Splish Splash Dress

Today I am guest posting at Brown Paper Packages. Leisel has a great blog, if you haven't had a chance to check it out...well I'd suggest you go look...TODAY ;-) Here is the project I made. I think it turned out pretty cute...read the end and see what happened when I was making it though! The Project was part of Leisel's month of Pattern make overs

When asked to re-do a pattern, I started to think of what I wanted to make....well, with summer on it's way, we spend a lot of time at the splash pads around our house. So I thought I would work with a pillowcase dress pattern, and turn it into a swimsuit cover dress for my daughter.




With the pillowcase dress pattern, I decided to change it by using a different type of fabric and adding appliques.

Instead of a typical cotton fabric used in a pillowcase dress I used a knit material. (As a confession I have actually never used knit before, and it was much easier then I thought it would be!)

The bottom edge and armhole were a ribbed knit fabric (in the turquoise color). Both the bottom hem and the armholes where made by taking the ribbed knit material and making a bias tape. Need help making bias tape? Check here for help.




Doing something as simple as changing the type of fabric can make a huge difference.

The other change I mentioned was using appliques. The pattern for an applique can be found anywhere, clip art, a free hand drawing, I used my die cut machine to create what I wanted.



The key to using any applique is to remember to use Wonder-Under, especially on knit! The material shifts far too much, you need the Wonder-Under to help stabilize the design, then you can go around and satin stitch around the design......Changing your thread to match each piece of material will give you a much cleaner look.




I loved how easy and cute this simple dress turned out to be. I think that when you have a pattern you love, perhaps you don't need to look at making a major change to it, start simple by changing things like the fabric and adding appliques to your dress!



Summer here we come!

You know, I just cant seem to ever make a project with out something going wrong...and lo and behold this time was no exception.
When I was almost done with the project, I was multi-tasking (always a bad idea) I wrote something with a pen....not realizing it was leaking all over my hand and then picked up the dress...the WHITE dress, and the ink got all over the dress!




AHHH!



I quickly tried to remove the ink (Is that even possible?) All it did was make it seep through to the backside...

So I added some little circle appliques to cover the before mentioned pesky ink stains!

Problem solved!

Love,

Parlee's Easter dress

Here is Parlee's Easter dress.

If I could make a pretty 'picture bow' I would have tied the back into a bow

The dress was completely lined. I think lining a dress is actually easier.
Im going to have to make a lined Gidget dress I think it would turn out even better.

I close up of the fabric. I used the same fabric on Joelys jacket and dress, it's a soft toile pattern, perfect for a spring church dress.

The tie is actually sewn on asymetrically, it looks pretty cool when it's on.
And yes, I will take a picture of the kids wearing there new outfits on Sunday.

Can be seen linked to some of these spots

Love,

Joely's Easter Jacket

Here is the Easter Jacket I sewed for Joely

It goes with a cute little dress that I will post soon.





I loves the ruffly sleeves.




The cute fitted dart's.




I found these buttons a while back, and was excited to use them on the jacket.





This can be see linked up to some of these spots

Love,

Server aprons

Time for another family wedding

....and time for another set of server girl aprons and hair accessories.

My cousin Chanta was married over the weekend, her wedding colors included red and white. So these were the cute little aprons the server girls were wearing.

I planned on taking pictures of the girls wearing them...especially since my daughter WAS a server....but did I take any pictures?

No

Not even one!

What a slacker mom I am!



Here they are all folded up waiting to be packed..




The front and back of the hair clip...I found that adding a bit of felt helps secure the clip, so that the hot glue doesn't seperate off the clip. (sorry fuzzy pictures here)

...and it wouldn't be complete with out a cute pea pod label.




Love,

Retro Week and the Gidget dress

This was my submission for last weeks theme of 'Retro'



The Gidget Dress.....

Perfect for friends.....






Perfect for playing.....






Perfect for hugging.....





The Gidget dress is easy enough for a beginner. Made from linen, it lightly flows and is the perfect breathable fabric for spring and summer!

And as long as you are making one dress, you may as well make three so all the friends can match!

Made from a simple a-line dress. I will show you how I designed and made these simple dresses using clothes you own as a pattern OR by cutting up a cheap pattern to re-design your own.

These dresses have coordinating fabric buttons on the front (which I made with the linen from the dress). This dress also has a simple button down back that DOESN'T use button holes...So if you have been intimidated by button holes, there is no excuse to not make your own Gidget dress!

Here are some other Gidget pictures:




A very special thank you to sweet little Kennedy, Millie and Emma....seriously aren't they ADORABLE!!! Also, to my sister in law Maricela for taking the pictures, you can see more of her pictures on her blog here.

Love,

SYTYC audition piece

We were told today we could post our projects on our blog...so here it is. I loved checking out the other projects. You can see them also on SYTYC.

Problem #1: Have you ever had your baby kick off a beautiful baby quilt while in their car seat? Ahh, it's the worst, not to mention if you were unfortunate enough to have your blanket land on a dirty store floor, or the pavement! I have had this happen and it's just plain horrible....I knew I had a problem.....

Problem #2: The dilema of how to keep little baby warm, the cold air would always sneak under blankets and make those little toes all cold.....yet we live where it's not super cold all the time, so I wanted a blanket that could be versatle enough to be used when it gets a little warmer too......
Solution: A car seat blanket, that stays with the car seat. I can't tell you how happy I am that I made this! In the morning when I drive the kids to school I can quickly get my little princess up last, put her in her car seat and snuggle her up to brave the morning chill.
I fold up the top flap (it is designed to tuck under baby and stay snug) then fold over the two other flaps....in the morning's I have her little arms secured under the blanket. When it gets a little warmer the bottom flap can be removed! The best part is that it's really easy to sew, the front can be made as fancy......or as simple as you want. Or of course if you are anything like me, you could have several of these...you know just in case you are feeling a little spunky, or playful, or even simple with just a monogram....Trust me you will want one (or many) for your little one, or to make for someone you know!

ruffle dish towel

High show stoppin' style!
The day after Christmas we have a family party at my grandparents house, everyone is supposed to bring a white elephant gift from home, since there arent many kids in my extended family, I told my kids instead of bringing a toy from home to exchange, they could each make something....Taran chose to decorate some dish towels.

I serged some 2"by WOF fabric strips for him...(sorry no 6 year old's on a serger with a super cutting knife)
Taran then made the long straight stitch to form the ruffle.

He pulled one thread to get the desired amount of pouff.

We pinned it on the towel.



He sewed this on too.

Here is the towel with the ruffles.


Then a little red ric rac made this towel high fashion!
This little dish towel was the feature of the day at the site Ruffles and Stuff, you can check out her cute site by clicking the button on the right. It was also featured here on Someday crafts, and also seen here on craft gossip....thanks guys! Also seen here on Sew What.