Fashionista Tee

Well the weather was pretty hot and humid for a few days here in the Chicagoland. Now it is cold and rainy again. During the nice weather I hit the kids closets trying on and sorting out articles that don't fit any longer.  I found a few basic tee's that still fit but this one has a small hole and a little stain right in the middle.

Not wanting to toss it I created a patch for it. Seeing as Sophia is a little fashionista, I thought red sunglasses would be perfect!

It was super simple and turned out great!

Here is the before and after.

Fun Fall Top

The weather is still nice and warm but I'm starting to think fall. I fell in LOVE with this pattern Simplicity 2711 and the fabric from Brother Sister Design studios. It was pretty easy to follow, my one remark would be that the armholes are a little small. I love all the details from ruffles to pin-tuck! I left off the flutter sleeves as Sophia is so petite, she looked like she was getting ready for take-off. She can just throw on a cute little sweater for those cool days to come.

What a goof, notice her little toung sticking out in almost all the pictures.

 

Cinderella Top Tutorial

Here it is!! Finally right? The tutorial for this top . Sorry it's taken so long but it's been a crazy busy summer. 

Let's get started!! This is a very basic and simple pattern.

You will also need to cut two (2) 45" x 2" strips and (2) 45" x 3" wide strips.

 These strips will become the pleats and bias tape.

Grab your front piece and fold in half. We are going to create the "V neck." Start by cutting a  2" wide and deep V.  then make a 1/4" slit like above photo. This will create 2 flaps. Fold back and press down.

Time to crate pleats.  Grab one of your 2" strips and fold and press in half (right side facing out). If you have a pleat maker/ruffler begin to create your pleats. If you are like me I made mine by hand by folding every half inch like below.

 

Pin pleats to bodice and then bast using a strait stitch.

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Next grab you bias tape. You can make your own or use store bought tape.  Here is a great video for making bias tape.

Sandwich and pin the edge of the front halter arms and chest. Stitch along the open edge of the bias tape, being sure to catch the underneath layer in your seam. Do this the whole length of the tape from one end to the other.

Fold the top in half  find the center of the neck strap. Cut in half. At this point you will want to use your child to measure how long your neck straps need to be and mark where the button and buttonhole need to go.

Notice in below photo one side is longer than the other. This is because the buttonhole needs to over lap the button.

Here is a tutorial for a buttonhole if you need one.

Tuck in and finish the edges. Set the front aside.

Now grab your back halter fabric (the plain rectangle) and fold down one of the long edges 1/4″ and press. Fold again approximately 1″ and press. Then sew along your fold to create your elastic casing.

Next, cut a piece of elastic that will fit your child. You can measure across her back from armpit to armpit to get an idea. Ours was approximately 9". Sophia is on the small side for 3 1/2 :)

Anchor one end of your elastic with a straight pin at one end of your casing. Attach a safety pin to the other end of your elastic and use the safety pin to feed the elastic through the casing.

Half way done!

Now pin the front and back pieces together (right sides facing together) and do a running stitch down each side leaving a 1/2" seam.

Then do a zig-zag stitch down each side to finish edges.

On to the hem.

With your garment inside out  fold up 1/4" and press and  then a 1/2" fold and press. Pin pleating to hem and  using a strait stitch bast pleats to the hem line.

YOUR DONE!

Tuxedo Tank

Ahhh....I'm done with one idea/project that I've been working on! Are you like me? One who tends to have lots of projects going at the same time and then just need a break form it all. The funny thing is during the "break" all I do is think about the projects I need to be working on.

Anyhoo here is the tuxedo shirt that I have been wanting to make for sometime now. This morning the kiddo's and I went to a few yard sales and at one of them I found a bunch of new tanks in Sophia's size for .25 cents!! Sweet bargains how I love you!

Here is how I made mine, well Sophia's.

The white knit strips are from an old shirt. I cut (1) 11" x 2" and (2) 8"x 2

To create the ruffle I adjust my machine settings to the longest stitch and the highest tension. Works like a charm every time!

Pin each ruffle into place. I put them about one inch apart from ruffle centers.

Using your zig-zag stitch baste down the center of the ruffle.

Note: Make sure to keep the back side of the shirt tucked away from the front. You don't want to end up with the front and back seamed together.

Trim your strings and your done!

Star Spangled Top

The 4th of July is just right around the corner. These past couple of weeks I've been working on different projects getting ready for  it.

This is a "Sew Simple" project which we all love!

Today I made a fun star top out of a plain navy shirt that Sophia has had in her closet. I cut strips of white and red knit jersey and started to pin the white in a star shape.

Next using a zig-zag stitch I secured it into place.

Then I proceeded to do the same in red.

Finished and ready for July 4th!

                                  

My little Firecracker loves it!

Cinderella Top

Click here for Cinderella Top Tutorial

Cinderella eat your heart out! Just kidding. This little top is just one of my recent creations for Sophia. We both fell in love with the fabric at Joann's. Sophia was excited because she thinks it looks  like Cinderella due to the sparkles and light blue color. She is 3 1/2 and her world revolves around everything princess.

I'm excited because I got to sew my first button hole! Yes, all the pretty little details on the top and I'm thrilled about the button hole.

Tutorial to come!