On Saturday I found a pair of curtains made from the most gorgeous faded roses fabric at a reduced price. I didn't want them as curtains, actually, I didn't know what I wanted them for, I just had to buy them. Especially when I saw the name of the pattern was 'Sugar Plum'. I've seen curtains reduced to good prices before, but have never wanted to take the chance of buying them in case the fabric amount was tiny. Now I know it's a risk worth taking, as it can works out a lot cheaper than buying fabric by the metre.On Sunday I had to get the sewing machine and scissors out and get to work. Now it's Monday and I have made the following..
Two dining room chair covers. You may recall I made [six chair covers] back in January, to cover over the damage our cat Dudley had done. I planned to make a few extra for when I need to wash any, but thus far had not got around to doing so.
I made 4 napkins, shown here artfully strewn on a cake stand with my favourite napkin rings around them.
A 'not-too-close-up' close up to show you that my straight lines are improving .... sort of!!
It's all good practice! I took the measurements from napkins I already had, then just double pressed the seams and stitched along. Nice and easy.My favourite use for the fabric. I made some new curtains for Gingerbread House, my little girls playhouse in the garden.
Before I had a sewing machine, I used to make all the curtains for Gingerbread House by hand. I have six handsewn pairs of curtains. This morning I made two pairs of curtains and a little window ruffle in about 40 minutes. It used to take me almost an entire day to make them before. I LOVE my sewing machine!!!I took a before and after photo. This is the before. The fabric used here is from Laura Ashley and it's starting to fade nicely from the sunlight.
After ... 
Pale and pretty.This photo is to show you the side window, but also so you can see Gingerbread Garden, it's full of veggies and everythying is doing nicely.
After all that, I still have some fabric left over. Enough for a cushion or two, and perhaps yet another lampshade cover!
I can't believe how far one pair of curtains has gone. Admittedly, I did cut with care to make sure I didn't waste anything. A year or two ago I would have charged in with my scissors without a second thought. Now I'm far more frugal,and even took time to unpick the seams and removed the curtain tape with care. In the future if I see curtains at a good price, and in a fabric that I love, I won't hesitate to buy them. I am so pleased with all that I was able to make, the price of the curtains was £20 (half price reduction), had I bought fabric by the metre to make everything above, it would easily have cost double that.