G’day From Lake Mendocino
The Facts
Fabric: Cotton/poly blend (upcycled)
Pattern: NewLook 6057
Year: 2011
Notions: thread white bias tape, invisible zipper
Time to complete: off and on after work about 4 hours
First worn: Jan 29 (no sweater necessary!)
Wear again? Yes!
Total price: About $3.00
Inspired by so many upcyclers on the Sew Weekly, I decided to give it a try. I couldn’t resist picking up this colorful Moo-Moo off the fifty cent rack at our local thrift store. I took it a part and was able to squeeze out the pattern pieces for the blouse of NewLook 6057. I really like how the princess seams make for a more fitted look, and the side-zipper makes it easy to put on.
The fifty-cent Moo-Moo, looks comfy, but it soon took on a a more stylish life!
After playing tennis, (my husband plays tennis, while I hit the fabric store) we drove over to Lake Mendocino for photos. He’s getting a little better at taking my picture, however I noticed that my arms are in the same position in almost all the shots. A daughter would have told me to pose in different ways. Oh well, beggars can’t be choosers!
Kangaroos Next 14 km
The fabric from the mu-mu (or is it moo-moo?) is gorgeous! What a great find and upcycle. It’s very chic and summery.
No, you’re right. It is mumu or muumuu. Thanks you for the compliments!
Great upcycle! The new top looks fantastic! I have this pattern and now I think it needs to move up the queue. Just a thought – to help my fiance and I work on my poses, I actually ripped ads out of catalogs and magazines and then he directs me while looking at the picture. It makes it a lot easier.
Oh, that’s so clever. I think I’ll try that. I agree, the pattern is simple but stylish. I’ve made the skirt, which is OK, but I’m not a fan of below the waist skirts. I’d like to try the dress with pockets some day soon.
Hi Barbara, I love the top and how you upcycle it. Beautiful fabric.
What an awesome before and after! Lovely mu-mu fabric. It turned out to be a much more flattering top (and unusually weather appropriate).
Love your top – reckon you’ll have to make some more visits to the 50 cent rail!
Yes, it’s a great little store. Thank you for the compliment.
Great upcycle – much more flattering. And lovely photos too – nice job both of you
Really lovely!
Great (and in my opinion, the only) use of a muumuu! You really transformed it into something stylish! My husband has issues as my photographer, too…I always end up looking awkward in about 90% of my pics. Solution? Take a ton of pics so as to have more to choose from.
Yes, I agree. There’s bound to be a few good ones, right? Thank you for commenting.
Great upcycle – such a bold print looks much better with the contrast black than in its former life as a large shapeless mass. Princess lines are great.
Yes I agree, I’m going to keep my eye out for great finds like this. If something doesn’t work out, you haven’t really wasted money, but you’ve gained experience.
I always look forward to your creations. Lovely top! I’m going to look more closely at that pattern now.
Wow, I’m impressed! Great job on turning that old thing into a sexy top!
Love it!! Good job at re-fashioning that moo-moo! Thought that material looked familiar..
Such a lovely new lease of life for the muumuu! So great!
Your arms are posed the same way you sketch a person! (I always thought you did that because you don’t like to draw hands). Love the colorful top! I think that one needs to go with you on a tropical vacation somewhere.
I love this neckline. . . . Feeling very inspired now to make this pattern using the lovely fabric of a very unflattering dress
What a fabulous blouse! I adore up-cycling, and this is such a fabulous example! It’s perfect for summer, both day and night :) Well done!