Tailoring Part 1- Taking in a shirt

I love thrift shopping, when I have the time. There is something about finding a good deal that makes me want to shout it out from the top of a building and let everyone know where I got the item. Problem is most thrift shopping takes time to sort through the hundreds of racks and try on everything that catches your eye. With three little munchkins running around, hiding under the racks of clothes I don't really get out shopping much.

I did however make a recent trip to my favorite thrift store and found this adorable top for less than $5. The only problem, it is way too big. But for $5 I figured I could make some minor adjustments.

Tailoring flowy shirts is actually fairly simple.

Step 1: Try on the top and place some pins on both sides measuring where you would like the shirt to fit.

Step 2: Turn the shirt inside out and pin along the side seams from the hem all the way to the underarm slowly tapering as you go.

Step 3: Begin at the bottom hem and slowing sew along the side where you marked at an angle finishing under the arm. I like to sew right through the underarm to get a nice line, no puckering. Repeat with the other side making sure they as even in spacing as possible.

Step 4: Turn shirt right side out and viola, you have a trim shirt that fits you perfectly.

 

Easy remake and good practice for beginning sewers.

My New Toy

I'm back...yes. After so long. After a quick family vacation to Seattle and research for a new sewing machine I am finally back and in action, crafting and sewing.

It has been a busy summer, I don't know where the time goes these days. Not to my favorite hobby, that's for sure.

Anyways here is my new toy.

I am so excited to start using it. The few projects I have worked on have been a dream. It is so smooth and easy to use. If you are in the market for a new, low cost machine I totally suggest this Brother. I actually purchased in from Costco online and got a great deal.

And since I purchased my last machine from Costco I received inspiration while ordering my new machine. Costco takes everything back. So I took my old machine into the store and received a full credit refund (I've had that machine for 3+ years). Amazing, I love Costco.

Basic Skirt Tutorial

Summer is coming and with the temperature rising my daughter is in need of some easy skirts to stay cool. A basic elastic waist skirt is the perfect solution and so quick to make. You can make it for any girl 12 months to adult for just about 1 yard of fabric. I wanted to make a really fluffy skirt so mine is much fuller than needed.

Here are the instructions:

-1 yard fabric (44" wide)
-1 inch elastic
-matching thread

1. Cut two panels of fabric on the fold for a total measurement of 44" long each. Here is a quick width chart:

• 12 months: 10"

• 2T: 11"
• 3T: 12"
• 4T: 13"
• 5T: 14:

Then it tapers off. Measure your model for the exact length adding 1 inch for the hem.  (For an adult I would cut the skirt 22" wide).

Cut your elastic to the width of the waist.

• 12 months: 17" long
• 2T: 18" long
• 3T: 20" long
• 4T: 22" long
• 5T: 24"long

and so on

Cut a third panel 4" wide x 44" long. (waist panel) Fold in half WST and press. Open panel and press one side of the waist band 1/4" towards the middle WST.

2. The two larger panels together at one of the side seams RST.

Press the seam open. Sew a gather stitch along the top of the panels leaving the threads long for gathering. Then sew a second gather stitch right next to the first stitch.

 Pull the threads and gather the fabric to match the length of the smaller waist panel.

3. Open the waist band paenl and with RST pin the skirt panel to the waist band panel (make sure the pattern is the correct direction if that is an issue). Sew the gathered panel to the waist band using a 1/4" seam. Open and press.

4. Flip the waist band panel over the raw edge of the skirt panels on the fold. This will make a casing for your elastic. Make sure that your 1/4" fold is still folded. Pin in place and top stitch to your skirt.

 

 
5. Thread your elastic through the casing securing at each end, I use a safety pin for this part. With RST match the sides of the skirt and pin in place all the way through the waist band. Sew together starting at the bottom and back stitch at the waist band.

6. Turn the bottom of your skirt under 1/4" inch, press, then turn another 1/4", press. Top stitch in place.

Now you are done. You can add embellishments to the bottom or pockets to the front. I added small poms to the bottom of this skirt.

*if you don't want such a full look you can reduce the length of your panels.

Finished-Mockingjay Dress

I am so proud to announce that I finished my dress!!!! Remember from the fabric search giveaway? Seriously so excited about it. I love how it turned out. I fits so perfectly I wore it all day and was comfortable and confident.

 

My brother-in-law asked if it was my Hunger Games dress and I realized it kinda does look like the mockingjay so I am going with that as the name. When I put it on at first I was worried. I kept thinking of that part in "The Help" when she asks if her dress looks homemade. But my husband, (the loving and supportive husband that he is, and smart did I say that already?) assured me it did not look homemade. And he was right, no body guessed that I had made it. This gave me an extra confidence boost.

 For this dress I chose the tab feature but added a back bow just for fun.

 

Once I started it was so simple I am already planning on another one with a few alterations. I love how it synches at the waist. And it has pockets for all my little knick knacks. Now I am totally inspired to sew more for myself, I went out and bought 5 new patterns (3 dress patterns and 2 tops). There will be a lot more adult sewing this year!

Emmaline Dress Review

I was looking through my dress patterns the other day trying to find a fun spring dress to make for my daughter, when she decided to come in and search with me. There are so many patterns that I have purchased with the intent of making but never get around to it. So while searching through the online patterns I came across the Emmaline Dress from Violette Field Threads and Elizabeth instantly wanted me to make her one. She loved the fact that it is long. Very different from anything I have made her before.

So I decided to make a girl day of it and gave her total creative license. We went to the fabric store and she picked the fabric, she picked the pattern, and she even helped me with the sewing a bit. She is only 3 so I know actually sewing with her is at least 5 years off but it was fun to have her play with her little ironing board and talk while I made the dress.

It turned out FANTASTIC! So adorable. I love the length and the lightness of the dress. It is a very light coral colored cotton with white polka dots and inside the polka dots are orange polka dots. My only complaint is that that neckline is a little low. I feel more comfortable with a plain white tee under it just to make sure there isn't too much skin showing. I am sure I will be making it again. She has worn it every day since I made it (she is in a stage where she tries on several dresses throughout the day.)

 

 

Barbie Bake Shop Party

One of my friends is an amazing party planner. She always has the best ideas and puts a lot of thought into her party themes. This last week her daughter turned 6 and she wanted a Barbie Bake Shop party. It was so adorable. She wanted to make aprons for all the girls as their party favors. She has never sewn before so it was definitely an adventure.

I made up a quick pattern using a t-shirt for the top of apron and a basic square for the bottom.

Here are the instructions:

Cut the following pieces:

4 strips 44"x4"
1 square 9"x12"
1 bodice piece using a t-shirt

1. Fold over the edges of the bodice under the arms and along the top 1/4th inch and then another 1/4th inch. Press down and top stitch in place.

2. Fold over the sides and bottom of the square piece 1/4th inch and another 1/4th inch, press, and top stitch in place.

3. Take two of the strips and fold over the sides of the strips 1/4th inch press and another 1/4th inch and press. Then fold over the bottom of each strip 1/4th inch, press, and another 1/4th inch. Top stitch all the folds in place.

4. Using the two strips you just top stitched on, sew a gathering stitch along the raw edge. Gather making a ruffle on each strip. Place the ruffle along the top of the square piece with the wrong side of the ruffle against the right side of the square. Pin in place and sew together along the gathered stitch. Now layer the next ruffle under the top ruffle about 2 inches down so the top ruffle overlaps the bottom ruffle. Pin in place and sew along the gathered stitch.

5. With RST sew the bodice to the skirt piece with the ruffles on the top. Open and press.

6.  Using your other 2 44" strips fold in half with RST, press, and sew along the length and one of the ends. Do this to both strips. Sew both ends closed on the second strip, fold in half so both ends are touching and cut on the fold so you have two. Turn all the tubes right side out using a pencil or wooden spoon. Tuck in the open ends and sew the ends closed then press flat.

7. Using the longer of the tubes find the middle and pin it to the front of the apron along the top and skirt seam. Top stitch it in place.

8. Take the smaller tubes and pin one to each side of the bodice at the top. Top stitch in place.

Your done!

 

 

 Lisa made 8 all by herself. I was amazed at how quickly she caught on. I can see a lot of sewing in her future. Here are some pictures from the party.

bunting banner and ruffled Barbie cake, love the update to an old favorite

Barbie box for all the girls to take their pictures in.

A garage sale changing table spray painted pink

If you would like to see more party themes and decor check out her blog: Diary of a {Wannabe} Domestic Diva. So many great ideas, I was so excited to be a small part of it.