Spring Has Arrived at Sew Help Me by Marissa

Spring has arrived at Sew Help Me by Marissa. Head on over there check out new and spring accessories!

Cherry Charm Bracelet

Iridescent Dangle Earrings

Like Daughter, Like Mother....again!

Marissa has done it again! She has inspired me to get crafty with the sewing machine. I enjoyed her post here about a plaid shirt refashion. So I ran right to my local thrift shop and started looking for a nice plaid shirt. Here is what I found. It was such a lovely shade of blue and was a very nice quality fabric so it was the winner. Because it was a quality fabric the plaid is woven instead of printed onto the fabric, some of the reconstruction was easier, and the end result more attractive. The seams were flat felled seams, and they always make a nicer product. I replaced those with regular construction seams. This is just for fun after all.

 The shirt is a man's medium. It didn't really matter what size I chose because there would be so much altering going on. If you choose a refashion project think about how much alteration you will need to make to the sleeve length and shoulder area.

Well lets get serious about this thing. You are going to have to cut it sooner or later. Here we go. Start by cutting up the side seams and all the way to where the sleeves attach. Now cut the shoulder seam away from the body of the shirt, being careful to maintain the original shape of the sleeve. The next step is to cut the sleeve seam. Cut the full length of the sleeve. Do not cut through the cuff of the sleeve. I cut the sleeve seam to with in 3-4 inches of the cuff. At that point I opened the cuff seam where it attaches to the sleeve. Open just enough to ease the sleeve seam out. I will want to complete the sleeve seam and then reinsert into the cuff at the end of the project. I used this method so that I didn't have to change the sleeve placket. It was very nicely constructed and had multiple buttons on the placket.

Here is what it will look like when you get the side seams opened and the sleeves removed. You can't see in the photo very well but I have opened the sleeve seams nearly all the way at this point. Being careful not to cut the cuff.

Now that you have your shirt cut, you start the engineering process of reconstruction. Start by deciding how wide the shoulder seam should be. I put on a shirt that fits nicely and measured the width of the shirt from the collar to the shoulder seam. It was five inches for me. Keep in mind for this project the end product is supposed to be a little box-ie. (If we wanted to make a more fitted shirt we would need to deconstruct a bit further before reconstruction.) After I knew what the shoulder width should be I knew how much fabric to trim away from the shirt. I used the same measurement and followed the original shape of the garment. Then I measured how long the sleeve would need to be. I guesstimated that length by putting the sleeve onto my arm and bending my arm at the elbow. I pinned the top of the sleeve to the shirt that I had on, and looked in the mirror for a point of reference. When I was satisfied with the length of the sleeve I marked where the shoulder seam would need to go. The picture above shows that I needed to cut off 4 inches. I cut off 4 inches all the way across the top of the sleeve piece being careful to maintain the original sleeve shape. Re -attach the sleeve to the shirt. It will no longer match exactly because we have made so many alteration. Be sure that your sleeve is attached to the shirt with out any puckers. 

Once the sleeve has been reattached to the armscye you are ready to determine how to trim the side seams. I used one of my dresses that fits loosely as a guide. If you have a pattern that you like, that would be a really good guide also. When you determine where you will trim be sure to make each side match each other. After I had the fabric trimmed away from the side seams I re-sewed the seams extending the seam from the hem of the shirt all the way out to the end of the sleeve. I finished the side seams with serging and reinserted the sleeve into the cuff and top stitched the cuff. That was the last step! Yay, it wasn't tooooo labor intensive and the shirt will be a fun addition to my winter wardrobe. 

I will probably pair the shirt with jeans and boots when I wear them outside of the house. It is a nice warm and soft shirt and will be a trendy/fun thing for me to wear for the season. Thanks mama for teaching me how to get crafty with refashions.

Your Favorites from 2013

What a year we've had here at I Get My Crafty From My Mama! We crafted our way through new jobs, new homes, and many holidays. Here are your top five favorite posts from this year:

Plaid Shirt Refashion

 

How to Make a Chapstick Cozy

Gettin' my Kicks

Neon Floral Dress Re-Do

Young Professional Blazer Re-Fashion

Flashback Friday

Helen's Handiwork

This photo is a testament to Helen's best sewing skills. You may remember last week's Flashback Friday was a picture of Sheryl, Marissa and Krista. I was wearing a coral outfit that Marissa had mentioned in one her posts about feeling lost without her sewing machine. I wanted to bring this photo out and fill in some of the blanks. This is a photo of Helen and Duward's fiftieth wedding anniversary celebration. Can I get a "woot woot" for fifty years? Thanks mom and dad for that example. On to the sewing skills. Let your eyes travel to the far left. Katy (grand daughter of Helen and Duward) is wearing a red velvet dress that Helen made for herself for a Christmas party. The next grand daughter is Megan wearing Helen's wedding dress. Helen is wearing a beautiful peach colored lace overlay dress that she made for a daughter's wedding earlier.  See how smart she was about wearing a "fancy" dress for more than one special occasion  Next is me (Sheryl) wearing the coral colored outfit that I had made for the wedding. The two sweet little girls in the front are Marissa and Krista (part of the crafty trio). They are wearing the flower girl dresses from the same wedding. Those dresses were deep green velvet and satin. Mom and I (Helen and Sheryl) made those together. What a great way to share our lives and continue to learn skills together. That is our version of lifelong learning!

Flashback Friday

Oh boy, isn't this good for a few laughs? Now don't be hatin'. Remember this is flashback, all the way to the early '90s. We were on style for the era. The outfit that I am wearing is actually a rich coral color. You can see what Marissa has done with the scraps all these many years later, here. I made this top and skirt for my younger sisters bridal shower and then the later worn it for my parents 50th wedding anniversary party. My mother and I got crafty with the dark green velveteen and satin flower girl dresses that Marissa and Krista are wearing for that same wedding. Because our family is so frugal and the girls felt like princesses in those dresses they also wore wore them for the anniversary party. I hope you get crafty soon.

New Dress A Day FEATURE

I am so thrilled to have my refashion(s) featured today on Marisa Lynch's blog: New Dress A Day. Marisa and her blog have been truly inspirational to me in my refashions. Check me out here!

If you think that's great, you should check out her BOOK! It's on my Christmas list, Mom, Krista, HINT HINT....

Young Professional Blazer Re-Fashion

A while back my friend Jennie, from 2 Girls in 2 Cities, suggested I do a blazer re-fashion. I loved the idea (and pictures she sent) and immediately began hunting for the perfect blazer on my all-to-regular trips to my favorite thrift stores. I was thrilled when I found this royal blue Ralph Lauren blazer and knew it was THE ONE for my project.

Sad, over-sized blazer, your days are numbered!

Needless to say I was really excited for the chance to wear my newly upscaled blazer while I was in Chicago over the weekend for a work conference. And BONUS, I was able to meet up with Jennie for a quick chat and photo shoot! It was so nice to catch up with her and play with her new camera; it had been far too long. Check out her outfit post here.

We accidentally coordinated blazers!

To re-fashion my blazer I removed the buttons from the sleeves and ran a thread from the bottom of the sleeve up to the elbow on both the outside and inside seams. I like the scrunched sleeve trend and it was a quick and easy fix. I also took the blazer in a few inches at the side seams for a more fitted look. I have to admit though, this project was a learning experience for me as it was my first time sewing on silk. I used a needle that was far too dull and made tiny little wholes in my material and perforated my lining. Lesson learned, ALWAYS use the sharpest needles when sewing on silk.

Finished product!

Gettin' my Kicks

So, I'm home for break and hit up the local Goodwill. I was astonished by their prices. *Let me hear ya if you are annoyed by their recent price hikes.*

I found these adorable shoes which were admittedly new. New enough to have the original Target clearance tag on them... $7.49. Goodwill however was charging $7.99.

I obviously found my voice on the issue and let them know it was "absurd" to charge more than they originally were at THE STORE!! Um, HellllOH!

Lets just say I walked with out a new pair of shoes for $3.99.

I love that they can go with nude, brown, OR black. Can we say versitile? I'm diggin um with tore up boyfriend jeans.

Thrifty Family

This weekend my mom and I traveled to my Aunt Karen's house to spend time with her and her granddaughter Danielle who was visiting from out of state. One of my favorite things to do with my Aunt is go shopping at her local thrift stores. Here are my most recent finds!

Kenneth Cole sweater, Value World, $3.99

Ann Taylor tank WITH TAGS, Goodwill, $4.99

New York & Company slacks, Goodwill, $4.99

New York & Company slacks, Goodwill, $4.99

Banana Republic sweater shell, Goodwill, $3.99

Banana Republic shirt, Goodwill, $4.99

Back of Banana Republic shirt with fun metal zipper

I will need to hem the slacks but am excited to have found these pieces to build my professional wardrobe!

Thrifty Christmas

Have I mentioned recently how EPIC my in-laws are? Well just in case I haven't, let's talk about it again.

THEY ARE THE BEST! 

They gave me some cash for Christmas, along with far too many gifts, and I quickly spent it all at the local Goodwill building my wardrobe. Check out my finds!

Maroon H&M Argyle Sweater 

Navy Vintage Nautical Skirt

Navy and White Pinstripe Slacks

Navy and White Leather Loafers

Brown Strapping High Heels

I purchased these last three items at the same time and plan to given them a few tweaks. Stay tuned to see how they turn out!

Black and White H&M Woven Slacks

Navy and White Vintage Sweater 

Royal Blue Tommy Hilfiger Blazer

Flannel and Pearls

I have been having a slight love affair with my flannel and pearls. As you can tell my straightener wasn't invited...

Top 10 of 2012

This year was our first full year blogging and we had a blast doing it! I especially liked hearing from friends and readers about things that they would like to see and DIY's that they would like to learn how to achieve. You gals are all so inspiring!

Here are the top 10 posts that you enjoyed reading this year:

1. Hot Pink Polka Dot Dress Refashion

2. Floral Dress Re-Do

3. Interlock Headband

4. Brown Vintage Apron Mid-50's

5. Simmering Potpourri

6. My Pretty Pink Peplum

7. Upscaled Thrifted Summer Skirt

8. Jersey Refashion

9. Like daughter, like mother...

10. Upscaled Thirfted Dress Slacks

Please continue to let us know about crafts you are interested in in 2013!