Thrift Store Find

My last week in Arizona our family decided to go to this new thrift store Epic. I have to admit I don't really do a lot of thrift shopping. Not because I am against using used products, but because I rarely find anything when I go. However Epic did not let me down. Not only did it have a ton of household items that I had my eye on but I found a few items for my son (a couple t-shirts and a pair of shorts) as well as this valence:

Instantly the ideas came flooding through my head. My first instinct was shorts for Jack but by the time I got home another idea came to me...a ruffle waist skirt. The valence already had a casing where you would put the rod through so I figured I will just use this as my casing for my elastic and it already had a hem. Done, easy project!

However as I began the actual project I had some set backs. First I decided to add some pleats to the bottom just to give it something special. In doing this the skirt ended up being too short. So I decided to add some white underneath. I still didn't like the look of the white fabric underneath, just too plain. What to add? A ruffle, some ribbon...ah ha orange ric rac. I love the color combination. Also the skirt was a little too puffy for my taste so I ended up taking off about 6 inches from the side before sewing it together.




Not as simple as I had planned but a learning process all the same. And I ended up with a pretty cute skirt for a only $2.99. Can't beat that.

I'm linking up HERE

5 Minute Tinkerbell Dress

I feel like I made more clothes last week than I've made in a few months!  I've been very inspired by all the creations Jessica has recently shared.  Hopefully I'll be sewing clothes more often.

I made my daughter one more dress for our week at Disneyland. 

My mom recently sent me Tinkerbell fabric that was already hemmed and just waiting for a quick seam and straps.

I measured my daughter by wrapping the fabric around her chest.  This was certainly not the best way to determine how much fabric I needed to make her dress but I was making this quickly.  Luckily the measurement method worked and the dress ended up fitting her perfectly.  I trimmed the fabric edges and pinned them together for the seam (right sides together).

I stitched the fabric together and it already looked like a completed dress!

I used a dress from my daughter's closet to estimate the strap size.  Again not the best way to get measurements but it worked out in the end.  I pinned the ribbon straps and quickly stitched them in place.

My daughter wanted no part of trying on this dress until I offered her some cotton candy.  She will do anything I ask of her at home for cotton candy!  The dress fit her perfectly.

Hopefully she'll be wearing this when she meets Tinkerbell.

If I'm not too busy on vacation I will be linking this post here.

 

Fun Find Friday - Little Blue Boo's Sienna Dress Pattern

Planning a trip to Disneyland with my daughter always inspires me to make her more fun Disney themed clothes.  She is very excited to have a new Mickey dress for this week's trip!

It's no secret that I am a huge fan of Lil Boo Blue and her clothing line.  If you know me personally you are aware that my daughter will only willingly wear two articles of clothing - 1) her LBB bird dress and 2) her LBB butterfly dress.  I put together a small collage of my daughter wearing only her favorite dresses.  These pictures were taken over the past few months.  Aren't the dresses (and my daughter) darling?

Earlier this year I purchased Lil Blue Boo's Sienna Dress Pattern. 

I can't believe it took me so many months to finally print the pattern and make something!  To be completely honest, I was a little nervous about attempting this dress.  I haven't sewn anything with a pattern in years.  I'm happy to report that this pattern was extremely easy to follow and I am excited to make more dresses! 

I recently cleaned out my closet and found two perfect shirts to use with the pattern.  I used a striped shirt that was a couple of sizes too big for me and a Mickey Mouse shirt that no longer fit. 

My daughter didn't want to pose for a picture in her new dress but I get a thumbs up approval.

I have a couple of other Lil Blue Boo patterns that I will be trying out soon!

If I'm not too busy on vacation, I will be linking this post here.

 

Men's Freezer Paper Disney Shirt

I rarely make any clothing items for my husband.  I've mentioned before that we are big fans of Disney.  I grew up going to Disneyland every summer and my husband went to Disney World frequently as a child.  He recently pointed out a shirt online that he liked with Disney World's 40th anniversary logo.  I figured I would try to make something similar and if the project failed, I would simply surprise him by buying the shirt online.  I'm so happy with how my version turned out!  The front has a small patch with Mickey Mouse.  The back has a larger patch with the anniversary logo.

I found the logo online and enlarged it on my desktop.

I traced the image directly from my computer onto freezer paper.  If you are unfamiliar with freezer paper stenciling, please see one of my earlier projects, Mrs. Squirrel, for some tips.

Next I used a small pair of scissors to cut out the design.  I cut everywhere I wanted paint to show.  I ironed the design onto two pieces of white knit. 

Before you start painting your design with fabric paint you want to make sure to spill it all over your beige carpet.  Oops, never mind, that step is not mandatory.  Yes, I did do that.    But in my defense, it was because our psychotic cat attacked my arm causing my small container with paint to fly everywhere.  Would you  believe me if I told you the paint came completely out of the carpet with Resolve?  It did!  Here's a nice shot of the painted carpet:

I painted the design with red fabric paint.  I tried to give it a distressed look so I made sure to leave some brush marks.

A few hours later I peeled off the freezer paper...

...and was thrilled with the outcome!  It look exactly like I hoped it would.

I trimmed the knit pieces to make patches.

Then I pinned the patches onto the shirt and used my sewing machine to sew them in place.  I wanted the pieces to look like rough patches so I didn't sew in straight lines.  I outlined each patch twice in crooked white stitches.

I washed the shirt, let it hang dry, and then roughed up the edges on the patches using a pair of tweezers.  I just pulled at the fabric until it looked rough enough.  I'm sure after a few more washes it will look more distressed.

I'm really happy with how the shirt turned out and I'm looking forward to seeing my husband wear it in Disneyland this week!

If I'm not too busy on vacation, I will be linking this post here.

 

Flirt Skirt, a J.Crew Knockoff

Yup another skirt. I am really giving my wardrobe a makeover.
I found this material on sale at Hancock fabrics for $1/yard. SCORE! I love the orange it reminds me of summertime. Anyways, I saw this adorable tutorial on a flirt skirt and wanted to make one for myself. A few things I want to add to the tutorial.

1. make the pockets smaller. I cut them down by about 1 inch all around. I found that the way she made the pockets they were too big and floppy. Which brings me to my second point:
2. hand tack the pocket to the front of the skirt. Just a little stitch in the front corner should do. The pockets flap back and forth and it is really annoying.
3. Wait until the end to make the hem line. You can't really tell how short you want it until you try it on.
4. As far as the elastic goes don't cut the original strip in half. I would recommend you put the front side of elastic in, measure it 11 inch across and then cut with 1 inch on each side of your marking. Then do the same for the back. This will save you elastic so you are not wasting it. I made the elastic the way the tutorial instructed and ended up trimming off about 5 inch of wasted elastic.

Other than that it is a great tutorial. Very easy and the skirt is so breezy and light. I also added something fun (a little bit of flair) to the bottom. After I hemmed the skirt I added a zipper that I opened up. So there is just a trim of zipper along the bottom. I have a shirt that I love that has this and have been wanting to try it on something that I made. Just something different and fun.

I also altered a shirt that I own to go with the skirt. I had a plain white collared shirt hanging in my closet that I rarely wear. I had an idea to add ruffles down the front and change it from boring to appealing. Here is how you can do the same:

BEFORE

1. Cut 2 inch strips of any fabric you want to make the ruffles from. I cut 6 strips.
2. With right sides facing fold the strip in half (hot dog) and sew down one end and the side. Then turn the strip right side out using a pencil or end of a wooden spoon.
3. Press flat. The fold the open end inward so you don't have any open edges. Sew this end down. I used a zig zag stitch because I think it looks nicer. Repeat with all the strips.
4. Once you have the strips done baste down the middle of each strip with a really loose stitch. Then pull on one end to make the ruffle. You can make it as loose or tight as you want.

5. Press the ruffle to make it easier to pin. Then you will pin all your ruffles to the front of your shirt. I staggered mine.

6. Sew down the ruffles to the shirt trying to go over the basting stitch and make sure to back stitch at both ends.

AFTER

I'm linking up HERE and HERE and HERE

Crafterhours Skirt Week

Sorry to take a break from Flip Flop week but I have to share with all of you my progress over the last week.

One of my favorite blogs Crafterhours is currently accepting applications for skirt week. There are 4 categories of skirts you can upload for the contest, and 2 skirts in each category. I love making skirts because they are so easy and quick. Plus I wear them a lot especially with summer coming soon. Here are a few I have made in the past week for the contest.

FULL SKIRTS:

This first one was inspired by a skirt I saw at Downeast Outfitters. I thought it was adorable with the layered look and I loved this fabric that I found at Joann's. It is a silky satin cream color with navy poka dots. I paired it with a navy chiffon ruffle. I didn't use a pattern just another skirt that I already owned that had a similar style. It is not exactly like the one I saw in the store but I still like it. I just made it an elastic waist because it is easier to slip on. I also gathered both the top and bottom of each section which gives it more of a bubble look. But it is soft and flowy, perfect for summertime.


The next skirt is also flowing but this time it has pleats. I LOVE pleats. It gives the skirt a flat front which is nice for tummy control and they look good on everyone. I used a Butterick pattern (B4924). Honestly I just love the fabric. I love the large flowers. I love the colors. I love the silky feel of it. And I love that it is a classic skirt that I can wear for years to come.

Straight Skirts

This soft red corduroy skirt is so simple anyone could make it. It is a stretch corduroy so it fits comfortably on the body and red goes with anything. I didn't use a pattern just 3 panels and a zipper in the back. The perfect summer skirt for going out or running around town.


A line:

This is a cotton blend skirt with purple, yellow, and pink flowers on a green background. I used the same Butterick B4924 for the pattern but this time I only made 2 pleats rather that 4. (It really is a great pattern. I bought it for my bridesmaid skirts for my wedding and have been using it for 5 years) The skirt has a flat front, pleats down each side, and a zipper on the side. It is a very spring print but I like how it goes with everything because of all the colors in the fabric. I was drawn to the fabric because it has a vintage feel to it. Like something my grandma would have worn with a modern design.

I also linked up the berry skirt I made last week which you can see HERE.

I will probably be linking up two skirts for my daughter in the next week or so, so stay tuned for a follow up.

I'm linking up HERE