Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Sat May 05, 2012 5:38 pm

When it comes to 'the un-dead', the rougher the better.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Sat May 05, 2012 7:32 pm

Is that brocade ribbon on that shoulder?

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Mon May 07, 2012 9:01 am

I found this adorable tiny schoolgirl skirt and thought, 'why not'. It was a size NOTHING but I added two skinny belts and now it fits a large man. The open front gives the freedom to accessorize or not.

Drawingablank · Post by **Drawingablank** » Mon May 07, 2012 9:24 am

When I saw that easy access plaid skirt all I could think of was how perfect the drop seat section from a pair of old fashioned red long johns would look in that space.

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Mon May 07, 2012 9:35 am

I made some more Zombie coats. These are fun and I get to use up all my favorite T-shirts.

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Mon May 07, 2012 9:38 am

Don't ya just love, "Where the Wild Things Are"?

Post by **actiongrl** » Tue May 08, 2012 7:52 am

Ratty I love your thread!

Post by **actiongrl** » Tue May 08, 2012 7:55 am

Whoa. Just noticed you posted the Wild Things yesterday.
That's eerie, given that Maurice Sendak died this morning!

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Tue May 08, 2012 8:09 am

That's sad. He left behind some great and exciting kids books that will live on. When my son was little he memorized that book. He would recite it, (with pantomime), for anyone that asked. It was amazing and hilarious.

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Tue May 08, 2012 8:12 am

Hummmmmmmmmmm

Post by **Savannah** » Tue May 08, 2012 10:56 am

I thought of Ratty's timing too when I was listening to the radio this morning. And thought of awesome ePlayan Curiousgnate in his white fur "Max" suit (let the wild rumpus begin!)

One could do worse than dying at 83 having written children's books that will still be read in 100 years. R.I.P., Mr. Sendak.

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Sun May 13, 2012 9:46 am

This really hideous purple prom dress makes a beautiful luxurious cape. At night the cold weather can drive you into a plain warm coat. Throw a cape over it to feel 'super'.

The red channel at the top was cut from a cheap satin sheet. Very easy to make.

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Sun May 13, 2012 9:49 am

Little skirts make great accessories. I opened the seam at the back, took out the zipper and added some fur belt loops. One size fits all.

BoyScoutGirl · Post by **BoyScoutGirl** » Sun May 13, 2012 4:49 pm

I love the cape, Ratty!

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Mon May 14, 2012 9:13 am

These stretch velvet pants sparkle and wiggle. I sliced some cuts and wove gold shiney strips in and out. I sewed them in place. fun and easy. It would have been alot easier if I had used ribbon.

lazerfox · Post by **lazerfox** » Tue May 15, 2012 7:20 am

Question about the leather belts: what should I know about my sewing machine before I try to sew leather with it??

Drawingablank · Post by **Drawingablank** » Tue May 15, 2012 8:25 am

lazerfox wrote:Question about the leather belts: what should I know about my sewing machine before I try to sew leather with it??

Unless you have a heavy duty or industrial machine it will let you know instantly if you can sew leather on it usually by coming to a fast stop. Garment weight (soft, thin leathers) can be sewn by many machines, but belt weight leathers are typically harder to sew on a basic machine.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Tue May 15, 2012 9:44 am

Denim needles. I guess they don't make leather needles...

Post by **AntiM** » Wed May 16, 2012 4:59 am

theCryptofishist wrote:Denim needles. I guess they don't make leather needles...

They do. I have some.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Wed May 16, 2012 9:47 am

WEll, everyone should just take my word for it, over the word of a person who actually sews.

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Thu May 17, 2012 11:56 pm

This scotch plaid cape started life as monstrously BIG wrap-around skirt. It's warm, comfy and stylish if you like this kind of thing.

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Thu May 17, 2012 11:59 pm

This stupid cape is made of a snake patterned, cheap velvet skirt. I sewed two of those winter scarves around the top to tie it closed. the shiny rick-rack makes it bearable.

catinthefunnyhat · Post by **catinthefunnyhat** » Fri May 18, 2012 5:26 am

Ratty, that snake-patterned velvet is hilarious! Fun! And the plaid cape is beautiful...

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Fri May 18, 2012 4:06 pm

Ooooh, Ooooh, Ratty, look!

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Fri May 18, 2012 4:16 pm

Wow! What is that? A quilt, rug, pillows? Pretty...

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Fri May 18, 2012 4:25 pm

Included in this shipment... a limited stock of SPECTACULAR brightly colored, sequined and embroidered patchwork Indian tablecloths or wall tapestries. Gorgeous vintage-bohemian style. Each one unique!

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Fri May 18, 2012 5:00 pm

Sweet. Are you gonna use them as is or re-fashion them? Sorry... dinner time. We'll chat later.

lazerfox · Post by **lazerfox** » Mon May 21, 2012 2:20 pm

theCryptofishist wrote:
Included in this shipment... a limited stock of SPECTACULAR brightly colored, sequined and embroidered patchwork Indian tablecloths or wall tapestries. Gorgeous vintage-bohemian style. Each one unique!

I need to figure out how to open a store that sells that kind of stuff in FL. But then again, moving out west may be easier to do...decisions, decisions!

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Mon May 21, 2012 3:00 pm

I did buy one--to put on my wall at home. It's gorgeous, and even while $35 is a screaming deal, I'm too cheap to cut that apart for the playa. Plus with all the sequins on playa.

And it's backed.

But, Ratty, my first instinct was to let you know about this spectacular stuff in our back yard.

lazorfox, this is a page that gives you basic advise for starting one of these anywhere. (SCRAP is in San Francisco--across the bay--so it's not as near and dear to me, but I consider them also a worthy organization and I love being able to post this page.

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Thu May 24, 2012 7:21 pm

This little ladies coat caught my eye. I ripped out all of the padded lining. I took the sleeves off and opened up the side seams. Then I used them to make it bigger. You can see the sleeves pinned on with white pins just before I sewed them into place. No fancy seams. Just layed one fabric on top of the other and zip-zoom it was done. I cut off any excess and now it fits a medium sized man.

Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.

Re: Start with what you have. It's easier and cheaper.