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!

First is this light denim skirt with pockets.

It has a great pleating detail at the bottom. It’s the perfect blank canvas for spring’s wardrobe.

Next is the breezeway blouse in a coral and navy chevron stripe.

It has an open back detail with a small gold button closure.

Go check them out and all my other new items in my etsy store!

Happy Thursday!

For the first step, you’re going to cut out the bodice piece. Cut it out in length from the neckline to the waist. Leave it a few inches wider than your child’s torso.

Next, cut the sleeves. We’re going to gather the neckline, so the sleeves act as an exaggerated neckline. The rise up past the neckline of the bodice. Your pieces should look like this.

Next sew the sleeves to the bodice top.

For the skirt I got two different fabrics. I wanted each one slightly ruffled so these were the proportions I used.

Gather the bottom layer and add it to the mid layer.

Slightly gather that layer then add it to your bodice top and close the back seam.

Now we’re just going to add some finishing touches. You can easily just hem the bottom but I wanted to do something a little different. I got this hem tape.

Attach it to the bottom hem.

Fold it under and press. The stitch at the edge. It just makes a sweet detail at the hem.

Now for the neckline! Fold it under and edge stitch.

Then, using elastic thread, stitch two or three rows to make it gathered. (for more details on elastic thread, see here.)

I tend to not love gathered sleeves and wanted to keep it slightly looser. So find the center of your sleeve and mark with a pin,

Fold each side over about an inch.

Pin each one so you have a sweet, pleated detail.

Place a button there to keep the pleats down.

Now you’re finished!

I love the details of this dress.

Honestly, there’s a lot of details but it took me under an hour. Hope you enjoy this!

]]> http://www.madebylex.com/2011/01/the-ava-frock.html/feed 11 http://www.madebylex.com/2010/12/white-on-white-shirt-tutorial.html http://www.madebylex.com/2010/12/white-on-white-shirt-tutorial.html#comments Tue, 14 Dec 2010 16:28:39 +0000 Alexis http://www.madebylex.com/?p=2937 From the beginning I’ve been a fan of tone on tone clothing. And my color preference is white. Here’s a little tutorial using some scrap fabrics in different tones or textures. You could do this with any shade of shirt and coordinating strips.

First figure out what fabrics you want to use and cut them into carying length strips. Sew them all together so they are in one long piece.

Get your long strip and ruffle it.

Here’s how mine looked at this point.

Press the ruffle strip so it’s nice and flat.

Now pin the ruffle strip in a swirl pattern onto your shirt.

Then just sew it into place around all the edges.

Here’s the finished product.

I love this kind of shirt under a black blazer.

Have a lovely day!

It’s a sweatshirt material, although much softer.

I added a kangaroo pocket with vintage gold nautical buttons…

…with a cute striped lining.

I’ve got some coming to the store soon.