extra! extra! OR the future’s so bright…
My buddy, Lydia, introduced me to the New Dress A Day blog a few months ago.
Marisa is outfitting herself, daily, on a budget of $365 for 365 days!
Mainly with dollar thrifting and mad alterations by, chopping :
dyeing :
or taking it in everywhere :
Her project is an inspiration!
I had a few questions…
I learned how to sew in 7th grade - home ec. actually. In 8th grade, Home Ec continued and we made sweatshirts. Clearly I chose teal, it was 1992.
I got my own sewing machine about 10 years ago and started altering clothes more frequently. In college, I made a few costumes (Rollergirl was a brilliant one) by hand sewing, so I’ve been doing it for awhile.
(2) We don’t generally see close-ups in your photos, do you finish the items neatly or is it more of a quick, just for the day type of alteration?
The items are finished properly - hems are straight, length is to my liking, however it’s not perfect, that’s for sure :) It’s perfect for me though! Some pieces take longer than others, so I try to pick things from my stash that work with the time that I’ve got to prepare them.
(3) What percent of your altered pieces do you think will stay in your wardrobe?
I love the pieces that I’m doing, but at the end of my year I think I’m going to have an auction/garage sale party and then donate the money to a charity. But, from what I’ve made, I’ll definitely be holding onto a handful.
(4) Are you actually doing the alterations day-by-day or sometimes a few at once?
Most recently, I’ve been doing it day-by-day, which tends to get a little tricky! I like having a stockpile though - in case of sewing machine emergencies/tantrums - and I try to spend some time over the weekend doing that. Hasn’t been as successful as of late. LA clearly isn’t on my side - it’s the school skipping/smoking in the bathroom/skinny dipping friend that wants me to play instead of work. I foresee some issues this summer!
(5) Have there been any rejects, yet? Total fails that we don’t get to see on the blog?
Obviously, some of the pieces are better than others, but since I’m not starting from scratch and I usually have a plan intact before I grab my scissors and start cutting, there haven’t been any, yet, that are completely unusable. If I cut too much from a dress and make it too short, I just transform it into a top. I’ll keep you posted though!
(6) What has been your biggest personal change or revelation since starting the blog?
This just started out as a place for my creative outlet and turned into inspiration for others. It blows me away. I’ve definitely been amazed and humbled by the amount of wonderful comments/feedback/emails I’ve received. To think that my little blog is making others want to be more creative and reinvent their own pieces and go thrifting…it’s crazy! I’m floored.
It’s an incredible feeling.
(7) Do you have a greater plan beyond the blog? Will it continue after 365 days?
By definition, the blog states 365 days, 365 dollars, 365 pieces - there’s a numeric end but that won’t be the last of me, promise!
Thanks, Marisa!
I have gotten lots of ideas from her blog and look forward to many more…
Below is a Marisa-inspired Changement thrift find of mine.
Hot Pink 80s-tastic! for $5
The hidden button front, fits-like-a-glove sheath came ripe with full shoulder pads.
I was hesitant to cut them out, but the things were as big as muh face! Out!
Marisa has been collecting her removed shoulder pads in a jar.
I cut mine out and ahhhhhhh.
Marisa would probably have made it into a blazer or something, like this :
Whew! A much longer post than usual. Onward!
