Estate Sale Fabric

I got a whole bunch of fabric at an estate sale. Since I got most of it for my mom, I won’t disclose the amount, but it was much cheaper than buying new. I got 23 different fabrics for my mom.

And I kept four fabrics for myself.

Thrifted for $5.98

For $5.48, I got a few items. First up, this H&M black and white top. I actually recall seeing this top in the store and thinking that the pattern was interesting. But of course didn’t buy it because buying full-price for clothing is something I rarely do. It does need some mending; the button for the back closure is missing, and thread on one of the sleeves has come undone, but these are pretty easy fixes. I think the top might be a little large (but it’s hard to tell until I fix the button so I can close the neckline properly).

Next up, this Banana Republic green top. Truthfully, I’m not terribly excited about wearing the color green. But the top fit me and I thought it would work well with some skirts I have, so I decided to get it.

I also got two pieces of fabric. The navy is about a yard. The floral fabric…I didn’t try to count. It’s a lot—probably a bolt’s worth.

I also got two patterns for 25 cents a piece. I’ve been trying to cut down on buying sewing patterns (as I have too many), but I really liked these two. The first is this simple dress from 1972 that I thought would be easy to make.

The second pattern is a dress from the 1971 that I really like the cut of. I love the collar and the buttons down the front. Admittedly, this looks too complicated for me to make, but maybe one day…

DIY: Travel Sewing Kit

I decided to make sewing kits as Christmas presents this past year. I wanted to reuse Altoids tins I had for a small travel case.

SUPPLIES Exterior

• Cotton fabric
• Felt fabric
• Steam-to-Steam
• 3/8 inch ribbon
• Scissors
• Glue
• Iron and ironing board
• Altoids tin

DIRECTIONS

— 1 —
Cut a piece of felt that is the dimensions of the Altoids tin’s top. This should be about 3.75 inch length by 2.375 inch width. Round the corners to match.

— 2 —
Cut a piece of fabric that’s about an inch longer in length and width to the Altoids tin’s top—about 4.75 inch by 3.375 inch.

— 3 —
Cut a piece of Steam-to-Steam that is about 0.25 inch longer in length and width to the Altoids tins top—about 4 inch by 2.625 inch.

— 4 —
Using the directions of the Steam-to-Steam, adhere the felt piece to the wrong side of the fabric.

— 5 —
Cut the corners of the fabric.

— 6 —
Add glue to the fabric. Carefully fold over each fabric side to the felt. Add extra glue if necessary. Press gently. Let dry.

— 7 —
Add glue to top of Altoids tin. Adhere the fabric felt piece on top. Let dry.

— 8 —
Add glue around the outside of the tin lid.

— 9 —
Carefully place ribbon along the side of the tin lid (to cover where the fabric felt piece and the tin meet). Cut the ribbon when the ribbon overlaps. Add a little bit of glue to the overlapping ribbon. Let dry. Travel Sewing Tin complete.

To fill the tin with sewing supplies, I bought sewing supplies and divided them among the number of kits I was creating. This is for one kit.

SUPPLIES Interior

• 4 needles (different sizes)
• 4 pins
• 4 buttons (different sizes and colors)
• 2 safety pins (different sizes)
• Travel scissors
• Thread (I used five colors: white, black, red, navy and gray)

• Chipboard (Could use the back of the drawing pad, or food box packaging like cereal)
• Scissors
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Felt fabric 

— 1 —
Cut out of piece of chipboard that is 1.75 x 3 inch. On the long side, measure and mark at every 0.5 inch (there should be a total of 5 marks). Repeat on other side.

— 2 —
With scissors, cut little triangles out at each mark. I eyeballed this—they triangles are about 0.125 inch deep.

— 3 —
In the middle of the chipboard short end, cut about .0375 inch deep with scissors. Repeat on the other short end.

— 4 —
Wrap the thread around the chipboard, catching the thread between two triangle notches. I wrapped my thread around the chipboard about thirty times.

— 5 —
Then take the thread and put it through the slit on the short end of the chipboard. Cut thread. Repeat this process for the other thread colors.

Note: On the two bottom threads, I used the bottom slit to put the thread through.

— 6 —
Cut two pieces of felt fabric about 1.75 inch by 2.5 inch.

— 7 —
On the first piece of felt, slide four needles though.

— 8 —
On the second piece of felt, slid four pins through.

— 9 —
Put all components of the sewing kit inside the tin. Travel Sewing Kit complete.

Thrifted for $25.21

I got this 1990s pullover dress for $7.99. I liked the colors and Asian-inspired pattern.

I also bought this denim dress for $9.99. It’s a little large on me, but with a belt, I think it looks fine. And it has pockets (I love dresses with pockets).

I have been trying to be pretty good about not buying more fabric because I already have more than I need. But every so often, I falter. And I bought two fabrics. The first is a lightweight pattern fabric for $1.99. I could see it being part of a dress or top.

The second fabric I got was this paisley fabric for $4.99.

I totally didn’t need this Iron Fireman measuring stick…at all…and don’t even know what it’s for, but I just liked it. And it only cost me 25 cents.

Bought for $6.73

I got this blue dress for $0.98. It looks like it’s from the 1980s. It’s a nice shade of blue with a texture pattern to it. I like the cut of the dress and thought it fit well. It’s totally within the style of Golden Girls…and I’m okay with that.

I bought this Tupperware measuring cup for $0.25. I thought the numbers were really interesting.

I got this pink and gray belt for $1.

And these fabrics for $3.50.

Thrifted for $12.62

For $2.50, I bought this awesome aqua sweater that seems like it’s from the 1970s. It’s not a cozy sweater—it’s made of acrylic yarn that’s a bit scratchy, but I think it’s so cute. I love the cut of it, and I like the knit pattern and the blouse-like sleeves. Adorable.

I spent a total of $10.12 on the next items at a pay-by-the-pound thrift store. I’m drawn towards utilitarian items—like this plastic crate. I love the slate gray color, as well as the geometric pattern of the crate. It was fairly heavy (which accounted for most of the final cost of everything), and it was kind of gross. It had a lot of dirt on it and open spider eggs. Ewww…

I got this black belt, because it doesn’t hurt to have a spare one.

And I got this blue and white cotton fabric that’s perhaps shy of a yard. And this cute cotton floral retro-looking pattern that’s probably around a fat quarter.

I also got this Fire-King casserole dish that matches the style of my mixing bowls.

Thrifted for $11

I bought this black silk Banana Republic skirt for $4. I love the diagonal detail at the top and the basic structure of the skirt.

I got this black leather belt for $2. I’m not sure I love the gold buckle, but I wanted a new black belt since my old one is dying…

Finally, I bought a piece of navy fabric that’s about 2 yards for $2. I liked the drape of the fabric and navy is one of my all-time favorite colors to wear.

And I got this pair of navy and white canvas Land’s End sandals for $3. They are a half size too large for me, but I thought I’d see how comfortable they were. [Pause.] Some days after I took this photo I tried to wear these sandals and realized that they just weren’t comfortable for me. So I donated them to a thrift store. [Sigh.] It’s always a bit sad when I buy something that I don’t end up liking as much as I thought I would.

Things I Didn’t Buy 8

Here are some interesting Japanese items that I didn’t buy. My favorites are these robots. Super cool.

Next are some kimonos and yukatas. I wouldn’t wear them, but I could use the fabric. I resisted the temptation.

I also didn’t get these small Japanese fabrics (probably mostly used for cloth wrapping). I liked the red and white pattern quite a bit…

These Japanese rice cracker tins were interesting.

And I liked the art on this record.

Super-Wide Leg Star Pajama Pants

Recently, I sewed another pair of super-wide leg pajama pants. I love the first pair I sewed, but noticed it was looking a little worn, so I decided to sew a second pair. This time I used this light blue with white star pattern fabric (that I got an estate sale).

I’m very satisfied with my pajama pants. They’re very comfortable, light and airy—perfect for when the weather becomes warmer. And as always, I love anything with pockets.