Friday, February 12, 2010

Roll Up Your Sleeves

Ever save something for years and years never having an idea for them and then it just hits you one day? For me it was these name patches I picked up at a flea market in 1996 (so I've been holding on to them for 14 years!!!). My college roommate Seema and I loved looking for eclectic finds and these were a great one. Seema put one on her jacket she wore all the time....I'll have to ask her what the name was.


If there are any traits I hope my daughter takes from myself and her father they are: self sufficiency and determination. Is there any greater feeling than being able to fix something yourself? Don't get me wrong, I like to outsource things to the experts too....but I also like being self sufficient and I know I can do almost anything with just a little research and determination. I'm not afraid to roll my sleeves up and figure out a plumbing problem or a appliance issue. This morning I was just staring at these and thought what a great homage they would be to the self sufficient hard worker!

I made this "roll up your sleeves" dress....for the little girl who isn't afraid to get her hands dirty!


These patches still had some iron-on adhesive left on them, but I added some additional fusible adhesive and stitched around the edges.


Thanks to "Lonnie", wherever you are, for passing the torch...or wrench.

23 comments:

  1. Looove this idea! So, so cute!

    ReplyDelete
  2. So cute! Love the name of the dress too! You are so creative!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Clever! I have a box full of patches (not cool name ones like yours) that I have been hanging on to for nearly as long...I'll have to start thinking about using them now!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Cute, I use to have this awesome messenger bag that I used in High School to carry my books and I had patches like those sewed to them, I had someone's name, a Jiffy Lube One, a couple band names, (Green Day, Blink 182, MXPX, NOFX)and a few other randoms.

    ReplyDelete
  5. My parents were so embarrassed when I bought a thrift store blue mechanics jacket that say "Timmy" on it when I was 19. It was like a mens XL and I thought I looked soooo cool in it and I wore it ALL the time. I really looked ridiculous when I think about it now...but, whatever!! ;) Totally makes me think of that!! Love these and their simplicity Ash, you rock!!! :)
    Shari

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love, I love, I love!!! Like the above comment, I too had a mechanic's shirt as a teenager that I thought was freaktastic but my mom kept nudging me not to wear it because it probably looked ridiculous...oh well. At least I thought I was freaktastic, and that's what counts, right?

    ReplyDelete
  7. omg Ashley... I just love it!!! My hubs is a mechanic and the girls are always wanting to help and get all nasty. This dress makes me think of them!! If you want to make me one in a 5/6, I'm all over it! :P

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love it, too!
    I used to have a dress that was somewhat racecar driver/mechanic with a name tag on it... can't remember what it said.. but I LOVED that dress!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love patches. I like to put them on stuff and in different places...people always think it's a designer thing! LOL

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love the patches-super cute and I love the dress

    ReplyDelete
  11. I loved this. I especially love the patch since my dad's name is Lonnie. If he saw my daughter wearing something like this he would probably pop from pride!

    ReplyDelete
  12. haha that looks really sweet. I'm sure kiddos would love it! ♥

    ReplyDelete
  13. That's great, Ashley. I remember in hs my friends and I all got work shirts for fun. Mine was a tire shirt and the name was "Gordon". In college, I wore it to some party and a guy came up to me and said, "I know 'Gordon' is not your name, hee hee." I assured him that it was my name and I really didn't know what was so funny about it. After he apologized/felt bad I told him what my real name was. Lol.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh I love it! My dad is a mechanic and it reminds me of his work shirts

    ReplyDelete
  15. SOO cute! I love the patches - I'm going to be keeping my eyes open for some of these.

    ReplyDelete
  16. What a fun find!! Love that dress - 3/4 length sleeves are my favorite!

    ReplyDelete
  17. That is so freakin' fun! I want a name tag that says LaVerne or something crazy like thaT

    ReplyDelete
  18. OMG!!! That dress is sooooo stinkin' cute!!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Love it!!
    You never cease to amaze me;}

    ReplyDelete
  20. My husband is a business owner that employs people who have these badges. He said he has extras. Do you want me to send you more?

    ReplyDelete
  21. My hubby has been buying work shirts from thrift shops with name badges for years. Every now and then he finds one with his name. And he looks hot in them. :)

    ReplyDelete

I love comments....they help me figure out what you enjoy reading! I read and appreciate every single one but I receive so much email that it is impossible for me to reply to everyone! Please email me directly if you have a specific question and please leave your email if it isn't published on your profile.... otherwise I don't have the means to contact you!