Goodwill

This Thrift Store Find Needs No Refashion!

April 28, 2013 By Mary Peterson 2 Comments

Hi Everyone!

One of the best things about thrift shopping and refashioning is that I can afford to take fashion risks and choose things I wouldn’t even look at ordinarily. Typically, I would choose my wardrobe based strictly on need for the basics. Don’t most of us do that? We put ourselves on the back burner because the car needs tires, the kids need this and that…you know how it goes!

Size 16 to Size 8 Refashioned Blouse

April 21, 2013 By Mary Peterson 4 Comments

Hi Everyone!

Size 16 and frumpy, but I see potential.

A few months ago, I found this size 16 beauty at my local “Goodwill” thrift shop. It was not my size but I could picture a great blouse when I saw it. I was careful to check it out from top to bottom. The biggest thing about purchasing white shirts it to make sure there are no yellow underarm stains. You want gently used or preferably unused.

Lace Dress Refashion

April 11, 2013 By Mary Peterson 4 Comments

Hi Everyone!

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I coveted this look for quite a while but could not even think of buying it new. The lace tunic pictured was $238 retail. Yikes!

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Finally, the perfect dress appeared at “Goodwill.” I had to pay $7.99 for it but I was sure I could make it work. Remember, this is LA and even Goodwill is expensive! I liked the fact that this lace had a stripe pattern. I don’t like lace to come off as “wedding” or look like a tablecloth or curtains. [Read more…] about Lace Dress Refashion

70’s Style Tunic Refashion

April 1, 2013 By Mary Peterson 3 Comments

I purchased this for a whopping $3.99 at “Goodwill.” The tags were still on and it had never been worn! Retail value: $32.00

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This garment was a size large, 🙁 but it was from a junior manufacturer. This means it was not meant to fit a 53 year old mother of two LOL!

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My solution? Add some gussets on the sides. That gave my curvy hips more room while giving the illusion that I am a little skinnier. Love the magic of color blocking!

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I have paired it with my retro bell bottoms ($9.99 from “Old Navy”) and a necklace I made myself. (See below) The purse is a long ago purchase. I can’t even remember the price or where I got it, but it is a denim friendly shade of blue and a basic barrel style. The boots are the brown version of what I like to call my “faux stillettos.”

Shrug + Chiffon = Sweater Refashion #3

March 29, 2013 By Mary Peterson 2 Comments

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!

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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?

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

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Here is the result of the mix!

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FOLLOW THIS TUTORIAL:

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

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

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

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

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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.

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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 🙂

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Happy Easter and Happy Sewing and Refashioning!

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Mary