Yard sales are scarce 'round these parts. Scarce I tell ya! Oh and it pains me so not to be able to go yard sales and estate sales as often as I used to. And you've heard me mention the thrift stores before. Well, I won't go into too much detail but I will say I have determined that there is nothing, nor will there ever be anything, I need at the thrift store or the pawn shop in town. Neither the pawn shop or the thrift store/laundry mat are bringing in new merchandise and I've seen what they got and I don't need any of it. Not having yard sales, estate sales, and thrift stores brimming with merchandise at my fingertips is a major life change for me. Seriously.
That being said, a couple of weeks ago I actually got to go to 3 yard sales. The pickins were slim, but I did walk away from one sale with a small sack full of clothing items for 50 cents. I had to search to find a bag full of things I wanted and I wasn't sure we would ever use some of the things I walked away with. I added this really ugly, orange dress with a purple lace collar to my bag. I had plans for it.
Step 2. Cut off the dress to make it shorter. José wanted it to remain a "dress" rather than a shirt, but I knew she wouldn't be able to wear it with bare legs as she envisioned many more days this year, so I cut it a little shorter than I would want for a traditional dress. She will be wearing leggings or jeans under it most of the time, so now it can pass as a shirt too.
Step 2: Sew up that ragged edge. I've sewn lots of curtains and such in my past, but I am always intimidated by something as simple as seams that must be straight. I have learned that the key to not throwing your sewing machine out the window in a fit of rage is in the preparation. It's just like any other dang thing. It takes longer to get everything measured, folded over and ironed, and pinned than it takes to run the thread into the fabric.
Step 4: Turn it inside out and sew a new straight seam down both sides of the dress to make it fit a little better. When finished, cut away the old seam. Just taking it in about a 1/2" on each side took it from "I'm wearing my big sister's hand me downs 'cause that's all I got." to "I got this at a custom boutique and I am as cute as a button on a string."
So, for about 50 cents divided by 5 pieces of clothing purchased in that one yard sale bag = 10 cents plus the cost of the thread (that I already had), José had a new-to-her top that was cute enough for her first day of school!
I love it! How is she enjoying preschool? McCade LOVES it!
ReplyDeletePrecious. Nanny would be proud of you. Good job.
ReplyDeleteHer dress is so cute! I want to learn to be that crafty. You remind me of my mother, who would also loved yard sales, thrift stores and had an excellent eye for bargins. (Not to mention sewing and knitting) Great job!
ReplyDeleteCeleste, She enjoys preschool. Mostly. Thanks. I got your email.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mom. Yeah, she would like it too wouldn't she? 10 cent dress??? That is good even for NANNY!
Thanks Katie. I think my crafty/sewing skills are no where near as good as some of the people that write some of the blogs I read, but I am getting better. It is best to have a foundation..(like my Nanny and my Mom taught me the basics of sewing) then it is easier to pick it up again (20 or so years later) and teach yourself. But if you really want to learn and don't have a "foundation" go to youtube. Ha. But seriously.
Don't fret about the yard sales. Gadsden had only 9 in the paper Saturday. As you know usually there are a lot more this time of year. Didn't go to any of them. I enjoy reading your blog. You are having quite an adventure so far away from Alabama. I live in Ballplay outside of Hokes Bluff. Happy Blogging.
ReplyDeleteLooks great Hayley!!!
ReplyDeletewolfek, I am glad you are reading along with us! Keep in contact!
ReplyDeleteThanks Phyllis.
It's time for a new post HayHay.
ReplyDelete