I thread up my needle and then...

...gonna sew my soul back together again.

Well, I can't say my soul requires any mending, but I do have a big pile of clothes in need of attention.

 

 

 

 

And since the skies changed from blue to grey this week, I took advantage of a break in the sunshine to tackle some mending and amending.

 

First up;

 

 

this 1970s homemade dress and a 1960s knit top.

I did try to fix the dress by replacing the spent elastic at the top and the waist, but the shape was unflattering and I don't like spaghetti straps, so it became a skirt instead. 

 

It has an elasticated waist, but I added darts front and back to stop Pouffy Arse/Belly Syndrome, and made the A line shape a little narrower. I love the faux patchwork print, it was too good to remain unworn.

The top was virtually as wide as it was long, so I reduced the boxiness by taking in the sides and trimming off the excess.

 

Et voila!

Next;

 

I have been intending to shorten this 1970s nautical print skirt since I bought (in Brick Lane, London, about 3 years ago. I know - for heaven's sake!) It only took a few minutes to sort it out.

 

 

 

 

This little striped top is modern, but has a 1970s vibe going on; it must be the elasticated ruching which reminds me so much of my childhood. It had a Knockers Ahoy effect too, which can't be a bad thing, and it goes with everything. 

50p well spent.

 

Left-right clockwise;

 

1960-70s maxi - a fallen-down hem fixed.

1960s shift dress - I let down the large hem to make the length more comfortable for me.

Austin Reed silk dress - the lining was annoyingly long and showed underneath the dress; now taken up and invisible.

1970s dress - buttons replaced and hem fixed.

 

Darling Helga sent me this 1970s maxi dress ages ago, and I could do with her magnificent boobage to fill the bodice out properly. 

As it is, I took it in so it fits more snugly.

 

And Clare (Miss Simmonds) gave me this silk-blend Monsoon cheongsam about a million years ago, but it was too big.

Nothing deeper darts couldn't fix; it's now a much better fit.

And there are my delicious 1970s platform shoes, which actually aren't as hard to walk in as I thought. I might not be able to dance till dawn in them, but I could definitely do a night out. Another well-spent £1.49!

 

I had completely forgotten I had the gold Charles Jourdan espadrilles.

Shameful. 

Another charity shop find, of course (£2.99), and getting some wear now I have rediscovered them. 

 

So that's been productive, and I'm feeling inspired to continue. There are more unworn treasures waiting to be altered to fit.

I'm currently puzzling over taking in the bodice, and replacing but shortening the sleeves of a 1970s maxi dress; and I'm wondering whether I can add panels down the side of a wiggle dress to make it bigger.

It's taxing my brain and my skills, but I am really enjoying the challenge!

 

What about you? Any making, mending or refashioning going on at your house?

 

xxxx