Early Access // This Week's Video
Currently I'm trying to get a few videos done in advance before I dive into what is bound to be a very time consuming project that will surely take over the next few weeks of my time... the Victorian day bodice!! So here is this week's upcoming video, where I show the results of fixing up a few items that I felt could spark a little more joy during my recent closet clear out. I am almost a little nervous to put up shorter videos like this these days, as I know so many are used to my hour long sewing tutorials, but I can always find a reason to be a bit scared of every upload honestly! 😅
I hope you are doing well so far this month out there in the wilds of 2021. I want to put together a little bonus video here soon to show you what else I have been sewing so far this year, so that should be coming soon, in addition to the monthly podcast and this month's pattern drafting project video which will be up on the 20th.
Thank you so much for your support!
Giving My Clothes a Makeover // Alterations, Acid Dye, and a Thrift Flip (YouTube)
Comments (44)
These all came out so well! I'm particularly happy you dyed the sweater, it's so pretty and suits you even better as black. After watching this I finally got up the nerve to dye a pair of white shoes I'd been holding onto for years. Completely ruined them! But I'm glad I tried, I learned some stuff and I have one less someday project hanging over my head. (Perhaps I'll celebrate with some new shoes!)
Thank you Kitty! I'm sorry to hear about the shoes, that sound more difficult for sure!
I love paisley. Your muted version is a winner. And you're right...third time is a charm for the black velvet dress...wow, gorgeous!
Thank you Victoria!
What do you think about recreating looks from Now, Voyager (1942)? I think you would look AMAZING in Charlotte's borrowed wardrobe! 💙
I remember there was a patterned suit in that movie that was my favorite, but it's near impossible to find a good screencap or image of it 😍
I might be totally wrong about this donut generally there needs to be separate dies to work on plant fibres and animal fibres
I was buying cotton Lycra and I’ve no idea what happened but I ended up with one yard of what I think is velveteen- not sure of the difference except this isn’t very luscious. I have two problems. I can’t find it and even if I could I have no idea what to make with it
Thank you for this! Omg, the first sleeve thing was so simple but such a fantastic thing to know. I would have never have guessed as to what it was that made the bust look heavy. So useful to know, since I suffer from a large bust as well. Looks like I'll be renovating my sleeves in the near future!
Thank you Caeseria! It becomes a bit like graphic design when you look at clothes as more abstract shapes like that, sort of like zooming out to see the silhouette alone can help ❤
The velvet turned out so gorgeous. Makes me want to make something out of velvet even if it is miserable ☺️ I also love the color changes, the dark paisley suits you much better i think.
Thank you Anna!
That dress is so powerful! I'm so glad you gave it one more chance.
Thank you Chae! I can't just let black velvet go, I love it too much (and also, uh, hate it 😅)
Oh my god, that velvet dress! Morticia would totally wear that to a business meeting, while she slays some guy saying 'women can't do business' with her dagger-sharp wit (or an actual dagger, you never know)
Thank you Malaika! Morticia vibes is always the goal really 🖤
Loved each and every one of these alterations. What a difference a change of sleeves makes. I didn't knew that but will remember it in future. Thanks for the great tip. I'm a novice at dying fabrics: Why don't you use Ritt on wool fabrics? And what is the difference between Ritt and the other dye you used? Finally, that velvet dress is absolutely gorgeous: classy and sassy. I love it way better than the original one. I have a big project planned this year with velvet: the black mermaiddress Rosemary Clooney wears in White Christmas. But after this video I'm kinda reconsidering that plan...🤔
Thank you Sofie! I am also a dyeing novice for sure, but I did have to sit through textiles class, so I have the book knowledge but not the practical! Rit dye is formulated to sorta work on everything, so there are colorants in it that are supposed to work on cotton and others in the same bottle that work on say polyester, so that an average home consumer can dye their random Gap sweater and get okay results. Basically all fibers take dye differently, and for best results they require different formulations. So plant based fibers like cotton and linen (flax) absorb dye differently than a manmade fiber like rayon, or a protein (hair/animal) fiber like wool. So because I really didn't want to ruin my sweater and I knew it was 100% wool, I took the extra step of ordering dye specifically made for protein fibers from a more specialized source. It wasn't very expensive, but I felt I could trust it more. The dye itself isn't acidic exactly, it's that an acid is added as part of the dyeing process, so after the sweater stews in the dye for a bit you add in a cup of vinegar and that helps the whole thing along. It's far more chemistry than I understand honestly 😅 The dress instead was a cotton sateen, but with a bit of stretch (elastane/spandex/lycra) blended in, so I used rit because it would dye both the cotton and the other fiber in the blend too at the same time.
Dye. Duh! I wouldn't have thought of that in a million years! But as I look through my own closet ... Yeah, there are a couple of pieces that are almost but not quite flattering. Most of your fixes were so simple. Dye a print? BRILLIANT. And I feel much better about that velvet dress on you; the transformation is so flattering. The 80s were a bad fashion scene. We all looked like a wide load in those puffy dresses. You made it into something sleek but still soft. Bravo!
Thank you Amy! I am usually scared of dyeing things, but I just had to try and save these things from being unworn. I feel like I got lucky it worked ha!
Wow! I loved all of these alterations. What a dramatic and effective change they made! Lookin good! Short or long videos welcomed here - you always have good content! Stay safe my friend. Sending best wishes and good vibes from Down Under 💚👋👋👋🌺🥰
Thank you Rhonda! Best wishes right back down to you! 💕
I never imagined that such a minor sleeve change would have such a big impact, but it’s a great idea that I will definitely keep in mind! I also loved the green version of the paisley dress, it’s much better in the green shade! All in all, these were great minor changes and I appreciate your sharing them with us!
Thank you! I was super glad these things just needed a small change to stay with me ❤
I think I have already said I like that orange yellow and black dress on you and now it looks even better such a simple change
Thank you Trudi!
Pinning up the sleeves in alteration #1 just shocked me how much better it looked on you! That little bit of change did exactly what you said it would do! And the velvet dress , you made me crack up several times, LOL. You need a walking foot dear :D It'll help with more than just velvet, really, get one :D Also, I just bought a brewer's pot (big ol cheap, thin walled but stainless steel pot) because I'm about to venture into the world of dying :P Scared as heck! LOL
Thank you Ingrid! Dyeing scares me too, there is too much to possibly get wrong, so I was very nervous doing even these!
I compromise and buy cotton velveteen. Because the last time I worked with a silk velvet I was crying in frustration.
Yes this one was a cotton velvet but very plush, I have never even worked with proper silk velvet so I can't even imagine eek!
Nice changes
Thank you Sarah!
Ahhh!! I'm so glad to see that velvet dress finally work out for you! 🥰✨Lol I can definitely relate to the struggle of trying to patch up an open back
Thank you Fatima! Those darn open backs ruin plenty of good dresses out there in my opinion!
They all look great! The colours suit you so much better. Only you would think that these flips are not enough! For god sake you made a whole new dress as well as dying and other things 😁
Thank you Beverley! I spent a whole day just dyeing things and was surprised how tired out I was by the end of it ha 😅
Omg the black sweater! The new velvet dress is vavavoom!
Thank you Thea! 🖤
Don’t worry about the length of your videos. I’ll watch them at any length! Short is nice if you’re stuck for time and then the longer ones can be enjoyed in the evening. And it’s amazing how a tiny fix can completely change a garment.
Thank you Roxanne! I had a hunch that floral dress only needed a tiny fix!
Omg, loved this so much!! Really enjoy seeing you take items that you'd like to salvage, and change them to suit yourself better. Love seeing the many ideas and possibilities. All 3 turned out great and you look amazing! But now that you have mentioned the words "wide leg velvet trousers," I shall not rest until I see them LOL! :) :)
Thank you Mel! I really do want wide leg velvet trousers...I just don't want to make them myself anymore ha! I'll get to it, eventually 😅
That velvet dress is fantastic
Thank you!