Come see (and touch) this year’s Condom Couture designs up close and personal, with this interactive studio tour.
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Continue Reading Condom Couture Studio Tour with The Upcycler Fri 3/22
The following are the list of CLEAN damaged/unwanted garments/supplies I am able to accept for upcycling at RETHINK Tailoring:
-Cotton sheet/duvet covers
-Leggings/t-shirts
-Jeans (all colors including white and black) and khakis/corduroys
-Blazers
-Fabric (no tiny scraps for now)
-Yarn
If you have something, just e-mail us at info@rethinktailoring.com or text 612-876-7978 so I can control the incoming pace of donations. If you have something you think I could use but is not on this list, please email me!
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The following are the list of CLEAN damaged/unwanted garments/supplies I am able to accept for upcycling at RETHINK Tailoring: -Winter Jackets/snowpants-Sweatshirts/Sweatpants-Sleeping Bags-Sweaters (shrunken sweaters also accepted)-blazers-leggings-Jeans (all colors including white and black) and khakis/corduroys If you have something, just e-mail us at info@rethinktailoring.com or text 612-876-7978 so I can control…
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I am thrilled to be featured as a Business Spotlight in the Winter 2022 issue of Powderhorn Magazine! Read the magazine here and the Business Spotlight is on pages 16 and 17!
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Since having to scale things back at the shop, my collection list is going to be a bit smaller until upcycled design sales pick back up again. Also, if you would rather have your items fixed or learn how to do it yourself, I can also help with that–just email info@rethinktailoring.com about your project and your timeline!
The following are the list of CLEAN damaged/unwanted garments/supplies we are able to accept for upcycling at RETHINK Tailoring…
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Well friends, in case you didn’t see our announcement video, there have been some big changes at RETHINK over the last few months. Opening a day before the pandemic shut everything down, we hung on as long as we could, but after 2.5 years we still weren’t able to pay the bills, and I could no longer sacrifice the time from my family and kids. On 10/1/22 I had to say goodbye to my team and scale things back at the shop. 3449 Bloomington Ave is now my private studio, with no drop-in hours. I’m getting back to my roots, and will continue my mending, specialty tailoring of preloved garments, and upcycled designs, private lessons, an occasional class, and I will finally have more time for my Patreon.
*(tailoring and shopping by appointment, see below for more info under photo)
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Moving forward, we will keep our updated RETHINK Trash Talk list posted here on the blog!
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Continue Reading Trouble shooting your cranky machine with Grace
Sewing Class Schedule: Sat 9/17 11am: Intro to Crochet Upcycling (Trivet) Sat 9/17 2:30pm: Intro to Visible Mending Sun 9/18 noon: Draft & Sew: Circle Skirt Sun 9/18 2pm: Sewing Lounge Mon 9/19 6pm: Denim Pouf with Em (class 1 of 2) Tue 9/20 6pm: Intro to Draping with the…
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Sewing Class Schedule: Sat 4/1 6-8pm: Sewing from a Pattern 2 Sat 4/2 10am: Intro to Crochet Sat 4/2 3pm: Feminist Stitch & Gab Mon 4/4 6pm: Machine Denim Repair Wed 4/6 10-noon: Kids Stuffed Bunny (Ages 9+) Wed 4/6 6pm: Patreon Live Stream (replacing jacket zipper) Fri 4/8 10-noon:…
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Sewing Class Schedule: Fri 3/18 3-5pm: Sock Grafting Fri 3/18 6-8pm: Intro to Pockets Fri 3/18 7-9pm: Zoom Feminist Stitch & Gab (online) Sat 3/19 4pm: Intro to Sewing from a Pattern Mon 3/21 6-8pm: Intro to Crochet Mon 3/21 7-9pm: Zoom Mending Meetup (online) Thu 3/24 6-8pm: Hand Mending Basics…
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Sewing Class Schedule: Sun 2/27 6-8pm: ZOOM Intro to Darning (online) Tues 3/1 6-8pm: Intro to Visible Mending Wed 3/2 6-8pm: Intro to Sock Darning Fri 3/4 1-3pm: Intro to Tricky Textiles via Scrunchies Fri 3/4 3:30-5:30pm: ZOOM Intro to Visible Mending (online) Fri 3/4 6-8pm: Sewing from a Pattern Workshop Sat 3/5 11am-1pm: Upcycling Workshop Mon 3/7 6-8pm: Hand Mending…
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The following are the list of CLEAN damaged/unwanted garments/supplies we are able to accept for upcycling at RETHINK Tailoring. If you have something, just e-mail us at info@rethinktailoring.com so we can control the incoming pace of donations: -T-shirts (good condition and damaged condition)-Jeans (all colors) and khakis-Leggings-sequined/tulle garments-Sweaters (with holes=even…
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The following are the list of CLEAN damaged/unwanted garments/supplies we are able to accept for upcycling at RETHINK Tailoring. If you have something, just e-mail us at info@rethinktailoring.com so we can control the incoming pace of donations: -T-shirts (good condition and damaged condition)-Jeans (all colors) and khakis-Leggings-sequined/tulle garments-Sweaters (with holes=even…
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The following are the list of CLEAN damaged/unwanted garments/supplies we are able to accept for upcycling at RETHINK Tailoring. If you have something, just e-mail us at info@rethinktailoring.com so we can control the incoming pace of donations: -T-shirts (good condition and damaged condition)-Jeans (all colors) and khakis-Leggings-sequined/tulle garments-Sweaters (with holes=even…
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Moving forward, we will keep our updated RETHINK Trash Talk list posted here on the blog!
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Hello all! We promise we have not forgotten about the blog! We opened our storefront on March 14th, 2020 and had to close the next day due to the pandemic. As far as opening a new business, this has been the wildest ride we ever could have imagined. But we…
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Continue Reading We haven’t forgotten about the blog, we promise!
a href=”https://rethinktailoring.com/uncategorized/2020/lace-dress-rescue/”>
When your lace dress needs new backbone.
Be it vintage or modern, we love lace at RETHINK – A classy way of peek-a-boo dressing that straddles the line between sexy and demure. Downside: it’s incredibly fragile (hence the delicate beauty), and therefore prone to tears.
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When you find an irresistible dress thrifting, but you’re not diggin’ the high neckline…
When you feel your dress is overwhelming you, the solution is often much easier than you think! Typically there is just too much fabric and the dress ends up taking over your body. Luckily “too much fabric” gives you lots of options! We can shorten or remove the sleeves, hem the skirt into a mini, tailor the sides, OR recut the neckline. It often only takes one of these choices!
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When you want to use secondhand materials for a storefront build-out.
Building out a store, when your business is all about reuse and upcycling can be tricky, because there aren’t always options, especially if you have a big space and a small budget. I went to ReStore to look for baseboards, and they didn’t have enough of the same material for all of RETHINK.
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When you want to update one of your mom’s old outfits.
Victoria had this awesome two-piece hand-me-down from her mother. The color was darling and the lace details were exquisite , but all of it together was a bit too much. She felt like something had to go.
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Kristen was interviewed for an article on Apartment Therapy!
We love that they are talking about fast fashion and the movement of people learning to sew and mend!
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Twelve years ago I made the decision that if I was going to be in the fashion industry, an industry I knew encouraged disposable clothing you had to rebuy every season and pieces often made from fibers that won’t decompose, that I needed to find another way…
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Jodi brought in an old sweater from her closet. The sides and sleeves were taken in giving it a new slim fit…
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Things are coming along! We hope to be able to start putting in our bamboo flooring this weekend! And then we work on building my sewing table and the store fixtures.
Our goal is to open first week in March. While we’ve done so much, there’s still a big push ahead.
Thank you to my lovely clients…
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Jalyn Rose found this awesome vintage suit on ebay but it was a bit too big for her. She wanted it oversized, but the sleeves were too big and the pants were much too long…
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As I’ve been collecting more damaged clothes from the community for upcycling, I’ve been wanting to experiment with harvesting a garment, turning it into a new textile, and then making a design from that.
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I found these unwanted PJs and asked Lynora what I should do with them. She requested a skirt. So I pieced the sleeves into the sides to make it wide enough, and finished this off as one of my Ginger Bean Resizable skirts, which fits 2T THROUGH size 8.
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RETHINK Tailoring was on the morning news. Thanks Kare 11 and Kiya Edwards!
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This skirt was from Target, and the vent had ripped open. In general, since the quality of fabric was not great, there was no way this would hold up as a pencil skirt. It needed to be something with way less stress, and more drape…
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Nicole found this blazer Goodwill and knew it had potential. She wanted the oversized blazer look, but this was a little too oversized for her frame. The shoulder caps were hanging off of her shoulders, the chest had a bit of a fold, and the back was baggy…
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Anna wore this stunning, delicate lace vintage dress to a wedding, and as she told me “my enthusiastic dancing caused me to hulk out of the arm pits.” One, this was one of my favorite messages I’ve ever received, and Two I was so up for the challenge…
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Photo by Sarah Whiting
Hey hey!! Women’s Press did a story on me and the new shop!
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When you have a very 80s dress with worn out elastic, but you know it has so much potential. This 80s dress had shoulder pads, stretched out elastic, and such little shape. But with that color and striping, it was calling to me! With the broken elastic, the very first…
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When you get a family hand-me-down that you love but it’s way too big. This dress had previously belonged to Laura’s partner’s grandmother. She was a very tall woman and Laura is petite, so the neck and shoulders were just hanging off of her. We raised the shoulders (a lot)…
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When you found the perfect color of vintage coat, but it needs to be downsized. Nicole had been on the hunt for the perfect camel overcoat. She even bought one brand new and the sizing was all wrong. Her hunt continued and she found this gem at Goodwill and knew…
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Well, DARN it!! We’ve all been there, you’re living your normal life in your clothes and you get caught on something or as you bend down your hear that dreaded noise. I used to get so mad when these things happen. Once I starting embracing mending as more of a…
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When you find a great vintage dress that you want to modernize. This vintage dress had so much potential, but it was a lot of fabric. I started off by removing the sleeves and neck ruffles, and cut the dress in half–say goodbye, elastic!! I redraped the skirt with a…
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When you have a family heirloom sweater that doesn’t quite fit. Laura brought in this fun sweater that her partner’s grandmother hand-knit. As you can see, it was quite large for her. She originally thought it might be a lost cause, especially since while it was so big, the colors…
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When you find an old couch cover on Nextdoor… Occasionally I scour Nextdoor to find textiles that people are getting rid of and that I think may have a hard time finding a new home. I reached out to the neighbor who was giving this away and said if nobody…
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Hello friends. You may have already heard that I will be opening a storefront in Powderhorn in the Spring, but I need your help to bring this space to the next level! Check out my Kickstarter to get a glimpse into life at the new shop!
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Quite often I like to use the phrase “where there’s a will there’s a way.” I get such a variety of projects, simple and complex and the amount of work that goes into the piece varies so much. It is not for me to decide what’s worth it, but instead what’s possible, and then you decide whether you want to move ahead with the project or not.
This jacket had previously belonged to Jane’s boyfriend, so as you can imagine there was some sentimental value to the garment, in addition to it be a really nice quality coat to begin with. I wanted to help figure out a way that this could be a wardrobe staple and fit her style, but clearly the jacket was way too big for her frame…
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I am so unbelievably excited to announce that RETHINK Tailoring & Sewing Lounge will be opening a storefront in Powderhorn at 35th and Bloomington Ave in the Spring of 2020. It will be the home for my tailoring/mending/upcycled designs, as well as sewing classes, assisted sewing lounges, and events like regular clothing swaps and Meet the Eco-Artist Nights. Stay tuned for more! I’M SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!
See my announcement video here: https://www.instagram.com/tv/B3rprfcH0Td/
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Continue Reading RETHINK Tailoring & Sewing Lounge Opening Spring 2020
Hello! I’m sorry it has been so long since I’ve blogged! I have so many updates! After having my daughter, Lynora, in 2015 I took a pause from tailoring to develop a project I’ve wanted to do for a long time–resizable baby clothing. After many-a-draft of my dress I finally…
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Continue Reading Updates from Minnesota! More tailoring coming soon…
Nick has an amazing collection of vintage jackets, the only problem is they don’t fit! However, he understands that because of the quality of these pieces and the fact he could never find anything like it now, they are definitely worth investing in.
He started by bringing in this Borrelli blazer along with a knit blazer (that I’m kicking myself I didn’t photograph!) This blazer was just way too big in the shoulders and too long…
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Well, she’s done it again! Dafna is the master at finding kick-ass clothing with potential at the thrift store and then coming to visit. Her bargain find this time was a Michael Jackson “King of Pop” T-shirt. It wasn’t the best quality, and was that heavy weight knit that nobody really likes, HOWEVER it was the perfect piece for this project!
Dafna had grand schemes of turning this almost priceless gem into a bodycon dress, and naturally I was up for the challenge! In order to do that, we would need to tailor the heck out of it, and extend the length. Here’s one last look at the shapeless before…
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This creative repair is really a rescue. The shirt below was involved in a drinking incident. Here’s how it went down…
One guy believed his buddy was too “buttoned-up” for the party. That sweet, caring soul wanted to help his buddy out, and attempted to unbutton one of his buttons, forgetting how buttons worked, and thus ripping the button-hole clear through. Of course, this is all pretty hilarious, BUT this was his favorite shirt, and he would not accept its demise! (Honestly, this is the best customer story I’ve ever heard!) Let’s look at the party results again…
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Andrea had this old blazer in her closet and wanted to see if there was something I could do with it. The blazer definitely had potential, but something about it wasn’t quite working, so we decided to revamp it!
I showed her my CardiBlazer design and she wanted to go for it. She picked out a tan for the accent stripe, which kept it appropriate for work. I also noticed that there was a stain on the sleeve, but she wanted the sleeves hemmed 3/4 length anyways, so I just made sure I hemmed up high enough…
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This beautiful vintage dress had been worn to the Seersucker Ride in DC, but unfortunately the delicate silk did not hold up to the biking. There were 2 large holes on the left side of the bodice and this client was hoping I could rescue this precious piece. With such a delicate fabric, I informed her that there was no traditional way to repair this and it called for a creative repair. Ouch:
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Stephanie picked up this 80’s gem as a freebie in her building. It had a lot of potential, but there was no denying how 80’s it was. What I like to do on pieces like these is take the 80’s and trim it down to the 40’s. Let’s take a moment to reflect on how 80s this dress was…
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You may recognize Jamie from her muu muu revamp, polka dot dress revamp or her sheer blouse update, but this time she had something to revamp for her friend. Her friend’s father had given her a jacket from his travels to Tibet. It has some really amazing details, but did not fit well and was not easy to wear. When Jamie first brought it in I had no idea what we could do with it, and knew it would require some major creative thinking. The most we decided on was that it would likely end up being a vest. I got an idea of what budget we were shooting for, and let Jamie know I would email her with some ideas. Here’s the before (ignore the pins indicating I almost forgot to take a before pic!)…
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Well, I already worked some magic for Julie and Nina, so I don’t see why I couldn’t figure out something for Karen’s amazing teeny-tiny vintage silk dress too! All around it was too small, the armpits had rips in them, but we both agreed that this dress needed to be revamped so it could have another life cycle!…
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Modern jackets don’t fit Jon right, and he has found that his size in vintage clothing fits perfectly in the shoulders. Thus, he ventures online to various vintage shops, does his shopping, then has pieces tailored for any extra needed tweaking. This particular piece was from the 20’s and was in ridiculous condition (we suspect it could in fact be proof of time travel)…
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You may remember Emily’s green blob dress or yellow dress-to-top revamp. This time Emily experienced what many of us have — we order something off Etsy and the clothing doesn’t come quite like it was in the pictures. I have dubbed this an Etsy Oops. Emily’s Etsy oops seems to be blessed with a 3rd boob. A look in itself, but unfortunately not what she was aiming for…
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Miss Nina of the AMAZING Ciao Nina fascinators was in need of a dress rescue. Well…Nina had this AMAZING dress, only problem was that is was much too small. I didn’t let that stop me with miss Julie, and this was clearly very worthy of a revamp. As you can tell, the sleeves were much too tight, and the zipper was in no way going up…
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