Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Double Refashion

Apologies for the lull in posting. We're on our annual post-Thanksgiving trip to Ireland, but we're paused for the moment, waiting out some rain, so I thought I'd dash off a post.

I've been trying to come up with new things to wear during the transition from warm to cold weather, when it's not quite cold enough for lots of layers, tights, boots, but I still want the feel of a new season. I found this sweater at the thrift shop for a few dollars. I liked the color and the style, but the buttons really dated it.

A couple seconds with the seam ripper took care of the buttons. Unfortunately, nothing I do ever comes off without incident, and I managed to poke a bit of a hole in the shoulder as well. Argh! Luckily, I caught it and sewed it up before it got too big, and it's barely noticeable.

I used the corduroy from this haul to make the skirt. The cargo-style I'd originally envisioned didn't seem like such a good idea after all, because I just wanted something very simple to wear with longer, bulkier sweaters. I finally settled on a pattern I'd made a while back...darn, I wish I could remember the pattern company/number, but that'll have to wail until I get home. It almost doesn't matter, though, because after sewing it up as written, I made a bunch of changes, and it looks nothing like the original design!

I'm pleased with the final result, but I went about it in such a roundabout way, I don't know if I can ever duplicate it. Either my next go at it will run more smoothly, or it will be a complete disaster!

9 comments:

Pam said...

I've seen the short-sleeve sweater over long-sleeve T-shirt combination in the stores and wasn't too sure about it, but it looks lovely! I may have to give it a try.

Julie Zaccone Stiller said...

Really cute look! That sweater is a great find, you can never go wrong with red. Hope your trip is fun!

Anonymous said...

That looks really good together. I'm impressed that you actually managed to sew a skirt while on vacation. I used to take my sewing machine to the beach and work on my girls school clothes- but, in Ireland, where did you find a machine?

Got my pattern. Thanks loads.

Here in Atlanta we are wearing our heavy coats and hats and gloves. Yesterday my car was covered with ice. Snow flurries on Friday-darn that global warming!

Linda

mjb said...

I like the sleeves on that sweater! Really cute look. I agree- refashioning thrift finds can be really hit or miss.

Anonymous said...

Darling, as usual. It's also a perfect outfit for your picture background. You look like one of the L.L. Bean models, lol!!

Mags

Darling Petunia said...

Linda...rest assured, I did NOT sew while in Ireland! I made that in the week before we left and just uploaded some pics so I could blog on the road!

Darling Petunia said...

Pam, definitely give a short sleeved sweater a try!

Darling Petunia said...

Julie, thanks! We had a lot of fun on our trip. I'll share some pics soon!

Darling Petunia said...

MJB and Mags...thank you!

Mags, that background was just what happened to be there when I set the camera on the trash can!