tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post4132866887711466456..comments2024-03-14T16:03:32.434-04:00Comments on Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing: Refashioning Fashion: the Forties and TodayGertiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314542159287533507noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-25129174784740938452010-11-01T01:56:48.560-04:002010-11-01T01:56:48.560-04:00I live in small town in Canada, in the province of...I live in small town in Canada, in the province of Quebec. (I am french speaker so sorry if I make mistakes when writing in English.) Here it is a real desert for great fabric shops so I buy almost all my supplies online from the USA. Customs and shipping fees are expensive, so I need to be creative and reuse old clothes. For an example, I always use old shirts to cut pockets and waistband lining for my sons' pants. I sewed pants for the boys in my husband's pants that did not fit anymore. I recently bought cotton flannel sheets to make winter shirts for my husband and my sons. I received compliments from the teacher of my elder about these shirts. I want all the clothes I sew to be good quality and I don't use fabric that is worn or stained, only the best ones. In also keep buttons and zippers that I cut from old clothes before I throw them away. Maybe it sounds strange, but for me it is a necessity if I want to continue to sew clothes.Annie V.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13396487319830442046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-50582022001844703012010-07-27T21:50:16.260-04:002010-07-27T21:50:16.260-04:00I don't think you are wrong about the sloppy l...I don't think you are wrong about the sloppy looking projects around but on the other hand there are some that look amazing. I guess I am becoming more of a snob myself, although I cannot forget that passing through the "sloppy" look was a necessary phase as my skill increased to a point where now I want my projects to look as good from the inside as they do on the outside. Skill, I might add, that I wouldn't have at all had the refashioning fad not hit me at the perfect time when my kids needed new clothes on the cheap. I doubt that most people stay in the sloppy<br />phase too long, I think most either learn to do better or lose interest.Sherhttp://momsneverendinglist.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-19988873518960838472010-07-27T17:59:55.854-04:002010-07-27T17:59:55.854-04:00Unfortunately, I do think you are being a bit of a...Unfortunately, I do think you are being a bit of a snob. First of all, some people create for the sheer joy of creating (not to achieve perfection or a skill), second of all, we are all at different talent levels, and thirdly, the people who refashion often do so from a passion as strong as you have about skillful sewing...they truly feel they are doing good for the world. Try not to look so much at the clothing you see, as the heart behind it. By the way, I love your blog so I hope I don't sound snarky.lonestarcasiehttp://www.101thingees.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-81163876018893519182010-05-15T08:23:35.332-04:002010-05-15T08:23:35.332-04:00I agree with what you are saying. I do like to re...I agree with what you are saying. I do like to refashion, though. I have to admit that my refashioning is not to save the world, though. It is to save money! And, I often refashion NEW things. As in I buy an inexpensive tank top and fabric and then turn it into something else....because I still want to look fashionable and love what I am wearing, but I can't afford to spend like 60 bucks or whatever for a shirt! I will cut up old clothes for the fabric though if it is still in good condition.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-25587064879322341382010-02-12T10:47:17.058-05:002010-02-12T10:47:17.058-05:00I'm so glad to have found your blog. Awesome s...I'm so glad to have found your blog. Awesome stuff! <br /><br />It's funny because I was just looking at $3 thrift shop men's dress shirts - I wanted to add a collar and cuffs to a black sheath dress I'm working on. I'd love to do some projects like this. However, I wouldn't do a reuse project if I knew the project wouldn't get any use in its second life. I see all kinds of projects on other craft blogs that claim to "reuse" old things, but they merely make them into kitsch/clutter, and I can't really stand that in my space. <br /><br />Thanks for the refreshing viewpoint. I'm looking forward to reading more!amandaleehttp://www.amandalee.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-29044257260840786092009-12-14T20:26:11.224-05:002009-12-14T20:26:11.224-05:00I agree katy. Its not snobby when you can look at ...I agree katy. Its not snobby when you can look at a project and see that it won't be practical. I've felt a similar way when looking at "refashioning projects" I personally can't afford to buy new fabric at $10 a yard for a simple shirt I want to make, so I use a dress that was given to me by a friend (which was pretty wierd as a dress but the fabric was cool.) Some people have the knack for re-fabricating things, while others don't. Hopefully someone can come up with a good resourse for those of us who need some good ideas and don't have any vintage sewing books!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-29744219516773670142009-10-25T13:49:25.015-04:002009-10-25T13:49:25.015-04:00I hope you don't mind, but as this post got me...I hope you don't mind, but as this post got me thinking a lot I actually mentioned it on my own blog:<br /><br />http://pretty-green-blog.blogspot.com/2009/10/i-read-really-interesting-post-on-one.htmlClarehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13931436948216821554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-61976104671478794942009-10-25T12:35:14.941-04:002009-10-25T12:35:14.941-04:00I completely agree about the slapdashyness seeming...I completely agree about the slapdashyness seeming pointless. In fact this is what gave me the motivation to start selling my handmade repurposed items because I realised that most of the time things actually looked worse once they were 'upcycled'. I wanted to show that it's possible to use recycled materials and still be a perfectionist for details. I don't necessarily want people to know that my items had a past life! <br /><br />I think it would be a shame if people were put of repurposing items they or their friends no longer need because it seems like its going to end up looking less appealing than a brand new item. I don't think this need be the case!Clarehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13931436948216821554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-8013220841223879792009-10-11T00:57:13.419-04:002009-10-11T00:57:13.419-04:00I agree on this one too... I fully support people ...I agree on this one too... I fully support people who refashion things for a creative outlet, or because they like to make kitschy cutesy things made from seconds. I've tried the thrift store shopping of garments with some vague hope that I'll know what to 'turn them into' when I get home... only to give them all away again because it just wasn't my thing. I'd rather invest in quality fabric and make something tailored, from scratch. Whatever works for the individual, I say.Jenavevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00210038477356983232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-31025888424895960192009-09-24T20:37:42.207-04:002009-09-24T20:37:42.207-04:00I agree with you on this one. I think refashionin...I agree with you on this one. I think refashioning has a place. I, too, cringe a bit seeing some of them. Now that being said, some are truly ingenious. I for one see the worthiness of a man's dress shirt in good condition, the material is usually good quality, stain resistant sometimes, and if broadcloth, a good weight for kids clothes, as the 1940 books illustrate. I take little used shirts of mine and cut them into shirts for my 8yo in one of her TNT patterns. Why waste good fabric in good condition? But I do not believe in refashioning everything.Myrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16163175961766563965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-17257955912293081902009-09-24T11:34:46.460-04:002009-09-24T11:34:46.460-04:00Most of the time my "refashioning" is mo...Most of the time my "refashioning" is more in the lane of making alterations to thrift store garments, like shortening an ankle length skirt to a wearable length. When I've tried to make something completely new it turns into "improvisational sewing" which means there are more problems than there need to be and it doesn't turn out as well if I had planned ahead.mjbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07270657379178402124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-64537397627456204182009-09-23T09:27:14.488-04:002009-09-23T09:27:14.488-04:00I'm with you. If they want to look all "...I'm with you. If they want to look all "happy hands at home" that's fine with me, but you won't catch me doing it. You know, I think that's the same issue I have with the Snuggie--it just looks thrown together.<br /><br />I think cutting down adult clothing for children's clothes is a good idea, but try to coordinate colors and make it look like something you would be willing to spend money on.<br /><br />Just because you have refashioned something and it's "free" doesn't mean it needs to look like the dogs dinner.<br /><br />Another thing I've noticed about refashioners--they seem to be allergic to patterns. Having talked to some of them I have sussed out two reasons for this. First, they just don't know how to sew and patterns are downright intimidating. Second, using a pattern is cheating somehow.aureliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04740549144591949341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-54327379102105842162009-09-22T09:53:47.489-04:002009-09-22T09:53:47.489-04:00I think refashioning an old shirt for either baby ...I think refashioning an old shirt for either baby garments or dust rags is great! If you can make something useful out of old stuff it's great home economics and also great for the environment. But yes, I too, have seen a lot of ugly remake ideas out there, so I guess it's all down to personal taste. As usual. ;-)Annahttp://www.twitter.com/annakaffekannanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-56070426682368400162009-09-22T08:34:38.532-04:002009-09-22T08:34:38.532-04:00I'll admit that I am one who refashions on a q...I'll admit that I am one who refashions on a quasi-regular basis, and up until about the beginning of this month, I spent over a year pledging over at Wardrobe Refashion. I've been haunting the thrift stores since I was a young teenager, and so for me a lot of what I like to do is take something where I'm drawn to the fabric, but the fit or style isn't necessarily what I'm looking for, and make it to look better on me. In many ways, I can get creative with a refashion in ways that I can't with new fabric--I don't know enough about draping to be able to make it work with a couple yards of fabric, but I can take apart a men's shirt and pin and drape it on my dummy into a blouse. (In that case, it was also about $150 cheaper than the Anthropologie blouse I got the concept idea from.) It also often provides a way for me to salvage my own sewing fails--one of my favorites to date was taking a pair of capris that looked awful on me and a couple of matching solid-colored t-shirts and turning it into a beach coverup dress. So for me, at least, refashioning can be a very good thing, and if done right, can result in some nice-looking clothes. I do realize, however, that for a lot of the people who do it, the results do look rather slapdash, either because they don't have the skills yet to make it better or they just don't care. I hate most of the t-shirt refashions that are out there--honestly, my parents wouldn't have let me wear a lot of the more severely deconstructed/skimpy styles, and now they're just inappropriate for a girl in her late 20s (especially in the workplace). Not to mention they just look messy. But as someone else already pointed out, at least that's getting some people interested in sewing that might not be otherwise. Hopefully with time and developed skill, those projects will clean up too. So I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing-- just depends on the context. Besides, sewing with new fabric can turn out some crappy results too (as my most recent sewing project has been, sadly, and is going to have to result in some refashioning to try and salvage my silk charmeuse.)Beckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09913795373618902575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-23549685208322523772009-09-21T22:57:45.543-04:002009-09-21T22:57:45.543-04:00I guess I am a snob too!! I also like fabric too ...I guess I am a snob too!! I also like fabric too much consider refashioning things. Oh well, at least we can admit it!Kathihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11152942097072530468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-36569144205766595282009-09-21T22:16:48.511-04:002009-09-21T22:16:48.511-04:00I don't disagree with what you're saying. ...I don't disagree with what you're saying. I too think a lot of the "green" projects exist just for the sake of being "green" without there actually being a need for them. If you're going to the trouble of making something, have it be something that you will love and use all of the time, don't just make it for the sake of having a feel good moment about yourself. Interesting post!Ms. B @ Millie Deelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08017849348031677122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-21120968262168149992009-09-21T20:36:33.350-04:002009-09-21T20:36:33.350-04:00Its not being snobbish to not refashion. Many ite...Its not being snobbish to not refashion. Many items that can be refashioned, because they are damaged and can be repurposed and Still look good are great. But to take a perfectly good item and make it into what turns out to be a "craft project" that looks and fits like junk afterwords is worthless. It really just depends why you are or would want to refashion something. In the day and age that book was written it was hard to get fabric, so taking something our of you husbands closet who was gone and wearing uniforms made sense, or taking curtains down, etc.Its too far for me to consider using my bedsheets or pillowcases- thats just shabby and not shabby chic by the way. Today, you have to really think about the piece you are considering changing. To use old shirts for bodice muslins makes sense. My husband wears his shirts out to rags almost. about all they are good for is dusting or a muslin.<br />and if you have teens they aren't usually interested in repurposing because they want the "new" style- you know the one we wore 20 years ago-little humor there.<br />Even thrift stores have fabric where someone has emptied their stash and sent it there. There are many options to find fabric and if you shop the major chains ie jo-anns and hancocks, they offer enough coupons if you look you can almost get something for nothing. Unfortunately i like to shop the speciality stores and seriously miss being near the garment district in LA where i would go with friends and load up on stash to hold you for a few months for hardly anything.treva ehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06430280085696664354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-8074739410150856552009-09-21T19:46:21.373-04:002009-09-21T19:46:21.373-04:00I think that that pattern is really wonderful, and...I think that that pattern is really wonderful, and I can imagine my grandmother, when she and my grandfather were first married, with a little kid, saving to buy a house...making herself a shirt from one of his. But, that is a different kind of refashioning than you see today. That was refashioning by skilled sewists who may have been looking to save some money on materials.<br /><br />Modern refashioning is something altogether different. This will be an incredibly long comment, but the other week I took my niece to the bookstore. I have been teaching her how to sew, and had told her she could buy a sewing or craft book. I waited for her to bring her pile of "maybes" to the cafe, and a few minutes later, she came back with 3 or 4 books. One of them was a book with 20 refashioning projects in it, but as she was looking at it she would point out to me "Aunt Missy, they didn't even HEM that!" or "Aunt Missy, all they did was cut a bunch of holes in a t-shirt...that's not sewing!"<br /><br />But that is really what I see with a lot of refashioning projects. It's quick, it's dirty, and it looks "happy hands at home," and I spend a significant amount of time trying to make my projects not look sloppy!<br /><br />So while I can appreciate that vintage pattern, given that it is a product of its time (probably a time that WWII rationing was still fresh in people's minds), I don't have that same appreciation for most of the modern refashioning projects that I see.Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04873478695914665795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-22420680871510645242009-09-21T18:16:54.992-04:002009-09-21T18:16:54.992-04:00I'll be honest, for the price of the items at ...I'll be honest, for the price of the items at my local Goodwill I can go down to the fabric district and buy new, unstained, not holey fabric for the same price or less.<br /><br />I'm also a fan of the old adage "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should."Cathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05487281083171155430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-49641751005698049252009-09-21T17:48:09.989-04:002009-09-21T17:48:09.989-04:00I don't think you're a snob for saying it ...I don't think you're a snob for saying it at all. I refashion items, mostly dresses that I have either grown out of love with or dresses that wear out in the bodice (so I make it into a skirt usually, or sometimes a shirt) and I feel that I'm getting more use out of an item that I loved for a long time. I do agree that some refashion projects can be slapdash and ugly, but I feel the same way about some sewing projects. If you don't put the effort into making something nice in either situation, you get something that looks it.Knitosaurushttp://knitosaurusrex.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-27092026296830320532009-09-21T17:41:04.608-04:002009-09-21T17:41:04.608-04:00I couldn't sleep and was thinking about your p...I couldn't sleep and was thinking about your post, Gertie. (Don't worry, it wasn't your post that kept me awake ;-)) And I must say: I'm not sure where I stand on this subject.<br /><br />In a previous comment I already established that I am a snob too. And I love the feeling of quality fabric in my hands and the look of a well-made gown can make me drool. On the other hand, I do admire the creativity of many people online, who seem to make fun little items from.. well.. almost nothing! Inspired after reading a couple of blogs like that I even tried to jump in myself; I made a frock-y thing-y from a sheet that once was my grand-mothers. Yes. I Know. And I have to be honest: I didn't wear it again.<br /><br />Ofcourse, when you look at really, really good fabrics, there is something to say about refashioning. I can imagine that some clothing items from years ago were made with stunning and good quality fabrics, fabrics you would have to pay a lot of money for these days. So who know, if someone could refashion an old model with gorgeous fabric into something more fitting for that person, I can surely admire that.<br /><br />Last point (did I even make a point until now?):I guess when you don't have a lot of money and decide to make something yourself with some found or given fabric, you'd probably be better of than when you'd shop in some of the mass-production-stores these days. In both situations the fabric can fall apart any day, maybe, but in the case of sewing yourself you have a better chance of neat workmanship.<br /><br />I really should go to bed now :-)Karin van Damhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05265648838034821590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-85122805037065305422009-09-21T16:41:53.728-04:002009-09-21T16:41:53.728-04:00I normally re-use clothing for my younger set. I ...I normally re-use clothing for my younger set. I have used a man's shirt to make a sundress for myy youngest and then my dh whit polo shirt with a yellow stain in the middle to make my youngest a white knit shirt (it's on my blog - it's so cute!).<br /><br />I also have been known to re-cut pj bottoms for my other 2 dd! I have also made blue jean skirts with left over jeans (with too many holes) and fabric.<br /><br />I do it when the fabric is cute and my kids like it.<br /><br />But I don't do it on a normal basis. And not to be "green" - I do it because I don't want to spend more money at times - and why waste the fabric (if it' nice)?Lady Jennhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01312855623134541689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-58187722692539072142009-09-21T16:24:47.695-04:002009-09-21T16:24:47.695-04:00While you know I don't mind calling people out...While you know I don't mind calling people out on their snobbery, I can't do it in this case. <br /><br />I really really want to get behind the idea of refashioning, and to that end have even taken the Wardrobe Refashion Pledge for LIFE. But I have yet to complete a refashion that I'm really satisfied with. But I haven't caved and purchased new clothing yet (well, once) and I don't plan on it. For me it's about thinking through what I really need in my wardrobe, and not buying on impulse. If I want something, I have to figure out how to make it. (By the way, the refashion pledge does not rule out purchasing new fabrics and sewing clothes from scratch).<br /><br />For me it comes back to the slow vs fast fashion. If you are going to approach a refashion with care and diligence that's one thing. But if you're just turning something that you would have thrown away into something that you'll only throw away later because you didn't do a good job, well, what's the point?<br /><br />On the other hand, I think any refashioning encourages a creative way of thinking, and that is always a Good Thing. And after all, failure is a big part of success.Mz. Whitneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16795252523182627852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-14818142043479780702009-09-21T16:04:24.831-04:002009-09-21T16:04:24.831-04:00Back in the 80s when beautiful perfectly preserved...Back in the 80s when beautiful perfectly preserved vintage clothing (40s/50s/60s) was in great supply in thrift stores, I refashioned a LOT of stuff. I cut and hacked so many beautiful irreplaceable vintage things into oblivion that when I think about it now, it makes me a little ill. I'm sure I looked great at the punk rock show, but now I wish I still had those beautiful pieces in ONE PIECE. <br /><br />If somebody wants to repurpose something that has been used beyond usefulness, (torn jeans into skirt, etc.) that makes sense to me. However, re-making something perfectly usable, just to DO it, blows my mind. I always think: "Yeah, you're glad you cut up that mumu to make purses now, but just wait 20 years!" Lol!Gabriellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01274399710388948522noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-33168021665531356312009-09-21T15:58:38.040-04:002009-09-21T15:58:38.040-04:00Just because you can make a dress from a tableclot...Just because you can make a dress from a tablecloth doesn't mean you should. And I don't want to wear pillowcases, but I would totally wear a silk blouse cut from some old 80s silk dress. Why not use a billowing skirt with stunning fabric as raw materials? Recycling fabric is a good thing. Making clothes from your kids from your own stuff also is a thrifty idea. But I speak as someone who made a top from a skirt once, and a girl's dress from the hem of a woman's dress so the mom and daughter can match.<br /><br />And every now and again, someone does it right. Like a lady whose blouse cut from a men's shirt makes me drool, only of course I can't find the lousy link. She cut and sewed herself a fitted blouse so beautifully from pieces of a men's thrifted print shirt...<br /><br />But that, Gertie, is what I think you're talking about. Quality in your crafting and pride in what you finish. Making things you want that fit well instead of things you just ...can.Fitzhttp://fitzfabulous.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.com