RECONSTRUCTED CLOTHING
My daughter’s wedding was only a week away but I was STILL at a loss for what to wear to her reception. In desperation I bought this sweet little top from Anthropology. I could justify the $118.00.
My plan was to wear it with a vintage beaded cardigan, which I already own, forever thanks to my husband’s grandmother,
and a skirt I found new with tags on, at a second hand clothing store for $9.00.
But the longer I thought about it I began to be annoyed at the dry clean only $118.00. It seemed like throwing good money after bad. Even if I probably can “afford it”, I don’t enjoy burning cash like that. If it’s not a deal, it’s just not that fun.
So last Saturday, with the wedding clock ticking, I found some plain cream colored t-shirts, in a really nice silky knit, at TJMaxx for only $5.99 each.
Tempted, I remembered learning about reconstructed clothing while attending a Relief Society meeting in Oregon. Heidi at www.franticallysimple.com shared one of her many great SKILLS when she taught the women in her ward how to make play dresses and baby leggings from recycled t-shirts. What I needed was an inexpensive washable copy of the Anthropology shirt, and these Ts felt like the answer.
Now, I sew about as well as I cook, but determined to give it go. Purchasing enough shirts for the reconstruction yardage, I could of sworn I heard dear friends and comrades quietly crying in the distance, “Stop Liesa! Don’t do this! There isn’t time! You’ve never done this before! For the love of that last cranberry cake that ended up in the trash, THIS ISN’T GOING TO WORK!”
Cha-ching.
First step was to tighten up the neck of the t-shirt. I grabbed some leftover elastic from the total chaos of my sewing Rubbermaid, and zig-zagged that puppy in place. “Great, now I have a really comfortable pajama top.” But I didn’t give up.
(I warned you about this.)
Slashing a second t-shirt into strips,
I added a slightly less pleated ruffle, sewed the soggy bow-ties together for the front, and finished the neckline with a $3.00 piece of lace.
Don’t get me wrong, it took some time but the finished product wasn’t half bad.
I’ve happily returned the remaining t-shirt and shipped the $118.00 dream top back home where it belongs.
Mother of the bride, for under $25.00. Thanks Heidi!
Tags: SEW easy, something out of nothing, sometimes it works out
January 28th, 2010 at 8:00 am
Dang Liesa, that is good, WAY GOOD!!!!!
January 28th, 2010 at 8:35 am
Wow! Absolutely beautiful.
January 28th, 2010 at 9:46 am
WOW! So where do we send our t-shirts, so you can do that to them?
January 28th, 2010 at 11:25 am
It honestly looks ‘way’ better on the chair than it does on me. Should have made some different choices about four months ago. Still trying to learn how to diet! Thanks Kris
January 28th, 2010 at 12:08 pm
That is AWESOME!
January 28th, 2010 at 1:12 pm
No Laura, and I’m saying that from a place of love. This one adventure worked out but I think there had to have been wedding angels on my side. You should try it!
January 28th, 2010 at 1:13 pm
Thanks Elizabeth! I’ll be embarrassed if everyone at the reception comments on my awesome shirt. (soooo needy…)
January 28th, 2010 at 1:18 pm
Thank you so much Jenna!
January 28th, 2010 at 2:03 pm
Even if it had turned out like the cranberry cake (which it didn’t–what a knockout!!!), I am sooo impressed that you gave it a last minute try. Sweet success!
January 28th, 2010 at 2:24 pm
Thanks Kristine. It was a last minute try, and even more nuts because we’re under major construction at my house. (Fools and babes.)
January 28th, 2010 at 11:56 pm
I was really nervous when I read the comment about the cranberry cake (your baking “adventures” crack me up
but it turned out great! Have fun with the wedding!
January 29th, 2010 at 7:47 am
Either I am going crazy or is there really another Kristine out there who really does spell her name the same as me?!
January 29th, 2010 at 10:39 am
Anne, you think YOU were nervous? Those silly baking adventures haunt me! Thanks for your good wishes~
February 3rd, 2010 at 7:06 pm
That link didn’t work for me…
February 3rd, 2010 at 9:31 pm
Which link didn’t work for you, Erin?
February 6th, 2010 at 9:51 pm
Love your blog!
Just thought you’d like to know that the link in your post is supposed to be http://www.franticallysimple.com/
February 6th, 2010 at 11:52 pm
Ohmygosh. It took me almost 20 minutes to figure out that silly spelling error on the link. Thank you Laura!!! And sorry to Erin for being so slow. “Which link…?” Dah!
(It takes a village.)
February 7th, 2010 at 2:22 pm
Outstanding! I love to sew and sometimes, we all need courage.
That is truly a work of art. Well done!
February 7th, 2010 at 2:29 pm
Thanks Carolyn! I wore my $15.00 shirt to church today and felt so happy that it worked out. I’m sending a hug right back to you.