Tomorrow's a holiday... (plus a brewing idea)

...  That means thrift haul marathons on Youtube.  My life is glamorous.

I really like writing on this blog, but there are some things that you just can't convey with words and pictures.  So I kind of wanted to start my own Youtube channel.  Mainly to show my own thrift hauls, and to maybe find other people who are a little too interested in style like me haha.  I don't even have a fancy camera or a cool video editing program.  It'd probably be the same 3-4 friends watching each time (although that's not the point anyway).

Bad idea?  I don't know.  But it might be fun...?

Stay tuned!

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Novelty knits

My tastes went a little wacky this time around at Value Village.

The weather is cooling down now, and something about Fall makes me want chunky, warm and fuzzy everything.  Thick, homey knits always remind me of holidays spent baking and drinking hot chocolate outside in the chilly air.

White Stage sweater - $3.99

I know this looks like a grandma sweater (it probably is) but I just thought it was SO cute.  I had gone through all of the usual sections without any luck, then on my way out this caught my eye. 

I always see these types of sweaters come back into style every year at trendy stores and sold for a lot more and often with lesser quality yarn.  The flowers stand out ever so slightly against the oatmeal background, so give great 3D texture.  This one is perfect because it fits like a long tunic/short sweater dress without looking bulky, so I can wear leggings and cute boots with it and still look pulled together.

Rug - $4.99

This is the first home item I've gotten from the thrift store.  It was actually brand new, with tags still on, so there was no worry about sunken kitchen stains.  It's multicolored with hints of metallic thread woven throughout, giving a lot of visual interest.  I desperately need more color in my apartment.

Last but not least, the most questionable purchase of the day... this Little Red Riding Hood-esque cape.

Sweater Bee by Banff Ltd sweater cape - $5.99

First of all, it's bright firetruck red.  It falls all the way to the knees.  It has fringe.  The armholes come out front, making arm positioning a little bit of a conscious process.  I thought it was perfect. 

In addition to those details, I loved the simple silver buttons and the pointelle knitting in front and back.  Plus when I put it on, it just fell over my frame in the loveliest inverted bell-shaped way.  It makes me want to go for a stroll in the woods.  The best clothing items induce a visceral, emotional reaction.

This is what I consider a "truly thrifted" piece - vintage, an unknown/bygone brand, weird, but quality-made and it somehow works if you're willing to take the risk.  (I don't want to go thrifting just for current brands or current looks - then it just feels like a cheaper version of Plato's Closet).

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Collateral

Promising my parents that if they bring my sewing machine, I won't touch it until after my test block...

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OTLO for the perfect plaid shirt

I've been on the lookout for a nice plaid shirt for awhile, but it's hard to find one that doesn't make me look like a man, a lumberjack, a preppy boater, a cowgirl, or grungy.  Which is difficult, since those are all genres from which plaid takes its inspiration from.  I wouldn't mind looking a bit Scottish though.

It also turns out that it's rather difficult finding a feminine-appealing plaid shirt in the men's section of the thrift store... so I haven't had any success thus far.

This season I've found two that come pretty close (from LOFT and YesStyle), but I don't have a chance to see their true colors in person and am not sure if I should take the risk and buy them online.

LOFT Plaid Henley Blouse

This top is a lovely plum color and the Peter Pan-like collar and henley buttons tone down the masculinity.

Dalkong Cross-Patterned Check Wrapped Blouse

This top incorporates the wrap/drape style that I've been interested in trying for quite some time now.  The plaid itself is more of a window-pane pattern, which isn't as harsh on the eyes either.

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Throwback

Found some retro sewing patterns at Value Village today that made me laugh.  I actually did buy a bomber jacket pattern from the 80's that I will attempt in the future though!

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DIY Korean minimalistic romper

Cheesedal Mercy Jumpsuit

I saw this romper on the online Korean store Somethin' Sweet and thought it was the coolest.  Most rompers I've tried on have been too flowy or just don't look right on me, and I thought this structured cut would suit me better.  And... I love exposed zippers.  As you can see, the back half of the top is oversized and separate from the front.

With relatively straight lines and limited details, I decided to give it a try.

This was my first time making bottoms, so I used a pattern.  Since I kind of free-handed the rest, it ended up having side cut-outs, which aren't too noticeable unless I stretch.  I suppose it adds more visual interest and modernism as well?  Overall, I think it turned out really well!

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DIY distressed skinny jeans

There's something about distressed jeans that adds just the right amount of edge and off-ness to an outfit.  I didn't want anything with crazy patches, just something lightly worn like what Olivia Palermo is wearing above.

I started with a pair of A&F jeans that I thrifted for $4 from Goodwill, which were my size and had a nice worn in feel to them.  (Since these were a flare leg, I first turned them inside out, pinned while on, and sewed the legs from around the knees down to a skinny taper.  Then, I trimmed the excess seam allowance and turned them right side out again.)

TIP:  It's important to buy light washed jeans.  Holes on dark washed jeans just don't look quite as believable.

To begin distressing:  Cut two parallel lines running across the leg as large as you want.  With a tweezer, pull the vertical threads out one at a time.  At the beginning, it helps to loosen the fabric edges with something rough before starting to pull.

The vertical threads in denim are a mixture of blue whereas the horizontal threads are all white.  I didn't want to expose the white threads completely since the distressing would fall apart more easily with wash and wear, so I varied the rows that I pulled, pulling less around the ends of the holes.  I used pinking shears (but you can use something else abrasive like sand paper) to fade out around the holes, make them blend in better and look more naturally torn.

Repeat as many times/wherever on the jeans you'd like.  I put two small holes at the hip and one large complete cut on the opposite knee.

Lastly, I cheated a bit and dabbed Fray-Check glue on the corners to prevent further pulling and fraying.

(Sandals - Report)

Taken from my new apartment at school!  It's going to be crazy so... updates will be much less frequent.

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DIY dress - McCall's pattern M6789

Made this awhile back but never posted it.

McCall's pattern M6789

I adapted it to an A-line, and did not add peplums or use contrast.  Just wanted a simple look.

 

I'm not quite sure why the back bunches a bit - maybe the back bodice is a little long for my torso?  I still think it turned out really well.  I learned how to insert a lining, understitch, and French tack.

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