Deb’s in India, so I thought I would take the opportunity to practice some of the upcycling skills Deb taught me. If you remember, Deb will be teaching at Focus on Fiber Florida Style in April. You can read about it by clicking here. She helped me with the dress shown above. While Deb was still here to help, I took one of my favorite tops that was getting too short (you know how that shrinkage keeps happening!) and went about adding a bottom part to make a shift. I never did like the neckline (it was round), so Deb helped me turn it into a v-neck. I’ll have to have a refresher lesson on that part. I’m getting ready to go to a sewing retreat at the end of the month, so I am determined to make another dress.
The Pattern
I love wearing shifts in the summer here in California. They’re so comfy and cool. A few years ago, when Deb and I taught on the Big Island in Hawaii, our friend, Phyllis Cullen, took us shopping, and I bought a couple of really fun shifts. I’ve actually worn out the other one, so I have ripped all the seams out of that dress and hope to use it as a pattern. The dress fits okay, but it sure would be nice if it were in stretchy t-shirt knit. (These dresses are made of rayon fabric.)
The Fabric
You can find all types of thrift stores in the Sacramento region (I’m sure in your region, too). We’ve just discovered the Goodwill Outlet store where the clothes are $1.49 a pound. We have already found so many treasures there. At some thrift store, I picked up the men’s XL golf shirt below. We love those large shirts – lots of fabric! I adore the palm trees and pineapples on this shirt; they remind me of Hawaii. (Still trying to figure out this selfie-taking-in-the-mirror procedure.)
After our latest shopping trip, I had over four boxes of t-shirts and other knit shirts to pull from, so Deb helped me pick out the tops you see below. I can’t wait to see if I can pull this off without my teacher with me. Hope to see some of you at Focus on Fiber (click here to read more and to register). I’ll wear this shift!
