New Wardrobe on a Tight Budget
Monday September 22, 2008
I usually wear jeans and a shirt. Jeans are durable and last a long time. The shirts are another story! I am constantly getting them stained and ripped. Sure I could sew a new shirt but I am usually more limited for time than I am for money. My solution is to buy inexpensive shirts at craft stores and on clearance at the end of the season. Then I use various sewing skills to dress up those cheap shirts... and get compliments when I am out and about. It's a great way to open a conversation with other people who sew!
Comments
I did this on Tees when I first married, 35 years ago. We lived in Hawaii so I didn’t do sweats. I used purchased trim, lace, and ribbon. Sometimes as little as 1/2 yard of daisies dotted over the front could really dress up a tee. When my children came along, I got plain black sweatshirt dresses and pinned many tiny ribbon bows all over the front; orange at Halloween, red at Valentine, rainbow, or white for other times. For a funeral of a little friend, I used black.
You can also very quickly dress up a plain sweatshirt by pinning on small flat quilted ornaments. I used a nutcracker for my little boy for a Christmas excursion to see The Nutcracker. I also covered the slash where he cut his shirt with an applique that said Class Cut Up. His teacher loved it.
I make most of my t-shirts, tanks, pullovers and some sweaters. I have many various patterns that I have traced onto a heavy tear away stabilizer. I bought an entire bolt of this online at a bargain price. I usually trace the pattern in various sizes as I also give the shirts I make as gifts. All patterns were purchased at JoAnn Fabrics when they are on sale at bargain prices, including Vogue. I purchase cotton, mixed poly/rayon, etc. stretch knits and sweater knits when on sale to stock pile (hoard) also when on sale at bargain prices either at JoAnn on online.
It must be machine wash although I do not machine dry any of my shirts. I also have a whole cabinet of various trims, including venise lace, also bought on sale. I am the “queen of stains” so literally wreck at least one tee or pullover a month. I can make two short sleeved tee’s from one yard of two buck fabric. I often mix pattern pieces to create a different design. With the serger I can easily knock out five shirts in an hour after cutting them out. Then while watching TV I hand hem them if necessary and put on trims, beading, etc. Needless to say I am “famous” with my 3 grown girls and with friends for my shirts and they always ask for shirts.
Wow, Mary! I am impressed. Your speed is incredible.