When creativity and frugality collide
Recently I found a blog that I thought was pretty awesome. As we all know, the Amish sew their own clothes and are famous for other needlework, especially quilts. The Amish also live simply and frugally. While this blog isn't about the Amish, if you're interested in sewing and need some inspiration, I invite you to check it out. It's called New Dress A Day: 365 Days. 365 New Outfits. 365 Dollars.
The premise is simple: this woman is hitting thrift stores and garage sales and purchasing old cast-offs that most of us would look at and say "ew" and making them into something modern and wearable. I really admire people who can look at things I would normally ignore and find beauty in them. Plus the modifications she does to the dresses are simple and clever, which I find inspiring. I enjoy sewing, but I'm not very skilled at it. When my daughters were very young I made a few dresses and outfits for them, and in college I tried my hand at making a few things for myself. I haven't sewn in years, but now I'm inspired. Thanks to our recent move, I even know where my sewing machine is now!
Those of you who sew, where do you find your inspiration? Have any of you taken something old and turned it into something new? What was your favorite project? Mine would have to be the matching dresses I made for my daughters when they were 4 years and 18 months old. I think I might have a picture of them somewhere, if I find it I'll post it on a future blog. I may know where my sewing machine is, but where my pictures have ended up is still a mystery!
'Til next time,
Kathleen
The premise is simple: this woman is hitting thrift stores and garage sales and purchasing old cast-offs that most of us would look at and say "ew" and making them into something modern and wearable. I really admire people who can look at things I would normally ignore and find beauty in them. Plus the modifications she does to the dresses are simple and clever, which I find inspiring. I enjoy sewing, but I'm not very skilled at it. When my daughters were very young I made a few dresses and outfits for them, and in college I tried my hand at making a few things for myself. I haven't sewn in years, but now I'm inspired. Thanks to our recent move, I even know where my sewing machine is now!
Those of you who sew, where do you find your inspiration? Have any of you taken something old and turned it into something new? What was your favorite project? Mine would have to be the matching dresses I made for my daughters when they were 4 years and 18 months old. I think I might have a picture of them somewhere, if I find it I'll post it on a future blog. I may know where my sewing machine is, but where my pictures have ended up is still a mystery!
'Til next time,
Kathleen
Posted by Kathleen Fuller at 8/18/2010 9:41 AM 
Categories: simple living, plain living, Amish
Tags: Kathleen Fuller Amish
Categories: simple living, plain living, Amish
Tags: Kathleen Fuller Amish
I loved that blog, signed up for it and e-mailed a link to my friend. Besides remaking the clothes I loved the chocolate mug cake.
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Sewing? Oh my goodness, I haven't sewn anything in a looooo n g time!! I used to sew for my daughter and son when they were in school, in grade school and I made my late hubby a shirt or two and a pair of pj's when he asked me too, but, that was yrs. ago and I do know where my sewing machine is, I'm sitting here looking at it and it's sort of waiting for me to use it and start on a "quilt" I do have material for that!! I just need to get "motivated" on it. I have not made anything for myself as far as sewing since I was in school many yrs. ago.. however I've sewn on some buttons recently that was waiting for me to do, but, I have arthritis in my hands and I had a time doing the buttons.. I never made my daughter and I matching outfits so I don't have any kind of a picture either.. But, I do want to make a quilt. I haven't made one in yrs. but, someday I hope to get one done!!
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I love to quilt, but so far have only used new materials- someday I would love to make a memory quilt with fabric from my family's clothing....oh maybe someday!!
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I love to sew, I mostly do quilts for babies of friends and family.. I get a lot of inspiration from my friend Loretta, she is all the time making things, most the time recycling something into something usable. She is also the queen of sewing machine repair which is great for me cause i tend to tear mine up... unfortunately the last time it was not repairable! I would like to invite everyone to check out Loretta's facebook page, she is making head coverings for people that have health related hair loss and she does it all for free! She is a inspiration to everyone that knows her!check her out on facebook
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000258459373&ref=search#!/pages/Diva-Chemo-Head-Coverings/145216888835722?ref=mf
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Thanks for sharing the link! How generous of her to do that for those who need head coverings.
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