Converting a fitted single bed sheet into a jacket. Dress of the Day 339
I looked at a fitted single bed sheet. I want a new outfit.
The single bedsheet is too small for my double bed. It does not match anything else. I could loosen the elastic at the corners and use it as an emergency bed cover sheet, just on my side of the bed, when sleeping alone in the six foot wide double bed, perhaps when having an afternoon nap, when my large duvet cover, washed first thing in the morning and hung out to dry, is not yet dry from the washing and airing. But it does not match a pillowcase. I have no need to keep it for the bed. I have too many sets of bedding. I have not the energy to change the bedding every day for the novelty. But I do like to wear a new outfit every day. I can never have too many clothes. Yes, I might as well convert the spare fitted sheet into an outfit I can wear.
Cutting
However, the challenge of converting the item, with the elastic still in it, overwhelms me. I start by holding it over my shoulders like a cape, so see how long it needs to be. Can I cut it horizontally half way down? That would be easiest to measure, and quickest. However, I suspect that a longer cape and a shorter dress or skirt would be possible, and require cutting further down, two thirds of the way.
Internet Instructions
How about an internet search. Surely somebody else must have tried this.
I found a young lady in the USA who made a bed sheet into a dress. It took her 30 hours. She used a dress model to hang her favorite clothes to find a favourite neckline to copy and pin the parts She measure properly. She used a sewing machine. She still makes mistakes, sewing buttonholes in the wrong place, sewing a button on upside down so the good side is against the fabric.
She admitted to losing heart half way through and not wanting to finish the project. I like that. Realistic.
Her video told me two important facts. Not everybody is a professional with a sewing machine. There is room in the world for outfits you just wear around the house. Therefore there is room on the internet for somebody like me doing a less than perfect project.
Meanwhile, two days pass. Then I pass by the abandoned bed sheet and pick up the pinking shears. I can hold the corners over my shoulders and cut the sheet at ankle length. I snip one side at ankle length.
How can I be sure of cutting it straight, when I am in such a hurry, in such an impatient mood? The pattern has almost horizontal lines. I folded it in half lengthwise, then in half again. I cut from the snip. It is done.
I now have a waist length jacket. And an ankle length jacket. But how do I cut the sleeve slit? Horizontally? Or vertically?
Let's look at the cape blazer, my favourite style, hanging in the bedroom. It does not require a fitted sleeve, but arms free which is cool in hot weather, in summer or in Singapore which is tropical all year. Looking at the cape blazer, it is really a look coat with a cape attached. Maybe I should sew the shorter piece of the bed sheet onto the longer one to make one garment.
Useful website
Bed sheet dress made with a sewing machine, 28-30 hours.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_vtYmsRaA4
Wrap around dress from about two yards of stretchy material.
About the author of this blog post
BIOGRAPHY
Angela Lansbury B A Hons ACG ALB PM5 EH5 DL5 VC5
The Author of several books including Etiquette For Every Occasion. Wedding Speeches & Toasts. How to be the Best Man. Quick Quotations. Who Said What When.
Blogs travelwithangelalansbury.blogspot.com
dressofthedayangela.blogspot.com
Braddell Heights Advanced Toastmasters Speakers Club Vice President Public Relations (VPPR), Previous President
Join BHA 1st Wednesday 7pm and 3rd Saturday 2 pm Singapore time
Vice President Public Relations (VP PR) of Tampines Changkat Advanced;
Secretary of weekly online Singapore International Dynamic Toastmasters Speakers’ Club;
Member and past president of Harrovians toastmasters club, UK; Past member of HOD Toastmasters, London. Past member in Singapore of: Toastmasters Club of Singapore (TCS); Tiarel; and Senja Cashew.
More details from Toastmasters International find a club.
Regular attendee at annual Swanwick Writers’ School, England.
Regular attendee at annual Writers’ Holiday, Wales.
Contributor to poetry readings, and after tea courses on: Speaking On Radio To Promote Books; and Plots And Character.
Winner of many club and area speaking contests in the UK and Singapore.
Language advisor to Empire Toastmasters club in Indonesia.
Language and speech workshops in Singapore.
Speaker on radio and TV in England, Scotland, the USA, and Australia.
Compiler of a school course on public speaking for teachers to prepare pupils for school open days with attending ceremonies before government ministers, Singapore.
Former member of Harrow Writers’ Circle, London, and two writing groups in Singapore.
Angela is on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Twitter. She would be delighted to link up with new friends.
Books by Angela Lansbury
How to be the best man. (Ward Lock / Cassell.)
Wedding Speeches and Toasts.(Ward Lock / Cassell.)
Unforgettable British Weekends.
Poetry Workshop Workbook.
The Tailor and the Spy. (Lulu.)
Larry The Talking Labrador. (Lulu.)
Writing Poetry for fun.
Quick Quotations
Who Said What When
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