It was so fun putting an outfit together last week that I thought I'd give it another shot! Sew this knockoff outfit for yourself! Would you make this?
Pattern: Simplicity 3503
Fabric: Brown Paisley Voile OR Missoni Zig Zag Lace
Have you made a maxi dress yet?
Sometimes I like to peruse Pinterest for outfits, pretending to be fashionable. Because, let's face it, I'm really not. I have about 6 outfits in my closet and half of them aren't cute! But sometimes I dream of cute outfits. Like this one, for instance.
Dress: Enchanted Afternoon Dress
Shoes: Bright on the town
Sweater: Betsy Johnson Love Cardigan
The BEST thing about sewing is you can have that cute dress AND have fun making it yourself!
Pattern: Colette Parfait Dress
Fabric: Antique Blue Berry Floral Print OR Bright Sky Floral crepe de chine
How do you feel about this outfit? Have you made a Parfait Dress yet?
It was face lift week around here. I'm nearly done with all the changes and I'm still deciding what I like and don't like. Don't be surprised if you see more changes in the near future. In the mean time, please grab a new button. I'm so happy with the buttons and I know they'll look great on your blog (hint, hint)!
Did you have any favorites from last week? Here are a few of mine.
Amber from Very Homemade: Bold Skirt
Cherie from You and Mie: Double Ruffle Top
Petra from Bag of Pretty: Beanie and Scarf
Sarah from Sarah Jane Sews: Jalie 2806 Tulip Sleeve Top
Hilda from Handmade Therapy: 2 Raglan Tees
Wowsa! So many cute things last week!!! Grab a featured button if I just featured you! 
Now let's link up this week! Here are the ground rules:
1. Link up something YOU made.
2. Someone has to be able to wear it.
3. No shops please.
4. Grab a button or link back here somehow so others can join in. The more the merrier!
Please excuse the blog while it gets a bit of a face lift! It will be partially complete for a bit so don't mind the identity crisis. I've also got some new buttons for you!! Please grab the new buttons and replace the old ones on your blog if you'd like.
Have you been featured? I've got a pretty new featured button so grab it and show it off on your blog!
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I made my first little bow tie for Easter. There were a ton of free tutorials and all of them are similar. I chose to use wool felt as the interfacing as one tutorial suggested. I think it made the bow a bit too puffy and it was difficult to sew through all the layers but I still love it.
Plus, who could resist that face?
Welcome to Make It Wear it!
Are you ready to link up what you've made to be worn?? Here are some of my favorites from last week.
Kalinchen's Closet made this dress with Ikea fabric
This Crazy Blessed Life made this adorable tiered dress
Lohtown Life made these sweet little pants with a dress shirt
I love this top from Domestic Engineering
Grab a Make It Wear It button or share this link on your blog so others can come check out the great links!
Are you joining Elsie Marley for the Kids Clothes Week Challenge? I usually try to join in and this Spring is no different, except this week I'll be making one gazillion Go To Dresses. Ok, maybe not that many, but a lot.
I have the pattern completed and I'm doing some testing and tweeking before sending it to more pattern testers. (Thanks to those of you who volunteered on Facebook! For the rest of you, follow this blog on facebook for further testing opportunities.)
Here's a little peek at the one I completed yesterday.
Are you joining in the KCWC fun?
If you follow me on twitter or Instagram you'll get more peeks into the pattern and samples. I'm TheTrainToCrazy everywhere on the web so look for me!
Welcome to Make It Wear It! Link up anything you made that can be worn. No shops please.
Some favorites from last week:
Guess how Heather from A Couple of Craft Addicts painted these earrings.
Mama Says Sew shows you how to make this pieced striped circle skirt.
Het Groene Kamertje made this cute cuff
Kate from Craft Whatever shows you how to make these glittery shoes from a pair of old scuffed shoes
Melly Sews made a great maxi skirt
Hi friends! I know many of you have made this Go To Dress from my free pattern. Can I ask for some feedback?
I'm currently reworking the pattern and I'd love to make any improvements that I can. The improvements I've already added:
Do you have any other fun ways you would like to make the pattern more versatile? A hood? Ruffles somewhere?
Sorry for so many questions I just really want to make this pattern a truly "go to" dress!
Welcome to Make It Wear It! How has your week been treating you? It is Spring Break here so the kids and I are just enjoying some extra time together. And there is more fighting too. Do your kids do that? Sigh.
On to a few of the links that stood out last week:
Veronica from SewVery made a Picture Perfect dress from Venessa Christenson's new book Make It Sew Modern: Gather, Twist, Pleat, Texture
Christine from The DIY Dreamer made these adorable button earings.
Cherie from You & Mie made this great Wiksten blocked top
Ready to link up? Grab a button or link back here if you'd like. Anything you made yourself that can be worn is eligible to link up. No shops please.
Well, an e-book. And I was just one of more than 800 bloggers whose "works for me" posts was included in We Are That Family's That Work's For Me book. But I am still excited to be included! I've read through my copy and it is FABULOUS! Seriously! So many great tips from laundry tips to relationship helps. My tip was my chocolate syrup recipe. (excuse me while I go make some more...) But what is my favorite tip in the book? How to trap fruit flies, of course! Though other tips I've loved are the "Stair Bucket" and "Puzzle Bag". The tip I need most? "Organizing Mail." (I hate mail)
Here is a great trailer for the book.
So fun, right? Go get yourself a copy! All proceeds go to fun the Mercy House, a maternity home in Kenya for girls who would otherwise be living on the streets or be forced to abort their babies. With all the proceeds supporting such a worthy cause there is no reason not to buy the book!
And yes, I am an affiliate but really I just want you to support Mercy House so if you'd rather just give your money directly go do that!
Sewing a present for a mom-to-be before knowing if the baby is a boy or a girl can be difficult! I was so conflicted last week when I had a baby shower to attend. Should I make some baby sleep dresses? A blanket? I couldn't decide and I was uninspired. Then I remembered this pattern so I made a soft little sleep sack. The pattern was from Handmade Beginnings
I used aqua, green and red to make it neutral. It is lined with flannel and closes with velcro. For colder climates just line with fleece. I used store bought bias tape for the binding but I imagine it would be even cuter if you made your own binding.
It made me wish I had made a bunch of these for my babies! Too late for me but I'll be making more as gifts in the future for sure! I think this, combined with Megan from Sorta Crunchy's new book, Spirit-Led Parenting: From Fear to Freedom in Baby's First Year
Incidentally, I've now made 5 projects from Handmade Beginnings
Sometimes a simple bed just needs a little something to make it go from boring to fabulous. I bet you can guess that involves a ruffle, of course. Friends, adding a ruffle to a sheet is probably the easiest project you can ever do.
I've posted the full tutotial over at See Kate Sew for her Ruffles 2012 series. Go check it out and see all the other fabulous tutorials!
Welcome to the weekly blog link up for things that YOU made that can be worn. Accessories, clothes, etc. No shops please! Link back please.
Here are some of the favorites from last week.
Mandy from Sugar Bee Crafts made these adorable ties.
Lucija drafted her own pattern for this beautiful top.
Meika's Little Treasures made this great sweater
Now link up what you've made! If you've been featured please grab a button if you'd like!
I spent a lot of time on Pinterest and google images looking for inspiration for my daughter's quilt. I never really found what I was envisioning so I created this Gathered Quilt or Duvet Cover. I'll show you how to make this top with a tutorial and you can quilt it or turn it into a duvet cover if you choose. I actually made it a duvet cover because I thought my daughter would prefer that but I might quilt it down the road. All you need is the ability to sew a straight line and you can make this cover yourself!
I chose some bright quilting cotton fabrics but you could go monochromatic or even use sheets for this. An all white cover would be really cute as well. My daughter just loves, loves color so that is exactly what she got!
Gather your supplies for the top:
UPDATED: For 63 squares like this one you'll need 9.25 yards of fabric for the top (assuming 44" wide fabric). You'll get 6 cut pieces per yard if you want to think of it that way. I think I used 9 different fabrics. The squares are 10" square when finished which should help with your math if you are making a different size quilt.
For the backing fabric you'll need 4.6 yards of 44" fabric or a full sized flat sheet.
Step 1-- Gather long sides of fabric pieces. Use a long stitch or a ruffler foot
Step 2-- Sew gathered piece to a backing piece to stabilize.
Step 3-- Sew squares together! I recommend laying them all out to decide how you want them arranged. I chose to alternate the direction of the gathers to create the look I was going for. Then sew one row together at a time with a 1/4" seam allowance. After the rows are sewn you can finish the edges. I serged mine but you can use a zig zag stitch or pinking sheers if you'd like. This will prevent fraying.
After you have all your rows sewn, sew the rows together. Make sure to pin well and match the corners. Then finish the remaining edges.
Step 4-- Make your cover into a Duvet or Quilt! I used a flat sheet and stacked the cover, right sides together and sewed around the edges leaving a 4 foot opening on one end to stuff the duvet inside. Design Sponge has a tutorial for making a duvet cover if you want more instructions. To make a quilt you'll sandwich the backing piece (the same size as the top), top and cotton quilt batting. Stitch in the ditch (the seam) in a grid to sew the whole thing together. Sew on a binding around the edge. There are tons of quilt tutorials and you tube videos if you need help!
Be warned, this is not a super quick project. It is very easy but takes time!
Enjoy! I'll be linking to some link parties.
***Edited: You will save a LOT of time buying a ruffler foot
Another week has passed and I still haven't posted anything on this blog. Sometimes life gets in the way of hobbies but get ready because I'll be back shortly with a whole bunch of great things I've been working on! But now, let's see what you've been doing!
Link up what you've made to be worn! Anything goes (no shops please).
I loved seeing everything you all linked up last week! If you've made something yourself that can be worn link up! (no etsy shops please). Grab a button to share the party with others!
Welcome to the blog party that is all about clothing and accessories that YOU made! Come link up! Sorry I haven't been posting much lately. I've been working on this room like crazy. Now that it is finished I'll be posting more regularly!
Finding away to display the art of a young artist can be a difficult process for most families. Maybe you've got a great system for saving the gems and tossing the rest but I've not found that method yet. I allow my kids to save or toss as they'd like, taping artwork all over the walls and windows where they see fit. My oldest is especially prolific. She even keeps a roll of tape in her room so she can tape things everywhere. She just turned 7 and for her birthday I gave her a little room makeover and included a fun art display wall. Something that looks fun and allows for creativity without looking crazy and cluttered.
Here is the room before:
and this random collage she put above her brother's crib:
Does this girl have food on the brain or what? Fortunately, the room isn't all food art. She has lovely things hanging all over the ceiling too. Here is a fun example:
Needless to say, this girl needed a gallery wall for her masterpieces. So here it is, the new improved gallery wall:
I had three criteria for the art wall. First, it had to be safe. She doesn't need heavy frames falling on her in an earthquake and glass was out of the question. Second, it had to be easy for her to change the artwork. Third, it had to look good. I think this fits all three.
This is so simple, you'll wonder why you never thought of this. The frames are foam board. Yep, foam board. I bought 4 large pieces of foam board for a couple dollars a piece, cut them and spray painted them then glued on little clothes pins. Simple.
Detailed instructions:
. 
over a self-healing cutting mat
to cut your shape. Use a sharp blade and go slow. I cut out all 10 of these shapes and my wrists were pretty sore so maybe take a break in the middle.
on the boards. Use a good glue. A hot glue gun will likely not hold well enough over time. I used E-6000
.
.Done! I can't wait to see how my little artist fills her gallery wall. Do you have an artist in your house who would appreciate a wall like this?
Welcome to another week of Make It Wear It!
Link up anything you've made that can be worn. Clothes and accessories all welcome! I love to feature posts that have been linked up. Please link back here if you'd like to be featured!
My 6 year old is about to be 7. I can hardly believe it. It is true what they say about it all going too fast. Right now I'm planning her birthday party. A simple party in the back yard with games and cupcakes. I want to make the party favors this year though. Something 7 year old girls would love and their parents wouldn't groan about more junk they don't need (hopefully). I haven't decided what I want to bake, craft or sew yet so I've narrowed down a little list of great DIY party favors of the girly variety.
Without further ado...
The Sassy Bag Pattern from PegAnders etsy shop would be very cute!
Mini Piñatas from One Charming Party
Cowgirl Cookies mix from Bakerella
Soft Notes Notebook from PegAnders. I know my girls would love this.
Ruffle Headband from Punkin Patterns
simple rosette headband tutorial from Small Things
Double Strand Lace Headband by elisa mclaughlin
Braided Headband by Alisa Burke
Rosettes for clips, headbands, picture frames, etc. by Craftaholics Anonymous
Pinwheel Hair Clips from The Mother Huddle
Button Hair Clips from Martha Stewart
Felt Hair Clips from Come on, Ilene
Adorable Hair Bows from Living With Punks
Zip Itself Coin Purse from Craft Passion
The Oscars put on quite a show, as usual last night. The irony of a millionaire mega superstar actress who devotes her time to the starving children of Africa looking like she is malnurished made my stomach churn.
(Source)
After the thoughts about how sad our culture is elevating the idea that thin and skinny are the ultimate goal in life I began to think about Plumpy'nut. Do you know what it is?
Plumpy'nut is a Ready-to-Use Theraputic Food (RUTF) that treats severe malnutrition in the third world. It is an amazing peanut based product that, simply put, saves lives. The first time I saw photos of Plumpy'nut success was on Renee's blog. See the pictures of how it works yourself. Quite honestly a product that prevents kids and adults from dying. Taking those on death's door and turning what was a certain death into a chance at life.
There has been a legal battle over the patent rights to the product. A French company, Nutriset, holds the formula rights and has blocked NGO's and foreign companies from developing a cheaper product and distributing it among third world nations. Until recently it was difficult to come by but, according to Nutriset there are many small companies in a few African nations that are now producing the product. Let's hope this means it is more readily available. You can read more about the legal battle here.
My internal angst about our culture's worship of "skinny" juxtapose to my intense concern over the living and dying conditions in many countries around the world leaves me almost speechless. Almost.
I posted on facebook and twitter that I wanted to send Angelina home with some Plumpy'nut. It felt funny at the time. But malnutrition and the state of the culture we live in just aren't that funny.
How does it all sit with you?
Welcome to the link party for all things htat you've made to be worn! Come link up! If you link back here you may be featured!
Sorry I've been a bit absent lately. We've had so much illness in our house I have barely opened the computer. Hopefully we'll all be well soon!
Welcome to the link party for all things htat you've made to be worn! Come link up! If you link back here you may be featured!
So many cute Valentine ideas linked up last week! Here are a few of my favorites.
The Car Love Shirt by Helping LIttle Hands
A Couple of Craft Adicts: Heart Pocket Dress
Twincess Designs: Valentine Dresses
If you've been featured, please grab a featured button for your blog!
Have you been sewing for Valentine's Day? I've pinned a lot but not sewn anything!
Welcome to Make It Wear It! Come link up what you've made to be worn!
This week we also have a faulous giveaway for you! Do you have a baby or a toddler? You'll want one of these Mei Tai Carriers from Big Sister Designs! They would also make THE BEST gift for a new mom. Are you familiar with Mei Tai Carriers? They are one of the best ways to carry a baby. Adventures in Babywearing says they are her favorite way to carry a baby.
Go check out Big Sister Designs to see all the great fabric options! Maria is the owner of Big Sister Designs and she is a personal friend of mine. I can tell you first hand her work is impeccable! She also sells adorable handmade skirts made from vintage sheets that are perfect for any little girl.
Only one way to enter:
"Like" Big Sister Designs on Facebook and leave a comment HERE telling me you did so.
A winner will be chosen next Monday, February 6th at 8 p.m. PST. Good luck!
Hello, Train to Crazy readers. There's just so much sewing crafting goodness here that I couldn't resist asking Andrea for an opportunity to guest post. To my amazement she said yes! So I brought you this So Sweet headband tutorial. I'm Anshu from Blooms And Bugs. I'm an engineer by the day and a crafter/seamstress during the wee hours of the morning. I write about my sewing adventures at Blooms And Bugs and also have an etsy shop with the same name. Drop by my blog for more sewing tutorials for little girls clothes and accessories.
I made this So Sweet Headband for my daughter for the Valentines Day. Here's what you need to make one for your sweetie:
Supplies:
Sew both the ends of elastic together by overlapping them half an inch. Reinforce his seam by sewing multiple times. I used a very narrow and small zigzag for extra strength. Don't worry if it looks shabby at this point, it will be concealed later on.
Place the bigger white heart beneath the joint in the headband.
Place the smaller pink heart over the headband such that the joint gets sandwiched between the two hearts.
Place a small white button on top of all the layers such that it sits on the headband. Hand-sew the button in place by inserting the thread through all the layers and going from one hole to the other multiple times.
Sew running stitches with white thread along the boundary of smaller heart.
Sew running stitches with Red/Pink thread along the boundary of bigger heart.
And you're done! Now go put it on the cutest kid around.
The problem with losing weight is having to buy new clothes. Often in sizes you don't wish to own. So what do you do when you find yourself wearing jeans that look like this:
No, this won't do! No worries. There is a very quick fix that doesn't involve taking apart waistbands and hems.
1. Put your pants on inside out. Figure out how much extra in the waist and legs you need to take in. PIn the top and carefully step out of the pants.
2. Sew down each side. Make sure to sew an even amount on each side so you don't have a wonky seam up your backside.
Notice here I made an original seam then tried the pants on and realized I wanted to take them in 1/4" on each side so I sewed another seam.
3. Finish the seam. Use a serger, pinking sheers or a zigzag stitch.
4. Sew the seam down at the waist and bottom of the pant leg. The outside will look like this:
Can you see that stitching 1/4" to the left of the seam? The inside will look like this:
Sometimes you will want to take in the inseam as well to get a better fit. Just go for it in the same manor you did the side seams.
Now wear those pants with pride for the next 4 weeks until you go down another size!
Looking for adorable little girl patterns? Have you seen Petite Kids Boutique?
Thanks everyone for linking up to Make It Wear It this week! The party is still open if you haven't had a chance to link up! If you link back here there is a chance you'll be featured!
Siesta's and Sewing: interlock Sailboat Pants
Melly Sews: Pintucked Poppies dress
If you are featured here at The Train To Crazy please feel free to grab a featured button to display on your blog if you'd like!
This week is dragging by for me. I hope yours is a little less slow motion! Have you been sewing? Knitting? Jewelry making? What have you been creating lately? If it is something that can be worn it can be linked!
Want me to feature it on facebook, twitter or this blog? Make sure you link back. Grab a button if you'd like. Don't worry, linking back isn't a requirement. I know it isn't everyone's "thing".
Last week's "WOW"? This adorable dress. Check out how A+a=Z painted and made this dress.
Pinterst is a wonderful, beautiful tool. Or it can be when used correctly. I love finding ways to make life more wonderful. I dislike when it makes me want things I don't need.
Here are some things that won't make you covet your neghbor's house, body, cooking abilities, crafting abilities or partner.
Source: designspongeonline.com via Andrea on Pinterest
A wonderful way to remember special movents every day. Store them on cards with the date so the following year's special moment is on the same card.
Source: weheartit.com via Andrea on Pinterest
This is me. Exactly.
This is also me. =)
Source: theamericankid.com via Andrea on Pinterest
I think I could like this dog.
Need fabric? Raspberry Creek Fabric has what you want! Have you checked out the store yet?
I'm beginning the sewing for my soon to be 7 year old's room makeover. I started by making a pinboard. Of course. You can't start anything without a pinboard anymore, can you?
Then I picked out some fabrics. Oh my. I think she'll be in love.
I couldn't decide if I wanted to go with more of a neutral duvet cover or a floral quilty one. You can probably guess which way I went.
Considering this color pallet, what color would you paint the wall? Nothing pink. She shares her room with her little brother. Though I'm sure he doesn't care!
Random Bits:
I was so excited for the book Sewing for Boys: 24 Projects to Create a Handmade Wardrobe
I followed the pattern for the road but made some of my own adjustments. I wanted a play mat that would be used for more than two minutes so it needed a bit more appeal.
To make your play mat like mine you'll want to cut your background fabric larger than the pattern (I used a heavy denim which I think is a great weight for this). Mine is about 36"x36" but you could certainly make it larger.
Then you can add a zip pouch to the background by cutting a piece of fabric about 18"x7". I used a 12 inch zipper.
Cut a slit in your garage fabric an inch shorter than the length of the zipper teeth.
Then cut a little "Y" at each end and iron it like this. You will now have an open rectangle in which to sew your zipper. I then laid the zipper down and used stitch witchery (double sided bonding) to attach it to the fabric before stitching.
Then flip over your garage fabric to the right side and, using a zipper foot just sew a rectangle around the zipper. Most machines can't sew through a zipper so if your fabric covers a bit of the zipper end make sure to avoid the teeth.
Easy, right?
Now fold the edges under 1/4", iron, then fold 1/4" again and iron. Pin it in place on your play mat. I pinned the two long edges down, leaving the side edges unpinned. I pinned the sides 5" apart. Then sew the long sides down 1/8" from the edge.The short sides will be loose like the above picture. Make a fold on each end so it lays flat then sew.
Now customize your mat using wool felt. Why wool felt? It looks best, holds up well and because it is felt you don't need to worry about fraying. Most chain fabric stores carry some wool felt blends and those work great.
Those cars need some place to go so make your mat interesting! I added a tunnel but made it detatchable with velcro.
And finally, because I made it from a heavy denim, I didn't back it. That way I can continue to customize it! I just finished the edges of the mat and it is ready to play with.
Do your kids need a car mat?
I have survived Project Run & Play another week! Did you see all the boy outfits last week? So impressive! This week's challenge is to make something from another decade. What do you think when you hear that? Flapper dresses? 60's dresses? I turned to google images for a little inspiration. Every time I found a dress I loved I realized it wouldn't look good on a little girl (or be inappropriate) or it would probably be a popular choice. Then I realized the obvious choice for me was the right one. So I did a little google image research on dresses from the 1910's. That's right. I was totally inspired by Downton Abbey. Don't tell me you don't know what I'm talking about because it is only the best show on TV right now!
The Edwardian Era of dress fascinates me. That transition from corsets to modern dress that happened during WWI was amazing. Shorter skirts over long skirts, sheer fabrics, straight skirts, oh my! And, of course, there was a huge difference in dress from 1910 to 1919.
These are a few of the dresses I drew inspiration from. Yes, those are the sisters of Downton Abbey. Oh Edith and Mary, you vicious girls. Though I must admit I have a lot more grace for Mary. And Cybil, dear Cybil is the best. Love her character! Who is your favorite?
Enough about my inspiration, let's get to the dresses!
Two dresses because I can hardly make one for one girl and not the other. And, of course, their little sister is wondering why she didn't get a fancy dress.
This pink fabric is a taffeta from JoAnn Fabrics. I love the gathers. She picked it out so it probably isn't a traditional Edwardian Era color but who can deny this girl her pink dress? The floor length skirt is layered with a knee length over skirt of the same fabric, as was traditional at that time. The waistband is black satin and the shoulder straps are a gray silk. The top is fully lined, of course. The back is closed with an invisible zipper. It turns out invisible zippers are difficult when you have so many layers and pleats, etc. I've never had so much trouble getting a zipper to work right!
The second dress is made from a gorgeous satin from JoAnn Fabrics. The satin looks like it has a lace overlay and is very feminine without being too girly. The bodice is fully lined and the skirt is floor length. The top is overlayed with a black chiffon. If you have ever worked with chiffon you know its difficulties. I hemmed the neckline and the sleeves with a gorgeious trim that I think adds the perfect touch to the top. The dress is finished with a velvet wasitband. The back is closed with a zipper again.
What do you think? Did I hit the mark on the Downton Abbey style? We will just ignore the fact that during this era children stopped being dressed like adults. I love the adult style way too much to deny a little girl just a beautiful dress!
Now go on over and VOTE for me in Project Run & Play. Voting is in the top left sidebar on their website. I'd love your vote if you like my dresses! I'm hoping to stay in at least one more week!
Welcome to the link party for only things that you've made to be worn! It's a special party where you don't have to wade through recipes and wreaths to find those projects you are interested in. Yes!
I can't wait to see what you've made. I'll be featuring some favorites so make sure to link back here if you want to be featured! Grab a button if you'd like.
Have you "liked" my page on facebook yet? When we get to 1,000 fans I've got something special for you! Go check it out!
***Have you been to Heart & Felt yet? Will you support my kids and their effort?***
Week two of Project Run & Play is here! It is Boy Week and I made "The Peddler". The outfit is completely inspired by Caps for Sale
I made these gray wool pants with a soft ribbed waistband, fly, front pockets, back flap pockets, pieced knees and ribbed ankle bands (perfect for growing boys!).
The sweater is made from an adult sweater. I loved the stripe pattern and it is hard to find good sweater material. The burnt orange chevrons were sewn onto the sleeve to create a more modern, boy feel.
The knees are peiced. I rotated the pattern so they would stand out a bit and double topstitched just like the pockets and inseams.
And the caps. OH THE CAPS! Yes, I made them all. I used the Little Cap pattern. They are in the traditional colors of the book. I added appliqués to most of them for added appeal. There are nine in total. NINE. What was I thinking? Imagine getting a three year old to sit still enough to keep them stacked upright.
I happen to love the rolled ribbed cuff. This style would be especially great for quick growers and early walkers.
So what do you think?? Go on over and VOTE!
It's BACK! Thanks for bearing with me during Make It Wear It's hiatus! Have you been creating things you can wear? Anything is elegible as long as you made it, it can be worn, and it isn't a shop!
I can't wait to see what you've made. I'll be featuring some favorites so make sure to link back here if you want to be featured! Grab a button if you'd like.
Have you "liked" my page on facebook yet? When we get to 1,000 fans I've got something special for you! Go check it out!
Are you trying to lose weight? Just had a baby maybe? Hate buying those in between sizes? Yeah, me too. Head on over to Me Sew Crazy's New Year's ReSEWlution series to see how I did this!
Need a handmade Valentine project for your kids? I'm sharing a fun, easy tutorial over at Fancy Little Things.
Don't forget to buy your wool felt hearts at Heart & Felt and help my kids raise $5,100 to buy a home for an orphan family through World Vision! They are almost halfway to their fundraising goal and they need your help! A special thanks to Handmade Therapy for being our first Valentine heart buyer!
After sewing the Eddie doll from Wee WonderfulsWee Wonderfuls: 24 Dolls to Sew and Love
She's a cutie, right? I hope you enjoy her Blessing!
Project Run & Play is here!! Have you seen this week's challenge? Will you be playing along for the reader prize?? You should!
This week's challenge was to do a pattern remix of the Junebug Dress by Craftiness is Not Optional.
Cute, right?
Now do you want to see how I remixed this pattern? Let me present:
MOD RECESS WEAR
Using a directional satin print I lengthened the sleeves and added a band at the elbows. Shortened the button placket and made the skirt a bubble style. Oh, and it is SHORT so we call it a tunic. It's cute. I like it. She likes it.
You'll need leggings or jeans for this one though! Which is why this is perfect for the playground!
Here's the problem. I didn't LOVE the dress. I just wasn't excited about it. So I made another. But it is quite a diversion from the original pattern.
Yep, shortalls. I absolutely love it. These are made with linen. Beatiful gray linen. No sleeves, rolled cuff, exposed zipper. Yes, two exposed zippers. I love that recent trend and had to include it here. It just fits this style well. Plus when a girl's got to go she's got to go and fussing with 10 buttons isn't going to work!
Great alone with sandals or with leggings and boots. I imagine a long sleeve shirt would be fabulous too but it was 87 degrees Wednesday when we shot these photos. I wasn't that mean.
Though I do have to appologize for all the blurry photography. I'm not sure what was up with me that day. But apparently it wasn't just me. We were all a little off...
And I can't even describe how ridiculous they were here when I said, "PLEASE be serious for a second so we can get a good photo of you together!"
But there were some smiles.
See the zipper?
I cannot wait until those two top teeth finally fall out. They have both been crooked and dangling forever!
So go vote for ME the best remixed outfit at Project Run & Play! Voting opens Friday!
I was so excited for the book Sewing for Boys: 24 Projects to Create a Handmade Wardrobe
I followed the pattern for the road but made some of my own adjustments. I wanted a play mat that would be used for more than two minutes so it needed a bit more appeal.
Jump over to the Sewing For Boys Pump Up Series at Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy to see what I did!
I found a top on Pinterest a while back that caught my eye. A large circle pocket on the front of a shirt. So easy and fun. I made these tops for my girls months ago and they always get compliments. Here's the tutorial for you!
I love sewing simple, quick dresses. And I especially love to sew with knit fabrics. They are comfortable and cute and I find my girls prefer them to other dresses. If you've never sewn with knits, take a deep breath. It isn't as scary as it seems. And no, you don't need a serger. It is completely possible to sew knit with your regular sewing machine. If you have a zig zag stitch, or better yet, a "knit stitch" then you'll be able to sew this project just fine. Of course, you don't have to do this in knit but I like the way it looks.
For this dress, find an existing dress and create your own pattern, use my free Go To Dress pattern, a peasant shirt pattern, or any favorite pattern of yours. This is a simple, easy way to switch up a favorite pattern and create something new and unique.
You can crop it and make a cute shirt as well.
This tutorial is very simple. First find a round bowl just slightly larger than you would like the pocket.
**When working with knits you may find it helpful to use a stabilizer. I used a tear away stabilizer when I sewed the two circles together. Before turning the circle right side out I carefully cut out the center of the stabilizer leaving 1/4" of stabilizer along the inner edge. This will help when stitching the circle pocket to the dress by preventing odd puckering and gathering.**
Now sew your dress together! There you have it! A simple way to reuse a pattern you love and make it unique.
Thanks for having me Shanna! I'm loving this series and can't wait to see the rest of the projects!
Ever wanted to sew a wallet? Need a gift for a guy in your life? Sewing this leather wallet is easy! Check out my easy tutorial!
This simple leather wallet is great for the back pocket. Slim so it doesn't wear out pockets and easy to access money. You may omit the "money clip" elastic and store the money in the middle pocket if that suits your style.
Gather Supplies:
Sewing with leather can be scary but you may find it isn't as you thought! A few tips:
Cut leather:
Cut vinyl:
Cut a "window" out of one piece of 3' x 3.75" piece of leather. I use an exacto knife for precision.
Line the vinyl up behind the window and sew the top together. You may also use an appropriate glue if you'd rather to attach the vinyl to the leather.
Cut slits for the elastic. Line the elastic up near the top of the 3" x 3" piece of leather. Cut a slit about 1/4" inside the leather on each side. The slit should be just as wide as the leather.
Tuck the elastic into the leather as above.
Stack your wallet together. The window piece should be on top of one of the largest pieces. This will make one side of your wallet.
The elastic piece should go on top of the mid sized piece and then on top of the other largest piece. This will be the opposite side of the wallet.
Line your pieces up so the edges are straight. You can't use pins so I used binder clips. Sew the sides and bottom of the wallet. Do not sew the top!
You're done! Now fill that wallet or give it as a gift!
Have you worked with leather before? It's not as scary as you might think!
Happy Thursday!! So glad you could stop by to get inspiration from some fabulous bloggers. Please check out a few links and leave your own if you have a post about something you made that can be worn. We'd love to see it!
I don't put a lot of family stuff on this blog (okay, okay, except yesterday's vacation photos) but I can't help share this. My girls have started a new website to sell their handmade felt ornaments. They are raising money to buy a house for an orphan family through World Vision. Please check out Heart & Felt!
I'm THRILLED that EMJ Design has offered to donate 100% of all profits for the month of December to Heart & Felt. WHAT?!? Who does that?? Thank you! Thank you! Go check out EMJ Design immediately!
How about these cute coasters? Pattern here.
This fabric is perfect for those coasters and it's on SALE!!
Fabric gift boxes? Cute right??
Or the Art Tote to beat all art totes.
Now imagine this tote in this fabric from Raspberry Creek Fabric. YES!
Still need to make a Christmas dress?? This Colette Dress by Petite Kids is perfect!
Perhaps the Lola Skirt is just what you've been looking for??
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Ho ho ho! I'm busy busy busy but here are some fun photos from our family reunion in Mexico last week. It was a blast and so fun to see family that we live so far away from!
There was lots of swimming.
And tons of walking on the beach.
Sand, sand, everywhere
And tears too.
And lots of laughs with family.
There was even some burying going on.
And jumping contests.
Silly faces!
cousin squeezes
Bird holding
Dolphin riding
Dolphin jumping!
And ornament making (more on that very soon)
And now it is time to prepare for Christmas. I'm making all the kids' presents this year so I should probably get off the computer and back to the sewing machine!
Are you making any gifts this year?
Happy Thursday!! So glad you could stop by to get inspiration from some fabulous bloggers. Please check out a few links and leave your own if you have a post about something you made that can be worn. We'd love to see it!
