Mary's Thrifty Chic

Upcycling thrift shop clothing/sewing

Sweaters

Sweatshirt With a Twist Refashion

By 26 Comments

Hello Everyone!

Now it is really time to meet my “Sweatshirt with a Twist” refashion! Really! LOL!

After:

IMG_2319 - Version 3

The Twist? A panel of damask in the front, no bottom rib, and no terrycloth! But, I still consider it a sweatshirt. At least it still feels as comfy as a sweatshirt.

.

The inspiration was this little article about “Luxe Sweatshirts.” I love a sweatshirt just like everyone else, and why not make it “LUXE?”

IMG_2329

.

IMG_2332

.

Once I found this piece of damask fabric for $1 and the unused man’s shirt below, I knew I had a match.

.

IMG_2126 - Version 2

.

IMG_2107

.

Here you can see a close-up of the fabric from the man’s shirt. It is a beautifully weighted 1×1 knit.

IMG_2119

.

TUTORIAL:

I used a pre-existing raglan pattern so this will be quick, but there is an amazing trick in here for you to keep up your sleeve. Don’t miss it!

.

IMG_2113

.

Step 1) First I cut off the sleeves and used the back of the sweater to cut out the back panel. The cut off sleeves accommodated my raglan sleeve pattern perfectly with just a few snips to make them a little smaller.

IMG_2117

Step 2) I sewed the sleeves on the body and the damask panel is on the front. Here you see it all put together minus the neckline. The only part I had to hem was the front damask panel. I used the existing hem for the back.

.

IMG_2118

.

Step 3) Here is the big tip. The bottom hems are perfectly sized to use for neckline ribbing. Here I cut off the bottom hem of the front sweater and used it for the neckline ribbing. I will admit I had to put it on twice because it didn’t lie flat the first time.:)

.

IMG_2120

.

Here you can see me sewing the rib around the neck.

IMG_2125

Finished!

.

My husband may think that I am “wearing a couch,” but what does he know?
I like it. How about you?

Let me know 🙂

Love ya,

Mary

No Sew Sweater Refashion and the Giveaway!

By 31 Comments

Hi Everyone!

.

I was sidelined this week by a killer migraine. 🙁 YUK! But have no fear, the mistress of “Thrifty Chic” lives to blog another day!!! 🙂 Needless to say, I took it easy on myself this week so I am showing you a no sew refashion. I was just glad I took this picture before I went down for the count (migraines are really ugly!)

.

2014-01-31 14.29.21

This is a mans sweater in a denim friendly color of blue that was saved from the Goodwill for a mere $2.50. Underneath, I have paired it with a former refashion of a mans shirt, (you may remember it), leggings and boots.

.

Thrift Shop Refashion of Mens Dress Shirt1

I have been seeing a lot of pins that look like this lately and I love the casual look. A bonus is that the length of the shirt hides my bum and hits my leg at its skinniest point. I could also wear this with skinny or straight jeans and flats like the picture below.

.

2b7eba333b1abbe08d420808b823f553

Don’t forget THE GIVEAWAY!!!!!

2014-01-26 15.42.11

This is a paisley canvas tote made by yours truely. It is fully lined and has a pocket for your cell phone. All you need to do to win is be an official follower of my blog. Then, post a comment so your name is entered. I will be picking and posting the winner on Sunday February 16th. I am sorry my international friends but I will only ship in the US.

So, start posting my refashion friends. I can’t wait to give it away!!

‘Til later…

Love Ya,

Mary

Mens Sweater Refashion and a Giveaway!

By 47 Comments

Hi Everyone!

.

Happy Superbowl Sunday! Today I will start with the AFTER!

.

IMG_0847

This started as a mens mock turtleneck sweater made of merino wool . It still had the tags on it! I all I had to do was cut down the length, open up the neck and add my own feminine scalloped ribbing. This is a quick easy refashion for a beginner. Make sure you go to the end of the page for my giveaway!Here is a short tutorial:

.

2013-12-26 10.51.47

Here is the before in all of it’s manly glory!

.

2013-12-26 11.11.12

The first step was to cut off the neck and bottom band. Then I pinned on the knitted ribbing from my collection of trims.

.

2013-12-27 07.31.49

At this point it was just a matter of sewing the rib and then edgestitching it down flat.

.

This is comfy, casual, and work appropriate. When layered like this it is totally on trend and fashionable too. Make sure to let me know if you have any questions.

IMG_0847

.

NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY!!!!!

2014-01-26 15.42.11

This is a paisley canvas tote made by yours truely. It is fully lined and has a pocket for your cell phone. All you need to do to win is be an official follower of my blog. Then, post a comment so your name is entered. I will be picking and posting the winner on Sunday February 16th. I am sorry my international friends but I will only ship in the US.

So, start posting my refashion friends. I can’t wait to give it away!!

‘Til later…

Love Ya,

Mary

Sweater Refashion

By 57 Comments

Hi Everyone!

.

Here you see a hard-won victory. It is my latest sweater refashion inspired by the picture you see right below it. It is not exactly the same, but I think I came pretty close.

.

2013-11-03 10.35.00

.

40945d9c08485468d2e1d3ff1c2f2e55

.

I thought this would be relatively easy for me to do, but I was easily fooled. Having said that, I have to apologize for what will be the lackluster tutorial. Making this was a blur and it went through so many changes. I/you will have to put up with a tutorial that simply documents those changes and here it is…

.

It all started with this crochet tablecloth which I purchased for $15 at Community Thrift. I thought the price was rather outrageous since it had some stains, but as I have said before, this is LA and they go for the jugular out here!

.

2013-10-26 15.26.47

.

1)I draped and played with the tablecloth for days until I came up with a plan of attack. Here is my first step. I cut out the middle being careful to cut along landmarks of the crochet to maximize finished edges.

.

2013-10-26 15.42.58

.

2)Here is the first drape of the front…

2013-10-26-16.52.26-e1383260267110

and the back…

2013-10-26 16.51.55

.

3) Once I got to this point, I crocheted the back and the side seams together using a single crochet stitch. I cut and pinned the hem around the front and back so only the shell stitch was showing

2013-10-27 11.10.13

.

3) My next step was to attach the shell pattern all around the hem

Here is a view of the front and back after I was finished. A shell stitch was added around the sleeve and I did have to refit the back a second time.

2013-11-03 16.22.04

.

2013-11-03 16.22.41

.

2013-11-03 10.37.52

Well, that’s it! What do you think? I love to hear from you!!!

.

‘Til next time!

Love Ya,

Mary

Shrug + Chiffon = Sweater Refashion #3

By 2 Comments

BEFORE
BEFORE

This refashion all started when my friend Shannon came to work in a beautiful pink sweater with a high low hem that had a surprise in the back, a beautiful coordinating chiffon print floral. It started me thinking how I could refashion sweaters using chiffon. Hmmm!

.

I had this basic black shrug sitting in my closet that I never wear anymore. This was my most likely subject to try something…but what?

.

.

Shrug+ Chiffon =Sweater Refashion #3-6

.

.

.

.

.

.

Enter this chiffon nightmare and then came the idea! Why not combine the two? I knew it would work when I saw it.

.

.

.

.

AFTER
AFTER

Here is the result of the mix!

.

.

FOLLOW THIS TUTORIAL:

.

.

Shrug+ Chiffon =Sweater Refashion #3-4

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

First I cut off the sleeves of the chiffon top making sure to leave enough to fold over and finish the insides.

.

.

.

.

.

Shrug+ Chiffon =Sweater Refashion #3-3

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Pin the front and back to the chiffon blouse. Luckily, the lines of these 2 garments matched perfectly!

.

.

.

Shrug+ Chiffon =Sweater Refashion #3-2

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Sew the edges down, cut off the button, sew up the buttonhole, and I am almost done!

.

.

.

.

Shrug+ Chiffon =Sweater Refashion #3-1

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

The last step is to baste and finish the inside sleeves to the seams of the sweater.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

I love the outcome! When I wore it to work and out on my errands for the day, I had so many compliments. Refashioning is a passion and an addiction. I just love it! I have not shopped in the mall since, well, I can’t remember the last time.

.

Over spring vacation I want to hit some thrift stores further away like Burbank and Huntington beach. I need more subjects for my fashion laboratory! FUN 🙂

.

Happy Easter and Happy Sewing and Refashioning!

.

Mary