Life sure has a way of interfering with our plans. I started sewing my wardrobe when there was only one Little that needed me part-time while her Mama worked. I sewed when I could.

Then there was a brand new Little that needed me full-time while her Mama worked. Instead of sewing, I snuggled, cuddled and fed a newborn. My Littles enriched my soul in ways I can't even describe. Two years later, she is in daycare full-time and I am living my best retired life.

This featured outfit consists of a red top and bottom that I drafted a few years back and consequently outgrew. I added black strips to the sides of both pieces. It was quite plain so I raided my scrap bag and added some fun to the hem of the top.

Red fabric is an upcycled sheet. Solid black is too. 

Remember...be you, be kind and have fun!

Yours,

 Phyllis aka Queen Sheet

Sydney, The New Girl In Town!

This is the Sydney designed by Opal Annie. You can find Sydney and other unconventional lagenlook sewing patterns here. 

I enjoy Opal Annie's fresh perspective and the ease with which one can utilize her affordable patterns. Although she is a designer she has not forgotten that the majority of us are not.  Her directions are clear, concise, and easy to follow. 

Yours,


 Phyllis aka Queen Sheet

My Modified Bloom...

The only thing better than the versatility of the Bloom from Tina Givens is the fact that the pattern is currently free. She is, at heart, a basic T-shaped dress and yet has the potential to be so much more.

This version is the result of my need to not waste fabric and interject more fun into my wardrobe. I have made it twice and have another in the works.

To make your own you will need the Bloom pattern and instructions,  your usual sewing supplies, yummy fabric, elastic, and a sense of adventure. (54 inch fabric makes for easier long sleeves.)

Please read this post in its' entirety before beginning.

1. Determine the length you want your top to be and cut it out using the bottom of the pattern as a guide to cut the bottom edge of your top. For reference,  I am 5'8" and my top was cut at 30". Elongate the sleeves by continuing the lines to the end of your fabric . If necessary you can add more fabric onto them.

You should now have this:

Clicking on the pics will show a larger one.

2.  Sew the shoulder, side, and sleeve seams. Finish your neckline. I always stay stitch my neckline before finishing to lessen the chances of my stretching it. Then because my fabric unraveled gloriously I simply ran a small zigzag stitch 1/4" from the edge. 

3. Now the magic happens! We will be using the leftover fabric (marked x") to assemble our frill/flounce/ruffle/bottom edge.

Measure the shorter edge and using half of that number cut the fabric in half lengthwise.

 You will have 4 sets of this:

Sew the eight pieces together in any order you wish to make one long uneven strip. Be sure the keep the straight edge across the top.

Run a zigzag stitch along the edge of the sides and bottom of the strip. Gather, ruffle, or pleat. 

5. Attach your strip to the bottom of your top. I sewed mine with wrong sides together so I could take advantage of the wonderful fray that the fabric gave me.

6. Sew casings for elastic in sleeves and cut your elastic with plenty of room for your arm. Thread elastic through and secure.

7. Snip all loose threads.

8. Put her on.

9. Find a mirror.

10. Admire your cleverness.

11. Smile!

Please post pics and a review of this tutorial on our Facebook page and be sure to share it with any sewing groups you are in.

Looking for a wonderful sewing group?  Here ya go! Tell them I sent you. ;)

As always... have fun,

 Phyllis aka Queen Sheet


P.S. I received permission from TG (via Christine her customer service rep) to post this using her Bloom.

When It All Comes Together

I feel like I have been sewing for the last 9 months for THIS outfit. A few times I wondered if it was "too much" and then I remember that I sew for my own joy.

The top is a modified Bloom designed by Tina Givens and I will be sharing a tutorial so you can make one, too. I dyed vintage Fontwell Old Roses by Hardy Fabrics with Rit Dye in the hopes it would grey the white background but instead got a pretty blue. Here are a few yummy details.

The maroon slip is designed by one of my two new favorite designers and the pants were designed by the other! The Sydney, by Opal Annie, will delight you whether she is your first make or fifty-first. The sheet I made this from had wrinkles that wished to remain so I stitched them in.

The Patchy Pants, by BMannByBridget, are quaranteed to make you smile while making and wearing them. This pair is not patched as the fabric was woven this way.

All in all this was an absolutely fun outfit to wear and three women stopped me to comment on it! What is on YOUR sewing table? Yours,

 Phyllis aka Queen Sheet

Any Day Less Waste Makes It To The Dump...

...is a great day!

Recycle, reuse, upcycle. It's all at the heart of Who Gives A Sheet. I will, from time to time, be featuring companies, organizations, and individuals that in some way are doing their part to insure that less textile waste makes it to the dump.

Today you can read about Eileen Fisher here.

What are you doing to help save our glorious earth?


Yours,


 Phyllis aka Queen Sheet

How To Dress Like A Five Year Old...

...and absolutely love it!

The list of things I admire about the spirited five year old that I spend lots of time with is extensive. She is, in fact, a force to be reckoned with.

I have always loved how she dresses because her style is fun, quirky, and just plain adorable.  While I have not yet gotten the nerve to wear a tutu I am trying to not take my clothing so seriously. This is supposed to be fun and free.

Today as I prepared to dress I thought of something Sophia told me once. "Monna, I pick a shirt and a bottom that I love and I put them on. Then, I wear my favorite shoes."

One can not make it much simpler than that! I wore my ruffled Zelda, white printed plinkas, and my Barbie tennis shoes. And I loved it!!!

Have fun with your clothes today!


Yours,


 Phyllis aka Queen Sheet

Jaqueline Sew Along~

I do so love, love, love this outfit. It is the Jaqueline dress/top/tunic made from a sheet and worn over a pair of bloomers I made from the matching pillow cases. The bloomers are ala Rhiannon's instructions.

I made a crop top from this pattern but not one for this set. ;) I have fabric picked out for "the one", tho. It's the solids in the pic. The print is for pockets.

I wore this to Dairy Queen and a lady there said, "You should sell that. I would buy it!" Color me happy!

What are you creating today?


Yours,


 Phyllis aka Queen Sheet

Empowering Women To Be Themselves~

Be encouraged. Become empowered. Be you!

Beautifully encouraging graphic from Laura Trevey.

Come hang out and share my journey into my becoming more me than I have ever been. Get empowered. Get encouraged. Get you!


Yours,


 Phyllis aka Queen Sheet

Somber Occasion...

...still dressed like me.

Found out Saturday night that calling hours were on Sunday for a friend of the family. Since my wardrobe consists of lots happy colors but nothing for a somber occasion I found a sheet and 1.5 yards of black fabric and got busy.

The top is a Jaqueline but I put the dip on both sides and used the sleeves that I made on a Bloom.

I love how it turned out even though at first it looked like a hospital gown. The jewelry helped! The crystal is from an old chandelier. ;)

Yours,


 Phyllis aka Queen Sheet

Epiphany~

I had an epiphany this weekend and gotta share. It seems the bolder I get the easier it is to be bold. Fears and cares are rolling off of me.

I was sitting at the graduation party for my niece and was talking to two other nieces and my sister-in-law when the topic of my clothes came up. 

Because of the heat (94 degrees) and my fear of wearing my fat arms bare in public it had been quite a chore to find something comfy to wear.

I settled on a RTW top and my Cara's. Cute and comfy for the win!

I was explaining that something as simple as making my clothes and dressing my style has made me happier than I have ever been and my S-I-L said, "I can tell."

All three of them had naked upper arms I mentioned how I feel it is silly of me to have come this far and still be wary of exposing my upper arms. Suddenly, it occurred to me that I sometimes wear wrinkled bed sheets for crying out loud so arms should not be that hard and I said so. We all had a good laugh. I do love hanging out with like minded women.

Today while struggling to find something to wear that would not be sweltering I made the decision to bare my arms. AND I DID. The funny thing is that not even one time did it occur to me that my arms were out in all their glory!

The heat and sweat plus the fact that this sheet was a horrid fabric does the Cara that it is no justice. But....ta-da!

I share this to encourage you. Be bold. Be brave. Be you!

Yours,


 Phyllis aka Queen Sheet