The way life always twists and turns and brings your words back to haunt you amuses me. Remember that post I did on Wednesday about my intentions to try and stick to my goal of finishing one project before hopping onto the next? haha! Because late Thursday night inspiration struck, and I had to try out an idea I had for altering a garment I was about ready to Freecycle.
I totally blame Anthropologie for this momentary lapse of memory regarding “self-imposed rules”!
[ the plain, rather boring "before"... excuse the bad lighting!! I took it at 10:30 at night... hehe! ]
I got the newest catalog of luscious, inspiring springtime garments in the mail the other day, and finally got around to looking through it more closely. I noticed this sweater, which bore a striking resemblance to a wrap I purchased at H&M back in 2006. I wore it to death that summer when I went to California, and then layered it a lot the following winter. But, I had gotten bored of the “blandness” of the material, not to mention I kinda hated the fact that it was so long and quite heavy. The fabric was always getting in the way or caught on things!
So it was about ready to go out, but instead I grabbed my sewing shears, chopped 12” off either side. I found a pretty, vintage, machine-made lace in my stash, that was nice and wide and in good condition. I lined the scalloped edge along the cut edge of the cardigan, sewed a double line of very narrow zig-zag stitches, and trimmed the cardigan edge close to the stitching. Not only has it become something much more in tune with my wardrobe’s look, but its a lot lighter! lol!
…Honest, it only took me about 45 minutes, tops. So it wasn’t too big of a lapse in sticking to my project-finishing rule…
Enjoy the Inspiration Friday links!! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
[ a little something I picked up while thrifting today; more about that next week! ]
♥ inspiration [ twenty-five ] ♥
♥ tips and tricks for thrifting like a pro! [ via ]
♥ Emily has been doing some very creative things with lace doilies
♥ great tutorial on image transfers on fabric
♥ inspiring fashion from rebe
♥ Tricia did a whole post on reusable shopping bags
♥ how to make adorable, embroidered buttons
♥ Anna is making a leather handbag… and blogging about it!
♥ inspiring interview with artist Sonja Ahler
Cheers & Creativity,
♥ Casey [ email me ]
p.s. I want to thank you all so much for the sweet, encouraging comments and emails you’ve been sending! They mean so much to me, and I love reading every one. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! ♥
February 8, 2008 at 4:32 pm
i have a set of thrifted bowls just like that yellow one…it also came in red and orange.
also, thanks for linkin’.
February 8, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Love your wrap re-do, Casey! That looks perfect for throwing over your shoulders on a chilly evening … and at a fraction of the price you would pay on Anthropologie! Love the yellow bowl too! I find myself drawn to vibrant colours right now … I think because it’s been so dull and gray.
Thank you so much for your lovely comments on my blog! Have a great weekend!
~ Lynda xo
February 8, 2008 at 5:32 pm
I love the petal-y yellow bowls, and the wrap looks so comfy and pretty! Hooray to you for reworking a favorite worn piece! I love the lace doily ideas on the black apples fashion blog…and today I just thrifted a cross stitched bird so I am inspired. Have a very inspiring weekend Casey!
February 8, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Thank’s Casey for taking the time to email me and to stop by my blog. Your words were very kind and much appreciated.
Your wrap is very pretty indeed
February 8, 2008 at 7:25 pm
I never cease to be amazed at what creativity goes on right under my own roof! That is really cute.
February 9, 2008 at 5:34 pm
Rules were made to be broken. Besides, how many truly creative people do you know who follow them? They’re generally rebels, right? Good for you!
February 9, 2008 at 6:54 pm
That looks lovely! I have some vintage laces I should do something with. That is one very pretty bowl – great find!
February 10, 2008 at 2:39 am
Wow! What an improvement! I really like what you did to it. I wish I was so handy with sewing so I could update all my clothing! That is amazing!
February 11, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Ohh . . . that’s really pretty! And the yellow bowl is charming. My Mom has a whole set of dishes really similar to that that she uses for special occasions.
And . . . good news: I don’t have Mono! *bounce*
February 11, 2008 at 1:24 pm
[...] fact that I had four cups of tea before noon?! Oh my!!). Before it got so icy-cold, I did wear my “new” cardigan I refashioned! The pictures are a little odd, and I look rather serious (I was trying not to grin [...]