sheet alchemy

I love thrift store sheets. They come in all kinds of great patterns and they're nice and soft by the time they get to me. And it's a huge amount of fabric for cheap! Here's what I've made so far:

My very first sheet skirt (sewn last summer). I used the existing hem, sewed a seam up the side and made an elastic casing for the waistband. It took all of 35 minutes to whip up. It's not terribly flattering, but I figure it's the skirt equivalent of sweats-- so comfortable and much better looking. Oh, and that stretchy waistband meant I could wear it as a maternity skirt.

My second sheet skirt, first wrap skirt (sewn last summer). This one was a bit of an experiment. I didn't use a pattern. I traced the outline of a skirt I already have and love and cut out panels and a waistband/tie. Hemming was a pain, because the bottom somehow ended up curved.

My most recent (and favorite) skirt. I squealed with joy when I saw this poppy sheet at Saver's. Nobody else was interested, but I would have wrestled an old lady for it if I had to. I used this pattern. You have to buy an online subscription to Craft magazine to get the instructions, but the pattern is available online for free. If you print out the entire thing, it'll take 49 pages, but you'll get patterns for two variations on the skirt-- a beginner version (that's what I made) and a slightly more advanced version that uses a button closure and is edged with piping. (pictures of both versions here)

It was pretty easy to figure out without the instructions, but I did miss one important thing: the pattern is drafted for someone who has a 30" waist, and as you can see here, I don't (and I apparently need to get my hands on some Spanx...). There are special lines marked on the pattern that can be cut and used to enlarge it. Since I skipped that step, I had to add an entire extra panel. It worked out fine, but next time I'm going to cut and enlarge. Oh, and I(heart)rickrack. And did I mention that IT'S REVERSIBLE?

This is side 2 of my reversible skirt. My mom snatched that sheet up from her tiny community thrift store in Warren, IN. She intended it to be a curtain for the boys' book nook, but I stole it (sorry boys!) for my skirt.

And last but not least, Amy Butler's Anna Tunic. I think it makes me look somewhat matriarchal, but that might have more to do with my nursing-enhanced bosom and less with the tunic. I wish I'd made it just a titch longer, but that's not really a big deal. It's also fully lined, which makes for a lovely finished looking inside, but it also makes for three layers (including the t-shirt I wear under it)-- a little much for hot summer days.

No more skirts planned for the time being, just some cafe curtains for my kitchen (from a sheet, of course!). But Saver's is having a 50% off sale on Memorial Day, and I might just find more sheets begging to be something cute.