26/05/2011

Acceptable in the 80s – Part 1

Believe it or not, this is my most expensive piece to date! £14.99 from Save the Children in Whitby. It’s actually two pieces, a size 18 blouse and skirt in thin polyester. The pattern is so 80s… I love it. I mean, it’s about as 80s as it could be if it’s not visible white socks and mens suit jackets with the sleeves rolled up. The pattern actually reminds me of yachts – it’s straight out of ‘Howard’s Way’.

I’m going to tackle the blouse in this post, and the skirt at a later date. The blouse has a beautiful sort of sweetheart neckline which is (after the amazing pattern) its best feature.

First, out came the shoulder pads….

Next, I cut up the side seams, removed the sleeves, and unpicked the bust darts…

Then, I used my dressform to pin and sew new darts and side seams, and cut new armholes. I also adjusted the length.

Mass production techniques from the original garment unfortunately had left a hole in the fabric at the point of each of the original bust darts. The position of these was such that they were visible on the side front of my new blouse. In the end I decided to just live with it. Probably only me (and you, now you’ve read this) will notice.

I toyed with the idea of making binding for the armholes but, short on time, I just clipped the curves as best I could and folded over. It doesn’t look perfect, but it’s good enough. Here I am modelling the new blouse with my new slinky white satin summer trousers!

Since it was a lovely sunny day, I headed over to Columbia Road flower market with my friend R. Here are some pics of the market, R buying flowers, and my new sunglasses! The market was totally rammed but we had a great morning :-)

24 comments

26/05/2011 - 10:17 pm Darci

Cute top! Found you via Refashion Co-op. Can’t wait to see what you do with the skirt. :)

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- 27/05/2011 - 8:25 am charityshopchic
  
  Thanks! I don’t think it will stay a skirt for long….
  
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27/05/2011 - 4:42 am Danielle Renee

I second the cuteness! It looks good with your pants and tan sandels, well done!

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- 27/05/2011 - 8:25 am charityshopchic
  
  You’re so kind, thanks! :-)
  
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27/05/2011 - 5:08 am Christina Carter

The top turned out great! I look forward to seeing the skirt as well :D
http://refashionstatement.blogspot.com/

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- 27/05/2011 - 8:26 am charityshopchic
  
  Thank you – it’s coming soon so stay tuned!
  
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27/05/2011 - 3:10 pm b

I’m so glad I stumbled upon your blog, what a talent you are, you have a great eye for turning thrifted, unwanted clothing into gems! Keep up the good work. I’ll be watching from the sidelines hoping to get some inspiration!

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- 27/05/2011 - 6:20 pm charityshopchic
  
  Aw, thank you so much! :-)
  
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10/06/2011 - 2:10 pm Meream

Fab re-fashion!
What’s the plan for the rest of the garment? :D

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- 10/06/2011 - 3:42 pm charityshopchic
  
  You’ll have to wait and see ;-)
  Thanks for stopping by!
  
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11/06/2011 - 3:25 am Erica Louise

Hey you might also like to link up with my weekly linky party on http://www.recycled-fashion.com/ to share your awesome refashions! Love your work

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- 13/06/2011 - 11:54 am charityshopchic
  
  Thank you, I’ll check it out!
  
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11/06/2011 - 9:32 pm amemm

Lovely blog! You are able to wear clothes beautifully, and your sewing skills are awesom. I’ll bookmark and come back often to see what you are up to. Thanks for sharing.

Angela

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- 13/06/2011 - 11:55 am charityshopchic
  
  How sweet of you Angela. Yes, keep reading, I have many more projects coming up!
  
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16/06/2011 - 1:36 pm hstorkw

Can’t wait to see pt. 2 of this series!HVW

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- 16/06/2011 - 1:48 pm charityshopchic
  
  It’s coming soon… just as soon as it gets sunny enough to take photos!
  
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20/06/2011 - 3:53 pm Katy

I love this shirt!

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- 21/06/2011 - 10:03 am charityshopchic
  
  Thanks!
  
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23/06/2011 - 7:21 pm Michelle

Well done! I love both the garments you were able to salvage from that monstrosity of a dress!

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- 23/06/2011 - 7:27 pm charityshopchic
  
  Thanks – it was a great find! I just love the pattern. Both will definitely be worn again and again.
  
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23/06/2011 - 7:24 pm Polly Rowena Atkin

LOVE the fabric, and the results, of both. And the Howard’s Way reference. My sewing machine has broken which has scuppered my sewing projects, so I’m living vicariously through yours. Very cool!

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- 23/06/2011 - 7:30 pm charityshopchic
  
  Thanks Polly. Now try and get the Howard’s Way theme tune out of your head! xx
  
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09/02/2018 - 12:12 am Roama

Hi. Have only recently discovered your blog, so gorging on it at the mo’. I’m in Australia and just wanted to let you know that fabric is an Australian motif with the Opera House and Boomerangs along the lines of fabrics designed by Ken Done, an Australian artist whose works were popular as fabrics in the 80’s and 90’s n particular (and still are!). I love how you’ve simplified the design to show off the fun fabric. I’ll hit the Op Shops (Opportunity Shops) as we call them here and see what Ken Done type lovelies I can unearth! Thanks for the inspiration and for resurrecting an Aussie icon!

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- 10/02/2018 - 10:30 am charityshopchic
  
  Hi Roama and thank you so much for commenting! I’m so excited to learn more about this fabric, I had no idea of its Australian connection! Both pieces I made are still in my wardrobe and I will be looking at them in a new light from now on. Thanks again for shedding some light on this fabric’s background!
  
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