Refashioning

Hyperion wants to be a king for halloween. I asked Mr. Gaia to check Target for a costume because I'm lazy - but no go.

So, off to the thrift stores I went. Looking for something red and silky that could be fashioned into a cape.

I've written about Wardrobe Refashion before and now I find myself in thrift stores looking at items figuring out how they could be reused. I spent a lot of time fingering the cotton sweaters, looking for extra large sweaters in a thick weight yarn, before deciding I needed to use up my stash before considering buying a sweater to frog for yarn. Besides, they were all white. Which has lead to me spending a ton of time searching out how to dye cotton yarn (too bad kool-aid doesn't work on plant fibers).

Anyway, back to the costume. I ended up with a red graduation robe. I figure I can take it apart and get a kids' sized cape out of it. I looked for some kind of fake fur, but didn't find anything, so I'm going to have to work on that one. Maybe some white felt? I have a red sash that I'll pin to a dress shirt for him, pin on a few medals (I have a few and I think I have trappings to fake a few others), put him in dress trousers and he's done. My only issue now is I'm not sure how to wash the acetate graduation gown.

Oceanus is going to be Harry Potter again. This is the 3rd year in a row. I can go along with it. It's easy and cheap and it's what he wants to be.

Halloween costumes has always been the only time my creativity has emerged. I once made a triceratops costume out of styrofoam cones, fun foam, a head band and glue. A bat costume was made from cheap black remnant fabric and a black sweatsuit. An incredible hulk costume from green knit pants and shirt with a pair of girl's knit purple pants (cut to look like they were torn - with the cut off ends pushed into the sleeves to make muscles). And a Link (from Zelda) costume made from an adult's long sleeved green shirt, white tights, felt and brown paper bags. No one knew who he was (everyone guessed Robin Hood) but he was happy. I'm hoping I can pull off a similar success this year.

Sewing

So, I pulled out the sewing machine last night. I actually did manage to thread it and get the bobbin thread to work. I grabbed an ugly, oversized advertising t-shirt, a crayon and a shirt that fits the way I like.

I drew around the shirt I liked onto the shirt I didn't. Then I sewed zig-zag on the crayon drawing. I didn't necessarily mean to sew zig-zag, but I, um, well, I get impatient with instructions. Then I decided zig-zag isn't such a bad idea on knit. Then I figured out how to get it to stop sewing satin stitch.

The shape is fine below the armpits. From there though? The shoulders still droop on the arms and look really wrong. So I think the next step is to trace the neck line of a tank top I like and cut it out and then sew a hem there. I've been toying with the idea of using a piece of t-shirt of a contrasting color to add a little interest. I also need to shorten it by about a foot. But I'm a little shy about actually cutting the shirt, so far everything I've done is reversible.

I did find a couple of pairs of shorts at the thrift store. I realized just how much weight I've gained, though. I grabbed four pairs of shorts that should have fit and 2 pairs that should have been a little big. Yeah. The two pairs just fit and the others wouldn't close at all. My waist is still fairly trim, but my belly is getting quite large. So, I'm back to tracking my eating on fitday.

Wardrobe Refashion

Some of my favorite bloggers are doing (or have done) Wardrobe Refashion. This idea intrigues me. I've spent the whole weekend ignoring Mr. Gaia to read the archives.

They make it look so easy. I want to try sewing. I have a sewing machine in my closet that I got 12 years ago. It's been out of the box once - to make sure it worked. I don't even know how to thread it anymore.

Here are the projects I want to try:
1) Fixing a stained t-shirt that fits like a dream and is the best color for me - but it got hit by some Ben & Jerry's New York Super Fudge Chunk ice cream. In two spots. The main idea I've gotten it to cover the spots with embroidery - which I don't know how to do.
2) Make an a-line skirt out of a yard of remnant fabric I have. I think it would be enough for a shortish skirt and then I could crochet an edging on it (I do know how to do basic crochet). I love a-line skirts and they appear to be the most flattering for me.
3) Remake a nice heavy silk blouse that currently is just a huge square with huge sleeves. I suspect this once had shoulder pads, given the way the shoulder drapes. I think if I took it apart and then found a pattern for a fitted blouse I like, I could use the buttons and buttons holes already on the blouse and remake it from there. This would require learning to sew (I have sewn before, but it's been close to 20 years) and learning to set sleeves.
4) Take in some t-shirts to be more fitted and flattering. This appears to be the easiest remake from the comments in the archives.
5) Remake a really long unflattering skirt into a nice a-line skirt. There is so much fabric in this skirt that I think I could get a really nice twirly skirt out of it. More than the simple a-line skirt that I could do with the remnant.

I'm basically already doing the pledge. I haven't bought any new clothes (other than pajama pants) in months - just thrift store clothes. But I'm not sure I'm ready to fully take the pledge - mainly because I wouldn't be able to post refashions and currently can't do pics (I have a feeling Mr. Gaia may get me a camera for my next birthday but that's still 2 months away).

Biking - no biking today as it was raining, AGAIN! Here in the subtropics we're not sure what to think. I've seen a ton of idiots mowing their lawns today - in the rain. I guess they don't know how to handle rain and the lawn needing to be mowed. We did take a short walk, though.