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)
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.
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.
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
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.
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!
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.
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.
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 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. 😂
Two years late on this video but would you look how STUNNING Evelyn looks in this color combination! And the style feels so elegant yet effortless. 10/10, now I'm off to rummage in my wardrobe to find something in the same vein!
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.
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 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.
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'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❤️.
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.
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!
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. 😊
What an incredible wealth of knowledge you have! Yes I really want to know how to spot natural fabrics and the various types & textures. I think I’ve made several poor choices on fabric selections & would love some guidance. Please do a video on this.....and thank you! Happy Sewing everyone!!! 👗✂️🧵
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!
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.
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 all of your wonderful ideas and information! I took apart a Las Vegas evening dress from the 70s and cant wait to repurpose the material...its a pure fuchsia color with a thin striped patterned weave.
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 !!! 🥰😻👍
Evelyn, you are such a great teacher! I sewed all my own clothes in high school and knew how to mix patterns sleeves, lengths. Now decades later , I restarted with tablecloths and redesigning clothes. It’s been so difficult and now I understand why! This video is so helpful! And also your Levels video. I’m 2 in skills but a 3 in design ideas, so I need to develop my sewing skills. I’m going to visit your school. Thank you so much!
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)🤗.
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.
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.
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!
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
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!
great info in this video! I recently bought a summer dress from an op shop which was too small in the bust so I removed the bodice to make a skirt. (Cotton too!) Also you look stunning in this colourway and style :)
I like to look at the width of the shoulders and the neckline as I am broadest on top and need these areas to fit well. I could redo the shoulders but if the neckline is too broad it doesn’t suit me. I have a couple of cheap shirts of my husband’s to practice refashioning, great tip!
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.
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 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.
how funny, your comment on spotting natural fabrics. i used to tell friends i could run my finger down a rack of thrift store shirts, and it would stop at silk!
I recently purchased a style of dress that I really liked, which was in a really cheap fabric so it didn't cost very much. I was thinking of possibly taking it apart and make a pattern from it then make it in a quality fabric? The fit is perfect by the way. Would be grateful for any tips on doing this. Or perhaps maybe a video covering this for future topic. Only just recently found you and really love your videos they are so helpful :)
Yes, that would be great. Have started looking at well-lived items in my downsized wardrobe, and making patterns from them. I started with pajama pants (haven't got it quite right yet) and a tunic. It's slow going, but am aiming to be able to sew or otherwise handcraft the majority of my clothes and accessories.
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 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 :)
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.
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...
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!:)
Yes, I would be very interested in learning about choosing natural fabrics while thrifting. Also more about how we decide what our color palette is as well as discoveri our our true style. I can get all over the place at thrift store. At home I am like " what was I thinking". Help...
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
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 planned to take pockets off of a jacket one time, only to discover that the placement had been marked with small holes! It was a knit, so didn't ravel, but I was disappointed not to be able to remove them!
You might have been able to close the holes up with some discreet stitching? I’ve mended many a hole. And if you screw it up you can always cover it with the pocket again lol
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! 😀
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.
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
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
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
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’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!
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!:)
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.
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.
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.
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! 😄😄
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'm so thankful for you. Your sweetness is so rare. Thank you!
Two years late on this video but would you look how STUNNING Evelyn looks in this color combination! And the style feels so elegant yet effortless. 10/10, now I'm off to rummage in my wardrobe to find something in the same vein!
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.
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
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.
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.
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❤️.
Yes please do a video on how to find natural fibers at the thrift store 😃
A video on picking natural fibres is a great idea!
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.
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.
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. 😊
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
What an incredible wealth of knowledge you have! Yes I really want to know how to spot natural fabrics and the various types & textures. I think I’ve made several poor choices on fabric selections & would love some guidance. Please do a video on this.....and thank you! Happy Sewing everyone!!! 👗✂️🧵
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!
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.
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
Oh I wonder if you could do a video where you take us along on your thrift shop trip!
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
I click "Like" the second you start talking. Always. :)
Thank you for all of your wonderful ideas and information! I took apart a Las Vegas evening dress from the 70s and cant wait to repurpose the material...its a pure fuchsia color with a thin striped patterned weave.
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!! 😄
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 !!! 🥰😻👍
Evelyn, you are such a great teacher! I sewed all my own clothes in high school and knew how to mix patterns sleeves, lengths. Now decades later , I restarted with tablecloths and redesigning clothes. It’s been so difficult and now I understand why! This video is so helpful! And also your Levels video. I’m 2 in skills but a 3 in design ideas, so I need to develop my sewing skills. I’m going to visit your school. Thank you so much!
I would be interest how to notice natural fabric . Thank you this was information.
very interesting! I'm interested in learning more about locating good quality and/or natural fabrics :)
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)🤗.
Love your head scarf. Show me how you do such a great job with it. You always wear pretty head scarves or hats.
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.
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.
these are excellent tips! My thrifting savvy-ness is leveling up thanks to your wisdom.
Ysy!!! I'm so happy to hear 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!
OoooOo yes would love to know more about how to spot natural fiber
So handy! This would save most of us money and time!
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
Watched on smart tv. Saving video to refer back to.
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! ❤
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...
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.....
Idea for video: how are you pinning your hair under your turbans and scarves that makes it stay!!!!
Yes, please do a video on spotting & using natural fibre fabrics!
great info in this video! I recently bought a summer dress from an op shop which was too small in the bust so I removed the bodice to make a skirt. (Cotton too!) Also you look stunning in this colourway and style :)
I'm actually working on one of those but I think there's enough fabric in the skirt to make a different bodice
I like to look at the width of the shoulders and the neckline as I am broadest on top and need these areas to fit well. I could redo the shoulders but if the neckline is too broad it doesn’t suit me. I have a couple of cheap shirts of my husband’s to practice refashioning, great tip!
Practice ones are a really good idea!! And jabbering the most tricky and difficult part to alter, fit you, is a great way to start!
you're outfit is SO chic!! Love the head scarf with the black earrings
Thanks for the video. I want to start doing alterations and I have been a little scared to start. I have sewn since 10 yrs old
Evelyn, you are so lovely! Thank you!
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.
Good suggestion to buy some garments that aren't worth refashioning as practice. as long as the fabric isn't sleazy and unmanageable.
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 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!!!
Love your shows. But in Melbourne we are still waiting for Op shops o reopen!! At least we have had many restriction lifted today
how funny, your comment on spotting natural fabrics. i used to tell friends i could run my finger down a rack of thrift store shirts, and it would stop at silk!
Your hints and tips are very helpful.
I am new to your channel. I admire those that have the eye to see how they can recreate an item. I don't think I have that. Thank you for your videos
Always love your tutorial
I recently purchased a style of dress that I really liked, which was in a really cheap fabric so it didn't cost very much. I was thinking of possibly taking it apart and make a pattern from it then make it in a quality fabric? The fit is perfect by the way. Would be grateful for any tips on doing this. Or perhaps maybe a video covering this for future topic. Only just recently found you and really love your videos they are so helpful :)
Yes, that would be great. Have started looking at well-lived items in my downsized wardrobe, and making patterns from them. I started with pajama pants (haven't got it quite right yet) and a tunic. It's slow going, but am aiming to be able to sew or otherwise handcraft the majority of my clothes and accessories.
Amen! God Bless you both always🙏😊♥️
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 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 :)
Yes, Please do a video on how to identify natural fibers.
I did! You can find it here ua-cam.com/video/TE4qFrQjFI4/v-deo.html 🙂
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.
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.
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!
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!:)
Natural Fibers!! I try to locate them at a thrift store but I don't see well yet, I have to really check
Please yes, I would like a fabric video.
This is super helpful! Thank you!!
Yes, I would be very interested in learning about choosing natural fabrics while thrifting. Also more about how we decide what our color palette is as well as discoveri our our true style. I can get all over the place at thrift store. At home I am like " what was I thinking". Help...
Yes plz a vid on how to find natural fabrics. thank you 😏
Hi Evelyn!! Awesome vlog..
I would definitely like to know how to spot natural fabric if you haven't made that video already!! 💓
I've been having some confidence block regarding a lined chiffon + beading dress
Great idea
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
would it be possible to do a video on some reshaping/refitting/adjusting seams etc on mens garments too?
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!
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 planned to take pockets off of a jacket one time, only to discover that the placement had been marked with small holes! It was a knit, so didn't ravel, but I was disappointed not to be able to remove them!
😓 Thats a shame! These are punch marks, they use this to mark placements in industry
You might have been able to close the holes up with some discreet stitching? I’ve mended many a hole. And if you screw it up you can always cover it with the pocket again lol
I love your head scarf.
How do you wrap it?
Yes I am