Thrifting + DIY = Curtain to Kimono and DIY crafts

One of my good friends buys sheets from thrift stores to test sewing patterns. Secondhand sheets are always cheap and if the pattern doesn’t work, it’s no great loss, the old sheets can still be used as rags. I’ve been looking at lots of DIY tutorials for kimono tops and beach cover ups and decided I wanted to give one a try.

I was lucky enough to score a piece of white eyelet or broderie anglaise fabric from the thrift store for free. Yes, that’s right, free! It was in a bin out the front and I’m guessing the reason it was free was due to some staining on the bottom corner. It was a 70 inches square with button holes along one top edge. I first thought it was a tablecloth or one part of a doona cover, but my final conclusion is a curtain. And I suspect the stains are mould which will come out with lemon juice and salt or good old bleach. I also bought some small pom pom fringing for 69 cents a yard, but realized when I got home, I only had two yards, when I had asked for four yards. The lady in the fabric store was too engrossed talking about The Crocodile Hunter. Yes that’s right, she cold pick my accent as Australian because of Steve Irwin. Whilst I love Steve, I hope my accent isn’t as strong as his! I loosely based my top on Christine Kobzeff’s YouTube tutorial. I love how Christine brings things back to basics, using her lounge room floor to lay out the fabric, no fancy cutting board or rotary cutter. And the sewing machine is on top of an ironing board operated by a very handy partner, friend or husband! At first I was confused with Christine’s lovely model hands and her sewing hands! ;)

Working from Christine’s instructions, I drew up some ideas and measurements as I went along…

I ended up with three pieces, 1 x 42″ x 33″ (back) and 2 x 19″ x 33″ (front). I was going to angle the neckline, but I got lazy and decided against it. I wanted to keep it as basic as possible. Another possibility would be to cut a section out for the neck, but I wanted shoulder seams to keep it sitting nice. The cover up has two seams, lots of hemming and straight stitching and that is basically it. I did French seams on the shoulders to keep it looking neat on the inside. Then hemmed the sides, bottom and front edges. I didn’t end up adding the pom poms because I didn’t have enough.

This is the neck line once the pieces are joined together.

It was then pinning, re-pinning, measuring to get the side seams the right distance to create a flowing feel. The eyelet fabric isn’t the best thing to use for this style of top, I’d probably go for a cotton viscose for a more flowing effect. My side seams were 4.5″ in from the edges, but it is really up to you as to how loose or close to your body you want the top to look. I then added two 2″ long button holes at the waist to feed the belt through. I had enough fabric to make a matching belt, but for now, I’m using an off white tie I had from a previous garment, which is actually a wide grosgrain ribbon, which works just as well and could possibly be a nice contrast to your top.

The Front and The Back.

And there you have it! This pattern could also be used for a light weight dressing gown, just by adjusting the length. With the tie at the waist, the top can be tied back or around the waist depending on how you want to wear it.

Happy sewing and thrifting!

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