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satin stitch: making a buttonhole smaller

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A few years ago I found a really nice raincoat at a garage sale. It’s got a removable, quilted lining that makes it extra toasty on cold days.

I love everything about it except one thing: the buttons. They’re always popping out of the holes. I chalked it up to the fabric being slippery, but one day while I was complaining about them, my daughter said: Why don’t you just make the buttonholes smaller? Upon closer inspection, I realized they are bigger than necessary.

Smart kid!

I’m closing them up with a little bit of satin stitch on the side of the hole that will be hidden when buttoned. I’m ready for the cold, rainy autumn days ahead — if we ever get any.

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two dollar deals!

The past few days I’ve been cleaning and straightening the house because my parents arrived last night for a nice, long visit. I am looking forward to some serious sewing time while they are here!

I did manage to get out a little bit and score some serious thrifty deals. Thursday, my daughter and I went to a garage sale looking for kid stuff. Instead we found a London Fog wool coat for my husband. I swear it is brand new. It was even his size, so no alterations needed. It was a mere $2. Can you believe it? I had to pinch myself. And he likes it!

london fog coat

Saturday afternoon I went out with an actual mission. I’m tired of having a door knob in all of my photos and decided I need some kind of wall shelf with pegs to hang my totes and refashion projects. I found this on sale for $2 at the first store I visited. I’m going to paint it white. Yay!

shelf

I still had some time to myself, so I went to a few more stores just to browse around. I’ve been looking for some pretty sheets to make some pajama bottoms and happened to stumble upon these bright and cheery flowers. These were also on sale for $2.

flower sheets

thrifting: Some days it feels like I never find anything at the thrift stores and I wonder why I even bother. Then I have jackpot days like this and it reminds me that the extra effort is worth it!