The Renegade Seamstress

A Few Pre-Book Launch Party Photos

Posted on October 11, 2014 by The Renegade Seamstress

Wow! At one point last Saturday night, I looked around and became so overwhelmed by all the love and support that filled the studio for the Book Launch party. I was amazed and touched by how far many of you came to be there. Friends and family came from Portland, Walla Walla, Boise, Bend, Baker City, LaGrande and even California. I am one lucky girl!!!

This morning I’m getting ready to go to Conner’s very special 2nd Birthday Party, but before I go, I thought you might enjoy a few pre-Book Launch photos.

My adopted sister Susan made this beautiful stained glass for the studio.

Of course, only my friend Linda would happen to have a string of thread spool lights.

The waiters getting psyched. They were a big hit. I mean really, how many parties do you get to have dressed up high school football players serving you hors d’oeuvres throughout the night.

I’m pretty sure they probably sampled a few treats.

Heather’s amazing chalkboard writing!

The handsome bartenders getting tutored by the drink designer before the party. 🙂

The Bodice Ripper was a big seller.

More during the party pictures coming….

For refashion inspiration:

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Book Launch Party, clothing, DIY, fashion, Refashion, The Refashion Handbook, Thrifting, upcycling | 29 Comments

Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone Once Again

Posted on October 7, 2014 by The Renegade Seamstress

Oh. My. Gosh!

Here I go stepping out of my comfort zone once again with another first.

On Monday, October 13 at about 1:20 Pacific Time, Pat Sloan will be interviewing little ‘ol me on the American Patchwork and Quilting Show. Holy Smokes! It’s a live interview and we’ll be chatting over coffee about sewing adventures, refashioning, The Renegade Seamstress blog and my new book The Refashion Handbook. It would really roll my socks up and down if you would be able to join us. 🙂

http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/magazines-more/quilting-podcast

I also wanted to let you know that The Renegade Seamstress was lucky enough to be the featured blogger in Country Woman Magazine this month. You can read the article here:

It’s so fun for me to be able to connect with so many people around the world who also enjoy sewing. It’s such a supportive, encouraging and giving community of great people. I’m so honored to be a part of it.

In other news:

The Book Launch Party was a blast! Thanks to everyone who came last Saturday night. Thanks to all of my wonderful friends who helped with food, set up and clean up. Thanks to Cooper and his friends for taking time out from hunting and football to dress up in their nice clothes and ties to serve the hors d’oeuvres. Thanks to Heather for her beautiful chalkboard writing. Thanks to Tom and Steve for serving all those hundreds of wonderful sewing themed cocktails and mocktails.

When I looked around and saw everyone who was there, It just felt like family. It was so heartwarming, I wanted to cry tears of joy.

The pictures are still being edited and when they are finished I’ll be sure and share them with you.

Have a wonderful week!

Beth

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged American Patchwork and Quilting Show, Book Launch Party, clothing, DIY, Live Interview, Refashion, Sewing, Thrifting | 18 Comments

DIY Sweater Pumpkins, a Book Winner and Another Giveaway

Posted on October 4, 2014 by The Renegade Seamstress

There’s a nip in the air. It’s time to get your sweaters out. Fall is coming! But if you happen to find a moth hole in one or more, don’t throw them out, instead, make some easy sweater pumpkins for autumn decorating.

Click here to see the “how to” tutorial.

Thank you to everyone who pinned and commented on last week’s shirt project. Thank you to all of you who liked my new Facebook page. Thank you to everyone who joined the_renegade_seamstress on Instagram. And a big thank you to all of you who ordered books!

The winner of this week’s book is:

Michelle McGuire

Send your address to bhunting@eoni.com and I’ll send your book ASAP!

If you didn’t win this week, maybe you’ll win the next book. There are several ways to enter:

1. Make a comment and pin this week’s post

2. Like my new Facebook Page

3. Follow me on Instagram. You can find me at the_renegade_seamstress

I’m practically giddy with excitement about tonight’s Book Launch Party! I can’t wait to celebrate The Refashion Handbook with you all. The food is ready, the wine is chilling, the studio is decorated, and all we need now is YOU!

It’s going to be a fun night! The champagne will be flowing as well as hors d’oeuvres, sewing themed cocktails and mocktails. Rick and Evie Mugrage will be there to delight us with their beautiful music. (We enjoyed their beautiful music at Katie and Adam’s wedding.) We’ll be giving away door prizes throughout the night, including a few books. And of course, The Refashion Handbook will be available for that early Christmas shopping (just sayin’) 🙂

For those of you who live too far away to come, we’ll be posting pictures on Instagram throughout the evening so you can be a part of the big night. 🙂 Join us at the_renegade_seamstress. We’ll be using #therefashionhandbook and #therenegadeseamstress

For more refashion inspiration:

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged crafting, DIY, giveaway, recycling, Refashion, Sewing, sweater pumpkins, The Refashion Handbook, Thrifting, tutorial, upcycling | 12 Comments

Dip Dyed Ombre Shirt, a Winner and Another Book Giveaway

Posted on September 27, 2014 by The Renegade Seamstress

I love the ombre effect. It’s on everything these days, clothes, decor and even hair. It’s such a beautiful look and super easy to do yourself. You can update the style of any white thrift store shirt quickly and easily by just using some regular colored dye.

You’ll need a plastic tub, rubber gloves, salt, dye, a wooden stir stick, and a white shirt. Cotton shirts work best for this kind of project. You can use shirts made from other fibers, but the colors will be different.

Click here for the rest of the tutorial.

The winner of this week’s book is…..

Julie Downing!

Send your address to bhunting@eoni.com and I’ll send your book ASAP!

If you didn’t win this week, maybe you’ll win the next book. There are several ways to enter:

1. Make a comment and pin this week’s post

2. Like my new Facebook Page

3. Follow me on Instagram. You can find me at the_renegade_seamstress

and/or

4. Order a book here between now and October 4th

(You can also order books on Amazon, Barnes and Noble or C&T Publishing)

Remember, the Book Launch Party next Saturday:

I’m getting so excited to celebrate The Refashion Handbook with you and I can’t wait to see all of you who will be coming. For those of you who live too far away to come, we’ll be posting pictures on Instagram throughout the evening so you can be a part of the big night. 🙂 Join us at the_renegade_seamstress. We’ll be using #therefashionhandbook and #therenegadeseamstress

Have a wonderful week!

Beth

For more refashion inspiration:

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged clothing, Dip Dye Ombre, DIY, fashion, giveaway, Ombre shirt, Refashion, Sewing, Thrifting, tutorial, upcycling | 24 Comments

A Man’s Shirt Refashion, a Winner and Another Book Giveaway

Posted on September 20, 2014 by The Renegade Seamstress

If I were in charge of the world, I would declare a National Celebrate Your Curves Day. I would proclaim that on this day, in every household, there would be at least one traditional refashion of a boxy man’s shirt into one that will enhance those womanly curves. So, to get you ready for this imaginary new holiday, I’ll show you one way to transform a shapeless shirt into a more feminine one.

Find a man’s shirt with a pattern you like. Then fire up your sewing machine, grab your sewing kit and come with me over to eHow for the rest of the tutorial.

A big hug and a thank you to everyone who made comments and pinned last week’s End Gaposis for Good post. The winner of the first book is…..

Staci Todd!!!

Send your address to me at bhunting@eoni.com and I’ll get it out to you ASAP!

If you didn’t win this week, maybe you’ll win the next book. There are several ways to enter:

1. Make a comment and pin this week’s post

2. Like my new Facebook Page

3. Follow me on Instagram. You can find me at the_renegade_seamstress

and/or

4. Order a book here between now and October 4th

I’m also excited to let you know that if you’d like a signed copy of the book, you can now purchase it here at Storenvy. Just let me know in the comment section what you’d like me to write for you and I’ll be happy to do it! 🙂

Have a wonderful weekend and thanks so much for being so supportive, it means more to me than you’ll ever know!

Beth

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged book, clothing, DIY, fashion, giveaway, Refashion, Sewing, shirt refashion, The Refashion Handbook, tutorial | 21 Comments

End Waistband “Gaposis” for Good

Posted on September 13, 2014 by The Renegade Seamstress

I’m pretty sure I’m not alone in this. The waistband “gaposis” that happens when I buy jeans to fit my hips. Since my waist is quite a bit smaller than my hips, there always seems to be plenty of room in the waistband creating a clear view of… ahem…you know… my unmentionables. Well, there is a quick and easy fix to help keep those unmentionables unmentionable.

Just grab some scissors, a seam ripper, some one inch elastic and a safety pin. Then click here to find out how to easily make the waistband of your jeans fit perfectly… no more scandals each time you bend over.

“Gaposis” gone for good! 🙂

In other news:

A few days ago, a big box full of books from C&T Publishing arrived on my doorstep. A big box full of MY books. I can do whatever I’d like to with these books. Some I’ll be giving away at the big Book Launch Party. Some I’ll be giving away to my Instagram subscribers (You can find me at the_renegade_seamstress). And some I’ll be giving away to someone who writes an Amazon review (a good one of course! 🙂 )But I’d like thank one of you by giving away the first book to someone who makes a comment and pins today’s eHow post.

Thank you so much for being so supportive!

Enjoy your weekend!

For more refashion inspiration:

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged clothing, DIY, fashion, giveaway, reconstructed clothing, Refashion, Sewing, The Refashion Handbook, Thrifting, tutorial, upcycling | 49 Comments

DIY: Resize a Too-Small Shirt and “Dwell in Possibility”

Posted on September 6, 2014 by The Renegade Seamstress

Next time you’re thrift shopping and you come across a nice, but too small shirt, you don’t have to wistfully hang it back on the rack, you can do what American poet, Emily Dickinson said and, “Dwell in Possibility” instead. It’s such a great place to live!

This cute, polka dot, thrift store shirt was busting at the seams. I almost left it behind. The sleeves were too tight, the buttons were stretched to their limits and it was leaving nothing to the imagination. But you know how much I love a good polka dot, so I took it home anyway, determined to make it fit somehow.

With a few simple alteration tricks, you can make a too small shirt much more wearable. Today’s eHow post shows you how. Click here to see the entire tutorial.

In other news:

Remember, you are all invited to the Book Launch Party in October. I’m SEW excited. Rick and Evie Mugrage will be filling the studio with their amazing music throughout the night. The champagne will be flowing as well as sewing themed cocktails and mocktails. Hors d’oeuvres will be served and prizes given away throughout the night, including a few books. Books will be available for your early Christmas shopping. 😉 If you live anywhere near Eastern Oregon, it would be so fun to have you there and meet you in person.

But, since I know that many of you live too far away, I’d still love for you to be a part of the big celebration, so we’ll be posting pictures throughout the night on Instagram. Plus, I’ll be giving away a few books that night to a few of my followers on Instagram. You can find me there as the_renegade_seamstress

Well, I’m off the the studio to paint a few walls with a couple of my sweet friends who have offered to come and help today. I love you Carol and Linda!!!

Have a wonderful Saturday!

For refashion inspiration:

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Book Launch Party, clothing, DIY, giveaway, Refashion, Thrifting, tutorial | 17 Comments

You’re Invited to the Book Launch Party

Posted on August 31, 2014 by The Renegade Seamstress

I can’t wait to celebrate the release of The Refashion Handbook with you!

You are all invited! I know that many of you live too far away to be there in person, but I would still like you to be able to be a part of the big night. So I’ve set up an Instagram account for The Renegade Seamstress. Just go to the Instagram “Explore” tab and click on the search bar at the top of the page, then type in the_renegade_seamstress and you should be able to find me and click follow. We’ll be taking pictures all night and posting them so you can be there with us in spirit. I’ll be giving away some books that night to a couple of my Instagram subscribers so be sure to sign up.

Have a wonderful Sunday and be sure to check out my latest eHow post on how to recover an old ottoman cushion.

Hmmmmmm….. I’m sensing a color scheme theme here……..

And a big shout out to my good friend Kris for designing the Book Launch invitations. They are beautiful!!! Thank you!

For more refashion inspiration:

Just a little more turquoise and orange for you. 🙂

Oh yes, and one last thing……

Congratulations to Susan Menzmer you are the winner of the Back to School Pencil Pouch! Email your address to bhunting@eoni.com and I’ll send it out right away!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Book Launch Party, clothing, DIY, fashion, giveaway, reconstructed clothing, Refashion, Sewing, The Refashion Handbook | 18 Comments

DIY: New Life for an Ottoman Cushion

Posted on August 30, 2014 by The Renegade Seamstress

Every once in awhile, I look across the racks of clothes at my local thrift shop and lay my eyes on the perfect piece of furniture to refashion. Especially now that I’m trying to decorate the new studio. This “funky cheeseball” ottoman started out with a dark stain and this once loved cushion. Luckily, there were no nasty smells lurking within, so it was a prime candidate for a makeover.

I don’t know if you’ve ever priced new high density foam, but YIKES, it’s spendy! I felt like I’d struck gold when I found this whole ottoman, cushion and all, for five dollars. All it needed was a little lovin’. I thought I took some photos of the “before” ottoman, but for the life of me, I couldn’t find them. But I’m sure you get the idea. 🙂

I think it’s now the perfect match for my funky orange thrift shop chair. What do you think?

My latest eHow post shows you the step by step process to recovering an old cushion. Plus, it really is a pretty tutorial, if I do say so myself. There is just something about turquoise and orange that rolls my socks up and down. 🙂 I hope you’ll check it out…..

You can click here for the entire tutorial.

Well, I’m off to work some more on the studio. So much to do before the big Book Launch Party in October…..

For more refashion inspiration:

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged cushion tutorial, DIY, ottoman, recycling, Refashion, Sewing, Thrifting, tutorial, upcycling | 23 Comments

The Secret to Removing that Dreaded Pilling From Your Clothes

Posted on August 23, 2014 by The Renegade Seamstress

What to do when you pull one of your favorite sweaters from the dryer and it’s covered in those nasty little pills? Or maybe you find the sweater of your dreams at the thrift store but those little fuzz balls have attached themselves everywhere. No need for despair, there is a quick and easy way to get rid of all that dreaded pilling.