CHEAT SEWING with your Singer

October 18, 2011

CHEAT SEWING with your Singer | Do you do it?

So yesterday, I showed you the little bias tape bracelet I made from my thrifted skirt.
That was only the beginning...but first I have a confession...and a question...

Do you cheat sew?
I have to admit I do...

Sure, I can sew a button back on a shirt...
Sure I can hem a basic curtain panel...
Sure I can piece together crafts with a sewing machine...
...but sew and fit an article of clothing out of a blank canvas of fabric...that looks GOOD? Nope...can't do it...

So I cheat sew! I use articles of clothing that already have seams and detailing and repurpose them into cute new items that look fabulous (because the bulk of the sewing is done by someone far more talented than me! First up, the dickie...I know, I know - the name is awful, but it is a great concept. Do you know what a dickie is? It is simple really. A dickie is a piece of fabric worn near or around the neck that looks like a full layered garment. The great part is that you don't have to deal with an extra layer of fabric, a whole extra shirt under your sweater or coat. Traditionally they are turtlenecks, but dickies come in a wide array of styles, and I decided to make mine a scarf-like dickie using the wide bottom hem of the skirt.

The next project is perhaps my favorite of the whole bunch. HOLD YOUR HORSES BECAUSE IF YOU SNEEZE YOU WILL MISS THE "PATTERN". It is so simple. This little clutch is made with two simple seams on the bottom and one side. I utilized the pleating from the front of the skirt, the rolled top hem and one side seam that were already present in the thrifted skirt. That is why it is cheating folks -- no patterns needed!

Do you see that top hem? Isn't it professional looking? I WISH I could sew that well, but until then...I'll be happy cheat sewing :)