Yes, I know. I’ve been away for a little while, not my intentions but that’s what happens sometimes. The good news is I have a few new projects that I’ve finished as I enter week #2 of my Wardrobe Refashion. I am happy to report that I have not purchased any new clothing, however, I did break down and buy some new fabric….oh well.  On to my projects!

I made a simply short jacket with kimono style sleeves from this pattern, view A:

I thought I would really love it, made up in some steel blue corderoy fabric.

I have not finished  it yet, I still need to hem the edges and add a button at the collar. It didn’t take me very long, although the directions could be a bit more explicit. I don’t love the way it looks on me; it is just super baggy (that’s the style, Erica…) so I may play around with it a little more.

 and one more….

Secondly, I made a dress from this pattern:

Yes, of course I know that isn’t a dress pattern, per se, but I just did a few simple changes and voila! A new dress:

Details on the changes: Very simply, you extend the hem line from the bodice to any length you desire. I added 9 inches to mine and it hits me right at the knee.

Make sure you cut both your front and back pieces to the same length. Then you can finish the pattern with the normal instructions. I love this pattern! I am not so crazy about this particular fabric pairing with this dress, but it fits well. I would love to create a knit dress with a different fabric for the collar and sleeves. This pattern is really adaptable and is a great purchase. I can’t wait to make something else from it.

Close-up of bodice

One last thing! I knit a handbag from a Knitting Daily pattern (if you haven’t signed up already, what are you waiting for?). I chose Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice in Rose. It was only around $5 for two skeins and I didn’t even use all of it! The bag knit up rather quickly, seaming and lining took about 2 hours. Although the pattern called for knitting needles instead of binding off, I decided to do the latter and attach a vintage button for closure.

Things I would change? I would make the handles shorter, make the bag wider and shorten this as well. It is really roomy, though! I can’t wait to use it…

To line a knitted bag, I just measured some fabric (you will only use about 1/4 of a yard) with my knitted bag piece comme ca,

And then press down the top edge to conceal any raw edges:

And then handstitch it into your bag. Tres simple.

I know this post is just overflowing with photos, but here is one more. My new fabric purchase, Amy Butler Nigella. This print is HUGE and I have 1 1/2 yards from a 64″ bolt, plenty to do a number of things, but what should I make?

On a last note, I need a new digital camera. xo.

I’ve gone and done it. I’ve joined the Wardrobe Refashion Blog (it starts tomorrow) and I’ve committed to 6 months of not purchasing any new clothes and instead, making them myself. This is going to be good for me, since as of late I have become a shopaholic. (Having a clothes-horse of boyfriend does not help.) Here is my pledge:

 ”I, Erica, pledge that I shall abstain from the purchase of “new” manufactured items of clothing, for the period of 6 months. I pledge that I shall refashion, renovate, recycle preloved items for myself with my own hands in fabric, yarn or other medium for the term of my contract. I pledge that I will share the love and post a photo of my refashioned, renovoated, recylcled, crafted or created item of clothing on the Wardrobe Refashion blog, so that others may share the joy that thy thriftyness brings! Signed, Erica.”

In addition to that pledge, I am making a personal pledge NOT to buy any additional patterns, yarn, fabric or other craft supplies UNLESS it is absolutely necessary to the completion of a project. I have so many unused patterns, fabrics and notions that I have not used and it is my goal through this to use all of what I currently have on hand. In addition to this, I intend to clean and reorganize my craft space and to sell or trade any fabric and notions that I cannot find a use for. Whew! That’s quite a committment. Wish me luck.

I’ve got a slew of new things I’ve been working on for fall, they should be up soon but in the meantime, here are some photos of things I’ve made in the past. Most are made from my designs and thusly have no pattern, unless otherwise noted. I will be adding more of these “past projects” as time allows.