Polka dot pants, beads & ribbon top, curtain apron

Well here goes..... first time trying photos here ..... plus rather intimidating seeing all the wonderful work entered thus far, but what the hay, was inspired in some way by every entry so far so will share what I've done too.

My inspiration for the work done in this challenge was just to stretch my talents and go beyond my usual work. I sew much, but do little altering or recon of items into clothing. Also it had to be something actually useable and fit my lifestyle.

Had just finished a spree buying 70% off clothing at local thrift shop when Leah posted the recon challenge. Mostly got wool sweaters to shrink and make accessories, but had not been able to resist a couple of silk (REAL SILK- OH YES!) tops. At size 2X , a little big for me.

My original plan was just to take a tuck in the back at the neck and wear sloppy..... well surely that was not quite enough to truly qualify for the recon challenge, so my plans got better and grander. First did nicer more complete alterations to make the neck smaller and the shoulders more narrow- a much better fit. Then designer details entered the plan and here is the result

Well that was the top, it compliments a thrift shop skirt purchased last year...... but that needed no changes.... so made a quick stop at Good Will - did not find much to go with the blouse-- searched clothing, linens, draperies- several drapes where great colors but the rubberized backing put me off..... just not in my nature to wear rubber skirts- as an older female that is just toooooo hot. and of course if I was going to spend time creating something, it had to be useable.

OK..... there were a couple of curtain panels and a valence with a pretty flower border. Still a bit youthful for me, but at least not rubber. Maybe they would do.

Oh Yikes!! not enough for a gypsy skirt, and no fabrics in my stash looked right with the curtain. But oh la la - there in the stash was some polka dot vintage cotton, circa 1960 maybe - it had matriculated into my stash when a nonagenarian friend died a few years back. Well not truly within the guidelines, but would be a great base for the flowers from the curtain. Maybe that would squeak by. So took the flower border from one curtain panel and used that as an applique. The new things for me here were thread painting the applique and even doing applique on pants- especially on polka dot pants. Yes this challenge did make me stretch. Pretty tame for lots of you, but for me quite adventuresome. LOL

Well, like the outfit. But what could be done to make my entry more acceptable within the challenge guidelines. Ah, a teenage friend saves the day, she suggests an apron out of the rest of the curtain. Wah Hoo! Running with needle in hand now. So used the valence and last curtain panel for a frilly feminine cover-up - here I am ready to entertain in style.

Move over Colwin Colve (sp?)

Costs:
Silk blouse- $0.90
2 Curtain panels - $1.99
1 valence - $1.99

from stash & scraps
Vintage cotton fabric
silk ribbon (about 10 years old)
lace (also about 10 years old)
beads on binding (about 3 years old)

Hope you all enjoy the story and the work, it was fun to participate.

edited twice - but think I've finally got it all