Owens recently completed a personal challenge to remake a piece of clothing every day for a year. Jillian Owens Owens recently completed a personal challenge to remake a piece of clothing every day for a year. Jillian Owens

Columbia, S.C.-area clothing stores donate unsellable clothing to Owens -- and she throws in the occasional $1 find from other secondhand stores. Jillian Owens Columbia, S.C.-area clothing stores donate unsellable clothing to Owens -- and she throws in the occasional $1 find from other secondhand stores. Jillian Owens

Owens avoids falling into simple patterns -- shift dresses, cut-off shirts, etc. -- by drawing inspiration from the original piece and what's happening in her everyday life. Here, to prepare for an evening of karaoke, she took inspiration from a … Jillian Owens Owens avoids falling into simple patterns -- shift dresses, cut-off shirts, etc. -- by drawing inspiration from the original piece and what's happening in her everyday life. Here, to prepare for an evening of karaoke, she took inspiration from a … Jillian Owens

Each piece of clothing requires something different -- a snip here, a tub full of wine dye there. She whipped this men's extra-long shirt into shape with a bath of green dye and a whirl under the sewing machine. Jillian Owens Each piece of clothing requires something different -- a snip here, a tub full of wine dye there. She whipped this men's extra-long shirt into shape with a bath of green dye and a whirl under the sewing machine. Jillian Owens

Each piece of clothing serves as a physical memento in a year of triumphs and struggles -- from a canceled wedding to an appearance on The Rachael Ray Show. Says Owens of her refashioned wedding dress, pictured above: "In this … Jillian Owens Each piece of clothing serves as a physical memento in a year of triumphs and struggles -- from a canceled wedding to an appearance on The Rachael Ray Show. Says Owens of her refashioned wedding dress, pictured above: "In this … Jillian Owens

Refashionista's DIY approach shifts fashion perspective: Above, a snicker-worthy jumpsuit becomes the perfect dress for lunch with friends. Jillian Owens Refashionista's DIY approach shifts fashion perspective: Above, a snicker-worthy jumpsuit becomes the perfect dress for lunch with friends. Jillian Owens

Owens finds a piece of clothing's story doesn't end at the secondhand store. Instead of heading to the dump, this blast from the past, complete with attached vest and shirt, turns into a breezy sundress. Jillian Owens Owens finds a piece of clothing's story doesn't end at the secondhand store. Instead of heading to the dump, this blast from the past, complete with attached vest and shirt, turns into a breezy sundress. Jillian Owens

Never doubt the promise of the $1 bin. Behold: Dad's gigantic lawnmowing shirt becomes a chic top. Jillian Owens Never doubt the promise of the $1 bin. Behold: Dad's gigantic lawnmowing shirt becomes a chic top. Jillian Owens

Before Owens started the Refashionista project, she rarely wore dresses. The typical size 2 didn't flatter her small frame. It's been empowering to control how her dresses fit, she says, and many skirts and shirts have been refashioned into dresses … Jillian Owens Before Owens started the Refashionista project, she rarely wore dresses. The typical size 2 didn't flatter her small frame. It's been empowering to control how her dresses fit, she says, and many skirts and shirts have been refashioned into dresses … Jillian Owens

Not all projects require an expert hand: This muumuu just needed to be narrowed four inches and lopped off at the bottom. Jillian Owens Not all projects require an expert hand: This muumuu just needed to be narrowed four inches and lopped off at the bottom. Jillian Owens