Well, I mostly went and do go for fabric and colour. Sometimes the fabric is amazing but the colour is awful for me, and sometimes the colour is amazing and the fabric is awful. That combo I generally skip. My biggest mistakes have been to not look at how close is the silhouette, or construction, or even imagine what it could be (why my silhouette closeness is off) . So now I have a bunch of stuff that needs refashioning but will be more of a challenge for lack of skills. Several of them are jackets or coats that are beautiful fabrics, that I felt would be sinful to leave to unappreciated futures. I adopt things...
Shoulder fit in jackets. They are such a pain to alter. Other than that, a workable fabric and big enough to alter without being ludicrously large. If I'm buying for the fabric - look in the big sizes!
2:37 fabric (flattering color, natural fibers, good quality)-doesn’t matter for practice pieces when you’re first learning, 4:37 overall design and silhouette-does it resemble the style you want, 5:46 imagine what it could be (collar, buttons, length, add embroidery), 7:25 try on for close fit (making something 4 sizes smaller is difficult), 8:56 construction on the inside (can you do the things you want to do)
Sometimes I just get hugely oversized things for cheap fabric. Maxi dresses are good for that because they’re often just tubes, like one big rectangle of fabric
I had a friend who purposely bought expensive clothes big (at a tremendous discount, I might add) so she would have plenty of fabric to work with in alterations.
@@dale3404 I have to do that too because of my larger bust measurement. You can take fabric away but you can't add it. It is a pain though because shoulder alterations suck. Easier to make it from scratch in a lot of ways
When our thrift stores have sales, I will look for clothing items that can be used for embellishment. Does it have lots of lace? Great buttons? Could I use the fabric for patch pockets or trim? The nice thing about this shopping is that size often doesn't matter, and if something has flaws I can give it a new life when it otherwise would go to the dump.
Buttons and fasteners are definitely something i look for. The prices on those are terribly high...I found a Scandinavian sweater with pewter hook clasps on it in a thrift store. It has some holes, but I'll wear it until those become unsightly, then I'll take the clasps off and use them on something else.
That is actually a great idea. Which I'm going to steal. We don't really have trift shops in Rjeka, Croatia but there are a few second hand shops one of which sometimes has those "everything is 1 dollar" kind of sales. If I can get a skirt with a nice zip on for LESS than a new zip would cost plus some fabric I can always use to make hair accessories or simply tirn it into scraps to fill cushions.
For me, because i have dry skin, when i touch sintetic fiber i feel sort of static electricity, my hairs almost standd up. But otherwise it is about wheather it wrinkels (natural wrinkels), crinckels (poli is louder), smell, strech and so on.
The first-and-foremost color rule selection is often the hardest for me! Especially if it is something in a really nice natural fiber, it’s really tempting for me to think “oh but I could dye it”... Sometimes it works, sometimes you discover that that lovely silk blouse was sewn with poly thread, and you find yourself with sad undyed overstitching and a ruined piece :( much easier to stick to the right color palette in the first place!
To make a standing lace Victorian or Edwardian looking collar, on a modern shirt, you can take a seam ripper to where the fold-over part of the collar in inserted into those pair of fabric strips that hold it around the neckline (on most shirts at least). Just open those up and pull out the modern collar, then you can pin a length of (soft) lace in place and sew it down. Add a pin at the neck button, and you're pretty Edwardian-looking.
As far as color palette, dying is fun! It's like alchemy. They have dyes that you just toss into a washing machine, which couldn't be easier, and dyes that can do synthetics. Part of the fun is that you're never totally sure what you'll end up with; it's like opening a present.
Evelyn, please just say; "Let's plan for success and not subpar results" I love that your garment check list starts with the type of fabric. If you don't like the fabric, you won't wear what you create. Love the fabric first, then see if we can make the rest work for us. Thank you for the lesson on trying to downsize. I will remember how much work it is by your example.
I love all of your videos. I just found your channel last week . It was a gift for me as we are on stay at home order . I was depressed now I am not after watching your videos I feel better. From Oregon in USA
I'm always looking for wool, cashmere, and silk sweaters (jumpers). I like to take the sweaters apart and unravel them for yarn, but sometimes I buy them for wearing or refashioning. I check the seam finishes, the sweaters I can take apart have the same thread for the seams as was used to knit the fabric. If you can undo one end, the seam "unzips" and you end up with pieces and just like with hand knits, there's a cast on and bound off edge and you can undo the bind off and unravel the whole thing down to yarn. If the sweater is overlocked, then you can't unravel it and end up with something usable. I check to see if there are any moth holes or other spots in need of mending and check the closures. When I was first learning mending, I would purposely buy the sweaters in need of mending to practice on. I also check to see if the sweater is felted. Felted sweaters can't be undone, and probably can't be easily worn, but can be used to make winter gear and home items like trivets and potholders. One of my best finds was a Ralph Lauren double knit wool cardigan in a size up that was missing a button. I almost passed it up because it was a bit "old" for me, but it was so comfy I bought it. I replaced the buttons with some coconut shell ones and now the whole thing feels more "me." I wear it like a jacket often over other sweaters. Another great find was a mens XXL red cashmere sweater with the tags still on. I unraveled that into ~2 miles of gorgeous red lace weight yarn. It's stashed away waiting for the perfect project.
Sara A: Yes! This :D! I do the same. I found a brown oversized mens sweater made of merino wool that was so incredibly soft it's amazing. I also check the knitted sweaters and vests for the same things you do. I found some lovely yarn that way and it's great too! You don't have to guestimate how much balls of yarn to buy XD, because you already know it will make a sweater. Lately I've also been stashing a bunch of nice mens shirts and dress pants from the thriftstore. Since I've been applying for jobs that may require a business to business-casual dress style, I've been hunting for well-fitting items in that style and I've yet to find some. Somehow they never fit right! The pants and the shirts are all too short or tight or fit badly around my bust. So I decided to just go and try making my own. I've made my first mockup for a dress pants pattern and it came out pretty nice. My next step is to also make a mockup of a womens shirt, and then go to a local sewing club once we can visit places like that again so I can ask for help with the fitting problems. Once I have a bunch of patterns that fit me well, I can make my own refashioned/upcycled work wardrobe❤️.
Thanks for that information. I lost 70 lbs 10 years ago and still have some good quality items from those days, but I wore a lot of oversized things back then, and I tend to prefer fitted now. In that light, I’ve been able to harvest entire garments by placing pattern pieces of say, a camisole, and cut it out of the dress or big shirts. Saving nothing but the hems. I don’t know if that’s refashioning as it is recycling though. Thanks again for the checklist.
I lost 50 pounds and I plan to get better at sewing by altering my clothes. I got excited when I realized I can actually do that! If I mess something up, no biggy 🙃😂.
@@malindaryan2091 I do most of my mock-ups with my older clothes. Sooo much fabric, already put to good use while wearing, but I saved a lot of money by recycling those old clothes! I even did some free motion appliqué over a stained favorite sweatshirt. 😂
I have been watching your very excellent videos multiple times. I would love to see some videos on refashioning for those who are people of size, and who enjoy round bodies. People of size do enjoy the vintage look, and even during the times when thise looks were new, there were people of size who who’re garments with the same details. They, too, would have mended and refashioned clothing, and indeed my ancestors who were people of size did refashion in their lifetimes. Proportion van be imoleta to for people of size, for example, tiny single buttons might not work as well as clusters of three tiny buttons, or one larger button. Buttons can also be made with fabric and plastic rings, and I have often made covered buttons using the inexpensive “oogly” plastic buttons that are sold in a bag, or that are available in the crafting section of thrift stores.
Finding natural fibers when you are plus size is almost impossible. Outside of men's shirts, the options are limited, and the fabrics are dreadful. Endlessly disappointing. As such, mostly I am looking for nice fabric sources for trims etc. I might not fit the article, but you can always pull some good bits for collars/cuffs. Buttons are great, sometimes I want the pattern of the garment because it is not available for sale, and I can always resize it up into a toile. I've been known to for the lining as well.
What a pleasure it is to watch all your videos ! Your explanations are so clear. I would like to see how you would refashion a dress or a skirt in a jersey of viscose so that the garment could bevery fitting and fluid. Thank you so muche Evelyn
The biggest one for me when thrifting to refashion or upcycle is natural fibers and good to excellent quality fabric. Depending upon the piece, I see a new top, blouse or skirt in it. Often I take apart the garment and lay out the fabric and cut from another pattern. Sometimes I freehand design and sew. Another I look for is if the fabric will dye black.
I love this video! I jumped into my first attempt at this by making a size 12 wool skirt into an Edwardian style walking skirt for my daughter. I learned to pleat and pleated the back to make the 'bump" on the back of the skirt. I was scared but i just tried it and it turned out beautifully. Now i am confident to try more projects!
My personal aesthetic is Asian style clothing. When I go thrifting I specifically look for jackets and shirts that have frog closures, or Chinese knots. These are quite expensive and are worth the few dollars of the garment.
Thank you, this is so helpful. It’s been a process for me learning about fabrics, refashioning and sewing skills that you have taught me in vintage sewing school. I try to follow what you have taught me but my top “look for” these days is the fabric. I have managed to find wonderful quality linen cotton silk etc. you can usually make it up into something even if it us a piece design 😘. I will be working on this the winter. Ps I do try to get not so nice men’s shirts or a big duvet cover or two as these days as I have started making a mock up of a garment first if I can
Thank you for advice. I will definitely use it. We are also in lockdown and i can't wait to relieve my sewing room (almost finished) of a bit of my stash.
My steps are always starting with the cost at the thrifts. If it is $1 (or less) I go to color and quality of fabric. A huge cotton dress that has awesome pattern-print is always gunna come with me. Or linen or silk. I just finished a 50's fit and flare dress made from free scraps of linen fabric that I nabbed over time at a thrift. They have a free box. I wanted to see if I could make a very elaborate linen dress, very full skirt for "free" … it took me forever and ever but it was soooo much fun!!
@@Evelyn__Wood you are just the most darling creature! The free dress took 5 days of steady-ish work. Cause it was like making fabric outta scraps for a full circle skirt. I love that no one in the world will ever have "my" free dress! It weighs more than I thought, as it is very patchwork. But somehow that sensation is comforting. Love you and your videos! TY for all you do!
What a great video! I want to go thrifting right now! Yes, def a video about the material would be good. I especially like the idea of having practice pieces! Will implement that immediately. Thank you!
tRUTHfully, I have done all those things backwards but what it taught me was what not to choose. Also you say not to buy polyester but we also have to rememember if we arent buying it its going to the dump. Currently there are mountains of clothes made of this type of material all over the world reeking havoc on the environment. I will say that the best way to learn how to sew is to mess something up, be adventurous, try to do it all, do every stitch because the highly repetitive nature of sewing will teach you what to do and not do. Messing up is good
I am sooo glad I watched this video before my trip to a thrift store I'm gonna do in a couple of days or so. There is at least one thing in your "checklist" I never thought about before - trying on the clothes for proper "fitting." I was thinking that if it's already in my size, it would fit me when I altered it. I have a couple of blouses I'm wanting to make a dress from, and, am hopefully not gonna be making it any smaller. One of the blouses (blue - print) is already cut and sewn into a high - low style which I really love. Am gonna use it for the bottom part of the dress, and, use a plain blue color blouse for the top part. Now, after seeing this video, I realize how I do need to actually try the shirts on and have them sort of pinned in place before I cut them and put them together. TYSM for sharing this video with us - love your channel, Evelyn. BTW, my sister, who I love so dearly, her name is EVELYNE - note the "E" at the end of her name, though !!! How 'bout that !!! 🥰😻👍
Love these tips, I admit I've just made sure they are a bit (sometimes a lot) bigger so I have room to play and then I just imagine what they could be...I'll be thinking a bit harder now that I've actually done a couple so this is perfect! 😉
Yes!! I think once you have done a couple, you really start to see how you can think things through and plan better! 😘 Im excited for your garment renovations!
Always love your videos. I have so many thrifted items that I want to change but I get stumped on what to do. Thanks for this. Hope you’re staying well! ❤️
I am so close to ready to start cutting and hacking away at my old clothes just to fool around with them to begin with. I am also of the generation, it is still useable, so its a big hurdle for me to get over so far. As for the what will it be?? I accidentally made a cool t'shirt for my daughter, when I cut into the back of what she had tossed into the pile of don't wear this anymore. I needed the fabric piece, so when I took it out of the back, I made a couple side slits to go with it as well, and now she loves that don't wear that t'shirt anymore and wears it often roflol. So accidents can produce cool things hahhaahahaha
@@Evelyn__Wood If I had been thinking about refashioning that t'shirt, I never would have done what I did hahahaha. I was fixing a problem with a different garment of hers, She has a couple bins, that she keeps for me. The don't wear no more, couldn't sell pile that I can rip and tear through. The can't sell pile, but would love to wear again if it fit me pile, and the Can't sell, but still love it, just don't love the fit anymore. So I go through her piles when I visit and see what I can do. Her t'shirt was in the dead end pile, rip and tear through it, use however I want hahahaha. I had no intentions of saving that shirt whatsoever. lol. Neither did she.
Hi Evelyn, you asked what we look for. First I look for color, then the size and then the materiel ( naturel only). Not so much how it's made, most of i can change if the size i big enough. Right now i changing some blouses i alredy have ( lost weight)🤗.
I have that same linen purple skirt but in red, which I managed to find at the op shop. It's probably one of the best finds I've had. Although I'm in love with that purple one.
Nice thrift shopping ideas. Mine are mostly the same as yours until looking on the whole garment inside out. That is because im a novice on a sewing machine. I loved your 40’s dress and would love trying to do it. 😊
Thanks for doing this video in this time of crisis and restriction. You have motivated me to hit the sewing machine. Thanks again. Be safe and well. Love Lynne
I usually go thrifting for specific projects, then treat garments the same way I would browse a fabric store. I am still learning about natural fibers so I'll flip to the inside to check the tag. At this point I'm looking for breathability so I don't mind a poly blend if it's what I really need for my project.
This will define help me the next time I shop! Thank you! Would it be possible to show how to use crocheted doilies as embellishments? I was inspired by one of your hauls and bought one, but now I’m not sure about how to take it apart. I’m worried that might unravel.
New sub gang! Just got a singer patchwork for various personal modifications to make up for natural size issues. For example jean mnfrs not catering to the tall slender figures. I would love to see a tutorial on dropping the arm hole and collar area super low of the ugly unisex tank tops.
Just a quick video suggestion, could you make a video on how to downsize a simple dress? I’ve lost 30 pounds in the past 6 months and have notice that it is so hard to find clothes in a size 2. I have some very nice simple dresses that I would love to downsize, but am overwhelmed by the idea. I’m new to your channel, so I apologize if this has been done or addressed already.
I love this! Perfect timing because I’m wearing a men’s shirt from hot topic (in my fast fashion days) that’s from Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and i love it so much but I almost never wear it! I was just thinking today, how can I make this less boxy?? Does it just need darts? Can you put gores in the hip part (because my hips are giant)? It wouldn’t need to be altered too much size wise. Could I remove the pointy collar bits to just have a curved collar with no flaps? So many questions! But this is super helpful
hi Evelyn! great tips, as always. i agree with sticking just to looking for the items in your colour palette and in natural fibers, i always do that as well :) PS: would you consider refashioning a men's waistcoat into a women's one on this channel? i'm trying to figure it out myself, but as i'm not a very good sewer yet, any guidance would be appreciated :)
you have a lot of clothes to refashion (I saw a few video's earlier), how do you store them? When I'm storing them in a basket, I forget the bottom I have...
I would think that to big item lets one have an extra fabric "just in case" and therefore be easier to refashion...? One of the very first refashions I did was turning an XXL tunic blouse into a dress for me (I'm usually M, sometimes L) it also took me ages, cause the fabric was "stretchy" and "flowy" , so based on that I would probably advise the very beginners like me to take into consideration picking an easy fabrics for the fist projects. Or even starting with altering garments first like adding pockets, taking a bit in and so on before trying refashions . P.S. changing all buttons for sth pretty on a coat or blouse can make a totally different garment
However, Evelyn, if you purchase blended fabrics or synthetics, you are truly saving a textile from the landfill, as the garment is not usually desirable to industrial textile recyclers.
Hi Hun i bought a full length skirt that needs taking in...again, and instead of doing my usual little tuck in the back creating some kind of double fold/one pleat...I'm not even sure now. Anyway I want to do it properly this time by taking the waist band off and taking it in. But it also has goddets below the knee going all the way around and I don't wanna loose that lovely shape! Any suggestions? Or anyone else out there?:-D I'm the same by the way regarding natural fibres. I try to avoid polyester at any cost! I love linen, lace and wool!:D A few weeks ago I saw a lovely mans shirt, that I would never have considered buying in the past. But it was such high quality! A super soft cotton, nice colours and striped with some subtle pattern in some of them. I remembered your video and kept thinking this might make a nice Edwardian style blouse, if nothing else but for practice! I didn't buy it in the end, but I keep thinking about it. So once this madness is over I'll go back and have another look at it!:-p Oh! And any ideas for antique pink coloured silk trousers? I don't wear pants, but they were just to lovely to pass! In other words, I bought it for the fabric!:)
If you have good fingertop sensitivity, you might be able to train yourself to fairly well recognise natural materials by feel, as long as you have some (a lot of) known fabrics to practice on. Synthetic fabrics tend to have a slightly different texture, ”shine”, weight/drape and... smell. I like playing the game of guessing what material(s) something is made from before checking the tag, and after a while I got really good at it.
I love looking thru fashion catalogs, however, nothing is never my size. Is it reasonable to purchase the garment, seam ripping apart to use as pattern, altering the pattern (larger) to fit me, and reassemble different fabric?
I love women's low rise boot cut jeans but most of the time the hips are to big while the waistband is perfect. Taking in from the outer seam produces wrinkles in the crotch so how do you adjust for that?
Love this, such great tips from you as always. Just wanted to add that a lot of us need those bigger pieces you find in the store so please leave them for us fat people. :) I would love if you Evelyn gave your insider knowledge on how to alter and upsize garments as well.
I had several of my clothes upsized, some designs are easier to do than others. I have all of my scrubs upsized with side inserts. I am upsizing dresses by adding a wide waist band or ruffles at the end... since I am also a tall girl. Just start to experiment with pieces you don't mind to take apart and possibly not like at the end... You can learn a lot by just give it a go...
Fabulous Content! I hope you are well. Take care of yourself. I am also LOVING the stay out of town order. I have had to do some necessities... but mostly staying at home or at VERY SELECT homes to sew and sew... I LOVE IT! Making medical masks.. Linings for handbags for personal projects... scissor covers and also generally getting my WIPS or UFOs out of my hair. Still making sure to take Lysol wipes spiked with Tea Tree oil and gloves with me into town. I have masks if I need them in public. and keeping the family safe. Thank You for a very awesome video that gives us a lot to think about. Hurray for Self Quarantine... at least for us crafters. :)
How can I get a proper measurement ? I have parts that are petite, a boxy 24W, short arms with a back hump. I found a dressmakers' model and even though I've made it resemble me, it still ends wrong.
This is a great video with very useful tips. Do you consider rayon a natural fiber? I just bought a blouse in rayon and then learned rayon is prone to shrinkage and when wet the fibers are super fragile. I was going to return it as too high maintenance. I like the print but am wary of the rayon fiber. What is your experience with rayon? Any tips?
Does your rayon blouse indicate dry cleaning? I have rayon garments that I wash on quick cycle on low temp and just hang dry, they have been fairing well.
I have been searching for a way to rectify a blouse I have made recently to no avail so Im assuming an easy fix is not possible. I recently made a blouse out of a woven shirting fabric . I really upped my game and made some adjustment on the pattern and made a placket and collar that came out beautifully it looks and fits great ! ..until I move my arms! It's short sleeved. just too snug . I really dont want to remove sleeves and enlarge? or enlarge arm hole? or just make sleeveless? before I do one of these can I try a cute little v at the cuff ? before I cut it up? I just know you know what I can do I know other people have this problem?
These days I find the best thrift store fabrics and embellishments are in curtains and table cloths, especially for lace and fringe. Ok, forgive me if I rant a bit. When are people going to quit buying crappy synthetics? The reason I have started sewing is because there is nothing want to buy. Even with "high end" retailers it is rare to find cotton, silk or linen. I live in Stockholm Sweden, and everything looks like it came from H&M even if it costs ten times as much. I just won't buy it, because it has a designer name on the label. Uniqlo is the only store that has some natural fabrics, but their clothes are so boxy and boring. If retailers want me to spend money they have to do better. Right now the colours in the stores are awful. The slimy salmon pink and baby barf yellow will not be in my closet. They won't be wearable next year. I REFUSE to buy those. I only buy clothes I know I want to wear for at least five years.
I agree about buying clothes you could wear for at least 5 years. Every now and again I look at what is still in my wardrobe after years, still in goo shape, and wonder if my friends are tired of seeing me in it.
It is very easy for me to tell the fabric content of something. It must be all those years of practice.teeheee I can spot a cashmere sweater from a mile away. One of the many things I like buying at thrift stores is long flowy silk skirts. Although I wear a size 4, I will go up to a size 16 if the skirt is silk and the cut is right. I could take it in but I do the lazy thing. I just open up the waistband at each end(by the zipper)and put elastic through it until it fits, then sew down elastic and fix openings I made for the elastic. I also do this with flowy rayon pants. The bigger sizes make it more flowy.
I have a bag of clothes, that are all too small. since I have uhrm uhm, ehm ahem, grown wider and rounder. I am much fluffier than I was in the past. Also I can't handle anything tight anymore because of chronic illness. So how can I upsize some of my favourites in that bag, do I just hafta cut it up and add fabrics? or is there other options?
Kim making bigger is harder, as, you did need to add fabric from... somewhere! Usually there is not enough fabric to let out, so it is a case of getting creative and finding a way to add fabric to make it bigger. Pinterest is your friend for inspiration! Good luck! 😄
Hi Kim! One idea in one of my Second WorldWar magazines, to make blouses, dresses and trousers bigger, is to open all the outside seams and insert a matching (or contrasting) braid. Sew the seams back up and the garment will be bigger due to the braid. Obviously you need to choose the braid really carefully! And add pieces of it elsewhere to tone - as a tie or collar on a blouse, or a belt on a dress, for instance. This technique is also useful for tops or dresses that are worn under the arms.
@@kimlightfoot I do as well. I usually do a search and either, add to the search a space and -pinterest. that subtracts it from the search, or I let it stay in the search then do an image search of that image without going to the pinterest site. Say I search 'ideas for enlarging garments' and choose images. Peruse the images, see one and click it, and it enlarges that choice without going to the site. You can usually save that image if that is all you need but if you want more info of how to, I try to find original post upload in the following way: I have an app called TinEye (it's free, tineye.com/) which does searches for images so I left click it, choose tin eye search and then go to that site and look for the earliest or first date. That is usually the original uploader. Other wise, just look at the images that come in in the search engine.
Hi Evelyn! LOVED this video! Have you already done one showing how to use darts to take in a blouse or using darts to give a boxy blouse more shape? I’ve read a bit about them and I think that they would be useful in helping me downsize some of my favorite blouses that have become too large for me. I’ve lost about 55 pounds but I REALLY LOVE my clothes! Plus I’ve bought quite a bit thrifting thinking that I could just add some darts but I’m too scared that I’ll mess them up so they just sit there! Thank you🤗
I hope you can use these checklist items too! Tell me, what do you mostly look for to know if you can alter or refashion something?
Well, I mostly went and do go for fabric and colour. Sometimes the fabric is amazing but the colour is awful for me, and sometimes the colour is amazing and the fabric is awful. That combo I generally skip. My biggest mistakes have been to not look at how close is the silhouette, or construction, or even imagine what it could be (why my silhouette closeness is off) . So now I have a bunch of stuff that needs refashioning but will be more of a challenge for lack of skills. Several of them are jackets or coats that are beautiful fabrics, that I felt would be sinful to leave to unappreciated futures. I adopt things...
He he I adopt garments too!! 🤣 I'm sure you can give them new life!!
D rabbit: wrong color us where I look into dying the fabric, which is almost always black.
If it's got enough fabric to alter and if it's got enough room for the girls lol
Shoulder fit in jackets. They are such a pain to alter.
Other than that, a workable fabric and big enough to alter without being ludicrously large.
If I'm buying for the fabric - look in the big sizes!
2:37 fabric (flattering color, natural fibers, good quality)-doesn’t matter for practice pieces when you’re first learning,
4:37 overall design and silhouette-does it resemble the style you want,
5:46 imagine what it could be (collar, buttons, length, add embroidery),
7:25 try on for close fit (making something 4 sizes smaller is difficult),
8:56 construction on the inside (can you do the things you want to do)
That moment when you realize that you just can’t stop watching Evelyn’s tips and you NEED to subscribe.❤️
Yes that just happened to me too! 😀
Sometimes I just get hugely oversized things for cheap fabric. Maxi dresses are good for that because they’re often just tubes, like one big rectangle of fabric
I had a friend who purposely bought expensive clothes big (at a tremendous discount, I might add) so she would have plenty of fabric to work with in alterations.
@@dale3404 I have to do that too because of my larger bust measurement. You can take fabric away but you can't add it. It is a pain though because shoulder alterations suck. Easier to make it from scratch in a lot of ways
When our thrift stores have sales, I will look for clothing items that can be used for embellishment. Does it have lots of lace? Great buttons? Could I use the fabric for patch pockets or trim? The nice thing about this shopping is that size often doesn't matter, and if something has flaws I can give it a new life when it otherwise would go to the dump.
Buttons and fasteners are definitely something i look for. The prices on those are terribly high...I found a Scandinavian sweater with pewter hook clasps on it in a thrift store. It has some holes, but I'll wear it until those become unsightly, then I'll take the clasps off and use them on something else.
That is actually a great idea. Which I'm going to steal. We don't really have trift shops in Rjeka, Croatia but there are a few second hand shops one of which sometimes has those "everything is 1 dollar" kind of sales. If I can get a skirt with a nice zip on for LESS than a new zip would cost plus some fabric I can always use to make hair accessories or simply tirn it into scraps to fill cushions.
Okay now that's a great idea I hadn't thought of thank you
Yes, please do a video on understanding natural vs synthetic fibers by look and feel (and assuming they don't have labels).
It's a popular topic I think and one I think I'll have to do a video on soon!
Yes I whole heartedly agree
Good to know!!
Yes I wanna know about it too
For me, because i have dry skin, when i touch sintetic fiber i feel sort of static electricity, my hairs almost standd up.
But otherwise it is about wheather it wrinkels (natural wrinkels), crinckels (poli is louder), smell, strech and so on.
Another excellent video. No one does practical AND charming the way you do! Thanks for the tips!
🤣🤣🤣 Ha ha ha I'm adding 'practical and charming' to my resume ❤
I agree!!!xox
I’m a new viewer. You are absolutely delightful! Smart AND beautiful. I’m a 73 yo grandma, have sewn all my life and have learned tons from you!
The first-and-foremost color rule selection is often the hardest for me! Especially if it is something in a really nice natural fiber, it’s really tempting for me to think “oh but I could dye it”... Sometimes it works, sometimes you discover that that lovely silk blouse was sewn with poly thread, and you find yourself with sad undyed overstitching and a ruined piece :( much easier to stick to the right color palette in the first place!
To make a standing lace Victorian or Edwardian looking collar, on a modern shirt, you can take a seam ripper to where the fold-over part of the collar in inserted into those pair of fabric strips that hold it around the neckline (on most shirts at least). Just open those up and pull out the modern collar, then you can pin a length of (soft) lace in place and sew it down. Add a pin at the neck button, and you're pretty Edwardian-looking.
I look for knee length tiered skirts to turn into nightgowns for my young granddaughter. She loves them!
How great!!
I've ended up go Bing a few skirts to my sister, to turn them into dresses for my niece!:)
As far as color palette, dying is fun! It's like alchemy. They have dyes that you just toss into a washing machine, which couldn't be easier, and dyes that can do synthetics. Part of the fun is that you're never totally sure what you'll end up with; it's like opening a present.
Evelyn, please just say; "Let's plan for success and not subpar results" I love that your garment check list starts with the type of fabric.
If you don't like the fabric, you won't wear what you create. Love the fabric first, then see if we can make the rest work for us.
Thank you for the lesson on trying to downsize. I will remember how much work it is by your example.
I love all of your videos. I just found your channel last week . It was a gift for me as we are on stay at home order . I was depressed now I am not after watching your videos I feel better. From Oregon in USA
Thanks for watching! 😄😄
I'm always looking for wool, cashmere, and silk sweaters (jumpers). I like to take the sweaters apart and unravel them for yarn, but sometimes I buy them for wearing or refashioning. I check the seam finishes, the sweaters I can take apart have the same thread for the seams as was used to knit the fabric. If you can undo one end, the seam "unzips" and you end up with pieces and just like with hand knits, there's a cast on and bound off edge and you can undo the bind off and unravel the whole thing down to yarn. If the sweater is overlocked, then you can't unravel it and end up with something usable. I check to see if there are any moth holes or other spots in need of mending and check the closures. When I was first learning mending, I would purposely buy the sweaters in need of mending to practice on. I also check to see if the sweater is felted. Felted sweaters can't be undone, and probably can't be easily worn, but can be used to make winter gear and home items like trivets and potholders.
One of my best finds was a Ralph Lauren double knit wool cardigan in a size up that was missing a button. I almost passed it up because it was a bit "old" for me, but it was so comfy I bought it. I replaced the buttons with some coconut shell ones and now the whole thing feels more "me." I wear it like a jacket often over other sweaters. Another great find was a mens XXL red cashmere sweater with the tags still on. I unraveled that into ~2 miles of gorgeous red lace weight yarn. It's stashed away waiting for the perfect project.
Sara A: Yes! This :D! I do the same. I found a brown oversized mens sweater made of merino wool that was so incredibly soft it's amazing. I also check the knitted sweaters and vests for the same things you do. I found some lovely yarn that way and it's great too! You don't have to guestimate how much balls of yarn to buy XD, because you already know it will make a sweater.
Lately I've also been stashing a bunch of nice mens shirts and dress pants from the thriftstore. Since I've been applying for jobs that may require a business to business-casual dress style, I've been hunting for well-fitting items in that style and I've yet to find some. Somehow they never fit right! The pants and the shirts are all too short or tight or fit badly around my bust. So I decided to just go and try making my own. I've made my first mockup for a dress pants pattern and it came out pretty nice. My next step is to also make a mockup of a womens shirt, and then go to a local sewing club once we can visit places like that again so I can ask for help with the fitting problems. Once I have a bunch of patterns that fit me well, I can make my own refashioned/upcycled work wardrobe❤️.
I'm so thankful for you. Your sweetness is so rare. Thank you!
Thanks for that information. I lost 70 lbs 10 years ago and still have some good quality items from those days, but I wore a lot of oversized things back then, and I tend to prefer fitted now. In that light, I’ve been able to harvest entire garments by placing pattern pieces of say, a camisole, and cut it out of the dress or big shirts. Saving nothing but the hems. I don’t know if that’s refashioning as it is recycling though. Thanks again for the checklist.
It definetly is!! That's a wonderful way to re use what you've got, and keep your nice things alive!
I lost 50 pounds and I plan to get better at sewing by altering my clothes. I got excited when I realized I can actually do that! If I mess something up, no biggy 🙃😂.
@@malindaryan2091 I do most of my mock-ups with my older clothes. Sooo much fabric, already put to good use while wearing, but I saved a lot of money by recycling those old clothes! I even did some free motion appliqué over a stained favorite sweatshirt. 😂
I have been watching your very excellent videos multiple times. I would love to see some videos on refashioning for those who are people of size, and who enjoy round bodies. People of size do enjoy the vintage look, and even during the times when thise looks were new, there were people of size who who’re garments with the same details. They, too, would have mended and refashioned clothing, and indeed my ancestors who were people of size did refashion in their lifetimes. Proportion van be imoleta to for people of size, for example, tiny single buttons might not work as well as clusters of three tiny buttons, or one larger button. Buttons can also be made with fabric and plastic rings, and I have often made covered buttons using the inexpensive “oogly” plastic buttons that are sold in a bag, or that are available in the crafting section of thrift stores.
Finding natural fibers when you are plus size is almost impossible. Outside of men's shirts, the options are limited, and the fabrics are dreadful. Endlessly disappointing.
As such, mostly I am looking for nice fabric sources for trims etc. I might not fit the article, but you can always pull some good bits for collars/cuffs. Buttons are great, sometimes I want the pattern of the garment because it is not available for sale, and I can always resize it up into a toile. I've been known to for the lining as well.
What a pleasure it is to watch all your videos ! Your explanations are so clear. I would like to see how you would refashion a dress or a skirt in a jersey of viscose so that the garment could bevery fitting and fluid. Thank you so muche Evelyn
The biggest one for me when thrifting to refashion or upcycle is natural fibers and good to excellent quality fabric. Depending upon the piece, I see a new top, blouse or skirt in it. Often I take apart the garment and lay out the fabric and cut from another pattern. Sometimes I freehand design and sew. Another I look for is if the fabric will dye black.
I love this video! I jumped into my first attempt at this by making a size 12 wool skirt into an Edwardian style walking skirt for my daughter. I learned to pleat and pleated the back to make the 'bump" on the back of the skirt. I was scared but i just tried it and it turned out beautifully. Now i am confident to try more projects!
So brave! Absolutely wonderful idea and very happy for you as you tackled that and it worked.
OoooOo yes would love to know more about how to spot natural fiber
Thanks for your suggestions!
Hope everything is going well for you and you stay healthy...Be Blessed!
🙏😊♥️
Thanks for watching! I am safe and well thankyou! Xx
My personal aesthetic is Asian style clothing. When I go thrifting I specifically look for jackets and shirts that have frog closures, or Chinese knots. These are quite expensive and are worth the few dollars of the garment.
This! Thank you! I have a pile of There must be something that I can do clothes!
I bet there is something you can do, and no better time to try!! 😄
Thank you, this is so helpful. It’s been a process for me learning about fabrics, refashioning and sewing skills that you have taught me in vintage sewing school.
I try to follow what you have taught me but my top “look for” these days is the fabric. I have managed to find wonderful quality linen cotton silk etc. you can usually make it up into something even if it us a piece design 😘. I will be working on this the winter.
Ps I do try to get not so nice men’s shirts or a big duvet cover or two as these days as I have started making a mock up of a garment first if I can
Watched on smart tv. Saving video to refer back to.
Thank you for advice. I will definitely use it. We are also in lockdown and i can't wait to relieve my sewing room (almost finished) of a bit of my stash.
Idea for video: how are you pinning your hair under your turbans and scarves that makes it stay!!!!
I would be interest how to notice natural fabric . Thank you this was information.
My steps are always starting with the cost at the thrifts. If it is $1 (or less) I go to color and quality of fabric. A huge cotton dress that has awesome pattern-print is always gunna come with me. Or linen or silk. I just finished a 50's fit and flare dress made from free scraps of linen fabric that I nabbed over time at a thrift. They have a free box. I wanted to see if I could make a very elaborate linen dress, very full skirt for "free" … it took me forever and ever but it was soooo much fun!!
Wow what a great idea!! I love the challenge youu set for yourself, and succeeded!! 😀
@@Evelyn__Wood you are just the most darling creature! The free dress took 5 days of steady-ish work. Cause it was like making fabric outta scraps for a full circle skirt. I love that no one in the world will ever have "my" free dress! It weighs more than I thought, as it is very patchwork. But somehow that sensation is comforting. Love you and your videos! TY for all you
do!
I've seen Edwardian patchwork lounge jackets, and I want one!!
Cost is definitely a factor for me too. After I decide I like the fabric I weigh up the amount of work involved vs the cost to decide if I want it.
Aaah goals 💙 wonderful long flare dress...
Oh I wonder if you could do a video where you take us along on your thrift shop trip!
Love your head scarf. Show me how you do such a great job with it. You always wear pretty head scarves or hats.
What a great video! I want to go thrifting right now! Yes, def a video about the material would be good. I especially like the idea of having practice pieces! Will implement that immediately. Thank you!
tRUTHfully, I have done all those things backwards but what it taught me was what not to choose. Also you say not to buy polyester but we also have to rememember if we arent buying it its going to the dump. Currently there are mountains of clothes made of this type of material all over the world reeking havoc on the environment. I will say that the best way to learn how to sew is to mess something up, be adventurous, try to do it all, do every stitch because the highly repetitive nature of sewing will teach you what to do and not do. Messing up is good
I am sooo glad I watched this video before my trip to a thrift store I'm gonna do in a couple of days or so. There is at least one thing in your "checklist" I never thought about before - trying on the clothes for proper "fitting." I was thinking that if it's already in my size, it would fit me when I altered it. I have a couple of blouses I'm wanting to make a dress from, and, am hopefully not gonna be making it any smaller. One of the blouses (blue - print) is already cut and sewn into a high - low style which I really love. Am gonna use it for the bottom part of the dress, and, use a plain blue color blouse for the top part. Now, after seeing this video, I realize how I do need to actually try the shirts on and have them sort of pinned in place before I cut them and put them together. TYSM for sharing this video with us - love your channel, Evelyn. BTW, my sister, who I love so dearly, her name is EVELYNE - note the "E" at the end of her name, though !!! How 'bout that !!! 🥰😻👍
Love these tips, I admit I've just made sure they are a bit (sometimes a lot) bigger so I have room to play and then I just imagine what they could be...I'll be thinking a bit harder now that I've actually done a couple so this is perfect! 😉
Yes!! I think once you have done a couple, you really start to see how you can think things through and plan better! 😘 Im excited for your garment renovations!
Always love your videos. I have so many thrifted items that I want to change but I get stumped on what to do. Thanks for this. Hope you’re staying well! ❤️
I am so close to ready to start cutting and hacking away at my old clothes just to fool around with them to begin with. I am also of the generation, it is still useable, so its a big hurdle for me to get over so far. As for the what will it be?? I accidentally made a cool t'shirt for my daughter, when I cut into the back of what she had tossed into the pile of don't wear this anymore. I needed the fabric piece, so when I took it out of the back, I made a couple side slits to go with it as well, and now she loves that don't wear that t'shirt anymore and wears it often roflol. So accidents can produce cool things hahhaahahaha
It's hard right! To know what to do to refashion?? I hope it helped and I look forward to seeing your next refashion!
Kim accidents can produce the best solutions in sewing sometimes, and particularly refashion! 😀😀
@@Evelyn__Wood If I had been thinking about refashioning that t'shirt, I never would have done what I did hahahaha. I was fixing a problem with a different garment of hers, She has a couple bins, that she keeps for me. The don't wear no more, couldn't sell pile that I can rip and tear through. The can't sell pile, but would love to wear again if it fit me pile, and the Can't sell, but still love it, just don't love the fit anymore. So I go through her piles when I visit and see what I can do. Her t'shirt was in the dead end pile, rip and tear through it, use however I want hahahaha. I had no intentions of saving that shirt whatsoever. lol. Neither did she.
Hi Evelyn, you asked what we look for. First I look for color, then the size and then the materiel ( naturel only). Not so much how it's made, most of i can change if the size i big enough. Right now i changing some blouses i alredy have ( lost weight)🤗.
A video on picking natural fibres is a great idea!
Thanks for these types of videos, keep them coming . Great job. Stay safe, and thank you even more for not making those masks.
Thanks for watching Kim! 😄 I'm glad you enjoyed it and I hope you get to refashion something from your wardrobe then! ❤
I have that same linen purple skirt but in red, which I managed to find at the op shop. It's probably one of the best finds I've had. Although I'm in love with that purple one.
mine is from the op shop! Red sounds devine!!!
Evelyn, you are so lovely! Thank you!
very interesting! I'm interested in learning more about locating good quality and/or natural fabrics :)
Nice thrift shopping ideas. Mine are mostly the same as yours until looking on the whole garment inside out. That is because im a novice on a sewing machine. I loved your 40’s dress and would love trying to do it. 😊
Thanks for doing this video in this time of crisis and restriction. You have motivated me to hit the sewing machine. Thanks again. Be safe and well. Love Lynne
I usually go thrifting for specific projects, then treat garments the same way I would browse a fabric store. I am still learning about natural fibers so I'll flip to the inside to check the tag. At this point I'm looking for breathability so I don't mind a poly blend if it's what I really need for my project.
you're outfit is SO chic!! Love the head scarf with the black earrings
Fantastic video as always Evelyn! Thank you! And love that linen(?) Skirt you used for your demo!
Yes!! I've had it so long waiting for refadhioning.....
Your hints and tips are very helpful.
Great idea
Thanks ❤️
Love your shows. But in Melbourne we are still waiting for Op shops o reopen!! At least we have had many restriction lifted today
This will define help me the next time I shop! Thank you! Would it be possible to show how to use crocheted doilies as embellishments? I was inspired by one of your hauls and bought one, but now I’m not sure about how to take it apart. I’m worried that might unravel.
Hi Evelyn!! Awesome vlog..
💜💜🧵🧵
New sub gang! Just got a singer patchwork for various personal modifications to make up for natural size issues. For example jean mnfrs not catering to the tall slender figures. I would love to see a tutorial on dropping the arm hole and collar area super low of the ugly unisex tank tops.
I look at fabric type and quality, color and price simultaneously.
Please yes, I would like a fabric video.
Evelyn, thanks for all those tips. It will make the choices far more efficient. Like Kim I’d like a “How to upsize” skirts, shirts, pants.
Yes plz a vid on how to find natural fabrics. thank you 😏
Just a quick video suggestion, could you make a video on how to downsize a simple dress? I’ve lost 30 pounds in the past 6 months and have notice that it is so hard to find clothes in a size 2. I have some very nice simple dresses that I would love to downsize, but am overwhelmed by the idea. I’m new to your channel, so I apologize if this has been done or addressed already.
I love this! Perfect timing because I’m wearing a men’s shirt from hot topic (in my fast fashion days) that’s from Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and i love it so much but I almost never wear it! I was just thinking today, how can I make this less boxy?? Does it just need darts? Can you put gores in the hip part (because my hips are giant)? It wouldn’t need to be altered too much size wise. Could I remove the pointy collar bits to just have a curved collar with no flaps? So many questions! But this is super helpful
I've been having some confidence block regarding a lined chiffon + beading dress
I only wish I knew what my color palette is for me. Hey Evelyn how about a video on that. By the way, I love the turbin look, your wearing.
hi Evelyn! great tips, as always. i agree with sticking just to looking for the items in your colour palette and in natural fibers, i always do that as well :)
PS: would you consider refashioning a men's waistcoat into a women's one on this channel? i'm trying to figure it out myself, but as i'm not a very good sewer yet, any guidance would be appreciated :)
I would definitely like to know how to spot natural fabric if you haven't made that video already!! 💓
Yes I am
you have a lot of clothes to refashion (I saw a few video's earlier), how do you store them? When I'm storing them in a basket, I forget the bottom I have...
I like to have them it so I can see them! Either hanging or folded on shelves!
Please do a video on natural fibers vs man made, thank you.
I would think that to big item lets one have an extra fabric "just in case" and therefore be easier to refashion...?
One of the very first refashions I did was turning an XXL tunic blouse into a dress for me (I'm usually M, sometimes L) it also took me ages, cause the fabric was "stretchy" and "flowy" , so based on that I would probably advise the very beginners like me to take into consideration picking an easy fabrics for the fist projects.
Or even starting with altering garments first like adding pockets, taking a bit in and so on before trying refashions .
P.S. changing all buttons for sth pretty on a coat or blouse can make a totally different garment
However, Evelyn, if you purchase blended fabrics or synthetics, you are truly saving a textile from the landfill, as the garment is not usually desirable to industrial textile recyclers.
would it be possible to do a video on some reshaping/refitting/adjusting seams etc on mens garments too?
Hi Hun i bought a full length skirt that needs taking in...again, and instead of doing my usual little tuck in the back creating some kind of double fold/one pleat...I'm not even sure now. Anyway I want to do it properly this time by taking the waist band off and taking it in. But it also has goddets below the knee going all the way around and I don't wanna loose that lovely shape! Any suggestions? Or anyone else out there?:-D I'm the same by the way regarding natural fibres. I try to avoid polyester at any cost! I love linen, lace and wool!:D A few weeks ago I saw a lovely mans shirt, that I would never have considered buying in the past. But it was such high quality! A super soft cotton, nice colours and striped with some subtle pattern in some of them. I remembered your video and kept thinking this might make a nice Edwardian style blouse, if nothing else but for practice! I didn't buy it in the end, but I keep thinking about it. So once this madness is over I'll go back and have another look at it!:-p Oh! And any ideas for antique pink coloured silk trousers? I don't wear pants, but they were just to lovely to pass! In other words, I bought it for the fabric!:)
Do you make your beautiful head scarves we see you modelling and how do you style it? Is that simply a knot or bow on the top? Gorgeous!
I have a few videos on tying turbans on my channel!
Yes - how to identify natural materials - can't exactly go into an optimistic shop with a box of matches, hahaha
Op shop
If you have good fingertop sensitivity, you might be able to train yourself to fairly well recognise natural materials by feel, as long as you have some (a lot of) known fabrics to practice on. Synthetic fabrics tend to have a slightly different texture, ”shine”, weight/drape and... smell. I like playing the game of guessing what material(s) something is made from before checking the tag, and after a while I got really good at it.
I love looking thru fashion catalogs, however, nothing is never my size. Is it reasonable to purchase the garment, seam ripping apart to use as pattern, altering the pattern (larger) to fit me, and reassemble different fabric?
I love women's low rise boot cut jeans but most of the time the hips are to big while the waistband is perfect. Taking in from the outer seam produces wrinkles in the crotch so how do you adjust for that?
Love this, such great tips from you as always. Just wanted to add that a lot of us need those bigger pieces you find in the store so please leave them for us fat people. :) I would love if you Evelyn gave your insider knowledge on how to alter and upsize garments as well.
I had several of my clothes upsized, some designs are easier to do than others. I have all of my scrubs upsized with side inserts. I am upsizing dresses by adding a wide waist band or ruffles at the end... since I am also a tall girl. Just start to experiment with pieces you don't mind to take apart and possibly not like at the end... You can learn a lot by just give it a go...
Fabulous Content! I hope you are well. Take care of yourself. I am also LOVING the stay out of town order. I have had to do some necessities... but mostly staying at home or at VERY SELECT homes to sew and sew... I LOVE IT!
Making medical masks.. Linings for handbags for personal projects... scissor covers and also generally getting my WIPS or UFOs out of my hair. Still making sure to take Lysol wipes spiked with Tea Tree oil and gloves with me into town. I have masks if I need them in public. and keeping the family safe.
Thank You for a very awesome video that gives us a lot to think about. Hurray for Self Quarantine... at least for us crafters. :)
The first thing I look for is how easily can I make the neckline smaller.
How can I get a proper measurement ? I have parts that are petite, a boxy 24W, short arms with a back hump. I found a dressmakers' model and even though I've made it resemble me, it still ends wrong.
I saw an item in a shop once whose tag said it was 50% cotton, 50% rayon, and 50% polyester. I did not buy it. ^_^
What if it’s too small?
This is a great video with very useful tips. Do you consider rayon a natural fiber? I just bought a blouse in rayon and then learned rayon is prone to shrinkage and when wet the fibers are super fragile. I was going to return it as too high maintenance. I like the print but am wary of the rayon fiber. What is your experience with rayon? Any tips?
Does your rayon blouse indicate dry cleaning? I have rayon garments that I wash on quick cycle on low temp and just hang dry, they have been fairing well.
Whimper, I can’t go to the thrift store until Covid goes along. I’ll have to work on the things I’ve already bought.
I have clothes I haven't worn in so long I want to pretend my closet is a thrift store and see what I can refashion from there 😂
I have been searching for a way to rectify a blouse I have made recently to no avail so Im assuming an easy fix is not possible. I recently made a blouse out of a woven shirting fabric . I really upped my game and made some adjustment on the pattern and made a placket and collar that came out beautifully it looks and fits great ! ..until I move my arms! It's short sleeved. just too snug . I really dont want to remove sleeves and enlarge? or enlarge arm hole? or just make sleeveless? before I do one of these can I try a cute little v at the cuff ? before I cut it up? I just know you know what I can do I know other people have this problem?
😀
Why don’t you call them Op Shops? Evelyn
🤣 Because only about 10 people will know what I mean! ❤
@@Evelyn__Wood only us Aussies and NZers call them op shops :D
Americans are seemingly incapable of figuring out unfamiliar slang from the context. So everyone has to cater to them
I'm looking for a tag if there is any, washing etc. info besides what you already told.
Good suggestion to buy some garments that aren't worth refashioning as practice. as long as the fabric isn't sleazy and unmanageable.
Hi Evelyn!! Awesome vlog..
These days I find the best thrift store fabrics and embellishments are in curtains and table cloths, especially for lace and fringe.
Ok, forgive me if I rant a bit.
When are people going to quit buying crappy synthetics? The reason I have started sewing is because there is nothing want to buy. Even with "high end" retailers it is rare to find cotton, silk or linen. I live in Stockholm Sweden, and everything looks like it came from H&M even if it costs ten times as much. I just won't buy it, because it has a designer name on the label. Uniqlo is the only store that has some natural fabrics, but their clothes are so boxy and boring.
If retailers want me to spend money they have to do better. Right now the colours in the stores are awful. The slimy salmon pink and baby barf yellow will not be in my closet. They won't be wearable next year. I REFUSE to buy those. I only buy clothes I know I want to wear for at least five years.
I agree about buying clothes you could wear for at least 5 years. Every now and again I look at what is still in my wardrobe after years, still in goo shape, and wonder if my friends are tired of seeing me in it.
I click "Like" the second you start talking. Always. :)
It is very easy for me to tell the fabric content of something. It must be all those years of practice.teeheee I can spot a cashmere sweater from a mile away. One of the many things I like buying at thrift stores is long flowy silk skirts. Although I wear a size 4, I will go up to a size 16 if the skirt is silk and the cut is right. I could take it in but I do the lazy thing. I just open up the waistband at each end(by the zipper)and put elastic through it until it fits, then sew down elastic and fix openings I made for the elastic. I also do this with flowy rayon pants. The bigger sizes make it more flowy.
Sounds love me your my mothers soul mate. She love lives and breathes cashmere!:'-p
Thank you so much Evelyn, everything you do and say is so very very helpful and useful......I sincerely hope your staying safe and well xxx Mags
I have a bag of clothes, that are all too small. since I have uhrm uhm, ehm ahem, grown wider and rounder. I am much fluffier than I was in the past. Also I can't handle anything tight anymore because of chronic illness. So how can I upsize some of my favourites in that bag, do I just hafta cut it up and add fabrics? or is there other options?
Kim making bigger is harder, as, you did need to add fabric from... somewhere! Usually there is not enough fabric to let out, so it is a case of getting creative and finding a way to add fabric to make it bigger. Pinterest is your friend for inspiration! Good luck! 😄
@@Evelyn__Wood ugh, I really really dislike pinterest roflol.
😂😂 Ooh, well I guess then use the best method for you to collect inspiring images and put them all in one place! ❤
Hi Kim! One idea in one of my Second WorldWar magazines, to make blouses, dresses and trousers bigger, is to open all the outside seams and insert a matching (or contrasting) braid. Sew the seams back up and the garment will be bigger due to the braid. Obviously you need to choose the braid really carefully! And add pieces of it elsewhere to tone - as a tie or collar on a blouse, or a belt on a dress, for instance. This technique is also useful for tops or dresses that are worn under the arms.
@@kimlightfoot I do as well. I usually do a search and either, add to the search a space and -pinterest. that subtracts it from the search, or I let it stay in the search then do an image search of that image without going to the pinterest site. Say I search 'ideas for enlarging garments' and choose images. Peruse the images, see one and click it, and it enlarges that choice without going to the site. You can usually save that image if that is all you need but if you want more info of how to, I try to find original post upload in the following way:
I have an app called TinEye (it's free, tineye.com/) which does searches for images so I left click it, choose tin eye search and then go to that site and look for the earliest or first date. That is usually the original uploader. Other wise, just look at the images that come in in the search engine.
Hi Evelyn! LOVED this video! Have you already done one showing how to use darts to take in a blouse or using darts to give a boxy blouse more shape? I’ve read a bit about them and I think that they would be useful in helping me downsize some of my favorite blouses that have become too large for me. I’ve lost about 55 pounds but I REALLY LOVE my clothes! Plus I’ve bought quite a bit thrifting thinking that I could just add some darts but I’m too scared that I’ll mess them up so they just sit there! Thank you🤗
Thanks this was really useful, I always thought buy big and take stuff in, but now I know better.
Yes please do a video on how to find natural fibers at the thrift store 😃