From Rags to Riches

Recently I was asked to make a period outfit for a young lady of thirteen.

The outfit began with a trip to Goodwill where I found this checkered bedskirt

 (I actually got two of them).

As you can see Lizzy is helping with the presentation:).

I found a lovely white blouse at another thrift shop.

Here is the final result.

I made the skirt from the bedskirt and then used some blue fabric leftover from another project to make the belt.

I altered the sleeve cuffs and added some lace to the white blouse.

Altogether the price tag is low:

$6 for both bedskirts,

$2 for the blouse,

nothing for the leftover blue fabric.

I am going to make her a matching petticoat from the other bedskirt and a shawl from the leftover ruffles.

What thrifty projects have you completed lately?

What Do You See?

So what do you see?

I see a bargain!

This lovely dress was a find at Goodwill for $5.99.

But I didn't see a dress.

I saw seven black frog closures, a zipper (well you can't see that because it's on the other side:), and lining for a bodice that is being made.

Yup, this dress resulted in frog closures for future projects. These frog closures sell for about $3.50 each. The zipper sells for a couple of dollars. The fabric for lining the pagoda sleeves of my bodice would have cost a about $5. So for $5.99 I got about $35 in supplies.

The best part is that the money spent on the dress is helping others:).

My First Dress!

For years now my dear friend Christine has made my dresses.

A couple weeks ago she taught me how to make my own.

All of the supplies came from thrift shops and consignment shops.

I started with the petticoat which is made from a bedskirt.

I added the tarten trim to match the dress.

The bodice and skirt are trimmed with black grosgain ribbon.

Vintage black buttons and lace collar complete the bodice.

Back view.

The bodice is lined with an old sheet and the belt was made from a vintage belt and silver buckle.

Bedskirt-$4

11 yards of red tarten fabric-$6

Black belt-$1

Vintage silver buckle-$15

Sheet for lining-free

Being able to say I made the dress-priceless:)!