Linen and Lace

 This outfit was a combination of an old linen vest I've had for years and a tiered skirt that I picked up in a resale shop. The reason this works is that the fabrics are worn, soft, and in complementary colors. Scraps from my lace bin finished it off. This is a bit short for me to wear "as is" so I will probably wear with linen pants.

Linen and Lace

And yes, that's a little antique crocheted handbag added for my cell phone.

Tiered skirt, before.

I keep my eyes open for these types of skirts because the layers can be cut up and are already gathered. This one I used inside out because I liked the raw edges with a bit of fraying to them to give the feeling of age.

Side View

April is almost here and I will enjoy wearing this for Spring.

Can't wait for those flea markets and auctions to start!

Apple Cardigan

It's a rainy day on the farm, a perfect day to make something in my closet more exciting. This thrift store white cardigan was a little boring.  On the positive side, it had flared 3/4 length sleeves and a nice cut. It cost me $1.50.

I pawed through my scraps and added ruffles from some garage sale curtains (bottom back) and an old skirt (front). Some less than perfect lace pieces dressed up the sleeves (not matching!) and the top back.

My last decision was to add the bright apple square on the back, which I picked up at a flea market--old drapery fabric. It's Spring in Wisconsin and all my apple trees are blossoming. I planted an orchard last year and am excited to see what I get this year. The apples on this sweater make me smile. 

 Back of  Sweater

Front of Sweater

Cutting off the buttons on the front allowed me to custom shape and round the edges.

Mismatched sleeves keep it fun.

Looking forward to wearing this sweater with jeans before the weather heats up. 

Country Rose Dress from Duvet Cover

What do you do with a worn out duvet,

What do you do with a worn out duvet,

What do you do with a worn out duvet early in the morning?

(sung to: What do you do with a drunken sailor)

YOU MAKE IT INTO A DRESS, OF COURSE

Country Rose Dress 

After about 15 years, my favorite duvet was finally wearing out.  The fabric had worn thin on the edges but it had a wonderful washed and worn feel to it.  I was just too much in love with it to toss it out...and just look at all that fabric! In addition to the pretty roses on the front, the back was lined with a pink plaid.  

My plan of attack was to take another jumper/dress that I really liked, and use that as a pattern.

Since I was using the pink plaid as a lining for this dress I just placed the jumper on the duvet cover, lining the seams up in the middle of the pattern (the duvet cover had two vertical seams to make it wide enough for a bed.) I put one seam in the middle of the dress front, one seam in the middle of the dress back. I did need to flip the dress over, as the pattern was slightly different (higher) in the back.

After sewing the pieces together I trimmed with old tablecloths and lace, damaged pieces that I've been collecting for years.

Favorite worn out bed duvet 

This was a before shot of the duvet cover.  Now when my mom says, "It looks like you slept in that dress", (thanks Mom, for always noticing my ironing skills) I can say, "Yes actually, I DID!"  

More good news:  I have enough leftover fabric to make a dress for my brand new granddaughter.  My project list is getting longer!

Ecru Jacket Lacy Make-Over

Some day I'm going to do and say everything I want to do and say, and if people don't like it I don't care."  --Scarlett O'Hara, from Gone with the Wind

I thought of Scarlett today as I was fashioning this lacy jacket from scraps in my lace bin.  Scarlett probably wasn't the first woman to turn a trying situation into a triumph through altered couture.  Her green velvet dress made from her plantation home curtains saved the day!  Sure, Scarlett was a little sassy, too.  Sometimes it takes some spunk to take a chance and come up with something original and one of a kind. 

Today's project was taking a simple Ecru jacket that I've had in my second closet for a long time and haven't worn.  Sure, it was nice.  Too nice to throw out, but also a little boring.  So I gave it some length and laced it up! 

After: 

 Before

Don't forget the back!