It’s time for another installment of Thrifty Threads, AKA Most Stylish Compact-y outfit, where readers model their favorite secondhand clothes.
A Compact-y outfit is used or recycled, from Goodwill, a thrift store, a consignment shop, ebay, freecycle, craigslist, a clothing swap, a yard sale, or anywhere else you find secondhand clothing.
Today’s model is Ruthie, wearing a super-cute thrifted dress for a holiday photo shoot at work. Ruthie is in the photo on the right, in that fantastic red and white print dress she got for $12 at her local thrift store. Ruthie says her best tip for shopping secondhand is to learn basic sewing because cute items that need to be hemmed, taken in, or repaired are more likely to be marked down, and sometimes even trashed. And hand embroidery can really personalize something as simple as a thrifted t-shirt into a favorite wardrobe piece. I like that advice! Along with saving money, your clothing is more unique and your outfits more creative. Ruthie is so accomplished at her talents that her profession is teaching sewing and embroidery. She works at a place called Sew Crafty, a “craft studio and sewing lounge”, whose mission is to help you make something. Wow, what a cool job!
Ruthie is from Houston, Texas, and she blogs about sustainable living at Sustainable Shire. She posts about food, fashion, and the natural beauty near where she lives. Everyone knows that nature is one of the best freebies there is. I love her project of posting the results of what she sews from each of these 10 simplicity patterns she bought on sale for $1 each. In this post, Ruthie shows photos of the cute top she made, plus a review of the results, including cost, what fabric she used, and what she learned. It’s a really detailed tutorial if you’re interested in learning how to sew. The cute patterns she bought might inspire you to give it a go!
Thanks Ruthie for that fantastic photo! Readers, it’s your turn. Put on your favorite secondhand outfit, snap a photo, and send it to me at barton.angela@gmail.com. Remember, we all love to see your fabulous finds, so don’t be shy. I’m almost out of photos, and I would love to get some party dresses and holiday outfits to post this month. Please put “Thrifty Threads” in the subject line so I can find it in my spam folder, where submissions often end up. I wonder if any of you thrift shoppers with sewing skills are making gifts this year from what you’re finding out there.
Do you sew or embroider? Do you shop secondhand? I wonder if any of you thrift shoppers with sewing skills are making gifts this year from what you’re finding out there. Please share in the Comments section. And click here to check out previous installments of Thrifty Threads.
Leave a Reply