Pillowcases: Beginnings

So my last post was my most recent pillow case work, where I turned two pillowcases into a fabulous new skirt. Today I want to show you my very first pillowcase work ever--I made this maybe two years ago, and it was my first foray into repurposing fabrics. The design is extremely simple: I kept the open side for the bottom hem, took it in a little bit on the sides, and cut off a few inches of the top to make straps out of. I added a little bit of topstiching, and voila! This is a great first project for a beginning sewer, especially for one who doesn't like to use patterns, like me!

Pillowcases!

Happy Saturday everyone! Pillowcases are one of my absolute favorite things to work with. They are inexpensive ($1 each at the Goodwill) and usually have interesting detailing at the hem that sheets often don't. Because of my size, I can make shirts, skirts and dresses from a pillowcase, and I just finished a skirt that I love!!

I was at the Goodwill the other day, and while perusing the pillowcase section (which is massive at my store) these two jumped out at me:



I knew right away I wanted to use the navy case as a skirt to highlight that fantastic edging material. I also knew I wanted to use the dotted fabric as a wide waistband. I didn't use any kind of pattern--just cut some of the navy fabric off so the length was what I wanted, added some pleats to the front and darts in the back for shape, and cut off a strip of the other fabric for the top:



I sewed the two together, added a zipper, and voila! I need to do a little bit of retooling with the zipper, as I ended up with a bit of puckering. But other than that, I'm thrilled with the way it came out.

Well, Hello There!

Hey everyone!

Hellabella here--long time refashion co-op reader, first time contributor! I'm so excited to be a part of this fantastic community of creative people! I love all aspects of creation and crafting, but sewing is definitely my first love. Since I was in middle school I've been rummaging through thrift stores and altering what I find. Bed linens are a particular favorite resource of mine.

Today I thought I'd share my most recent transformation. My sewing machine is in the shop, but I've really been itching to make something, so I decided to jump in and do my first completely hand sewn piece. I think it came out pretty great!

I started with this shirt, which was buried down at the bottom of a drawer--it's comfy but had lots of small holes in it and a few discolorations.

I made a pattern from another skirt that fits me really well, and cut pieces from the shirt. I had to get creative to avoid all the holes and stains, but being forced to make do gave me the bright idea to play with the placement of the stripes, and (hours of hand sewing later) I love how it came out! I saved the bottom hem of the shirt for the waistband, and luckily the fabric had enough stretch I didn't need to add a zipper :D