When we were in Hawaii in April I spotted this cute top at Macy's. I did buy it. {April/May is typically my one time of the year that I do a little frivolous shopping - I have birthday money burning a hole in my pocket!}
Last week, I found that bookmark and thought the combo would be really cute. I ordered the skirt, but when it arrived it was just a little too short. It fell to the bottom of my knees (barely) but it's quite full so I knew it would have a lot of movement when I walked. After my success last year with changing my clothes, I felt sure I could make this skirt the right length with a little work.
A trip to Jo-Ann Fabric, $3.50 for a half yard of fabric later, and I was ready to go. As I posted yesterday, my adventure began, but it did not go smoothly. My sewing machine belonged to Mom. When I was a child, she sewed most of my clothes on the machine she received as a teenager. I believe she got this machine in the late 70s or early 80s. It became mine when she passed away in 1998.
I spent some time trying to adjust it on my own, but quickly got frustrated. I sewed one seam (trying to attach two pieces together) and that was it for yesterday. Google to the rescue! The machine was manufactured by White Consolidated Industries, founded in 1858. It is now under the ownership of SVP Worldwide, which includes the Singer brand. I was able to find the manual for my sewing machine at Singerco.com. I got up this morning determined to get things going. I opened the manual on my iPad and in less than 15 minutes adjusted all the dials for the proper tension, stitch type and stitch length.
My skirt has a lining, which made my project so much easier! I marked a line on the lining, then pinned my additional fabric to it. With my machine humming along, I was able to sew my addition to the liner. I then turned the hem, machine basted, then hand sewed it.
And voila! I changed my clothes!
I can also dress it up a little with a white jacket.
Don't be afraid to change your clothes. If you're not a seamstress or don't have a sewing machine, find a friend who can help you. It doesn't take much time or money, but you may need a little extra patience!
One more little item that showed up in yesterday's post. This pin cushion:
I think this little pin cushion is about 40 years old! Mom and Grandma Luella made a bunch of these way back when. I'm sure they used old scraps of fabric and trim because I remember a variety of colors and patterns. The spools of thread were held on by elastic. (I found a tutorial here.) The elastic on mine finally deteriorated, so I just put some ribbon through it. I really should take the whole thing apart, wash it, and give it a fresh piece of elastic, but it continues to serve me well!
