Headbands. Commentary on Failed Projects. Dry Shampoo Questions.

I’ve made a few baby headbands lately. One was sold prior to photographing, but here are two others that I really love.

Freezer Paper Stenciled Dyed Onesies

I got out baby clothes a week or so ago in preparation for our new baby, coming in September. And I found that many of the clothes had stains on them. Terrible stains. Some I just made into rags. But some of them, especially the solid white onesies, I decided to try and salvage. That means that the last few days, I’ve been experimenting with fabric dye. Messy? A little bit. But I followed the instructions found here.

Bunny Applique Shirt

I know we are not all that close to Easter. However, my littlest boy will have a sweet little Easter-theme shirt to wear around this spring. I got this adorable bunny applique pattern from Make it Perfect. The blog’s author has a book and a whole line of patterns. I have not worked much with appliques, but this turned out to be fun.

Tailoring Pants: Some Tips.

The quest to rid my linen closet of the clothing I've saved for refashioning continues.

I love refashioning clothing. I was given these black pants by a friend and they’re a size or two too big. Here are the ‘before’ pictures:


I decided to try my hand at refashioning and giving ‘tailoring’ a shot.
Here are a few ‘after’ pictures:

Knit Argyle Shirt

Continuing with working through my refashioning pile (see Monday’s post for info on that--items needing an update are falling out of my linen closet on me), I took a stained green shirt and added some embellishment that is boy-worthy.

Tunic Refashion

I have a great interest in learning to alter clothing. Refashioning clothing I've obtained for free or at a low cost is a great way to learn.

Messenger Bag Refashion Tutorial

Random ugly trade-show items are rampant in our home. We have several bags at the moment that are proudly declaring various company names. We use them for library books or other needs. I decided this orange one (below) needed a makeover! I’m really excited about the result. You might recognize the makeover fabric from these bags.

Do you have an ugly bag you’d like to refashion? Oh, good.

Refashioned: Banded Bottom Shirt

I have this white shirt I really like. However, I bought it last summer right after I had baby #2, so I was a little larger in the waist area. And now, since I’m back to normal (yay!) the shirt was too big.

Refashion a Too-Large Shirt with Shirring

I have way too many black shirts. Some of them fit better than others. Some of them are too big. Here is one example:

So I just took some elastic thread and did a few rows of shirring.

Shirring and Troubleshooting

Shirring is when you use elastic thread as the bobbin’s thread.

I love the look of a shirred garment. Just love it. And after seeing this tutorial for a shirred bottom too-big shirt, I knew the perfect shirt in my closet that needed this alteration.

And I achieved the desired alteration to my shirt. However, I had many terrible problems.

I tried and tried to shirr with my elastic thread. I cried at one point because of all the problems I had on my quest to create a shirred bottom.

Tutorial: Upcycled Striped Bow Tank

I have been wanting some new summer tops. However, the chance to get anywhere to shop has evaded me for several weeks. 

So I raided my [small, yet growing] stash of thrift-store finds.   

I refashioned a striped shirt (it was a long sleeved girls’ size XL). I got it for $1. I took scraps from another t-shirt and made it into this! 

I really love how it is longer, almost tunic-length. I love the vertical stripes at the bottom. I also love that the neckline isn't too low. Which is a problem I have experienced with tank tops sold in various stores.

I love my new $1 shirt.

Undergarment Alteration

Want to learn how to replace the strap on your bra to look like a tank top strap?