Everybody Needs a Minkie!

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!

Nothing Short of Scraptastic!

I recently spent almost three days in my laundry room, sorting, cutting, pressing, folding and organizing my fabric scraps!  I tried to be ruthless...but you never know when you might need a less-than-one-inch square of black fabric for an "eye" in a character applique...or that tiny piece of paisley for a flower petal! 

Anyway, I got everything packed in containers in a manner that I can hopefully understand and utilize...and I even created a basket of "big" pieces with specific projects in mind.  Now I have a LOT of projects!  And yes, I previously had a LOT of projects, but now I really REALLY do!*lol* 

One of the pieces in my "project" basket was the body of a ladies knit shirt in hues of emerald green, aqua, and white in a "peace sign" motif."  I had made the sleeves of this shirt into leggings for my niece Zola about a month ago.  Now it was time to use the rest to make a dress or top.  I had aqua knit scraps and a new pattern for a toddler t-shirt that I had downloaded for free on the Internet.  So I made a "yoke" out of the aqua, gathered the green print to it, and voila... I had a dress to go with the leggings!

Before...the large piece of fabric and a few scraps.

After...a dress with contrast yoke and bow trim...fit for a princess!

Next on my list of projects was a really cute red patterned ladies knit top I purchased at the thrift store for $1.  I thought the pattern would make interesting leggings.  But I couldn't stop there!  I used virtually every piece of that shirt to create leggings, a jumper with floral rosette accents, and even a hair "scrunchie" from the neckband!  I went through my button jar and found three darling heart-shaped buttons to accent the little rosettes.  And here are the "before" and "after" pictures... including one of Zola's mother sent me of her modeling the new outfit!

Before - the basic long-sleeved tee.

After... leggings, a top and a scrunchie!

This was pretty much all that was left!

She loves it!!! Isn't she darling?!

I couldn't leave out the boys this week!  So I took a flannel shirt that belonged to my husband (one that had shrunk in the wash so that the sleeves were too short) and created pajama pants for the boys.  I wish I had remembered to take a "before" picture of the shirt, but I think you'll get the idea.  It was your basic button-down.  And BTW...I saved the buttons for another project (well, except for the two I used to mark the fronts of the pj pants!).  I turned the sleeves into pants for Nathan, and the body of the shirt into pants for Timothy...complete with front pocket (the chest pocket)!  I left the cuffs on the baby's pants.  They can be turned up now...and turned down later for extra length!  We really don't waste anything around here if we can help it!  I added a few flannel scraps to my stash...you just never know what they might be handy for later!

 

Each of these projects took me a few hours to complete... time well spent to clothe the kiddos and recycle old items.  I think a velour shirt is next...we're still having cold, icy weather, so the warmer fabrics seem appropriate.  But I have my "spring stash" ready...and maybe by then my "project" basket will be a little less full!

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!

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!

What Should I Create Today?

Here is a photo of my great-niece, Zola, modeling her Valori Wells pillowcase dress.  With precious little ones like her just waiting to be dressed, who wouldn't be inspired?!

Get the tutorial for these shoes - and ideas/tutorials
for many great projects at
http://makeit-loveit.com/

There are so many options, ideas... and tutorials for creating adorable kids clothes, and I want to try them all!  Today will probably be a "pink" day - fleece leggings and a jacket... and perhaps some paisley cordury ruffles to turn a chocolate velour tee into a dress!  I want to add ruffles and skirts to leggings, create cute burp pads, and repurpose everything from vintage linens to thrift store clothing - and even leather purses!

Yes, I've found a tutorial for creating baby shoes out of old leather purses!  Not sure I will tackle this one, but they surely are cute!

Orange You Glad... the Fun Continues????



Toddler sundress from repurposed
ladies cotton blend blouse

 So today, I continued the "orange" theme, repurposing a blouse someone gave my grandmother into a darling little sundress.  This fabric is a cotton blend that resembles the weave of linen.  The background is a soft, almost washed orange, with flower motifs in red, olive, black, and a lighter shade of orange.  I trimmed the dress with straps of orange satin.  It measures more than 15" across the front at the armholes, and gathers to a bib of approximately 7" in width.  The overall dress length is 18" - with the straps enabling you to gain more or less length, as necessary.  Put your little sweetie in this dress for $30 ppd.

BEFORE:  Rebecca Malone knit ladies blouse

Then I switched to blue and repurposed this pale aqua Rebecca Malone knit shirt into a darling dress and matching leggings. 



AFTER:  Toddler Sundress

 The front of the dress is covered in navy flowers and sequin accents.  Navy satin ribbon literally ties everything together at the neckline.

Back of sundress

Matching pants/leggings

The leggings have a 10½" inseam and measure just over 15" on the outer seam.  These will fit a waist up to approximately 20".  This dress also measures approximately 18" in length and is adjustable either way, to fit your child.  $45 ppd will get you this ensemble.