Upcycle a Vintage Vera Sheet Set to a Cute Skirt

It was the strangest sound.

I noticed it as soon as I woke up that morning. Not that I recognized it right away. All I comprehended was the feeling it gave me. So relaxed, calm and serene but not sure why. I went about my usual routine, wondering what was different this particular morning, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it.

And then, at around mile five of my fifteen mile drive to work, through the rural Grande Ronde Valley, it dawned on me.  Why the change? Why so relaxed? It was a slow realization, not like the kind that hits you square in the face, but it was that slightly green winter wheat field on the left side of the highway that made me start to understand the sound.

We’d gotten so used to it. It had become a constant. Running from the house to the car. Fighting it as I drove across the marsh each day. The high pitched moan coming through the ill fitting windows of my classroom. Everything so hectic, so frantic, and so exhausting. It was almost deafening when it quit. But it actually took me awhile to realize what it was.

Finally, after weeks, it had stopped.

The gale force wind was gone.

Ahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!! What a relief!

But, do you know what the best thing about that is?

It means, spring really IS right around the corner.

You see, Eastern Oregon has this wonderful way of giving you a glimpse into the warmer months ahead, just when you need it most. It’s perfect. Like it knows you need a break. Like it’s trying to say, you CAN do it, you CAN make it through this.

I love the weather here. Exactly three months of each season. To me, its just right. It would be hard for me to live in a place where one or more of the seasons were missing because I enjoy each one.

That means less than a month of winter left. Sooooooo, I thought it would be fun to have a pre-season spring refashion today. Something to give you a reassuring glimpse into the warmer months ahead.

Check out this thrift store sheet and pillowcase that I’ve had for over a year. When I pulled it out and unfolded it, I got a big surprise. I didn’t notice the signature when I snagged it during one of the two dollar bag sales.

YAY! Can you believe it???!!!?

A vintage Vera sheet set!

Score!!!

Vera Neumann was an American artist whose built an empire in the fifties, sixties and seventies putting her colorful graphic designs on linens and scarves. Her work was even loved by the likes of Marilyn Monroe and John Lennon. There are many sites out there dedicated to this talented woman but here is a good link if you’d like to learn more about her work.

I wanted to try out the floral and stripe trend. This sheet and shirt wiggled their way out of my stash and volunteered to be made into a skirt and top.

Last weekend, I made my custom skirt pattern. I really do feel like I could take over the world now, just like Corienne Leigh said I would in her Craftovision tutorial “How to Draft a Custom Skirt Pattern” on You Tube. She walks you through the whole process from drafting the pattern to finishing up with a zipper, blind hem and waistband. I highly recommend her series if you’d like to give sewing without commercial patterns a try. The only thing I did differently from her tutorial is add a lining by cutting out the same front and back pieces and sewing it in with the zipper and the waistband.

And since Spring really IS just right around the corner, I’m now ready for it with my new custom Vera floral skirt!!!

If it’s cold where you are, I hope this warms you up a bit and gives you a reassuring glimpse into the warmer months ahead.

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