Refashion Runway: The Riverside Blue Challenge

Well, here we are on the last week of Refashion Runway!  It's been a lot of fun this season.  The ladies who have participated are all so talented and friendly!  Beth, The Renegade Seamstress, has been the perfect hostess, as always!

This last challenge consisted of refashioning something in Pantone's color of the fall season, Riverside Blue.  I always find the color challenges a bit harder since you are limited as to what you can find in the thrift shops.  But, sometimes those limits help to push the creativity.

My challenge began with a black leather coat that I had in my stash.  I picked it up for $2.00, stored it away and forgot about it.  When I came across it again, I thought it might work well for this challenge.  All I needed was some denim in the right color.

Even though the denim jumper was close in color, I gave it a RIT dye bath.  I used 1 tsp. evening blue, 1 tsp. denim blue, and 1 quart of water.  (I actually tripled the recipe to give the fabric plenty of room to move around in the dye bath.)  You can consult the RIT dye studio to find how to mix the dye to get the colors you want.

I removed some of the leather panels and replaced them with the denim.

I made new welted pockets, added belt loops, and a tie belt.

I also found a sleeveless chiffon dress and lace top that I used to make a dress.  The bonus was that the background color of the dress was Airy Blue, one of the other colors for the fall season.

I trimmed out the dress with some of the leather cut from the coat.

I refashioned a small purse to complete the outfit.

The purse features a cutwork design from the leather with the denim showing through.

Here's how it was done...

THE COAT

The bottom edge of this panel, including the bottom of pocket welt is actually attached to the lower panel of leather on the coat.

THE DRESS

I began by using muslin to make my collar pattern.  I then cut them from leather, adding for seam allowance around the neck.

I picked up a t-shirt in the right shade of blue to give me a base for the lace-covered sleeve/bodice pieces.

I then unpicked all the seams on my new sleeve/bodice pieces and laid them flat on the lace.  I cut around them and then basted the lace to the knit fabric.

I then reassembled the sleeves and bodice.  I used the remainder of the t-shirt as a pattern for the bodice of the chiffon dress (after cutting away the ribbing around the neck.)

I forgot to take more process pictures...what can I say, it was late!  I positioned the leather collar in place and top stitched it on.  I added a loop and button to the back.

THE PURSE

Begin by measuring the purse and determining how big you will make the flap.  Be sure to allow for seam allowance.  Cut a flap from the leather and from the denim.  Layer the leather on top of the right side of the denim.  Baste around the edges.

I hope you have enjoyed this season of Refashion Runway, I know I did!

Thanks to everyone who helped to make this season a success!

I like to link to these great parties!