From tablecloth to tunic

I have not had much to show these past months with regards to the Pledge, but I hope next semester will be more refashioning-friendly, timewise.
While the thrifted tablecloth was much smaller than the tag said, I have now a finished, albeit shortish, tunic top, with the help of a very old Burda pattern.

I actually think finding the pattern sheet took me longer than the actual sewing.
I am (at times) both lazy and practical and thus let the woven edge of the cloth be to form the edges of both body and sleeves.
And the subtle woven pattern shows itself beautifully in the simple shape. But does not photograph well.

And while it is a bit big I love the way it has turned out, and I'm sure the linen/cotton blend will keep me cool and comfortable on the hot summer days to come.
I like the thought of the table cloth having been witness to (hopefully) many happy family dinners.
And now it will come out with me to see other parts of the world.

Of the two white shirts one has found a new home with a friend of mine, who was quite terrified I had thought of "doing things" to it as it was
A. his size
B. a very expensive brand.
And I've just started using the other one to sleep in.

Thrifty goodness

I have not had time to do much about The Pledge.
But as I'm still waiting for the verdict on the hard drive, while still swearing at Vogue Knitting and, more important, still pondering whether or not to start the great rewriting of exam papers, I may get just a little bit done in the sewing department.

I brought home a bag full of goodness from the local thrift store yesterday.

Two men's shirts, in luxurious white cotton, which I intend to turn into something much less masculine and much more suitable for the hot summer days ahead.

And I found a white table cloth which may become a dress or maybe just a tunic-like thing, as it is a bit smaller than I thought (cats helpfully wandered in to indicate scale).

And if this wasn't enough I also got a set of bedlinen, with one stripey side and one blossomy side. This is now destined to become a pajamas.

All for the Danish equivalent of $10. Benefiting the Red Cross, and thus making me feel a little bit guilty for not paying more, but the lovely little old lady insisted that was the price.
I hope to get something done about it this weekend.
Starting with the first white shirt, once washed and ironed.
Even if laundry these days is something done in a bucket in the shower.

The jacket gone bag

The bag is finished! I can barely believe it, but it is!
I had the old leather jacket, as already mentioned.
In addition to this I had an old thrift store bag, made from a strange, slightly greasy piece of crochet but with a gorgeous handle.
And when the handle met the bits and pieces salvaged from the old leather jacket, this is what happened:
With lots of lovely little pockets inside for keeping me organized. Or attempt to.
And breaking only one needle in the process.

Four needles in one day

I have the day off sick and even if the cats would very much prefer I stay in bed, I thought I would try to use the day well.
So I started on the from-jacket-to-bag-project.
Mostly because I could use a bag other than the Hayden Harnett wonder I carry around everywhere I go, but also so that I can show off something to prove that I live up to The Pledge.
Not having bought anything new isn't really enough.
The leather jacket I bought in New York 10 years ago and have worn spring to autumn ever since is no more.
It was torn and worn and had more than done it's duty.
Still there were patches and bits of leather here and there not worn to paper thinness.
And since parting with the jacket completely would nearly break my heart, I thought those bits and pieces could become a bag.
But four broken needles later all I have is a very pretty lining.
And all this is to become a lovely bag:
Once I have more needles.
So I'll just return to my knitting.

Dusting the old books

I have inherited a couple of dress-making books from my grandmother.
One, my favourite, from 1949. Klip og Sy Selv (Cut and Sew) - New Method by Mme Lyse de Landroy.

In addition to the strict yet clever advice on fit and style, such as"Being well dressed is a duty", it has beautiful patterns. All patterns are drawn in grid, so that even if the original gridded sheets, one for each size, have vanished, they should be possible to recreate.
One chapter is devoted to recycling clothes, which is natural given the year of publication.
And these are the words:
From a men's coat: a women's coat, other kind of coat, a women's jacket, a loose coat, a boy's coat, a girl's coat - and then the remnants can be used for various purposes.
From a men's suit: a women's suit, a dress, a child's coat
From a pair of men's trousers: a skirt, trousers for boys up to 10 yrs old.
From a skirt: a child's dress, a sports jacket for girls or boys, a skirt for a girl, trousers for boys up to 6 yrs old.
From a blouse or a skirt: a child's dress up to 10 yrs old.
From a summer dress: a summer blouse for a suit.
From two women's pullovers: one new pullover.
From two men's shirts: one men's shirt.
From one women's pullover: a child's pullover, two pairs of socks.
From two old sheets from grandmother's days: a splendid summer coat.
From an old piqué bedspread: an adorable home dress.
From a duvet cover: an adorable summer dress So, if I lacked inspiration to go forth with living up to the pledge, I've found it.

The Pledge

I have taken the pledge!
And not just any pledge, but:
The Wardrobe Refashion Pledge
I pledge that I shall abstain from the purchase of "new" manufactured items of clothing for the period of four months.
I Pledge that I shall refashion, renovate, recycle pre-loved items for myself.
I Pledge that I shall create and craft items of clothing for myself with my own hands in fabric, yarn or other medium.
I Pledge that I will share the love and post a photo of my refashioned, renovated, recycled, crafted or created item of clothing on the Wardrobe Refashion blog, so that others may share the joy that thy thriftiness brings!
And that for a four month period to start with.
Of course there is the Good Old Old Fur Project which has remained unfinished for so long. After cutting apart the fur, it came to a standstill.
Mainly because the sleeves were narrow to start with, and even had a strip of not too delicate black leather adding to width, and that has left me a bit puzzled as to what to do and how to do it.
And then there has been life in general, and knitting and cats and exams and work and things.
But now that I have taken The Pledge, things are going to change around here!
It is such a wonderful and inspiring idea.