The art of Re-purposing.

What to do with an 80's jacket? Obviously no one wants to be found dead in them...
The 80's Style was marked by padded shoulders, big and wide sleeves that tapers at the wrist.
 

So, what I did with this jacket was cut off the wide sleeves- simple! Problem solved, however, the true test for creativity is when almost all if not all, fabric is recycled or re-purposed.

Here's what I did with the sleeves...nothing was wasted not even the cuffs.

The sleeves were really wide that it was big enough to make into a bag. Now with the environmentalism drive, ECO friendly, recyclable bags are ubiquitous in the supermarket...I don't have to buy mine I just made one.

As for the cuffs....

These are the options for  the cuff of the sleeves...I initially made into an arm band but later used it as the handle for the bag.

The process was very simple...no fabric was cut off . I used yarn of different colors  to hand stitch the two sleeves together and for embroidery and glued design.

Just cut the sleeves open, remove the cuffs and then use outline stitch to attach the two pieces of  "arms" together

More embellishments can be added if desired...but as for me this is pretty enough for shopping bag.

I did some embroidery to add my signature design and personality to the bag...but not necessary for practical purposes.

ain't that fancy....go ahead, make your own bag that speaks of you.

 As for the Jacket...

 

.....Stay in Style.....

Look of the day - Staying at Home

Staying at home is no reason to be sloppy. One can be comfy and yet still  stylish.

Here's my staying-home clothes today.

This is a color blocking style wherein bold opposing colors are put together, in this case - deep dark blue and off-white.  Color blocking, when  done and coordinated properly it could create an illusion of slimmer figure. Like this dress I made where the darker fabric is at the sides and the lighter fabric at the center makes a narrowing effect.

Color blocking may not be for everyone but I think as long as the design and the colors are properly positioned, it could be stylishly worn by any size and shape of body.

.....Stay in Style.....

Re-purposing project -a lamp decor into trinkets hanger

I was gifted with this boat designed lampshade made of wood, metal frame and some indigenous materials. It had its good days and now it's time to let it go...but instead of discarding it, I thought I could re-purpose it into something more useful and practical...and that's as a trinket holder....

Before

After

Alter Fashion 2

Have you ever had a piece of clothing that you've gotten sick and tired of wearing because You've worn it in different combinations and pairings possible or you simply cannot wear  them because the elastic band had become loose or the zipper is broken or a button is missing and yet you cannot let go of it?

We have so many reasons why we hold on to a dress, blouse or skirt or whatever item it maybe but unless we find a way for it to become useful again, it will only weigh us down..it will only add clutter to our space, and that is not a practical way to live.

I have here an example of one piece of clothing that used to be a Midi skirt. I had these for years and had paired it with different blouses and belts....until the elastic band weakened. Instead of replacing the elastic band, I altered it into a one-shoulder blouse as you can see on the picture.

There are so many possible ways to alter the skirt, but I wanted to retain the ruffle detail with  less sewing and cutting.

Let me know if you'd like me to show how this was done.

Stay in Style without spending.

Re-purposing an old Men's denim

I find it most exciting and interesting to re-purpose Men's Denim because it has more fabric than Ladies denim, thus more potential.

Here's my take on re-purposing Men's denim.

First is the direct and most common...turning it into a pair of shorts...you can distress it if you like but as for me, I like it more feminine and refine.

The rest of the fabric can be turned into a dress just like I did here....with some fabric from other re-purposed pants, I made a color blocking slip dress.

 Not to waste the rest of the fabric, I turned the cut-off seams into a head band. Like so here.

Hope you like it and I would like to know your comments.