fashion project: blouse makeover

Happy Monday and hope no one catches Monday blues. If anyone did, well I hope you feel better soon after a nice cup of coffee, tea or perhaps after reading this fashion project. Why? At times, we feel like we have nothing to wear whilst there are many (many, many) clothes in our wardrobe and since there are many (not going to stress the quantity again) clothes, we try very hard not to shop... but still aching to window shop or shop. Here is a little makeover blouse project to update an old top, giving a fresh new look. Save some bucks for shopping or travel fund.

Ready?...

an old top, ready for a makeover

What you need:

Ruler
A pair of scissors
Measuring tape
Tailoring chalk
Pins
Bias tape 
Seam ripper 
Sewing machine (not in the above photo)

Using a seam ripper, remove shoulder pads.

Turn the top to the wrong side. 

Measure desired sleeve length and mark with tailoring chalk.

Using a tailoring ruler, mark the allowance and length on the sleeves on both sides.

Cut the excess fabric using a pair of scissors.

Now, turn the top over and work on the right side of the top. 

Pin bias tape along the marked sleeve length.

Sew the bias tape onto the sleeve.

Cut the excess fabric and then fold the remaining bias tape inside towards the wrong side. 

Pin and sew accordingly.

Repeat for the other sleeve.

Repeat for the collar.

 

Here is the finished blouse

What do you think of this project? Difficult or easy? Hope this helps to inspire anyone to update their old tops instead of just chucking it straight into recycle bin. Hope you will give it a try and do let me know if you have any questions or feedback on this project. 

Have a good and productive week ahead. Always stay stylish and chic!

notebook makeover

Finally, I have a little bit of time to fix my distressed notebook. It was a gift and I left the notebook untouched for over two year, I think. When I remembered about it and wanted to use to it, the cover is cracking and peeling but the pages are still good condition. The notebook still can be used but the cover needed a bit of work. Here is the notebook makeover...

What you need:

Fabric stickers
A pair of scissors
Ruler
Measuring tape
Pencil
Ribbon
Paper - optional 
Thread and needle (not in the above photo)
Double sided tape (not in the above photo)

Take measurement of the notebook; front and back.

Transfer the measurements onto the fabric stickers.

Cut accordingly. 

Stick fabric stickers onto the cover. 

Stick the ribbon using a piece of fabric sticker;1.5 inch X 2 inch.

At the end of the ribbon, fold and stitch to prevent the end from fraying. 

For a neater finish inside of the notebook, paste an empty onto the inside front cover and onto the inside back cover.

The makeover has finished and the notebook is ready to be used!

What do you think? This is a simple makeover, isn't it? Hope this is useful and helpful. 

Have a good week ahead and happy trying!

fashion project: from one-piece to two-piece

I found this vintage dress in one of my unpacked boxes weeks ago. The dress was in quite good condition beside the sleeves. They were ripped from its armholes. Just when I needed to be inspired for fashion project, I came across with Blooming Leopold's sewing Saturday's entry; creating co-ord playsuit from a maxi dress. And the rest was history... 

What you need:

A pair of scissors 

Tailoring chalk

Tailoring ruler

Seam ripper

Elastic band

Pins
Thread (not in the above photo)

Safety pin (not in the above photo)

Sewing machine (not in the above photo)

Remove and keep the sleeves aside.

Cut the dress into two parts; separating the top from the skirt.

Mark new length of the top.

Cut cuffs from the sleeves and remove the buttons.

Pin the allowance around the armholes into the wrong side of fabric.

Pin the bottom of the top.

Sewing time. Sew the armholes and bottom of the top.

Iron newly sewn parts.

As the back is quite baggy, make an inverted pleated to take in some excess fabric. To decorate the pleat, add a button (optional).

Reuse the cuffs as extension of straps from the top.

Now, let's work on the skirt. Cut off uneven fabric (if there is any). Mark new length for the skirt. 

Fold about 1.5 cm to 2.0 cm of fabric at the waist part of the skirt into the wrong side of the skirt. Pin and sew around the skirt but leaving about 2.0 cm at the end. 

Measure the elastic band by stretching it on the waist of the skirt. This is for one side, remember to repeat this step again to cover the other side. Leave some allowance to sew both ends of the elastic band together. Pin a safety pin at the end of the elastic band and start threading. 

Pin and sew the hem of the skirt.

Here are the finished look:

What do you think? Adorable outfit? It is a simple project but involves many steps. Hope this does not hinder anyone to give it a try. Happy sewing!

fashion project: lace applique collar

Accidents do happen even during laundering. In my case, somehow one of white thrifted white blouses was stained with colour on its collar. I could either dye the blouse or to fix the collar. And I chose the latter by sewing some laces on the collar - lace applique.

What you need:

Corded lace

Scissors

Thread

Needle

Nail polish (transparent)

Pins

Cut out desired motives from the lace

Apply nail polish around the cut lace to avoid fraying

Once the pieces have dried, place and pin the pieces onto the collar

Stitch the pieces of cut lace onto the collar

Finished collar

Close-up of front collar

Close-up of back collar

I am still contemplating whether I should embellish the collar or should I leave it as it is. To me the collar or the blouse looks rather dull and the stains are not fully covered. Hhhmm...

Anyway, hope this project would help anyone who wants to cover stains on the collar or to give a fresh new look to any pieces.

Have a lovely weekend!