Any refashioners here?

[jfer_rose]

I'm very interested in starting out with refashioning, in the same vein as http://refashionista.net/ . The idea is that you buy cheap thrift store clothes and you remake them. You can make very simple changes, such as adjusting the length or taking the garment in, or you can make something new entirely such as a shirt becoming a skirt. In addition to being a very Mustachian way to add to a wardrobe, it can be a cheap hobby.

Is anyone else here doing this or thinking about getting started?

[pdxcyn]

There doesn't seem to be any shortage of clothing that fits and looks fine as is at the thrift store, but as a hobby to explore one's creativity and sewing skills I think it could be fun. I recently took a dress I hadn't worn in 20 years and made it into a skirt. Went from unwearable to wearable without costing me a thing. Personally I could find a few projects in my own closet without hitting the thrift store.

[jfer_rose]

There doesn't seem to be any shortage of clothing that fits and looks fine as is at the thrift store, but as a hobby to explore one's creativity and sewing skills I think it could be fun. I recently took a dress I hadn't worn in 20 years and made it into a skirt. Went from unwearable to wearable without costing me a thing. Personally I could find a few projects in my own closet without hitting the thrift store.

You know, actually, that's one of the main reasons I want to do this. I started pursuing sewing as a hobby and discovered it is expensive! This is a way cheaper way to get into sewing. Also, if you are good at Refashioning it's a lot easier to buy the super cheap items at thrift stores. The ones that are so gaudy nobody wants them.

[Rural]

There doesn't seem to be any shortage of clothing that fits and looks fine as is at the thrift store, but as a hobby to explore one's creativity and sewing skills I think it could be fun. I recently took a dress I hadn't worn in 20 years and made it into a skirt. Went from unwearable to wearable without costing me a thing. Personally I could find a few projects in my own closet without hitting the thrift store.

You know, actually, that's one of the main reasons I want to do this. I started pursuing sewing as a hobby and discovered it is expensive! This is a way cheaper way to get into sewing. Also, if you are good at Refashioning it's a lot easier to buy the super cheap items at thrift stores. The ones that are so gaudy nobody wants them.

I generally don't have the time for elaborate projects, but I do hit the cheap thrift store for buttons when I need them. A $1 shirt is much less than a pack of buttons at the fabric store. Actually, I hit my own bag of stuff to be donated first and often don't have to go further.

[_C_]

I buy a lot of clothes from the thrift. Does that count?!? Seriously, at least in DC, there are tons of great guys clothes that get donated well before the end of their useful life. Right now, my favorite suit is a Brooks Brothers Golden Fleece that would set me back ~3K or so, but I paid $60 for it. I've got a rack of Southwick suits that will be great once I lose a little more weight. Most cost $20, but getting the same thing from Brooks or J.Press would run around ~1K depending on the fabric.

This week I picked up a set of custom Crockett and Jones captoes that retail for $800. My cost was $10. They'll replace the $300 retail Allen Edmonds Park Avenues that I got for $15.

[JessieImproved]

I alter almost everything I buy, but to be fair, I had to do that even when I bought new clothes.  I am very short, but also shaped like a grown woman, so basically nothing fits me without hems and darts.  I do however, use thrift store clothing as fabric for projects, and I also unravel sweaters to use in knitting projects.

I highly recommend this site: http://www.newdressaday.com/

[_C_]

Many alterations are pretty straightforward and easy to learn. youtube and the myriad of clothing blogs sure helps! Anytime I have a question about how something is done, I can find a video. That helps since I'm a much more visual learner. The big thing is knowing what you can change easily, what you can change with some effort, and what you cant change. For example, with a men's suit, you can change the sleeves and waist pretty easy (as long as there is material to let out if you need to go that way), but there isn't much you can to change the shoulders.

And if you're modifying something from the thrift, it wont hurt too much if you mess it up.

[rocklebock]

The big thing is knowing what you can change easily, what you can change with some effort, and what you cant change.

This, definitely, if your focus is on doing alterations. I've taken apart tons of vintage/thrifted stuff to re-use the fabric, but de-constructing can be pretty labor-intensive, so I only do it if the fabric is so awesome that it's worth salvaging. Otherwise, it's just as easy to start from scratch with new or thrifted fabric, IMO. Definitely check out the fabric and linens at thrifts if you haven't been all along. My other caveat is that it's really easy to start acquiring lots and lots of thrifted stuff with the intention of altering it "someday." I have boxes of this stuff that I haven't touched for 10 years, and I can't bring myself to cut the cord and just re-donate it all. It's one of the big areas where my new-found minimalist ethic is just not happening.

[Moomingirl]

Yes, I have a huge pile of stuff which I bought meaning to refashion. Thankfully it was all at op shop (thrift shop) prices. I have learned that lesson now too, and I haven't bought any more stuff for the last year. I have made some great stuff.

My favourite was a 1970’s dress (probably a bridesmaid dress) which was three sizes too big, and floor length. I took it in, chopped it to just above knee length, and now it looks cool and retro, instead of hideous and old fashioned.

Books about refashioning are one of my favourite things from the library. Now I'm going to have to check out the refashionista website, I have not seen that one.  :)

[pdxcyn]

Definitely check out the fabric and linens at thrifts if you haven't been all along.

Agreed! Also a great place for yarn if you're into that too. I recently turned a thrifted cotton floral sheet into a cute skirt using a free tutorial from a blog. I'm lucky to have a Goodwill outlet in town where they sell all clothing, fabric and linens by the pound very cheaply.

[cheeselover91]

I've done this a few times. The biggest problem, as others have suggested, is that I tend to accumulate a huge pile of 'projects'. I know now that if a project takes more than an hour or two, I probably won't finish it. Along with this principle, the other thing I do is NEVER buy fabric. Ever. Not even at a thrift store. There are enough clothes-that-don't-fit, clothes-I-don't-like and clothes-my-sister-gives-me that I have no reason in the world to buy fabric.

If it's something simple, refashioning is a great idea.
Ex: I was in Walmart yesterday, telling myself that I needed another stocking cap (because I lost mine) and a pair of mittens. But I don't really need those things, because I can whip them up myself at home for absolutely free. If I really need them, I will make them.

Also refashioning would be great for gifts. This year I'm making several people on my list slipper socks. I tore apart an old suede skirt that someone had given me for free, and it will be great on the slipper socks. 

[Zaga]

I do this regularly, and I love it! 

Most often I use the thrift store as source material for theater costumes, generally these just need tweaking.  I also do a significant amount of hemming, pants are almost to long on me whether bought new or used.  I especially love that if I mess up, it's no big deal, I didn't waste much money.

One of my most extreme projects was taking 2 pairs of pants, one black and one white, and turning them into 2 black and white gypsy shirts, one for me and one for my best friend.  They are sort of crazy looking, but we love them!

[racherinh]

This is also really helpful for extending kids's clothes. For example, if the cuffs get nasty you can cut them off and make a short sleeved shirt. Or I've taken the bottom of one shirt, and the top of another that had stains on it, and joined them for a new one. Skirts and jumpers are easy to make from old grown-up pants. Sweaters are fun to turn into dresses.

For kids stuff, one of my favorite blogs is http://www.makeit-loveit.com/. All her stuff isn't my style, but the ideas and techniques are often golden - for example all her info on sewing knits. Appliqueing pictures over stains is another of my favorite ways to extend clothes.

In college I had several pairs of khakis I turned into skirts because the pants fit me funny. I wore the life out of them.

[needmyfi]

I crochet with yarn made from old t shirts.  Can often get them 4/$1, especially ones that are in bad shape.  I can make a decent sized rug for 2-3 bucks.   They make great gifts-sometimes I will even have the recipient give me the shirts-that way I know they will like the colors.

[YK-Phil]

My wife owns a small clothing consignment boutique and sometimes accepts some interesting pieces. The store's former owner has also been doing this for a long time. Check her Facebook page here:

https://www.facebook.com/BrokenGhostClothing?fref=pb