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!!!

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!

It's Been a "Repurpose Vintage" Week!

Big Sister Dress from Vintage
Cutwork Pillowcase... length is
approximately 20", plus ribbon straps
$35, or $60 for both "sister" dresses

This week I've been repurposing a few of my vintage linens... creating darling dresses, a jacket, collar and a baby bib from vintage pillowcases and doilies.

The pillowcase dresses with blue embroidered cutwork and light blue grossgrain ribbon ties would be perfect for sisters... or cousins or friends close in age.  The pillowcases were matching, but one had been patched, so the result was a slightly smaller dress!

The bib is created from a double ruffle lace doily that I suspect was tatted.  The collar was a linen doily with openwork embroidery and a heavy crochet lace.  And the jacket is created from a cross-stitched linen table runner with crochet lace edging.  Since the stitching is in hues of lavendar, yellow, gold, and white, I accented this jacket with a purple button atop a snap closure.  A small piece of crochet trim covers fills in an area where the years had taken a toll on the embroidery.  I think it gives the jacket added character!

 Next week, I'm thinking reds and pinks!  Stay tuned!!!  Click on any image below for larger view or a link to my Etsy shop for purchasing!



Back of Big Sister Dress  repurposed
from vintage cutwork pillowcase

 

Cutwork detail with pale blue embroidery
on "sisters" pillowcase dresses



"Little Sister" Pillowcase Dress approximately 15" long
(plus ribbon straps)  $35, or $60 for both "sister" dresses

Back of Little Sister Pillowcase Dress



Double Ruffle Lace Doily bib
with satin ribbon ties ~ $22.50

 

Back of Lace Doily Bib



Linen and lace girl's collar
Measures 7' by 10", counting lace
$25



Snaps fasten shoulder of collar securely

Back of collar mirrors front



Collar cutwork and lace detail




Linen Bolero Jacket - Size 12M
Repurposed from Vintage Embroidered
Table Runner ~ $45



Back of Linen Bolero Jacket - Size 12M
Repurposed from Vintage Embroidered
Table Runner

Embellished Detail on Linen Bolero Jacket
Size 12M Repurposed from Vintage
Embroidered Table Runner

Button Detail on Linen Bolero Jacket
Size 12M Repurposed from Vintage
Embroidered Table Runner

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.