Posted on 7 Comments

Fun with vintage sheets, part one

2015 60/365
Last week, my aunt gave me a pile of old sheets that once belonged to my grandparents. I was pleasantly surprised to see so many designs that I recognized from the vintage sheet swaps I’ve hosted in the past. There were only two sheets in the pile that I don’t intend to use at all, and the others had me seeing visions of Summer tops, sheath dresses, and pajama pants.

Cutting the fabric.

2015 64/365

As far as I’m concerned, the worst part of sewing is cutting out the pattern pieces from the fabric. I might feel different, if I had a proper studio with a huge cutting table, and plenty of room to spread out, but I don’t. I mostly sit on the floor to cut out my fabric, and that is so less-than-comfortable.

I decided to just get all of the cutting out of the way first, and so I decided which sheets would become which patterns, and spent Friday morning sitting on the floor, cutting stuff out.

(BTW, I discovered a yoga mat is really helpful for making a wooden floor more comfy.)

I’ve stitched up three of the seven things since then. Would you like to see them?

Wide-Leg Lounge Pants

This is my go-to pattern for pajama bottoms. I like them because they fit fairly snugly up top (aka no saggy bottom), but have a luxurious drape down the length of the leg.

I chose to use the decorative border at the top of the sheet for my pants’ cuffs, which would have been great if not for one thing:

New Wide-Leg Lounge Pants

New Wide-Leg Lounge Pants

They’re really too long on me. There’s no simple way to fix that.

I will probably just wear them this way. It’s not like I have to go out in public anywhere in them!

Pattern: Wide-Leg Lounge Pants from In Stitches by Amy Butler
I’ve made these before: See here.

Sorbetto Tank

New Sorbetto Tank

I’m pretending it’s summer with this one. Just pretend I am wearing shorts and flip-flops here…

New Sorbetto Tank

Ok, maybe it’s a little premature for summer, but this top works pretty well with jeans and a sweater while we wait!

Sorbetto usually has a pleat down the middle, but I already have three like that, and I think I like it better without. And hey, easier to sew!

Pattern: Sorbetto from Colette Patterns (it’s a freebie!)
I’ve made this one before, too. See these.

Simplicity 3835

New Simplicity 3835

Raise you hand if you knew this was coming. I guess this pattern is pretty much my uniform now. I can’t help it, though – I can practically make them in my sleep, and they’re so easy to wear. I can wear one on its own, with a long-sleeved tissue tee under it, with a handknit sweater over it, or with a fine-gauge cotton sweater…

New Simplicity 3835

Despite seeming a bit springy or summery, I wear these shirts year round.

Pattern: Simplicity 3835 (sadly, now out of print)
You know I’ve made this one before: see here.

What’s left

I still have two Sorbettos cut out, as well as a pair of lounge pants and a Barefoot Summer Sheath, as I like to call it (it’s this one I made last May).

2015 65/365

I’ve promised myself I am not going to let the sewing stuff clutter up my bedroom. I am putting it all away this weekend, whether I’m finished or not.

The question is, am I finished? Or do I have another few hours of sewing in me this weekend?

LET’S KEEP IN TOUCH!

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Posted on 7 Comments

7 thoughts on “Fun with vintage sheets, part one

  1. So lovely! Vintage sheets are amazing – the patterns and colours are always so nice 🙂
    I have a quilt made of vintage sheets on my bed at the moment and it really brightens up the room!

    1. That sounds so pretty!

  2. I can’t believe all you were able to accomplish so quickly! I love it all – you did a beautiful job.

    1. Thanks! I’ve lost steam for the weekend, but hopefully I can work up some enthusiasm to finish the other pieces tomorrow 🙂

  3. I have some linens to go through

    1. Have fun 🙂

  4. […] part one, in case you missed […]

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