Project Run and Play- Week 2

September 9, 2011 7:03 am

I’m so happy to have made it through the last round! Thanks, voters! This week we got to work with, what I’m sure is, one of all of our favorite patterns. I have made countless dresses from this Siena Dress pattern. I wanted to take it up to the next level and make something slightly costumey and over the top, which is not something I normally do. I envisioned this dress for a vintage circus themed themed birthday party.  (You can see my inspiration board here) I wanted to incorporate the bold stripes of the tent and the wide front opening, the bunting flags, circus lettering and some black for that vintage circus costume element.

It has rust and cream colored stripes on the skirt with a  grey ruffle around the bottom with pick ups on the front. The top has a sapphire silk initial ‘A’ on it in circus style font. The sleeves are another stripe with pick ups and they have teeny grey bows at the shoulder.To top it off,  a black and grey headband to match.

The back has a big detachable dupioni silk bow. The socks are little bunting flag socks.

What I love about this is you can take it up a notch with a tutu or take it down by removing the big bow in the back and letting down the pick ups. It’s exactly what I  love about this pattern- you can use it for anything! I hope you like this look as much as I do!

Head over to Project Run and Play to see all the other amazing designs and to vote for your favorite.

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Posted in children's clothes, Original Designs, other | 6 Comments »

Project Run and Play- Week One

September 2, 2011 6:12 am

I’m so excited to be a part of Project Run and Play, 2011. If you  haven’t already gone over there, go over and see all the other amazing participants. We have Jen and Autie from  iCandy Homemade, Jessica from Me Sew Crazy, Jessica from Happy Together, Nicole from Coles Corner and Creations, Liz and Elizabeth from Simple Simon and Co. and Leisel from Brown Paper Packages.

Whew! What a great group of creative women!

The first theme was a back to school outfit. Now, my kids wear uniforms so I had to use  my imagination on this one. I kept two things in mind for this back to school outfit. 1. My kids are always mismatched- stripes on polkadots with all sorts of off colors and prints. It’s what I love about them. So  I wanted this outfit to reflect that sort of childish combination. 2. I don’t know about you, but whne my kids start school, it’s still warm, actually probably our warmest months. So I didn’t want to make an outfit too fall weathered, I wanted it to be more transitional pieces. That being said, here’s how we do back to school.

The top has a pleated bodice and goes to a V in the back with several small pleats to create some movement towards the bottom. For the bodice top I made small pleats or you can use a pleater board.  I baste them together then just proceed with your top as you want. I attached the bottom half of the top then the back and added straps.  I’d have Bel wear this over a long sleeve shirt in the winter.


For the shorts, I did a brown linen in a sort of paige boy style with oversized pockets and tabs at the  leg band. The pink buttons feminize it. We happen to love shorts and tights in the winter, maybe paired with some boots, so I knew the brown would transition great into the Fall and Winter months. For the shorts, I cut it from my only other pattern then the Sienna Dress, this Oliver + S  one. I do all my own variations, but  I love the basic shape of this short.  Then to top it off, a frivolous headband.

(headband tutorial coming soon, and I’ve been informed the oliver + s pattern is out of print. I will do a post on how to make these shorts soon)

Don’t forget to accessorize with the perfect dotting of summer freckles.

I love it with the leopard flats. One more print thrown in the mix.



I hope you’ve all enjoyed my back to school look! I’m so thrilled to be a part of project run and play. Head on over to cast your vote for your favorite look. The other women did such great jobs!



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Posted in children's clothes, Original Designs, Uncategorized | 20 Comments »

Pajama Pants Anyone?

July 7, 2011 7:36 am

I’m pretty sure if you searched the internet for how to make PJ pants, this idea would be all over the place. So I don’t claim to have invented this idea. But  I still love it, nonetheless. I love using old T’s for things because it’s using what we already have or is already made. It’s a great way to recycle.  So when the girls needed new pj pants, I made these.

Get a T.

Fold it on it’s side.

Trace a pattern on each side of the T with another pair of pj pants.

After cutting two out, sew each leg up the middle then pin the two together and sew them together at the crotch/bum seam (I’m sure that’s a technical term :) )

Make a waistband the width of the top of the pants. Fold it over.

After attaching, pull the elastic through and close.

You can make quite a few in no time! One thing I’ll do is if the fabric is a little plain I’ll sew a little fun patch of fabric on

(See the fuchsia ones in the middle? If you’re lucky and your child is small enough you can use the arms of a T for the pant legs. It make a natural leg shape. Love it!)

Enjoy!


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Posted in children's clothes, other, refashions | 13 Comments »

Girl’s Summer Frock Tutorial

June 23, 2011 1:11 pm

I love quick, summer play dresses. You can never have too many of them! Here’s a really easy girl’s frock that takes no time at all!

Sew your fabric together to make a big tube. Make it about 1.5 times your child’s chest measurement.

Find the center of the dress and mark it.

Bring both sides in and pin in place.

Stitch it down the center a couple inches.

For the chest band get a piece of fabric and fold it over to create a thick band. Make sure it will fit over your child’s head and shoulders.

Attach it to the dress and sew together. (I gathered my dress slightly in the back so it would have a little more movement.)

Make a couple straps and attach them where you like.

All done!

I topstiched along the front chest band for a nice detail.

I also v’d my straps in the back.

Total time- about 45 minutes. So easy!

Have a beautiful weekend!


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Posted in children's clothes, Original Designs, other | 7 Comments »

Girl’s Easter Dresses

May 12, 2011 8:52 am

Finally! The remaining Easter dresses. Better late then never, right? For this dress I got a thrifted top, cut it off and added some gathered tiers.

I love the layers. And it just so happened to match the Easter eggs perfectly!

This one was probably my favorite.

I got a stained shirt and added the ruffles. Then I added three layers to the skirt: and underlayer, a layer of tulle then a layer of knit. The I added a coordinating sash.

Here’s wishing for a great day!


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Posted in children's clothes, Original Designs | 4 Comments »
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