Tuesday 9 October 2012

Recycle, Reuse, Clean Up



A wet and miserable Monday evening, the perfect excuse to crack on with some sewing.


Here's the result.

I used a pair of Custo, Barcelona pagoda print flares (which were sample-sized so I could hardly breathe in them) and a turquoise vest.


I chopped the legs off the pants, sewed them to the armholes of the vest and Ta-dah! A Seventies-inspired top with the most humongous sleeves in the world.


Both the pants & vest were 50p from the clearance rail in Cancer Research so the total cost was just over a quid.


Like any good hippy I added some 1960s paisley braid to the sleeves (part of the huge bagful I bought for 20p back in the summer). After all, as the great Keith Richards once said, if it's worth doing, it's worth overdoing.


After making my new top I tidied the house, but don't worry, I haven't gone mad and changed my slatternly ways. Passers-by are intrigued by our house and often ask if they can look around inside, we've got a couple coming round later for a peek.



Maybe I should start charging an entrance fee?


Here's the lounge, for a change not looking like the Oxfam sorting depot. With the exception of the gypsy chandelier all of it belonged to someone else before we got it.

Up cycled vest worn with a 1970s David Grey needle cord kick flare maxi skirt (courtesy of golden girl Helga), velvet platforms (£9, Office sale), wolf choker (50p, car boot sale)
Linking to Lakota's Ta-Dah Tuesday.

See you soon.

PS Check out my updated post HERE for a photo of 13 year-old me in a Bus Stop jumpsuit.

64 comments:

  1. loved the art pieces. particularly the painting of a nude woman.

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  2. oh vix, that vest top is gorgeous! You look fab as always, and I'm so envious that you can make your own clothes!!!
    xo

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  3. Holy bejayzus, that top is exquisite! The sleeves are GOOORGEOUS! I love the incredible fabric, amor, you are SO CLEVER! I'd pay to see your house. And then I'd steal everything I could. Love you more than those sleeves! Sarah xxx

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  4. You are SO clever. Can't say I would ever think of adding pants legs to a top. It looks amazing, as did your other sleeved creation. Oh how I wish I could soak up the atmosphere in your groovy house. I would pay to see it!!! Your hair looks divine in these picks too...so glossy & fabulous! Xx

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  5. They're you go again with sleeves, you are starting to make me feel guilty as I have a heap of things that need sleeves but not got round too yet and yet you make it look so easy x

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  6. Fab sewing and I love that maxi skirt, great colours. And I had to laugh at the entrance fee, maybe you should everyone to bring an item from the charity shop as an entrance fee !

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  7. ooh I wish I had your sewing skills.....bus stop jump suit sooooooocute!!!x

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  8. How do you get all these fab ideas ? Looks amazing ! Love all the stuff in your groovy house !

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  9. Those flares make great sleeves! Fab transformation xxx

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  10. Yes, charge an entrance fee and add it to your India/US air fare fund!
    What an inspired use of those fabulous trousers - God, they must have been miniscule if you couldn't breathe in them! But the print was far too good to waste, and they make the most amazing sleeves. You ARE clever!
    Love the sneak peeks at your lovely home, and the pic of teenage Vix in that jumpsuit is adorable! Groovy then, super-groovy now, babe! xxxxx

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  11. Inspired! The print is gorgeous and had to be used.
    Yep, charge 'em. If I was nearer I'd use your place for photoshoots and you as my model.
    xxxxxx

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  12. That looks fab. I've done the trouser leg thing as sleeves before, I wanted something suitably vampire-esque and it was the perfect solution xxx

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  13. Wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Vix, from this second I will look at trousers in a different way, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
    So brilliant.
    Thank you for inspiring in every post, my GORGEOUS friend.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  14. When I saw the top, I really can't imagine that was a DIY project, you are brilliant!I love the idea of recycling clothes into new shapes and this is a perfect example!I like the colours of this outfit, you turn into magic a 70's moss green maxi!
    Your house is very beautiful too, I really love your art collection, I haven't seen before the bullfighter picture, it's amazing and your coffee table is great!Yes, make them pay a ticket to visit it!
    Love xxxx

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  15. Those are my current favorite colors! (turquoise & green)

    I just found another curtain panel in a mod print with those two colors. I may use it as a swag ... not sure yet.

    And if I was walking by your house, I would definitely knock and beg for a tour! You KNOW I love these pictures of your stuff that you included here!

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  16. love it!! those sleeves are immense girl! xx

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  17. Such a clever idea, I love the top. Your living room looks fab too, I spy a few pictures that I have! x

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  18. Love you top,first thing I thought was wow!! amazing idea,looked good before but fab now :) love your house ...

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  19. Brilliant creation, a very clever idea! I love pictures of your house, I would pay to look round!

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  20. Dearest Vix,
    those trousers must have been minuscule if you were having trouble breathing in them. I love the pagoda print and the zesty colour is lush too, yet another fab remake!
    Hey, the aristocraps charge an arm and a leg for the great unwashed to traipse around selected parts of their grand stately homes, so I don't see why you shouldn't. I'd much rather oogle at your quirky abode than wander through roped rooms full of opulent stuff that to me only serves as a reminder of how unfair our society has been and still is.
    Love the photo of you as a kid, a true style queen in the making! I tried the full-on Bo Derek braids when I was a teen but on a follicly challenged person like myself they looked pretty awful, never mind :)
    Lot's of love,
    Jennie
    xXx

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  21. WOW we need more talented people like you to save the world from over consumption!!!! You look gorgeous in your creation!

    Love from Bangkok xxxxxx
    Hang

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  22. Just love what you achieve with your sewing machine!

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  23. I think a globe filled with booze is a lot more fun than one that lights up! x

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  24. What a great use for ill-fitting pants!! and you did well to get such a good photo of them too!
    entry fees for the house? LOL! All hail the temple of Vix, rock on.xx.

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  25. Such a good idea Vix, love the print on the trousleeves. :)
    Made me laugh that you get visitors turn up for a look. National Trust site. Hehe!
    xx

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  26. Fabulous sewing make Vix!
    Eee fancy people wanting a nosey round your house! You should charge an entrance fee... hehe.
    DX

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  27. Good lord, how slender IS sample size? But once again you are showing absolute fashion and thrift genius! That top is awesome. [I'm not introducing Boy2 to anything said by Keith Richards. He already has a worrying tendency to shove things up his nose]

    Always like seeing your house - today I am mostly jealous of your antlers, I have a yearning for some to hang beads off.

    Love 13 year old you, blazing a trail even as a teen.

    xxx
    Faith Hope and Charity Christmas Swap - Sign up now open!

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  28. Your house IS beautiful!! I have been peaking at your blog for a few weeks now, I found it through another blog and thought now that I have started my own I should say hello! So...hello!! This blogging malarky is quite scary - bearing your soul almost isn't it eeekkkk

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  29. Those are some truly incredible sleeves! And your house looks so fun and cozy!

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  30. Holy cow! What an cool idea! Can't wait to see what you do with the top of the pants.

    Your house is beautiful. I love how you've filled it with wonderment, instead of "antiques". And thank god it's not tastefully boring!

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  31. vix you always have the best refashion ideas!!!! i love what you did with those pants that new top is absolutely fabulous with the prettiest sleeves ever;)
    love and kiss,mary

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  32. you chopped the legs off the pants, sewed them to the armholes of the vest???????? that is genius!And as always you look just lovely..

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  33. Surely with those sleeves you can fly on over for a cuppa :) You never stop amazing me with your sewing skills and I was with you when you bought those pants! The top looks friggin incredible. I love the ribbon best and OH YES I had to see the picture of you in your bus stop jumper....too cute! You and your brother, I love it!!!!! Thanks for sharing that sweetie!

    I can see why people are intrigued by your house and once you see the inside you never want to leave. I love that house feels lived in, loved and warm.

    I miss you bunches!!!! Are you round for a chat on Thursday? This week is crazy and that is the only day I have. Fingers crossed! I wanna hear about stuff :)
    Loveyou!!!!!
    Krista

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  34. Absolutely love your make up in this post!

    ∞ © tanvii.com ∞

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  35. You did NOT overdo this outfit. It is utterly gorgeous, like a rich tapestry.

    I would so pay to see the inside of your house! lol

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  36. Wow--what a stunning redo!! It looks smashing with the green skirt!!!
    The pagoda print is gorgeous!
    I'd pay to tour your house in a heartbeat.
    You were adorable at 13!!!!!
    hugs and kisses!!

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  37. Genius, darling, genius! Gorgeous colors, too.

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  38. I love your vest with sleeves. Wonderful!

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  39. the "pagoda print" is very pretty, great work.

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  40. Love how you did your hair, very pretty on you - your sleeves are brilliant i wish i had more time to expirement with my sewing machine but always a ton of stuff to do when you work! One day soon!

    Love your house, my appartment before i lived with Mr D was just like yours! very colorful and packed with vintage -

    Take care gorgeous

    Ariane xxxxx

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  41. What an amazing print on your sleeves/trews and a fantastic transformation. Love your maxi too, lovely and warm I imagine, always a bonus in winter.
    What a cool teenager you were.
    x

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  42. Your house is fabulous - I love the shade of green in those trousers/sleeves. You look wonderful, as always.

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  43. Love your DIY tops, Vix, and yes, you should consider charging an entrance fee to your house - visitors would get a lot of inspiration for their bucks! xoxo

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  44. Your house looks facinating! I can understand why people want to come and have a nosey round it - and you are very kind to let them do so too! :)

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  45. it's a good thing i live in california b/c i would have had to fight you for those pants! chinoisserie print on vintage bells? omg, perfection.
    i do love what you did with the sleeves too. love your home vix. it is so personal, warm and inviting. just like you. xo

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  46. Fecking FABULARSE! I think you're onto a cracking new trend here! The fabric of those trousers is so splendid,I'm pleased you rocked it out by adding it to that top! YAY! I do love some good hippy trim.
    I'm not surprised peeps want to tour your house! I reckon if I didn't know you I would be panting at the door to be let into both the house and your life!!! I think a fee could be in order....
    Love Helga xxxXXXxxx

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  47. Amazing! you're so creative! loving the result and it's fab on you! Your house is lovely! thanks for sharing the sneak peek inside, love the photos!

    blog hopping from ta dah tuesday over at lakota's

    Susan

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  48. such a great way to deal with trousers that are too small (or became to small, ha ha) xx

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  49. Love this creation! What a fantastic idea! I'd have never thought of using trouser legs as sleeves!

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  50. YOU KNOW I'M TOTALLY IN LOVE!!! Fabulous upcycle!!! I'm insanely inspired. I love anything with wonderful sleeves, a much neglected area of fashion these days.

    I love the colors and the skirt. Plus your home!! The clock caught my eye especially. We had one very similar; wish we still had it.

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  51. Darling - you are the hostess with the mostess! You look fabulous all the time, you have the coolest house ans eat the best food. What a star - that trouser fabric definitely could not go to waste and you've made it look so fantastic and original.

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  52. The first thing I noticed were those fabulous sleeves...how clever of you! Braces & beads, I remember those days too all 4 years long of that awful metal!

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  53. Can you please send me a wee bit of your amazing talent? I'll pay for shipping.

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  54. Gotta love an enormous sleeve! Your clothing designs are 100 times better than any haute couture stuff that is 1000 times the price. Next you'll be adding side panels to the remaining pagoda fabric and making them into hot pants or some such thing. You are inspiring, as always.

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  55. Paying to view your house could fund another trip to India!! I say open your doors Vix. Gorgeous as always ♥

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  56. It amazes me how quickly you just rustle up fab stuff Vix and I love seeing your home. I've always wanted one of those gypsy chandeliers too, it's absolutely beautiful. Loved seeing a teenage Vix too, you were stylish even then, and you don't look so different from then, still got that big smile, just minus the braces! xx

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  57. Fab flared sleeves Vix, well done.

    Also that's really funny that people ask to look around your house, it's nice that you handle an intrusion on your privacy so graciously!! :)

    Lxx

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  58. Now that's what I call creative, utilising two garments to make one unique piece. Very clever.

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  59. Such an interesting take on fashion. I like it.

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  60. Great job! Your lounge is fab! I really like the doll on the mantle next to the bottle :)

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  61. What a lovely house do you have! Thanks so much for the peek inside. It must be wonderfull to live there. And I like your new top.
    xx

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  62. Your top looks fabulous, I do love big sleeves. Gorgeous skirt too and I would definitely pay to see inside your house (but you would probably have to search my pockets on exit)! You could serve 70s cocktails and nibbles instead of afternoon tea :)

    Nikki x

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  63. You're so talented! I love your hair parted to the side that way.

    Your house looks handsome and you've got cool things. I would want to come in and look around too :).

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Lots of love, Vix