Another Project Using Retired Sheets

Sorry I haven't been around for a few days. At the end of August I had major back surgery. All the hardware the surgeon put in may have made it possible for me to continue walking awhile longer but it did nothing to alleviate the chronic pain, or the problems caused by peripheral neuropathy. As a result, when the weather gets wickedly cold, as it has been, my back has a tendency to complain - loudly. The past few days I have been lucky to get off the couch and do much of anything.
So, today I decided to show you another sewing project using old sheets. The pajama pants are very popular but leave me with bits and pieces of sheeting that need to be put to use. The purpose of my renovating old fabric is to leave as little as possible for the scrap pile. (We'll use the scraps in a later project.)
Tipnut has an abundance of patterns and tutorials for aprons. Most of us may think of them as something our grandmothers wore back in the old days but they are making a comeback. The economy is bringing more of us back into the kitchen rather than ordering pizza and it's necessary that clothing not get ruined. Who wants to do laundry more than necessary?

To make this apron I used a sheet for the main part of the apron then I made bias tape from an old shirt I had. Bias tape is easy enough to make, but time consuming.

The ruffle for this apron was once a dust ruffle for a bed. I almost prefer making bias tape to attaching a ruffle. Well - almost.

This is obviously the same apron as  the others but I had some ribbon sporting mixed drinks. This would make a great apron for the bartender in the family. Of course, if the bartender were female :). It's always possible to make one for the man of the house. Any of the projects I show are for sale and can be made according to your own specifications.
Speaking of aprons, it's time for me to head back to the kitchen. I'm in the process of making homemade chicken and noodles. I had some thighs in the freezer and they were starting to look - well, a little cold. I either needed to cook them or make some pants for them.

The Skirt

I finished the patchwork skirt late last night. It's not nearly as long as I originally intended but it was my first effort with quilt squares and I was more concerned with getting it right than getting it long. Besides, I can always adjust by adding more tiers or putting strips between the rows.
I'm very pleased with the results of the project - not so much with the photos. I really can't complain though. The woman who comes in is paid to cook and clean, not photograph.

                                                                                                                 Of course, it doesn't help that my bulging belly is obvious in this picture. I also think I had it sticking out more because the skirt ended up being quite a bit wider than I needed. That was easily fixed and it now fits wonderfully. I can't believe how comfortable it is.  I'm thinking if I made two more of these skirts, and two more of the pajama pants I'd be set for life. Well, maybe I'd better find a top as well.
Here is a photo of the skirt itself.

                            So, once I had the size adjusted, it was time to put together the artsy outfit I promised myself at the beginning of the year. Now, this photo I like. I guess I need to stand in front of the cam more often. (Ew, I just realized how bad that sounded...)
I'm not sure what's next. I'm  playing around right now with some small items . But, mainly, I'm sitting here trying to stay awake. Time for a quick nap before I begin work on my novel.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      








































     

What Was Old is New Again

Everyone's closet is filled with clothing or other items that seem to have no use. They served you well in their time and you hate the idea of these things going to a thrift store or worse, the recycle bin. With a little imagination you can take an old item and create a whole new look.
The other day I decided I needed to do something with some old sheets I'd been given. The pajama pants I created for a few friends are very popular so I'm encouraging them to tell others. They are roomy, comfortable and I don't want to take mine off! The pair pictured here went to a friend.

She called me after picking them up last night and said they were the most comfortable pants she'd ever worn. They were made from an old sheet.

The other day we had a snow storm and I needed a quick stocking cap. I took an old sweater I had lying around and created a hat and scarf. You'll have to excuse the photo, I was not feeling well that day and the photo definitely makes that plain.

I'm not really mad at the world, I was trying to figure out how to take the photo in the mirror and pushed the button too quickly.
As you can see behind me, I'm in the bathroom and one of my future projects is to redo it so it doesn't look quite so cluttered. Not sure how I will accomplish this.
While I was taking these photos, my cat, Fiona, decided she wanted in on the fun.

I think my eyes are closed because she jumped on me just as I was taking a photo and surprised me in the middle of the shot.
Well, I'm off to work on a skirt I'm making from quilt squares. Tomorrow I'm planning to introduce another topic,depending on how much I can accomplish without feline assistance.

Clothing from Fabric Scraps

I have been sewing since I was fourteen. The Christmas I learned I decided to make flannel shirts for all four of my older brothers. Somewhere along the line I got slightly mixed up and each shirt had the front of one and the sleeve of others. I'm not certain exactly how I did it but they came out very interesting. I gave up and the shirts went into my scrap bag.
Move forward 36 years and I was looking through my current scrap bag looking for inspiration. Those shirts came to mind and I considered the possibility that those shirts may simply have been ahead of their time. Mismatched fabrics are seen everywhere. Why not take my old mistakes and create new possibilities? Besides, in today's economy everyone needs to save money where ever possible. Once made, I can sell the clothing for much less than if I were to use new fabric.
This is the first jacket I designed. A friend asked me to make her a jacket out of the material I had with the Coca Cola logo on it. There wasn't enough of the logo fabric so I found some wool I had in my stash.

I am still working on it, trying to determine what type of closure to use. The sleeves are long but those are the things you have to work out when you don't use a pattern, no big problem.

I will be making more and they will be for sale in the near future for $15, at least $10 less than if they were made from new fabric. Plus, you have the added advantage of wearing clothes that are from recycled materials.
If you would like more information, email me. I also make other items from recycled materials, such as bags.

You'll soon find these up on ETSY and other places. I will provide more information as I get things taken care of. I'll also be posting tutorials on how to make some of the items.

If You Love History and Music You'll Love This

I am a big history buff. One of my favorite periods is the Renaissance, obviously. During that time the aristocrats often spent large amounts of money supporting the Arts. Philosophy was encouraged and artists, such as Leonardo, were provided with the money needed to live while they took advantage of their talents. Of course there were some problems with this practice. Often the artists were owned; everything they did or thought was expected to be handed over to their patrons without question. To avoid some of these issues Da Vinci began a practice of writing things backward and leaving out key elements so no one could steal his ideas.
The other day I was sent a link. On YouTube there is a channel created by history teachers in Hawaii. Their purpose is to teach history through the use of popular music.

Once you've watched this video you'll want to watch them all. As far as I'm concerned this channel is the best on YouTube. Well, next to Mary Hartman Mary Hartman

and Soap, of course. :)