Sound the alarm! ...calling all re-fashionistas and upcyclers... Jean, Pao, are you there? I got this great pair of Lucky Brand sweats at the thrift store. They're too small for me but I couldn't resist the design on the legs. On one side there's a geisha and on the other a dragon. Each design is partly embroidered and partly stamped/batiked. The material is a dark brown high quality fleece. If I could fit these, I'd wear them as is. They're just the kind of thing I like to bump around the house in.
My first instinct tells me to refashion the legs as sleeves on another garment. But what do you think? My sewing skills are top notch, but it seems I've lost some of my creative mojo over the past few years.
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Skirt, Sheila, skirt! Super skinny, longish and elegant. Add fabric panels in a gold/blue Oriental pattern if extra fabric needed.
ReplyDeleteExcellent idea Lynne!
ReplyDeleteI second the panels idea. You can also cut around the design and add them to a different pair of pants.
ReplyDelete....again, another great idea. Thanks Troy.
DeleteAnother possibility is to cut the designs out and use a iron on bonding fabric to put the designs on another garment. I used to use one called Stitch Witchery. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteI've heard of that. I like the idea of getting two garments out of one! Thanks Gracey.
DeleteYou must defer my comment to the wisdom of Pao and Jean, but I like your idea of sleeves. Lynne's idea is great but beyond my sewing patience. You, on the other hand, could make it work fantastically. I think a skirt might show off the motifs better.
ReplyDeleteRemember your post were you said when you go to the ice cream shop and are faced with so many flavors you end up just getting vanilla. I think that's what's going to happen here! LOL.
DeleteSheila: I like the skirt idea too - you'd have to keep it long though so the two prints aren't side by side around the hips.
ReplyDeleteOr, a shorter skirt and save the geisha print to use as an applique on something else?
Hey Narda,
DeleteThanks. I'm liking the skirt idea more and more...
New follower here :). Carolyn of Handmade by Carolyn made a really great tattoo sleeve top which I think would work great for these pants. http://handmadebycarolyn.blogspot.com/2012/08/sleeve.html
ReplyDeleteThanks for that linked. I checked that post out. That was a spectacular refashion project.
DeleteI vote a skirt--maybe something kind of patchwork and long. I know
ReplyDeleteJoanns Fabrics has some stunning oriental themed quilting fabrics (good quality cottons) in colorways that they would go with. i can envision vertical patchwork panels of these fabrics sewn together into a maxi skirt.
Thanks Tamera. Yes, I'm like to throw in a couple other prints for interest. Skirt seems to be the consensus.
DeleteGorgeous. You need to use these beauties for something.
ReplyDeletePillow maybe!
DeleteThese would make awesome patches on the back of a denim jacket!
ReplyDeleteNow there's an idea! Thanks.
DeleteThose pants are wonderful Sheila! Since they're fleece they should be pretty easy to work with too. All the ideas given sound good. You could keep them as pants and open up the inseam to add whatever amount of fabric you need to fit. I've seen lots of pants that had different colored legs (i.e., one color strip down the inside, another color strip down the outside). You could use the same additional fabric to raise the waist area to a yoga pants style waistband. A maxi skirt conversion would be easy too. I've also seen jackets/ tops made from pants turned upside down where the legs become sleeves. Handmade by Carolyn mentioned above has done so, as well as Bartinki. Have fun.
ReplyDeleteI thought about adding fabric to the inseam to make them larger. That seemed to be the easiest route. If I can find a similar quality fleece I just might do that, because I actually like them as sweats.
DeleteI think you should try for a skirt refashion. Maybe an asymmetrical skirt in a similar patched look like Desigual? I made a skirt out of a heavier pajama shirt over the summer
ReplyDeleteLooks like that's what it's going to be Megan! Happy Blogversary!
DeleteHi Sheila!! Sorry I'm weighing in so late. You've got some fabulous suggestions already. I like them as pants too, and I think the idea of inserts up the legs is a good one. Aesthetically, I'd probably choose the outside seams (think tuxedo pants). It could be interesting to try to match the gold (?) color or even choose a contrasting color like red, maybe. If the rise is too short, you could use the same material for a wide waistband sewn on the top. (I think Pao mentions that)
ReplyDeleteI'll be excited to see what you come up with!!