2019 Upcycling Reveal!

We’re back with another upcycle sponsored by SewingPortfolios.com, Candice Ayala, and Windham Fabrics! I love upcycling challenges because it’s something I don’t think of doing naturally so it makes me get out of my “usual” and try something new!

We’re back with another upcycling challenge! Instead of finding something at a thrift store, I decided to “shop” our own closets this year. The husband guy is always going to conferences or having students attending weekend workshops and strange tshirts accumulate in the backs and corners of our cabinets. I think this one ended up being a 3x and, besides being a pretty awesome “get along” shirt, we had no use for it in its current form.

I upcycled the Tshirt

We ended up with an awesome summer tank for Girly! The great thing about upcycling is that you can use details and bits and bobs from the former garment in your project! This tank uses the same hem at the old tee, making this a really quick and easy project. I added ruffles to the shoulders to give it a little bit of detail and protect her shoulders from the harsh sun we get up here at 7,000 feet above sea level!

A hat too…

Windham Fabrics sent me three prints so I chose the “calmest” one as my main hat print. I drafted and made an oversized sun hat. Perfect for the desert. We spend a lot of time in the desert. Last summer it was all about the mountains but now we’ve shifted over to sage and sand and sun!

Look at that! Full. Sun. Coverage.

And some shorts.

And let’s talk about these shorts for a minute! I’ve wanted to make Girly some scalloped shorts for, like ever and thought this floral print from the Penelope collection was kismit. I don’t think I could have picked a better print. I took some extra fabric from the hat and used it to highlight the pockets. Because all little kid shorts need pockets. And not tiny ones, either. Full sized, can actually hold things pockets.

And since I’m sewing and making all the decisions, I chose to make the facings in the same polkadot print. No one will ever see it but it’s there and it’s like a fun little secret.

But wait, there’s more.

When I saw this plaid, I just knew it had to be a sun dress. A very vintage-y sun dress. With buttons. And bows. And a slight sweetheart neckline. Something you’d picnic in. If you lived in 1955. The skirt is a half circle skirt. I didn’t want it too full. Just a casual circle skirt. The button placket is on the bias to mix things up a bit.

I opened my package and saw how soft and pretty the colors were. I knew I had to shoot this during the golden hour at a nature preserve near us. The greens are the exact same color as the sagebrush and the pinks are the same pinks at the cactus blossoms. It’s been a pretty wet spring so far so the cacti are blooming like crazy!

Join in the fun!

Head over to UpcyclingChallenge.com to see all the details and sign up to try to snag one of the last 4 upcycling kits full of amazing goodies! KITS ARE LIMITED. Each kit contains fabric, notions, tools and several sewing goodies. Each kit values a little over $60 USD. Kits are free, but interested persons must pay $14.99 flat rate shipping  (US residents only) to receive a kit. Heres’ a sneak peek of what’s inside!

Be sure to check out last year’s Great Upcycling Challenge project!