of top than a dress or skirt so I ended up making this off the shoulder top with a tie in the back and patch pockets!

I L.O.V.E this top and I have worn it 3 times so far which is a good start for me compared to the 0 times I have worn some of my other projects.

Tai's Kimono Dress

This my Kimono dress! I am so happy with how it came out, especially since I drafted the pattern for it myself. All I've done before was making myself a basic bodice sloper.And when I tried my hand at this kimono dress I was so surprised by how easy it was. 

     I did my research and looked at a lot of pictures of the styles of kimono dresses I liked. I wanted to make one without having to buy a pattern but, there were no free patterns or tutorials that I could find for the dress I wanted.

     So...I figured I could just make my own pattern. I sketched out my basic idea.

Here is my sketch next to the fabric I bought specifically for this dress, for only $2 a yard at www.Fabric.com

Then I took my measurements.
shoulder to where i wanted the sleeves to end on my arm = 9 in
armpit to shoulder = 12 in
each shoulder across to center of bust = 14 in
skirt length = 24 in

I drafted a pattern and used two large pieces of paper and lined them up. This is how it looked. 

I tested the pattern on an old bed sheet that was similar in drape to the fabric I purchased Here are my two pieces laid out flat.

 When they are folded they become the basic shape for the top of the dress.I used tape and tried on this version first to make sure it fit
Then I used these fabric pieces to cut out my fashion fabric.

 I just overlapped the center and sewed it in place then I did the same for the back and sewed up a couple of inches on each side of the rectangles to create the kimono sleeves. 

Then I attached the skirt made my belt and belt loops and voila! I had myself a Kimono dress!

This is my favorite project so far because it was so easy and the result looks so polished and professional. I never thought I would've been able to make something like this when i started sewing. This dress is truly completely my own, and I am proud that I made it! I'm waiting on the perfect ocassion to wear it out, maybe on a dinner date with my hubby.... ..

Primitus

After all my up-cycling, and recons I wanted to make something of my own from scratch,so to speak. I found a website called www.fabric.com, that had great deals on fabric, when I saw some slub knit on sale for $1.95 a yard I couldn't pass it up. I bought two yards in chocolate brown. I planned on using a basic bodice sloper I drafted for myself from watching a video on YouTube! I was pretty excited when I finished it. I made myself a maxi dress using the basic bodice and a simple gathered skirt, with a waistband and tie in the back. It fits perfectly and was so simple to make. It is my favorite out of all the clothing I've sewn.....I am looking forward to another jersey knit sale!

oh and did i mention it has pockets?? 

Reconaholic

complete with bow belt.

When I first received my sewing machine from my awesome hubby, I researched some starter projects and was instantly attracted to reconstruction or up-cycling. The first chance I got, I raided my hubby's unwanted clothes stash, and found a dress shirt that I promptly chopped and turned into skirt. It did not come out the best.....as my first attempt, but me being the persistent girl I am ... made a trip to the Salvation Army and picked out another dress shirt to try it again with the help of  some inspiration from the paper bag style skirt. I must say....I was pleased with the result.