Bali Week: Patterned Tunic Remake

I'm back in the states after a most incredible excursion to Asia. The two weeks were packed full of activities, small day trips within Bali, flights to Thailand, and lots of food, photos, and fun. (Had to get the "f" alliteration in there!) I'm in serious jet lag mode, but couldn't be happier to have it because the trip was just one of the most incredible experiences of my life. It was my first venture to Asia and I can't wait to return. This week will be a fun recap of what I did and what I made while I was away! Thanks to all of you for your patience in my lack of posts over the two weeks - I had a bunch of things that were scheduled in advance and ran, however my internet connection wasn't always top-notch in some of the places that I was staying. This week will be chock full of awesome remakes and DIYs as I was crafting all along the way! (Here's a few teaser shots on Instagram!)

Today's piece was this awesome patterned tunic that I scored at a swap party before I left on my trip.

New Dress A Day - DIY - Patterned Tunic - Upcycled

I loved the purple and white color combo with the rust trim around the arms and neck...

New Dress A Day - DIY - Patterned Tunic - Upcycled

...but knew that I wouldn't ever wear it being as long as it was with the high, open sides.

New Dress A Day - DIY - Patterned Tunic - Upcycled

The cotton was so thin that I knew it would make a perfect piece to bring along with me.

New Dress A Day - DIY - Patterned Tunic - Upcycled

Time to get rid of that extra fabric and turn this piece into something that I won't want to take off!

I started by cutting the piece shorter, trimming about two inches below where the side seam began.

New Dress A Day - DIY - Patterned Tunic - Upcycled

With the piece trimmed, I pinned under the raw edge of the fabric...

New Dress A Day - DIY - Patterned Tunic - Upcycled

...and ironed it down to fully prep for a new hem to be sewn.

New Dress A Day - DIY - Patterned Tunic - Upcycled

I stitched the bottom of the piece...

New Dress A Day - DIY - Patterned Tunic - Upcycled

...and was left with the perfect cover up for my trip!

I wore it when I took a weekend trip to Nusa Lembongan/Ceningan, two small islands just off the south-east coast of the main island of Bali. (I'm jumping ahead a little on my trip, but we'll backtrack this week so you'll see everywhere that I went!)

While on Ceningan, I stayed at the most charming hotel - Le Pirate Beach Club, which was actually made up of 10 little "beachboxes" right on the water.

 

New Dress A Day - DIY - Patterned Tunic - Upcycled - Le Pirate Beach Club

The colors couldn't have been more inspiring! Who doesn't want a little teal in their lives? It was a great spot to wear my newly transformed piece on top of my bathing suit!

New Dress A Day - DIY - Patterned Tunic - Upcycled - Le Pirate Beach Club

I was wearing and reapplying sunscreen the entire time, but right at the hottest point of the day (the noon-2 pm time frame was the most brutal) I put on this top for some extra shoulder coverage.

Oh, and I had a friend visit me at this time too...

New Dress A Day - DIY - Patterned Tunic - Upcycled - Le Pirate Beach Club

There were roosters everywhere on the island and they acted as the most amazing natural alarm clocks. I was trying to make as many sunrises as possible during the trip, and the roosters were quite helpful on this leg. If you weren't looking to wake up at 5:30am, this probably wouldn't have been the best spot to stay, unless you're the hardest sleeper in the world!

Each beachbox was named something different...

New Dress A Day - DIY - Patterned Tunic - Upcycled - Le Pirate Beach Club

...and being right on the water, I was so surprised to see that this area is also where seaweed gets farmed. The tide goes in and out twice a day, so at low tide, it looks like this...

New Dress A Day - DIY - Patterned Tunic - Upcycled - Le Pirate Beach Club

...and at high tide, it looks like the shot below. It was really such an incredible scene.

New Dress A Day - DIY - Patterned Tunic - Upcycled - Le Pirate Beach Club

When I was up at sunrise, I got to see all of the farmers out in the sea with their flashlights gathering seaweed as well - early risers get the first worm basket of seaweed!

New Dress A Day - DIY - Patterned Tunic - Upcycled - Le Pirate Beach Club

Oh and that's an infinity pool on the edge of the property. Yeah, my first time in an infinity pool, and this is my view. The amount of times that my mind was blown this trip cannot be counted on all my hands, feet, your hands, your feet, etc.

New Dress A Day - DIY - Patterned Tunic - Upcycled - Le Pirate Beach Club

This top got another wear on this trip...

New Dress A Day - DIY - Patterned Tunic - Upcycled - Le Pirate Beach Club

...but I'll post that later on this week. It's styled a bit differently and if it's possible, I'm acting even more goofy in those pics!

Remake: Blue Floral Polyester Dress

This dress was a simple and easy polyester one that I snagged from the thrift store. Hi pastels, I've missed you!!! New Dress A Day - DIY - vintage floral dress - sundress -  thrift store shopping

Elastic waist, high neck - a very basic number, just one that I wasn't super excited about.

New Dress A Day - DIY - vintage floral dress - sundress -  thrift store shopping

I love the pattern as pink flowers are my fave, so I couldn't resist bringing it home with me. Easy summer dress, here. We. Go.

I started off by making a slit in the neckline to create a V-neck shape. Generally speaking, I usually don't go for the high necks on pieces unless they're something super structured. For this, it needs to be a bit flowier, something that really screams spring and matches the swing of the skirt!

New Dress A Day - DIY - vintage floral dress - sundress -  thrift store shopping

I pinned my neckline in place...

New Dress A Day - DIY - vintage floral dress - sundress -  thrift store shoppingNew Dress A Day - DIY - vintage floral dress - sundress -  thrift store shopping

...and stitched it in place.

New Dress A Day - DIY - vintage floral dress - sundress -  thrift store shopping

To match the top portion to the bottom, I cut the dress a little shorter. Best part of that trick, is that the excess material can now be used as a sash at the waist. I like the idea of making it a bit more fitted, so instead of sewing it, I'm just going to cinch!

New Dress A Day - DIY - vintage floral dress - sundress -  thrift store shopping

Just a few steps gives me a new piece that is summer approved.

New Dress A Day - DIY - vintage floral dress - sundress -  thrift store shopping

It's the perfect thing for a bridal or baby shower...

New Dress A Day - DIY - vintage floral dress - sundress -  thrift store shopping

...or something fun to wear to the Farmers Market!! Well, just without those major heels...they're definitely not the proper footwear to scour stalls of fruits and veggies in!

New Dress A Day - DIY - vintage floral dress - sundress -  thrift store shopping

I'm digging the laid back feel of this dress and feel super feminine in it!!

New Dress A Day - DIY - vintage floral dress - sundress -  thrift store shopping

It's like I'm wearing a field of lilies and lavender in this piece! Just wish the fabric was scratch and sniff :)

Happy Friday and I'm back from vacation on Monday (!!) and will be getting up all the fun Bali posts asap! Can't wait to share...

Remake: Mr. Rogers Cardigan

You saw the teaser shot of this lovely vintage cardi... New Dress A Day - DIY - vintage cardigan - Mr. Rogers swaeter - thrift store shopping

...that totally reminds me of something that Mr. Rogers would have worn in his sweet little neighborhood. I mean, check it out...

New Dress A Day - DIY - vintage cardigan - Mr. Rogers swaeter - thrift store shopping

I was super inspired by this amazing Free People sweater...

New Dress A Day - DIY - vintage cardigan - Mr. Rogers swaeter - thrift store shopping

...but at $248, it was a bit out of my price range.  So, I decided to use another old sweater that was ready for retirement...

New Dress A Day - DIY - vintage cardigan - Mr. Rogers swaeter - thrift store shopping

...and work it into the cardigan!

I started cutting out the tiger from the old one shoulder piece that has been around for quite a bit.  I'm not doing the tight, asymmetrical, knit anymore so I thought it would be a rad addition to the cardigan.

New Dress A Day - DIY - vintage cardigan - Mr. Rogers swaeter - thrift store shopping

With the tiger cut and let out of its cage...

New Dress A Day - DIY - vintage cardigan - Mr. Rogers swaeter - thrift store shopping

...I went to my stash of Heat n' Bond iron-on adhesive and trimmed out a piece using the tiger as the template.  I ironed the paper right side up to the wrong side (back) of the tiger.

New Dress A Day - DIY - vintage cardigan - Mr. Rogers swaeter - thrift store shopping

Once the adhesive backing was affixed, I trimmed around the patch so the lines would be clean against the tiger and pulled off the paper layer before ironing it directly to the top left of the sweater.

New Dress A Day - DIY - vintage cardigan - Mr. Rogers swaeter - thrift store shopping

It's like the tiger is my mascot!

New Dress A Day - DIY - vintage cardigan - Mr. Rogers swaeter - thrift store shopping

Turned out pretty well!!  You can always hand stitch or machine sew around the edges to keep it super secure, however I didn't have time for that before I left for Bali.

New Dress A Day - DIY - vintage cardigan - Mr. Rogers swaeter - thrift store shopping

When I get home, I'll make the final touches.  I've got the eye of the tiger!!

New Dress A Day - DIY - vintage cardigan - Mr. Rogers swaeter - thrift store shopping

It's just a bit of cool to give some edge to a basic tee and jeans combo.

New Dress A Day - DIY - vintage cardigan - Mr. Rogers swaeter - thrift store shopping

I was quite thrilled with my new sweater that was just a few bucks and just love that hint of inspiration from Free People!