Today I signed up for it. We’re talking 6 months of making new stuff from old stuff. I’m game! I got a head start this month as I tried my hand at sewing my own clothes for the first time. Here’s one shirt I made from an old skirt I bought at the Gap several years ago. I wore the skirt on my graduation weekend. It was a size ZERO!!!
I can’t believe I ever fit into it…although, I’m remembering, it smooshed my internal organs quite a bit. I must have found it on sale. Anyway, I used Simplicity 4589 for the yoke and kept a lot of the fullness of the skirt. I suppose it can double as a maternity shirt at some point (but not yet, for goodness’ sake!).
So I may be dressing like a dork for the rest of the year, but I will be a handmade dork! Somewhere along the way, I hope to acquire a sense of style. I can tell what’s fashionable when the clothing stores put it on the racks, but I’m not sure that I can make it from scratch. We’ll see. Everything I’ve made so far smacks of the country side of “Town & Country.” I’ll attempt to make more “town” looks in the future, since I don’t actually live on a prairie.
Oh, and expect to see more pictures of me gazing awkwardly out of this window. :)
The Pledge
I, Kristena Derrick, pledge that I shall abstain from the purchase of “new” manufactured items of clothing, for the period of 6 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, renovated, recycled, crafted or created item of clothing on the Wardrobe Refashion blog, so that others may share the joy that thy thriftyness brings! Signed Kristena Derrick.
June 23rd, 2008 at 1:44 pm
fun! I can’t wait to see what you come up with. I’m so nervous to try sewing clothes…I’m not so good with following patterns or figuring them out for that matter.
June 23rd, 2008 at 2:15 pm
You go girl…and, btw, you look absolutely gorgeous! Mom
June 23rd, 2008 at 2:38 pm
That sounds like a fun challenge! Can’t wait to see what you come up with!
June 23rd, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Your skirt turned shirt is really cute!
June 24th, 2008 at 11:53 am
This will be very interesting! You’re so talented. :)
June 24th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
It will be fun to see what you whip up, honey.
June 24th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
If only I had the courage to join you I have mountains of fabric but I just never find the time- maybe I should reaad less blogs! Also not shopping could be really difficult my fingers can type my credit card number automatically! I shall keep popping back and see if you come up with anymore lovely ideas!
June 24th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
HI! What an awesome idea!!! Julia told me about your site & craftiness- thanks for inspiring her (I am her Mom). Keep up the great work, can’t see what you come up with next.
June 24th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
The shirt is adorable. Fixing up old clothes is genius. I should try it. Okay that’s it, I’m doing it. Thanks for being such an inspiration!
June 25th, 2008 at 10:16 am
Whoa. You are one brave lady. I love the shirt, very inspiring.
June 25th, 2008 at 11:06 pm
You guys are all so nice and encouraging!
Amanda, I can’t wait to see what you come up with. Please share!
June 27th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
I’m kind of late responding, but I did want to make a couple of comments. First of all, good luck! At times, I have spent money and time on making outfits from scratch, only to find out I hated them. At least, you will not be spending the money, just the time.
The other thing I wanted to say is that I made Evan a coat when he was two using the lining of one of his dad’s coats as the outside and the lightweight denim of a coat I made to line his jacket. I have a really cute picture of him wearing it…somewhere.
Anyway, I applaud your challenge and look forward to the results (and the poses in front of the window).
July 9th, 2008 at 9:08 am
i want that red and white one but the neck line would have to be a little lower for me..lol…because i am so short!