Mexi Dress

I found this dress at a local garage sale. I bought this dress and a similar navy blue one for $5.00 each. According to the previous owners, they are vintage. The dress fit everywhere except for the length.

Using my new hemming technique learned from my Home Ec class, I cut 10 inches off this baby. Add a belt and perfetto. I immediately wore it out to the grocery store. I was a little worried because I was also carrying my Frida Kahlo Mexican shopping bag. I didn't want to come across too costumey; however, I figured most people wouldn't put the two together. The first lady I saw coming out of the store commented on how cute my dress was, so I figure I was golden.

Muu Who?

You've seen this little beauty before. It's the muu muu from Goodwill. I finally took some action today.

Using a tutorial from my online Home Ec class, I altered this little baby into something wearable. I cut over a foot off the bottom and re-hemmed it. I took in a couple of inches on each side. I also took off the sleeves with a seam ripper and finished off the openings with a small hem. Add a belt and tada! a new summer frock. Too bad I finished it on the first day of Autumn. Oh well, bring on the tights, boots, and sweaters.

Pipe Up

Another project from my Home Ec tutorials. This pillow with piping is made of the same thrifted, vintage sheet that I used for the double-sided napkins. It was a relatively easy project to complete. There is only one corner where I sewed too close to the piping. Oops.

Vera-ly, Vera-ly, I Say Unto You

Today, I made a reusable tote bag using another tutorial from my online Home Ec class. It was a pretty quick and easy project. The tote is made out of a thrifted, vintage Vera Neumann sheet. I love all things Vera, especially the We Love Vera line for Anthropologie. I cut out the bag in such as way that the "Vera" symbol is visible.

Wipe Out

Double-sided napkins also made using a tutorial from my online Home Ec class. Both sides of the napkins are made from thrifted, vintage sheets. I love the colors in the floral fabric. I'm thinking of making a throw pillow out of these two fabrics. I think it would go really well with the floral pillow I made earlier this week.

Dot Your Eyes

Ruffle-topped curtains I made using a tutorial from my online Home Ec class. I got the fabric from one of my local thrift stores, several yards for $1.00. It's a sheer linen.

Repurposed Filled Life

I found this blouse at my local Goodwill. I absolutely love the pattern. The colors are so vibrant. It reminds me of something my grandmother would have worn in the 70s. Unfortunately, it made me look like someone's grandmother when I put it on. The fabric was so great, I could not pass it up, though. I knew I could do something with it. Enter pillow form I already own.

A little seam ripping, a little cutting, a little sew, and viola. New Pillow. I even managed to make the buttons on the front of the blouse, the opening in the back of the pillow case. The best part, it totally matches the color scheme of my apartment.

Home Ec

I've started an online sewing class recently, called Home Ec. Info can be found here.

The first project is a set of napkins. I made mine out of a vintage sheet I thrifted from Goodwill. More projects will be posted as I complete them.

Ottoman Empire

The semester is winding down and I am finally getting to some projects that have been on my to do list for a while. This is a little ottoman mini makeover that I saw here. I started with a cheapy ottoman from Target. I was hoping to find one thrifted, but this was within my price range and brand new (less cooties).

I covered it with vintage fabric found at Goodwill. I purchased over two yards for less than $2.00. Overall, it was a quick and easy project. It took me less than two hours and the directions were relatively easy to follow.

D.I.Y. Didn't I Do This Sooner?

This is my first foray into clothes making. It's a paperbag-waist skirt made with vintage fabric I picked up at the Methodist rummage sale. I got several yards of the fabric for $1.00 I think. It was really quick and really easy even for a novice like me. I was able to complete it in about an hour or so using this tutorial.

Now if only I had some kind of Mad Hatter tea party to wear this to.