Ahhhhhhh, Spring Break is finally here!
Nine whole days to exercise, sew, relax, and generally get caught up. Our family doesn’t usually use this time to travel to exotic places as so many people do since my Ruggedly Handsome Contractor Husband is still busy working during this time.
But I actually don’t mind.
There’s something very comforting knowing that I’ll finally have some time to complete some of those undesirable tasks that have been looming ominously over my head for quite sometime. And also to know that I’ll have some uninterrupted time to do some of those fun things I’ve been wanting to do.
Like refashioning this dress I found at the DI in Nampa.
Great brand for a great price!
It’s a high quality knit that feels oh so nice. Only thing I didn’t like….the length.
No problem there, just a few snips of the scissors and…..
since it’s a knit, I don’t even have to hem it. Much better!
Now, about that jacket….. This is something that’s been in my stash for quite awhile. I’m pretty sure I threw it in my bag during a bag sale at the thrift store. At two dollars a bag, the cost was negligible. I just wasn’t thrilled with the color of this one so……..
I soaked it in a plastic tub of bleach and now I’ve got……
white denim!!
Now I just wanted to make it shorter.
After making the first cut, now cut off the bottom band to resew onto the new bottom of the jacket.
Now I have a cool, cropped, white denim jacket to wear during Spring Break.
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Don’t forget about signing up for Sheyanne’s Dress For Change Week that’s coming up the first week of April. I’m off to refashion a few fun accessories to wear that week.
The Renegade Seamstress 
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And telling your friends, I would really appreciate it.
Thanks
I LOVE what you did with the denim jacket – amazing! It came out fantastic!
Thanks, Kelli! I was really considering dying it with the ombre look, but my friend Linda convinced me to leave it white and I think I’m glad I did. I do want to try the ombre look with something soon, though. Thanks for all of your nice encouragement!
Beth
Fastest refashionista in the west. You look so cute!
Just call me Quick Draw McGraw! 🙂
Nice job! And WOW at how all that bleach took the color out of the denim jacket!
Zhenya
http://beingzhenya.com
Thanks, I did have to let it soak all night long in the bleach. I was a bit worried about waking up to a disintegrated jacket, but all was well.
Have a great week!
Beth
I am thinking you may see some after affects from the bleach, like quicker to wear out. But heck, it turned out great and if it doesn’t last a life time, It was great while it lasted.
Great job by the way.
Thank you, Mary!
I would never have guessed that that smart little jacket/dress combo started this way. So well done!
Thank you, Ann!
This looks so nice and comfortable but spiffy too (unlike my “comfortable” clothing … ahem) 🙂
Did you use full-strength bleach on the jacket? I accidentally got bleach on a green knit shirt, and that spot turned the most beautiful shade of blue. I’ve tried bleaching the whole thing to turn it blue all over, but didn’t have the nerve to use all bleach; I added water in varying amounts and tried it three times. Maybe I need to use it at full-strength. I can’t ruin it any more than it already is, so I probably should try! But I’d be interested in what you did because it certainly made that jacket look fine.
Hi, Jo. First I tried bleach and hot water in the washing machine, but that didn’t work at all, so I used full strength bleach in a plastic tub. It actually took all night long and I was a bit concerned that I would wake up to a disintegrated jacket, but all was well. It did take longer than I thought. Good luck with your shirt!
Beth
I will give it a go. Isn’t it funny that it took so long, but if you get one drop of bleach on something you DON’T want to bleach, it will be white before you can even get it under the tap to rinse it! Thanks for the help.
I was thinking the same thing!!!!
Nice! Very good idea for the jacket! (I would be afraid of the result with the bleach :s )For the dress also moreover!
This set is very well to you:)
Thank you, Dame! I was a little nervous about the bleach, but that’s the beauty of using clothes from the thrift store. There is very little $ invested so I’m more willing to take a risk. If it works out, great. If not, oh well onto something new. Have a wonderful day!
Beth
HI, i just recently found your site, and i love how you reinvent our clothes….i am thinking of that sewing lessons ….thanks for sharing
Thank you, Peggy! I hope you are able to learn to sew, it’s so much fun!!!
Beth
this is so cool!! sewing clothing is rewarding but it must be so satisfying to give new life to clothing:)
It is! I’m having a blast!
I love the idea of a lifetime of original custom clothes for $100. That’s a hoot!
Super cute! ~M.
Thanks so much!!!
I LOVE the jacket. I’ve never thought of bleaching demin to white. Do you think it work on a darker wash or just on the lighter denim?
It might work on a darker denim. I did have to leave it in the bleach all night long and I did worry I might wake up to a disintegrated jacket, but it all worked out. If I were you, I’d experiment on something that didn’t matter first, to get an idea of how long it might take. Good luck!
Beth
A great job. The solution of the jacket is fantastic. The dress is nice, but I liked it when it was long.
Thank you, Joseph! As far as the dress goes, I’m only 5’4″ and unless it’s floor length, long dresses make me look frumpy. I agree, if this would’ve been just a bit longer, it would’ve been a cute maxi. Have a great day!
Beth
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Beth you are SO adverturous.
And, Mary, YOU are so nice!
LIKE LIKE LIKE! both the dress and the jacket! makes me think I may be bleaching one of my demin jackets this weekend… 🙂
I actually used full strength bleach on this. Be careful how long you keep the jacket in the bleach. You don’t wan to end up with a disintegrated jacket. Mine stayed in the bleach tub all night long and was fine. As you probably already know, be careful of the bleach on your hands and clothes. Have fun and good luck! Let me know how it turns out.
Beth
Beth, I just found your blog this morning and I think your creations are AMAZING! You are very creative and very talented. Keep ’em coming!
…candice
Thank you so much, Candice!
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Great job as always Beth. I am on vacation this week too. So many projects in my pile. Just want to comment how natural and pretty you are modeling in your posts. That is one of the hardest parts of this for me. Modeling is a lot harder than it looks !You are a natural!
Mary
Thank you so much, Mary! It helps that my son is my photographer, and thank goodness for digital cameras. If it makes you feel any better, we take loads of pictures for me to choose from and delete the rest. Have a wonderful day!!!
Beth
I like how the jacket turned out, it looks a lot nicer in white.
Can’t help but notice that you kind of hide the new hem of the jacket on the pictures?
You hold your arms in front of it on both photo’s, which is a pity, because I would have loved to see what the new hem actually looks like on the finished piece.
Hi Linda,
The jacket hem was reattached just using a regular seam. Sorry, it was hard to see in the photos. I’m always trying for different poses so it doesn’t get to boring for everyone.
Beth
Well your tutorials certainly aren’t boring 😉 Thanks for the reply 🙂
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Ok, I have my too long denim jacket soaking as I type – I’m going to embrace your ‘show no fear’ techniques and actually refrashion and USE some of these clothes, that I can no longer wear ! You have given me the courage, and you make it look so easy ! You are a rock star !
Oh my gosh, Julie Anne, you’re makin’ me blush! I’m so glad you are catching the refashion fever. It’s so much fun!!!
I love the white denim jacket! I have an old one I got at goodwill that I love and wear it all the time, but I’m tired of the blue. You inspired me now! Keep up the good work!
Hi! I am wondering if the jacket you used here is a stretchy denim?
Hi Carmel, This jacket wasn’t a stretchy denim, but it would work just as well. Happy sewing!!
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