I Made It Monday: From Frumpy to Fab Refashion

This is a really simple dress to skirt refashion (see similar here) that anyone can do. 

I picked this dress up at a Thrift Shop for $3.00 - you get what you pay for, right?!

I was singing "I Feel Pretty" as you do! 
I went all out for the before shot: no shoes, no make up!

I like the colours and the lightweight cotton fabric.  However, that square neckline does me no favours; the whole dress is too wide on me; the hem line is a weird and unflattering length with that much solid blue.

So to remedy all these problems I simply chopped the dress off under the armpits; sewed a casing and inserted elastic. 

Sandals: Big W; Skirt: Made by Me; Shirt: Old & refashioned by me
Pretty view c/o Kiama, NSW

Ta da!  A maxi skirt!  From frumpy dress to fabulous maxi skirt in one simple seam!

It was really windy! 
I don't mind rain, snow, cold or heat but I do NOT like the wind!
Photos c/o my wonderful Husband who loves a random unflattering shot!

I Made It Monday: Sewing with the Flat Bum Mum

One of the goals of this blog is to encourage others to sew.  So when I suggested to the fabulous Bron at Flat Bum Mum that we team up to make a skirt and she said YES I was thrilled. 

If you haven't checked out Bron's blog you really have to.  She's a stylish Mum of 3 (including twins, I always feel like twin's are worth extra points it the Mum stakes!) who writes an interesting and funny real life blog for real Mums. 

We each made a skirt using this tutorial. 
 
I had this gorgeous fabric (from The Remnant Warehouse) in my fabric stash for a long time, so I posted it on IG and asked what I should make with it.  The almost unanimous answer was maxi skirt!  You were all so right! 

I have a confession to make.  I didn't own a maxi skirt.  Not one.  Why??? 

Skirt: Made  By Me; Necklace: Made By Me; Tee: Target

I am loving the maxi skirt!  So much so that I've made a second one.  You have the ease of wearing a skirt without having to worry about remembering to shave your legs (not that I'd ever do that...* ahem*)

Here is Bron's beautiful skirt, didn't she do a great job? 



Bron at Flat Bum Mum looking amazing!

I love that you can't make such different skirts with the same simple pattern. 

So have a go at this simple skirt - I'd love to see your creations! 

The Most Versatile Dress in the World!

Okay, I know that saying this is the most versatile dress in the world is a big call.  But it is!

I have talked about my love of animal print but felt it was "too much" on me in big items, but this gorgeous dress c/o Omika Australia solves that problem.  The black & grey print is subtle enough that I don't feel overwhelmed by the print, nor do I look like a tall walking stuffed toy!

I was a little unsure about how a knit fabric dress would look on me, however this dress is a nice thick fabric which doesn't cling - oh happy days - and it's comfortable!  And can we talk about the length?  Perfection!

I've styled it 4 different ways here, but it has endless possibilities.  I love how it is great for my everyday casual Mama life, but also looks good dressed up for a night out or for work.

If you hurry Omika Australia is now offering 10% off dresses (ends tomorrow) so now is a great time to buy one! 

Shoes: Michael Kors (old); Clutch: Coach (even older); Necklace: Sportsgirl

Ready for Date Night!

A work appropriate look.

Shoes: David Jones (old); Jacket: Cue Australia (old)

Booties: Target (old); Cardigan: Old Navy, Tall (old); Scarf: Seed (really old)

Perfect for Spring or Autumn!

Mama casual, this dress is the perfect length for chasing little people!



Shoes: Target; Shirt: Lee Cooper: Necklace & Earrings: Made By Me

Photos c/o my wonderful Husband

How would you style this dress?

I Made It Monday: Printed Pants Refashion

 

I was recently shopping at Big W and saw these pants on the clearance rack for $5.00!  I was immediately attracted to the soft fabric and the pretty blue print. 

Problem:  they weren't my size.  But that has never stopped me before! What was most important was that they were LONG - really long (due to the larger size I guess).

Here is the before shot (sorry, it was a sunny morning!):



Please note: I am in no way mocking wearers of these pants;
I'm simply demonstrating how they were not close to my size, making this an extreme refashion.

As I had plenty of fabric to work with I wasn't very delicate with my refashioning.  I cut up the inseam and the crotch seam.  I didn't want to take them in from the sides because they have pockets... and why would you mess with pockets?!  Also, the depth of the rise (crotch seam) was too long for me and by taking it all in I gave myself extra inseam length - bonus!

Here is how I did it:

I'm loving my new pants!!  Teamed here with a simple white tee, green earrings and tassel necklace (both made by me) and my super comfy Naturalizer sandals from last summer.

 

 

Photos c/o my wonderful Husband

I Made It Monday: Chocolate Floral Fit & Flare Dress

I've been posting a lot of midi skirts lately, so to break things up I thought I'd make a dress... with a midi skirt... okay, I admit I have a problem.


I made this dress using New Look Pattern 6824, (the purple dress version) with slight modifications:

1. I shortened the sleeves.
2. I added pockets, because I love pockets!
3. I rounded the square neckline. 

This is a very easy to follow pattern and I love all the options available. 

I'm in the process of finishing another dress from this pattern.  Yep, another midi skirt!!



The gorgeous cotton sateen fabric is from
The Remnant Warehouse. 







Pockets make me happy!





This dress will be perfect styled with my white sandals for summer.



The wind caught my skirt, making me think I should make
a petticoat so my skirt is always this floofy (that's a word today)
Photos c/o my wonderful Husband

A dress is the easiest way to look put together.  It's one piece, a no brainer! 

The fit and flare style of dress is universally flattering on all heights and body types, if you don't have one then you need one! 

I know that not everyone sews (yet!) so I want to share some great versions of this style of dress you can buy.  I found these online at Omika and they are a great length for us tall girls and all under $65.00!  To me a midi skirt loses all of its style and elegance if it's too short.



Ivy - Plum
A perfect & classic dress!

Nicole - Turquoise 
How stunning is that lace and those pleats?!

Katy - Cheetah
A subtle touch of animal print, I'm in love!
 

Liberty Dress
A great dress to dress up or down!
 

 

Midi Skirt Love!

I love this midi skirt! 

If midi skirts were like children then you shouldn't have a favourite.  But they are not, and I do! 

If you follow me on IG you would have seen this skirt before.

I've paired it here with a loose fitting top, I like the casual and comfy look.  I made this skirt (see how here) with gorgeous cotton sateen from The Remnant Warehouse.  It is so soft!

Close up of the pleats and beautiful fabric.

Photos c/o my wonderful Husband.
My 3 year old was too busy riding her bike!