Ruffled peasant top

Confessions of a Sewing Dork has a great tutorial for a ruffled peasant top. I love it. Maybe the girls and I could have coordinating tops.

Easter parade part 2

I know everyone will be thrilled to find out that Easter can be celebrated this Sunday. I finally finished all of the sewing!!!

I am so glad I made shirts to go with the girls' jumpers. They look much nicer than a plain white t-shirt. I used Butterick 3905 and it turned out nicely. I will be tweaking the instructions some to avoid sewing bias tape to the inside of the shirt as an elastic casing, but they were an easy project. This pattern is great for when you only have a little fabric left. I was able to cut a size 5 shirt with an extra inch length out of 1/2 yard. Since K is skinny, size 5 works well for her even though she is normally a 6 or 7.

The purses were made from the skirt leftovers. There was too much fabric to just throw away, but not enough to make anything to wear.

I am so happy to check Easter sewing off my list. I think I will stop to eat before starting the next project.

Lime T-shirt refashion dress

I planned on making K another t-shirt dress from the pattern I adjusted with her pink and purple dress, but I couldn't get this idea out of my head. I just had to make a dress with panels.

I took some algebra and a lot of thinking, but I finally took my adjusted pattern and cut a panel piece that worked with it. I just love this color combination. The green shirt is from my mom, the grey from my dad, and the print from the thrift store ($.59). You can't beat that price.

I added a little top stitching detail for interest around the bodice. I even had a spool of lime green thread on hand. Strange, since that is not a color I ever wear.

Once I finished the dress, it was time for the hair frou-frou. This is the easiest headband ever! I just took the hems from all three shirts and braided them. It took all of 5 minutes, but it really adds a lot to the outfit.

I am just dying to make more t-shirt dresses. I have a whole cabinet of shirts that are calling to me begging to be refashioned.

Freshly Picked: Pillow Case Dress Tutorial

Freshly Picked: Pillow Case Dress Tutorial
I already have some pillowcases set aside for these cute dresses. My to-do list is SO LONG now! Maybe I should give up cooking and cleaning so I can get all the crafting done.

T-shirt refashion take 2

Have you ever made something that you liked less and less the more you saw it? After K wore the t-shirt dress I made her for a day, I decided I really did not like how it fit. The neckline was too big, it was too wide, and the flowers were too floppy. Time to get out the scissors and start fixing.

First I took out almost 20" at the hem line. I have no idea why the pattern I started with had that much fabric at the hem, but it was way too much. The hem wasn't even straight. It sloped down on both sides. I don't know why I thought it would work when I first made it.

Then I took out the back of the neck band and gathered it to take out about 1". That took care of the sliding off the shoulders problem.

Finally, I sewed a gathering stitch around each of the flowers and made them into yoyo's. Yeah! No more floppy flowers.

Now K and I both love her dress! I am hoping to get a couple more made tonight and then start on a pattern for A. Fortunately, A is just a little smaller in the chest than K. I should just be able to make a couple of modifications to the pattern and be good to go.

First t-shirt refashion dress

I am finally started to sew using the stuff I picked up at the thrift store last month. It has been driving me crazy to have all that wonderful fabric and no time to sew any of it. I decided to start with a dress for K. (Being the oldest girl, she has no hand-me-downs to rely on.)

I started with Butterick 6659 nightgown pattern to get the basic shape. I went by the measurements on the envelope, but I think they are off. I am waiting on a friend to stop by to help me cut the pattern down a bit to make it fit a little better before I make any more. 

Even though it is a little big, K declared this dress a success. I can't wait to make more for her and A.

NOTE: I decided that I could not live with it being too big, so I made some modifications. You can see them here. 

Linked to:

Button shirt to toddler dress

This great tutorial on Craftster shows how to make the most adorable dress from a button shirt. I already have a couple of shirt set aside for sewing week next week. I can't wait!

Matching outfits

I just couldn't resist posting a pic of K posing with Mary Lynn with matching outfits. Thank goodness everything fit! I do not like not being able to try things on when I am sewing from new patterns.

The nightgowns are a hit!

I decided to give K and A their gowns today, so I could see if they fit properly. I hate to make too many things from a new pattern without trying it on. I am savings K's doll gown for her birthday. (Sorry for the messy hair. We had already taken down K's braids for today.)

Learning new techniques

I hate to waste any time or material learning new techniques, so I decided to make a nightgown for K and her doll while learning how to do lettuce edging and adding knit ruffles. My first attempt turned out great, except is was too short for K. I had measured correctly and then decided it looked too long, so I cut off some of the length. Fortunately, it will work great for A.

Then I made one for K (using the original measurements!). Note to self - mark the center of the gown before adding the ruffle.

Finally, I made a gown for K's doll. I really am not that fond of making doll clothes. They are way too small to work on. I think it turned out okay, but I am still not pleased with the neckline. I will have to work on it some more next time. Please pardon the bed-head in the photo. K asked me why her doll had messy hair when she went to bed, but it was brushed neatly when she woke up the last time I borrowed her doll for pictures.

I used the T-shirt patterns I cut for the embellished shirts, but did not add the neck band. The material was a knit duvet cover that had been damaged. The ruffled flowers are the scraps from the volunteer T-shirt. I definitely think we got our money's worth out of that shirt!

Check out all the great projects on Fireflies and Jellybeans Show Off Your Stuff Party!

T-shirt success - finally!

I have decided that I will never use cheap thread again. I thought this project would never be finished because my sewing machine was messing up when I tried to applique. I tried re-threading, a new bobbin, new needle, cleaning, etc, but nothing worked. Finally, I went and bought some good thread and all the problems are gone!

I started with one leftover conference volunteer t-shirt.
I think these are a definite improvement!
K and her doll will be so stylish! I think I need to make something for their hair, but I haven't decided what will look best with the outfit. Suggestions are welcome.

Twirly skirts!

I just couldn't resist any longer. The tutorials for twirly skirts from The Polka Dot Chair have been calling to me all day. After S & I got home from our meeting tonight, I pulled out some fabric that has been in my stash forever and got busy. Both skirts are finished!!! I love making something totally cute without having to make a trip to the fabric store.

Next I need to make embellished T-shirts to match. I am on the look out for a free pattern or tutorial for a T-shirt for an 18" doll.