Cheetah Velour

Frumpalicious!

I found this frumpalicious elastic waist skirt at the thrift store for a couple of bucks. I have a sneaking suspicion that it was somebody's home ec project due to the variety of threads and stitches used. It was kind of weird.

The fabric was too cute to resist and I knew it wanted to be something else- but what?

The man of the house suggested a dress. Now why didn't I think of that?!?

I based it on McCall's 5425. Mostly I just winged it. You can pretty much tell how this dress is made by looking at the picture on the envelope. Yes, it was just that easy! 

After:

Now don't go thinking I'm all modest because my head is cut off in this picture. I was using the camera timer and gosh darn it, I'm just not that good at taking my own picture.

Now I personally like the potato sack dress/muu muu style because it's oh-so-comfy and hides those figure flaws we all know and love, but there is also the optional sash if you like.

This dress was really easy to make and even easier to wear. This could be one of my summer staples if I make it in a few different colors. I'm laid back like that.

Another summer shirt

I started out with another man shirt I picked up last year from the thrift store.

Nope, that's not a stain on the front. It's an iron-on! Nothing is easier than an iron-on.

I didn't get much use out of it as a long-sleeve but wasn't sure I wanted to toss it into the donation pile. Then I saw this shirt at Target and thought, "I can do that!"

Using another short sleeve shirt as a pattern, I cut the sleeves off at an angle. I made a casing all the way around each sleeve and ran some 1/2 " elastic through it. Not too snug so I could move my arms.

That's all there is to it! I also added a few narrow darts to the back for shape.

This was a super quick project and really easy. Now I have another shirt made from stuff I already had around the house. Nice!

I love music, any kind of music

Just as long as it's GROOVY!

It's a lazy Sunday afternoon, so what better time to check out one of the local thrift stores? Come with me but read the signs first so you don't get in any trouble, ok?

ALL THE TIME?!? Dang it, I don't have any kids. What about MY safety? Doesn't anyone care about MY needs? Good thing this store was closed. I just went to the one next door instead. They don't seem to care about drinks, kids, OR safety.

I always have to check out the record bins when I go to the thrift store. I have a hard time believing anyone would want to get rid of these gems:

Why does this make me think of CORNHOLIO?

There are no words for this, so insert your own caption here: _________________.

Not even by the original artists. By "Hits Machine Unlimited" whoever that is. What a rip-off!

Recorded in Europe for your relaxation enjoyment.

Yes, it's called "Fixin Our Eyes On Jesus" and no, I don't understand this cover. This guy reminds me of Slim Goodbody. That is, if Slim Goodbody had skin.

It's the "NUTTIEST" thing alive...it's the TOPS IN "POPS" FOR KIDDIES!!

That last album makes me wish I actually owned a record player.

Of course, the thrifts are also a great place to pick up home decor deals. You might find an 80's Nagel right next to a religious paint-by-number. Why not buy both, or in my case buy neither?

Maybe clowns are more your style, but who am I to judge?

Next time I'll show you what I actually did buy.

Baby, it's cold outside

It's starting to get cold at night. All I want to do after the sun goes down is bundle up and sit next to my little heater. I don't like to stray far from my little sewing room and space heater these days, so I should at least try and be productive while I hole up in here.

I found this unfinished quilt for 12 bucks at Savers last year. Do not be fooled by the green grass. I took these pictures last spring and forgot about them.

As you can see, all it needs is some binding around the edges. Someone started then stopped. I have to wonder who started this and what happened to them, because I am curious nosy like that.

One side is snazzy pink and black flannel. Mmmmmm, flannel.

The other side is cotton. Anybody out there have any thoughts about this fabric? Like this dress, I have no idea what this fabric is all about or where it came from.

I forgot all about this quilt until I went looking for an extra blanket tonight. I think it's time to finish this thing and put it to good use.

Mr. Grant!

This one is especially for eniksleestack over at Thrift Store Adventures. This blog after my own heart recently featured some cringe-worthy (and by cringe-worthy I mean totally covetable) thrift store kitchenware.

I always make sure to hit the kitchenware section at a thrift store. Sure, there are always way too many single wine glasses from some art 'n' wine festival you didn't actually attend & way too many oversized plastic soda cups from mini-marts. You have to look closer to find the really good stuff.

I can't recall where or when I acquired him (yes, it's a him) but I've had this little ceramic garlic container for years. He has such a sourpuss face that I immediately dubbed him ED ASNER and refuse to call him anything else.

I dunno, what do you think?

Thrift dress

I just don't have good thrift clothes mojo. Seriously, it's very rare that I find something interesting that actually fits me. Then I found what could very well be my new favorite dress. I wasn't even looking. It found me, jumped out at me, and told me to take it home. At least it felt that way at the time.

It's a wrap around dress. I have no idea what this dress is all about, where it came from, or how old it is, but it spoke to me. And it FIT! There are a few tears and a bit o' mending to be done, but let's just call it 'character', shall we?

I wish I took a better photo of the details, but here's a close up of the fabric. It has pictures of green cats, some roosters, birds, a water wheel and grass roof huts. I am confused yet delighted.

The construction is very much like this:

I have no idea what this dress is all about or where it came from. If anyone has any ideas, please let me know.

Go cry, emo kid

I spotted this amazing piece of original art over at Thrift Town. Sorry for the picture quality, but I assure you it's even better (worse?) in person! It was a little on the pricey side so I passed it up. The image of the sad kitty still haunts me though, so I may have to go back next time there's a sale and see if it's still there. If it's been snapped up by a sad kitty collector, I'm sure I'll find something just as tasteful. If you are not currently signed up as a Thrift Town VIP, you might want to think about it. So many classy items to choose from!

Maybe I don't actually need this. Sometimes the fond memories are enough.

Distracting you with shiny objects since July 2007

Just a few photos to distract you from the fact that I haven't posted any pictures of the dress. Now that I'm starting to find my sewing stuff after the move, I believe I will go back and tinker with the pattern just a wee bit more. I'm just not happy with it yet. I'm fussy like that.

A couple of months back I picked up a decent sized stash of old 'n' cheap sewing goodies to add to my growing collection of things I don't actually need. Ok, maybe I need these. LILLYLUSTRE!

Ok, and I definitely need this because I am a modern gal on the go. The instructions say DON'T BE A BUTTON SEWER, USE DOT SNAPPERS. Everything is still in the kit and the instructions say Copyright 1949. I guess someone bought it and never found a use for it. I guess they were content to be an old fuddy duddy BUTTON SEWER. Who am I kidding? I will probably keep this thing around for the next 50+ years and never use it. I really just want to stare at it.

Now here's a fun one. The Kenmore Buttonholer. The picture didn't turn out so great but hopefully you get the idea. The book has this to say-"One of the most exciting stories in this season of sewing adventure is based on the achievement of the Kenmore Buttonhole Attachment. A touch of magic at your fingertips- and the happy miracle is that this attachment will produce, with accuracy, neat durable buttonholes in any fabric without special skill on the part of the operator".

Adventure? Magic? Happy miracles? No special skill on my part? Sign me up!

I picked up lots more buttons and rick rack and goodies, but these were my favorites. I just love junk like this.