Refashioning clothes

 

One of my goals for 2025 is to 'Make/upcycle/thrift all my clothes except underwear and footwear' and so far I've only bought some M&S underwear.  I used to do this before I returned full time to teaching.  I went back through some old projects from around 2010/2011 to give me some inspiration to get my mojo going again!  I made this yellow dress from scratch using a tablecloth.  BTW that's Emma my black Lab in these photos 💕

This was my son's jacket.  It was a pale grey cotton that I dyed lilac and appliqued an 18 piece heart on the back.

I loved this jacket and wore it to death!!

This was a plain white cotton shirt style blouse I used to wear to work.

I dyed it red and shortened the sleeves.

Yep, my hair was a red burgundy colour in this phase!!

This was a dress my mum gave me.  I removed the sleeves, altered the neckline and shortened it.

I wore it on holiday to Vienna.

This is another altered blouse.  I think I removed the sleeves as well as the collar.

I rather liked that one and wore it a lot!

This was a dress that was too big for me so I took in the side seams and used the belt to make a rosette brooch.

The brooch was kinda lost on the dress but I wore it on other things!

Looking back at some of my previous stuff has definitely inspired me to get started again.  I've been clearing out my wardrobe and getting rid of the last of my 'work' outfits as they're now getting a bit ratty and have holes!!

2025 Goals

 Happy New Year!  I wish you all good health and happiness! 

Every year I set myself some goals instead of resolutions.  I've reviewed last year's goals and was happy that I achieved 3 out of 4.  The 4th one didn't work out due to the timing of me moving house but I'm not beating myself up about it.

So, this is a year of using up all the resources I have saved and hoarded for decorating, DIYing and gardening in my new house.  When I need to buy something I'll try thrifting first, then my local recycle centre and even asking family/friends if they have what I'm looking for.  If I need to buy anything new I'll thoroughly research the best deal/prices!

2025 Goals: A year of using what I already have

1.  Create a permaculture garden from scratch

My garden is currently a patch of muddy/soggy grass and a decked area with some pots I brought from my previous house.  I'm aiming to create a space where I can grow food and flowers, where I can encourage beneficial insects and where Luna and I can relax.  I'm bringing as much as I can salvage from my allotment plot including my compost bins.  I have a ramshackle shed I'm hoping I can save and turn into a potting shed.

2.  Make/upcycle/thrift all my clothes (except underwear and footwear)

I've been slowly wearing out all old work clothes (mainly tunics and leggings) so will be needing to replace some items.  I'd like to start sewing clothes again and already have lots of patterns and fabric.  Other items can be thrifted and I know my Lovely Mum is hoping to do a clothes clear out this year so I might be able to upcycle some of her things.  

3.  Decorate my whole house

It's a small house, just 4 rooms plus a fully tiled bathroom (that I'm not touching) and hall/stairs.  I have a ton of white and cream paint, a few rolls of nice wallpaper I got on sale and loads of ideas!  I just need to motivate myself to get cracking!  I know I need to buy some electrical fittings and a curtain pole but I think I already have all I need.  If I can save enough money I might get my armchair professionally re upholstered.

I'm planning to video as much as I can and to keep a careful note of how much it costs.  I really want to see if it can be done!