Ali Foster's Blog: Sewing, Style, DIY, Indie Shopping…

Shirt Refashion: Adding Texture

I got this grey waffle shirt at the thrift store and decided to refashion it for summer.

I cut the sleeves off and cut a little off the length. I then randomly sewed strips of fabric around the neck and a little bit on the bottom.

Here is the after:

P.S. All of my sewing patterns are on sale for $3.99 each here: http://www.alifosterpatterns.com/handbag-patterns.html

refashion: t-shirt + lace

This was actually a really easy refashion. All you need is a t-shirt and some lace. I used stretch lace, although I didn’t really have to. As long as the armhole and sleeve are big enough that you don’t need them to stretch, you can use regular non-stretchy lace.

This is the before:

I removed the sleeves and the pocket and used them as my actual pattern pieces. I then just re-made the sleeves & pocket out of the lace.

Here is the after:

The total cost was about $5. The t-shirt was $2 from the thrift store and the lace was about $3.

P.S. I will have a tutorial for the last refashion (the top with the elastic waist) up on my blog soon!

geometric fabric finds

Today’s fabric finds were inspired by all of the geometric designs I have been seeing everywhere (like the ones below).

{blouse from anthropologie, rug from haus interior, tote from the new domestic, zipper purse from made by hank, lizzie fortunato necklace from frances may}

And here are my geometric fabric finds:

1. Cloud 9 Organic “Shards” Fabric from Harts Fabric

2. Brandon Mabley “Tents” Fabric from The Enchanted Square

3. Anna Maria Horner “Good Folks” Fabric from The Fabric Boutique

4. Joel Desberry Herringbone Fabric from Lily Bella Fabrics

5. Geometric Twill Fabric from Canopy Studio

6. Circus Bunting Fabric from Booster Seat

7. Geometric Abstract Sheer Fabric from Hart’s Fabric

8. Premier Prints Zig Zag Fabric from Scarlet Poppe

9. Denyse Schmidt Diamond Chevron Fabric from Fresh Squeezed Fabrics

10. Anthology Theory Lattice Diamonds from Sew Fresh Fabrics

A Simple Shirt Refashion

I am a sucker for polka dots so I had to buy this top. It was on sale at the thrift store for 95 cents! It didn’t look too great on. It was way too boxy so I decided to add a little shape to it by giving it an elastic waist. I also added elastic to the sleeves to make them a little bit ruched. This was a really quick and easy refashion. If anyone is interested in a tutorial for this, let me know! Thanks!

New! Bow Tote Bag Sewing Pattern

The Bow Tote Bag is now available on alifosterpatterns.com for the sale price of $3.99. It is also in my etsy shop. Unlike my other tote bags, this one has an interior zippered pouch pocket.

Sew Sew

Love this print from Little Types. There are quilting and knitting ones, too.

Fresh & Fruity Fabrics

{Pics from Style.com Designers: Suno, Stella McCartney, Moschino Cheap & Chic}

A reader left a comment the other day saying that she was looking for fabric similar to Stella McCartney’s citrus print. As it turns out, several designers featured fruit prints in their Spring 2011 collections. Although I didn’t find anything resembling Stella’s, I still found plenty of yummy looking fabrics. I think one of the oilcloth fabrics would make a super cute beach bag.

1. Oranges Oilcloth from The Fabric Farm

2. Yellow Apples Japanese Cotton Canvas from Stefanie Style

3. Early Bird Cherries fabric from Voodoo Rabbit

4. Pears & Apples Oilcloth from The Fabric Farm

5. Pear & Floral Oilcloth from Glamour Stitch

6. Retro Lemon Fabric from Cyber Fabric

7. Citrus Scrub Fabric from Sew Fresh Fabrics

8. Cherry Oilcoth from Warm and Sunny

Refashion: Dress to Paper Bag Waist Skirt

I found this red gingham dress at the thrift store for $3. I love gingham (see last post) so I had to buy it.

Here is the before:

And here is the after:

I was going to make a belt out of the same fabric, but I didn’t have enough. Also, I think I might change the buttons.

Runway Inspired Fabric Finds

I like to get ideas before fabric shopping because I tend to get overwhelmed ….so I thought it would be kinda fun to take some inpiration from the runway and see what I could find. The D&G Spring 2011 collection had tons of fun colors, floral prints, gingham, lace and denim, all of which I love. I’m not planning on trying to recreate their outfits or anything, but maybe I will make something else using similar fabric combinations.

From top to bottom:

1. Carolina Gingham Fabric from HartsFabric.com
2. Pink Rose Liberty of London fabric from The Top Drawer
3. Vintage Salmon & Blue Tulip Cotton Fabric from Zinnia Snip Snap
4. Powder Blue Lace from Harts Fabric
5. Blue Denim from Harts Fabric
6. Red Gingham Linen from Buttons and Such
7. Retro Buttercup Blue Floral Fabric from Harts Fabric
8. Liberty Tana Fairford Pink Floral Fabric from Hyggeligt
9. Bright Pink Rose Print Cotton from Blueberry Damsel
10. Tanya Wehlan Delilah Fabric in Green from Skye Reve Fabrics

D&G Runways Pics from Style.com

New Mini Messenger Bag Sewing Pattern

Just wanted to let you all know that I have a new pattern for sale. It is a small size, has 2 exterior patch pockets, 1 interior patch pocket & a button closure. If you are interested, it is on sale at alifosterpatterns.com for $3.99. It is also available on etsy.

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SOME OF MY SEWING PATTERNS & TUTORIALS: