A Skirt, a Shirt, and an Overactive Imagination... Oh, My!

Okay.  So, I admit it... I got excited.  Again!  And in my excitement, I failed to get "before" pictures of the lace table runner that became two darling pair of toddler leggings.  And really, folks, I thought I took a picture of the madras plaid skirt that ultimately became this cute little dress/top... but I can't find it anywhere!  Sooooo... I promise to do better next time!

 

Meanwhile, look at these cute little ruffled pants, made from a ladies t-shirt. They compliment this little dress/top perfectly.  I even used some of the scraps to make a headband with plaid petal flowers!

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After I finished THOSE projects, I made this cute little "criss-cross" strap sundress.  I've wanted to make this for a while now, and the fabric has been calling my name.  I have enough to make a smaller one for my little cousin, Harper.  One caveat... this little dress was supposed to have orange ric-rac trim all the way around.  BUT... my one package (2½ yards) was NOT enough to go all the way around by about 18 inches! 

Yikes!  I think it might work for the smaller version for Harper, but I will make a quick "pin-it-and-eyeball" before I start stitching this time!  So this one is accented with some top-stitching and cute hot pink flower buttons.  I can't wait to see how it looks on my niece, Zola!  I'll post pictures, for sure!

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Finally, I used some of my scraps this weekend to make "boo-boo bags" for the kiddos.  They are filled with rice, and once put in the freezer, they make the perfect soother for any "boo-boo."  If you like, you can put them in the microwave when you need a heat pack.  I read where one creative mom makes small ones to heat up for the kids to wear in their gloves while waiting for the bus in winter!  Hmmm... I still have scraps!!!

Let's Go Driving in a Car!

I fell in love with this car fabric from the moment I spied it on Etsy.  I had plans to create more boxer shorts for my nephew, Timothy, and my cousin, Owen.  However, as I began working on knit shorts - the orange ones and then the lime green pair, I realized that this print would be adorable as a camp shirt... and I was right!  Timothy loves a song on Sesame Street called, "Let's Go Driving in an Automobile... Let's Go Driving in a Car!"  This is the perfect shirt to wear when he sings it!

The little "bubble" print just makes me smile.  Timothy and Zola will soon have a new baby brother, Nathan... and he already has pants made from this fabric.  It coordinates with the stripes and "Groovy Guitars" fabric I used a few months ago to make the children all sorts of things - even a burp pad! - so they will be darling in their matching outfits... and the new knit ruffled leggings will carry this right on into the fall season!

Oh, the Things You Can Do with a Thrift Store Shirt!

(click on image for larger view)

It's been a "repurposing" kind of weekend.  I scored a really cool stash of thrift store goodies on Friday, which will soon be turned into all sorts of cute dresses, pants and shorts for the kiddos.  But today was all about a bright lime green polo shirt and some toddler shorts/pants!  I purchased this X-large ladies 3/4-sleeved knit polo at the thrift store a few weeks ago.  I think I paid $2, but it might have only been $1, since there was a half-price sale in progress.  Either way, it was a BARGAIN! 

The shirt had a knit collar, a pocket on one sleeve with silver grommets, and white twill tape trim on the snap placket and at the side slits near the hem.  I still have the snap placket - it will be perfect for the bottom of a toddler or baby romper!  But I used the sleeves and collar to make a darling pair of wide-leg pants for my niece, Kelsey.  The collar was perfect for folding over and creating the elastic waistband - created a really polished finish!

Then I used my boys' boxer short pattern to cut out shorts, utilizing the hem and the twill-trimmed slits.  I had enough left over to create a pair of toddler pants for my niece, Zola... a ruffled flounce made them just the right length!

In all, I think I got my money's worth out of this shirt... and I still have scraps for making the head and legs of a great little stuffed fabric turtle toy for the new baby!

I'm Back in the Saddle Again!

I had a momentary "hitch in my giddyup" last Saturday when I was stitching some bias trim with my one and only double needle (I know, I know - I kept telling myself to order backups!) - and I hit a thick spot in the fabric and bent one of the needles irreparably.  I promptly ordered THREE new double needles; however, it took a week for them to arrive.  FYI, double sewing machine needles are not available on every street corner - certainly not at my local Wal-Mart! - so I ordered some from amazon.com.  AND... just so you know, the double needles I received are set wider apart than the one that came with my Brother sewing machine.  It's not bad... it's just an adjustment I have had to make - particularly when sewing narrow bias tape binding.  I also have to think about my elastic casings width and adjust so that there is still room for the elastic once I top-stitch!  Oh, WELL!

So I spent my week house cleaning, celebrating the Fourth of July (which also happened to be my BIRTHDAY!), and getting the laundry/sewing room organized. 

One of my projects for the next month is to make several garments for our great-niece, Kelsey, who will visit us the end of July.  Kelsey and her parents live in St. Louis, so we don't get to see them often.  Having her here to try on the clothes in person - and then not having to mail them to her - will be a treat! 

I ordered three dress patterns from Etsy.com recently.  One was for a little dress called the Peony Flower dress from Ruby Jean's Closet.  What little girl wouldn't love to twirl around in this darling dress?! I started with a ladies pleated front skirt with elastic waist and a full front button placket. I'm thinking these would be adorable made from an old white damask tablecloth - perfect for a summer wedding! The hardest part is cutting 54 flower petals... that's a lot of little snips! But I think it was worth it... don't you?!

Another of the dress patterns I ordered was the Aubrey Bow Dress.  I made one for Kelsey for July 4th in red/white/blue cottons.  She looked so cute in it.  I'm going to make more of these... I have lots of ideas!  I mailed this dress to Kelsey, wrapped in tissue and a red ribbon, which she now has added to the ensemble by draping it around her neck.  This kid LOVES to make silly faces!  Hey, we were 2½ once, weren't we?!
A couple of summers ago, I found a vintage pillowcase at a yard sale - paid a whole quarter for it!  I've made two toddler dresses from it... the latest is - wait for it - a "pillowcase" dress!  I wasn't all that excited until I added the bloomers.  Now I think the outfit is too stinkin' cute!  The other dress I made was sold on Etsy some time ago.  I hope a lucky little girl is having fun wearing it, wherever she is! 

Finally, take a look at my little cousin Harper, rockin' two of the dresses I've made her recently.  Harper will be a year old in late September.  I think she can wear these dresses to college!*lol*  Seriously, she is a tiny wisp of a thing, and she looks adorable in anything we put on her!

Back to the sewing room I go!!!

The Project List is GROWING!!!

So many projects... so little time!  I have been BUSY lately creating dresses, shorts and more for my little nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.  I've also made new pillows for our living room couches - and outdoor pillows for our porches and the porch of my cousin!  Whew!

Here are some of the latest creations... it seems like every day I find another project that I just have to tackle... so the list IS growing... and the fun never ends!

Some 12 pieces created with Urban Zoologie, Groovy Guitars
and other coordinating fabrics.. dresses, onesies and pants
and even a burp pad!

Collar created for an Etsy customer from a
vintage linen and lace doily.

Back of collar - fastened with a snap closure
and accented with a big vintage button.

My little cousin, Harper, sporting a pink print
peasant dress I made.  Her cousin Olivia has one
just like it... and of course, American Girl Doll
has something pink, too (see below)!

American Girl doll dress for my cousin, Olivia...
made from the scraps of her pink peasant dress!

Toy Story shorts and matching shirt for Timothy.
Shirt was made with an iron-on I bought on eBay!

Dress made for my niece  Zola from scraps of my
pillow-making project - Pillow & Maxfield Gypsy
 Bandanain pink.  Pants were made from a thrift store
t-shirt. Headband is accented with yellow knit
and red tulle flowersand a yellow bumblebee button!



Matching dresses made for two little friends, ages 4 and 5.
I love this sunny yellow fabric!



Toddler t-shirt trimmed in scraps of dinosaur fabric,
which was also used for the appliques.

My little ones will look great on July 4th! 
A dress for Olivia and shorts for Owen!

July 4th onesie using ruffled fabric scraps and
a flag made of polka-dot "denim".

Back of onesie with polka-dot "denim" ruffles.

"Aubrey" bow dress for our great-niece -
got the pattern on Etsy... tons of ideas for this design!

Before - a fifty-cent Land's End knit polo from the thrift store.

After... a pair of toddler shorts with cargo pockets!

Front porch pillows in Gypsy Bandana Pink - to match our roses.

Pink in pillows to match pink Knock-out roses!

Joel Dewberry "Aviary" fabric pillow for couch
with natural linen back.

Amy Butler  Gypsy Caravan"Cat Eye" fabric pillows
with "Stainless" trim/backing

Amy Butler "Midwest Modern" Linen fabric pillows and
Gypsy Caravan pillow with corded trim.

Pillow & Maxfield "Gypsy Bandana" in red pillows with
coordinating piping.

These Kids Make ANY Clothes Look Cute!

Take a look at Timothy and Zola in some of the coordinating outfits I made them from the Groovy Guitars fabrics.  I used a striped piece for Zola's dress and bordered it with Groovy Guitars.  Timmy got shorts and an appliqued tank.  There are other pieces in the same color family... hopefully Mom will photograph those soon for me to share!

Coming Up for Air!

I know, I know... it's been a while since my last post.  In my defense... I've.Been.Sewing!  I sewed my way through February (well, except for that week I was in bed with the flu!), and people have asked me more than once, "Do you ever sleep?"  Trust me... I do!  I've made dresses for my cousin Olivia and my niece Zola.  I've made "dump truck" shorts for nephew Timothy and cousin Owen, a onesie and a burp pad for a baby gift, and several more leggings/dress ensembles from knit shirts. 

There have been linen collars...baby bibs from vintage doilies... and crochet skull caps for Livvy to match her dresses.  I made pillowcase dresses for my nieces Kelsey and Zola... and I repurposed a denim skirt that I'm selling on Etsy!

Zola modeling her pillowcase dress
in Valori Wells Solé fabric.

Upcycled denim skirt - girls size 8 - for sale in my Etsy shop at
http://thisremindsme.etsy.com/

Oh... I also made a zebra-striped fleece shrug (lined with pink taffeta) for a February Daddy-Daughter dance ensemble!

It's been fun, busy, and WILD at times!  But when I see the children in my fashions, it's all worth every minute.  With that said, I will share photos of our great-niece Kelsey wearing four of the outfits I've made in recent weeks.  I think she is adorable... and a diva in the making!

 

I got more than 10 yards of fabric in the mail today... and more is on the way.  I've got so many ideas floating around in my head that I need to make a list to keep track (can you say "applique"?)!  Now Olivia has requested matching outfits for her red-headed American Girl Doll, so those are in the works, too!  Something tells me I will be busy well into summer!

I have several favorite Etsy shops for purchasing fabric, but my all-time favorite at the moment is a website called QuiltHome.com.  See the button for them on the left-hand sidebar of this blog.  Not only does QuiltHome.com carry dozens of the latest designer fabric lines, they offer free shipping on orders over $50, and their customer service is da bomb!  I cannot tell you how pleased I have been with this company, and I have given them a LOT of business lately!  Be sure to check their inventory before ordering anywhere else.  You will be glad you did!

Today's mail included yardage in grey, teal, black and blue... zoo animals, guitars, mod circles, polka dots, and more... plus bandana prints in reds and greens for making back-porch pillows for summer!  Geez...I'd better get this posted and start sewing!!!

Pink Is the Color of the Day!

I've been in a "pink" mood this week... work with knits and fleece in shades of mostly HOT pink!  I think the outfits are adorable and will make any little girl feel special.  The two-piece sets will be $45, and the fleece pants and jacket will be $65.  To purchase, see the listings in my Etsy Shop - This Reminds Me...

Pink Fleece "swing" jacket and pants - pants are super long,
great for a tall, skinny cutie!  We could also hem the pants to
fit a little princess who has shorter legs!

Rear view of fleece swing jacket and pants

I call this set Creamsicle!  Hues of pink, grey, white, and orange
create this adorable striped set.  The leggings have an accent strip
of white at the hem.  The ribbon ties are orange satin.

View of "Creamsicle" pants

Cute little pink/brown strip ensemble.  This top is a little
shorter than some of the other dresses... and depending
on your child, the pants might be a bit "capri," but that makes
this set an adorable "sunsuit" ensemble for any sunny day!

Pants that match brown-stripe top.

Simple pink set with multi-flowered gross-grain ribbon ties.

Pants with this set are mix-n-match versatile!