Sharon Sews

Polka dots. Who doesn't love polka dots? When I saw this Anthro apron I knew I needed a polka dot apron.  I mean, you'd want a polka dot apron after seeing this, right? Here's mine.  Sweet and simple.  Pattern : Butterick 4945 Fabric : 1-5/8 yards of black and white polka dot cotton/lycra blend Time: 1-1/4 hours from cutting to photographing Pattern changes: Add a self-fabric bow in place of a ribbon bow Do yo have a polka dot apron? *********************************************

Near the beginning of the summer season, I saw an adorable menswear top at Anthropologie. It was a simple strapless cami with an elastic waist and ruffled edge. When I saw the price of the top (originally $68, now marked down to $29.95) I immediately thought that a similar strapless cami inspired by the design could easily---and more economically---be sewn using a men's dress shirt. So here you go. A super quick tutorial on how to refashion a men's shirt into a cami. One man's dress shirt + elastic + bias tape + thread + a few hours = ruffled strapless cami. Begin with a men's button front, long sleeve dress shirt. Best to choose a size L or larger. Lay the shirt on a flat cutting surface. Draw a horizontal line from underarm to underarm. Cut the shirt along the line you just drew. If your shirt had a breast pocket, carefully remove the remainder of the pocket. Don't worry if a bit of the stitching lines still show as it will be covered by the...

Reversible pillows from Anthropologie . Gorgeous fabric fronts, piped edges, side zip, with a coordinating fabric back. Display pillow with gorgeous fabric facing out. Turn the pillow over and it's reversible. Simple. Sizes range from 18" x 30" to 24" x 24" Only $78 to $118. One more reason I'm glad I sew. And if you need a tute on how to create a piped-edge pillow with a side zip entry let me know and I'll put one together.