Upcycling A Fur Coat into a Hat

Faux Fur Hat Made From Fur Coat

Upcycling A Fur Coat into a Hat

I always love going to costume party's. Last weekend I attended a party that required us to dress up as a character from the old Pink Panther movies. I chose the character Olga, the Russian Spy. She was wearing a long fur coat and fur hat in the movie. Well, first problem, I didn't own a fur coat or hat, so I headed to our local Goodwill and found two fur coats that were the same. One to wear as is and the other to make into a matching hat. (note: not real fur). I used this tutorial by Love To Sew:  http://www.lovetosew.com/hat.htm  Here are photos of the before and after:

Faux Fur Russian Style Hat made for party.

Faux Fur Russian Style Hat made for party.

Coat before the Hack

At the party as Olga the Russian spy

Olga (The Russian Spy

Olga The Russuan Spy

Inspector Clueseau with Olga Russian Spy

2nd coat hacked!

BEFORE BOARDING YOUR FLIGHT DRESS

Second Mind Body and Sew Patterns Dress!!

This weekend was my twin daughters 25th birthday and flew home to celebrate with their parents. On their birthday I have them go thru my fabric and patterns to choose a garment that I will later mail to them. Well, they were having no part of mailing this dress and wanted it before they had to go back to the airport. WHAT!!!  I've made two of these dresses and the second one in about 4 hours. Getting faster with each one I make. haha 

My daughters chose a pattern that I was testing from  SEW ACTIVE PATTERNS ("Face the Sun Wrap Top/Dress Pattern) and some really cool jersey fabric that had purchased from fabric.com (https://www.fabric.com/buy/0302032/laguna-stretch-cotton-jersey-honeycomb-yellow?cm_vc=756b1813-cbc1-43b3-84bd-29889bf8fb7b) and had in my stash. 

Now about this dress. Before you board your flight  4 hour wrap dress. 

The grey, black and yellow hexagon fabric looks like one fabulous maze.  Complete with a surplice style neckline and flattering, tie-wrap waist. Its a formfitting silhouette with quarter-length sleeves that has a flawless look. 

Photos by: Hannah Brasher(daughter) and Model is: Gwendolyn Shearrow(daughter)

Mind, Body & Sew Patterns Knit Wrap Dress/Wrap Top Pattern Review

I TESTED A PATTERN; I LIKED IT!!!

Mind Body & Sew 

             Knit Wrap Dress/Wrap Top Pattern Review

 This style of dress is very appealing to me because of ease of dressing with

a flawless look and the variety of fabrics available in knits. The pattern is not

complicated in it’s design. However, since it does not include line drawings

or photos of steps I would not recommend for a beginner (Designer has added diagrams since reviews and would be appropriate for beginners). If you are an

intermediate sewist, it does come together rather easily.

The instructions are written in a conversational manner. I think it would

make most sewists feel comfortable. Overall the pattern is well written., with

just a few suggested changes for clarification. There were a few times when

attaching the binding was not clear without rereading a few times. This part

could have been addressed a little better so you understood that these

pieces will be showing on the outside of the finished dress/top.

This pattern has no images or diagrams, but since reviews has added diagrams. I do believe that photos can sometimes make a pattern easier to understand although diagrams can do

the trick. The pattern relies heavily on understanding garment construction.

The pattern pieces are labeled and easy to understand.

Like I stated earlier, this is a easy little dress for a Intermediate sewist. It does come

together rather easily, but you have to be ready to take your time and read

the instructions carefully. You also need to be able to sew a very straight

line to attach the binding/trim strip. Just take your time…

The fit seemed a little on the small side but not un-wearable. I made the XS

for my model, U.S. sizes 0-2 and body measurements were at the lowest

part of the measurements on the sizing. My model wore a lace cami under

the dress for modesty but could be worn without. Sizes range from XS (0-2) to XL (16) and can be made into a top as well. 

Overall this dress is fun to sew and will get easier the more often you make

it, as with any pattern! Take your time and sew slowly and precisely. I am

very pleased with the finished dress and am sure you will be too!

Dress/Top pdf pattern can be bought for $9.99 here: Face The Sun Wrap Top/Dress Pattern
My fabric was from fabric.com "Laguna Stretch Cotton Jersey Chevron Yellow here: https://www.fabric.com/buy/0302031/laguna-stretch-cotton-jersey-chevron-yellow

Photos taken by Gwen Brasher-Shearrow (daughter)
Model is Hannah Brasher (daughter)

Oscar De La Renta Look a Like

As you may know, I tested a pattern for BeMyGoth.com a few months ago. The Lucinda skirt pattern, available here: http://bemygothpatterns.com/shop/lucinda-pencil-skirt-pattern/. I used Oscar De La Renta fabric from Mood Fabrics. Well, recently I ran across a very similar skirt by Oscar De La Renta here: http://www.lyst.com/clothing/oscar-de-la-renta-tie-waist-slim-skirt-pink/ , for a whopping $1290!

Here are the two skirts, they are both the same color but my photos look slightly different:

Oscar De La Renta Skirt $1290

Skirt I made using Oscar De La Renta Fabric and BeMyGoth.com pattern $30