a dress to a pillowcase

Due to purchasing a new bed/couch, we have the need for more pillows.  I get teased that when I stuff a pillow I make, that I make rocks.  There is truth to this statement because I use what I have and it may not be the most soft stuffing in the world.

I picked up a king size pillow and needed a cover for it.  I wanted neutral and I had a neutral linen dress in my closet.  It was too warm for most days in Houston.  I was lucky to be able to wear it once a year.  I also found that it was too heavy for many days in Washington state.  Especially summer days.  It became a pillow cover.

I cut it apart and got to stitching.  I also found some buttons to use as closures at one end to make it easy to launder.

I am quite pleased.  It is a neutral I am really liking lately.  The light color helps to brighten the space.

The contrast of the wood button makes me smile.

I do so like reusing and refashioning.

the clipping that became a pattern is now a dress

All that clipping I did became a shift and a dress pattern.  I picked linen and I let my Beloved pick the color so I could try the pattern out.

Some quiet time with my machine and then a needle and thread, and there was a simple sheath dress.

The two changes I made was to add six inches and not use a button on the back but stitch it together.  

Simple make.  Simple dress.   So very comfortable.  I have picked up some light wools and one more linen to make a few more.  A sheath dress which can be for work or at home.  Life is lovely.

from deconstruction

I took apart a dress to use as a pattern.  A lovely pattern.  But when I finished my clipping and snipping, I found I was left with the lining.  My first thought was quilt squares.  I do have a tendency to take all my white fabric for my nine squares.  Then I got looking at that batiste linen.

My head went hmmmm.  I stitched the seams back together.  Finished the edges.  Modified the back and added some ribbon accents that means the shift would not fall off of me.

And now I have a cotton shift to wear under dresses, around the house, or to sleep in.  It got me wishing for more batiste.  I might just have to make a fabric store run.  I have just done a couple of those but I may cave.  

surfboard bag

My favorite surfboard has a bag that I made for it when I first got it.  The bag is in tatters.  It was made out of upholstery fabric.  At the time, I really could not afford a manufactured surfboard bag so I made a huge drawstring bag to protect my board during transport.  Also, to give me a couple handholds for when I need to carry it.  All my favorite surfboards are much taller then I am.  My Yater Spoon is 9'6".  With the wind blowing, to the beach and back is always interesting.

Which is part of why it is in tatters.

But I had some more upholstery fabric.  We had found an 11" board that still needs a bag but since this is the one I always seem to go for in the quiver, I thought it would take precedence.  A huge drawstring bag is not a lot of seams but they do take a bit of time to sew.  Especially since I doubled everyone.

But it is done.  A brown hibiscus print.  It should be good for another ten years.  That is about how long the last one made it.

Now, if the forecast as for anything but rain and flat surf this weekend.  I may just go out for a paddle to work my shoulders.  It is a bit of a sigh though because I had so much fun last week.

And yes, there is more rain in the forecast.

quiet clipping

I am quietly taking apart a dress to use as a pattern.  A clip here.  A clip there.  It will get done and then I have a piece of fabric I am going to use to try this.  It is an even simpler sheath dress then the one I normal make.  I have to admit that the original dress screams beach dress at me.  I am going to add some length to the hem but keep the cap sleeves.

I went out and chatted with co-workers tonight.  I needed it.  I am missing a boy and it took my mind off my being sad.  It will get better.