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Sunday, March 18, 2012

$5 DIY Bed Sheet Dress

While hunting for a paisley bed sheet (wasn't having luck finding it as a fabric), I found this multi-colored stripe sheet (flat twin sheet for $5) and decided to try it out in preparation for the day when / if I come across a paisley sheet.

There are several advantages to sewing with a bed sheet:
  • large, continuous piece of fabric (roughly 70x100")
  • machine-washable
  • soft relative to the stiff cotton blends found in the fabric store 
  • good value (only $2/yard in this case)
DIY Bed Sheet Dress
Amrita Singh Sag Harbor Necklace, Lapis 
Gap Belt
Talbots Chunky Heel City Sandals
Can you believe the summer-like weather we're having in March?!

Close-up view of the colors and stripes

 How would you feel about wearing a bed sheet?  :)
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61 comments:

  1. AnonymousMarch 18, 2012 at 3:27 PM

    Love this idea! And I know I've seen some great patterned sheets at the secondhand store. Did you use a pattern? -Marissa

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    1. SewPetiteGalMarch 18, 2012 at 8:30 PM

      Hi Marissa - thank you! I loosely based this dress on Burda 7556 but raised the neckline and made a smaller skirt because I thought I was going to run out of fabric. But I think there are a lot of these fit and flare type dress patterns if you're looking for one. I just made one from Simplicity 2444 and really liked it (will be in future post!). Hope this helps!

      Delete
  2. AnonymousMarch 18, 2012 at 3:30 PM

    Oh my gosh SPG :) You are so talented :) I love your rendition of bed sheet dress! And I would definitely wear one if it looked like that!

    katattack2000.wordpress.com

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    1. SewPetiteGalMarch 18, 2012 at 8:51 PM

      Aw, thank you so much! I will be scouring the bedding section from now on :)

      Delete
  3. AnnaMarch 18, 2012 at 4:16 PM

    This is a gorgeous dress - I really like the fit and style. I can only imagine what I'd be doing during all my free time if I knew how to sew half as well as you can.

    I have something for you to mull over on eBay. I was hoping to simply cut and paste the link but blogger and iPad have conspired so I can't paste anything to the comment form. Instead go over to eBay and search item number: 320858285001 :D

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    1. SewPetiteGalMarch 18, 2012 at 8:33 PM

      You are so awesome - thanks for the suggestion! This paisley is definitely the large paisley print I was looking for. Now I just need to ponder the color :)

      Delete
  4. AnnaMarch 18, 2012 at 4:17 PM

    P.S - in case you haven't searched by item number in eBay before just copy and paste it into the search box. Easy as that.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Petite-ishMarch 18, 2012 at 4:45 PM

    Haha reminds me of one of my favorite movies, when Capt. von Trapp thinks all of his children's play clothes look familiar, and it turns out to be made from his former curtains.

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    1. SewPetiteGalMarch 18, 2012 at 8:52 PM

      LOL, they re-did that scene in that Amy Adams / Patrick Dempsey movie too (some kind of fairy tale movie?)

      Do you have a blog? Would love to read it!

      Delete
  6. AnonymousMarch 18, 2012 at 5:15 PM

    Love the idea. I wouldn't have thought of turning a bed sheet into a dress. :P I really like that pattern!

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    1. SewPetiteGalMarch 18, 2012 at 8:53 PM

      Thanks Jessy! There's also a polka dot sheet I have my eye on LOL

      Delete
  7. Amber @ EasyPetiteLooks.comMarch 18, 2012 at 5:31 PM

    lol, i love your last question. i think that paisley would look amazing in this simple cut, too

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    1. SewPetiteGalMarch 18, 2012 at 8:53 PM

      Haha - reminds me of those long-ago toga parties back in college :P Can't wait to get my hot little hands on a paisley sheet!

      Delete
  8. KeilexandraMarch 18, 2012 at 9:15 PM

    Looks a lot like Anthro's Correspondence Dress, which is in silk and a tad more detailed, but not by much. My friend just bought it today for $120--I think yours is a better deal!

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    1. SewPetiteGalMarch 21, 2012 at 8:24 PM

      Thank you! I'll have to look up this dress - Anthro has the cutest dress designs :)

      Delete
  9. SusanMarch 18, 2012 at 9:44 PM

    The dress looks wonderful :) I have another DIY suggestion for the future.. what about a nautical dress, to match the nautical bracelets you made? :)
    You also look so classy and sophisticated with your glasses!

    And btw, I ordered the J.Crew Factory Dress you reviewed awhile back (the one that you said was too orange.) I ordered in the white, which was actually more cream-ish, and I love it! (hubby loves it too.) I honestly would never even have looked at it if it hadn't been for your review; it fit so nicely on you so I wanted to give it a try. The only downside is that there were no sales when I ordered, so it was $98.. I'm hoping that maybe there will be in-store sales (does Factory even do that), so I can get a courtesy price adjustment when I visit the store later this week (hopefully?)

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    1. SewPetiteGalMarch 21, 2012 at 8:29 PM

      Aw, thanks Susan! I have made a couple of striped dresses and a nautical skirt in the past but could always go for more :D

      So glad that the J. Crew dress worked out for you! And yes, they definitely do have in-store sales. In fact, there's a coupon for 20% off through 4/8 for purchases over $125:
      http://ebm.e.jcrew.com/c/tag/hBPVi17BgTeL6B8hNS6Nshk1RJY/doc.html?
      Hope you get your price adjustment!

      Delete
  10. 20 YORK STREETMarch 18, 2012 at 10:19 PM

    Oh my, that is so so cool!

    You made this pretty dress out of a bed sheet?! Wow, I wish I have that talent!

    oxo,

    ML
    www.twentyyork.com

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  11. BlogLoveTherapyMarch 18, 2012 at 10:47 PM

    Wow that came out great! I would have never thought of using bed sheets. Very very creative...

    bloglovetherapy.blogspot.com

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    1. SewPetiteGalMarch 21, 2012 at 8:52 PM

      Thank you! I loved the softness and value aspect of it - just couldn't resist :)

      Delete
  12. AnonymousMarch 19, 2012 at 2:50 AM

    I haven't sewn with a bedsheet (yet), primarily because I haven't found one that had the right print, but I have used curtains and a tablecloth. It is a great way to get cheap, interesting fabric. One of my favorite dresses that I made last year was from a curtain. This is an adorable dress, but then I expect nothing less from you, since we have the exact same taste in clothes.

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    1. SewPetiteGalMarch 21, 2012 at 8:51 PM

      I remember those DIYs - the ones thrifted, right? They turned out beautifully! I really like the home decor fabrics (such gorgeous prints) but the majority of them say they aren't washable so I'm a little wary. But maybe this just means I need to look harder for washable ones?

      Delete
  13. AnnieMarch 19, 2012 at 3:42 AM

    Such a fun idea - the dress looks SO cute! And I'm lovin' that necklace :)

    Annie
    The Other Side of Gray

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    1. SewPetiteGalMarch 21, 2012 at 8:53 PM

      Thanks Annie! I love the drama of this necklace and also love that I got it during a sample sale for a great price :)

      Delete
  14. mitchinheelsMarch 19, 2012 at 5:20 AM

    Great post! i adore your work here darling!
    btw,im following u now via bloglovin and gfc.
    hope u can check out my blog and return the favor if u like,

    Mitch,xx

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  15. simplyvonneMarch 19, 2012 at 6:57 AM

    I love how you did the stripes going down for the top and the skirt the stripes going horizontal. Great DIY, Wish I can sew!!!

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    1. SewPetiteGalMarch 23, 2012 at 8:36 PM

      Thanks Yvonne! If you're interested, you can first try little projects for your daughter. Since they outgrow everything so quickly, it doesn't really matter if something isn't perfect :)

      Delete
  16. SSMarch 19, 2012 at 8:38 AM

    I really think you made such a beautiful dress. I really admire your talent (I said that already right?)

    Your necklace is so beautiful... Love it!

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    1. SewPetiteGalMarch 23, 2012 at 8:41 PM

      Thanks so much! I am very encouraged now to use more bedsheets for projects :)

      Delete
  17. UnknownMarch 19, 2012 at 10:33 AM

    This is gorgeous and love how the top part is vertical hile the skirt is horizontal!!

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    1. SewPetiteGalMarch 23, 2012 at 8:41 PM

      Thank you! I didn't think anyone would notice that :)

      Delete
  18. Bravoe RunwayMarch 19, 2012 at 10:43 AM

    WOW that is awesome, you did a fabulous job! $2/yard using a bed sheet to construct a dress is genius! Both skirts you saw in the posts are from the interior design company where my mom works. So it may rain this wknd in Chicago which is not good because I am photographing for April!

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    1. SewPetiteGalMarch 23, 2012 at 8:42 PM

      Ahh, so that's where the artsy side of your mom comes from! Makes total sense now :)

      Delete
  19. With Each Passing DayMarch 19, 2012 at 11:23 AM

    Wow you did an amazing job. I would have never known that the dress was made from a bed sheet. The dress looks classy and sophisticated.

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  20. Chocolate Cookies & CandiesMarch 19, 2012 at 11:41 AM

    This is incredible! It's amazing what you'd done with a bed sheet. I can't even sew so this to me, is akin to an impossible feat.

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  21. lisacngMarch 19, 2012 at 12:09 PM

    I love that you contrasted the direction of the stripes for the top and bottom. And look, a face with the body! Yay! You picked a non-bed looking sheet, so why not for $5?! Love the belt and shoes too. Great outfit. How do you find time to sew with all the busyness of kids and work?!

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    1. SewPetiteGalMarch 23, 2012 at 8:44 PM

      Thanks Lisa! I found another bedsheet with polka dots so am now thinking about making something with that :)

      As for being busy, it helps that I'm taking a year off of work to be with the kiddos :)

      Delete
  22. TiffanyMarch 19, 2012 at 12:42 PM

    Seriously, so cute! I love your creativity.

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  23. CMarch 19, 2012 at 1:32 PM

    I'm sold on wearing bedsheets after you mentioned the fabric is soft compared to other types (cheap helps too, hehe). The print is cute and perfect for spring :)

    PS and off topic - I'm thinking of either buying curtains/drapes or buying fabric and asking my bf's sister to make us some curtains. Do you think bed sheet-type fabric is something that I can consider for this little project? Or should I stick with heavier and stiffer fabric?

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    1. SewPetiteGalMarch 23, 2012 at 8:48 PM

      Thanks Cee! Best of luck on your search for the perfect drapery fabric! What kind of theme / style / color are you looking for?

      Delete
  24. Style, She WroteMarch 19, 2012 at 3:50 PM

    AWESOME work! What a great steal! xo style, she wrote

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  25. JustPatienceMarch 19, 2012 at 7:52 PM

    The dress looks amazing on you and it doesn't look like a sheet dress. I love the yellow tone on the dress matching with the cute shoes.

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    1. SewPetiteGalMarch 23, 2012 at 8:49 PM

      Thanks Patience! Yellow shoes are so much fun - just looking at them makes me smile :)

      Delete
  26. QTMarch 19, 2012 at 8:09 PM

    Wow...good work on that dress! :)

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  27. LePetiteLemonMarch 19, 2012 at 10:22 PM

    Love that there are no cons to using a bed sheet to make a dress! It looks so lovely and flattering on you! Hopefully you find your dream paisley design soon! :)

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    1. SewPetiteGalMarch 23, 2012 at 8:50 PM

      Thank you!! How's the pregnancy going? I've been missing your posts!

      Delete
    2. LePetiteLemonMarch 27, 2012 at 10:05 AM

      You're welcome! Pregnancy has been going well, but I've been lazy with posts and dressing up!! I'm visiting my family for the week and I realized that I brought the same three types of tunic shirts! No variety at all! =P I'm trying super hard not to buy anything new, so I'm no fun now! >_<

      Delete
  28. Haus of StyleMarch 20, 2012 at 2:27 PM

    Only you would think of making a bedsheet into a dress! So creative and beautiful, I love the print!

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  29. MimiMarch 20, 2012 at 10:29 PM

    that is so cool! i think i would consider wearing a bed sheet if it ends up being as fab as your dress! :)

    <3, Mimi
    http://whatmimiwrites.blogspot.com/
    Fashion To Figure Giveaway

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  30. UnknownMarch 21, 2012 at 5:09 PM

    You are so talented SPG- I can't stand it!!! I love the light stripe colors and it turned out amazing.

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    1. SewPetiteGalMarch 23, 2012 at 8:53 PM

      Thanks Annie! You always know just what to say *blushes* :)

      Delete
  31. mauishopgirlMarch 21, 2012 at 10:18 PM

    You are like a real life Scarlett O Hara! I love the dress and your'll be the only one who has it.

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