Used Couture

And a year passes...

2008-12-31T14:30:00.000-08:00

It's been 2 years since that fateful day that the idea, of the Used Couture challenge, came to me. And a year since I thought I was through with it. I often find myself in awe of how much time has passed. Where did it all go! I don't know! I guess, it would probably be better for my health of I didn't think about it to much. I never realized that this is what it would do to me! Sometimes I hate it, but mostly I'm terribly in love with it.

Some things have changed drastically, others haven't at all.

I still don't like buying "new" clothing. For that matter, I don't even feel comfortable buying clothes from thrift stores, that resemble items one might find at the mall. I don't want to dress like everyone else! I know that it is probably impossible to be the one and only, since there is a ton of people around, but I would prefer to not meet one. Few and far between is the way I like it. If I don't have a unique and individual style, then it would probably be a good idea to find another calling.

So, I've gotten pickier in regards to what I like. And even if I do like some item, if I didn't design/sew it myself, I feel a lot of contempt towards it. (Vintage items are in their own category, and I don't have any qualms against them) Why would I settle for something designed by someone else (in the last 50 years)? Treason, is the word that comes to mind. I don't want to like what other people make! Though these feelings are probably only a symptom of my insecurities. Do all designers feel like that once in awhile, or is it a sign of failure? Okay, well you might have noticed that I have a lot of self doubt. Which is kinda driving me crazy. You might have noticed that too. : P

There is nothing that can describe the feeling that comes with getting a new design idea. "On top of the world" is the best I could come up with. And I suppose that applies to all crafts. Though sometimes I wonder if these "ideas" I get, are actually just variations of things I have seen in the past that are now floating around in my subconscious. People say that there is nothing new under the sun, so I suppose that this is true.

The main thing I've been into lately is handbags. I suppose a big reason is because they seem simpler to me, and that I don't have to deal with fitting. Any size person, can were any size bag. Not that they should, but they could! And the other factor that plays a part, is that when I walk into a store now-a-days, I find myself hard pressed to find anything that is remotely unique.

I guess that is really the key to this whole mess, I'm not satisfied with the apparel and accessories that are available. So what does a girl do in this kinda predicament?! Well, start making lots of experiments, and follow every single bit of inspiration you get, and if that idea starts to dwindle and taper off, then cut you loses and get on to the next idea. Not every idea is a success. And it's okay to have a ton of unfinished projects, I let mine get me into all kinds of mental pickles. I gotta remember sewing used to be fun, and it's only the silly critical things I say to myself that are making it torture.

For every beginning, there is an end.

2007-12-31T21:37:00.000-08:00

Ahh! Just a few more minutes and it'll be over!!! (this required three exclamations) I've gotten so used to saying "No!" to myself, whenever I got the urge to buy something from a regular retail store. You do something for a whole year, and it'll get to be one heck of a habit.

I've got this weird sad feeling, I feel like I'm saying good-bye or something.

Just the other day, Grandma Jenny was commenting on the change in my shopping habits (she's a long time thrift store shopper). I used to hate going to thrift stores, as matter of fact I hated the word "thrift". Though it wasn't always like that either. When I was really little, when my Dad was going to college and we lived in the student family housing, at the rec. office they had a "free box" that my sisters and I loved to dig and crawl through. I also remember, when I was 9 or 10 years old, going to the Salvation Army and looking through the shoes and having no problem with it. But then something happened...Ugh!...I turned 13 and was now a teenager. My priorities got so messed up. I'd somehow gotten the idea, that if I went to, or was even in the parking lot of a thrift store, I was "uncool". I used to give my mom the hardest time about it. "Whew!" sure am glad I got over that. And I hope that when I'm 40 years old, I don't look back and cringe at the ideas I have now! Why do some of the things that I did, or thought, when I was younger, and at the time seemed perfectly reasonable, have to seem so ridiculous now??? Though, I suppose it would be worse, if those things still seemed reasonable......that'd be pretty sad.

And you know, now that it's all over, I'm not sure that I could go back to shopping at the mall or Target, etc. I don't think I could just go to the store and buy a shirt, it would probably bother me to no end that any other girl could walk in and buy that exact same shirt. I don't want to wear what they think is going to sell. That's for anyone who wants to be "in style". Not me, I want to wear what I think is neat or funky, and be making the styles....or....at least....not dressing like everyone else.....Goodness, what did I do to myself?

Though, I do plan, as soon as I can get to town, on buying a pair of jeans. I have only one and my legs get cold in cropped pants and skirts. It's terribly difficult to find a pair that are long enough at the mall, let alone a thrift store. I've lost count of the number of pairs I've tried on, and over this entire year I've only found one that fit! What's a girl to do?! Though I was out somewhere the other day, and I noticed that a very high percentage of the people mulling around were wearing jeans. And I thought "maybe I should just wear skirts", I don't want to look like everyone else! Now, I don't think I'll go that far, but I should think two pairs would be enough.

The challenge may be over, but Used Couture is not. I plan on shopping at thrift stores, altering and making my own clothes as long as I have two hands to do it with.

Green High-waist Skirt w/ Purple Sriped Button-up Shirt

2007-12-30T17:40:00.000-08:00

Stripes again! Though these ones are going vertical rather then horizontal : )
I've never found a button-up shirt that's sleeves were as long as my arms are. They're pretty much always a good two inches short. So I roll them up. And you know, I actually like the look of it anyway.
The shirt I picked up at Goodwill. And I think it even had the "sale number" on the tag! Saved a whole $2.00 (shrug).
Though, when you come across them, there is something fun about getting a neat item for a quarter or less, or at least for me. I always imagine that I live a long time ago, and that it's the normal price : ) I know, that sounds kinda weird.
The skirt, I was so pleased to find. I believe it's older, maybe from the '60, in perfect condition, and 100% virgin wool. And that wonderful shade of green, not some dull gray or brown, but green! (of
course, there's nothing wrong with gray or brown, and I would probably even buy it, if it was like this one).

Blue and White Striped Crew-neck Sweater

2007-12-30T16:42:00.000-08:00

As I've said before, I love stripes! Especially blue and white ones.
This is another terribly comfortable cotton sweater. I don't care how adorable something might be, if I can't wear it and think of anything other then, I'm wanting to rip this thing off, I just don't wear it. Of course it can go the other way too (comfortable, but every time I look in the mirror I want to...like I said above).
And no holes! At Salvation Army, after I
had tried it on, I checked if over 3 or 4 times to make sure. I liked it so much, I was afraid I might over look some.
Dressing rooms are one of those things that can get on my nerves. Do they think that a person will be comfortable removing their clothing inside there? I suppose they really don't think about it. At some places, I don't even like to put my purse on the floor. Then again sometimes I have to, the door won't lock and so I kinda set it in the way, then if someone tries to come in, they will see the bag and get the idea "oh! someone's in there". I know, that sounds kinda dumb. I did asked my sister to stand guard, but she said, she hadn't had any problem when she'd used it, and she was going to go find the bathroom. And so, the purse was my only defense against intruders.
Outside of those really cold days, when the wind blows right through the looser knit of a sweater, I like them better then sweat-shirts. They've such a nice texture to them. Plus, at thrift store, I don't come across very many sweat-shirts in pretty blue and white stripes : )

Gray and Black Deep-V Top

2007-12-19T10:31:00.000-08:00

When I first saw this top, I wasn't sure if I really wanted it. I loved the design, but I was pretty sure the fabric has quite a bit of polyester in it. I was afraid it would kinda feel like wearing a plastic bag. I was at the Free Store when this shirt and I crossed paths, and so it being free, I decided it wouldn't hurt to take it home. And well, I was wearing it around the house yesterday and I was pleasantly surprised, it was actually pretty
comfortable! I did not feel like I was wearing a plastic bag!
Now I don't want to give anyone the wrong idea, in past posts it may sounded like I hated anything but natural fibers, but that's not so, t-shirts that are 50% cotton and 50% polyester are my favorite kinds. Synthetic fibers have there place, as natural ones do.
I love the deep-v neck line, and it has such a nice waistband.
There has been something bothering me about this shirt and I think I just figured it out, the buttons! I will have to see what I can find to replace them with.

Red Hip-Length Sweater

2007-12-19T07:11:00.000-08:00

My sister Susan actually said that she liked this sweater! It took me entirely by surprise. Usually I get theses funny grins and shakes of the head. She doesn't like to come right out and tell me....."Sister, you look like a weirdo!" (her style is much more conservative then mine). After she gave me the thumbs up, I had to get it!
I used to not like the color red at all, and now I've really no idea why. It's such a
pumped color, I'm becoming very fond of it.
A person can always have to much of a good thing, but some bright colors mixed with some more neutral ones makes an outfit so much more interesting. Of course my motto is "rules are meant to be broken" so I may contradict myself in the future (but don't mistake rules for laws, and there's not to many of them).
This sweater is made out of ramie and
cotton, which I really like. I'd been wondering what ramie exactly is (I did know it was a plant), so I checked on Wikipedia, and apparently it's native to eastern Asia, and is one of the oldest fiber crops, having been used for at least six thousand years. And now I know.
Anyways back to my lovely sweater, it has two rows of cable stitch going down the front at each shoulder and has a nice long torso
ending just below the hips, which kinda gives it a unique look. The only thing that I'm not entirely happy with...is the buttons, I think I might swap them out some time.
Also a note about natural fibers, I find, that they seem to hold their color a lot better and not get all the little pill things like synthetic fibers sometimes do. Of course both natural and synthetic are susceptible to getting holes. And I would
say that the synthetic fibers are a little more stain resistant.

Navy Blue Skirt w/ Large pockets

2007-12-19T05:58:00.001-08:00

I found this skirt on the dress rack at our local goodwill, in its past life it had been a jumper like thing. Now I usually like jumpers, but this one made me look like a dork, so off went the upper half. The only thing that had been holding the two parts together were 3 buttons in the front and back, so removal was quick and painless.
On each side of the skirt there is a large pocket, that I think look pretty funky.
After examining the seams and such, I've come to the conclusion that it was homemade. So I don't know if they meant for the pockets to kinda hang out in the way they do, or if that is why it was at the thrift store. But neither do I really care, because I like it.
The fabric is corduroy with little paisleys all over it. Since it has been so cold, I've been steering completely clear of all skirts made with any light weight woven materials. Wool, denim and corduroy provide so much more protection against the friged wind. Put a pair of long underwear underneath and your ready for anything! Even getting stuck on the side of the road because you smashed up the car on a icy bridge, like I did.

Light Pink Ramie-Cotton Sweater

2007-12-18T17:51:00.000-08:00

You know, I just realized that I look nice and warm in that photo.........I wasn't though. It was definitely coat weather. Though the gloves were keeping my hands warm.........or at least the palms of my hands.
I really like the feel of knitted ramie-cotton. Not nearly as itchy as wool can be, or at least this sweater isn't. Super comfortable. I really like the neckline on this sweater,
the short collar that kinda stands up and the all the little buttons going down the front. I also like how there is the two rows of cable stitch down the front and down each arm. I don't know exactly why, but sweaters that have some kind of waist band almost always appeal to me more, verses those with no waist band. The ones without often seem frumpy.
Usually a person might want to avoid wearing colors that are close to there own skin tone, or worse, in my case, something that might be a little more tan then my own skin tone, thus making me look pale-er, and vice-versa. The pink color of this sweater is pretty light, and next to my skin it makes me look a little darker then I might really be. Or at least thats my theory : )
And I might have said this before, but remember to watch for holes, especially in sweaters! Just because it came from a thrift store, doesn't mean I want it to really look like it did. (and that's a whole n'other thing that really gets me*) You would think I'd have learned by now. I must be in to much of a hurry.

*It has always been a mystery to me, why some people send things to a thrift store that really belong in the trash? And on top of that, how the people who price the items can expect to get that same amount for it as some of the other, more worthy, items? I mean who's really going to buy the beat-up "used to be white" gym shoes? Let alone pay $2.00 for them..............Oh well.

Bright Red Flats

2007-11-19T18:48:00.000-08:00

These are probably the neatest thing I have ever found at a thrift store! I'd been doubting that I would ever find a pair of shoes that I liked and that actually fit!
I love the bright color. I like how the toe area is real short and how the sides are low. And that thin strap and little buckle are very cute.

Perseverance! That must be the key,

keep checking back and your bound to find something neat.

Striped Turtleneck

2007-11-19T17:34:00.000-08:00

In my opinion, turtlenecks are an essential winter time garment. I know they're not for everyone, my little sister tells me that she is tired of them. But I simply love them! Especially the ones with longer necks.
This one is navy blue and red
striped, and is terribly comfortable.
I've found that the Lands End brand is my favorite. Others get full of little pills or the color looks washed out, but ones that are made by Lands End seem to really hold up, and still look wearable after its found its way into a thrift shop.

Button Up Skirt

2007-11-19T16:05:00.000-08:00

I don't know about everyone else but I find skirts very comfortable. Something about the loose fabric brushing against your legs. And of course they're very feminine.
I really like the button detail down the front of this one. It's a
kind of denim or twill, which is very nice for the colder weather, keeps your legs warm! Looks really nice with a pair of boots and leg warmers, or even a pair of flat shoes and leg warmers. (I love leg warmers!)
I've made it a rule for myself to
always try skirts on before I buy them! I've taken to the dressing room a ton that thought I liked, that is until I looked in the mirror!

This one I got for $0.99! I love thrift shop sales.

Blue and White Shirt, Gray High-waisted Skirt

2007-11-08T18:50:00.000-08:00

This top is simply the most comfortable thing! And of course it's blue and white striped! Button-up shirts are just one of those things, whenever you find one you think you like, gotta try it on! Almost impossible to tell if it will fit right while it hangs on
the hanger. Some will fit like a dream, and others, like a nightmare!
And I love this skirt! Ever since the weather turned colder, my instincts to keep warm seem to have kicked in. I find myself putting the more light weight
cotton skirts back on the rack, and trying on heavier denim or wool skirts instead. I love the high waist of this one, the pockets are great and quite handy, and the pleats (sometimes they can look just horrid) are in just the right place.
I know it's all my fault, but lately I have been plagued with holes in the skirts I buy. In two of them I have recently discovered holes! Thankfully both are small and not noticeable and the skirt still usable. But still, I have learned my lesson, and will
check each item more thoroughly before I buy it!
The belt is great! It's made out of what seems to some sort of grass fiber. I am always on the look out for neat belts, they can really finish an outfit off.

Blue and White Striped Polo Sweater

2007-11-08T17:35:00.000-08:00

This I actually picked up at what is called the "Free Store". A person could just take whatever they wanted for free! I felt kinda weird leaving without paying, so I left a donation instead.
I love those big bold stripes! I have no idea why, but I am
crazy about blue and white stripes. I have this shirt and another, three skirts, and numerous yards of fabric. All striped blue and white!
I love the little pocket on this sweater, my sister says it annoys her, but I think it adds a bit of interest, not to mention handy to put things in!
It's kind of a light weight knit fabric (so great for layering), not jersey though, but definitely made mostly out of cotton (natural fibers are great!). Very comfortable!

Sweet Shades!

2007-11-06T14:42:00.001-08:00

You can find the neatest sunglasses at thrift shops. I simply LOVE these! I might never buy a pair from a regular store again!

Green Scarf/Shawl

2007-11-06T14:14:00.000-08:00

When it comes to scarfs, what retail stores supply has always been a disappointment to me. Even in thrift stores I don't come across to many that I really like.
This one caught my fancy, so much so that I even bought it
though it smelled musty, like it had been in the back of someones closet for the last 10 years (which I'm glad to say washed out nicely). I do love green (which is funny because I've read that a lot of older people like green), and I like that it's a solid color (I really don't like the ones they have in the stores that are all fuzzy and sparkly, would look fine on a child, but not me!). And I love the bulkiness of it, I think it might actually be a kinda narrow shawl, but works perfectly as a scarf!

Floral Sweater

2007-11-06T13:14:00.000-08:00

Colder weather is here!
It's kinda weird, all summer I would probably tell people I don't like sweaters at all, and I truly don't at the time, but now that it's getting a little chilly out, I find my self buying them! But not just any old sweater mind
you, I do have a standard.
I really don't like the feeling of sweaters made out of acrylic, and they're usually pretty cheap in quality, so I pretty much steer clear of them. Wool is good, can tend to be itchy but not always, or maybe cashmere! Anything natural is alright in my book.
And myself being as tall as I am, and not as thin as a twig, I tend to avoid sweaters that are made from a heavier yarn, which just adds unsightly bulk to my frame. This one here is about as bulky as I'll go. It was one of those things, as soon as I saw it I knew I'd have to have it, love at first sight I guess. I think most people, who know me, would probably have said that this was not something I'd like, but I do! I really like the deep V shape that the embroidery makes, love the embroidery! The colors all look great together and are not to springy. I'm terribly fond of turtle necks, it's got a nice wide waist band and cuffs, and the sleeves are long enough!

Red Knit Top

2007-09-09T20:12:00.000-07:00

Red is such an interesting color. It has so much personality. I have to say, that a vibrant cherry red is one of my favorites colors.
I usually don't have much hope when it comes to red tops though (most just drain my skin of any color), but I was pleasantly surprised with this one. The shapes in it were what induced my to try it on. Kinda has a '50 look, especially when worn with my cuffed peddle-pushers. I really like the little tab on the collar, and the cuffed waistband. The fabric is a nice soft jersey material. You can pretty much bet, that if a shirt finds its way into a thrift store and the jersey is still bright, soft and isn't covered with those little pilly things, that it's pretty good quality fabric.

Corduroy Pedal-pushers

2007-09-09T19:45:00.001-07:00

Here are my second pair of peddle-pushers. This time I used a pair of tan colored corduroy pants. They have a bit of stretch, which makes them very comfortable.
There was a point though, that I thought I was going to have to toss this pair. While at the store, I had overlooked a small hole in the knee area (I simply hate buying something, and then later regretting the purchase, whatever the reason). Luckily, I was able to just make a slightly larger cuff and cover it up. And I've learned my lesson, I will do a better job checking the items over, before buying them.

Duffle Bag

2007-08-16T13:07:00.001-07:00

This is such a funky bag! I am always keeping my eye's open for bags to use when traveling. I seem to always get to a point were my bags refuse to contain another thing, and I have to get out a wal-mart bag to throw the rest of the stuff in (though some people I know, might say I just need to leave more stuff at home).
One thing about buying traveling bags from thrift stores is that most of them have had a lot of wear and tear. About a month ago I came across these two matching suitcases, covered with a large blue and purple floral print. Looked like they came right out of the '60s. I was so excited when they first caught my eye! But as soon as I got them into my hands I knew that I couldn't buy them. They were in terrible shape. It was so disappointing.
Regardless! I love this bag! And I always wondered why they called them duffle bags.

Baby Pink Sweater

2007-08-16T12:27:00.000-07:00

I am a bit of a lazy person, and often find myself wearing t-shirts and sweatshirts. Some clothes a person just can't be lazy in, you've got to stand up straight, suck you stomach in, and walk correctly, lest you look like an idiot. Items that can add a bit more style to my basic wardrobe of t-shirts and comfy cargo pants are something that I am always on the look out for.

This here pink sweater I picked up at St. Mary's Goodwill (my favorite thrift shop!), and is a bit more interesting then your regular sweatshirt, but still just as comfortable. And it's actually made out of a t-shirt like fabric, which is great because I can still wear it when its a bit to warm to put on a regular sweatshirt.

Bright Beaded Necklaces

2007-08-16T11:51:00.001-07:00

I really like bright bold colors. And sometimes when whatever I may be wearing seems a bit blah, beaded necklaces are a quick and easy way to add a bit of fun. I've picked up several necklaces over the last few months.
The only downside, is that when you're grocery shopping with a 4 year older (my sister) or younger, and you have to keep bending over to either remove something from her hands or remove her hands from something, and you're already trying to keep a purse on one of your shoulders, they can get kinda in the way.

Large Floral Bag

2007-08-12T08:49:00.000-07:00

Ahh, just the right size.
When I passed this bag at the thrift store it caught my eye right away. I quickly took it into my hands, and put back the necklace that I had been contemplating purchasing (was way over priced for a being at a thrift store).
Perfect! I don't come across bags that I really like very often. Most are just too small, and I have to say I abhor those little purses that hang down at your hip on a thin little strap, you know, the ones that are covered with zippers and pockets.
What I really like about this one, outside of the bright floral print, is that I can open it up so wide, I can easily dig around at the bottom. A big plus for me!

Cuffed Pedal-pushers

2007-07-31T19:59:00.000-07:00

The first time I'd ever heard of any sort of cropped pants, I was
told they were called pedal-pushers. And when I found out that they were actually called capris, I was a bit disappointed. I liked calling them pedal-pushers. So these are my pedal-pushers.
Whenever I shopped for jeans, I always had to go to the Buckle in town to get any that were long enough (unless wanted to look like I was expecting a flood). And with this challenge, I had little hope of ever finding any that fit (and I haven't, yet). But! I got an idea of a way to utilize those jeans that if I was 3 inches shorter would have fit perfectly! Crop them.
I simply love how these came out! And they are just the thing I needed in my wardrobe. I have quite a few pairs of those more, baggy I guess, capris, and needed something that was more fitted, and that would look nice with my more loose fitted tops (of which the more baggy capris looked terrible with).

Green Skirt

2007-07-31T19:29:00.000-07:00

I really like this skirt, I absolutely LOVE the color! And it's very comfortable!
I can't, for the life of me, remember which thrift store I got it at.
But regardless, I simply love to wear it. There was nothing that I
could do to make it better.
Skirts were something that I almost never wore before this challenge, now I find myself wearing then more often than pants. Maybe it's just here, were I live, but the stores nowadays don't really have any skirts that appeal to me.

[Edit: I can not believe it! I riped a hole in my skirt! I was wearing it when we went to see the county fair. I walked by this large rusty fan and got caught on a piece of wire sticking out of it. The rip is about the size of a baseball. At first I wanted to cry! And then I was just mad, why do I do that?! I already have two pairs of pants sitting in my mending pile with similar holes.]

Teal Cardigan

2007-07-31T19:11:00.001-07:00

I picked this super cute cardigan up at a garage sale for less then a dollar! I love garage sales!
I was so afraid that it would end up being to small. But I got home, took out the shoulder pads, and slipped it on. Yay! it fit!

This is definitely one of my favorite buys so far. I can't wait for the weather to cool off a bit, so I can wear it without sweating. Very hot here!

Simple Jean Skirt

2007-07-31T18:37:00.000-07:00

Now this was a very simple alteration.
I took one of those skirts that are supposed to reach the floor, but don't on me (one of the many consequences for growing so tall)(I'm 5'11''). And cut off a good 12 inches from the bottom. I didn't bother hemming it, there is something about the raw edge that I like.
It is terribly comfortable to wear. And, I could not be happier with how it turned out.

Blue and White Striped Skirt

2007-07-31T18:13:00.000-07:00

Ok, well I've gotten mixed opinions about this skirt. Of course you can guess I must like it, since I'm wearing it (when I come across something I don't like, I want to get out of it as soon as possible). One of my sister, Susan, told me that she would never wear it. Now Susan and I don't usually like the same clothes, that is unless its a vintage 1950's dress (then we tend to agree). And then Mom said that she thought it was fine (Mom usually thinks what I wear should go back to the thrift store were I found it).
So now I'm second guessing myself. Did I delude myself into thinking that this looked nice? Should I put it back in the "make something out of this stuff" pile? I have to say that I think I still like it. I cannot turn away from my sense of style. I will wear it!

P.S. purchased it at Salvation Army

Yellow Dress with Purple Belt

2007-06-04T18:22:00.000-07:00

I was searching through all the dresses at the Goodwill, and the second I spotted this one I knew I could do something with it.
It had been several sizes to big, so I started out with taking it in on each side. I'd gotten one side all taken in, and was working on
the other. And that's when it came to me, Uhh! I'd forgot to take a before photo! And I was not about the take it all out!
Oh well, anyways, I also altered the straps quite a bit (before, they made my shoulders look really wide).
I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. And I really like the color, such a pretty yellow, like a sunflower yellow or something. And of course the belt is also a thrift store find.

No sheet!

2007-05-13T18:09:00.000-07:00

Yes, another dress I made out of a sheet, that I got at a garage sale. This one has gone under several re-drafts, and I even put in a zipper, I had no other choice!
If I could have foreseen all of the problems I had, I would have
done a few things differently. But, in the end, I am still okay with it, I will still be able to wear it and it did end up pretty cute. And now I know that what I had planned doesn't work, I can try again on another sheet. Of which I have two, that I got at
Goodwill, waiting on my sewing table.

Blue Straw Bag

2007-05-13T17:42:00.000-07:00

This here I picked up at St. Marys goodwill, I like the pretty robin's egg blue and the natural look of woven straw, great for the warm seasons. I had been having second thoughts when I first got home with it, that maybe I have to many bags (did I say that?!). But after I tied that scarf (from the same thrift store) around the handle and took another look at it, it was a bag for me!

Yellow Gingham Dress!

2007-05-13T16:36:00.000-07:00

This here dress is made out of the same sheet set that I made the Yellow Gingham Skirt out of, and I'm also lining a purse with it, will post that when I finish it.

I love the empire waist! This was also going to have a full
length skirt, kinda like a modern Regency Era dress, but after making a few mistakes in the cutting process (several really) I had to shorten it. With the feelings I have towards zippers, (avoid them like the plague) I made it with an elastic waist
band. And the red belt I got from Goodwill! (It is so funky!)
After much trial and error, it turned out really nice, I don't think I could be happier with it.

Bright Yellow Necklace!

2007-04-28T15:30:00.000-07:00

I found a great necklace at a local thrift shop, isn't it funky! I love the color, and all the knobbly little beads, it almost looks like coral. Very summery.

X-LARGE sunglasses!!

2007-04-24T18:47:00.000-07:00

These are a wonderful pair of sunglasses I picked up at the Goodwill. Arn't they funky! My sisters just grin at me when I ask them what they think, but I think they are the coolest! : P lol!

Deep-V Sweatshirt

2007-04-22T16:24:00.000-07:00

I actually posted about this shirt in my other blog, before had I started this one. But, it being Used Couture, I thought I had better mention it here aswell.

I've got a couple of those shirts that have a deep V-neck in the
front and back, and I really like how they look. While at a thrift store, I got this idea of cutting out the neck of a regular sweatshirt to achieve the same look. Take any old (or new) sweatshirt, fold it in half and starting at the point or center-front of the neckline and cut up towards the sholder. The only other thing you need to know is to make sure you under estimate the depth and width of the neckline you want, because it will stretch!

Floral Bracelet

2007-04-07T18:30:00.000-07:00

I love the bright colors, and gestural flowers on this bracelet, perfect thing to wear in the spring, of course I would probably wear it anytime of the year! I picked it up on a recent trip to the Goodwill. You can find some of the funkiest
accessories at thrift store!

Pink and Black '50s Style Dress

2007-03-25T20:04:00.001-07:00

I love the style of this dress, kinda '50ish, found it at the Salvation Army. Which surprised me immensely, I hardly ever find anything there.
And I actually got two dresses, of the same style, the other one is black and bright green, and
sits on the repair/alter pile, the hem just didn't look quite right. I think I like it a bit better out of the two. It's the color, I just have a thing for green.
Now I just need a place to wear it, I'm afraid that out here in hillbilly country, those kinda
ee-vents don't cum round to often.

Thrift Store Find: Three Hand Bags!

2007-03-14T16:05:00.001-07:00

Aren't these funky! My sister and I picked them up at a local thrift store for a couple bucks each. I have to say the blue one is probably my favorite, though the other two aren't far behind.
The only problem I have with these types of purses, and clutches in general really, is the fact that I cannot fit, all the junk I find necessary to haul around with me, inside of them. So they are really not sutable for me to use when I'm out shopping for
example, but they work great if I'm just going to a wedding or one of my little sisters music recitals.

Yellow Gingham Skirt

2007-02-26T15:44:00.000-08:00

This skirt here is the kind that is cut as a large circle, with hole in the middle and then you just attach a waist band. The fabric I used has been a top sheet, that I'm sure we must have picked up at a auction somewhere. I love the way it drapes, and twirl
so nicely! And instead of hemming, and adding that bulk around the bottom, I used some of that glue like stuff that stops the edge from fraying (brand: Aleens, Stop Fraying. I get it at Hobby Lobby), I used it also on another skirt, that I have washed
several times and it seems to be holding up really well.

The only drawback with these kind of skirts is, that I wouldn't recommend you venture outside on any windy days, you will spend most of your time holding it down, lest the world get a view of your polka-dotted undies! Or better yet, wear a pair of leggings underneath.

Deep V top, with splattered tee and a funky skirt.

2007-02-04T21:19:00.000-08:00

This outfit is entirely used couture!
The blue top is an old sweatshirt of mine, that I cut the neck out of, in a V shape, (note: cut the V a lot small/shallower then you think you will want, because it will strech quite a bit!).
Underneith that, is a t-shirt, that I spattered paint on (which I absolutly love the look of). And last, the skirt had been a large piece of fabric that I think came from an auction (it might have been a sheet) And since zippers seem to have a pact with the
devil to destroy me, I used elastic in the waist band (love elastic, hate zippers!) And you can't see it but, the skirt ends just below the edge of the picture, which makes it about about 4-5 inched below my knee. I love the feel of the fabric it is made of, kinda heavy.

Another wonderful surprise!

2007-02-04T21:06:00.000-08:00

This skirt was also in that box of fabric I got at the auction (explained in last post, titled "I LOVE these dresses!!").
I love how high waisted it is. And the fabric, I really like the combination of brown and black, with a few hints of blue.
It reminds me of a 1950's skirt. LOL! I am so glad I bid on those boxes of fabric!

And here is a bracelet I got from the Goodwill in a nearby town, I saw it, and I loved it! LOL! It is so funky!

I LOVE these dresses!!

2007-02-04T20:58:00.000-08:00

Are these not the cutest things! I love them!
About two weeks ago I was at an action, I had my eye on several boxes of fabric that they had, I was trying to get as many as I could, for about 2-3-4 dollars each, and of course I
was bidding on them for the fabric, not knowing these where inside! And they both fit me perfectly, I was so glad! I believe they where both homemade, and next to these, there are a couple other, half finished dresses. LOL! I think they are so funky.

Slouchy Green Shirt

2007-02-02T13:09:00.000-08:00

This here is a funky shirt I made, it's basicly two sides, back and front, sewn together (illustrated below). I got the idea from another shirt I own, it has that kind of slouchy shape, but it has a V-neck and the sleeves are longer.

To make it, I first folded my
piece of fabric in half, and then did the same to the insperational shirt, laying it on top of the fabric, then outlined it with chalk, after getting rid of the shirt, I altered the outline I had just drawn (adding the turtle neck and such). Next I cut it out
and sewed it together, Done!

And how do you like my funky secondhand, beads and orange bracelet? lol!

My Blue Dress!

2007-01-26T16:01:00.000-08:00

This is a cute little dress I made yesterday. The top half, is a t-shirt that I had lying around, I cut it at about where an empire waist line would be, with about 1 inch of seam allowance, that way I could later make a little channel to run elastic through.
The skirt half, is as you can see, a plaid flannel, I gathered it first, then attached it to the t-shirt. And to complete the dress, I added a navy sash around the waist.

Navy Turtle

2007-01-22T13:26:00.000-08:00

Here is a navy turtleneck I put together, I used two tee's I bought at a local thriftstore as the fabric, and I made the pattern up. I have to say that it ended up being just a bit smaller then I wanted it to be, and Abi (in the pic) being a bit smaller then me got it, so that worked out, I guess, though she probably has more clothes then a girls needs : P Most of which are my cast off (the things I "grew" out of), LOL!

P.S. the bag on her arm is a basket I got from my Mom, who got it from a garagesale, and then I put the plaid lining in it, funky huh!

Ohh! Goodness!

2007-01-16T10:44:00.000-08:00

Ugg! I have been sick, sick, sick, and now it's cold, cold, cold. And we currently have no electricity.*pout*

So far, so good

2007-01-01T09:15:00.001-08:00

I wonder if I will be able to keep with this, I have the hardest time not buying something, if I really like it!

I guess we shall see.

This is a bracelet I made, It is crocheted embroidery thread. I really like the big brass button, it came from a tin full of buttons my Dad bought at an auction.
Sometimes you can find some really neat stuff at auctions. I got a really cute headboard for my bed one time, for just $5! I had to down size though from a queen to a twin (need more room in my room!) and the headboard was just to big for the smaller bed.