Tuesday, February 25, 2014

1 - 2 - 3 O'clock, 4 O'clock,, Rock . . .

When the kids were in elementary school, they loved to volunteer my services for class projects.  Need someone to peel enough apples for 25 pies?  My mom can do that!  Seven dozen cookies by tomorrow?  My mom can do that! I'm not complaining.  I loved their confidence in me.  

Evidently, growing up hasn't killed that confidence.  When her boss mentioned that her daughter needed a '50s outfit for a school program, and they hadn't been able to find anything, Amanda naturally responded, "My mom can do that!"  Well, I'm not about to disappoint my daughter or her friend so, with a tutorial from Dana @ Dana Made It, and some math help from Dave, I made a Poodle Skirt.

The hitch was that I have never met the young lady who will be wearing the skirt, and her mother wanted to keep it as a surprise so she couldn't measure her.  All I knew was her height and pants size.  Dave asked his secretary, who is the same height, to measure from waist to just below her knee, then we found some size 3 jeans and measured the waistband.  That gave me a starting place, but since those numbers were pretty vague, I adapted Dana's tutorial to add a waistband/casing so size could be adjustable.  Add an iron-on applique and a rhinestone "leash", and you have a costume that's "made in the shade".

A visit to my favorite antique store provided supplies for a couple more projects.  Remember the Disappearing 9-Patch quilt I made for the camper?  (I know you don't - just humor me.)  It's still waiting for me to find some backing fabric.  I spotted a vintage tablecloth with an autumn leaf pattern today and realized it would be the perfect size and color pallet.  
                                  
I also picked up some old dresser scarves and small towels to be re-purposed at some point.

Needlework Tuesday is hosted by Heather @ Books & Quilts.  Visit Heather to see what everyone is stitching, or to link your own post.





2 comments:

  1. That skirt is gorgeous! Your amazing, Tami. I do remember the disappearing quilt, really I do.

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  2. You most definitely rock as a mom. My kids tended to do the same thing when they were younger. I am going to have to keep an eye out for old table linens. I keep forgetting when I am at the thrift shop and I know they have lots of them. Thanks for linking up with Needlework Tuesday.

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