Dressin' Up

Since we went to Disneyland for Easter. . .

The girls didn't get a chance to wear the spring outfits that I sewed for Easter.  With the big spur of the moment surprise I also didn't get their headbands finished.  When we got back home I put them together. . .

This one turned out fun. . .

They got their chance a couple of weeks ago to wear the matching pre-shirred dresses to church. . .

By reading this blog, you probably wouldn't guess that I have an absolutely adorable son. . .

He's the Ric Rac in all these Ruffles!  He is getting his own room soon and there will be plenty of "boy" posts coming up.  He also had a birthday that I still need to post a few things about.  I just want to squish him and bite his cheeks - and I often do :O). . .

This sweet girl of mine never misses a chance to pose. . .

This one wishes she had more skirts like these, guess I better get busy! . . . 

I need to try my hand at making ties, so that the Ric Rac can join these Ruffles in all the fun pictures for the craft blog!!!

Mens Polo Shirt To Skirt - Tutorial

I've been trying to keep my crafting to one project per day (I'm a bit obsessive with it lately) to keep a good balance in my life.  BUT, the other day when I was cleaning up from the Twirly Play Skirt project, I came across the shirt that I made the Rosette Cuff out of and the idea clicked to make a skirt, so I quickly whipped it up!

It was THEE easiest thing I've ever sewn.  I simply cut off a piece from the bottom of the shirt.  I had to go small because of a stain on the shirt, but really this could be made longer for an older girl or even adult.  This picture may look confusing.  I folded the shirt in half to cut the strip, but then unfolded the part I cut before I snapped the shot...

With the bottom hem and sides of the shirt already sewn for me the only thing I had to do was add an elastic at the top!  See?  SO EASY!  To put the elastic in you simply iron over about a 1/4 of an inch....

Then take that same fold and fold it over again to accommodate the thickness of your elastic.  I ironed it over about an inch...

Sew along the bottom edge of the fold to form your elastic casing.  Leave a hole for the elastic to thread through...

With your safety pin hooked to your elastic guide the elastic through the casing...

Pull through the other side (being careful not to lose each end).  Overlap the elastic and stitch together, then stitch your opening closed.  I stitch the elastic in a couple of places to prevent it from rolling. 

I LOVE the little side slits that were already in the shirt!...

This material is a bit silky and has a shimmer to it that you can't see in these pictures.  My 3 year old LOVES it - VERY twirly and swirly :O).

Click HERE for a full list of parties I link to!

Twirly Play Skirt - Tutorial

This is a more basic version of the Twirly Tulle skirts that I've been making.  This was completely made from scraps my mom gave me!  I always love FREE! 

It's loosely based on the Skirt Pattern that I posted the other day.  My daughter is 3, so the measurements I will give you are based off of her size. 

Start with one strip that is 36" in length and 7" wide (for the waist), and 2 strips that are 31" each and 9 inches wide (for the bottom).  As well as any trim that you would like to add to each...

I ironed and then hemmed the 2 - 31" strips...

Flipped them over and sewed on the trim...

Sewing both edges of it.  When I made the Twirly Tulle skirts I actually used Stitch Witchery for both the hem and the trim.  It causes the skirts to hang a bit more stiff, and I wanted this one to ruffle a bit more...

Then you sew both short ends together and iron the folds out flat...

With both short ends sewn together you will have a full loop...

Set the bottom pieces aside.  Sew the trim onto your waist piece in the desired place...

Then sew the short ends together forming your loop...

Go back to your big loop and ruffle the top edge to equal 35 1/2".  You will need it to ruffle to the size of your waist piece (you lose a 1/2" when you sew the ends together on the waist)...

Then you will sew a stitch that holds the ruffle in place...

Then with both pieces inside out, and right sides lined up inside, you will sew them together with a zig zag stitch....

So that when it is turned rightside out it will look like this...

Am I clear as mud to this point?!  Next, you will fold the top edge over by about 1/4" and iron it.  Then fold it over again to accommodate the space needed for your elastic and iron it again.  Then you are ready to stitch the casing for your elastic...

Leaving a 1-2" hole for the elastic to thread through (cut elastic 1" smaller than child's waist)...

Once you have it all the way through, overlap the elastic and sew it together...

Once you have the elastic sewn, then stitch up the hole, and stitch the elastic in a couple of places to prevent it from twisting.  Then you will have your finished skirt...

I, of course, had to make a flower to attach to it.  I cut my circles.  I'm getting pretty quick with these.  Now I just draw one circle and then fold the material for how many I want....

I was going to put it on a broach pin so that it could be removable, but it was too floppy.  I just stitched it on...

Remember the headband I made the other day out of this same material?  Well, she broke it in half, so I'll have to make another one :O)...

Click HERE for a full list of parties I link to!

Zebra Print & Yellow Twirly Tulle Skirt

After finishing the Spring Outfit for the 3 year old my 10 year old was so excited for me to make one for her.  We wanted it to coordinate, but not completely match.  We've decided these will be their Easter dresses!...

So, now I just need to make her a matching headband and shirt to go with her skirt like I did for the 3 year old...

I know I promised a tutorial, but honestly, I'm still faking my way through it and wouldn't know where to begin to explain it.  I'd say your still better off just purchasing the pattern from the below post...keeping in mind I shortened it both in width and height, as well as added belt loops and ribbon :O). 

Click HERE for a full list of parties I link to!

Skirt Pattern

If you are interested in making the "Twirly Tulle Skirt" HERE is a site that you are able to purchase the pattern from (It's techinically "Butterfly Kisses' Snowflake Skirt #105).  There are other sites that you can order it from, and I'm guessing it is available at fabric stores (this is just the first one that pulled up on google).  I would love to do a tutorial, but there are several different sizes and each one is cut a little differently.  For mine I shortened it both in width and length, then added the belt loops and ribbon on top. 

The next time I make a skirt I will take pictures and do my best to do a tutorial...it might be in a couple of weeks though :O).

~Aly

Recovered Headband Tutorial - To Match Twirly Skirt

I had so many ideas swirling around in my head for the matching headband for the Twirly Tulle Skirt.  I finally decided to recover an old headband we had in the drawer.  Don't be surprised if you see three more posts for coordinating hair accessories...I may just have to make each one!

Here is the headband before...

I pulled everything off leaving it nekked...

I saved all of the pieces to make the project easier.  I cut the new material the same size and shape as the old...

Wrapped the edges around the nekked headband and hot glued it on the under side.  I didn't want any hot glue bumps on the topside of it...

Then I hot glued the original hair grip backing on to cover the seam, and to help hold the headband in place when it's worn...

Here it is all covered.  I love the look of it just like this...

But - of course - had to add a rosette and tulle...

Here she is wearing it while watching TV...

Now we've got something to match the skirt :O)...

Wish I had other headbands to recover!...

*Update - See completed outfit HERE!