Sometimes you get more than you bargain for and you are on the winning side.
A couple of months ago I bought this hooded jacket at the local op shop for Miss O. It was $5.95. Like everything else, op shop prices have increased significantly in recent years but I still thought this was pretty good value as it did not appear to have any marks and was generally in very good condition.
Miss O loves the jacket and the story could end there but the unexpected bonus was that I was able to trace a pattern from the jacket and used it to make other garments.
There was a similar jacket. I used snap fasteners rather than a zip.
The same hood pattern was used on a dressing gown.
And now I am making a hooded jacket for Izz. Here is the hood so far. I will post some more photos when I finish it – hopefully on the weekend.
I did not have a pattern for a hooded jacket so I have probably saved myself about $15 compared to going and buying a pattern.
Patterns are expensive and I am always happy to find any way that I can create clothes from existing patterns or garments.
Although I cannot draft patterns from scratch I do make patterns from existing garments. I had a sleeveless shirt which was a perfect fit and when it wore out I disassembled it and made a pattern from which I have made at least 6 other shirts.
I currently have a dress which I love and although it is far from worn out I intend to try to make a pattern from it also. More on that another day.
organised castle 
Fairy,
Inspired by that shirt you unpicked I have one deconstructed shirt sitting in my sewing room and a pair of trousers yet to be taken apart. I haven’t actually made a new garment yet, but the thought is there. Just have to repack a few boxes to access the machine 🙂
Hi Barb
The thought of doing something is always a good start. Your comment reminded me that I ‘found’ a pair of shorts in the stuff in my sewing room the other day. They are waiting for the smae treatment. Perhaps I should find some nice linen and give it a go. They are a tailored style with elastic in the back of the waistband – a perect fit.
All I need to achieve now is to find jeans that fit me. I have 1 pair of Levi’s that are just about threadbare and of course they don’t make that style anymore. Any suggestions? The situation is getting desparate!!
Fairy Not sure if this will help but son Jack has taken some jeans into the city today to be rescued as they were wearing in parts. Afriend of his had some done. he is picking them up tomorrow so I will see what was done and let you know. Maybe they will do a postalrepair??
I love the jacket and well done on producing others with other uses, love the dressing gown. I also like to use snap fasteners, easier to put in than a zipper, I am a very simple sewer 🙂
I have also done this for the first time earlier this year and it was surprisingly easy. As long as it is a simple garment I think I will have not problem doing it again.
When I was 18 (in the 80’s) and living independently with a boyfriend we had no earnings and too proud to go on Austudy to finish our last year of high school. So I started a small veg & fruit stall at a local market and learnt to sew basic items for people in exchange for a few dollars. I made a small amount of profit which paid for toiletries, social events, fabric and other teenage needs.
Basic food and accommodation (in the rain-forrest / no electricity or toilets or shower) was given to us by family. I would unpick all my clothing to restyle it in the new fashions and when my boyfriend needed a shirt for the school social, I unpicked an old shirt of his and copied the shape onto newspaper to make a new pattern. I purchased inexpensive fabric and made a new shirt for him. I also did the same for christmas gifts for all my younger cousins. I made board shorts for the boys and mini shorts with tank tops for the girls.
Now days I buy from op-shops for mostly 1$ but sometimes go to 6$ (max).