Hello and introduction

Hi! Thanks for letting me be a part of The Thrifty Garde Robe!

I'm Melissa and I live in Maryland with my husband and our 4 kids. I love to sew and I try to find time to do it as much as I can, which isn't easy. My mom taught me to sew when I was a little girl, but it's only been in the last few years that I've taken it up seriously again. I signed up with Wardrobe Refashion last year, but my 3 year old son became sick soon after my term began, so I ended up not doing much sewing, let alone posting about it. Now, nine months later, his treatment has ended and he's recovering nicely, and I have a little more time. I thought about re-signing with WR, but was disappointed by the new changes. I am glad I found The Thrifty Garde Robe and the opportunity to be a part of a community of such talented people! I've lurked occasionally on some of your blogs and have been so inspired.

I'm finishing up a skirt using McCall's 5631. I hope I can get it done soon to post about it!

Cardigan refashion from Hazelnuts

It's taken me ages to post over here but at last I have something to say so here I am!  I'm Jacqui from Hazelnuts.  I've been participating in Elsie Marley's Kid's Clothing Week Challenge and did this cardigan refashion for my daughter as part of that.

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My daughter Hazel's size 110cm (about a 5T) cardigan.

Originally it looked like this:

I see that the original photo was taken way back in October last year so it's taken me awhile to get around to it!  I was inspired by a clever cardigan refashion by Tiny Happy who told me it wasn't that hard and actually it wasn't! This is what I did:

1. Cut off the sleeves and tried it on Hazel and pinned where I thought the shoulder seam/side seams would be.
2. Unpicked the neck facing or whatever it was called. I managed to get the overlocker seam to unravel by pulling random threads (is there a trick to knowing which one to pull? I only ever find it by accident or when it's unravelling clothing I want to wear in which case it's very easy).  This meant that, except in a couple places where I nicked it, the edges didn't unravel.  I undid the facing along the back and on the front just past about where I thought Hazel's shoulder seam would be.
3. Found a shirt pattern for a V-necked button-front shirt and matched the pattern pieces for the arm area and arm to the pinned positions as best I could. I do wish, however, that I'd had a good cardigan pattern to work from that was designed for knits as this one ended up being too big and the cardigan needs taking in.
4. Cut the pieces out and resewed with an overlocker.  After I tried it on Hazel I discovered it was fine along the neckline despite being too big around, so I went ahead and attached the neck facing and added the ruffle and buttons.  I sewed the ruffle on with a twin needle to give it a bit of stretch along with the knit neckline.  I tore the ruffle in long strips from the fabric so it still has the raw, slightly fluffy, edge.

Mat thinks the buttons are a bit OTT but the originals were so... late '90s know what I mean?  The only problem I ran into was that the original facings overlapped more than I'd assumed they would so I had to shift the buttons way over to the edge so the right ruffle there wasn't covered over!

The flower was made from a tutorial at Pink Paper Peppermints that I found via a lovely little dress on My Sewing Circle.  It's on a bit of felt attached to a pin.  This is the one I prefer; but I had made a smaller one from the stripy fabric that Hazel likes best so she can have that one on it (too matchy for me!) and I'll have the photograph and the memories...

Introduction from Tamara

Hello there, my name is Tamara Thomas and I am happy to be here to share my work of thrift, I'll call it. I am always busy with something and a lot of it involves using recycled items. Sometimes I have time for tutorials and other times I just share what I've made on my blog. Currently, I live far away from family and friends, and I like to keep them posted on what I've been doing, what the family's been doing and how my little boy is growing up. I must admit that I like to show off. I don't get much praise from anyone but my friends and family, so it's fun to get a word of encouragement from strangers every now and then.

I love to visit creative blogs to get inspiration and learn how to make new things, so I look forward to seeing everyone's projects here. I think I'm addicted to tutorials and craft projects. I must have a thousand files saved to my computer and I have plans to d0 them all. I'll have to live to be 150 years old, but I can still try, right?

Anyway, I will post my next refashion soon, but you can look at some of what I have been doing recently by visiting my blog, called Art, Adventures and a Toddler.

Now, I need to go and teach myself how to use my serger.

Bye, for now, Tamara

Hi!

Well, I've just joined. Been reading some of your posts and cant wait to join in, although I'm not too good at taking before piccies of things!

I've been a member of the WR site on and off for a while, but have been looking round for something similar but not just for clothes, and I found you. I knit, crochet (but not too much) and sew absolutely loads. My poor machine has been on and off the dining table for weeks. I dont have a fancy machine, just a few basic stitches and years of getting used to it! My mum taught me to sew when I was about 6 or 7, and my gran taught me to knit. I am hoping now to pass on these skills to my children and grandchildren (but they're a bit young yet).

I am a mum of 4, but 2 are grown-up with kids of their own, 2 little 'uns at home and 3 grandchildren. Being a grannie is great, but I usually have to guess their sizes when making anything as their mum's dont seem to own a tape measure (maybe thats a good idea for Xmas!).

I am very proud to say that this year I have made a good 95% of my daughters summer wardrobe, either from scratch or using old clothes re-used. I am in the process of making myself a shirt-dress for an up-coming wedding, but I decided to alter the pattern slightly which wasn't too difficult. Unfortunately the material I bought is a big, erm, slippy and it has caused a few silent swear words. I'll post a piccie when its done.

Right, I'll stop rambling and looking forward to reading more of your items, sharing some of mine and generally being part of this great community.
Caroline :)

Howdy Y'all

I had to do a quick intro and say hi since I jut checked my emails and am joining the creative juices with all of you. I can't even tell you how excited I am.

I'm B. Just plain and simple. One letter. It's super easy to spell. I'm a mama of two little ones, a boy and a girl, as well as a little angel. I'm a Canadian gal nestled in close to the Rocky Mountains who sews whenever life gives me a chance, it's my addiction in life, truly.

Recently I was peeking in my sparse closet looking for something terrific to wear when I noticed something sad, I had so little to choose from. I decided that I was going to change that and announced to my husband that I was going to have a whole new wardrobe and that I could have ANYTHING I wanted IIIIIIFFFFFF I made it myself. Not a bad deal I figure. My husband's a good man and agreed instantly. So, my journey to a new and fantastic wardrobe has just begun. What a perfect time to find you guys!

If you're wondering where else you can find me hop over to Sweet Limes. That's where I make myself at home and talk about anything creative in my life. I love meeting people through blogging, and finding those rare gems that you just click with. I promise I'm friendly and though I may nibble now and than I don't bite. You can say hi, ask questions, whatever you want.

Anyhooo....I think that's it you guys.

Cheers,

B

Just Wanted to Introduce Myself!

Hi!

My name is Nomie.  My real name is Naomi, but I honestly have never liked my name and have been called Nomie longer than I can remember so that's what I like to go with.  :o)

I'm 25 years old and I have a 5yr old daughter, a 2yr old son, and an almost 8mo old daughter.  They are my world.  I wouldn't trade them for anything.  Eventhough they give me a run for my sanity most of the time, I wouldn't have it any other way.  I'm married to my High School sweetheart, who I've known for 10 years.  We fight like cats and dogs, but we're best friends.

I have always liked sewing.  My grandma first taught me to sew about 18 years ago.  She sewed for a job so I think she was the best teacher.  I lost interest in sewing for a couple years and then got back into it when I had my oldest daughter.  I love figuring out how to recycle, reconstruct, upcycle used clothing to make it better.  It makes me feel good that I did it and it turned out okay.  :o)

I am addicted to sewing now.  I constantly have ideas running in my head for projects.  I have clothes that I'm going to upcycle, reconstruct EVERYWHERE!  My hubby hates it, but I will get through these piles of clothes/fabric!!  I'm glad I have another place to show my pride and joy creations!

I feel so honored that NinjaEema invited me to this blog.  I too was very disappointed the WR was going to be a paysite because I was planning on making a pledge this last Thursday.  But this site I think will take off!  I'm so excited to see all the craftiness and meet all you ladies!

~*Nomie*~

Warm Hello from Down under

Hi!

My name is Glenda. I'm 32, married and we're raising a 16mth old toddler. I live in Perth, Western Australia and love to make stuff when my tot asleep. Sewing will be a real challenge with a tot hugging your feet, tugging the fabric or knocking her head to the sewing table :)

When I was (a lot) younger, I use to watched my mother sewing bathrobe, quilt, placemat, blanket but loathed the idea of sewing, cross-stitching, knitting, embroidery, let alone doing it. But since my college years, I hate wearing the same clothes with other people and started refashion/upcycling/whatever you name it to make my clothes more personalized, with hand sewing. But as you know, hand sewing project will took ages to finish (at least for me), so I tend to forget/abandon/quit whatever I was working on.

For the last 10 months, I'm doing my project with an old sewing machine (second hand, bought on local ebay seller) but works just fine for me to learn more about sewing while I am saving money to buy a brand new one.

Now I can say I am addicted to sew. I love making things out of forgotten/un-used/unwanted clothes/fabrics, and I have made several garments for my tot who seems pretty happy with everything I put on her. I also learnt how to mend/shorten my husband jeans (and mine too) because it's saving money.

Thanks to NinjaEema who invited me to TTGR. I am sooo excited to be here and looking forward to get to know all the sewing ladies!!!

Cheers!

-=G=-

An intro

Hi to all. I live in Fort Worth, TX, where it's currently bluebonnet season!

I am thrilled and scared both to be officially a part of The Thrifty Garde Robe. I don't do wholly refashioning and recycling, because my daughter's costuming and my costuming and my husband's costuming wants do not always line up with what's in my stash. That being said, I do raid the stash first before heading to both my local fabric stores and thrift stores.

I am very bad at documenting projects from beginning to end, and I do hope y'all will bear with me as I make a commitment to do that for some things.

I have been sewing since I was 6, embroidering for about as long. I never learned to knit or crochet, but one day I will.

Currently, I have several projects going on: I am making Victorian-era garb for steampunk purposes, mostly to wear at local sci-fi and anime conventions here in the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex (which we loving refer to as DFW, by the way), a martial arts commission for my neighbor (sort of a ghi thing, but not really), and Vocaloid costumes for my daughter and friends to wear to Project A-Kon, a huge anime convention here in DFW at the beginning of June.

Also, I teach piano and voice lessons, try to take care of a household, and homeschool my daughter.

My camera is being "fixed" right now, but when I get it back, I will post pictures of the 1950s housedress I made from a vintage pattern and vintage fabric for Viva Las Vegas, which just happened over Easter weekend.

Hello Everyone

Hi ladies! After a few days of trying to accept my invite,(my browser had other ideas) I'm finally here! Many thanks to ninjaeema for her friendly replies to my requests for yet ANOTHER invite. Thankfully I finally made it! I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's creations and sharing some of my own. So, let the fun begin! I bought these shoes for my nieces. Cute, but kind'a boring.

 So I jazzed them up a bit.

I think they look much better with silk flowers!  Happy Sewing!   Anne

Hello & A Dress

Hi, I'm Misty. I've been sewing for about 2 years now. I wish I'd started sooner since I love it!

The dress on the right (dark pink and sage leaves), I made by creating a paper pattern off the one one on the left. (Which I found at a garage sale.) I used fabric purchased at my local thrift store. Lucky me!

I think I'll do thicker straps next time. For more about me and my other "projects" please come visit my blog. Till next time, happy sewing!

Hello!

Hi,everyone!
I'm Barbara and I make things. Of all sorts and types. And I'm glad I can share my creations with you! :-)

These are my latest finished garments. Top made from remnants and curtain pants. Yes, I used draperies. They were sunfaded red. I dyed them purple and then made the pants.

You can also find me at The Flowery Skirt blog.
By the way, you may want to stop by for a chance to play and win!

Ciao!
Barbara

Hey there!

I'm Cydney. The best thing to me about WR was checking out contributors' own blogs. Cool people with projects, gardens, families, interesting insights & stories and beautiful photos. I have lots of projects, many half-finished. It isn't that I have a problem with commitment, it's that I can't say 'no'!


I taught myself to knit 7 years ago and to crochet and sew 2 years ago. Once word got out, I acquired garbage bags full of fabric and yarn from grandmothers & friends, so I haven't had to purchase much, just find uses for all of it! I grew up watching my grandmother quilt by hand and loved her patchwork quilts and the little squares of funky polyester fabric I knew came from old dresses! I have two blogs, The d is before the n and Raleigh Street Fashion. I also have a fledgling etsy shop called Pens & Needles.

Introduction

Hello! Kelly here from fluffnnonsense, another WR follower gone awol. It may take me a while to figure this out so.........bear with me! So excited to be here, specially to support my new friend Limor! Yay!!

Hello Again

I wanted to re-introduce myself to everyone. I've been sewing for a little over two years. I was a hard core knitter before I figured out how to work my sewing machine. I mostly make clothes for my daughter, but I also make lots of items for myself. My great grandmother was a dress-maker by profession. She died when I was still young, but everyone always talks about what a wonderful seamstress she was. She could look at you and immediately know your measurements and dress size and she was always re-working her old clothes into something new.

I sew because I love sewing, but I also do it to save money. About a year ago, I decided that I would only buy fabric at the thrift store, on sale, with a coupon, from the remnant bin, or just buy old clothes and re-work them into something new. This strategy, along with garage sales and Freecycle, have really made sewing a money saving hobby for me.

I'm so excited to start sharing my new projects with you,

NinjaEema

hi- first up-cycle

well, on here!

I'm pretty excited to be here... i lurked on wr for a while and was getting ready to join when, well, we sadly know what is happening.

so.. on to re-fashioning!!

i really need to work on taking before pictures! but- this was a pair of nice, stretchy pants -

and now it's NOT!

this skirt will be for sale in my etsy shop as it is just a bit too small for me! i hope someone gives it a good home! but i have more skirts in the making and the next one--is for ME!

more info on my blog

I'll Be The First Into!

Hi I'm Merlin The Cat, (merlinthecat on Ravelry, knitty, etsy, and craftster) and I will be your lovely co-host on this fun filled crafty adventure! Let's see, where to start.... NinjaEema and I went to high school together were she fostered my love for crafts and pomegranates! We lost touch for a really long time, but thanks to Facebook we found each other where she encouraged me to cheat on my yarn. Now, a little about me. I'm am first and foremost a fiber artist. I've been knitting for about 6 years, spinning and dyeing for 5, and crocheting for about 4 years. I'm also a jewelry designer who enjoys reworking vintage pieces. I've been sewing off and on for about 3 years, mostly the last year or so thanks to NinjaEema! I love anything vintage, owls, gnome and creating clothing for my 2 girls (6 and 17mo). I can't wait to see every one's creations and meeting you! (don't be shy) :) I think that is it for now, I need to get busy so I have something to show you next time!

Merlinthecat