Wednesday 15 February 2012

The Mid-Week Makeover: Pretty Flamingo


I bought this Indian-made tunic for 20p from a jumble sale a while ago. Although the embroidery's pretty, it's beige, the kind of length that does even the most waif-like figure no favours and the sleeves are half-hearted to say the least, so, being on a creative roll at the moment, I set to work transforming it into something that was more me.


I cut it to just below waist length, allowing half-an-inch for a hem and then machine-stitched it.


With the seam ripper, I slashed the boring sleeves along the seam as far as the elbow, folding them back to form a V shape.


Using a triangle of the discarded fabric, cut from the body, I pinned it inside the sleeve to form a trumpet shape and machined it into place.


I machine-dyed it a groovy shade (thanks, Annie)....


...and there you have it, a far more hippy-tastic cropped kaftan with flared sleeves.

Indian kaftan worn with 1960s Dollyrockers maxi skirt (99p, eBay), a floral headband (Xmas pressie from a friend) and a heap of Indian jewellery
There was loads of dye in the box so I dyed Jon's Valentine's day present at the same time.


 It started off as a standard round neck tee shirt in a hideously drab shade of beige, salvaged from the £1 rail in a charity shop.


There was once a logo here but Jon and I share a mutual loathing for them, so it got hidden by a retro patch which came free with a magazine in the 1990s.


Don't worry, we won't wear our customised tops at the same time.

See you soon.

64 comments:

  1. oh vix, you are fab with your makes, they're gorgeous!!! you're so fab with them!! :) xx

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  2. How creative you are with your pretty hands! This is quite the make-over indeed.

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  3. I think you should wear your tops at the same time!:)

    Great idea, and I love the pink. As always looking lush.
    xx

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  4. oooh pretty in pink all the way! Your hair looks fab too!

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  5. You have worked wonders with this top definitely more "you" now!

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  6. I wouldn't have recognised it as the same top - great make-over and a lot more you!

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  7. I was wondering the other day, when you said about dying Jon's top, whether anything else went in too...

    Lovely result - hot sugar pink, and the embroidery looks amazing on the new colour.

    I got a drab mint green dress a couple of years back - that's going into some dark blue dye soon. Hope it doesn't come out yellowish/khaki! xx

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  8. You're a magician with a needle! So creative and far better than in it's original state! You're awesome Vix! xxx

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  9. Yay much prefer the new customised top, beige uuurgh!

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  10. Wow! Lovely! Love Pink! Yo're so creative, and inspire me with your postings.
    XOXO

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  11. Likey Likey! It's reminded me to dye my jumper that got bleach splattered when cleaning toilets and also to give all my black stuff a spruce up thru' the washing machine with a packet of Dylon x

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  12. You know I am in love with this outfit, you are so bright and beautiful I absolutely LOVE what you did with this top and the maxi skirt is gorgeous! Your headband is super sweet too. I love Jon's present, any man who wears pink has a permeant place in my heart :)

    I hope you had a lovely evening together. Chris and I did and we talked about our trip to the UK!!!!!! I can't wait to catch up I have so much to tell you..UGHHHHH we really are going to come see you!!!!

    LOVEYOUBUNCHES~
    Krista

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  13. Ohhhh, why not? You'd be soooo matchy matchy the pair of you.

    Love the transformation - you genius you. xx

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  14. Every time I see you, for some reason, Roxy Music launch into my head!

    Anyhoo, I have nominated you for an award, see my blog for further details xx

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  15. I would love to see a photo of your 2 in your his and hers tops! Love the colour :)

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  16. you're just too darned creative. Love it, feel the need to dye things now too!! x

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  17. I think you should wear them together, as a visual antidote to couples who wear matching fleeces. Go on, if you do, His Lordship and I will wear matching tweed caps for the day! :)

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  18. When I first saw the top- I thought that's not Vix! But seeing the transformation it's a lovely flamingoed you! I also love the T-shirt transformation. I hate logos too, and the patch adds much more personality and character to the Tee.
    Now I want to go on a dying spree!

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  19. I LOVE that shade of pink! I wish I had your talent to re-make clothing. Fabulous look!

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  20. Oh yes, that's much more you! That hot pink is great, looks fabulous with that beautiful skirt.
    Go on, you and Jon MUST do the matchy match thing and wear your pink tops together!! xxxxxx

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  21. ahh it looks much better now you have seen to it! Pink really suits you! x

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  22. Saved! I was shocked of talk of beige on your blog (I love all colours apart from beige its brown with an identity crisis cause it want to be white or is it cream?)

    Love love the makeover though! The sleeves are great love the new length but that pink is gorgeous! A real truimph of fab over er beige! lol. Love what you did to Jon's top too love the retro logo.

    The girl did good.


    MBB x

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  23. Great transformation!!
    You always make it look so easy.
    Inspired by you I did a makeover
    on a top.....you won't be seeing me wear it anytime soon, unless you come by when I am turning my compost pile :)
    But if you keep inspiring, I'll keep trying!!

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  24. Wow that is a great transformation looks much better. You look so pretty in pink and i love the headband with it. dee xx

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  25. WOW!!! I love hot pink!! You are clever now aren't you??!! I love what you are doing in the sewing department, whats next???

    PS: and yes you should come to little old New Zealand, you would love our country.

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  26. Wonderful makeover Vix...I love hot pink and it looks fab on you.xxx

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  27. i cannot believe how opposite we are from ea other vix and yet i adore you! your fashion sense and your get it done with style attitude just inspire me no end. i love this pink makeover! xo janet

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  28. You sew so neatly.
    What a wonderful transformation.

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  29. As much as I love the kaftan shape theoretically I totally agree - it doesn't do anything for the female figure. So much better like this - and the pink works against the winter blues! xoxo

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  30. Frigging inspired!!!
    We loathe logos too,ghastly things.That shade of pink is heavenly,and the new remodelled top is fabulous with that maxi,and you just look a million bucks!All it takes is a little imagination!
    EEEEEK! You totallly rock,my darling amor!!!
    Love Helga xxxXXXxxx

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  31. Wow! What an bright pink. Looks really good Vix. Come on, you and Jon should the shirts at the same time. Fun for a laugh. Thank you for your lovely comment about the photos too. Xxx

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  32. Your session with the Singer has totally transformed this tunic Vix, and whilst I didn't hate it in beige it's so much better in hot pink. What an amazing bargain too. x

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  33. That top now looks 100 times better. I have never been a fan of beige myself.
    And I also like how you spruced up Jons shirt. You two must be the best dressed in town.

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  34. That is so very cool - loving the colour :o) Scarlett x

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  35. That is so very cool - loving the colour :o) Scarlett x

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  36. That's a great transformation! Whaddya mean you won't both wear your matching tops! But I wanted to see that! :D

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  37. You completely transformed it! Love the color.

    ♡ from © tanvii.com

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  38. awesome DIY project... love the result. pink rules ;)

    http://wardrobexperience.blogspot.com

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  39. As you say - mediocre to begin with, but so perfect with it's makeover x

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  40. really nice DIY, so lovely Fuchsia color!. I'm a huge fan of dying bored color clothes, and love that fabulous sleeves you made!
    besos & pink

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  41. Well, I think you should wear them at the same time... me and Mac wear our shearlings at the same time... his and hers fashion lol.

    That is one fabulous transformation, you wouldn't think it was the same top.

    xx

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  42. AHH beautiful! You are so talented! I love the way that came out.

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  43. That's so cool! Really great shade, I'm boring so I thought it was nice before but you've definitely improved it, much more attractive and gorgeous!

    haha patch from a 90's magazine- at last it's found a home!

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  44. I love seeing you get creative - I have a special fondness for flamingo pink! Great skirt too!

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  45. I so love the transformation!
    Too bad i cannot sew but i have a great seamstress!
    I love the headpiece as well so pretty!

    Love you!

    Ariane xxxx

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  46. GET OUT OF HERE! You are very creative. I think I am clever when I get sleeves shortened a bit.

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  47. I love what you did with that boring top! The sleeves are just stunning, as is the color; my favorite!

    And I love that Jon will wear pink; Bob does too, and I think it looks great on a man!

    I hope that you had a very happy Valentine's day!

    xo, Anita

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  48. Aww, go on, wear your pink shirts together, I dare you....only kidding, Christ, I don't think there's anything worse is there?!
    You must be due for another chazza fix soon, hey?? I always enjoy seeing your finds.xx.

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  49. Your creativity and talent never cease to amaze me. :)

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  50. Bravo for seeing the potential in clothing others would pass by. I admire your resourcefulness. Now that I am taking a dressmaking course, I go to bed with visions of sewing projects dancing in my head. Thanks for the sleeve idea to add to the mix.

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  51. Great inspiration there, Vix. That vivid shade of pink looks gorgeous teamed with your dark hair. xxx

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  52. Wow love this...I have tons of awkward Indian tunics from Bahrain that are so unflattering ....and I never thought of changing the color great idea!! thanks for the inspiration :) and you look wonderful~ Love Heather

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  53. wow.that looks great.I love them.especailly that pink.

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  54. Wow!! what a magical colorful transformation!your such a clever prosti"
    I would love to see a photo of you and Jon wearing your matching pink tops.a man who wears pink is so sexy.
    besios

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  55. These are both gorgeous, you fabulous hippytastic lady. I bet Jon rocks his pink shirt like crazy!

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  56. I love the cropped length of this top. I have several similar items hanging, unworn, in my closet...and you may just have given them new life. thanks for the idea!

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  57. Fantastic job! How do you dye things, in the bath or sink? Your last comment made me laugh with the mental image!!

    x

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  58. Holy frickin guacamole - just when I thought I couldn't be more amazed by your creativity and stunning prowess with the sewing machine... you do this! That frumpy old top was so not you and the new fab top is 100% VIX! I absolutely ADORE that beautiful skirt - and your gorgeous headpiece is lovely too. You are so clever and inspirational it makes me second guess all those not-quite-right items I donate to charity...

    Love! Sarah xxx

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  59. Yes, you perfectly reworked and colored in that Indian top to perfection. You look great in pink!

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Lots of love, Vix