Thrifting for a good cause

I'm a big fan of thrift stores. There are always treasures hidden on their shelves that you can bring home for under a dollar. It's even better when your dollar (or cents) goes to a great cause.  This local Fredericksburg thrift store is run by Hospice Support Care. When you shop here, your money goes to providing care for the seriously ill and bereaved.  You can find more information about Hospice here: www.hospicesupportcare.org.

pillowcase, scissors, seam ripper, stitch witchery

  

I ventured to this little gem to find myself a pillowcase. Why, you ask? For my next thrifty craft project.  Goal: one drawstring skirt.  I managed to pick up a pillowcase for a quarter.  Then, I gathered the necessary materials together.  In addition to what's pictured, you may want some fabric pins to help keep your seams straight.  You will also need an iron.

If you are like me, then you are not so handy at the hand-stitching or use of a sewing machine.  Don't be discouraged! You can still do this project.  At your local craft store, for $2.99, you will find a miraculous thing called Stitch Witchery.  This will allow you and your iron to create a hem instead of fighting with a needle and thread.  My skirt's hem took me less than 15 minutes.  If I had hand-stitched it (since I do not own a sewing machine) this same hem probably would have taken me hours--and been considerably more crooked.

For your drawstring waistband, you have a variety of options. You can use string, yarn, or shoelaces.  You could also use leftover fabric from the pillowcase if you choose to shorten it to get your skirt to your desired length.  I chose to use some ribbon I had in my craft room.  I cut three pieces and braided them together to make a thicker cord so it would be a bit more durable.

The skirt itself can be made in just a few steps.
1. Use that seam ripper to open the top end of your pillowcase.
2. Try the pillowcase on.  Feel a bit ridiculous? It's okay. This will help you gauge how much fabric needs to be cut off, if any.  If your pillowcase is thin, like mine, you may want to line it with a slip or another pillowcase to avoid any accidental indecent exposure :) I'm pretty short, so I chose to fold the excess length over and use it as a second layer.  My pillowcase was basically folded in half.  Once you've got your length figured out, mark the top edge with fabric pins or a pencil/fabric chalk.
3. Turn your skirt inside out. Fold over that top edge and press it with an iron.  Break out your Stitch Witchery (or your thread) and fuse or sew along the bottom edge of the seam you created.
4. Cut a hold in the front center of your hemmed waistband.  Thread through the drawstring you made.  It helps to tie a knot at the end.  I used a pencil to help push the drawstring through. 

Voila! A cute little skirt.