January 22, 2011

sew la tea do

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One of the first places I go to in thrift stores lately is the sewing section. I could spend hours digging through old fabric, unfolding them from their neatly made squares, putting them on the floor and putting garments over them to see if they are the right size. I get a lot of weird looks when I do this, mainly because I am in my own world - but the thrift store ladies are nothing short of gems, helping me pick out the right thread and lace details for each piece. I decided that this weekend was going to be a Kate weekend..and with much needed time to myself, I made it just that. I have closed my door (& was even tempted to put up a 'no boys allowed sign') stacked up on tea and crackers and have sew sew sewed my life away. I bought all of the fabric for these three dresses shown above for a whopping $1.75. Yes, thats right folks, one dollar..and 75 cents. Through digging and unfolding and washing and ironing (even though some of these creases and wrinkles seem like they will never come out) and hours spent in my 'hidden room' - you remember the one right? ;) - I have turned these three neatly folded, elastic band secured pieces of fabric into three wonderful dresses. If that wasnt the best $1.75 I have ever spent, I dont know what is.

Do any of you sew? If so, what is your favorite thing to make? Hope you're having a wonderful weekend!! x

30 comments:

  1. Amber SchmidtJanuary 22, 2011 at 9:49 PM

    I wish I could sew.. And I can picture you at the thriftshop now!

    Would you ever make a custom-dress? I would pay you in money AND Trident Layers gum.

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  2. Rebecca LeighJanuary 22, 2011 at 9:59 PM

    AH-MAZING. I have so much respect for people who can sew - I've always been afraid of the machines or just stuffing it up. Those dresses are gorgeous. Do you make your own patterns? Any tips for someone who's dying to get into sewing?

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  3. eleanorJanuary 22, 2011 at 10:06 PM

    Oh my goodness, these look beautiful Kate! I lovvee love love the one on the left!

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  4. Chelsea, Tea TalkJanuary 22, 2011 at 10:06 PM

    You made these Kate? How amazing! You did such a lovely job! I'm lovvving all of them, but certainly the one in the middle! Such a pretty collar! Great job!

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  5. EmmaJanuary 22, 2011 at 10:15 PM

    I really wish I could sew, well I can sew, I just wish I could sew well :) you're so clever, they really are beautiful
    Scrapbook de la Emma

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  6. AnonymousJanuary 22, 2011 at 10:36 PM

    I just think that the title of this post is great... but so are you... and your sewing! :) xo

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  7. Annie, The Friendly FoxJanuary 22, 2011 at 10:49 PM

    Way to go! So proud of your projects, and you're making so much use out of your little secret room.
    I need to stop spending time in the sewing aisles and piles and start sewing already! Maybe something for the baby soon, like a stuffed animal friend.

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  8. TaniaJanuary 22, 2011 at 11:16 PM

    i sew my own clothes! :) i love making dresses and skirts, it feels wonderful wearing your own creation!

    http://power-of-words-tmc.blogspot.com

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  9. UnknownJanuary 22, 2011 at 11:18 PM

    I'm sooooo impressed by these. they turned out amazing <3 I must learn to do more exciting things with my sewing machine!

    xoxo

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  10. christieJanuary 23, 2011 at 1:28 AM

    I totally wish I could sew! I can only imagine all of the wonderful things I would make! I can do alot of mending - but its all by hand because I dont have a sewing machine. Recently I've begun making hair accessories with the left over fabric from things Ive taken up in length, so thats ben fun - but can get time consuming because I am doing everything by hand.

    Your new-vintage dresses look great - and at $1.75 - who would complain!!!

    xx www.christie86.blogspot.com

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  11. IzzieJanuary 23, 2011 at 1:57 AM

    Beautiful! I love the first dress! I'm terrible at sewing, I always got yelled at in Fabric Tech at school!

    x

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  12. AnonymousJanuary 23, 2011 at 2:43 AM

    You made these?! Uh-may-zing! I'm so jealous. They're fabulous! x

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  13. lauren, curious constellationJanuary 23, 2011 at 4:58 AM

    I need to sew desperately, I always want to but never seem to find the time. Your dresses are wonderful and show exactly what you can do without spending much.

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  14. veronika, tick tock vintage.January 23, 2011 at 5:35 AM

    i used to sew much more - shirts and dresses and stuff like that. now, i mainly sew pillowcases and i'm trying my hand at a quilt. it's hard stuff!

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  15. BryceJanuary 23, 2011 at 8:26 AM

    Those dresses are amazing!
    I try my hand at sewing. I mostly make skirts. But I love making dresses!

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  16. Kass DeBoerJanuary 23, 2011 at 9:21 AM

    I'm really happy you took a weekend to yourself. Those weekends can be the most productive, and needed. The garments you made are pretty, to say the least. I wish I knew you in real life so we could high-five!

    The craft section is ALWAYS my first stop when I go thrifting...Where I live though, the fabric is never enough to make dresses out of, maybe purse if I'm lucky.

    xoxo mama wolf

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  17. M.January 23, 2011 at 10:17 AM

    ahhhhhhhh that middle dress is so prettyyyyy!!

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  18. geeJanuary 23, 2011 at 10:38 AM

    kate you are amazing.

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  19. The Semi SweetJanuary 23, 2011 at 10:52 AM

    What beautiful fabrics!!! And you turned them into such great dresses! I wish I could sew a garment. I can only hem and make pillow cases:(

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  20. Starr CrowJanuary 23, 2011 at 2:16 PM

    these are AMAZZZZING!

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  21. AnonymousJanuary 23, 2011 at 5:46 PM

    Ohhhh these are so gorgeous!! From where do you get the patterns for your sewing projects?

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  22. ArielleJanuary 23, 2011 at 8:02 PM

    ahhhh, those dresses!! I'm very embarrassed to admit this but I actually have no idea how to sew! it's pretty pathetic in my eyes, especially being someone that loves vintage and clothing in general. I've been meaning to take up a few classes, it would make my life so much easier.

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  23. LouiseJanuary 23, 2011 at 9:36 PM

    Oh my goodness. I want to learn how to sew so badly. Good job, you are so talented!

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  24. KatJanuary 23, 2011 at 10:31 PM

    i sew occasionally, when i'm not too lazy :]

    i really enjoy making skirts, as they are practical (well maybe not practical.. but pretty!) and so very easy. they only take a little while, and if you have some fabric and elastic.. BAM a skirt.

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  25. Erin KimJanuary 23, 2011 at 11:12 PM

    Wahh!! I can't believe you made those! But then again I can because you're cool like that. I wish I had skills to make my own clothes! Those pieces are fabulous. Good for you for not being afraid of weird looks and stuff. :)

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  26. StephanieJanuary 24, 2011 at 2:40 AM

    Those are beautiful dresses, love them. I wish I could sew, I tend to make too many mistakes though :( xx

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  27. MirandaJanuary 24, 2011 at 8:39 AM

    Oh my gosh you made me want to buy a sewing machine so bad, my grandma taught me to sew a long time ago, I think I've forgotten, but I figure I will reteach myself one of these days.

    Beautiful pieces you created! www.indcfashion.com

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  28. vanessa porterJanuary 24, 2011 at 8:12 PM

    These are WONDERFUL!!! You've made me want to buckle down and sew again!! Did you use patterns for these?

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  29. sydneyJanuary 28, 2011 at 1:10 PM

    i am attacking your blog with comments today! i somehow missed this post, but it is SO inspiring. i'm currently trying to learn how to sew, so i am just so inspired by your dresses! they are wonderful!

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  30. SavannahJanuary 29, 2011 at 11:43 PM

    Those look so spendy!! I'm so impressed, I wish I could still sew, I haven't in ages.

    savannah-joyofliving.blogspot.com

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