kcwc - day six! Pink zebra

I like stripes, she likes pink, so I guess this upcycle fits both our tastes :D.

I got this long sleeve T-shirt at the thrift store because I couldn't pass a shirt that had good quality material, was pink, had stripes, was looking new, and cost about $2.00. I don't remember the size, but I would assume it was small, because it didn't fit me. I didn't think of taking a picture until I realized it was going to be a challenge to get what I wanted out of that T. I can be quite preposterous in my assumptions of how much a piece of fabric can yield... So as soon I it sank that it would require some meticulous planning, I took the shot, and the T was already disassembled. It was a raglan V-neck. V was quite low and had a dark red fine ribbing band around it. I cut out the ribbing and the arms. 

Then got my favorite T-shirt pattern - the raw edge raglan from the book Sewing for Boys, by Shelly Figueroa. I placed the pieces in a way that I could take advantage of the hems of the original T and match the stripes front-back (Please excuse my pattern weights....) The V-neck was so low that I didn't really have enough fabric for the my neckline, so I made do...

Then I cut some light pink jersey knit that I already had to make the sleeves (a little longer than the pattern calls for). I used the original neckband, but because it was long (remember, it was a low V-neck) I had enough for my neckband plus a little for fold up sleeve bands.

And here is Ms.G's raw edge raglans (sans raw edges) The neckline gathered a bit because of the original v-neck, but I actually like it this way.

                                     

And that brings me to day six of  kcwc - it was time to tackle the sleeves of the original T.

I thought I'd need a large band on top and a gusset, but because this fabric is so stretchy and the sleeves were so long, all I needed was a waistband, which I made out of the pink jersey I had. I used an existing legging as basis for how long the rise should be, and cut in a way to match the stripes in the center. When I had cut the sleeves out of the shirt, I purposely cut them as a square on top, and as wide as I could, because I knew that the sleeves wouldn't have enough fabric for her hip area, that gave me enough to work on.

And here the result: 

                         

                    Front

Back

And what was left? This is all. I don't think I ever used up so much of an original item when upcycling.

And here on Ms. G:

                      

And today she decided to put on the whole outfit together.... Tuca said she looked like a pink zebra. What can I say? I like stripes, she likes pink.

And there you have it: one T-shirt and a pair of leggings out of one long sleeved small T.

One happy mommy and one happy daughter.

Good night!

Elisana

kcwc day five - vintage high yoke charmer for Ms G

Last night I worked on Ms G's vintage dress that had been sitting in the "work in progess" pile for about one year. The original plan was to have the 3 munchkins dressed in the same fabric for baby D's dedication in church. I had the amount of fabric needed for 1 dress, 1 jumper and 1 pair of bloomer/shorts (I had intended to make something for me out of this fabric, actually, but changed my mind....)

I cut all three, finished the jumper, and by the time I was halfway through the dress, baby D outgrew the size I had cut his bloomers! I ended up putting the dress away unfinished and Tuca wore his jumper throughout the season.

But better late than never! Without further ado:

                                             

 

I also made this headband. It's vintage cluny lace that I dyed and stitched to grosgrain ribbon . It ties in a bow.

I thought you might want to see the jumper, too :) So here is Tuca last fall, happily waiting for the Mister to take him to his first day of preschool.

But this year, baby D took ownership of it. All I have left of this fabric is a strip about 6 inches wide, but I better whip something up or Tuca will be left out, now that Baby and Ms G have matching outfits.

And I ended up not having time to work on the upcycle. That will come next!

See you tomorrow

Elisana

kcwc - day two! Vintage top for Ms. G

Phew! This was a little more work than I anticipated. I've had this fabric for s couple of years, It's very lightweight cotton. I had it cut since last week and was able to finish it last night. But this morning, when Ms G tried it on - it just looked wrong...
I had made it 3/4 sleeves length, so I considered shortening them, and as I was measuring I decided to just get rid of them altogether. Wow, what a difference! This fabric is way too busy for top+sleeves.







I used  Vintage Simplicity 8284 from 1977, which my dear friend Kate gave to me a while back. I already made Ms G pajamas using this pattern, and this time I opted for using a tab instead of the optional pocket on the front slash- and then it just begged for a button...

I also shortened the shoulder length and made the body a bit longer. I finished the armscye with bias tape.

And what's in store for tonight?

It's partly cut, let's see how far it will go!

See you tomorrow!

Elisana