Introduction to Wardrobe Refashion (copy)

Hello Everyone! My name's Nicole and I'm currently living in Edmonton, Alberta (Canada). I'm a graphic designer and an avid shopper. But no longer! Last spring I held a clothing swap and contributed 5 large garbage bags full of stuff. I recently realized that after a move this summer that I still haven't unpacked some clothing. And so enough is enough. I'm not an accomplished sewer (seamstress I suppose would be the real word) and actually I don't think I've done anything with a sewing machine in over 10 years, but I'm up for the challenge. I also taught myself to crochet (me and the internet that is) about 2 years ago and so I expect to finish some projects that I started ages ago and also try and diminish my growing yarn collection. I've signed up for 4 months and with all the amazing inspiring creations and refashions I see on this blog, I don't expect it to be nearly as hard as it's probably going to be. Guess we'll see.

Oh, I suppose this part is important- I have a friend who is interested in opening a store (boutique meets co-op) where everything being sold has been created from something already existed. Refashioned bliss! So if anyone is in the Alberta area and possibly interested in being involved, please drop me a line. Or if anyone knows of any shops that already do this, it would greatly help my research.

I'll be posting other projects of the interior design variety, more in-depth posts on the sewing projects, and links for my "to-do" list as well as various sustainable/green stuff I fall in love with on my blog here. (self-referential link!)

I will end with my first project in the works, I've started this and will be posting pics when I have something that looks like something. Happy refashioning!

Nicole

Wardrobe Refashion - 4 month pledge

I , Nicole, pledge that I shall abstain from the purchase of "new" manufactured items of clothing, for the period of 4 months. I pledge that i shall refashion, renovate, recycle preloved items for myself with my own hands in fabric, yarn or other medium for the term of my contract. I pledge that I will share the love and post a photo of my refashioned, renovoated, recylcled, crafted or created item of clothing on the Wardrobe Refashion blog, so that others may share the joy that thy thriftyness brings! Signed, Nicole.

First official refashions.

Parachute Tank with Ribbons (tie at the shoulders to whatever length you desire).


Tube Top with ties in back, parachutes in front.

Pillowcase Tube Dress with empire waist (courtesy of ribbon) and screened parachutes.

Screenprinting goodness Part Deux

Well our screenprinting night o' fun was last night. and we screened to our heart's content. Here are some of the "finished" products (in quotations because I still plan on refashioning from them).





The pillowcases will become either sundresses or part of a patchwork totebag. The t-shirts: underwear as the link I posted earlier suggests.

I'll post pics when I have the final creations assembled.

Screenprinting goodness

Exciting event ahead which will hopefully get my butt into refashioning gear: Love Those Clothes You Wear , a SNAP fundraiser. Artists submitting wearables get 50% of the profits. Next tuesday me and some ladies are heading to SNAP to print some of our designs onto clothing (or fabric to become clothing). I will post pics of the results.

A project. That I did. Myself. Without inspiration or help.

Collaged tins have long been collecting themselves in my house. Tins are so handy! But often, sooooo ugly. And I tend to save things. Like clippings from magazines. And glorious amounts of random paper that has some intrinsic value (see: confessions of a packrat). And I usually have glue around the house, and if i'm lucky some shellac or varnish or other clear & glossy-drying coating. Clearly the natural evolution is to put them together. Like so. This one isn't varnished yet, but will be.

The secret I find to a good composition is not going overboard. Yes you have a million bits of paper. Try only using a few with coordinating colours. Also edges, very important- it's much easier to glue a straight edge onto the straight edge of the tin than ragged ones, where you might have to trim. Less work is more. Also, the numbers are vinyl ones I had from some sign thingy (someone was selling their car and gave me the leftover stickies).

On the To-Do List

An upcoming project?
Check out the site to see the inspiration:
Veneer Wall Decor
(and notice the costs of the kits which is more inspiring to DIY than anything)

I figure I'll need wood veneer, my trusty xacto and some type of re-stick adhesive. To Home Depot!