Let me sing to you of my love of bed linens.
Seriously, I think Scarlett O'Hara was onto something when she made a dress out of velvet curtains.
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| Some results are better than others... |
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Sheets, curtains, table cloths, pillowcases - these are all excellent sources of fabric. They come in many prints, colors, patterns, and fabrics, although cotton (or poly cotton blend) is the most common.
Where else can you find yards of fabric at such low prices? Especially if you shop at thrift stores, like I do. You can easily pick up a king or queen size flat bedsheet for $2 at a thrift store. That is $2 for 3+/- yards of fabric! You can't beat that in the fabric store. Like fun prints? No problem - check out the kids sheets or curtains.
Old sheets make the perfect muslins. They are cheap, cotton, and easy to find. Plus, you don't feel guilty about cutting up a faded old sheet to mock up an outfit; you are reusing and being eco-conscious.
Actually, I have liked some of the muslins I made out of old sheets so much, I never got around to making the pattern out of the "real" fabric. I just finished a sundress made out of an emerald green queen size sheet. It is one of my favorite colors of green, the sheet was in almost-new condition, and I think I look fabulous in it. I paid $2 for the 100% cotton sheet. Add the cost of the pattern ($1), zipper ($1.50 and thread ($.50) and I have a $5 dress that is custom fit to me!
Do a Google search and you can find lots of uses for reused linens. Table cloths become circle skirts with one cut and some hemming. Sheets, especially kid sheets, make perfect wrap pants (thank you to my friend, Sarah, for this idea!). You can tart up sheets and pillowcases with trim, markers, fabric paints, or whatever. The possibilities are really endless.
The other day I found some Ralph Lauren pillowcases for $3 at the thrift store. I loved the bohemian/hippie print on them and they were in new condition. I decided these would have to be made into a hippie sundress IMMEDIATELY!
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| Uncut and unironed pillowcases. Cool print, yes? |
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| Ironed and cut |
Once cut open and ironed, I discovered I have about 2 yards of very soft, high thread count 100% cotton to play with. I toyed with the idea of using a pattern but decided I was overthinking it. So last night, I sewed two tubes for elastic casing, adjusting the neckline, armhole, and backline a little and made two shoulder straps. Today I plan to insert the elastic, adjust the skirt to an A line and then boom - cute little sundress for under $5 and 2 hours of time.
So look no further than your linen cupboard for some inspiration. I swear, I feel like this is one of the biggest sewing secrets out there!
