Save Your Jammies From Being Ruined By DIY – Vintage Sewing Cabinet Makeover!
What do you get when you’ve got a passion for DIY…….no proper “paint” or work clothes…a drawer full of paint-splattered jammies, and ugly furniture like this to make over?
Well–you end up with a drawer full of clothes that look something like this:
This, my friends, is how you’ll find me on a Saturday morning: with ugly, ruined clothes in which I not only sleep, but also in which I do my projects and yard work!!
Last month I was rooting through my drawers trying to find decent jammies and I couldn’t find a thing that wasn’t speckled with paint, caulk, or stains. (I even had a pair of–GASP!-maternity leggings from nearly 4 years ago! I know……that’s crazy! What in the world am I thinking??)
The problem is four-fold (is that a word??): 1) I don’t have proper attire to DIY, and 2) I’ve ruined all my jammies because of it, 3) I look like a bum to the neighbors when I’m DIY’ing in the driveway, and 4) I don’t have any cute jammies for lounging around the house with my family because they’re all stained.
I knew I couldn’t be the only one suffering from this problem, so I posted awhile ago asking you guys if you’re guilty of DIY’ing in your jammies, too. And you know what?? You are!!
Duluth Trading Company to the Rescue!
I decided that I would get some proper work gear this month (along with some pretty jammies)! I had a chance to try some Duluth Trading Company work clothes last year and absolutely loved them and their company (can you say BALLROOM jeans? Ha! That always makes me laugh!). So I decided to order some of my favorite things from their website (see my wish list for a complete list of what I ordered). I spend a lot of time on projects, and decided that I would treat myself to some of the best I could afford.
Most of my projects are done outdoors in the driveway and garage, so it’s really not ideal to DIY in jammies, anyhow. Plus, with spring here and summer coming, I wanted shirts, like this Armchillo® cooling shirt to not overheat in the sun.
So this weekend I was working on my Ugly April project: a vintage sewing machine with a beat-up cabinet which may or may not be as old. But IT.WAS.UGLY.
BEFORE
It took some sanding and a couple coats of paint, and some gold rub n’ buff (and lots of leaning over!), but it was worth it!
AFTER!
BEFORE
AFTER!
The knobs came from this vintage buffet I made over last year.
See This Post in Action — Watch the Video!
See the transformation of the sewing cabinet and how my new work gear held up!
Believe it or not, it was a pretty easy project to complete, despite its condition. I did some sanding on the top, and painted it French Linen (Annie Sloan chalk paint), but it did take a bunch of stooping and squatting while working on it. I was stoked at how stretchy my new work gear was! And the best part: I didn’t moon anyone!! 🙂 The shirt was shaped nicely, yet long, and I could get low without worrying that someone walking by was getting a peep show or that I was inappropriately dressed (or ruining more jammies or street clothes, which I have also worked in).
And I was inspired by the gold in the vintage Singer machine. So I decided to use gold rub n’ buff on the edge. Here’s what it looked like WITHOUT it. Pretty plain, huh?
BEFORE
But the gold just sets it off nicely, I think.
AFTER!
The cord is frayed on the sewing machine so I’ll have to see about getting it fixed. Then, I’m not sure what I’ll do with this piece! For now, it’s sitting in my cluttered garage. Surprised??
I checked the serial number on it here, and it looks like the machine is from 1935! I am doubtful the cabinet came from that time, but I don’t know…?
BEFORE
AFTER!
While outside working on the sewing cabinet, I tested out one of my other Duluth Trading Company shirt, the Armchillo® Long Sleeved button down shirt. It’s surprisingly light weight and kept me cool (and it has sun protection built into it!) and wicked away sweat.
Oh, and get this–it even has a built-in microfiber glass shirttail shammy on the hem, so when your safety glasses or eye classes need cleaning (sawdust, anyone???), you’ve got one right there stitched on the hem of your shirt. Seriously, who was the genius that designed THAT feature??! Thank you!!
I might just have to save this one to wear out-and-about, it’s that pretty :). My favorite color!
And my faaaaavvorite pants: the DuluthFlex Dry on the Fly Convertible pants! OH MY! How could I have lived without these?! Those deep pockets for TOOLS……the stretch (even has a stretchy waist!), and they’re long enough for my 5’10” frame. I’m seriously considering getting a second pair for just casual wear when I’m out-and-about. That’s how good they look and feel!
Overall, it was a pretty productive weekend! I had just gotten back from South Carolina this past weekend (did you hear about my exciting news??). And then to have completed this ugly project, and also make over my own ugly work gear and jammies, I’m feeling pretty great about now! 🙂
Meet My New Jammies
Well, you just met my new work gear. Now meet my new jammies. Yes, I am be vegetarian, but cute piglets with glasses don’t count. 😉
And although these are cutesy, I feel amazing in them! Finally, paint-free clothing! WOO HOO!
Worktime!
Playtime!
My boys had fun rolling around with me this morning. And I didn’t have to feel all gross in my bed. LOL
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My Jammies have become the Diy, yard work, housework, errand running, baking in the kitchen clothes! #gross!
Ha~~work in jammies a lot!
Most of my jammies are completely covered in paint with the exception of bottoms… those are my favorite. I would love to get a pair of the paints you’re showing off. You had me at deep pockets!!
The DIY clothing becomes jammies for me. I need to work on that! I would buy the Dry on the Fly shorts.
I really need som good work pants. ALL my jammies are ruined. Jeans are just too hot and constricting. Btw. Love what you did with the cabinet. I have one or two of those in my stash.
Hi Serena!!!
I’ve purchased two Duluth long tail women’s t-shirts in recent months. I thought they would make a great addition to my camping gear for this coming camping season but I loved them so much, I’ve paired them with work skirts, leggings and even over a sun dress. Comfy for sure, but I just love them because they do actually cover your backside and in my case…lack thereof.
When I craft, I’m typically in an old pair of “borrowed” boxer shorts from his underwear drawer I’ve just slept in. Comfort beyond comfort!!! Actually, come to think of it, I’m also in a “borrowed” t-shirt as well…wow…well…shoot…I forgot about his “borrowed” socks too. Okay, so yeah, my entire crafting wardrobe has consisted of his underwear. I get extreme comfort, he gets a little show. Does he mind the paint, holes or threadbare wear and tear on his drawers? Not in the least because in return, he gets a beautiful and comfortable home and me in flimsy boxers.
Hugs!!!
Currently working in my jammies!
I’ve managed to get paint, stripper and various stains on not only my favorite pjs, but, favorite T-shirts, sweat pants and sadly, recently on a favorite pair of jeans. Truth is, I like being comfy while I’m working, and end up wearing a good deal of the stuff I’m working with!
So I don’t do a whole lot of DIY YET but we are moving into a new house and there are lots of projects that will need to be done, and very little money to do them with. I’m really looking forward to it. I do have some DIY stories of painting walls that ALL involve painting in pajamas. One ended up getting a big, runny-looking brown stain down the leg. It looked like I had had diarrhea in my pants but they were SO comfy and I just couldn’t get rid of them for the longest time.
My DIY jammies have developed character with all the paint splotches on them! 😉