Hello all. Whew! I have been one busy busy gal! Starting my new job and lots of other fun things have kept me in a most exciting flurry of activity! 🙂
Don’t worry! It’s all calming down enough for me to blog a bit more regularly…at least for now! 🙂
I feel like the last time we talked, I was near the end of a project. Hmmmmnnn…what could that have been?
You can see the previous (no sew!) incarnations of this dress right here and here!
I thought it was time to whip out my machine for the final chapter in this thrilling saga!
Since I’ve already made a dress and a top, I decided to go for (as many of you guessed) a skirt!
I wisely held onto that bottom scrap from #2!
To get started, I did a bit of cutting:
I knew I wanted to go for a funky layered look for my new skirt, and that I wanted it to be fitted.
I took a dress that I really like the fit of, and cut my basic skirt template from that. Pinnage followed.
You can see where I’m using the finished edges for my waistband so they don’t overstretch/so I don’t have to add elastic to the already-stretchy fabric.
I stitched the base of my skirt together.
Remember those sleeves? I cut them off…
…then I cut those guys apart like so:
I pinned my fun flappy leftovers around the wast…
Then, I stitched them down!
Okay. I THINK I may have solved this problem, but sewing the flappy bits on was a real struggle. :/ My thread kept breaking off and doing this:
I THINK it was just that the thread guide behind the needle had somehow gotten too tight and was pulling the thread (Everything SEEMS to be okay now), but do any of you guys have any idea what could have been going wrong?
Despite a rather frustrating experience (with lots of internal screaming), I still somehow ended up with a fun & creative addition to my wardrobe! 🙂
I was honestly just happy to be done with this one, you guys.
But my new skirt sure had a fun time seeing Zoso (a really fun Led Zepplin cover band) that night!
Mark seemed to have an alright time too!
But enough about my social life! What I really want to know is…
Which version of this dress is your favorite?????
Here’s the winner of this One Dress, Three Ways Challenge!
Cheers!
I love the dress and the top. I don’t like the skirt sorry.
That would have made a fabulous playsuit!
#1 is my fave!
#1
Wow you can do anything on a sewing machine!
Like them all!!
Problem with the thread . . . could it be the thread is to large for the size of the needle?
Which of the three . . . lets see I think I like the shirt the best.
Good job on all you do.
I liked them all but #2 was my fav.
Version 2 was my favourite (although I liked the dress too).
#1 and #2. Wasn’t a fan of the skirt.
I like them all for different reasons, but I have to say I would wear the shirt more than the other two! So I vote for #2!!
I would say it’s something to do with your tension, hard to tell if it’s top or bottom without seeing what kinds of stitches it’s making when it does make them. I’d say set them both to a middle setting and then nudge them until it’s right.
If that does work, I agree with a few other commenters, it really does matter what kind of bobbins you have. Plastic and metal are not interchangeable, and it can cause lots of problems.
I hope you’re able to figure it out! 🙂
I love the dress–just a smart and easy way to refashion it!
Little late to the party with this vote – I like both one and two, but between them, I’d choose 2. But then I choose based on what I’d get the most wear out of if it were me. Still lovin’ your creativity and willingness to take chances 🙂
Loved both first and second… Love your blog!! You inspire me… (old enough to be your Gramma…) You Go Girl!!
I think the first one was my favorite. Complete flashback on ZoSo. I think I saw them at Rockafella’s. LOL!
My favorite is #2 – I would wear the hell out of that!!
my favorite is… 2 !!!! I love this shirt 🙂
#2the shirt is the best!!
#2
#1!
It’s most definitely #2 iSo cute and very stylish…..
#2 I love a shirt that covers my butt, so this is a perfect idea for me!
#2 top 🙂
Loved the shirt. The skirt did not look like a skirt and the waist perhaps could have used elastic to give it more definition. However, loved the creativity and I’m sure some new creation using similar techniques down the line will be fantastic.
#2
The shirt! After seeing that I took a t-shirt dress that I wasn’t really feeling and did the same thing! Now I have a new shirt!
Love the shirt, but then, I’m in search of some new shirts and I love teal.
I loved 2, I loved that you paired the shirt with jeans.
²!!!
while all three looks were wins, i am on the #2 train! WOO WOO! (that was the sound of a train’s whistle, if you couldn’t tell.) although part of what made that top so adorbs was the styling — cute necklace: CHECK! cuffed jeans: CHECK! ruffled hair ‘do: CHECK!
The dress. It was such a simple change but made such an impact.
Definitely the top, #2. It’s interesting what you were trying to do with the skirt, but it just didn’t strike my fancy. But hey, it’s all yours, and that’s cool!
I like #2 and this one was very interesting. And are you using cheapo thread in your machine? Thread quality can have a negative impact…..
#2 is my favorite. You are so amazing and such an inspiration! Thank you!!
Number one was the best for ingenuity and boldness, you can definitely wear that dress well. However I was very intrigued by number three half way through the post, but disappointed with the final piece. I too have hidden unsightly errors but I always fear of being exposed. 🙂 Thanks for entertaining and educating us onlookers. You look happy, wish you continued success.
Number two. Number one genius idea but I’m just not an asymmetrical fan. Number three not so much. By the way, I truly enjoy your sewing adventures and your blog — thank you!!
Number 1! I just can’t believe something so chic came from something so frumpy without even having to sew it!
I liked your first option the best. I don’t know a single other person who would dare go out anyplace with their arm and shoulder through the neck of a dress! And it looked fantastic! 🙂
About the breaking thread: You’ve probably already done all of these things, but just in case you haven’t, this is what I do. I re-thread my machine, and I always use good thread. My machine is moody and snobby about cheap thread, so if I ever try to sneak some through she either breaks it or skips stitches to show her angst.
Next, re-wind the bobbin. Sometimes bobbins are just cross and need to be smoothed.
Next change her needle. Even an imperceptibly bent needle can cause havoc. My machine loves having her needle changed regularly.
I hope you can get it figured out. You really must keep sewing. I love this blog!
Number One
#1is a nice party dress. # 2 is my fave. #3 I do not like at all. you inspire me to be more daring, and attempt things.
2 for sure. It would flatter any figure
#1 is my fav because it’s so outrageous that you could get away with wearing it to a nice event and the joke would be on everyone. As for #3 I totally thought you were going to sew the sleeves into the side seams of the skirt and tie them in the front for a sort of knotted-belly-band-yoga pants waistband look. You still could–Refash #4? LOL.
#2, followed by #1. Sorry, I really don’t like #3 though
No. 1 was my favourite! Very simple & so pretty.
A big toss up for me between 1 and 2 – No 3 is not my favourite piece to be honest.
I think it may be no 2 – I would have liked the front of the top longer (for me and my mummy belly – or is that old age tummy?)~
THREE! It really was clever and looked great on you.
This is a fun skirt. As regards the thread breaking… it could be any of a few problems. It could be the bobbin flipped the wrong way as some other people pointed out. It could also be a problem with tension being too tight. From your picture it almost looks like you have a burr in your needle… I learned this year after becoming a bridal alterations specialist that you have to change your needle even if it isn’t broken because burrs can grow in the hole that will snap your thread, especially if your tension is too tight as well. Your picture reminded me very much of what my thread looked like when I needed a new needle.
I totally love dress #1. Second fav is dress #2. Ann Blackwell
Hélène
the number 1 is my favorite refashioned.
The third is the only refashioned I didn’t understand.
Hope reading you soon
I know that it is gone; but I like #1, the dress, the best. It is so pretty!
1
2
I think number two is my favourite. I love a loose top and it looks the most flattering methinks 🙂
Number 2!!!!!
The shirt was wicked cool. I will try to make one like it. Loved the shape of it.
I love the shirt version the best. So darn cute!!!
I love number 2!!
While I liked the one-shoulder look, I think the blouse looked best on you. I’m glad you’re back!
All are cute. I’m going with #2
Number 2 was my very favorite!
The shirt, for sure.
#2. I would have liked the skirt better if it was just a short skirt without the additional layers.
The skirt was a massive fail – sorry, but I did like the top.
My vote goes to #1, simply because it was so creative! The other two are definitely cute, but maybe sort of “expected.” Your first creation was just that…..a beautiful creation!
Definitely #1
#2 simple and cute. Love the accessory too.
#2
I liked 2. Classy, but not boring.
#1 was definitely my favourite!
#2! Simple, clean lines.
Number 1, though the top is really cute too. 🙂
Definitely #1, so creative!
#2
Number two, love the top!
Easy vote for #2. 1 and 3 –meh
#1 is #1! ….nudged out #2 by just a smidge. #1 is classy and fun, plus it has potential for more refashions!
They’re all very clever, but I like the dress version best.
#2 – the shirt was my favorite. I loved the dress also. The skirt was not the most flattering.
The top is my fave.
#1 Was my favorite! I loved the dress, and it fit you so well! I was heartsick to see you take it apart for parts 2 & 3! I’m going to be looking for a plain dress like that to make my own version of #1, even though I hate sewing, but you have inspired me!
2 was my fave. It could be just that you had something caught in one of the tensions or that your tention was to tight or your bobbin was in backwards. That is a weird achem that just kind of goes away after a few re threads. And yes, Achem is a technical term. it is the ball of thread you make after you machine goes chunk chunk chunk.
I vote for #1. The dress was so simple, yet elegant. Did not care at all for the skirt. Too sloppy looking, did not flatter you at all.
#1 was my favorite. Really liked #2. Not impressed with #3, but impressed with your creativity! Congrats on the new job!!
I vote for #2. Just not a fan of the skirt; there’s too much going on.
the first was the best, altho also liked the top
I love one and two. They fantastic. You inspire me even though I barely know how tp use my sewing machine. Thank you for all you do. God bless.
The dress!
The shirt was really cute but #1 was YOUR look! I agree with most everyone else- the skirt was very creative but paled compared to other two.
your thread could have been the problem.. I am told if it is too old it will break.
I like # 2 best… sorry to see it go
I liked the before picture. Just kidding. Number 1 gets my vote.
No 2 love it
#2!
#1, but I am impressed that you got 3 out of it!
#1 – cute!
Hi Loved the dress- oh so creative. The refashioned outfit is awesome but more importantly you look awesome in the dress!! Keep on re-fashioning – like forever and ever!!
I just have to go with #1….it is super cute and flirty!!!
Number1 is my favorite for sure! Very creative and a no sew– great idea!
I loved #2, but nos it’s done.
But now it’s done, I would say
# 2 Is my favorite!!
I thought 1 was stunning on you, I liked number 2 , but sorry number 3 is just too unusual for me 🙂
Definitely the shirt!
#1 is my favorite!
#1 was my favorite because with your body, it seems you can wear this style so beautifully. Yep, #1.
#1 was my fav! Very elegant and classy!
I LOVE #1 the best!!! It looked so pretty on you!
About the thread, almost every time this happens to me it’s because it’s getting caught in the little notch on the spool where you tuck the thread when your not using it. Try flipping the spool a different way so that the notch is not on the end where the thread is being pulled from.
Number 2 is my favorite, just love that top.
#2!
#1
2 was the best.
I loved number 1, and you wore it so well!
Number 2 was my favorite but I really liked number one as well. Thanks for all the inspiration!
#1, but I am impressed that you got 3 out of it!
#2! In regard to your question about the breaking thread…are you using the correct bobbin for your machine. I had this problem. I had picked up some bobbins somewhere (bobbins are bobbins, right?) The connection of different bobbins and breaking thread didn’t occur to me. I took it in to be repaired where I had purchased it and found out. Yes, I had to pay to find out. Hopefully this is your problem and it will be cheaper than mine!
#2 – I liked how simple it was but looked super cute!
#2!!!! Love it!!!
I loved the top – #2.
#2 was really cute on you! Not crazy at all with the flap thingie on the skirt! Look ok maybe on the front but back was odd.
#1!!!!!!!!! As the weather gets warmer I would chop the long sleeve off and wear it with some sandles.
Number 1!! I loved it and is still hurts (the chop, chop) when I see #3. You’re very creative!
I preferred look #2.
#2 is definitely my favorite!
#1 is great! Love dresses. The shirt is so wonderful though. Love the fact that it can be casual or dressed up. Great job on all three!!
My favorite is the dress. It was super fantastic and so simple yet clever!
I loved the first one.
I like nmbr 3. It’s so unique.
I loved that simple top!
#2 with that necklace is amazing. Good job on not leaving the necklace behind!
#2
My favorite is #2!!! It is such a fun top that could be dressed up with pearls and a blazer or be a comfy go to top with shorts in the summer! So versatile and that’s what amazing must have peices like that should be, fun, versatile, well fitting and classic! I actually plan on finding a similar dress to copy this no sew top! Keeping my eyes open!
Love the Transformation 2. The skirt was really odd looking in the back, but with the hem covered by your sweater it looks nice. 🙂
I LOVE number 2
I like the top best.
My fav is number 1.
Number TWO for sure…
I liked number 1
Loved look 2. That is totally my kind of shirt but all three were great!
Ok, I might have to say #3 – the skirt is my favourite. It’s so flappy and asymmetrical it just topped my list with no effort. I love flappy asymmetrical clothes!
I love the off the shoulder version! 🙂
Version 1 is my favorite!
I like the top best, very flattering on you and great with your jeans
#1 was my fav! Love the sleeve trick surprises
Version #1 definitely my favorite!
I agree option 1
Two!
#2! So simple, but so great!
I’m with the others, I loved the top, and then the dress, but not a fan of the skirt. But hey, you can’t win ’em all!
#2! I love the shirt! I was bummed to see you take it apart for #3. 🙂
Same here…Loved the shirt, really liked the dress but the skirt…erm…well…meh
The shirt option is my favorite.