Creative Repair

So the last Creative Repair was applique. This one is stenciling. Aside from worn spots in clothing, I also find mysterious stains on them. I mean really, I don't remember spilling that much. You'd think no one would let me out in public if I was such a sloppy eater.

So for those weird mystery stains, I turn to stencils. These are a great and creative way to hide the fact that you are messy. Who's to say you didn't buy your pants that way huh?

Any stencil will work. I found a great book called Stencil 101 by Ed Roth. Tulip fabric paint has worked for me with great success. Just follow the directions on the bottle. Using a spray adhesive on the stencil keeps the paint from bleeding underneath and don't forget to heat set it with an iron after the paint is dry. No problems in the wash.



The nice thing is you can add more stencils as more stains appear. I think I'll try different colors till I achieve that graffiti look.

Creative Repair

I have the hardest time finding pants that fit. If they fit in the hip, then I'm left with a big gap at the waist in the back that I could fit a walkie talkie in.
It seems that pants nowadays are straight from the waist down like guys' pants. It's like women don't have butts anymore. Who are these flat butted, no hip having women?

So when I do find a pair that fit, I wear them till they wear out. And where do my pants always wear out? Why on the inseam. Thighs. It's because of my thighs. (I tried to come up with some clever joke about friction and starting a fire, but they all sounded dirty)

Hence my new found talent,creative repair. Rather than throwing out a perfectly fitting pair of pants, I patch the holes. Now I could, and have, patch with the same color fabric, but why not take this opportunity to be a bit creative?

So with this pair, I decided to patch down both inseams with a floral print. (It is Spring you know) The result is something different looking that solves the threadbare problem.

To do this repair job, I cut 2 panels from a floral fabric and iron Heat N Bond on the back. Then I iron my patches to the pants. Next, I ripped open the outside seams so I could sew around the patches. I know some people will roll up the leg to fit it on their machine, but I find it's easier just to rip open the pant leg and then sew it back up afterwards. Especially with long patches like I'm using, but I do this with patches on the knees as well.

I will use a large busy print for repairs in case (oh who am I kidding? When.) this fabric gets a worn spot. I cut a large piece, in this case a big blossom, and sew it over the existing patch. This technique will also work for covering stains. That's right folks, pure class over here!

For more info check out Craft: they have a series of posts on mending and repair.
enjoy.

Nu Shoes

To my delight, I learned we have a Steve Madden here in Denver.
So of course I ran out and spent a ridiculous amount of money on some super high wedges. I got brown since I already have some Steve Madden knock off wedges from Target in black. Brown shoes (especially studded) always evoke more of a western vibe to me so they usually go with jeans. I also tried them with my plaid drop waist dress and a little denim swing jacket.

It seems that my dresses are all about 2 inches shorter than I would like.
Not sure how that happened.
I'll add "making a slip" to the growing list of things I want to accomplish while the baby is with grandma.

I'm back at the library more so I can break out the pretty clothes more often.
Nothing groundbreaking here, a t shirt and jeans.
This shirt has all the detail in the back, so I wear it with my hair in tails.
My 1969 jeans and island hut shoes topped off with a flower for a springtimey look.

I bought this dress and cardigan at Target and am in love with them.
I wear them over pants for a more relaxed look, and with boots when it's a bit warmer.

same look. two color ways.

Socks with open toe shoes. Always been a favorite look of mine.

My interpretation of Rodarte Spring 2011.
This is an infinity skirt I made years ago with some fabric that I couldn't bear to cut into.

Rodarte Spring 2011

Here's that western shirt again. I think I want to take it in at the sides so it doesn't feel so loose.

I don't know why I never thought of these pants with this dress. I'm certainly no stranger to pattern mixing. I'm liking this one so it will be added to the rotation.

A little chilly again today so more layers. We made a trip to the ARC today to drop off donations and sadly the Erte tank top didn't make the cut. I've held on to it for years and it just wasn't inspiring me. Maybe someone else will have more luck.

This cardigan polka dot combo was a favorite of mine when I was at the library.
I found the shirt at a Goodwill and took it in. All of these pieces are years old. When i find something that fits, I wear it out.

These are the most expensive shoes I've ever owned. They're from Anthropologie and I love the carved wooden soles. They remind me of Carmen Miranda.

Living in Colorado means layers since the weather can change by 30 degrees in one day.
You also need to carry a messenger bag to hold your layers as you peel them off.

Rodarte Spring 2011

Now this look I like. I got this sundress a couple of years ago and never wear it without a shirt underneath. Too much cleavage. I also like it belted ala Michael Kors. I tried bagging the dress above the belt, but it added more bulk than I needed. I have plenty of bulk on my own thankyouverymuch.

Michael Kors Spring 2011

Marc Jacobs Spring 2011

This one is sort of 'meh'.
I like the tank top because the pattern is Erte-like, but I'm still not sold on how it fits.
I also look really hippy in this pic. Hopefully that's just my funhouse mirror.
Let's just go with that.

I love dresses over pants. I know a lot of folks don't but I do and I'm glad that they are back in style. (Not that that's ever stopped me before)

Chanel Spring 2011

I know I wasn't supposed to buy anything more, but I needed a white t shirt. That is a closet staple and I didn't have one. I love this sequin tank top but it needs layering. I'm also loving my Steve Madden knock off wedges from Target. I think this whole outfit, save the tank, is from Target.

I've also been Shrinky Dinking like mad lately, and cannot stop making chandelier earrings. I am teaching a dink class at the library next month so I will probably be burnt out by then.

Today's ensemble is nothing exciting. Everything old except for the sequin tank top that I got on clearance. I do like the cuffed pants with flats. It's sort of my nod to Audrey Hepburn.
I used to dress much more kooky when I was at the library. I was always striving for the 'naughty secretary' look. Then we opened a doggie daycare and my wardrobe became junky pants and a t shirt or sweater. Now I've decided that I will treat every opportunity as a party. I will dress up to go to the store and save the boring stuff for working around the yard.

Much more exciting grocery store wear.

Spring Cleaning = Refashioning

So the weather is warming up and I'm feeling the need to purge. But in the interest of cutting costs, I'm going to give my clothes one last chance before deciding if they need to be donated.

So today's refashion is a pearl button western shirt I got from a yard sale, 1969 flared jeans from the Gap, and last year's wedges from Target. It's sort of my Western Redux look.