Ever since I saw “The Virgin Suicides” by Sofia Coppola in 2000 I have wanted a vintage white nightie like the sisters wear in this macabre film. Though the inspiration behind the true story is a bit dark, I was stricken by the pureness & innocence of a crisp white nightie.
As I was going through my old linens, I found an antique pillowcase with cut-outs (Image 2) and top stitching and I thought this will make the perfect project for my first blog post covering the topic UPCYCLING: Reusing materials to create something fresh & modern.
The case I found was 28" in length and about 40" wide. Most pillowcases will either be faced at the opening or hemmed, so there is little to do to create this simple shift. I cut off 4" of the bottom or closed part of the case (Image 3) to use for the straps. I cut this part into 2 separate pieces and made two tubes which I stitched & turned inside out for the finished straps (Image 3). After trying on the shift to determine where the straps should sit, I sewed them into place & finally hemmed the nightie. One step I may play around with next time would be to criss-cross the straps in the back; criss-crossing straps tend to create more of a fitted top while being flexible when you pull the nightie over your head.
The whole process took about 20 minutes & I am thrilled with the new look!
Aug 12, 2008, 09.43 AMby CarotteSauvage
Beautiful, the Kirsten Dunst effect has been successfully achieved!
Aug 12, 2008, 11.36 AMby tattooedkitty
I LOVE that movie, and you have indeed captured that look! Well done!
Aug 12, 2008, 12.15 PMby gedwoods
For 20 minutes work, this is very clever! I look forward to seeing more.
Aug 12, 2008, 12.18 PMby PrincessCutie01
OMG…I think I just found my project for tonight! Adorable!!
Aug 12, 2008, 03.21 PMby EmilyKate
Yay for upcycling! You’re right, there’s something about the aesthetic of that movie that really gets under the skin, despite the subject matter of the film!
Aug 12, 2008, 04.12 PMby nikkishell
Very pretty! I’ll be keeping an eye out for some pretty pillowcases.
Aug 13, 2008, 12.25 AMby mayki76
beautiful idea. i will try it with my butterfly pillowcase
Aug 13, 2008, 01.16 AMby luzie
Great! That’s what I’m going to do with this old tablecloth my grandmother gave me last week – Cool! Thanks for the idea.
Aug 18, 2008, 11.06 AMby peacenluv78
so pretty!
Aug 18, 2008, 11.53 PMby Jellybean
So pretty. And such a great idea. I think I have a couple of pillowcases languishing in my linen closet right now.
Dec 5, 2008, 10.11 AMby roadiegram
great idea so much easier than spliting to make screen panels . I am makeing all of the girls in my family one and two for me , We live on the desert they will be great for summer knock arounds.
I can get pillow cases at the thrift stores for a quarter.
Feb 25, 2009, 11.11 PMby patricia.favre
Super !! je vais essyer, bravo