BlogHer - Making It Work: The Wardrobe Refashioning Pledge - Comments

Found a great photo of Laurie...

debra roby — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 19:57:07 -0600

Maria,

I found a great photo of Laurie in one of her new sweaters. I'm not sharing it now, though, because I am so freakin' impressed in Jacqueline's work that I'm writing my next article about her.

If Laurie doesn't share it earlier, check back on Saturday.

Debra
A Stitch In Time
Deb's Daily Distractions

Stunning

Maria Niles — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 13:26:37 -0600

Wow! Those refashioned sweaters are gorgeous. Do you have pictures of you in them?

Kleenex® Let It Out™ Blog
Beyond Help

sometimes our bodies change and the clothes should too

laurie — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 10:54:12 -0600

Check out what Jacqueline of Rebel 1 in 8 did to "renovate" three favourite sweaters of mine that I could no longer wear after my mastectomy (I don't wear a prosthesis - lymphedema and radiation scars make that too painful): http://rebel1in8.blogspot.com/2007/12/renovations.html

I love these tops and they make me feel quite beautiful.

Laurie
www.notjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com

Someday I will learn to sew!

sassymonkey — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 09:51:51 -0600

Someday I will figure out how to sew and use the darned sewing machine I bought 4 or 5 years ago. I fear, though, that sewing requires the same type of preciseness as baking and alas I'm not really a precise type of person.

Sassymonkey and Sassymonkey Reads.

Your teenage isn't alone..

debra roby — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 19:04:09 -0600

The idea of refashioning is really hot among those 15- 30 years old. There are several books out aimed specifically at this generation and trend.

Glad you enjoyed it. Do you have any photos of your teen's handiwork?
A Stitch In Time
Deb's Daily Distractions

Refashioning

terriclark — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 17:56:36 -0600

www.terristakefive.com

Some great ideas here! My teenager does this kind of thing all the time but I didn't know there was a name for it. Great post!

Making It Work: The Wardrobe Refashioning Pledge

debra roby — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 09:41:31 -0600

Wardrobe Refashion has begun a new round with new pledgers. Talk about New Year's Resolutions! Refashionistas take the pledge for 2 to 6 months, with the option of renewing their pledge when the time expires.

What does this really mean, though? This means that these pledgers will be taking the clothes they already own.. perhaps a dress that isn't in style anymore. . .and re-working it to make something that is wearable today. That dress? They may:

remove the collar and style a new neckline
alter the shape or length of the sleeves
turn it into a skirt or blouse]
change the shape or length of the skirt
embellish it with silk screening, beading, crochet, or embroidery
cut it apart and use the fabric in a completely new way.

Clothes in their own closet are not their only supplies. They can take their fabric stash (or thrifted fabrics) and use it make every-day wardrobe items. Simple tops and skirts are popular items here. They often call for only 1-2 yards of fabric, can be cut and sewn in a day, and often fill a gap in the refashioner's wardrobe. (Doesn't everybody need more cute tops?? I think the answer is yes!)

Items from a thrift shop are eligible, too. The right sweater can be purchased, unknitted and the yarn used to knit a sweater in a size and style that suits the refashioner. Or a colorful wool sweater can be felted into a beaded necklace. Jeans can be purchased and embellished with a bleached stencil, embroidery, or fabric insets, then tailored to fit their new owner like a designer pair!

The rules of Wardrobe Refashioning are simple:

No buying new (handmade is excepted). All clothing must be Recycled, Renovated, Preloved, Thrifted.

There is a "Get Out of Refashionista Jail Free" card can be used for emergency cases once every 2 months.

You must post on the Refashionista blog at least once a week to stay in the community. This keeps the participants productive and helps to build a sense of community.

You MUST be honest if you fall off the Refashionista wagon. They play by the honor-system here.

Some of the Refashionistas and their work:

There is a Flickr group dedicated to The Refashionistas. Look at some of the wonderful things they've made.

Penny from Sew Take a Hike fashioned a really cute fabric shopping bag that folds up small enough to slip into her purse!

LuceLu aka scarlettquilts used one a Burda-style pattern to sew a cute day dress.

Suzy from floating world view is new to the pledge.. but skilled!!

Helpful Tools for the Refashionista:

We can all download the Garment Plan (PDF) from 62cherry. This sheet allows the refashionistas to make a plan for an item, note trims, fabrics, patrns, and gives space to make any notes. I think a sheet like this would be helpful to anyone who regularly sews clothes, home dec or crafty items. I'm making it part of my studio supplies!

AlterNation is not only a blog.. it's also a book authored by Shannon Okey (knitgrrl) and Alexandra Underhill (artofxan). With the subtitle: Transform, Embellish, Customize.. it should fit right into the refashioning world.

Craftster, Craft, Sewing.org, and Threads areare all websites that will provide tips and inspiration to the WR pledgers. There is one more resource that many may use: the Burda-Style Open-Source Sewing site. I'll be telling you more about the Burda site on Monday.

Debra Roby blogs her creative life at A Stitch in Time and her mundane life at Deb's Daily Distractions .