Whew! What a crazy few weeks it’s been! I’m happy to report that I’m all moved out from my old apartment (yippee!) and all moved in to my new house (huzzah!)! I have some pics of my new digs further down in this post, but I know what you’re really here for…a refashion of course! :)
This is it, guys! The last time you’ll see a “before” shot with that weird tile floor! :)
What we have here is an interesting colorblocked 80’s top. I love the purple/green color combination, but I knew I wouldn’t love sleeves, as I was planning a day at a friend’s hop farm (it’s about 100 degrees here).
I also knew I wouldn’t like these:
I lopped off the offending pads and cast them aside.
Then, I grabbed my tailor’s chalk and drew a line down each side.
That’s right! I’m going sleeveless!
I pinned along each chalked line, and then (carefully) tried my future top on. I made a couple of tweaks, and then ran each side through my machine.
I chopped of the leftover sleeves and the rest of the extra fabric from each side with my pinking shears to keep the sides from fraying.
I thought I was all done. Alas, that was not the case. :/
My “top” was so long it could have easily been a slighty-too-short and none-too-flattering dress.. That wouldn’t do.
I pinned my new top where I wanted to fall (hip level), and made one more chop.
A hem quickly followed.
And just like that, I was ready to drive many miles for hop farm party in a nearby town!
I was happy to discover the budget signage wasn’t part of an elaborate ruse. ;)
My new top coordinated well with the hops!
I had a delightful, if sweaty, day hanging out with some of my favorite people.
The scenery wasn’t too shabby either.
And that’s it! My last refashion in my old apartment!
But there will be many more in my sweet new house! :) :) :)
Douglas has already picked out his favorite spot.
…and I can’t wait to show you how I made the ottoman in my living room for $1. :)
But I’m pretty sure most of you will be happiest to see this:
I am so soooo happy. I’ve never felt more at home in my life. This place has incredibly good vibes and I can’t wait to have years of creative fun here. :)
The seller left me this lovely & thoughtful gift that made me feel even more welcome:
Cheers!
Jillian,
Love your posts! Especially love seeing your new sewing room. Curious…what kind of dress form you’re using and would you recommend it? Thinking of getting one myself…don’t make enough clothes to buy a super high-end one, just want something easy to use and not too costly.
I’ve not done it myself but people make a personalised one from duct tape – e.g. (there are loads, I just googled “duct tape dress form tutorial” so grab another if that one doesn’t suit you). I guess it would be cheaper than buying a dress form?
Wow, Your sewing room is georgous! And refashion too, of course. :)
Love what you did for that new top. Did not expect it to be strapless. Neat idea. Also, congratulations on the acquisition of your new home.
Love the glass chandler in your sewing room!
Excellent refashion, and am loving your new digs, and I’m soooo not jealous of your sewing room, nope not jealous at all nor am I wishing I had a dedicated sewing space ;-)
Wishing you many happy years in your new homes.x
How exciting to be a home owner!! Sweet Douglas will have some room to romp!
Many good wishes for many happy times!!
Congratulations on your new home! Soooooo exciting and I bet it gets your creative mind going even faster. :-)
I love the refash but like REDBAMSEWS I wasn’t expecting a strapless top, I thought more halter.
Yay new home and leave it to the four legged members of our households to find all the good spots in the house.
Congrats! Can’t wait to see more refashions at the new place.
I was not expecting a strapless top…thought sleeveless, but love it anyway. I love your sewing room, you are inspiring me. I love thrifting and have inherited my mom’s sewing machine, but haven’t sewn I years,..maybe now is the time. Also have a grandchild coming…and still have the pajamas my mom made for my kids….Best wishes in your new home.
Congratulations on your beautiful new home! Cute refash! As a friend of mine says, all good things to you!
Now I really want to go find a Hopyard!
Like how your new top matches the hops and the wine! Looks great on you. And congrats on buying your first home. When I bought my first home it was a life-changer for the best! I used to get up in the middle of the night and walk around in awe, saying to myself “this is my house! this is my house!” Have fun, you deserve it.
Love the new place! I am now planning on leaving a gift like that if I sell my home!
Congrats and HOPPY Housewarming!!! I love your blog You keep me in stiches!
Congrats and enjoy! The worst part is over. Great refash xx
Congratulations! Wonderful to see you back. Looking forward to more of the home tour.
We’re looking for a house too for our Wirehair Dachshund. LOL I can’t wait to get him a yard.
So glad you are settled in the new home—-it looks very spacious—love that. To have a designated sewing room where you can leave projects for the day, walk away, and close the door—-oh my ! Looking forward to many new refashes as you are inspired by the awesome, sweet environment of that room. Congrats
Seller? Did you buy? If so, CONGRATULATIONS!
So happy for you in your new home, and how kind of the seller to leave you the good luck goodies :)
Congratulations on your new home! And great post!
Congratulations on the new house! I love the parkay floors! Very retro chic!
I’m new to your blog and loving it. I’m now intrigued by the floors in your new house. We have some of those, and I’m wondering if yours have recently been refinished? They look better than ours. What do you know about that parquet, vintage, etc?
Thanks! A friend who does flooring said they haven’t been sanded yet. They’re original to the house. He also told me these types of floors can be sanded twice before they’ll need to be replaced. Hope that helps! :)
I LOVE your blog – I am not creative, I can’t imagine how you come up with the ideas you do, but THANK YOU (from Alaska)!
Oh, how thrilling! I am SO looking forward to seeing more.
So excited for you and Douglas! And you have your very own palm tree! Blessings to both of you and for your new home and new beginning.
Congratulations on your house purchase!! It looks beautiful so far and I’m so glad you’re enjoying it! And Douglas looks right at home there :)
Your home looks great! Glad to see you happy, because you seem like such a nice person.
Congratulations! Your new sewing room looks amazing!
Wishing you much joy in your new home! Love your refashions! Only do the most simple of sewing myself these days but glad I learnt!
I’m so happy for you! Wishing you many years of snipping and whirrrring in your new home.
Huge congrats on the new home and gorgeous sewing space! May they bring you joy, creativity and peace!
Wonderful new home. First time ever I prefer the top before the remake. It looked great on you but I’m not living in 100 degree weather so I’m sure the new look was cooler
Did you know that your posts are also expected in France (Britain)! Hope to read you soon again and wish you the best (refashions) in your new house
Congratulations on your new home! It looks fabulous and I am so looking forward to what you create in your sewing room.
congratulations on your new home. It looks awesome…..
I love this post! Your new house is gorgeous! Enjoy!
You have so much space in your new sewing room I am jelly. Jelly, jealous. Wishing you and Douglas every happiness in your new home.xxx
Congratulations on your new home!! It looks so comfy and nice already! And a huge sewing room, what a luxury!! *sighs dreamingly*
Your home is very lovely and hecka cozy. Congratulations!
I didn’t know hops grew like that! Really like the new top, good call on shortening it, LOL. Congratulations on the new house & very kind of the previous owner to leave you such a kind gift!
I can’t wait to see your home refashions)))))
Congrats on the new house. And what a fab seller to leave the traditional wine, bread, salt with a pattern bonus!
Love the shirt!!!! Your new house looks so nice, I am loving the fireplace, and look at all that room in your new sewing room!!!!! Very nice!!! May you have many years of happiness in your new home!
Congratulations on your new house! & that was a lovely touch by the seller
Congratulations! Can’t wait to see more of the new home and your creative refashions.
So happy for you as you start a new chapter in your life. Congratulations!
Love your new house. Congratulations….. Let the real nesting begin!! Looking forward to many more refash posts with those gorgeous floors in them!!
Cute top! Love the new house and the sewing room (I love mine too!) Just did some cleaning in my sewing room and ran across a BUNCH of old patterns from back in the 70’s when I was your size. You want them? I’ll put them in a box to you next week. Email me!
Congrats on the new home!! :D
Hey…I would love to see what you refashion that orange frock into!
Great refashion, please send some of the warm weather to Sydney Australia where it is quite cold! Love the house, Douglas has very good taste!
I thought you were going to turn it into a halter top! Best Wishes on the new home!
Awful.Can’t you come up with something cutting edge? Something the rest of us would want ton do.
Love your new home! You are so neat and tidy! I still have to work on my room; it’s such a mess.
Congrats on your new house! Looking forward to seeing more projects from you soon. :)
My husband, our spawn and I are about to move into a bigger place where I will finally have a sewing/ crafting room on my very own! Congrats!
I am glad that The Move is happily over and done with. Your new home looks great – so much light!
As for the top – I’m not big on the whole sleeveless thing, but dusty grapes and yellowy-olive greens sure look fetching on you. Best wishes on everything related to your new abode!
Love that gift. It’s my favorite thing to give new home owners. It comes from It’s A Wonderful Life. Bread so this house may never know hunger, Salt so that life always has flavor. Wine so joy and happiness may reign forever.
I am just catching up on your recent posts… coming up for air after a busy summer! Love your little blog. It’s inspiring! Congratulations on your new home, it’s adorable and I’m jealous of your sewing room :^)