Jus' Sleeve it

When I first started blogging on December 25th 2010 (yep not long at all) I had a butt load of clothing I'd never had the guts to refashion and nothing that seemed to suit my figure since becoming a Mum, and now nearly 5 months later?... ok so I still have a ton of clothes to refashion but I've definitely added a lot of cute clothing to my wardrobe that fits and suits me.

 The point to this ramble is that I've had so many lovely, sweet and inspiring comments on my refashions but for those of you new to refashioning or intimidated by cutting something that is perfectly wearable but not what you want to wear then where do you start? I didn't know where to begin 5 months ago so here's what I tend to do when looking at clothing.

What are the most dating elements of the item?

Usually the easy answer to this is sleeves/hemlines.

If it's a top I start by folding the sleeves behind the top/dress and pinning them, then see what I think about it. Usually I bite the bullet and hack the sleeves off, if you're a bit scared then start by shortening the sleeves, 3/4, elbow length, keep snipping off and see what you think.

To the victor go the spoils... if you are brave enough to go from wrist length to cap sleeve in one cut or even taking off the sleeves completely then you have two pieces of extra fabric to work with, these sleeves can be used to make completely different style sleeves, floaty sleeves, pleated sleeves, all within your grasp if you're clever with the fabric and pay attention to the grain line, it should generally be straight at the centre of the sleeve (shoulder to sleeve opening)

Sleeves are such an easy transformation to something you don't wear, yep it sounds like a copout but try it, it's totally true. Without further ado, here is an almost too simple refashion of a top I once loved but now didn't suit me. What did I do? I just cut a straight line from a couple of inches past the shoulder seam all the way down to the elasticated waist then sew this up. Bingo a new top, from batwing to floaty sleeve, two lines of stitching and 5 mins work. I defy anyone not to find this simple.

I love a complicated refashion as much as the rest of you but the old adage 'keep it simple stupid' has so much truth to it.

Crafty home update: Still shifting boxes down to the sewing room but should be getting the Dressmakers dummy back up and sewing machine plugged in in the next few days, then it's back to business.

Thanks for sticking with me folks, and hi to my lovely new readers.