The Train To Crazy

Make It Wear It

Check out some of the great links from last week!

The Path Less Traveled Market completed this great sweater & hat set. Super sweet.

Twincess Designs made so many cute hats from the From an Igloo pattern.

And, as always, Farah Makes Stuff is making awesome stuff. 

 

If you've been featured, feel free to grab a button. 

So what have you been making that you can wear?? 

The Rules: 

1.Your link must be a project YOU made that can be worn.

2. Pretty please link back here. You can grab the button if you want.

3. Go check out the others who are linking! Have fun and get inspired! Leave comments because everyone loves comments!

Make It For Winter: Holiday Wear

I'm thinking of making some Christmas outfits for my girls this year. The thing is, after spending all that time making clothes, you want them to last a little longer than one or two wears. I figure that means two things. 

1. Pick a more casual fabric. Red velvet really screams Christmas.

2. Pick a style that can be dressed up or down. 

You know what I mean? Have you been able to successfully accomplish this before? Holiday wear that goes beyond the year's end?

I'm thinking this style of dress is perfect

Sadie dress pattern by Noodles & Milk

Or perhaps this skirt paired with a sweet little sweater

Annabeth skirt pattern by Noodles & Milk

Of course, you could use a "fancy" fabric like a red or black velvet, but I'm thinking a red plaid with a plain black waistband and black skirt trim would work well.

Or how about something a bit more fun and versatile?

These Riley Blake Lovebirds would be perfect! You can find these at Thread This Fabric for a great price. *

Though, if you're like me and you are lacking in the time department, you might want to think ahead a bit further to spring clothes. Can't you imagine that Annabeth skirt in these fabrics?

Riley Blake fabrics found at Thread This Fabric

So, are you planning to make holiday outfits for your kids or grandkids? If you're crunched for time you could always make a 60 Minute dress. Of course, the Go To Dress would be perfect for Christmas!

*Welcome to my newest sponsor Thread This Fabric!

Tutorial: The 60 Minute Dress

Warning: do not attempt this dress if you are a perfectionist OR are uncomfortable "winging it"

If you do dare, this is what you'll get

(shirt version)

(dress version)

(very unflattering adult version)

I have some tips on how to make your adult version much cuter (hopefully).

Measure your subject:

Cut rectangle of fabric by the width and length you measured.

Fold in half one way, then fold in half the other way so the very middle of the fabric is folded at a point.

Cut head hole by dividing head circumference by 4, then cut head hole as pictured. Smaller is better. You can always cut it larger if necessary.

Your fabric will now look like this:

Now here is the "winging it" part.

Start at edge and sew arm hole the turn a 90 degree angle and sew down to bottom. 

Can you believe it will now look like this?

Hints:

• make arm hole big enough
• the "armpit" of the shirt should be 1"-3" away from the body so the dress is a big without the belt. 
• slightly angle side seam back away from body. The more you angle the seam back toward side edge, the fuller the dress will be.
• The heavier the knit, the less "flowy" it will be. On an adult I'd recommend a lightweight knit!! Mine was too heavy. It also doesn't flatter my 5 week post baby body. 
• Try it on, fix if necessary! Too wide? take 3 minutes and make it less wide!

Finish neck, sleeve and bottom of shirt with rolled hem or however you want. Knit doesn't even "need" to be finished.

Finish the dress with a belt. I used a piece of knit a couple inches smaller than the waist. Sewed the ends together and finished edges with a rolled hem.

What do you think? Easy, but do you dare try? I'd love to see pictures if you make one!

The 60 Minute Dress

A dress in 60 minutes?? Can it be?? Why, yes, it can. 

The ultimate in comfort and pretty cute to boot.

So simple. I want one myself.

Make It Wear It

I thought I'd mix it up a bit this week and feature some projects that were pattern FAILs. You know, commercial pattern that doesn't work out. I love seeing people post about not only the things that work out, but the things that don't.

Sneezerville made a dress from the Built by Wendy pattern book. When that didn't flatter, she whipped it into this.

Go see what it originally looked like!

GeorgiaBe decided to whip up a quick tunic from a Simplicity pattern. 

I love how her children reacted to seeing her wear it! So funny.

If you've been featured, feel free to grab a button. 

So what have you been making that you can wear?? WARNING: I delete links that aren't wearable. Sorry, you just can't wear a potholder or a headboard.

The Rules: 

1. Click on "add your link" below. Enter your item information. Please link to the actual blog post that includes your project so it is easy for people to find! 

2. Pretty please link back here. You can grab the button if you want.

3. Go check out the others who are linking! Have fun and get inspired! Leave comments because everyone loves comments!

Guest Tutorial: Mini Heater

Please help me welcome another great guest blogger today! Are you ready for another fun Winter project? 

Hello!  I am e. and I blog over at pinksuedeshoe.  I am in love with old typewriters, pretty vintage Pyrex, and all things pink.  I love winter more than any other season and I am happy to be contributing to Make it for Winter for Andrea.  I have a wonderful hubby who doesn't mind my sewing mess all over the house, and one little girl who loves to play with my scraps.

I'm sharing an easy tutorial over on my blog today for a quick little project to keep everyone warm.  A little mini heater to warm up your bed, your lap, a car seat or your pockets.   They make great gifts, are easy to customize, and only cost a few dollars each.

Come visit me at pinksuedeshoe for the tutorial, and come back after Thanksgiving for 12 days full of quick tutorials and easy Christmas projects.!

Thanks so much e! These are definitely useful in so many ways! And what a great gift! Since I'm not in need of a heater to keep my toes warm, I would definitely use this on sore muscles!

Head on over to pinksuedeshoe and check out her blog and the Mini Heater Tutorial! Don't forget to check out the rest of the tutorials we've had for Make It For Winter!

Make It Wear It

Some of my favorites from last week (notice the Make It For Winter theme):

Brassy Apple shows how to embellish arm warmers

ceo a's draiocht show's you how to make scarves on a loom.

Sweet Pea & Jojo has a great skull cap tutorial

If you've been featured, feel free to grab a button. 

So what have you been making that you can wear?? 

The Rules: 

1. Click on "add your link" below. Enter your item information. It must be something that can be worn! Please link to the actual blog post that includes your project so it is easy for people to find! 

2. Pretty please link back here. You can grab the button if you want.

3. Go check out the others who are linking! Have fun and get inspired! Leave comments because everyone loves comments!

An open letter to my children

My dear children,

I'm so happy to be your mother. You're all clever and cute and ever so sweet. However... must we;

take every book off the shelf and drag them to other rooms to use them as stools?

put all the play food in the shopping cart, wheel it to another room and dump it?

take all your clean clothes out of your drawers to pack for a make believe vacation?

cut up 47 pieces of paper into itty bitty pieces all over the floor?

take the covers and sheets off your bed to make a fort?

pull out all one million stuffed animals for a "dance party"?

manage to spread an evenly thin layer of toys, dress up clothes and paper throughout the entire house?

Really? Must we? And all before 8 a.m.?

Let's not. So the next time someone questions "what do you do all day" you won't feel the need to answer "we have to clean all day." Because when you tell homeschool skeptics that you're forced to clean all day it just doesn't look good for mommy.

Thanks so much.

Love,

Mommy

P.S. Toilet paper belongs on the roll.

Guest Tutorial: Fleece Mittens

I'm so excited to introduce my next guest! Christine creates so many great tutorials I'm sure you'll love her blog! Welcome!

Hi everybody! It's so nice to be here taking part in Andrea's Make it For Winter series! I'm Christine and I'm the author of the blog From An Igloo. As you might be able to guess from the name of my blog, I live somewhere chilly. We have already had snow for quite some time, and have had the winter coats out since September.

I don't know about you guys, but mitts tend to go missing in our house just as quickly as socks. In the middle of winter we need to wear heavy duty mitts, temps can dip into the minus 40's Celcius (-40 C is the same as -40 F), but for fall and spring these fleece mitts do the trick. With a yard of fleece, depending on size, you can make 4-6 pair. If you make several pairs all the same color, you won't be scrambling when you are already late for school to find that one missing mitt!

I hope you'll pop on over and visit me! You can find the pattern and step by step tutorial on how to make these simple fleece mitts.

If you need a fleece hat you can find a pattern for one too! Thank you for having me Andrea! :) I keep thinking of you sitting in such hot temps and it is hard to believe! I'm looking out my window and I need to shovel snow from my driveway!

Such a brilliant idea to make a bunch of the same color! We are always losing gloves and mittens. Thanks Christine!

Don't forget to check out the other Make It For Winter tutorials! These mitts would go great with a scarf and ear warmers or even a car seat coat! We've got exciting things planned all month so stop by again or subscribe!

Make It For Winter: Chili

Do you like to make soup when the weather gets cold? I do. I've spent most of my life hating chili. But now I don't. It might be because of this recipe, or maybe I just changed my mind... So, if it is cold where you are, get yourself some cornbread or crusty bread and make yourself this chili. I make it in a crock pot but you could certainly use your stove.

Chili

1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)

1 (29 oz) can tomato sauce 

1 (29 oz) can pinto beans, with liquid

1 cup diced onion

1/4 cup diced celery

4 medium tomatoes coarsely chopped

2 tsp. cumin powder

3 Tbsp. chili powder (add extra for spicier chili)

1 1/2 tsp. black pepper

2 tsp salt

2 cups water

Brown ground beef and drain. Put all ingredients in a large pot and simmer for 2-3 hours. Alternatively throw it in a crock pot for the day. This makes a full 5 quart crock pot full. This is rather spicy so if you don't like spicy you might want to add a bit less chili pepper.

Enjoy!

Guest Tutorial: Ear Warmers

I'm enjoying this series so far, are you? Today I have Elizabeth here. I don't know if you've seen her blog but I highly recommend subscribing to it if you have young kids. She has so many great projects! Welcome Elizabeth!

Brrr . . . I can feel the chill in the air already!  That's why I'm so glad to be a part of Make it for Winter here at The Train to Crazy!  I'm Elizabeth, and my blog twelve crafts till Christmas is all about my journey in making handmade gifts.  I'm hoping to inspire a reader or two to make a gift as well, so I provide a bunch of gift ideas and tutorials.  Lately, I've been on a winter nesting and crafting spree.  I've made a few scarves, a pair of fingerless gloves and today I'm excited to share with you my adjustable ear warmers.  Grab a few old sweaters and a package of hook and loop.  Then hop on over to twelve crafts to make ear warmers that will fit all the girls (or guys) in your house.

Thanks Andrea for including me in this month's festivities!

And as I say over at twelve crafts . . . Craft on!

Find the full tutorial here. It is FAR from chilly here (it was up to 100 degrees most of the week!) but I am sure there are many people who would love this project! 

Guest Tutorial: Make A Car Seat Coat

I'm excited to introduce you to a blogger you may not be familiar with! Please welcome Beth from Sand To Pearl!

First off I'd like to thank Andrea here at The Train to Crazy. I've loved this blog for a while now, and I'm so honored that I get to be a guest blogger (I totally feel like a Craft-lebrity!) 

I am Beth and I have a little blog called Sand To Pearl. There I like to do lots of tutorials, and with a little boy and a little girl, there is always something waiting to be made. 

Now, I'm super excited to show you this Car Seat Coat tutorial. Why do you need a car seat coat? Well, it's really unsafe for kids in car seats to wear bulky winter coats. Yeah, and I live in IOWA, it's FREEZING here, and winter seems to hold on FOREVER (I know lots of caps, but I really mean it!). So, I ended up coming up with this little ditty.

 
Fun, huh? Plus, safe and warm. Perfect. Want to make one too? Jump on over to Sand to Pearl and find the whole tutorial.

Thanks Beth! What a great idea to keep little ones both safe and warm!

Make It Wear It

So many great links last week! There were a ton of creative Halloween costumes. Since we've moved past Halloween I'm not going to feature any of them but if you want ideas for next year go on back and check them out!

Featured Projects:

DandLs DangLs has a tutorial to make these great earrings. I love that green!

Thrillingly Thrifty has a tutorial for turning a wool sweater into theses felted slippers. Such a fun project.

Mama Smiles drafted the pattern for her sun hat. It turned out great!

If you've been featured, feel free to grab a button. 

So what have you been making that you can wear?? 

The Rules: 

1. Click on "add your link" below. Enter your item information. Please link to the actual blog post that includes your project so it is easy for people to find! 

2. Pretty please link back here. You can grab the button if you want.

  <a href="http://www.thetraintocrazy.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/ab308/thetraintocrazy/makeitwearitbutton.jpg" border="0" alt="make it wear it"></a>

3. Go check out the others who are linking! Have fun and get inspired! Leave comments because everyone loves comments!

Giveaway~ Kitschy Coo Reversible Zippy Hoodie Pattern

It's time for a WINTER pattern giveaway! Are you familiar with Kitschy Coo?

I'm certain you've seen the results of this pattern on some of your favorite blogs. It seems everyone is making these, and I can see why!! What a great pattern for cool weather! 

This pattern is fully reversible! You can get the pattern in sizes 18 mo- 4T or 5Y-8Y. Scared of patterns? Don't be scared of this one!

Do you want to make one of your own? Amanda from Kitschy Coo is generously offering a free pattern to one of my readers! 

Enter to Win

1. Visit the Kitschy Coo Etsy shop and tell me what you think of the patterns. 

2. Follow or subscribe to Amanda's Kitschy Coo blog. Leave me a comment letting me know.

3. Subscribe to this blog. Leave me a separate comment.

4. Tweet about this giveaway. One tweet per day allowed. Please be sure to link to this post and mention @TheTrainToCrazy. Leave a separate comment for each tweet.

5. Post this on your facebook status. One entry per day. Leave a separate comment for each status update.

Contest closes Friday, November 5th at 8:00 p.m. EST. Winner will be announced on this post.

Make It For Winter: The Mama Ruffle Scarf

It's November!! Can you believe it? Some of you may already be feeling the chill of winter, others of you are a hemisphere away, but either way, let's talk about all that we can make for winter!

Have you been knitting or sewing for the cold months? I've got a month of tutorials, giveaways and other fun things planned for your inspiration!

To kick off our month, Susan from Living With Punks is here! I love her blog. She always has fabulous projects and great photos. Welcome Susan!

Hey all you Train to Crazy Readers!  I'm Susan and I have a crafty blog, Living with Punks.  I'm a mom to three kids and a wife to one more.  Just kidding.  My hubby is so supportive of my love for sewing and blogging...and all the late nights. I love to showcase all the creations I've made for my little "punks".  I design and create all sorts of things and almost always include a tutorial so you can make some too.  Today I am sharing a grown up version of a scarf I made for my little girl a few months back.  I hope you enjoy it and are inspired to make one for yourself!

A special thanks to Andrea for including me in the Make it for Winter series.  I can't wait to see what else she has in store for all of us!

 Stop on by Living With Punks for the full Mama Ruffle Scarf tutorial!