Refresh Your Wardrobe + Giveaway

Do you have a wardrobe that no longer suits your style? Over our lives, what we wear on a regular basis may change.

What I wore going to a corporate job vs what I wear as a stay at home mom running a small business is vastly different. Or maybe you’re tired of some of the pieces in your wardrobe. Why not transform them into something new!

I’ll show you what to look for. Plus, exciting giveaway information at the end of the post!

Before we get started, this week (Oct 3 – 7, 2022), Love Notions is have a site wide sale, 40% off everything. Every purchase is an entry to win a Babylock Serger! It’s a great time to think about refreshing your wardrobe, and I’ll be giving some pattern recommendations below to help you out.

Refreshing your wardrobe

The best candidates to transform, are of course maxi dresses – just for the sheer amount of plain fabric you’ll get out of it. You can make tops like the La Bella Donna, or Forte from a maxi.

Or, change the the dress to a skirt, using the Summer Basic Dress and adding a waistband, or the Sybil Skirts.

Don’t think you can’t transform tops and shorter dresses? You can combine two or more fabrics together, either creating your own color blocking like I did below with Lilli’s shirt. OR use a pattern like the Rockford Raglan where you can use one fabric for the body, and another for the sleeves.

When looking for a pattern to make up, especially with little fabric – look for ones that have smaller pieces, like the Margot Peplum with princess seams bodice or the Tempo Sundress.

The Lyric also has two smaller pieces for the front bodice, and you can always add a center back seam, well you can always add a center back seam (just remember to add seam allowance!).

I have a couple pieces that I don’t like wearing anymore – some don’t fit, some are stained. But I still like the fabric I used for them. Like this Margot dress I made in 2019. I loved the color, and the dress but it was stained in areas that couldn’t be recovered. I set it aside to make a top out of it.

Lilli had a matching Maggie dress too and she also loved the fabric. She grew out of hers but asked if I could make something else with the fabric.

The pattern

Ever since I tested the La Bella Donna (LBD), I have made several but all as gifts to others. I finally made another one just for me. The LBD, for me is a casual and quick shirt/tunic. I love wearing the ones I made.

Both the girls and adult versions have tunic and shirt length.

There are options for simple neckline, banded, hooded, or cowl.

Sleeve lengths include short with cuffs and 3/4 and long with longer cuffs.

You can hem the edges by turning it up or using a hem band.

The best part.. there is a site wide 40% off sale going on right now Oct 3rd – 7th 2022.

USE CODE BEE10 FOR AN EXTRA 10% OFF!

The fabric

This yellow is mostly likely a synthetic blend of some sorts. I got it from a local shop, G Street fabric in their discount bin many years ago.

For Lilli’s, I used the yellow from her Maggie dress plus a cotton jersey from her Everyday Dress that she grew out of as well.

The modifications

Kurtas are my favorite thing to wear so as usual, I hacked the LBD to have a split hem. Here’s the video on how to do that. I have another full sew along video coming this week, so be sure to subscribe to my Youtube Channel.

For Lilli’s version, I cut the top in two with a curved line and color blocked it together.

customization

Embroidery and other details

Lilli’s been asking for another ‘explorer’ shirt ever since she out grew her original one. This one is a new design, soon to be available in my shop. You can sign up to get on the waiting list of when the shop open. Each person to sign up will be entered into my La Bella Donna giveaway!

For my La Bella Donna, as a last minute thing, I decided to paint the navy blue neckline using fabric paint.

conclusion

Take a look at your wardrobe, are you frustrated that you can’t wear something in there for one reason or another? Do you love something and are hoping your body will change so you can fit it again? Why not transform those pieces into something new for yourself? And what better way than to use some of Love Notions great patterns!

USE CODE BEE10 FOR AN EXTRA 10% OFF!

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