Thursday 12 June 2008

a make a day keeps the doctor away

Or keeps me happy at least.

It started out like this, a regular guys shirt.


Then I took it in, made it smaller and gave it a more femenine shape, cut of the sleeves and attached them to the bottom to ruffle it up and make it into more of a dress. Oh and added my favourite detailing du jour, the rolling-up-sleeve-strap-button thing.


Accessorised of course, with one of my tie-belts. (I have no idea why the picture is so small)

The sleeves into ruffle worked out better that I had imagined, I think I'll be on the look out for a couple more mens shirts to make some more. Along with this, I've been working my way through my alterations to-do list, which means this pink dress and this blue dress now fit me and are no longer lying redundant in my wardrobe. (The blue one is also minus the marks by the way!)

Oh and yesterday I found this in a charity shop, for the princely sum of 50p.

You might wonder why I should want such a thing when I have a fully functioning, fabulous regular sewing machine. Well, I thought it would be useful for akward bits of sewing, where you can't quite get the piece to like flat or something like that, and for when I make things like my shu-boots. I haven't got the right batteries for it yet, so I hope it works! And lets not forget, this is as seen on tv! Err..in 1976 that is.

18 comments:

estrella said...

It looks great, I'll try to do it some day this summer!

Unknown said...

WOW!!! That's realy clever!!!

Anonymous said...

Ooooh you did a great job: awesome!

Anonymous said...

Hey Sophie, came across your blog through a blog roll. Awesome stuff!

What you did with the men's shirt is really clever! I love how you made the sleeves into a bottom ruffle! Adds a sweetness to the over all dress. Did it take you long to complete this project? And I am with you on the roll-up-sleeve-button-strap thingy. Love them! And, I adore your tie belts! You're a resourceful talented young lady!

yiqin; said...

So smart of you to cut the sleeves & attach it at the bottom as ruffles! I love the different ways you can wear the shirt! Especially the one with the blue tights! It looks great over jeans too :D

soph said...

thanks so much to everyone, such nice comments!

Junkshion Junkies- wow, thank you! I didn't take too long, I'm not sure exactly because I wasn't really looking at the clock. The long bit was, as with a lot of sewing, the ironing! But I'm going to make another one, so next time I'll record how long it takes

Anonymous said...

Yes the ironing is a pain innit? Please do let me know the estimation of a project like this yeah? I would like to try something like this one day but I feel rather daunted by the complexity. And you obviously have patience! I on the other hand, have to work on that!

I really enjoy reading your blog. Don't do an Agathe on us anytime soon yeah? Heh.

Toodles Noodles!

Sharon S said...

Hi Soph-thanks so much for stopping by my blog!! Wow, you are so very creative and stylish-this is an excellent top-well done!! Would you like to swap links-I'm adding you to my list!!

soph said...

-Junkshion Junkies, I will indeed let you know. And it wasn't too complicated really!

-Sharon Rose, love your blog, have linked you up :)

Wendy said...

You are quite magical at sewing! This men's shirt turned cute dress is so original.

Kool Thing said...

Your sewing skills put mine to shame! And KEEP THE BOX for your little sewing machine! It's probably an antique! You could take that to auction in another 20 years and get lots of moolah for it!

Marte said...

Cute dress :)

Jana said...

I love this - totally something I would wear. I really want to try my hand at making my own clothes, but I haven't touched a sewing machine in years...

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