So I've been busy working on a few more things for our great-nieces from Tennessee, since we learned they will be visiting Arkansas next week for Thanksgiving. Kelsey Lynn will celebrate her fifth birthday this weekend, so I thought she should have a "minkie" coat for the occasion! I also made her a red and white chevron dress - and Zola got one, too!
Kelsey and Ellie Grace will both get red velour leggings/pants...and a set of red striped pants/leggings, just in time for Christmas!
Meanwhile, I had purchased a red/white striped knit shirt off the Clearance rack at Wal-Mart ($2), and it was perfect for creating leggings for Zola to go with her red and white chevron dress.
A while back, I picked up this piece of black and white fabric at a yard sale our friends were having. It had actually been used as a table topper for a wedding reception, so this piece of fabric was neatly hemmed (with fusible webbing) and measured just big enough for a dress for Zola. There was not enough for the length I wanted, so I added the ruffle of red and black dot...and then it begged for an accent near the neckline; hence the rosette!
I really had fun creating all of these things for three sweet little girls...and they will be adorable in every single garment. I still have a few decent-sized scraps that may have to be turned into headbands and bow-ties for Olivia and the boys...we shall see! For now, it's time to think about Thanksgiving dinner and decorating for Christmas!
A few weeks ago, a friend posted a link on Facebook to a website that sells darling girls' clothing. She was particularly interested in a little ruffled outfit for her toddler daughter - in "giraffe" and other coordinating prints. Trouble is...this one outfit was $74...and she said that was out of her price range. It's out of mine, too! Who wants to pay that much for one outfit for a small child, knowing fully well that they will only wear it a handful of times before it is outgrown?!
Later the same day, I was passing the fabric department at Wal-Mart, when I spotted a table of fabrics on clearance. I promise I am not making this up...there on top was "giraffe print", along with other coordinating fabrics in blue, brown dot, and yellow. It sounds crazy, but they all worked together...and they were $3 a yard! I was in heaven!
So...here's what I made for Kelsey, her baby sister Ellie Grace, and Zola. Next up...an outfit for Stella, the toddler whose mother found this idea in the first place. Stella has brilliant red hair and will be precious in this outfit! For about $22, I purchased enough fabric for four outfits...and counting. I've even made a couple of baby burp pads with "giraffe" appliques out of the animal print fabric.
Additionally, I found a clearance bolt of this bright yellow fabric covered in multi-colored "peace signs". So I have three happy "hippy" girls now with flounced pants...and I had enough ruffles to make some toddler pants for Stella (which I apparently failed to photograph).
I think I am about done with yellows for a while...next up is white thread and lots of red and white stripes (for the winter holidays)...and I have a few more ideas up my sleeve. There is a stack of fabrics and items for repurposing on my sewing table that is calling my name...stay tuned!!
