Making Skirts from Handkerchiefs!

I have been collecting handkerchiefs since I was a girl.  

Sure, I make the famous "handkerchief angel" Christmas ornaments and even "handkerchief bunnies" for Spring, but still…..I have a LOT of handkerchiefs…

I had always wanted to try a skirt, but thought it was kind of extravagant.

Finally I had to ask, "What am I saving them for?"  

It did take quite a few handkerchiefs and was rather time-consuming, but really kind of fun.  I made three, but this is my favorite.  Hope you like it!

Dancing Angels 2013

Ella and Emily

Although I didn't know how many dancers would sign up - or their ages or sizes - I began working on the costumes early this year!

It turns out that we have TEN dancing angels in the "Lessons and Carols" program at St. Patrick's and they are aged 6 - 11.  PERFECT!

Each dancer has two costumes - the first is a lace coat (for the "Advent" song....) and then for the brilliant "Angelic" entrance, they have a flouncy bouncy skirt, wings, haloes, feathers and ribbon wands.

Kaitlin is the choreographer and it is going to be just beautiful!

Ella

Halloween 1967

I am in pink.  My mom made the costume from pink dotted swiss and metallic silver rick rack.  

My BFF Gretchen is in white.  Her mom made her costume from ruffled organdy curtains.  You might think she is a bride, but she is actually "Ozma of Oz."  She had to correct MANY people on that night....

My brother Brad is a cowboy and Jeff is a "Native American."  Our neighbors, Lisa and Debbie, are front and center.  We lived in Plantation, Florida.  

Halloween Coats!

Sarah, Olivia, and Milli return to model Halloween coats!  Aren't they adorable?!?!?  

Thanks, Girls!

Flouncy Bouncy Dancing Angel Skirt

I have been working hard on the "Dancing Angel" costumes for this year's Christmas program.  

After trying out lots of ideas, I think this is the best.  I am calling it the "Flouncy Bouncy" skirt because it is a full skirt with lots of light layers of lace and chiffon that lift and bounce with the dance...at least in my imagination...

Here is a close-up of the ornament.  Yes, there is a vintage glove, vintage lace, and a rhinestone button.  I cut the wings from felted wool.  It's everything I love in one design.

Sweet Strawberry Dresses

Summer is here in Arizona - time to break out the seersucker.

I picked up McCall's 6730 and made it up in several fabric combinations.

It was fun to work on such cheerful designs.

What to do with scraps...

After finishing a sweet blue and green sweater coat I had this delightful table of scraps left over....

I covered a simple wooden bird house ($1.00 at JoAnn Fabrics) and added some embroidery.

Cute!

Bluebird Coat

How could I resist this bluebird embroidery in my local Goodwill?  It was calling me!

I fashioned it into the bodice of a lace angel coat, and made a pale blue lace dress to go underneath.

Yesterday, Sarah came in and immediately created this look.  Vintage pink daffodil hat, denim shorts and pink t-shirt....

 She is quite the pro at modeling and gave some great poses.  Thank you Sarah!

New Designs!

Rather than sweaters, these new "Angel Coats" are made from thrifted lace tablecloths, curtains and fabrics.

After making a few of these, I had a trashcan full of lace serger scraps that looked like this...  Hmmmm...

I couldn't toss them yet - after a little bit of effort I made these "Lace Nest Necklaces."  

They are really fun... I've made "quite a few..."  

Why I Love Thrifting!

Ken, Will, and I recently travelled to Flagstaff for a lacrosse game.

The boys generously went along with my request for a visit to the local Goodwill.

Look what I found there....

A lovely dress form with collapsible shoulders and a super cute rear end!  YAY!

Pretties

Two of my collections are these vintage heart pincushions and vintage millinery

The rose also appears on this angel costume that I have recently finished.

James

Looking fine for an interview this morning!

Angel Skirt

I've been sewing angel costumes!  

This is my first skirt - a thrifted skirt embellished with vintage laces, buttons and trims.  

Sweater Scrap Snowmen

After making some white sweater coats, my trashcan was filled with serger scraps.  
I rolled them up into balls and made some ornaments!

Where's Laura K?

Our fabulous annual Christmas program "Winter Wonder" was last weekend.  

Can you find me in the cast photo?  Click twice to enlarge photo.

Hint:  I'm in my "usual" spot!  

Fairy Feather Fest 2012

FFF 2012 was EPIC!

Lovely Julia is a first-time fester.  She really got into the spirit!

Joanna presents her masterpiece.

Olivia and Bobbi.  Thanks for the treats!

Kaitlin and Amy.  We really need to take a closer look at Amy's gems....

On the left is "Edward Cullen Feather Fairy."  On the right is "Bearded Lady Feather Fairy..."

"Conjoined Twins Feather Fairies" complete with birth certificate.....

It's okay Amy....we don't think this is weird AT ALL....

Another first-timer - Penny...hey where is your hat?

Leah gets the prize for completing the most fairies!

Molly aka "Sexy Wings" 

Molly and Mo.  Because there is nothing like feather fairies for mother/daughter bonding...

Janice presents her masterpieces of featheriness.  Is that a word?

Kaitlin....a veteran fairy fester.

Carey had our first injury - hope your finger is okay...

Gail is another rookie - great job Girlfriend!

And sadly the fest came to a close...thank you everyone!

Quiz:  

Which FFFers arrived in wings?

Who arrived later and happened to have a pair of wings in her car that she promptly put on?

Who brought the bagels?

Whose idea was the "tunnel?"

Which festers ran through the tunnel?

Please leave answers in the comments.  

Updated Necktie Skirt

 After a decade of making necktie skirts, I thought it was time for an update.

 The new style is longer, has an exposed zipper in the back and black bias tape for a waistband.  It is actually quicker to make than my old style - Yay!

(Thanks to Kaitlin for modeling!)

Check out Kaitlin modeling for me in 2004!

Deconstruct - Reconstruct, Part 2

Here is my second attempt at deconstructing and reconstructing a black velvet pencil skirt.

I went with an asymmetric hem, adding vertical strips of vintage black lace and tatting.  I also added a black silk ribbon and a vintage key.  I pinned it on with black safety pins for a little goth touch.  (Also this makes it easy to remove...you know...just in case you need to unlock an old door or something...)

Here is the opposite side.

Another view of the front without the black lace jacket.  The beaded piece in the center is a lovely vintage piece that I have been hoarding.  Finally found a way to use it.  I think it really makes the skirt special. What do you think?