Lilly Pulitzer Rewind

My friend Melissa gave me a darling Lilly Pulitzer sheath dress that she could no longer wear, because it had a stain across the bodice.  She said, "Do something fun and creative with it."  I am quite certain Melissa paid a lot for this dress... and she got her money's worth - and then some!  The material was a high-quality, tightly woven cotton.  The dress was lined, hemmed with lace hem tape, and had all the special touches like little ribbons on snaps to hold your bra straps in place.  There were pockets on the front that had a picot trim.

Lilly Pulitzer Sheath Dress - Before

I carefully removed the pockets, then I removed the lining and the zipper.  I cut out a dress for my almost 2-year-old niece, Zola.  Then I looked at the scraps.  IF I could get the stain out with bleach, I would have enough to make something for Melissa's nearly 6-year-old daughter, Ada.  I had nothing to lose, so I got out my bleach and a cotton rag and went to work daubing at the stain.  It all came out beautifully, with no fading of the colorful fabric!

So... I looked at my fabric stash and found a piece of hot pink knit, which became the base for a blouse for Ada.  The dress fabric scraps became the straps and bow... and the pockets were reattached "as is."  And here are the results.  The dark spot on Ada's dress is not a stain... I had used a washable marker, and I was rinsing out some "dots!"


After... a 6-year-old's blouse and a 2-year-old's Easter dress!

I even had enough scraps for hair bows to hot glue to clips.  Ada is already wearing hers!  She plans to wear the blouse with leggings.  Zola has a cute pink cardigan sweater with little embroidered flowers that I purchased at the thrift store for $1... in case it happens to be a cold Easter this year!  I think both girls will look adorable... maybe I'll post pictures soon of them modeling their frocks!

April 4th Update... Here's our little Zola in her Easter dress!

Can You Really Wear Out a Sewing Machine?

The short answer is... YES!  In the middle of making superhero capes for my nephew, Timothy, and his cousin, Owen, my 2-year-old Brother locked up and refused to budge.  We tried replacing the belt.  My husband and I took the machine apart and gave it a good cleaning.  Nothing worked.  We decided to cut our losses and buy a new machine, since you can get a good basic model for less than $150.  I have not even asked what it would cost for someone to look at the Brother, but I may ... just for backup purposes. 

Meanwhile, I ordered a Singer (better warranty - more metal parts) and by January 1, 2013, I was back in business!  So far... things are running along pretty smoothly, and the creative juices are flowing.  This machine lacks a couple of fine features the Brother possessed... leaving the needle IN the fabric when sewing stopped, and three speed choices in addition to the foot pedal... but overall, the stitches seem nicer and more consistent, and the satin stitch for monogramming is dreamy!

I finished the capes and matching masks (Thanks, Pinterest!)... and moved on to sewing for my niece, Zola.  I was searching for something in my scrap basket one day, and one thing led to another, and soon Zola had new pants and tops, appliqued tees and more!

Before... a pink ladies sweatshirt and snakeskin print knit turtleneck...

After... a pink jumper, pants, (and striped pants from a scrap);

and a red print jumper and leggings!

My mother-in-law gave me a book from the Singer Sewing Library called Sewing for Children. It has lots of tips and ideas that I can incorporate into making children's clothing.  I have already utilized several ideas... and these four bibs were part of the results!

Finally, I utilized several scraps to create a "Toy Story" outfit that is suitable for my niece, Zola... and Nathan can wear the pants later.  I also made Zola this adorable T-shirt.  Thanks again, Pinterest!

Pinterest also was the source of a darling set of fabric scrap "quilted" ABC's.  Timothy is loving his "letters!"  I still have lower case and numbers to do, but they are super easy - and a great way to utilize smaller fabric pieces.

I don't have a photo, but I have also turned a red fleece scarf I purchased at the thrift store for $1 into more than a half dozen "Valentine Owie bags" - rice bags that can be heated in the microwave or frozen for those "owies" that happen to all little kids!  These are heart shaped, super soft and cuddly - and sure to please all my little kiddos!

Next projects?  A coat for Zola, Easter outfits, more scrap projects... and yes, more applique.  When I look at all I did in the last two years, it's no wonder the Brother quit working.  Let's hope the new Singer is up to the challenge of all these projects!  Stay tuned!

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.