Refashioning...

There is no disputing the fact that refashioning has become trendy!!! Whether it's done as a means to save money, or a desire to look after our planet, I see it as a good thing.

Earlier this year I wrote about how and why I first started to refashion clothes. I am well and truly hooked!!! Now I look at pre-loved and outgrown clothes in a new way. If I cut here, take it in here, add... then I'll be able to make a new and one of a kind article. And so I now have quite a stash of clothes waiting to be given a new life.

My all time most popular post, is a tutorial showing how to use pre-loved jeans to make fabric baskets. In fact, six out of ten of my most viewed posts are refashions.

The most adventurous refashion I think I will ever attempt, was transforming my daughter's wedding dress into a smart day dress for her to wear. That was only my third refashion, but it gave me confidence in taking one garment and turning it into another garment. My daughter and I worked together on this refashion. You can read all about the wedding dress refashion from my daughter's perspective.


Initially I baulked at refashioning, because there was no pattern to follow. How would I work out what to do?  Now I love the fact that I don't always know exactly what the end product will look like. Of course, I have a pretty good idea of what it will look like and the process I will follow, but often my plans change as I'm working.

Refashions are often very quick to make, especially if you can use some of the elements of the original garment. This little girl's shirred dress, was originally a woman's dress. Basically, it needed to be reduced in size. There were no major changes, so it was a very quick and easy refashion, but also very effective. This has been the third most viewed post on my blog.

Refashioning is not limited to making clothing. The front of a t-shirt can be used to embellish a cushion.

A pocket from a jacket or pair of pants can be turned into a bag.

The possibilities are endless. The more I refashion, the more ideas I have for future refashions. It's quite addictive.

If you like refashioning and would like to show off your creations, or if you'd just like some ideas and inspiration for your next refashion, have a look at the following blogs...

	I add all of my refashions to the ongoing Clothes Upcycling link party, over at Creating My Way to Success. I get a steady flow of traffic from Jill's upcycling link party, with an increase when I add a new project. At the moment, there are 354 projects linked up... lots of ideas and inspiration.
	The Refashion Co-op is a very active blog, with posts daily. You can become a contributor to the Refashion Co-op, by signing up and agreeing to post at least once every 30 days.
	The Refashion Files is another blog full of creative and inspiring refashions. You can submit your refashions for consideration. I must say I was very pleased when my t-shirt refashion was accepted.
	Refashioning at Threading My Way... clothes, bags, cushions, toys, dress up clothes and at 3 minutes, the quickest recycle ever, a peg bag.
	Boomie's blog has just begun a 14 day recycling series. There's a Flickr group, where you can add your refashions. At the moment, there are 693 recycled projects. It's well worth a look.
	Blissful and Domestic have a refashioning linky page, where you can add your blog if you do at least two refashioning posts a month.
	A new ongoing link party that's just for Refashioning with Denim, here at Threading My Way.

I would LOVE to see your refashions. Leave me a link to your favourite refashion in the comments...

.. Pam