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

bluemiragemi · Post by **bluemiragemi** » Wed May 07, 2014 1:20 pm

I'll post pictures when I put it together, but, I wanted to take a moment to thank Ratty and other folks on this thread, for the idea of buying small packs/zippered compartments and hooking them to a belt! I went to the thrift store and got 6 different oddly shaped, awesome little packs and a big wide braided leather belt, all for less than $5. Now, to get carabineer clips for each of them and I'm good to go! Leather belt is wide enough to wear around the waist or as a bandoleer. Woohoo!

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Wed May 07, 2014 4:28 pm

I'm trying to figure out what to make from this mountain of discount fur. So far I trimmed a couple of coats and capes. Today I cut out a vest. Looks like it might work. I'm aiming for minimum machine sewing and NO hand sewing. I'll post pics when it's done. I never use patterns but I figured if I made one it would save on waste.

I can't wait to see your OOAK pod belt.

My Dear Friend made a very important observation recently. You do not want your little pockets slipping off the belt when you undo your belt. I'm keeping that in mind when I design.

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Thu May 15, 2014 8:20 am

I trimmed a cape with matching green fur. The dotty fabric was cut in a circle resembling a misshapen Christmas tree skirt. The green vest was a simple 3 piece, no lining. I just brush the backside of the fur with a wire brush, (You know. The big cheap ones that you use to scrape rust.) After a minute of brushing it's a little furry and soft. No need for lining. the wire brush pulls some of the fur to the back side. Try it.

MyDearFriend · Post by **MyDearFriend** » Fri May 16, 2014 6:40 am

Beautiful! And I am definitely going to brush instead of tediously lining face fur now.

Post by **Savannah** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 12:34 pm

Ratty wrote:I trimmed a cape with matching green fur. The dotty fabric was cut in a circle resembling a misshapen Christmas tree skirt. The green vest was a simple 3 piece, no lining. I just brush the backside of the fur with a wire brush, (You know. The big cheap ones that you use to scrape rust.) After a minute of brushing it's a little furry and soft. No need for lining. the wire brush pulls some of the fur to the back side. Try it.

I totally will!

Thank you so much for the tip, Ratty!

anevaude · Post by **anevaude** » Sat Jul 12, 2014 1:43 pm

When I was in high school, I was obsessed with thrift shopping. On one of my trips, I found the gaudiest jacket (IMHO) that I have ever seen. I HAD to have it.

That jacket has been in my closet for over a decade and I think BM is the right place for it. Here are some "before" photos of my project. Constructive feedback and suggestions are welcome! This is still in progress.

Before

before1.jpg

before2.jpg

anevaude · Post by **anevaude** » Sat Jul 12, 2014 1:46 pm

And here's the after. (Sorry for the second post. I couldn't add more attachments.) I think the front could use more altering, since it's very minimal currently. Thoughts?

after.jpg

after1.jpg

after2.jpg

BoyScoutGirl · Post by **BoyScoutGirl** » Sat Jul 12, 2014 2:50 pm

Awesome alteration, anevaude! I really like it

I think it'd look neat with a hot-pink fringe at the bottom, but then I'm the person who showed up in cricket shin guards made of white fur.

Also, have you made sure those sequins are really well sewn? It'd be a huge MOOP pain if they were to drop off.

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Sat Jul 12, 2014 3:14 pm

It's fabulous!! It's done. Great job. And you look great in it. When I'm worried about the moop, I sew all the edges. Or you can glue them.

GreyCoyote · Post by **GreyCoyote** » Sat Jul 12, 2014 3:29 pm

Anavaude! That would SO rock with some blinkies on it!

(well, true, it rocks already, but you could do some epic blinkies for the win!)

chuckularone · Post by **chuckularone** » Sat Jul 12, 2014 4:25 pm

Epic thrift shop conversion! Love it!!!

Jovankat · Post by **Jovankat** » Sat Jul 12, 2014 6:52 pm

Wow! Well done, not just with the actual conversion but with being able to see the potential in the original piece in the first place. I think that might actually be the harder part.

Sunbeam56 · Post by **Sunbeam56** » Sat Jul 12, 2014 6:57 pm

Buttons. Lots and lots of random, wild, misshapen buttons.

anevaude · Post by **anevaude** » Sun Jul 13, 2014 7:28 am

Ratty wrote:It's fabulous!! It's done. Great job. And you look great in it. When I'm worried about the moop, I sew all the edges. Or you can glue them.

The sequins were my first concern. They are quite possibly the BEST and WORST feature of the suit. I took extra time to reinforce the heck out of them.

The first thing I did was check the label of the jacket to see who made it. I figured that a $2 sequined garment from from Chinese eBay probably wouldn't have a reliable stitch. Turns out the garment was a "high fashion" designer piece in the 1970s (I don't know how) - the craftsmanship was really quite nice. Each sequin has two lines of stitching through it and really locked down. Ask me how crappy it feels to tear 100% silk lining out of a jacket!

And good suggestion on the edges! I clipped all the half-sequins off and stitched over anything questionable.

Just to be sure, I turned the jacket sequined-side-down and ran it along the carpet in my livingroom, the grass in my yard, and even let my dog drag it around a bit. No sequins fell off. I'm hoping I've adequately tested for MOOP quality ratings.

Jovankat · Post by **Jovankat** » Sun Jul 13, 2014 7:30 am

anevaude wrote:Just to be sure, I turned the jacket sequined-side-down and ran it along the carpet in my livingroom, the grass in my yard, and even let my dog drag it around a bit. No sequins fell off. I'm hoping I've adequately tested for MOOP quality ratings.

This, and you, are brilliant!

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Sun Jul 13, 2014 3:23 pm

Good job. I go out my front door and beat my clothes against the shrubs. My neighbors have long ago stopped wondering if I've lost it. Plus my front yard sometimes looks like a kennel with all the fake fur in the bushes.

dancingfairygirl · Post by **dancingfairygirl** » Sun Jul 13, 2014 4:01 pm

Ratty wrote:Good job. I go out my front door and beat my clothes against the shrubs. My neighbors have long ago stopped wondering if I've lost it. Plus my front yard sometimes looks like a kennel with all the fake fur in the bushes.

Ha! That is awesome Ratty!

Post by **Savannah** » Sun Jul 13, 2014 7:56 pm

Ratty wrote:Good job. I go out my front door and beat my clothes against the shrubs. My neighbors have long ago stopped wondering if I've lost it.

maladroit · Post by **maladroit** » Mon Jul 14, 2014 10:32 am

Weird Al might think this is "Tacky" but I've been forever changed in how I view clothing. Every outfit in this video is delightful.

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Fri Oct 03, 2014 10:25 am

Time to start thinking about making a new wardrobe for next year. This little bathrobe didn't need much altering. First you 'untack' the cuffs. Just snip, snip and they're 2 inches longer. Then cut off the silly ribbons that you are supposed to tie. (They were criss crossing the front of the robe and making it way too small.) I always take off the belt loops so it doesn't look so much like a robe. Then I sewed some strips of fake fur all around.

The most time consuming part is cutting fur and brushing the edges so it doesn't moop. The fur is just layed on top of the robe and sewn right down the middle. You can brush it a bit and the line of sewing won't show. Don't get fancy. Don't change thread color or hand tack the edges. Making it professional does NOT make it better. Hugs and Kisses.

gypsy68 · Post by **gypsy68** » Fri Oct 03, 2014 3:25 pm

Ratty, that looks like a fun coat to wear. Great job!

forty_eight · Post by **forty_eight** » Fri Oct 03, 2014 3:42 pm

I did some enhancements to a vest from last year - faux fur lined the sleeves and pockets and added a sweet patch, but both years it's been too warm to really wear it!

Maybe I am not staying out late enough.

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Fri Oct 03, 2014 3:59 pm

forty-eight, You are so right. I made a new coat and haven't worn it yet. The weather for the last 2 years has been mild to say the least. It's been funny for me cause I don't bring nighttime costumes figuring my coat is my costume. I end up wearing layers of whatever.

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Fri Oct 03, 2014 4:44 pm

This beautiful Black & White cape came ready to make. I can't take any credit. All I did was buy an old formal, rip open the seam up the back, remove the zipper and sew the seams so they don't unravel. I opted for a black carabiner for the closer at the neck. You need everything to be as easy as possible. The other option was a white shoelace.

BoyScoutGirl · Post by **BoyScoutGirl** » Fri Oct 03, 2014 10:25 pm

Brilliant, Ratty! As always

GreyCoyote · Post by **GreyCoyote** » Sat Oct 04, 2014 1:16 am

Ratty, your house is the Area 51 of Burning Man clothiers!

Love it!

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Sat Oct 04, 2014 1:18 pm

I wonder what it would take for Ratty to teach a seminar on her style of clothes...
A place, enough costume, ... I'm definitely thinking off playa. And this isn't serious, just a pleasant imagining.

gypsy68 · Post by **gypsy68** » Sat Oct 04, 2014 8:05 pm

Ratty, I am inspired. I really want to pull out the sewing machine; unfortunately it is buried in the sewing room. We are about to restart a remodel and been using the sewing room as the storage space. Maybe by the end of the year the new space will be ready to use. Until then I will just enjoy your creations.

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Sun Oct 05, 2014 11:25 pm

I'm determined to make everything on the table into something. (Then the table would be empty). Tonight it was curtain valances. I whipped up two upholstery things that can either be a bustle or a cods piece. The white one was a sheer valance and can you believe it came with all those ribbons on it? I just pleated one side, gathered the other side and slipped it on a belt. Nice for those days on the playa when you just want to wear shorts without looking like a tourist.

I just noticed the 'biohazard' area in the distance. It seems to be coughing up fur and shoes. How embarrassing.

Bin Noddin · Post by **Bin Noddin** » Mon Oct 06, 2014 8:42 pm

And "Bombers" - our arch-rivals from Ramey High School.

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

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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.