Mary Peterson

Silk Dress to a “T” Throwback Thursday

July 11, 2024 By Mary Peterson 4 Comments

Hi Everyone,

As I continue to make new content to share, I have another “Throwback Thursday.” This one is from way back when I started my blog. This dress was 100% silk and If I remember correctly it was made by Chloe? As you can see it was way too small for my size 8 dress form, but Luckily I was only interested in the huge skirt and sleeves.

BEFORE

AFTER

**Finished and ready to wear. It is still a mainstay of my wardrobe.** **P.S this picture is 10 years old. Yes! I have been doing this blog for that long!**

Tutorial

**First I removed the skirt from the bodice and used a trusted T-shirt pattern to cut the body**.

2014-03-23 09.44.26 — **After that I used the best part of the sleeves to cut the new sleeves**

.

2014-03-29 10.48.57 — **I attached matching gray bias tape to the edges of the neck, and sleeves.**

2014-03-26 12.13.18 — **Turn over the bias tape and stitch in the ditch.**

2014-03-23 11.13.47 — **I took some of the left over border scraps and made my own decorative tape to put over the shoulder seam.**

**Matching side seams is key to a plush and expensive looking garment**.

Well, if you are looking at this for the first time or the second, I would love to know what you think. Talk to me…

Happy Refashioning!!!

Blouse Refashion / Too Fem to Just Right

June 19, 2024 By Mary Peterson 8 Comments

Hi Everyone,

I am going to start with an easy upcycle. I saw this $6 top and it looked brand new. I walked by it for a while and wondered why someone would abandon a well made blouse like this. Well, to be honest I would have abandoned it too. It was just way too frilly and not very comfortable, but the difference between the person who left it behind and myself is that I have skills to change things.

Before

**The double ruffle on the sleeve and the cuff was way too much**

After

Tutorial

**Cut off those long sleeves leaving 1/2″ seam allowance**

**Overlock** **The edges of the seam allowance**

**Turn under and stitch down 1/4″ to form the armhole**

I know it is a simple fix but very effective! This will be a great addition to my summer wardrobe. Please tell me what you think and let me know what you are working on this summer. Can’t wait to hear from you…

“Throwback Thursday” Lace Top

June 13, 2024 By Mary Peterson 4 Comments

Hello Everyone!

It is finally summer vacation and a great opportunity for me to catch up with you! I am busy working on new material to share, but until then I am going to start by starting a new tradition. So welcome to “Throwback Thursday!”

These are posts I made before I changed my website to a new host. I have learned so much since then, but I think we can all learn from some of my old projects as I try to improve on the original post.

I will start with the before and after and then give you my inspiration pic and how I pulled off the transformation:

Before

Please excuse the lighting and the padding. I had no idea how to take pictures at all back then. This beauty was only $6

After

**I am a big lace fan and when I saw this picture. I wanted it BADLY! But NOT for $100. When I saw my $6 “Before” I knew I could make it happen for a lot less.**

First I took off the sleeves . My plan was to cut a new sleeve from the bottom of the current sleeve. The bottom was in a bell shape and perfect for the extra room I wanted over the bicep. I simply used the top of the existing sleeve as a pattern and cut it from the bottom where the edges are already perfectly finished. The top of the original sleeve will now become the new side panels. Just watch…

.

**Here you see both of the sleeves cut from the bottom of the original sleeve**

**Here is what they looked like pinned and ready to sew**

.

**Once sewn in you can now see the secret of how I achieved the flounce in the sleeve. I simply left the gap you see here.**

.

**Here are the new side panels. What was once the sleeve cap will now be the finished lace edge of the new side panels.**

**I had to go in and cut out part of the old side panels to release the garment for the extra room.**

**Here are the new side panels pinned in and ready to rock. The old sleeve cap is now at the hem.**

It is still one of my favorite pieces. I wear it with a cami of course and often pair it under a chambray shirt or under one of my jean jackets. I take great care by washing by hand and drying flat. Hope it will be a mainstay for years to come

I would love to hear your feedback. I have more to come this summer. Can’t wait to hear from you!

Happy Refashioning…

T-Shirt Upcycle Pt 2 + Bonus Shirt

November 4, 2023 By Mary Peterson 6 Comments

Hello Everyone,

As promised, I have more t-shirt upcycling to share. This was just a basic T with a curved hem. I removed the sleeves and used the original hems to put on the new see through sleeves. This fabric was a nice see through chiffon with a random flower pattern. There was no way to match the sleeves so I just went with a random placement.

**White is really difficult to photograph but I think you get the picture.**

**I used the original hem from the t-shirt to give weight to the sleeve hem. There is edge stitching** **on the hem and the armhole**

Here is the woven version of this sleeve.
This was a man’s shirt and I added
the sleeves and cuffs.

**Here is a close-up of the work on the sleeve. I edgestitched the armhole to add detail and used leftover fabric from the sleeves to make the cuffs**

**Since my photographer (my youngest son) has moved out, I have to make due with selfies**🙂

I would love to hear what you think. Hope you are enjoying your November refashioning!

Much love to you all,

T-Shirt Makeover Part 1

October 22, 2023 By Mary Peterson 4 Comments

Hello Everyone,

I wanted to get back to you with something other than jacket makeovers for a change. I am a little late with this one since fall is upon us, but here we go…

Every summer I take a bunch of new basic T-shirts and jazz them up with a little something extra. I have 4 new ones to show you and here is the first. Recently, I came across a Zara T-shirt that had a gorgeous rose print, “BUT” the skull and the “Stay Weird,” comment had to go. I mean…that statement may be true, but those who know me love me for it, and it needs no advertisement.

Take a look at the before and after:

Take a closer look at how I did it:

I cut out all of the useful pieces and fused them onto the basic V-neck t-shirt. Then I went after the edges with some of my Boro style stitching with white embroidery floss. I love the Boro influence and it has kind of become a signature of my look.

I will show you the rest of my new looks over the next 2 weeks. I hope you enjoy this one. Be sure to let me know what you think of it, and I would love to hear what you are working on right now.

Talk to me!

Love ya!