It’s fun for me to see the comments people write when they pin pictures from The Renegade Seamstress to their boards on Pinterest. Often times my head is swelling from the nice things they write. The biggest thrill for me comes when I see comments like, “She makes me think I could do this” or “I want to learn how to sew” or my personal favorite, “I want this woman for my best friend”. Because, you see, the two main goals for this blog is to one, inspire you to try these things and two, connect with other folks who love to do what I love to do.
The other day, there was another comment, that got my attention. Ashley wrote “This woman is so creative when it comes to refashioning clothes!! I’m on such a tight budget right now but in desperate need of some new work clothes…I think it’s time to break out the sewing machine again!”
It made me think of how refashioning isn’t just about cutting up t shirts and it isn’t just about creating costumes for parties. It made me think about how much money I used to spend on clothes for work. It made me think about how much time I used to spend at the mall trying things on, getting frustrated and feeling bad about myself because things didn’t fit right.
But as I found out it doesn’t have to be that way.
Upcycling thrift store clothes can be a great way to build up your work wardrobe without spending much money. So many of us are on tight budgets these days. So instead of spending all that time in the fitting room feeling bad, I have been having the time of my life being creative with a hobby that not only saves me money, but makes me feel good in my own skin again, creating clothes that actually fit, are comfortable, and I can wear to work.
Take this long, gray, silk dress I found at the Goodwill last fall for $2.99. I wouldn’t wear this to work in a million years. But after making a few simple changes, I want to wear it everyday!
Cut the bottom part of the skirt to desired length, saving the middle piece to use for the ruffle.
Here, I cut a quarter inch piece of elastic, stretched to fit my waist comfortably. I then sewed it to the waistline seam allowance, stretching it to fit as I sewed.
Enjoy your day!!
Beth
For more refashion tutorials click here:
or here:
The Renegade Seamstress 
Wow, Beth! Your vision for this dowdy dress was impressive! Congratulations on such a successful refashion 🙂
Thanks, Sarah!
Wish I could have that sort of vision. I am working on it.
Hey Lucinda!
Usually, I just see something in a magazine or at the store that I like and when I get home I think of what I might have to make it. Or the next time I go to the thrift store I look at things that might work to make it. You’ll get there, too!
Have a restful Sunday!
Beth
Thanks for the ideas. I will have to find some better thrift stores than what I have been looking in.
You’re so welcome! Good luck!
BEAUTIFUL! I’ll bet your teacher colleagues can’t WAIT to see what you’re wearing each day, Beth! 🙂
Thanks! My teacher buddies are so kind and they definitely indulge me. Have a beautiful Sunday!
Beth
I just love how you have made the seemingly impossible feel so possible to so many women. Do you have a flickr group?
Thanks, Tamika! I don’t have a flickr group. Not even sure what it’s all about. Maybe I should, though?
I just thought it would be cool to see what others have created after being inspired by one of your tutorials. Some people like to use flickr groups to allows others to post pictures in one central location. One cool thing is that you don’t need a blog to post a pic, so those who don’t blog can share their work too.
That is such a great idea! I always want to see what others have made! I’m going to have to look into that for sure!!!
I am so impressed! This might be your best one yet!
Thanks, Kelli! Hope you’re having a beautiful Sunday!
Beth
Love it! And ruffles are always a win!
Zhenya
http://beingzhenya.com
Thanks! I love ruffles, too! I’ll never tire of them. I hope it’s just as beautiful in Minnesota today as it is here in Oregon. Happy Sunday!
Beth
Amazing!!! I love ruffles. Someone just gave me a couple of long shapeless dresses. i am defiitley going to give this a try. Thanks!
Thanks, Nellie! I can’t seem to get enough ruffles. There are so many different kinds to try! I love how it can add just enough detail to clothes to make them special.
I’d love to see your dress when you finish!
Happy sewing!
Beth
you took a doubty boring piece of sewn fabric up to to super cute chic wardrobe staple! fabulous! great way to use something perfectly good (like 100% silk fabric) and make it useable! 🙂
Thank you! The silk was definitely an added bonus!
I never liked the hassle of altering clothes, but I find your work so inspiring that I’m looking at all my misfits with new eyes, and enjoying it
You know, it’s funny, Laraine, but I’ve always hated to mend clothes. To me, refashioning is much more fun!
Have fun!
Beth
This is just fantastic! Possibly my favourite I think 😀
It is so nice to hear you are able to reach out and inspire so many people in such a positive way. keep it up 😀 xXx
Thanks, Hannah! Ruffles make anything better in my opinion! It does encourage me to continue publishing tutorials when so many people appreciate them. I have found this on line sewing community to be so supportive and kind.
Hope you have a wonderful Sunday!
Beth
I love your reasons for refashioning and also for sharing your work on line. Keep the inspiration coming, please!
Love,
Amy Jo
Thank you, Amy Jo! Tamika and I might do a Sew Along sometime this summer. I’d love to see what everyone else is making!
🙂
Beth
What a great ‘save’ for otherwise wasted silk! Bet it feels as lovely to wear as it looks.
Thanks so much!!!
Lovely – so pretty! I’m glad you are going to continue to share your talent. You’ve been a source of inspiration and instruction for me, too. Thank you!
Thank you, Jo! I hope I can continue to inspire you!
Love love love the dress!!
Thanks so much!
Love your “can-do” attitude and yours is a dress that I would happily wear to work! Thanks for the inspiration 🙂
Thank you, Erin!
Thank you so much for giving all the things I have in my closet a new life! Now when I go out to the Goodwill I see everything so differently and the possibilities are endless. I agree…thanks for the inspiration!
You are so welcome, Christa! It’s so much fun and, yes, the possibilities are endless! Must be why I just can’t get enough of this refashioning.
Happy sewing!
Beth
wow, that’s quite amazing! I would never have thought that the two versions were in anyway related!:-)
Beth,
I couldn’t agree more. I also have been having “the time of my life” doing this. This is such a great thing for women to learn. In better times, I used to spend so much time and money in the mall. I tell my husband. ” Every time I complete a project consider that I have saved approximately $30,” sometimes more. I don’t even miss going shopping in the mall! The best thing is you can be on trend this way and no one will have the exact same thing as you. More of my teacher friends are beginning to take their sewing machines out and it makes me happy. One does not need to break the bank to look good!
We even went to Boise this weekend and I didn’t even have the desire to step foot in the mall. Of course I found a few good things at the thrift shops, though. 🙂
Way to go girl! I can’t wait to see what you come up with next. Right now I am working on reconstructing the refashioning of my mom’s wedding dress. This one will come out in May for my anniversary. I also recently got some tech help and my site will be changing!
Exciting times!
Mary
mpchic.blogspot.com
I can’t wait to see what you do with the dress. What a fun project.
Beth, I love what you do. I scroll through your blog day dreaming, wishing I could do this kind of stuff. You’re so talented.
Thank you so much, Rhonda. The hardest part is just taking that first cut, then it all starts to flow…….
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