Mad for Plaid - and Refashions!

Mad for Plaid - and refashions!  Plaid is such a hot trend right now, especially with the changing seasons.  I remembered this little gem that I got last year was somewhere at the bottom of my refashion bin, just waiting to be beautified!  When my daughter took my pic, she said I should keep it just like it is because it's a cute pioneer dress!  ;-)

I saw this Free People top on Emily Gemma (The Sweetest Thing Blog) and thought I could possibly make something similar with this dress.  

First off, I removed the elastic so it would hang more freely.

Then I ironed it flat so it didn't even look like there had been elastic!

Next step - I cut the dress where it was attached at the waist.

I then measured how much length I wanted to add to the top, cut that much off of the bottom (so I didn't have to hem) and pinned it right sides together to the top portion.

I made little pleats on the back so it would ruffle!

After sewing it together this is what it looked like

After a good press and a little styling, it was good to go!

This is the angle you get when your children take your pics.

Before and After

And just for any of you dog lovers out there, you might appreciate how difficult my pup made it for me to work on this last night.  ;-)

Shop Your Closet!

Several of my friends have asked me to come help them go through their closets and decide what to keep, what to get rid of, and how to put different outfits together.  I did this with my friend Melissa not too long ago and we had the best time!

Here's what she said about the process. "I wanted to make use of all of the random pieces of clothing hanging in my closet, and at the same time, get rid of stuff that was outdated.  Amanda went through my closet, piece by piece, putting together color combinations and patterns that I'd never thought of doing, sometimes taking advantage of pieces I hadn't used in months! It was amazing and in a matter of a couple of hours I had 25+ new outfits without having to spend a dime.  She gave me a better understanding of what colors and patterns to put together and organized my closet so it makes so much more sense.  Plus, it was a ton of fun!"

First off, we made a donate/trash pile with clothes that didn't fit, were too worn, outdated, or she just didn't like anymore.  I changed her mind about a few pieces that she thought she should get rid of and urged her to get rid of a few that she may have wanted to keep.  ;-)

Melissa tended to have her closet organized by outfits.  Pieces that she would wear together, she hung together.  In doing this, she limited herself to ONLY wearing those pieces together.  We started out by making piles of different pieces - top layers (cardigans, jackets, sweaters), layering pieces (tanks, tees, oxfords), pants and skirts. Then we went through them and I mixed and matched the different pieces with each other, sometimes even adding shoes and jewelry,  We talked about mixing neutrals, adding a bright pop of color to a neutral palette, and even a little print mixing! I can't count the number of times she would gasp and say "I NEVER would have put that together!  I love it!"  She snapped shots of the outfits with her phone so she could remember what we put together.  Later she sent me the pics she took.  Here are just some of them!

I was in love with that puffer vest and coral cardi!  It's hard to tell in the pics, but the darker grey top is grey and black stripes.

I think my favorite piece in her closet was these camo pants!

One of the color combos she had never thought of was the eggplant (in the striped sweater) and mustard,  And the sheer black sweater she had only worn with a cami underneath.  I showed her how she could get a completely different look layering it with a crisp, white oxford. Also, the look in the bottom left corner is a good example of mixing neutrals - navy sweater, grey jeans and brown boots.  

The neutral cardi on top can be worn so many different ways.  I also encouraged her to pair her white jeans with Fall and Winter looks! The red and navy cardis had been hanging in her closet unworn for a long time because she didn't know what to wear them with!

Ok this grey cardi is one of the best basics! And the little taupe jacket - too cute!!!

By this time the floor had gotten to be quite a mess, so ignore that, lol!  We discussed how to wear denim on denim.  Doesn't she have some great distressed denim?

Another of my favorite pieces was these olive cargo pants! I told her they literally go with everything in her closet.  :-)

We had quite a few more looks put together, but this is a good idea of what we came up with.  She was so excited to tell her husband that she had 50 new outfits and hadn't bought one new thing!  Since then, she has told me that she's being more brave about mixing neutrals (like brown and black) and has confidence about putting these looks together. I call that success!

We also made a list of basics that would be good to have, so she has an idea of what to look for when she is out shopping.

Thanks Melissa, for trusting me with your closet!

Thrifty Thursday - "Olive" to Refashion!

Thrifty Thursday - "Olive" to refashion!  Haha, well I really do love to refashion!  And it just so happens that today's refashion is olive green - one of my favorites of the season! I found this gem at the Goodwill outlet.

Yes, it was a tad big and frumpy, but it had potential!

I was lucky, because where the bottom part of the skirt was attached was the perfect length for me!  So, I just detached it with a seam ripper!

Then I stuck it on my dressform and pinned where I needed to take it in.

At that point, the skirt wasn't too bad on its own.  I'll probably wear it like this sometime. (After I sew on a new button!)

However, I wanted to do something a little more fun!  I used the bottom part that I cut off and made it into a belt/sash to tie into a bow.  I thought it was cute!

I'm excited because I feel like this will be a great neutral, versatile piece for the Fall/Winter!

Before/After

What other ways would you wear this skirt?  I'd love ideas!

Ethical Fashion

Ethical Fashion is a series I hope to continue and expand as I learn of more and more companies.  If you've read many of my other posts, you'll know that I support and LOVE Noonday Collection for jewelry and accessories.  They are a Fair Trade company that helps artisans around the world to build a sustainable marketplace.  To learn more about Noonday read this post.  

Today I'd like to highlight some companies that provide ethical fashion in the clothing area.  Daily I'm learning of more of these companies and I hope to purchase from more of them and share the results!

The first company I learned of through Instagram is Elegantees. Elegantees is located in Nepal and employs women who have been rescued out of sex trafficking.  They provide a positive source of income that reinforces independence, a healthy self-image, and confidence to restore lives. They make a wide variety of clothing, including comfy knit tees and dresses, cardigans and tunics. 

 Here is their raspberry dolman tee.

And of course, I'm wearing some Noonday with it!

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Another company I learned about on Instagram is Francis & Benedict.  Francis & Benedict is a Non- Profit organization that exists to empower and equip skilled Togolese seamstresses by providing them with dignified and sustainable employment.  Their profits are used to resource community leaders in Togo, enabling them to continue projects that benefit orphans, widows, and those suffering in poverty.  They sell skirts in different lengths and styles using West African wax print textiles that are simply gorgeous!  I got midi length and maxi length full skirts.  Next I want to try a pencil skirt and a mini full skirt!

Here's the midi.

AAAAND POCKETS!!!

It's no surprise that I put a Noonday necklace with it!

Here's the maxi

This print!

Sometimes it feels like poverty and injustice are just overwhelming and we can't do anything to change it.  While that may be true as a whole, we CAN change lives for individuals.  Using our Western purchasing power, we can make a difference across the world!

Thrifty Thursday - A Giant Refashion

Thrifty Thursday - a giant refashion for sure!  This giant dress and its giant shoulder pads were actually not a giant undertaking.  

I'm really annoyed that I didn't realize the photo quality was bad until after I cut up the dress.  I would have taken a better pic!  

The first thing I thought was that the bottom of this dress would make a cute pleated midi skirt!  So I whacked off the top (and set aside for another project!).

 Here comes my not so favorite part.  I knew that I'd either need to add an elastic waistband or a zipper.  For the look I really wanted here, I knew a zipper would be the best option.  Here's the thing.  I think that putting in zippers is one of those things that you have to do like 100 times before it becomes easy.  Every time I put in a zipper I watch several youtube videos on how to do it.  I'm not showing closeups b/c you don't want to learn from me.  But here's where I found the center of the back and started cutting...

I left the part at the top because I wanted to iron it down on the inside to act as a facing.  

After I got the zipper installed (seriously stressful to me), I put it on my dressform, inside out, and pinned the sides to where it would fit.

After that I just sewed up those sides and after a little pressing, I was done! Ta-dah!

I could see this skirt styled several different ways.  This is a bit of a dressy look, but I bet I'll dress it down more often!

Before and After

Goodwill Outlet Treasures!

Goodwill outlet treasures!  This was super fun!  Most of what I get at the Goodwill outlet has to be "refashioned" or at least altered to fit me.  On my last trip, however, I hit the jackpot with pieces that fit me and I liked just the way they were!  I did get plenty to refashion as well, but the ready-to-wear pieces were a big score! Since they charge by the pound at the outlet ($1.39/lb), my total ended up averaging $1 per piece - I mean seriously that can't be beat!!!

I'll give you a little preview of what I found.  These are not styled how I would wear them.  I just put on jeans and a black tee for try-on purposes. This is just to show the pieces I found - I'll definitely post them styled as outfits as I wear them.

 This Old Navy dress will be super versatile and great for layering!

 I love this slouchy sweater!  I can see it worn layered in the Fall or even at the beach. Funny story - I actually did "rock, paper, scissors" with my friend Debbie for this sweater in the middle of the outlet! 

I'll layer this skirt with tights and boots.

 I'm not sure how I'll wear this vest, but I thought it had a fun, boho vibe. Suggestions?  

 I love the fun green plaid!  I can see it worn oversized with leggings and boots or maybe knotted for a more fitted look.

 Leopard cape.  Need I say more???

 I love this fun, oversized Aztec sweater

 I'm not sure why I thought I needed 2 Aztec sweaters...

 Hello 80's???

This is a super comfy neutral top. 

This leather bomber jacket might be my favorite purchase!  And for $1, too!!!

I also found several scarves!

In addition to these pieces and my refashion pieces, I got a huge stack of ready-to-wear (after washing of course!!!) clothes for my girls!

Have you ever been to a Goodwill outlet? If you have, I'd love to hear about your treasures! If you haven't, you should research the closest one to you!