The Destashification Project

Tilton Tunic goes to college…

Posted on November 17, 2014 by destashification

Vogue 8876 Logo Tunic

Vogue 8876 is another pattern with interesting lines from Marcy Tilton.

I d0 not need a dress – I do need another logo top – with longer sleeves.

The cold season has descended and all the previously sewn sleeveless and short sleeved logo tops would fall short of keeping me warm in the frozen tundra.

Found a piece of a navy/grey narrow striped 60″ wide knit. It is not lightweight – and not as heavy as a sweatshirt knit. It is somewhere between.

Scraps of a lightweight grey knit were used as the front facings and the inner collar. The front facings were sewn so the grey fabric shows just slightly. It looks like very narrow piping.

The outer collar is sewn from the logo portion of a clearance navy sweatshirt purchased at the college my daughter attends. The letter on the sleeve was also cut from the same sweatshirt.

Marcy Tilton Vest

The plan was to create a jacket that was fashioned much like the vest Marcy Tilton features on her blog.

Vogue 8933 Line Drawing

Following her example, the bottom band was eliminated and a 24″ separating zipper was installed in the center front.

Hubris being what it is, I did not read any reviews of the pattern…until I had already cut it out.

Other reviewers were correct – the pattern is quite “roomy”. Its width was reduced by 4″ – 5″ during fitting.

Detail of fabrics and faux piping.

The zipper I had used was red – which overwhelmed the top (and looked rather clownish). It was removed and replaced with navy buttons.

The front pleats reminded me of junior high school gym uniforms, so to preent nightmares, they were removed!

No Gym Uniform Pleats here!

The sleeves of the pattern are exactly the right width and length. They can be pushed up slightly – and are narrow enough to actually stay there!

The tunic has a more pronounced flare shape than any of my other tops, but I look forward to wearing it on our trip to visit the daughter at school.

I plan on wearing it over stretch “skinny” jeans (which have a great deal more “stretch” than “skinny.”)

I always enjoy creating clothing with logos.

It is always fun to move the logos around to determine where best to place them! The back yoke was my first choice for the logo, but moving it to the collar gives the tunic a unique look!

Posted in Clothing, Repurpose, Scrap Couture, Sewing, Stash Couture | Tagged Marcy Tilton Top, sewing logo tops, TIlton Tunic with logos, Vogue 8876 | 5 Comments

Stash Couture Coat – Vogue 8933 Modified

Posted on November 17, 2014 by destashification

Stash Couture Coat

When traveling to the frozen tundra (an admitted exaggeration, but it is 70 degrees warmer here), a coat is a necessity.

The pattern selected was Vogue 8933 with its lean, uncluttered lines.

Vogue 8933

Found a 3 yard piece of suit weight 60″ polyester/ wool/ spandex in a black and white mini- herringbone. From a distance it appears dark grey.

When the outer layer is suit weight (as opposed to coat weight) temperatures in the teens require a heavy lining. To counter the grey-ness, the lining should also have some color.

Silk Kimono Fabric with Initials woven into Selvedge

Silk Kimono Fabric with Name?? and HK (Hong Kong) woven into Selvedge

All Stashers are gifted fabrics and items “you may be able to do something with.” I was the ecstatic recipient of a kimono made of beautiful – and very heavy – teal silk tapestry. The kimono was fully lined in plain teal silk. The silk has words woven into the selvedge.

Cutting the lining from the kimono was surprisingly much easier than cutting out the coat from the 3 yards of fabric.

Beautiful Silk Lining

The prohibitively large collar (see below) does not lend itself to cutting pieces side by side – even when the fabric is 60″ wide! As my fabric had a 3″ wide selvedge edge, it was not quite 60″ wide. I even had to refer to the cutting layout in the pattern (Egads! Can’t remember the last time I did that!).

Soviet Spy Coat

The pattern sewed together quite easily. After attaching the collar, a quick fitting was conducted.

It was immediately apparent that the coat would require modification. Its gigantic Soviet Spy collar covered my face!

Reduction of Inner Collar

The collar is symmetrical and the fronts overlap about 12″. They extended above my ears and over both shoulders!

Collar appears appropriately sized here…

It was possible to “smoosh down” the outer overlap, but smooshing the inner 12″ created a large lump under the shoulder of the coat that might have suggested contraband smuggling.

Reduction of Outer Collar

As traveling to the frozen tundra requires passing through several airports, I thought it best to avoid all “possible collar contraband” concerns.

Button detail showing herringbone of fabric.

Button detail showing herringbone weave of fabric.

To facilitate vision and hearing , 1.5″ was trimmed from the upper edge of the collar all the way around. To facilitate closing – and eliminate contraband concerns – approximately 4″ was trimmed away from the inner collar.

I found the PERFECT sew-on closures – trigger fasteners on leather straps! PERFECT!

Inner hidden closure.

So the bound buttonholes had not been considered prior to modifying the collar! (What a mess that would have been!)

Then it was discovered the closures would costs over $65! ….. So bound buttonholes it was!!!

Note to Self: Bound Buttonholes constructed of fabric containing spandex will require stiff interfacing. Consider contrasting non-stretch fabric!

In keeping with the theme of working backwards, the buttonholes were completed prior to identifying buttons. The only pair of appropriately sized buttons in the Button Stash were an orange/green scroll design? (not sure where they came from.) So, coupons in hand, I went button shopping. The selected 1.75″ buttons were the perfect grey!

Perfect Match to Linen Stitch Scarf

The overlapping fronts required an inner closure as well. A single small Stash button was used. A strap cut from the lining fabric extends from the shoulder to be secured with that button.

Another fitting indicated that the inner collar required a second reduction. Another 1″ or so was eliminated along its outer edge.

The beautiful silk lining – which adds the hoped for color to the coat – provides a bonus of some wind resistance!

The coat and the lining coordinate perfectly with the Linen Stitch Scarf!

Off to the frozen tundra!

Posted in Clothing, Goddess, Sewing, Stash Couture | Tagged bound buttonholes, sewing a coat, sewing a lined coat, Vogue 8933 | 3 Comments

Long Sleeved Vogue 8854

Posted on November 17, 2014 by destashification

Vogue 8854 – Long Sleeved Version

Vogue 8854 pattern has been used and reused, but this is the first long-sleeved version.

The fabric is a polyester knit faux-lace that ~~spoke to me~~ screamed my name during a recent interfacing shopping run to the Fabric-Store-that-Shall-Not-be-Named.

It was fairly expensive but, I had a coupon (said that little voice in my head). Still such an extravagant purchase is atypical for the Destashifier.

I can hear my mother now. “I____Insert First and Middle Name___, You should have known better…”

Knit Faux Lace – Too Fragile to Wear

Cue the Dirge Music….

The fabric falls apart.

The lace effect is created by knitting a portion of the design with a nylon filament. That filament is thinner than a human hair. Think a single strand of a spider web.

The Fragile (yet itchy) Filament

This filament disintegrates easily – especially when ironed, washed or worn.

I attempted to return the fabric upon discovery of its inability to remain intact, but was thwarted by the old arch nemesis “Store Policy. ”

Dressed for the frozen tundra

As warmer garments are required for a trip to the frozen tundra, I decided to go ahead and sew the fabric into a long-sleeved tunic to take along.

If I wear it twice before it falls apart, ~~I will feel somewhat vindicated~~ ….

Thumb hole in Cuff

Modifications:

Taper width of sleeve 3″.
Added 2″ to sleeve length and added a cuff with a “thumb hole.”
Shortened tunic back by 3″
Interfaced collar with 2 layers of light interfacing, and a strip of heavy interfacing in the center back.

The buttons were from the Button Stash. After looking at these photos, I may remove the two smaller buttons nearer the center front. Two buttons seem less busy.

Final Note: The nylon filament may only be spider web strand in thickness, but it is uncomfortably itching. Even though they are all serged, the seams are almost prickly!. I will have to wear a long-sleeve top under the tunic.

Posted in Clothing, Sewing | Tagged Sewing Tunic, Sewing Tunic Top, Vogue 8854 | 2 Comments

Another Scrap Couture Linen Stitch Scarf

Posted on November 7, 2014 by destashification

Blocking 8 Feet of Linen Stitch in grey, black and handpainted yarn!

Being able to spend the time finishing UFOs (UnFinished Objects) is about the only positive associated with being sick.

The UFOs (and there are many) included this Grey, Black and Handpainted Yarn Linen Stitch Scarf. Knitting Instructions are found here.

Darker Portion of Scarf

A year or so ago, the scarf was started as a project to use up leftover yarns. Apparently, at the time I started knitting this scarf, I desired to use up the dark yarns first. Earlier attempts to use the yarn included knitting this angora scarf.

Every third row was knit with black yarn.

The other rows were knit with grey yarns and Collinette Banyon in Monet Colorway

Yarns used to knit scarf.

The Banyon is left over from a sweater. It is a variegated yarn that grades from very light grey to black, but also includes short lengths of bright colors (green, pink, blue and purple.)

This created a very dark scarf.

The darker colors no longer appealed to me…. and for a very (VERY) fleeting moment the possibility of raveling out the scarf to start again was entertained….

Lighter portion of scarf

Thankfully, it was a fleeting thought.

By reducing the number of rows knit in the darker yarns the scarf was graded lighter and lighter.

The black and dark grey were eventually replaced completely with lighter greys and bluish greys and small amounts of sage green. The sage was leftover from this sweater.

Darker yarns, used initially, grade to the more recent choice of lighter yarns.

The scarf ended up being almost 8 feet long.

After blocking, it is 10 inches wide. On the needles it was almost 14 inches wide.

Now to sew a coat to wear it with….

Posted in Accessories, Beginner Knitting Project, Free Knitting Pattern, Knitting, Scarf | Tagged Beginner Knit Scarf Pattern, knitting with stash, Linen Stitch Scarf | 1 Comment

Lighten Up Pillow Transformation Part 2

Posted on October 17, 2014 by destashification

Lots of Lightened Up Pillows!

What do two beautiful pillows and a Bedskirt need?

More pillows…

All were sewn from Stash fabrics. A 40″ remnant in a coordinating blue/bold polyester damask was just the right size for two bed pillow covers.

The damask designs on the two fabrics were very different, but the colors were surprisingly close!

Two Damask Fabrics.

The pillow edges were piped. The piping was sewn from a pale gold dupioni – also from The Stash.

Monogram F Pillow

The Stash also contains yards of even weave linen and aida cloth. A few ~~years~~ decades ago, it was purchased for counted cross stitch and/or blackstitch samplers.

The first attempt at the monogram used 18 count aida. Easy to stitch on, but the final design would only be about 7″ tall. A piece of not-quite-even-weave linen was the final choice.

Blue and gold damask #2

The 8.5 ” tall monogram is a modification of one of the beautiful French monograms found here. The color is DMC 927.

The 16″ square monogram pillow was finished with the same pale gold duipioni covered piping, and backed with a solid blue polyester fabric from The Stash.

Total cost of the Lighten Up Project thus far..

…. 76 cents.

For embroidery floss.

Posted in Embellishment, Home Decor, Scrap Couture, Sewing, Stash Couture | Leave a comment

Bedskirt with Wrap Around Pleats

Posted on October 16, 2014 by destashification

Tailored Bedskirt – Lightened Up

The first Lighten Up Project was a Bedskirt.

Two requirements – it needed to fall to within 1″ of the floor and hang close to the bedposts the corners (space under the bed is storage – but no need to announce it by making it visible!)

This post is a Summary Tutorial (assumes sewing skills) for making a Bedskirt that meets those requirements. The wrap-around pleats prevent the gap at the foot end of the bed.

1. Wind two bobbins. Yes. Two.

2. Cut Top:

Measure: Remove mattress and lay a sheet over the box springs placing sheet hem along top (head of bed) edge. This hem forms the top edge of the Bedskirt so don’t trim it.

Cut: Using the box springs as a pattern, cut the sheet. Follow curve at corners at the foot of the bed. Keep corners straight at head of bed.

3. Cut Bedskirt Pieces:

Measure: Measure distance from top of box springs to floor. Add 3″. That measurement is length. Measure width of box spring’s side and add 12″ (side width). Measure along foot of box springs and add 6″ (foot width).

Cut: Cut three pieces of fabric:

Two side pieces that are length * side width
One foot piece that is length * foot width.

For a 60″ * 80″ Queen bed with a 18″drop, this would then be

Two side pieces that are 21″ * 92″
One foot piece that is 21″ * 66″.

4. Hem Bedskirt Pieces: Finish bottom and side edges of all three pieces using serger or other method. Turn up 2.5″ along lower edges and Press. Hem using a blind hem stitch or stitch of choice.

5. Finish Side Edges of Bedskirt Pieces: Fold in 2″ along each short edge of all three pieces and Press. (Do not sew.)

First Fold – 6″ – 8″ of fabric.

6. Sew Side Pieces to Sheet: Pin side pieces to sheet right sides together starting at sheet top edge. Using 1/2″ seam allowance, sew side pieces to sheet stopping and backstitching at start of small curve at the foot of bed. There should be approximately 6″ – 8″ of bedskirt left unsewn.

Fold under to form second fold.

7. Create Pleats:

Fold 1: Take to ironing board and lay wrong side up. Fold remaining bedskirt at end of stitching – wrong sides together. Press to form first fold.

Fold 2: Fold edge of bedskirt under until it meets Fold 1 and press to form second fold.

Align folds 1" apart to form pleats and press.

Align second fold 1″ from edge to form first pleat and press.

Allow to cool and press again to set fold.

Pleat 1: When cool open second fold and align it approximately 1″ from side edge to form first pleat. Press.

Allow to cool and press again.

Pleat 2: When cool, align first fold approximately 1″ from second fold to form second pleat. Press.

Pin Pleated section to curved edge of sheet and stitch.

Allow to cool and press again to set Pleats.

Finish sewing side to sheet: Pin pleated section around curve of sheet and stitch.

Repeat for other side section.

8. Attach Bedskirt Foot Piece.

Bedskirt Foot section pinned and overlapping Side by 1"

Bedskirt Foot piece pinned and overlapping Side piece by 1″

Pin top edge of bedskirt foot piece to sheet matching centers. It should overlap 1″ or so of bedskirt side piece.

Stitch using 1/2″ seam.

9. Finishing:

Reinforce seam by stitching again 1/8″ from first seam, serging or zigzagging. (Thus the need for the second bobbin!)

Hand tack side hems.

Wrap-around Pleats

9. Place over box springs…and enjoy!

Posted in Home Decor, Sewing, Stash Couture, Tutorial | Tagged How to sew a tailored bedskirt, sewing a bedskirt | Leave a comment

Lighten Up Pillow Transformation 1

Posted on October 15, 2014 by destashification

Lighten Up Project – Pillow Transformation

Nothing adds light and reflective textures to a cave better than silk damask!

The first layer of pillows has been completed. In the cave these 26″ square pillows were covered in a black/brown paisley.

The Lighten Up Project has transformed them with a Stash silk damask in a gold and blue.

This fabric is just sumptuous! The colors seem to be highlighted against the brown cave wall!

The gold backgound has a satin weave sheen to it. The blue is woven in a more matte finish.

Fabric Detail

I have no idea where or when I originally found this 2.5 yard remnant, but it is the showcase fabric for this transformation!

Sewing the pillows followed basically the same process as that outlined in the Flanged Pillow Tutorial. Linings, cut from scrap quilting cottons, were added as the fabric is fairly lightweight.

Photos alter the blue color slightly. The best description I can come up with is a blue-green sage.

Silk Damask: sheen and matte textures.

It is obvious from the upper photo that a new wedding photo collage is a necessary element to this room redo!

But first – more pillows! The next layer will be sewn from another Stash damask in similar colors.

Posted in Home Decor, Sewing, Stash Couture | Tagged Bedroom Redo, Bedroom Transformation, Flanged Pillow Tutorial, Sewing Pillows | Leave a comment

Lightening Up – The Destashification Method

Posted on October 13, 2014 by destashification

The “Cave Period” brown and black bedroom.

Brown, Black and Gold.

Home Dec colors of choice 8 years ago.

I now refer to that time as my “Cave Period.”

… time to lighten up.

I found some great blue/gold damask wallpaper to cover the dark brown area over the headboard.

Only $500!!

Apparently, wallpaper is lined in gold or some other precious metal.

The only thing missing is a Cave Painting.

I did not realize the other occupant of the bedroom had regressed to a Cave Dweller – and was not willing to give up his brown wall.

Apparently, Cave Dwellers also prefer not operating within a cash monetary system for decor improvements.

So, no wallpaper. Or new Coverlet.

New carpet was not an option.

(I didn’t even mention re-tiling the bathroom.)

After the requisite sulking and pouting, I came to the realization that the wallpaper truly was bizarrely expensive. It would actually be less expensive to “cover the wall” with a flat screen TV.

So, it was off to The Stash to explore other (more cost effective) options.

Very Similar Wallpaper and Stash Silk Damask

The Stash included a 2.5 yard piece of silk damask that greatly resembled the wallpaper.

It also contained several other pieces of linen and silk that were in the same color family.

No Damask on the wall = lots of Damask on the bed.

Nothing works better to improve The Destashifier’s mood than Pillow Replacement Therapy.

Fabrics for Lightening Up Project

First Lightening Up Project was the Bed Skirt.

The Linen Damask piece under the embroidery thread (DMC 927) was used to replace the dark brown cavewall-colored bedskirt.

Tailored Bedskirt – Lightened Up

The next post will include a Summary Tutorial on sewing the bedskirt. The curve-around pleats provide complete coverage on the corners.

Wrap-around Pleats

The room looks lighter already!

Posted in Home Decor, Sewing | Tagged Bedroom Redo, Redecorating on a budget | 2 Comments

Destashification Boho Top

Posted on October 10, 2014 by destashification

Destashification Boho Top

It appears Boho Chic is “all the fashion” now. Oddly, by definition, Boho cannot be Chic. “Boho Chic” translates to “Non-conformist Fashion Follower”!!!

All those flowing tops and dresses with the embroidered and embellished necklines – in sizes and cuts for everyone from pre-teen to mature women!!

Making one of these tops seemed like a simple task….unfortunately, finding a suitable fabric was not.

Cotton Voile is not an easy fabric to find….even when one has The Stash.

This handerchief-weight copper-brown and white print piece started life as a curtain. It has spent an unknown period of time successfully hiding among my other Stash Fabrics. I just found it!

Simplicity 1461

The pattern selected was Simplicity 1461, with modifications:

Yokes and linings were cut along “Sew Trim Here” lines.
Button loops added to center front of yokes.
Neckline was lowered and finished with bias binding.
Sleeves were omitted.
Body was lengthened and hem curved.
Additional waistline shaping along center back and side seams.

The embroidery on the yoke fronts is simple counted cross stitch. The yokes were cut from a scrap piece of even weave fabric in The Stash.

Folkloric Counted Cross Stitch and Button Loops

The counted cross stitch design is a modification of one of the beautiful historic designs included on this page.

I wish I had found the fabric earlier this summer. Cotton voile would have been nice to wear during the 110+ degree days.

However, the color pallette works for the current 90 degree days of early fall!

Destashification Boho Top

Wearing white (sandals, pants or leggings) past Labor Day is always permitted in Arizona – In fact, it might even be permitted past Halloween!!!!

Posted in Clothing, Embellishment, Scrap Couture, Sewing, Stash Couture | Tagged sewing a boho top, sewing Bohemian top, Sewing with voile, Simplicity 1461 | 5 Comments

5891 + 8854 = One Stash Couture Shirt

Posted on October 1, 2014 by destashification

Butterick 5891 – the perfect neckline!

The neckline of Katherine Tilton’s Butterick 5891 is my current favorite. It has just enough more fashion to be unique!

Butterick 5891

The (very) short and A-lined bodice of the top is, however, well, too short and too A-lined. Even after lengthening it several inches in this top and this top, I felt the need for a a “more vertically oriented” bodice.

Vogue 8854

The decision was to attempt to “Frankenpattern” the neckline and shoulders of Butterick 5891 and the length and width of Vogue 8854.

Stash Buttons, one white, one black.

I selected a stretch striped shirting fabric, in stark white with grey and black. I had about 3 yards which would allow for limited redos, should any recutting be required.

The Tilton top is asymmetrical, both fronts and backs. After a few hours spent deciding how best to approach the puzzle, matching center fronts and bust points seemed the best way to meld the two patterns. I also added 2″ to the side seams to ensure “verticality” did not equate “too tight.”

Finished Top, vertical side seams and unique neckline.

Finished Top with vertical side seams and unique neckline.

The contrast fabric required purchase. The Stash has several whites that I thought would work – but they were warm whites – and looked ecru next to the stark white of the stripe. The contrast has a narrow shadow stripe.

It took several fittings to arrive at the final side seams. The 2″ additions to the side seams were eventually cut away. If I were to resew this combination again – and I probably will, I would move the back seam to the center and add some shaping there.

The curved hems of the Vogue pattern were too long, so they were re-cut as straight, although the front and back remained at different lengths. The hems and fronts were faced with the contrast fabric as the stripe showed through.

Neckline Detail

The top is extremely comfortable – owing to the great armholes and neckline of Tilton pattern.

Back View

It is long enough and narrower enough to wear with knee length leggings – perfect for a cooler fall day!

Side View – Asymmetric Hems and Side Slit

Posted in Clothing, Scrap Couture, Sewing, Stash Couture | Tagged Butterick 5891, Butterick 5891 by Katherine Tilton, combining sewing patterns, Frakenpattern, Vogue 8854 | 8 Comments

The Destashification Project

Tilton Tunic goes to college…

Stash Couture Coat – Vogue 8933 Modified

Long Sleeved Vogue 8854

Another Scrap Couture Linen Stitch Scarf

Lighten Up Pillow Transformation Part 2

Bedskirt with Wrap Around Pleats

Lighten Up Pillow Transformation 1

Lightening Up – The Destashification Method

Destashification Boho Top

5891 + 8854 = One Stash Couture Shirt

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