It All Started With a Scrap...

I swore I would not buy ANY MORE FABRIC until I made something out of all that is in my closet.  Some of it I bought several years ago and STILL have not decided what to make with it.  BUT...I found myself on Etsy one day, looking at new fabrics (thank you, My Heart and Sew!)...and, well...several yards later, I was waiting for a package in the mail.  It was like Christmas Day when that big package arrived...

Top to Bottom: Michael Miller "Scuba Doo",
RBD Designs "On Our Way Main" in yellow,
Michael Miller "Ring Dot"
Michael Miller "Feelin' Groovy" and "Lolli Dot Sky"
"Batman Symbols" fabric - I THINK it's by DC Comics
Riley Blake "Lazy Day Owls" (this became a baby blanket!)
Michael Miller "Dino Dude"
Michael Miller "Mod Swirls" in Aqua

I've already "made up" several pieces...a tunic top for myself, Batman shorts for the three little boys in my life...and pair of shorts in "On Our Way Main" in yellow "transportation" themed fabric by RBD Designs that were meant for my almost 3-year-old nephew Nathan (but may be worn first by Timothy - they look BIG).

Shorts in "On Our Way Main" yellow from RBD Designs
Hanes t-shirt from WalMart

My niece sent me pictures of outfits she saw on Zulily with a "cowgirl" theme that she thought her daughter, Zola, would enjoy.  One featured black bandana print pants with ruffled hems, and a pink top that had a cowgirl boot appliqued on it.  She also sent a picture of a little top with a horseshoe applique.  I looked through my scraps and leftover fabric and found RED bandana fabric.  So I made MY version of the cowgirl boot outfit with red print and a black top.  I have a piece of blue dot that resembles denim that will become pants and a horseshoe appliqued white top...but that will be NEXT week!

The picture my niece sent me from Zulily.

Inspiration top.

My version with ruffled shorts to match!

After I finished my sidetrack down "Cowgirl Lane", I returned to the new fabrics...in particular, one yard of Michael Miller's "Dino Dude" - a brown print with whimsical dinosaurs.  I cut out two pair of shorts for my nephews.  There was a decent strip of the print left over, and I considered what I could do with that for Zola.  She is always telling me, "I want dinosaurs, too!"  I decided that there was just enough to trim the hem of a pair of shorts.  So I went to the closet and searched for a suitable coordinating fabric.  Denim?  Khaki?  And then I saw it...a piece of Michael Miller "Ta Dot" in "lagoon"...a deep teal with lime green dots.  I held up the colorful dinosaur print, and they matched perfectly, of course!  Thank you, Michael Miller!!!

I cut out a pair of "Ta Da" shorts for Zola and trimmed them in the "Dino Dude" remnant.  I had a couple of scraps that showcased some of the bigger dinosaurs, so I appliqued one on the right front leg...and one on the left rear. 

I had purchased orange t-shirts for the boys, because they went well with the print colors AND also will match a yard of Michael Miller "Scuba Doo" print that will become shorts (hopefully next week!) for the boys.  I had thought I would purchase a knit top for Zola.  But then I realized that I had a substantial piece of "Ta Dot" left...and even a strip of the "Dino Dudes".  And my wheels started to turn.

I have a pattern that I've used several times for Zola called the "Party Dress".  It came from The Cottage Momma, and I've made Easter dresses from it two years running.  I used the bodice pattern to cut out a crop top...and made bias strips to trim the armholes and neckline.  Then I ruffled the "Dino Dude" strip and stitched it to the hem.  The finish was four buttons down the back - "bright green and orange 'smiley-face flowers' from my stash."  I got a package of these fun buttons at WalMart few years ago.

The finished product...shorts/top for my niece Zola, and two sets of shorts/tees for the boys!

Back view of Zola's top and shorts.

The bias trim pieces had to be pieced, so there was a seam right at the center front neckline.  I went through my ribbons and found some green for a cute little bow accent.  Honestly, I was more excited about this little short set than the shorts and shirts for the boys...but together...well...YOU decide.

This was ALL that was left when I finished with these pieces.  It's amazing what you can do with a yard of fabric and a few scraps!

HOPEFULLY I will get the kids to pose in their outfits long enough for a "fashion photo" or two that I can post here.  Either way, I know that they will be adorable. I'm off to figure out what to do with the other scraps in my stash!  Stay tuned!!

It's Batman, Y'all!

Our youngest great-nephew, Nathan (age 2½), is obsessed with Batman.  His mom mentioned to me one day, "If you could make him ANYTHING with Batman on it, he would go nuts."  I made Timothy a Batman cape and mask a few years ago, and Nathan wears it all the time now.

So I went online and found all kinds of Batman prints.  I settled on one that was black with the yellow oval "Bat signals" and ordered enough to make shorts for our two nephews, Timothy and Nathan...and a 5-year-old cousin, Owen.  Then I bought black T-shirts at WalMart and used knit scraps to applique the "Bat Signal" on them to match the shorts.  I used my pattern from the cape that I made a few years ago.  Let me tell you, I am not an expert at applique...and sewing black and yellow and making it look halfway smooth was definitely a challenge.  I think maybe I should have done the oval itself in yellow and stayed just inside the knit line.  NEXT TIME, I will know better!

 
I couldn't leave out Zola.  Girls like superheroes, too, y'all!  So I used a thrift-store knit t-shirt in yellow to make her a pillowcase dress, and I had just enough print scraps to make a tie.  I covered some flaws in the dress (aka HOLES and stains) with a big black bat...and I even added a small "Bat Signal" from the print fabric on the back to cover a hole.  It's not the best dress I ever made...and we'll have to put a black shirt and leggings or shorts underneath it...but Zola won't care!  She will have Batman like her brothers...and that's what really matters!

I didn't get a single picture of all three children in their matching Easter outfits.  I was going to do that at the egg hunt, and it rained and the children went in three different directions.  Oh, well...maybe we can do better with Batman!  Time will tell!  Stay tuned!