Poodle Skirt

So clearly I can't keep up a blog in spring and summer.  I'm not even going to make excuses for myself. 

For the past three years I've co-directed a youth camp at Guthrie Grove Campgrounds.  Previously I've been at Jr. High Camp, but this year I switched to Sr. High.  One of many traditions at Sr. High Camp is the banquet and dance on Friday night.  This year our theme was "Rock and Roll Guthrie".  Part of the reason that I suggested this theme is I thought my mom still had the costumes she made for me when I was in the musical Grease in high school.  However, we couldn't find them so I had to come up with my own costume. 

Because the week leading up to camp is usually blissfully relaxing, I decided that I would have plenty of time to learn how to sew clothing and make my own costume. ;-) In actuality, I think my cheapness just won out over my desire for proper amounts of sleep because store-bought costumes are expensive!

I bought a Simplicity pattern because that is the brand that was on sale at Hancock that week.  This was my first attempt at ever making clothing.  The skirt was two semi circles sewn together with a waist band on top.  It was really easy to sew together, except for the zipper.  I tried to teach myself how to sew in a zipper properly, but I lost patience, so I just sewed the zipper in so that it stayed and kept the skirt up.  It looks horrible and someday I'll have to learn how to do it right.  I also didn't bother sizing the skirt because I was afraid I would make it too little and I had no time for mistakes.  As a result, it was a little loose and way too long.

The pattern had pieces to cut out a poodle from, but the lady at the fabric store showed me a poodle applique they already had there, so I bought it instead.  The last shortcut I took was hot gluing the leash to the skirt rather than sewing it on properly.  I probably should have also made a petticoat.

So, the skirt looked cute, but it has a ton of poor quality workmanship and shortcuts in it.  It did serve the purpose of the banquet and dance though.  Here's a picture of me in my completed costume. 

I bought white tennis shoes and long socks.  I already had the white shirt, belt, and scarf.  A girl in my cabin did my hair (you can't tell from the picture but it's in spiral curls in the pony-tail).  The only thing I forgot was to wear my husband's class ring on a necklace.  It was a fun night and a great way to end a fantastic week of camp!

Supplies Needed:

• Felt
• Thread
• Sewing Machine
• Poodle Applique
• Rick-rack for leash
• Zipper
• Hook and Eye Clasp
• Hot Glue Gun

Carry Me Back - To 8th Grade Shop!

I like to pretend that one of my hobbies is woodworking.  I loved shop class in Jr. High, but I haven't really done any woodworking since then.  I think the main reason is because it seems like a really expensive hobby to get in to.  If anyone has any suggestions about a way to ease into it without huge upfront investments in multiple types of saws, please leave a comment.

So, here's the box I made in 8th grade shop class.  It's about 12" wide by 8" deep by 8" tall.  I remember we had to figure out the board feet used to make the box so that we knew how much the materials cost.  After that, I'm sure we learned a bunch of techniques for cutting the different joints and gluing it all together, but unfortunately I don't remember any of them.  I also can't remember what type of wood it's made out of.  The lid is held on by two hinges in the back and a latch in the front.

I gave this box to my grandparents one Christmas.  My grandma added these felt feet to the bottom so it wouldn't scratch her (carpet) flooring.  She used it to store her piano books.

All in all, it's a pretty sturdy and nice looking box, if I do say so myself.

Supplies Needed:

• Board
• Latch
• Two Hinges
• Variety of Saws
• Rasp
• Sandpaper
• Clamps
• Wood Glue
• Paintbrush
• Stain
• Safety Glasses