Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Mon Aug 12, 2013 8:00 pm

Dr. Pyro wrote:You and me both. Uh, we are talking about the same Pandora, right?

Married to some greek dude? Carrying around some sort of casket? That the one?

kiss-o-matic · Post by **kiss-o-matic** » Mon Aug 12, 2013 11:35 pm

BoyScoutGirl wrote:Love the modified tutu-bustle!

ohCarie wrote:

I'd like to see the male version in hot pants form, but I think Yoko Ono made a line of them. Pants, anyway... for an exorbitant price I'm sure.

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Wed Dec 25, 2013 11:09 am

My latest project. To turn a huge pile of old suits into vests. So easy, and they are fine just plain or can be decorated to the hilt.

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Sun Dec 29, 2013 10:53 am

Whew! Finally finished. I made 14 old suit coats into vests. I love them but my husband thinks I may be the only one who does. (He's never been to Burning Man.

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Sun Dec 29, 2013 10:59 am

I wear a utility vest every day.. Bunch of pockets and rings.. Also have a going some where vest.. Keeps my shirt tucked in..

Looking for a tweed unlined stream punk vest to go with nickers and spats..

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Sun Dec 29, 2013 11:07 am

Unjohnharley, And now you can see where that vest of your dreams is hiding. It's on the rack at the 2nd hand store. Remove sleeves and lining. cut the openings to whatever size and shape you like. Sew something around the cut edge. I used stretchy spandex but 2 inch satin ribbon would be easy too. Sew it around the arm opening, (on the outside of the garment). Fold it inside the garment and sew again. Done. If you don't sew on a machine it would be super simple to stitch by hand.

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Sun Dec 29, 2013 11:20 am

I do have a sewing machine.. Now to find to the coat.. Needs to have slit pockets.. I will have to reshape the bottom.. The vest will fit tight to the chest and under saspenders. First I'm ordering cap.. Need to some what match.. After that nickers will easy.. Made out of dress pants..

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Sun Dec 29, 2013 1:25 pm

You can always buy a solid colored hat and use some of the material from the coat sleeves to make the hat match.

Verve · Post by **Verve** » Thu Feb 13, 2014 7:22 pm

I think this thread is so appropriate to bump and continue. It is absolutely fabulous and something all first timers should read. I am so bummed I got vigilant at the end of summer and purged my closets and drawers. I keep looking for cool things this thread inspired and damn they are gone. So much for good intentions.

I have scored a couple of real fur, I know mixed bag, but damn they are cool, collars, one is gong on a cream wool coat that I did not give away. Collecting ties for a tie skirt. Working on a neon tutu as well as a MooMoo

Ratty and all what are you putting together??????????????????????????

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Thu Feb 13, 2014 8:27 pm

So many projects. I'm finishing up a long vest. I'll post a photo when it's done. Tons of clothes that just needed the lining taken out or to be embellished. I made about 100 giant felt 3 piece circles to attach to a cape or suit. My real job cuts into my creativity.

FIGJAM · Post by **FIGJAM** » Thu Feb 13, 2014 8:59 pm

Your real job IS creativity............I don't know what you do for a living!

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Thu Feb 13, 2014 11:30 pm

I'm a box herder.

FIGJAM · Post by **FIGJAM** » Fri Feb 14, 2014 6:55 am

But you always think outside the box!!!

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Fri Feb 14, 2014 7:37 am

Went Good Will Hunting.. Got the perfect vest $3.. Its to tight for my chest.. Must be a medium for a boy.. Ratty, Can I slit it down the back and add a strip??

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Fri Feb 14, 2014 7:48 am

You can, but the arm holes may still be snug. I would slit it up both sides and add a strip of fabric on each side. That way the arm holes get bigger too. Plus it doesn't show as much under there.

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Fri Feb 14, 2014 9:07 am

Ratty wrote:You can, but the arm holes may still be snug. I would slit it up both sides and add a strip of fabric on each side. That way the arm holes get bigger too. Plus it doesn't show as much under there.

That sounds better.. Thinking of putting a yellow strip up the back.. Might just replace the whole back with cotton.. That would be cooler..Also removing the liner.. Thinking of replacing the buttons.. A row of bachelor buttons and elastic hair things.. Will give it a hook and eye look.. That would allow a little more chest.. I want it to fit close so I can go under the suspenders..

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Fri Feb 14, 2014 10:01 am

Unjohnharley, You can add some lightweight material and poke holes in the original fabric to 'lace it up'. Lacing looks cool and will allow you to make it the exact size you desire.

This is my latest vest. The tapered fur boa is detachable. It used to be a ladies coat.

Savant · Post by **Savant** » Mon Feb 17, 2014 3:35 am

Ratty, your work is seriously cool!

I have a couple of old blazers & jackets that might have to follow suit

EmilyD · Post by **EmilyD** » Tue Mar 11, 2014 11:31 pm

Ratty, this thread is terrific! I wish I'd known about it sooner. I really dig what you're doing with those men's jackets. Hmmmm, that gives me a idear!

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Wed Mar 12, 2014 7:11 pm

FIGJAM wrote:Your real job IS creativity............I don't know what you do for a living!

We should get her some corporate jobs. Inspirational speaker. I'd love to see a bunch of middle management types gone made with fabric scissors...

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Thu Mar 20, 2014 7:24 pm

These leather spats are nothing more than the tops of some old worn out boots. I took a box cutter, (my favorite sewing tool), and cut the threads holding them to the nasty rubber shoes. I may lace em up as-is or....make them into epaulettes.... or slit the tongues down the middle and lace em to each other to make a tough looking collar. So many choices.

sadie · Post by **sadie** » Thu Mar 20, 2014 9:06 pm

Ratty wrote:These leather spats are nothing more than the tops of some old worn out boots. I took a box cutter, (my favorite sewing tool), and cut the threads holding them to the nasty rubber shoes. I may lace em up as-is or....make them into epaulettes.... or slit the tongues down the middle and lace em to each other to make a tough looking collar. So many choices.

Ratty!!! Brilliant!!!

chuckularone · Post by **chuckularone** » Fri Mar 21, 2014 5:59 am

Ratty wrote:These leather spats are nothing more than the tops of some old worn out boots. I took a box cutter, (my favorite sewing tool), and cut the threads holding them to the nasty rubber shoes. I may lace em up as-is or....make them into epaulettes.... or slit the tongues down the middle and lace em to each other to make a tough looking collar. So many choices.

I'm heading to the thrift store TODAY! I love this idea!

EspressoDude · Post by **EspressoDude** » Fri Mar 21, 2014 6:17 am

great idea....bet they work great with flip-flops too

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Fri Mar 21, 2014 7:12 am

I saw some converse shoe tops make into wristies but they are somewhere in these 2,000 photos. (My Pinterest Costume collection.)

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Fri Apr 18, 2014 7:02 pm

This was fun to make. I took the sleeves off this old leather coat and added some purple fur to the arm holes. The belt doubles as a boa.

dancingfairygirl · Post by **dancingfairygirl** » Fri Apr 18, 2014 7:13 pm

Nice work, Ratty! You are inspiring me to get busy in my crafting room!

Post by **Savannah** » Fri Apr 18, 2014 10:01 pm

Those spats are fantastic, Ratty! I'm cross with myself that I've never thought to do that.

They come up high enough you could call 'em gaiters, even.

EmilyD · Post by **EmilyD** » Wed Apr 23, 2014 6:14 pm

Love that belt bustle OhCarie!

Boot spats, YES Ratty!

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Fri May 02, 2014 9:44 am

I couldn't resist this tiny cotton house dress. I just opened the sides from cuff to hem and added some lace to make it BIG. Stay covered up from the scorching sun but still be cool.

Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.