Renovations!

I started reading Generation T: Beyond Fashion last week and became instantly inspired.  I grabbed a few shirts and started snipping away.  The first shirt was an old fav and I started with the first idea in the book: a cute halter gathered at the front breastbone.  Off went the right sleeve.  Then an angle cut to remove the collar and left sleeve, as shown below.

This was a no sew project and went super fast - I should search for more to make in this style. 

A reminder for next time, the shirt should be a bit more lose to leave room for more gathering on the front. 

Next, I started to slice up a shirt from Forever XXI. I loved it but the collar choked me and the arms now look better after being sliced off.

I made a vertical mark six inches from the folded edge.  Then horizontal marks every 3/4" starting at the bottom, leaving 1" at the top.  I was lucky enough to have patience during this or it could have been disastrous (like bye bye forefinger).

It is so innocent in the front and then BAM, here's the back.  I need to fix the spacing in the center of the braids, but it was a test and turned out well, so I am proud. 

It is a simple braid to do, just start at the bottom, bring the second layer under the first, then bring the third through the loop made with the second, etc.  You really must go all the way to the top to get it to look right.  At first, I wanted it to stop about four inches from the top but noticed it needed that curve at the shoulders to give it a bit of pizazz.