#repurpose clothes

To make the top I designed it on my dress form with draping tape. I then draped it with muslin to form my pattern pieces.  After draping I then transferred the muslin pattern pieces onto paper so that I could grade up/ resize the pattern pieces to fit my measurements.

What you’ll need for this project:

old pair of jeans, dress form, draping tape, chalk, muslin, scissors, pins, sharpie, rulers (curved & straight), separating zipper, plastic boning, thread, sewing machine(s), tape measure, needle and thread and roll of paper.

I grabbed my draping tape and designed the top on my dress form.

I used draping tape to create the design.

Time to drape. Use the muslin to copy the draping tape design.

Pin the muslin to the dress form and smooth out the wrinkles.

Use a sharpie to trace the draping tape.

I use dots to copy the draping tape.

I used a curved ruler and a straight ruler to connect the dots.

If you need to resize the pattern pieces, this is the time. I usually true up the measurements before I separate the pattern pieces. It simplifies the process.

Separate the pattern pieces onto paper. Separate 1 and 2 and so on. Once separated add an half inch seam allowance every pattern pieces.

2 paris of gently used jeans. One to wear and the other to upcycle.

Cut the pant leg up the inner seam.

Lay the pants out flat as shown above.

I then laid out all my pattern pieces right side up on jeans.

Pin all your pieces together.

Sew all the pieces together

Pin the two halves together and sew.

Make a casing for the boning. I sewed the seam allowance closed right at the edge to make the casing.

It also helps to do a small stitch across the top of the casing so that the boning won’t slide up.

Cut the boning.  But, make sure to cut it at least 1/2 in shorter at the top and the bottom. Cut the boning shorter so that you won’t break the needle on your sewing machine.

Slide your boning inside the casing.

Boning inside

Boning is all in place. I also overlocked the edges because, denim tends to unravel.

This is what it looks like with the boning in place. I only used boning in the front for support. (rushing) I should have placed boning in back and sides also for more support.

I think it’s looking great so far. What do you guys think?

  You must have a separating zipper for this project. This zipper I had was too long so I had to cut it.

Line the zipper up and cut it to the proper size.

Cut the top of the zipper but, make sure the zip at the bottom. I used needle and thread to make a catch for the zipper. I also removed 1/2 inch of the coils from the tops. I used a smaller wire cutter to remove the coils. You remove the coils so that you won’s sew them and break your sewing needle.

Pin the zipper in place. Make sure the coils are facing inwards.

I used a zipper foot.

Separating zipper installed.

I also topstitched the zipper to keep the zipper in place.

Check out the finished product and let me know what you guys think. Also, if you would like to see me upcycle a jean idea that you have;  leave your idea in the comment section.

This is the reason I should have placed boing in the back and sides also.  The boning would have prevented the buckling.

This is the last batch of maternity DIY, although there is just one more little party dress I'll be showing off a bit later. These are all of the cottons I sewed for my daughter-in-law, who is now 6 months along!

This first little polka dot number was intended to be a dress, but as with a few other projects I just didn't anticipate how short they would become with a growing belly! So more than a couple have turned into tops instead of dresses! Lesson learned  :)

A simple little black fabric sash makes this plain cotton blouse just adorable. 

This fabric remnant has been waiting for just the right project to come along and I think the sheer light fabric and cheerful colors are perfect for pregnancy. I followed a non-maternity pattern and added additional width to the front panel, then gathered it before sewing to the bust piece. I also added a bit of front length to cover the growing belly. Everything else it true to pattern, and I especially love the flutter sleeves.

The hot pink sash wraps around twice and can be tied at the front, side or back.

Not sure if this was breaking a spending fast rule, but if so....oops! I found the sparkly fabric on sale and needed just a yard to make this top. It's super sheer and lightweight and works great with leggings. Again I used a non maternity pattern for a simple shirt, adding extra width and length to the front and gathering for fullness above the waist.

This same black sash works for several outfits!

This mens shirt stripe is so summery, and the simple attention to detailing makes it not-so-ordinary. The pattern was non-maternity, and the only thing changed was extra material and gathers around the tummy area. 

It has an interesting non-symmetrical ruffle detailing that I love. One little ruffle along the right waist and another along the left shoulder. 

This last cotton shirt was a make-over. I fell in love with the fabric on a balloon sleeve top at a little boutique years ago and bought it on sale, but it never quite fit right. I decided to cut off the sleeves and take out the waistband to make it maternity.

To remove a waistband, simple cut it out above and below, staying as close as possible to the original seam line. Then sew the shirt bottom back on to the shirt top, matching the side seam lines, gathering the front if necessary to match them up. I actually removed the gathers on this one to make more room in front.

 I love the little collar tie detailing at the top. When I cut the sleeves off I decided to leave the frayed ends instead of hemming them up nicely. I like the frayed effect and it's one less step to making this over.