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 .