Today...

I'm just dropping in to give you a glimpse of what I have planned today.  Not really a whole lot, but I am starting to tackle my horde of vintage sheets.  I'm finally going through the ones that I have at my home.  I still need to get the tons more that I left at my parents' house. Bleh! I hate trying to decide which ones I want to keep versus what I don't.  I have to keep reminding myself that I don't want my child(ren) to talk about me, though, if they have to have an estate sale after I'm dead.  It's better to purge now than then I suppose.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Vintage Sheet Skirt

I have been very busy on my sewing machine this weekend. I managed to whip up a pleated vintage sheet skirt Sunday afternoon. I love it! It has pleats in the front, elasticized back and long ties that can either be tied in the front or the back. I should have added pockets, but honestly this was just a muslin.

front

pleats

back

Must make more!!

Pleated Slouchy Purse Prototype

While on the phone with my best friend last night, I drummed up this design for a purse that I wanted to test out. My best friend tried to encourage me to stay up and stitch it up, but it was already late and I was in the bed. However, I did set out my fabrics and my sketch for me to dive right into it today.

So I did.


I whipped up this vinyl and cotton pleated bag today. Let me just say, if I haven't said this before, I love love vinyl!

With that said, I made this bag from vinyl, printed cotton, solid lining, vintage strapping, and a snap closure. I seriously have forgotten that I had half of the materials that I worked with. I was wondering what I was going to use the vintage strapping that I found at a thrift store for and it came to me last night. I have about 3 or 4 more different types of it just sitting around.
Anyway. So the hardest part of sewing this bag was topstitching the vinyl opening once it was done. I still have a few places that I have to go over.












Even though it is a slouchy bag, I thought that the boxed corners would bring a tad bit of a structural aspect to the purse. It's fairly large, too. The bag itself measures 14"length by 15" width at base with 12" width opening and 9" length drop. Pretty spacious for essentials.

I need to head back to the local fabric shop; my vinyl stash is diminishing.

What have you worked on this weekend?

Weekend Sewing

This weekend I drafted a new pattern for a little girl's gathered tunic that I think turned out fairly well.

It features set-in sleeves, double layer of ruffles, an inverted center pleat and a button closure.






I think this would look nice in a more subtle print as well. Maybe I'll take out one of the ruffles next time. It definitely lends to different adaptations.

I also made a little rag dolly. I was inspired by Becoming Martha's Ragdoll Tutorial
that I had to give something like it a try. So I grabbed some paper and drew out 2 templates (one for the doll itself and another to make the hair and underwear).





She's still unclothed. I have to sew up her leg and draw on her eyes. I used broadcloth for her body, textured felt for her hair, and a scrap of vintage sheets for her undies. I'm rather pleased with it, and my daughter already loves her. She woke up to me stuffing her and immediately wanted to help.

Well that was my weekend. What did you create this weekend.

A Day at the Park

I promised to Kelsey to the park today. I've been making a habit of trying to take her around to different parks often. Today I chose the Opelika Muncipal Park, dubbed the "Monkey Park." This place as been around a long time. I remember it being just as worn when I was her age going there.

Thrifting 9.24.11

I went to a couple of estate sales yesterday, and then I somehow drifted into a couple of thrift stores. But I did limit myself. I only went to 2 estate sales and 2 thrift shops. So I spent a LOT. I mean more than I would ever have expected to spend at any estate sale ever, but I think my spending amount was justifiable. I spent $29 on vintage buttons alone. I know stupid, right! But wait before we judge, you have to see the buttons!! They are all vintage and most of them are clear glass!! Anyway let me get to the spoils!

At the first estate sale I didn't find very much. However I did manage to leave it with a few classic books for myself and Kels, a pair of binoculars for Kels, a pack of vintage tracing paper, a vintage Italian braided cognac leather belt with brass fixings (perfect for cardigans and dresses!), and I think that's about it. There really wasn't much there.

At the second estate sale I found a buttload of vintage buttons: glass, lucite, and carded. I also got an applique book and a brand Eddie Bauer tank top still in the packaging.


applique book and tracing paper


vintage buttons. I know it's hard to see it but there are 2 smaller sandwich bags filled with pink and blue buttons and the clear glass ones are in the quart bag.




At the thrift stores I found a few sheets, pillowcase, and some vintage fabric. I found blues that I have been looking for and picked up some I've never seen.




the one the right is my favorite; I've never seen anything like it.








vintage fabric
It's going to make a beautiful pair of shorts or skirt.

I have been working on clothes for the little one as well and some embroidery designs that I've digitized. Expect to see that showing up soon. Also expect to see more sheet packs going into the shop, seeing as I need to destash!!!

Have a wonderful Sunday!!!