Plaid on Plaid

 Hello Readers. I really love pattern mixing and here is a post about more of it. I wanted to put some plaid with plaid. When I found this plaid fabric for just a few bucks at a thrift store. I decided to make a skirt that I could match with a plaid shirt.

Plaid on plaid?

Fabric can be expensive. When I find cute fabric at the thrift store, I always try to buy it because it is usually much cheaper. I always put it in the washer immediately. I wash and dry it well and then store it for later use.

 

I decided to use the wrap skirt pattern from this book. It is a favorite pattern because it is easy and I know it fits. I also like wrap skirts because they always fit. If I eat a lot of cookies today, I know this skirt will still fit tomorrow. 

This skirt has a lot of tucks to make the fit at the waist work out. 

 

I ironed all the tucks. I used some steam and some spray starch to make the skirt smooth and crisp.
 

 Then I added the waistband with ties to close the skirt.

 

I made the skirt at a below the knee length and it didn't feel right. 

 

I wasn't liking this length on me, but I included it to show different options.

 

I liked the shorter length better on me. I also really like the 2 patterns together. Plaid on plaid? Yes, I think it's a fun look. Thanks for reading along, now go make something fun for yourself.

***Year End Update***- I liked this plaid on plaid combo a lot! Where did I put the skirt? I don't know... Maybe I need to clean my closet.

 

 

 

 

 

Not Tonight Honey

 Hello Readers. I found some great vintage flannel at a thrift store a while back. (A "while" could be a week or many months. It's vague.) It was very pretty but also had a fun vintage color scheme. I made it into a fabulous night gown, not a sexy nightgown, a very comfy granny nightgown.

Sexy? No. Stylish? No. Enticing? No. Comfy as heck? YES!!

To make this nightie I needed a pattern that would work with the small piece I had. I used the Luna Tank pattern from Helen's Closet Patterns. It's free online to download. 

I cut out the tank top but I just made it really long. My fabric was limited so I just made it fit the best I could.

I used my serger to connect the front and back pieces. 

 

The pattern called for using bias tape to finish the neckline and armholes. I decided to use some lace trim.
 

 

To finish the neckline and armholes I used the lace trim from this green dress I refashioned 2 years ago. This lace has been sitting in a bin waiting to be used because I save everything. 

 

This was probably the most comfortable thing I have ever made. 5 stars. Would recommend. Thanks for reading along, now go make something super cozy for yourself.

***Year End Update- This flannel isn't sexy but I am cozy at night when I wear it.

Fixing a Bleach Accident

 Hello Readers. Do you ever bleach clothes that should never be bleached? That's exactly what I did. Oops!

 

Before and after.

 

I put this jacket and flannel shirt together over a year ago and I loved it. Unfortunately, it had a terrible accident. And it was all my own fault.

 

I put it in the washer with a load of towels and added bleach, not realizing until too late that the new shirt was in the wash too.

 

I was very disappointed. I loved the gray and white plaid flannel shirt/jacket. There was no way to put the gray plaid back on the shirt. The plain white looked awful and really bland.

I had an idea to make the shirt look better. My old friend Rit Dye. (Not an ad. They do not know me.)

I mixed up the dye on my stove as directed. I stirred it around to get the dye evenly applied. 

 

When 30 minutes had passed it looked like this. 

 

I picked green because I like green and it's perfect for St. Patrick's Day this month. I hope your St, Patrick's Day is full of fun shenanigans.

 

 It also works with my Yoda shirt. Thanks for reading along, now go make something fun and green for yourself. 

***Year End Update- I love green so this was a winner for me. I did feel a little like a gym teacher in this outfit though.

Mother Son Flannel

 It's been a rough week or so at my house. My youngest was sick. And then the older son got it. It's actually the perfect time for these cozy flannel clothes. 

 

Before and after.

 

We all need cozy clothes to wear at home while we eat chicken noodle soup, right?

 

These were men's flannel pajama pants so I had plenty of fabric to make some shorts for myself. I could have made pants but I wanted to make something else as well.

I used a pair of sweat pants to make my son a pair of plaid pajama pants.

 

I cut out 2 legs and put them together. 

I added some stretchy ribbing as a waistband. 

 

I told my son we had to take a picture of these pants. I offered candy as a bribe. Without any direction, he struck a casual yet professional pose.
 

I removed the Italia logo from the sweatshirt to see what I had left to work with. . 

Then I decided to cut the sweatshirt up the front so it would be open like a jacket. I replaced the logo with left over plaid fabric.

I had a matching casual pajama set that was perfect for being lazy and staying home with my son.He is sick but the fever is gone and he is back to playing with Legos all day. I hope y'all are well. Get plenty of fluids and rest. And go make something fun for yourself, if you are up to it. 

*Year End Note From Chickie- These matching jammies were fun and the open sweatshirt was actually nice to wear. It was better for taking on and off if I got too warm. 

 

Corduroy Joy #1

 Hello Readers. It is getting colder. That means it's time for warm fabrics like corduroy and flannel! I love them both, they are so warm and cozy.

 I got this tan pair of corduroys as hand-me-downs and I am so glad I did. I thought maybe they would be a good match for this cozy flannel shirt. (I have no idea where I got the flannel shirt..) I did not like this outfit as it was. I look like a basic suburban dad. I look like my dad. (No offense to dads. I just don't want to dress exactly like my dad.) Let's get to work. 

The first thing I did was customize these corduroy pants to my size. This was easy. I just stitched my way down each side and gave them a new hem. Quick and easy!

I still wanted to do something to jazz up this flannel shirt. I wanted to try a bleach effect. I mixed a cup of bleach into a gallon of water and soaked the bottom of the shirt and sleeves in the water.

I let it sit about 45 minutes and I got a surprise. It turned pink! I did not expect pink. I thought it would get lighter and tan colored. I thought it would match the tan corduroys in color. Things don't always go the way we think they will. That's just life.

I liked the pink but I didn't like it with these tan corduroy pants. It just did not look the way I thought it would. 

I put the flannel shirt with some off-white pants and I think it worked better. 

And as for the tan corduroy pants... maybe a plain off-white top? When in doubt, I grab something off-white.

 Thanks for reading along, now go make something fun for yourself. 

***Chickie's Year End Review-These corduroys are good but that flannel is a true favorite.