Spring/Summer Wardrobe

Thank you banking system, thank you Wall Street, thank you self-serving politicians...I won't be buying a new Spring or Summer wardrobe this year. Nope, with a house worth 25% less than we paid for it 9 years ago, the all mighty dollar is going into savings - not my closet.

Never fear! I will not be brought down by the external forces of suckiness. No! God gave me a talent and I will use it for a new wardrobe. Will I buy a ton of new fabric? No! (although I did buy some for about 5 dresses but it was all heavily discounted fabric) Will I steal it? No! That's not a very Christian talent.

Instead, I am going to rework, recylcle, upcycle and alter my current clothes into something new. Follow along as I turn the old into new again. I'll try to post every couple of days. If you see something you like and would like me to do the same, give a holler. I can do the same for you.

Here is our starting batch:

See you soon and when I do it will be with "new" clothes!

My daughter in her birthday suit...ur...I mean dress.

Well, I haven't done any smocking yet but I did take a pretty good stab at children's wear. Used a little imagination and came up with this:

I already had the little girl, I just put a dress on her. ha, ha, ha. And then she gave me this:

Yes, the "Aren't I a precious little angel?" look. Only it really wasn't a question, more of a statement. But that's okay because her look took the words right out of my mouth.

Gonna do some recyling next. Sha, this ought to be good!

New Year, New Attitude, New Ideas, New Techniques

My resolution this year is to step out of my comfort zone with sewing. I'd like to try some smocking, hand embroidery, decorative stitching, and other things I can't remember right now due to the Champagne and late hour last night. Best of all, I plan to learn it all using the wisdom of the great sewing bloggers. No books, classes or videos. Just other crafters kind enough to share their knowledge and experience.

Inserting Gussets:
http://scpbanks.blogspot.com/2009/04/fun-with-dots-inserting-gusset-easy-way.html

Once I learn this I can finish that dress I started two or maybe three years ago but stopped because I couldn't get the gusset right.

Shell Stitched Edge:
http://lasewist.blogspot.com/2009/01/shell-stitch-edging-tute.html

I can see this on skirts and table linens.

Madeira Hem Technique:
http://lasewist.blogspot.com/2009/03/madeira-hem-technique.html

here are some how to's of the Madeira Hem/Applique:
http://southernmatriarch.blogspot.com/2011/01/madeira-appplique-tutorial.html
http://heritageshoppe.com/heritage/stitches/pdf/Pin%20Stitching_Madeira%20Applique.pdf
http://www.everythingsewing.net/scollopedhem.htm

Pleats and Smocking:
http://tumblingblocks.net/blog/index.cfm/2008/9/22/Honeycomb-Smocking-Tutorial
http://www.mariegracedesigns.com/marie_grace/2009/04/smocking-by-hand.html
http://vintagethreads.blogspot.com/2008/07/alphabet-adventures-t-is-for-twisted.html

Beaded Trim:
http://scpbanks.blogspot.com/2008/01/midnight-garden-jacket-part-xxxii-how.html

Well, I don't know how long it will be before I come back but rest assured...I am learning new things and returning to blab about them. BTW, why is it called a blog when really we are blabbing? Anyway, I'm probably too old for this stuff anyway.