The Pattern Review Handbag Contest

I consistently use PatternReview.com to check out new sewing patterns and read tips on construction before sewing garments. But the site has numerous features I’ve never fully utilized. Of those, the most intriguing to me are the sewing contests, but I’ve never managed to get any of my projects finished in time to meet the contest entry deadlines. About a week ago I discovered the Pattern Review Handbag Contest. It was running through November 30th and entries had to be sewn between November 1st and November 30th. … Continue reading The Pattern Review Handbag Contest

katboulderNovember 30, 2014December 21, 201413 Comments

Finished Projects, Refashions

3 Shirts to Dress Refashion

Well I failed on my “I’m not buying any new sewing books” pledge. I’d previously vowed not to purchase any more sewing books until I made a project from each of the books I already own. Oops! I recently bought a LOT of new-to-me sewing titles. My favorite is “ReSew – turn thrift-store finds into fabulous designs” by Jenny Wilding Cardon. This book includes 20 easy-enough-for-beginners refashioning projects using thrift store finds. Easy, thrift-stores and sewing? Those are 3 of my favorite things, so this book is perfect for me! Continue reading “3 Shirts to Dress Refashion”

katboulderNovember 14, 2014November 23, 201412 Comments

Finished Projects, Refashions, Tutorials

Chico’s Blouse Refashion

Volunteering certainly has its perks. Meeting people and making new friends while helping out in my community makes volunteering an enjoyable experience for me. But getting things for free doesn’t hurt either! Last week during my volunteer shift at the Humane Society Thrift & Gift store, my friend Sally noticed that one of the donated blouses had stained sleeves. Sally handed me the top and said “Here, we can’t sell this, but you could cut the sleeves off”. Yup, Sally knows me so well! Since the blouse was from Chico’s, my size, perfect except for the bleached sleeves, and in a color I love, I took it home for refashioning. Continue reading “Chico’s Blouse Refashion”

katboulderOctober 10, 2014November 23, 20141 Comment

Finished Projects, Refashions, Reviews

Craftsy Project Upcycle: Kimono Wrap Skirt Refashion

Recently I took advantage of a great sale at Craftsy.com. I purchased the class “Project Upcycle: Thrifty Sewing Projects” with Betz White for only $9.99. I’d already experimented with some of the refashion projects taught in this course like the felted tote, but the class was still well worth the price. Continue reading “Craftsy Project Upcycle: Kimono Wrap Skirt Refashion”

katboulderSeptember 18, 2014September 18, 20148 Comments

Finished Projects, Refashions, Tips & Tricks

A-Z is Complete. What’s Next?

When I got close to the end of the alphabet in my series several friends asked me what I planned to do next for my DenverSews blog projects. Hmm, it’s a good thing that they asked, I’m not a planner – I had no idea! I answered one inquiry with a surly “I’ll sew whatever I want instead of something that starts with a particular letter.” But I honestly had no idea what I wanted to sew – my answer had revealed the truth, I hadn’t thought beyond completing Z. Luckily those questions jump-started my contemplation of this dilemma.

I came up with several ideas for subsequent series. Being a non-planner, a series is a more efficient use of my time, allowing me to spend my time sewing instead of spending my time trying to figure out what to sew for each individual post. And with my giant sewing collection I had lots of different series possibilities to choose from! Continue reading “A-Z is Complete. What’s Next?”

katboulderSeptember 12, 2014September 13, 20143 Comments

Finished Projects, Refashions

Combining Quilting and Clothing Refashion

As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, I used to sew quilts. I enjoy the repetitive quality of patchwork. Sewing patchwork is a zen experience for me, but I don’t have the patience anymore to finish an entire quilt top. I’m also terrible at the quilting part and I’ve discovered it’s quite costly to have the quilting done professionally. I’ve tried making small quilted wall hangings instead, but since I’ve never displayed any of them, sewing more wall quilts seems pretty pointless. Continue reading “Combining Quilting and Clothing Refashion”

katboulderJuly 25, 2014July 24, 20142 Comments

Finished Projects, Refashions, Tutorials

Ombre Dip Dye Dust Ruffle Skirt Refashion

This refashion started out as a white dust ruffle generously given to me by my dear friend Sally, whom I met volunteering at the Boulder Humane Society Thrift & Gift store. Sally gifted me with 2 identical panels, so I had 232 inches of 19″ wide 100% cotton fabric to work with. The dust ruffle conveniently already had a rod pocket sewn at the top which made me suspect these might be window valances made to coordinate with bed dust ruffles. Whatever they were, they could not have been more perfect for a skirt makeover! Continue reading “Ombre Dip Dye Dust Ruffle Skirt Refashion”

katboulderJune 27, 2014June 22, 20145 Comments

Finished Projects, Refashions, Reviews

How to Make a Purse from Old Denim Jeans

Jeans Purse Refashion watermarked

I’ve been trying to limit myself to sewing with fabrics and patterns I already own instead of adding more to my collections. For support in accomplishing this goal I joined a Facebook group called Stashbusting Sewalong 2014. Stashbusting Sewalong members dedicate themselves to sewing from their current fabric stashes rather than buying new fabrics. A worthy goal, and one I’m seriously working on. But recently I realized that in addition to my fabric and pattern hoards I have another guilty stash secret: my sewing books! So I’m also pledging to quit using my sewing books just as dust collectors. I’m going to sew at least one project from each of the sewing books I already own before I buy any additional sewing books. Continue reading “How to Make a Purse from Old Denim Jeans”

katboulderApril 26, 2014April 27, 20143 Comments

Finished Projects, Refashions

Shirt to Skirt Refashion

Gant Shirt to Skirt Refashion

The skirt above started out as the classic men’s oxford below.

Gant Collage Watermarked
This shirt was free to me, it was rejected for sale at the thrift shop where I volunteer due to a frayed collar and cuffs. The shirt is made by Gant and retailed for $135.00 when new. It’s very well made and although I’ve never heard of Gant before, I will look for this brand in the future because of it’s excellent quality. Even though this shirt must have been worn often in order to have a frayed collar and cuffs, it was in excellent condition otherwise. Continue reading “Shirt to Skirt Refashion”

katboulderApril 5, 2014April 17, 20143 Comments

Finished Projects

Bag Refashions

Our environment is important to me – that’s one of the reasons I shop at thrift stores and recycle. Now that I live in Boulder, Colorado I’m trying to be even more environmentally conscious, especially since Boulder instituted a shopping bag fee. This small fee (10 cents per bag) has really helped me remember to bring my own bags when I grocery shop. (See – being thrifty helps the environment – hurrah!) Continue reading “Bag Refashions”

katboulderFebruary 26, 2014November 23, 201424 Comments

Junk Drawer

E is for Embellish!

PicMonkey Collage denim art skirt

Why is a ready-to-wear denim maxi skirt being featured on a sewing blog post? Continue reading “E is for Embellish!”

katboulderFebruary 16, 2014November 20, 20149 Comments

Finished Projects, Refashions

Getting Into A Stranger’s Boxers

PicMonkey Collage

Have you ever wanted to get into a stranger’s boxers? I have and I did (shhh, don’t tell my husband). And here are the photos to prove it! Continue reading “Getting Into A Stranger’s Boxers”