Well, it was another great week of refashions from our contestants. Once again, so hard to choose just one favorite, but between the public voting and the competitors scores of each other, we’ve managed to come up with a winner for the Denim Challenge.
Congratulations, your peplum was a huge hit this week!
Elizabeth from The Hungry Octopus came in a close second with her beautiful transformation.
And now, for the hard part, (where’s my box of tissues) we have to say good-bye to Barbara from Zibergirl Sews. But, remember, it really isn’t good-bye it’s more like “see you later”. Be sure to go to her blog and subscribe so you can continue to keep up with her sewing adventures. She is so much fun and I know she has some great things coming up!
Thank you, Barbara!
Since this is a “friendly sewing competition” we won’t send her home empty handed.
She is taking with her a beautiful bag from It’s Sew Anny
Coming up next…. this week’s “Copycat” challenge. You will be amazed at what these creative ladies have done, once again!
I hope you’ve had a chance to vote for your favorite! Voting will be open until midnight tonight- Friday, June 21.
Many people have been having fun just sewing along with the competition. If you are sewing along with us, feel free to send your before and after photos to bhunting@eoni.com. Check out these cute “Denim Sewalongs”:
Linda made a cute skirt and bag from her thrift store denim. Oops, she forgot to take a before picture. But we’ll forgive her since the bag and skirt are super cute!
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Heidi from Clever Catastrophe was feeling patriotic when she refashioned her denim. You can find out how she did it on her blog.
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Sarah had fun refashioning her twenty five cent yard sale treasure to a fun new shirt.
Great job, Sarah! You can find out how she did it on her blog, Photosarah Crafts.
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Last Minute Lucie did a complete make over of this pair of jeans:
Our competitors have, once again, stepped up to the plate and created some amazing refashions this week.
Please remember to vote for your favorite using the poll at the bottom of this post. Voting will be open until Friday, June 21. Your public votes and the competitor’s score of each other will be combined to determine a winner. We will announce the winner of this week’s challenge next Saturday. Also, the two refashions with the lowest scores will be “going home”, but we won’t send them home without some great prizes, I promise! Remember, this is a “Friendly Sewing Competition”.
“I’ve been reading a lot lately about how overalls are making a comeback so
when I saw denim was the week 2 challenge I figured I should get with the
times. I’ve never sewn on denim before (this became apparent when I
immediately snapped the denim needle on my sewing machine – helpful hint
– lengthen your stitch length!). I cut the sides out of them to bring them
in, shortened them, raised the crotch, shortened the straps and made the
bib thinner. And so, over the course of 48 hours, three and a half cups of
coffee, and two denim needles, what started out as a men’s extra-large was
transformed into a pair of (hopefully) cute “short-er-alls” that I don’t
feel embarrassed wearing around my hometown.”-Miche
” I found this dress for $1 at my favorite local thrift store. It reminded me of the
dresses my elementary school teachers used to wear, with its bright embroidered
flowers and floor-length hem. But I knew it could be something more. After a week of
hacking, sewing, unstitching, bleaching, more sewing, and dyeing, it was finally
finished. I had never done an asymmetrical cut before, but I’m very happy with the
finished dress, especially the detailing around the back zipper. I can’t wait to see
what everyone else has done!”-Elizabeth
“I really hate wearing denim jackets. Hate it. They are so boxy,
heavy and shapeless, I actually feel lost in them! So this week I wanted to
challenge myself a little and create one I would love.
I’m already enjoying my new cropped jacket and know I’ll be wearing this a lot in
the years ahead. It’s tailored, feminine and light. Perfect with dresses and most
importantly, I feel great in it. It’s been good to try something different and
discover that my dislike for denim jackets was only because of the cut and style
available. There’s nothing like a cute crop jacket to flatter your figure and offset
a dress.”-Katrina
“I had this really cool jean jacket I scored for a mere 49-cents, and
even wore it in our last family photos. Ever since wearing it for our photo
session, however, I can’t find the darn thing anywhere! I’ve been pretty
frustrated about losing it too, because it would’ve looked great on
several of my recent dress refashions. Rather than continuing to whine about my
loss, I decided to try and make a new one from a pair of jeans I had that
weren’t the most flattering from the back view (if you know what I mean).
My daughter suggested adding the removable flower pin so that I could
wear the collar different ways. I also like that I can wear the jacket with the
zipper in front or in back, but I personally like it better with the zip
in back. What do you think?”
~Jen
“There isn’t much wrong with this pair of jeans, except they don’t fit! I chose a
pair with a nice, dark, even colour to cut up. I came up with a design for a pencil
skirt with a small peplum detail at the side. After drafting my pattern, there
wasn’t enough denim for all the pieces, so I used some African wax print fabric in a
co-ordinating colour for the side panels and peplum facing. I love the result! It’s
a great, versatile summer skirt that fits beautifully and flatters my figure. There
is a full tutorial for how to draft the pattern for the skirt over at http://charityshopchic.net“-Sally
“Can you say “Spinster School Marm” This was a very heavy denim
dress with velvet collar a and cuffs. The prior owner never even removed the tags.
They must have known this dress was just wrong!”
and after…
“After cutting away tons of fabric and fitting, fitting, fitting, a real
dress finally has emerged!
The tab cuff on the sleeve was made of the hem from bottom of the dress. I sewed it
on the armhole and kept the original topstitching.”-Mary
“This was certainly challenging! I had to just jump right in, go with an
idea, and hope that it worked out. So, here you have it. I took an old pair
of my jeans and hacked them off just below the pockets. I straightened out
the curvy part of the front and back seams by picking them open and
re-topstitching. Then I laid out a thrifted curtain topper and designed
the bottom of a skirt. I pinned it on, tried it on, and didn’t like it. It
was half white and half blue and didn’t really seem to flow together very
well. I decided that it needed to be all one solid color, so I dyed it. Now
I think it works. What do you think? I have more pics and how-to’s on my
blog <http://zibergirl.wordpress.com>, so come on over!”-Barbara
Well, there you are! Another tough decision. Please use the poll below to cast your vote for your favorite refashion this week.
Just a note to the competitors:
Please send your scores to me by Wednesday, June 19. Please score each other on a scale of 1-10 on each of the following areas: Following the challenge, originality, creativity, craftsmanship, design and presentation.
If you are “sewing along”, send your photos to me at bhunting@eoni.com
A big thank you to everyone who participated in The First Ever Refashion Runway this week! From the contestants, to the sponsors, to the people who sewed along, to everyone who voted, I thank you all. The first week was a big success and I know next week will be even better!
One thousand seven hundred and sixty six votes came in. Wow!
CONGRATULATIONS to the winner of the Stripes Challenge…..
Yay! I can’t wait to see what Sally has in store for us next.
And now, here comes the hard part. Good byes have always been so hard for me, I try to always say, “see you later” instead. I’m just funny that way.
And I know I said we were going to say good-bye to TWO competitors this week, but I just couldn’t do it. Maybe next week.
Today it will just be one.
I have a whole newfound respect for Heidi Klum.
Seriously, how does she say good-bye to the competitors week after week without needing a tissue.
It is with a very heavy heart (and a tissue) that we must say good-bye to the beautiful and talented Zhenya. But we all know, it’s really not good-bye, it’s “see you later” Zhenya. If you haven’t already subscribed to her blog, head on over and do so right now, that way you can keep in touch with her and see all the fantastic refashions she has in store.
Thank you so much, Zhenya, for participating and making this competition fun! We will miss you!
But we won’t be sending her home empty handed! She will take with her a homemade tote bag filled with remnants, trims, vintage buttons and other fun sewing/crafty things from Katherine over at Pillows A-La-Mode.
Many people expressed an interest in sewing along with our contestants for each challenge. Here are the Stripes Challenge sew along entries.
Sarah created this fun shirt from a hideous jumpsuit. She shows you how on her blog, Sarah Dudick
Linda created this cute skirt from several t shirts:
Ann changed the neckline and ruched the sides of this big striped shirt:
Heidi made a flattering tank from an ill fitting shirt:
And she also created a maxi skirt from two big shirts:
Jan was inspired and cut the sleeves off this cool shirt covered in buttons for a more summery version.
Great job, ladies! Thanks for sewing along!!
Remember next week’s challenge is Denim.
You have until midnight Pacific Time tonight (June 13, 2013) to vote for your favorite Refashion Runway Contestant. Be sure to go here if you haven’t voted yet.
Think left and think right and think low and think high.
Oh! The thinks you can think up if only you try!
-Dr. Seuss
Welcome to Week One of Refashion Runway!
I promise you will not be disappointed. I even squealed a few times when I saw what these talented ladies had created.
Please remember to vote for your favorite at the bottom of this post. Voting will be open until Friday, June 14. Your public votes and the competitor’s score of each other will be combined to determine a winner. We will announce the winner of this week’s challenge next Saturday. Also, the two refashions with the lowest scores will be “going home”, but we won’t send them home without some great prizes, I promise! Remember, this is a “Friendly Sewing Competition”. 🙂
So sit back, grab a cup of coffee, and enjoy the show!
Let’s start by going all the way across the pond and see what Sally from Charity Shop Chic has been up to.
Before…
…..and after:
“I bought this skirt because I absolutely loved the colour. Unfortunately, it was far
too short! Just 35 cm from waistband to hem, which on me was practically indecent!
Adding stripes in contrasting cotton sateen was more complex than it looked, given
the zip and pockets, but has extended the length to 50 cm. My new skirt is finally
wearable with its chic thick stripes!”-Sally
And now here’s Miche from Buttons and Birdcages and her interpretation of the stripes challenge.
Before…
…and after:
“I have been itching to refashion a men’s dress shirt for awhile, when I saw
this weeks challenge was stripes I knew it was time to try it out. As a
huge fan of pattern mixing, I originally went for a striped shirt and a
plaid shirt for this project, but I decided to stick with the theme and go
for two stripes shirts. This outfit is actually two pieces, a shirt, and an
a-line skirt. I used extra fabric from the arm of one of the shirts to make
a headband. Fitting everything correctly was difficult but this was also
one of the most fun projects I’ve worked on yet!” -Miche
Katrina from Offsquare was a busy seamstress this week:
Before…
…and after:
“I added width to the striped top by chopping off the hem and sewing it into the side seams. A much nicer fit. The pockets on the skirt are actually the armholes and sleeves from the shirt. I sewed the sleeves shut at the ends and tucked them back inside the skirt.”- Katrina
“So while I was peddling my wares during the garage sale I had last weekend,
I noticed a lot of the female customers were sporting cute maxi dresses (It
was hot and humid on Saturday).
I thought to myself, “I’d sure like to have a maxi dress right about now.”
Instead, I was sweatin’ my patootie off in jeans and a t-shirt.
Then all of a sudden the light bulb went off!
I decided to make a maxi dress from some of the t-shirts and tank-tops that
weren’t selling, and by incorporating strips cut from each of these shirts,
I’d be creating the stripes that would fit the theme!
I’m very happy with how it turned out! It’s THE most comfortable thing I’ve
ever made. I’m thinking about looking back through my garage for more
t-shirts in different colors/patterns to make a bunch more!”- Jen
“I had one sleepless night coming up with all sorts of ideas for something
striped made from something else. I decided to make my own stripes, so next
I had to find something to use to do the stripes. My first idea was mustard
because it stains, right? Well, I tried it and it dried to a very dull,
unexciting color. I did some research and discovered the awesome qualities
of turmeric. There are tons of how-to’s on the internet and so after
learning about it, I started my refashion…… Read how I did it back on my blog.”- Barbara
Now take a look at how Mary from Thrifty Chic interpreted the challenge:
Before…
…and after:
“Ready to take this dress out on the town. My students are my best critics.
I got a lot of ooohs! an aahs! over the frayed edge.”
“I like to take advantage of as much of the original details as possible.
This back placket was original to the t-shirt.”-Mary
And finally, take a look at how Elizabeth, from The Hungry Octopus refashioned her stripes:
Before…
…and after:
“When I heard that this week’s challenge was stripes, I knew just which dress I was
pulling out of my “ugly” stash. It was a pink and white striped seersucker sack of a
dress with an awkward zipper and lovely lattice detail around the neck.
To refashion this little beauty, I removed the front zipper, cut the dress in half,
used the giant pockets for the band around the waist, and reattached the top and
bottom of the dress.
Once the dress was mostly together, I added cap sleeves, a zipper, and a little
gather/tuck at the top of the bust to make it fit a little better.
I told you you wouldn’t be disappointed! So much talent in this group of beautiful women!
So now it’s your turn. Please use the poll below and click to vote for your favorite. (I’ve left it secret so everyone will be surprised next Saturday.)
The winner of Week One will be announced next Saturday, June 15.
The competitors will be scoring each other on five areas: following the challenge, originality, craftsmanship, design, and presentation.
Does this ever happen to you? So overwhelmed by all the good in your life. For some reason I’m being intensely reminded of all the beauty that surrounds me in every way. There is so much good happening all around that sometimes I feel like I’m going to explode with joy.
And it doesn’t help matters to be listening to James Taylor’s
I have so many people in my life that I want to shower with love. Old friends, new friends, family that’s still here and those who are gone. I want to hug them all. I want to shout to the world how lucky I am to know you. How lucky I am to be a part of your life!
I dare you to listen to James, keep a dry eye and not want to smooch all those people who’ve been there for you, played with you, laughed with you, cried with you, grown with you. I double dog dare you.
Better to shower the people you love with love
Show them the way that you feel
Things are gonna be just fine if you only will
Shower the people you love with love
Show them the way that you feel
Things are gonna be much better if you only will
It all started right after my morning coffee while savoring the serenity of my yard when my good friend, Barb, told me her daughter’s magical engagement story. Her now future son-in-law even included her in the surprise. Sniff, sniff. Here come those happy tears squeezing their way out again. 🙂 Reminded me of Katie and Adam’s engagement. I got to be right there, too. Thanks, Adam!!
I can’t help but cry when I hear tales of extraordinary kindness. I’m just funny that way I guess.
So much wonderful happening in my life and in my little blogland (which I will be sharing with you soon), and Refashion Runway is an exciting part of that.
Maybe it’s me, but I’m astonished by the generous sponsors coming out of the woodwork. Just another reason to start blubbering again.
Here we are in the first week of Refashion Runway and there are still people volunteering to be prize sponsors.
Thank you to Staci, my fellow Oregonian, from Crafti Staci for donating a gift certificate to her wonderful etsy shop, filled with colorful accessories for all you photogs out there. Lens cap covers, camera straps, coffee cup sleeves, business card holders, and memory card wallets all hand made in various happy fabrics. Staci also hosts a fun blog with the same name where she posts fun craft and sewing tutorials. I think I even spied a few refashions there. 🙂
And another big thank you for Rachel from The Rachel Berry Blog for donating some of her beautiful fabric flowers. Be sure to check out her blog, it’s filled with beautiful photography and great ideas on how to decorate and craft on a budget. Well worth the visit!!
And a big thank you to Anny, from Its Sew Anny for donating one of her beautiful hand crafted bags. I’ve been enjoying her blog for awhile now, and it’s obvious when you see her bags, that she is doing just what her tagline says-Do what makes your heart sing.
I can practically hear her singing all the way from Galveston.
And still another big thank you to Kathy, a Tupperware Consultant with a cabinet full of goodies. She will also be putting together a prize box for one lucky winner.
Be sure to check out their shops and blogs and thank them for sponsoring The First Ever Refashion Runway.
Well, tomorrow is the BIG DAY! All the competitor’s interpretations of the first challenge, Stripes, will be posted and the voting will begin!! I hope you’ll join us and vote for your favorite!
Now, please excuse me while I go get another tissue…..
A big thank you to all the people who stepped up to be a Refashion Runway Prize Sponsor.
We could still use a couple of sponsors so if you’d like to support the creative efforts of our contestants by donating a prize or gift certificate, just email me at bhunting@eoni.com.
Please check out their shops and blogs and let them know how much we appreciate them.
First meet, Fat Quarter Shop, they have a huge selection of beautiful fabrics and were so kind to donate a gift certificate for one of our lucky competitors.
Next meet, Pink Chalk Fabrics, who have also graciously volunteered to donate a gift certificate to their wonderful fabric shop.
Now meet, the generous Katherine from Pillows A-La-Mode. She has a fun blog that you will definitely want to be a part of. Katherine has offered to donate a homemade tote bag filled with remnants, trims, vintage buttons and other fun sewing/crafty things.
Now meet, the sweet Kim from Cotton Corner. She volunteered to donate a gift certificate to her shop, too. I couldn’t resist buying several things for some soon to be born babies in my life. Everything she makes is so darling and I love supporting handmade!
One of my favorite blogs, Modflowers, also agreed to be a prize sponsor. If you love vintage, colorful fabrics, this is the place for you. She has an eye for the beautiful and searches high and low to find the very best. Every time I visit her blog, I feel refreshed and happy.
I’m also excited to say, that Coats and Clark, yes, I did say Coats and Clark the big Sewing, Needlecraft, Thread and Textile company also agreed to be a prize sponsor. I am overwhelmed by their generosity! Wahoo this is big!!!
Please support our sponsors by visiting them and thanking them for donating (and maybe even making a purchase 🙂 )
There are a several more possible sponsors that I’m waiting to hear from, but I’ll let you know as soon as they respond!
I was blown away by all the talented seamstresses interested in competing in the First Ever Refashion Runway. It was so hard to choose only six to compete. So I narrowed it down to eight competitors instead. Looks like there is going to have to be a Season Two of Refashion Runway. 🙂 Thank you so much to everyone who tried out! I hope you will all sew along with us this season and audition again next time.
Let me introduce the enthusiastic competitors in no particular order:
Meet Elizabeth from The Hungry Octopus. You can tell she really enjoys refashioning thrift store oddities into stylish new wearable clothing.
Meet this self proclaimed refashion addict, Mary, from Thrifty Chic. Like so many of us, sewing and creating makes her feel alive. And vibrant she is, in this refashioned crocheted top!
I’ve been a fan of hers for quite some time so I was thrilled when she applied for Refashion Runway! She amazes me with her refashioned versions of celebrity style. Some day I hope to be as good as she is in her pattern drafting skills. So inspiring!
She is a graduate student who loves vintage and traveling. Miche looks like she so enjoys her newly refashioned dresses! I love her photography and her quirky style on her blog.
I had a hard time deciding which picture to show you from her site. She has a great sense of style. I wish I lived closer to Barbara, I’d love to hang out with her. She looks like she has so much fun in sewing and in life. Being a fellow teacher, I’m a tad bit envious of her since she just retired and has a whole lifetime of sewing ahead of her.
She is a 49-cent Friday “refashion machine” enjoying every minute of it and creating some amazing things from others castoffs.
Well every one, I hope you’ll sew along with us and vote for your favorites each week.
So you can all start thinking about your projects, I’m announcing all the challenges today.
Week One: Stripes
Week Two: Denim
Week Three: Copy Cat from a magazine, catalog or celebrity
Week Four: Summer Dress
As you can see, I’ve left the challenges fairly open ended. Just remember, each garment must be original (in other words not posted on your blog already) and have a before and after picture. Also, please remember, this is a “refashion” competition so your garment must be constructed from a previous item of some kind.
I’ll be sending a schedule via email to all the contestants.
If you are “sewing along” with us, send your before and after pictures to bhunting@eoni.com. We want to see your creations, too!
One last item, if you are competing or sewing along, and you have a blog, so we can get the word out, please place a link to The Renegade Seamstress in your sidebar with this image:
We’ve had a nice response to the open casting call for the First Ever Refashion Runway. There is still time to try out if you think you’d like to compete. Go here and fill out the form on the bottom of the page to try out. The names of the contestants will be announced on June 1st and the Competition will begin on June 7.
We are also still looking for a few prize sponsors. Please email me at bhunting@eoni.com if you’d like to donate a prize. I will put a link to your blog or shop in exchange.
Thanks to everyone who has been supportive of this friendly sewing competition!
The Renegade Seamstress 