Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Guest Judge: Justine from Sew Country Chick

Hello Project Run & Play readers!
 
I'm Justine from the Sew Country Chick blog and a contestant from last season.
When Liz & Elizabeth asked me to guest judge and write a post this week I was thrilled because upcycling is one of my favorite types of sewing projects! I call it SUSTAINABLE SEWING.
Tablecloths, sheets, mens shirts, old sweaters and curtains...I've made dresses from all of these materials....
 
I also adore working with original, vintage patterns and have quite large stash of patterns, one of which I sewed from my men's shirt that I will share with you today.


Mens shirts are a great resource for cheap but high quality fabric. I once refashioned a Liberty of London top I bought at the thrift shop for two dollars while that fabric sells for forty dollars a yard in fabric shops!
You might be surprised how many fabric pieces you can get out of just one men's shirt:
This little blue dress I made from my men's shirt is sewn from the 1942 sewing pattern shown below.
Would you believe I fit 22 pattern pieces onto this one men's shirt. And yes they are all on grain!
I didn't have enough fabric for two pieces. Oh well!
If there's one tip to remember when it comes to refashioning men's shirts, it's to make sure you cut out your pattern pieces ON GRAIN. If you don't you will wonder why your sewn piece twists and turns in a funny way.
I would love for you to stop by my blog where I have  prepared a special post for you all. I will be sharing some of my favorite vintage pattern and upcycling projects. I hope you stop by!

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11 comments :

  1. This is so awesome. And now I have commenced freaking out about the look I *just* finished making.

    You rock Justine, so hard!

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  2. Justine, this is so cute! I love the red rick rack and mary janes.

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  3. I love those heart buttons! You'd never know it was a men's shirt now. Great job.

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  4. So, super cute, Justine. I think I have a vintage pattern similar to that one. Awesome!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Shannon. I figure, why reinvent the lightbulb when we can just look to the past for inspiration?

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  5. This is ADORABLE Justine. Very inspiring!

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