Our Thrift Shop Sewing Circle

**Debbie-cat** · 06-23-2009, 04:54 PM

I am sure maui will be happy to hear that peanut!

**peanut** · 06-24-2009, 10:41 AM

Yeah

**nuisance26** · 07-03-2009, 03:56 PM

~I had a few minutes today to mend a shirt I picked up for ds at a yard sale. There was a hole in the front near the bottom seam. So I removed the interior brand tag and stitched it in place over the hole. (see blog for pics) I think it looks like it's supposed to be there, don't you?~

**Judi Dial** · 07-03-2009, 04:44 PM

I have some kid's clothes I bought with the idea of making draft dodgers with them too, I'd forgotten about that project!

Judi

**imagine** · 07-06-2009, 05:22 PM

Yesterday fixed a hem on a dress and fixed a quilt all while watching my daughter play with her dolls. She was playing mommy and doing of course the "laundry". LOL Quote from daughter "Boy, my girls sure get a lot of laundry dirty" Pretend dirty of course as the washing machine was pretend too.

Dress- Cost of fix $0 - finally hemmed the torn hem on the summer dress that Daughter has been asking me to fix--

Quilt cost of fix $0 - daughter's quilt had ripped in several places. Stitched them back together where I could and put pretty applique where the torn seams wouldn't match many more. This looks really cute as the quit was already a crazy quilt theme. Daughter looked though my sewing box for the patches. She chose two pretty ones that matched very nicely. One was from one of her old outfits ( a pretty flower) and one was a roset with a pretend pearl middle that was from a nursing nightgown I use to own. Daughter loves how her quilt looks "even prettier" I'm thinking she likes things to look pretty. Could that be why her clothes all have sparkles if she chooses? Or maybe why she put glitter lip gloss all over her face? LOL

She is so easy to please just make it pretty.

**mauimagic** · 07-06-2009, 05:32 PM

Way to go on the muu muu!! Peanut!! Unfortunately, it's too easy to eat a lot without a waistline in place!!

Imagine - I love that your DD is into being pretty and likes the same!!

Judy - great idea for draft dodgers - that season is coming up sooner than we think!!

Nuisance - going to check out your blog!!

**Incognito** · 08-06-2009, 10:51 PM

Well, yesterday I finally had time to deal with the sewing pile again.
I removed some old, ugly buttons from one nightgown (which was missing buttons), and replaced them with some pretty pearly buttons. What an improvement!

I also organized my sewing pile into sections. First off, I dealt with the pile of stuff that gets cut up into usable rags for dusting/messy jobs, etc. and now have some useful flannel and cotton rags. That brought the pile down somewhat, and gave me more room to manoeuver.

A few current projects on the list:

making some shirts & vests into aprons & pot-holders
making a linen tablecloth into dishtowels & dishcloths
finishing some waistband alterations for pants
salvaging fabric pieces from clothing to make into woven-rug strips
cutting off frayed seams from towels and sewing new seams
picking some torn embroidery off a very good linen tablecloth

**mauimagic** · 08-07-2009, 01:15 AM

Lots of fun things for you to do Incognito!! I am always amazed at how much fabric it takes to make a rag rug!!

I am still working on all the stuff and treasures in my sewing room before I can even walk into a thrift shop!!

**Incognito** · 08-07-2009, 09:26 AM

I know what you mean, MM.
I'm avoiding the thrift shop these days too, partly due to limited finances, but mostly due to the fact that I've already got piles of stuff to work with, and I need to concentrate on that before I bring anything else home.
Also on the to-do sewing list from thrift shop finds:
- shopping bags made from light-weight polyester blouses
- nightgowns: re-styled with a blouse insert at neck openings
- crochetted plant baskets made from light-weight polyested fabric strips (I made one a couple of years ago, and it only takes an hour or 2 to work it; it really dresses up the plant pot, even has a little basket handle)

**Debbie-cat** · 08-07-2009, 09:29 AM

Could you share the pattern for the plant baskets incognito? They sound really cute!

**Incognito** · 08-07-2009, 09:53 AM

The pattern for the plant-pot basket is a copyright pattern.

But you could make your own pattern easily enough if you have any crochetting experience.

First make the strips from light-weight polyester, cut 2 inches wide. Fold them in like bias tape, ironing as you go, so there are no frayed edges showing. Roll up the strips carefully into a ball; it doesn't take very much to make a nice little basket.

Using a large plastic crochet hook, just start a basic round or square with single crochet stitch; then make it as large as you want, adding extra stitches as necessary so the work stays flat. It's best to use a stitch counter, to keep the work from becoming lopsided.

When it's time to shape it for height, crochet around without adding extra stitches, and after a round or two, the work will start shaping upwards. Continue till it's the right height for your plant pot.

For the handle: continue crochetting around one side all the way to a center point, then crochet a short strip with chainstitich, connect it to the other side with a slipstitch, then crochet along the side of the handle all the way to the other side. Slipstitch & fasten off.

A fabric bow could also be added at this point by tying it to the handle top or bottom side. For additional firming of the handle, slide a plastic ice-cream pail handle through the loops of chainstitch.

Place plant pot inside. Set on the steps or patio. It's very functional and pretty. These baskets can also be made for other purposes: to hold bathroom potpourri or baked goodies as hospital gifts, as knick-knack holders, as Christmas and birthday gifts (filled with goodies).

**Debbie-cat** · 08-07-2009, 10:33 AM

Thanks incognito! That sounds simple enough. I will have to give it a try.

**mauimagic** · 08-08-2009, 01:03 AM

That sounds really cute - and another great way to use up leftover fabric!! Mahalo!!

**mauimagic** · 08-08-2009, 01:04 AM

Aloha all of you busy with your thrifty fabrics!!

Would love for you to join our ongoing scrubbie swap!! I have confidence about your ability to find a thrifty way to find materials needed!!

PM me your name and address by August 15th. Then I will draw names and match you with another scrubbie swapper!! Send 2 scrubbies to your partner by September 15th. We will be posting pictures so we can all oooh and aaaah and get more great ideas!!

Please let me know if you have any questions. Would love to have you join us!!

**Incognito** · 08-08-2009, 11:42 PM

Today, I tackled my thrift shop sewing pile again.
Sorted out some clothing for recycling white cotton fabric.

Got a great start on a white cotton nightgown, which was brand new when I bought it at the thrift shop. It has a basic pattern flaw...it just doesn't fit right...

so I'm altering it like this:

I measured and cut off the gown part to sew onto the top part of a blouse, then found a white cotton blouse that will become the top of the nightgown. Made the sleeves roomier by ironing them flat, and cutting them open from neckline to cuff, then attached 1 1/2 inch wide lace all the way down both sleeves. I got the lace from the bottom of a thrift shop full-slip (brand new).
Also found a beautiful white blouse with cotton collar & lace trim, which will be inset within the cotton blouse, which has no collar.
So far, I've measured and pinned the collar within the blouse.
I will have extra blouse buttons, once I attach this collar and cut away the excess, so I might put them on the cuffs to match the buttons at the throat. Hafta see, once it's done.
I ironed all the fabric and would have completed the nightgown today, but I ran out of white thread!!!
Had to go downtown for thread, and fortunately was able to buy the last 2 spools of white thread there.
Hoping to work on this project again soon.

Used the cut-off pieces from the 100 % fine-grain cotton nightgown & blouses to make 7 fabric coffee filters. Wanted them a bit larger than a paper coffee filter, so used a bowl to draw outline on the fabric.
Then sewed zig-zag stitches all around the circles, then cut off the excess fabric very close to the stitching. Ironed them flat.

Used one to make my coffee--it worked great. No need to buy any more coffee filters. Will be able to save on coffee too, because the fabric filter does not get clogged after one use, so the original grounds can stay in it, only a small amount of coffee will be necessary for a second cup. Allowed filter to dry all day long, then shook out the grounds, and washed it clean under the tap; it's now soaking in a bowl of water, and will be used tomorrow. Am going to presoak all my fabric coffee filters--the fabric was prewashed, but I want to be sure to remove any sewing dust, etc.

All in all, a good sewing day...