Fix Your Shirt!

Now it may seem like I buy a lot of clothes that don't fit, but it's just that my body is so unique! Not really--I tried on the pants and they fit in the store. And this super great shirt was a gift from my mom.

My dad was in Guadalajara, Mexico for 7 weeks as director of study abroad, mom visited and brought gifts. I did ask for a embroidered dress (yes, like to old Mexican ladies wear) and she delivered! (I wore it on the front porch and the neighbors laughed.) But this shirt was a surprise. I cannot overstate how much I love this shirt, however, it was a little boxy so I gave it some shape. Here's how it is done:

1. I pleated the sleeves. I folded the sleeve in half, measured down an inch from the point, and folded it open. I stitched it down with a coordinating thread.

2. I gathered the back. I measured a piece of 1/4 inch wide elastic to fit across my back when stretched. I marked a few inches from the side of the shirt on the inside of the shirt, about bra strap height. I sewed in the elastic on one side, make sure to backstitch to tack it in. I then stretched the elastic across to the other mark while sewing. Voile! Gathered by the elastic. Be sure to backstitch so it doesn't snap back at you!

I should have taken the sides in even more and I may, but that would require unpicking all that stitching! So, maybe I'll just get fat-cause that's another way to make your clothes fit!

Talk about getting fat.... one of the BEST cookies I've ever had was a Snickerdoodle from Harmon's bakery.

I finished one part of my media center pillow adventure:

But I forgot to take pictures of the pillows-can anyone guess why? It has something to do with a 20 month old with a really good arm-ouch!

Here's the best photo I got:

See, cool pillows. I'll teach you how to make them, and how to stick the big white fluffy square inside!

I'll get photos of all of them-and share instructions for making pillows, eventually!

So, take away message this week: Buy clothes you like-fit doesn't matter because you can sew them or eat Snickerdoodles to make them fit!