Wardrobe Refashion Challenge

I've been upping my craft threshold recently, mostly in an effort to reclaim some space in my house which is currently filled with yards of material and balls of wool. I also have a wardrobe of clothes that I've had since I started university 12 years ago and can't bear to throw away, yet never get worn. At the same time I constantly complain of having nothing to wear...

The answer? The Wardrobe Refashion Challenge. I've emailed to sign up to the pledge though I doubt I'll have quite the output of some of these people!

"I, Hen Goodchild, pledge that I shall abstain from the purchase of "new" manufactured items of clothing, for the period of 6 months. I pledge that I shall refashion, renovate, recycle preloved items for myself with my own hands in fabric, yarn or other medium for the term of my contract. I pledge that I will share the love and post a photo of my refashioned, renovated, recycled, crafted or created item of clothing on the Wardrobe Refashion blog, so that others may share the joy that thy thriftyness brings! Signed Hen."

I've already made a good start...

The boy L gave me an Eels T-shirt recently which had a fabulous Daisies of the Galaxy bird on, but was one of those unflattering Fruit of the Loom numbers. that made me look like a boy (not the look I was going for). Out came the scissors and sewing machine and, after a few hours of cutting, sewing, unpicking my mistakes, sewing again, unpicking more mistakes and resewing, I finally had something I was proud of. It was made even better when I got a compliment on it on its first outing out (thanks R!).


Second was some wool I've had kicking about for years. I inherited some wool when my nan died two years ago, and also had various random balls bought from charity shops I can't remember how long ago. I wasn't overly excited by the colours (purple mohair, dark green and turquoise single knit) but bizarrely they seemed to work when I put all three together. I just made up the pattern based on a basic T-shape but ran out of wool. It's now a short-sleeved little number! I hope it survives the first wash... :)




So, let's see if I can last until August! I have 3 get out of jail free cards (one per 2 month period) which I can use if any special occasions come up, but I'm hoping to make it through without using them, especially as I have raw materials coming out of my ears and really want to get the stash down a bit. My wallet will certainly appreciate that. I've got tonnes of ideas of things to do but first up my 20+ year old sewing machine needs a little love and attention. I'll stick to the hooks till it's sorted...