Sewing for Monica: An Easy Flower Upgrade

As mentioned in the previous post, we attended a wedding over Labor Day weekend, and I indulged in a couple of projects for the event. 

Last Spring, I bought this dress for Monica at Target: 

There was just something about its white fluffiness that I could not resist. It also made the perfect dress for the wedding. A bit flower-girl-ish, but whatev.

The one thing I didn't like was the flower. It was just chintzy, like something you'd find on a discount silk floral shelf.

So, I set out to make one myself. After some googling, I found this list of fabric flower tutorials and was immediately drawn to this one. I love peonies and the results for this project looked really voluminous and realistic.

Monica and I picked out the fabric together: a pale pink taffetta for the petals with matching netting to layer in between.  The project was relatively easy, though I definitely would pass on the taffetta next time.  Satin would have curled in the heat of the candle flame much more readily I think.  And in contrast, the netting curled so quickly I ruined a lot of my petal cuttings. 

I also used invisible thread to attach the clear crystal to the middle of the flower instead of standard thread.  This ensured that there wouldn't be any detraction from the shimmer of the clear crystal. 

And, voilà!

 

 

Chic-chic and sassy!

Sewing for James: A Dapper Bow Tie

The family and I had the opportunity to attend a wedding in Milwaukee over Labor Day weekend...which of course gave me the opportunity for fun, wardrobe-enhancing projects.

This was my first sewing project for James and has been on my list of sewing to-dos since we received the invite: a Brooks Brothers-esque bowtie. I wanted all out preppy cuteness.

While in DC with Kevin in the spring, I actually stopped in a Brooks Brothers store to look at bow ties, just to get an idea of sizing, price, fabric type and quality etc. First, Brooks Brothers does not carry a lot in 2t size range. Second, it really is a bit too expensive for my 2t kid's messy stylings. There is a reason why I frequently comment that I am raising Pig Pen incarnate.

I surfed the web looking for a good bow tie tutorial and ended up settling on this one at Prudent Baby. Apparently, the bow ties debuted in a photo shoot for the Martha Stewart wedding blog, and got enough attention that Prudent Baby created a tute. Works for me!

The only challenge for this tutorial was that I needed real bow tie hardware, which I was able to order readily on Etsy: three bowtie hardware sets for about $5 with shipping.  (You bet I'll be using this tute again at Christmas...think brother/sister Christmas eve coordinates...)  And, while we're on the subject of cost, this project, fabric, interfacing, hardware and all, probably cost about $5.  Thrifty and fabulous!

A few notes: Sizing was definitely a trial and error experience.  The tutorial sized the bow piece to be a bit large in the name of funkiness.  \Honestly, it was a bit large for my preppy sensibilities and my two year old's face. I wanted to avoid anything resembling a clown bow tie.  So, I took the bow tie width down an inch and kept everything else the same.

The tutorial called for double sided fusible interfacing, which seemed to totally mystify the lady at the fabric cutting table at JoAnns, so I just went with a medium weight, single sided fusible, which I fused on both sides of the piece that is folded into the bow.  This provided the thickness and texture needed for the bow tie to hold its shape and resist drooping.

After making my bow piece, I also realized that I needed to be more strategic in which part of the madras pattern I cut out.  Not all cut pieces are created equal, and I really wanted to pick up more of the pink and white, as opposed to the medium blue. 

I ended up making the neck strap twice because the first time, it was too short, and I also made the middle connector loop twice becuase I sewed it too small the first time (I thought the tute called for a loop that was too big, turns out I was wrong!  Though, I think it could be a bit more snug, so I may tack the bow to the connector at some point.)  So, I ended up making the whole thing twice, with one set of pieces being not quite right.  Oh well...so it goes with sewing and garment construction....

Here's the final super cute result:

 

So cute. Totally worth the effort!

Sewing for Monica: Small Square Dress

Monica hearts dresses, so in my quest for fun little projects, I put this dress together from a nearly-never worn tank top in Monica's dresser drawer, some JoAnn's red tag mosaic fabric, white cotton lawn from my stash, 3/4" elastic, and a strip of fabric from a t-shirt turned paint smock.

I put most of the dress together, sans pattern or tutorial, but I did use this online tutorial to get the general concepts for sewing the skirt to the tank top. I also used this tutorial to make the t-shirt flower.  

 

Monica calls this dress the Small Square Dress, as opposed to the original Square Dress, which has been mostly retired due to a tragic accident...more on that later...

Sewing for Monica: A Sort-Of Simple Skirt

Here are the results for another MADE tutorial: A Simple Skirt

When I first skimmed this tutorial I thought, "Awesome. A sewing project that really will be one evening!" But, I double layered the skirt and used bias tape on the hems; these suggestions are in the tutorial, but they certainly took some of the "simple" out of the project.  However, I love not having to double roll hems, and who doesn't love a little extra twirl and flounce?

The black/white/yellow fabric is from the JoAnn remnant bin and the yellow polka dot fabric is from the JoAnn quilting cotton wall. This project would have been a lot more straightforward had I not sewn the skirt layers together in the center back hem. I *could* have left them sewn together but I think you lose flounce and it just bothered me to leave it. Separating the layers in the hem also caused some issues with the bias tape, but I corrected it and the stitches on the bias tape look more even for it. That correction took all of the "one evening" out of the project, but the fastidious craftstress in me is at peace now. 

I've come to realize that learning to sew and the too-cute results often take a lot more effort, patience and brain power than I thought they would. However, I still love it and find real satisfaciton from the creative process and the outcome. Maybe it is filling part of the challenge-in-the-workplace hole I sometimes feel being a SAHM. We all need an outlet, right?

Sewing for Monica: Upcycling The Giant Purple People Eater Maternity Shirt

If you'll remember a few posts ago (and many moons ago), I turned a mens dress shirt into a sun dress for Monica.  Monica hearts that dress and has even christened it "The Square Dress".  When Monica names a piece of clothing, it is automatically inducted into her personal Clothing Hall of Fame.

So, in the name of thrift, challenge, and cuteness, I took on another mens dress shirt repurpose a la this tutorial by Dana at Made.  I love the cap sleeves and the extra styling at the waist! 

While on my quest for the perfect shirt at a thrift store, I came across a ginormous, deep purple, button-down maternity shirt.  It was a little different from the mens shirt in that it did't have the yoke in the back, had a much boxier shape and sported short sleeves instead of long sleeves.  The only differnce that made an impact on the project was the short sleeves.  The cap sleeves are cut from the dress shirt's long sleeves (which I didn't remember while out on my thrifting escapade), so I had to improvise with some very Vera-looking fabric from the JoAnns quilting cotton wall, which I paired with a coordinating quilting cotton for the waist band.

I should have taken a pic of the shirt at pre-upcycle because the massive shirt to cute little dress transformation is fun to see. If you really want to get the full effect of the transformation, click this link to a similar shirt at The Purple Store. (Who knew there was a store for people who really really want and love purple stuff?  Caitlyn...this is definitely the URL for you!) Here are the results:

Definitely peruse Dana's tutorials and patterns. So cute and fun. In fact, I'll have the results of another Made tutorial soon...

A Little Purse for Easter Sunday

I made this little purse for Monica as an Easter gift. I used two fat quarters (Monica chose them quite some time ago, so she forgot about them, which made for a nice surprise), a little over two feet of grosgrain, some interfacing and a magnetic clasp. I'm really happy with the way it turned out, and Monica loved carrying it to Mass and brunch!

The original tutorial does not have instructions for the clasp, but I like having the option of at least sort of closing bags. The flower on the front was made from the strap, but only after I had sewn it all together and realized I skipped the "cut 7 inches from the strap to make the flower" step! The seam ripper is my best friend.

Click here for the tutorial at If I Can Do It You Can Do It.

Men's Dress Shirt...Presto Chango!...Toddler Sundress

Another reason for the blogging hiatus...

My friend Claire shared this tutorial for a toddler sundress reconstructed from a mens' dress shirt. I am a real newbie when it comes to garment construction, so this did take longer than it would a more accomplished and experienced seamstress. I also chose a white, translucent shirt that I felt the need to line with that turquoise fabric that you see at the neckline. That was the most challenging part of the project because there are no instructions for that and, once again, I'm a newbie. But, I'm happy with the way it turned out. I may make another one later in the summer...

Thanks to Maureen for the pocket idea (made from the wrist cuff of the shirt and some pleats). Otherwise I would have spent way too much time and energy sewing those knife pleats all along the hem...Oy!

Pics...I wish I would have taken a picture of the shirt, pre-recon. It's fun to see the contrast! Here's the tutorial if your so craftily inclined...

Budding Business

One reason that my blogging took such a long hiatus is that I bought a sewing machine and I've been using it!

I recently sold about 30 flannel blanket and burp rag gift sets to two brick and mortar kids' stores . It was a lot of work in a short amount of time, but I had fun with it, mostly with choosing the fabric, actually. I love color and pattern and the world of textiles!

Here are some pics of some product. I don't have the best camera, nor am I the best photog, but you get the idea. You can check out my work here and here if you're local. Cheers to the beginnings of Sprout Designs!

Crafty Exploits: Millinery Part 2

Here it is! I successfully trimmed my first hat. It was easier than I thought and a lot of fun. I personally think that the hat is an underutilized accessory in the US. I'm looking forward to sporting one of my own creations!

Before

Plumage

Final piece*

*Note: The plumage will actually be worn to the side, not to the front.

Crafty Exploit: Millinery!

James and I will be flying to Albany NY in a couple weeks to visit my dear friend Claire. She has a serious preoccupation with British royalty and so, to commemorate the upcoming royal nuptials, she will be throwing a party. And, of course, in typical UK fashion, I have to wear a hat.

I spent way too much time on Saturday combing the internet for a fun and inexpensive fascinator, but nothing in my price range really screamed, "You must have me!" The fascinators I really liked (those that didn't look too prom-ish or flapper-ish) were upwards of $60, which I really didn't want to spend.

On an impromptu trip to Target, I found this little cloche for $12.99. I admit that it is rather drab, but the neutrality has its appeal. The party isn't formal, so I'll probably wear jeans and fun shoes, and since I'm traveling and won't have access to my closet for last minute wardrobe changes, I'll have to deal with what is in my over-stuffed suitcase, i.e. black, pearls and easily packable. So, I went on Etsy and found some fabulous feathers and a cameo brooch to dress it up. I'm really excited to embark a completely new creative endeavor. I've never really worn hats (knit snow hats don't count!) much less trimmed one myself. This will be an adventure.

Stay tuned...