Accidentally Perfect

Here are a few sewing projects that didn't turn out as expected. Both items were intended for yours truly but looked awful...just plain awful! So  instead of wasting the fabric I thought it would be prudent to try and salvage my creations by  transforming them into frocks for my little girls and I think they turned out smashingly!

This was intended to be a ruffled shirt for me. I was once again inspired by {Made by Lex}but when all was said and done and I tried the shirt on... I looked like a mad clown. Not mad like angry, mad as in crazy or demented. I really should have taken a picture...but it didn't strike me as a good idea at the time. But after a few adjustments it turned into a great dress for Del. I patterned it after a dress she already had.

This project was an upcycle men's shirt to women's peasant blouse gone wrong. I found the tutorial once again on {Made by Lex}. But I made the foolish decision of taking in the sides of the shirt thinking that the large men's shirt would certainly end up way to big for me. Well in the end it was uncomfortably small so...I refashioned it into a shirt-dress for Eden.

So hopefully this post inspires you to keep trying and not give up even when sewing projects go terribly wrong. 'Cause trust me if I can do it {being by nature impulsive and inattentive to details} anyone can!

The BIG sewing post Spring/Summer Edition

The point of this post is to a. inspire you to create your own sewing masterpieces and b. give a shout out to some sweet sewing links. So ya ready? Here we go!

Ruffled Tuxedo Shirt - This tutorial can be found at {Made by Lex}. I just love, love, love her blog!*ruffles are a great way to add flavor and fun to a plain tee*

 Tiered Skirt for Eden and Adele by {Kuky Ideas} -
*hint* if you try this be sure to double check the measuring before sewing. {please excuse my reluctant models. i realize that the photo doesn't exactly showcase the skirts so check out the link for a proper photo!}

Bean Bags - *A perfect idea for scrap pieces of fabric.*

Bibs - Inspired from the tutorial found on {The Sewing Dork} blog. Fantastic huh?! *you can embellish the bibs with buttons and ribbon*And guess what if you're having a baby this year {or at any point in the future for that matter} there's a good chance you getting one! {oh ya and i realize the pics are sideways. why must you confound me blogger...why?!!}

I also have several vinyl bibs in que as well. These were inspired by {Make it Love it}. In the end I would love to create vinyl pocket bibs!

The Trendy Skirt - So cute. So trendy. So overpriced. So easy to sew {it took all of my internal strength not to use the "sew" pun...you're welcome} *I used a {basting stitch} to create the gathered look* This first is an example from {SaksFifthAvenue}

  

Shirred Dress  - I found this tutorial on {Martha Stewart} last spring.
*hint* there's no need to back stitch at the end of each shirred row, just stretch the thread gently, turn, and continue sewing the next row*

If you watch the video on the link take notice of the fabric {Heather Ross} used, isn't it fantastic?! Here's a sample.

I love the whimsical ocean theme and have had my eye on that fabric line for over a year! Well I finally bit the bullet and bought some when I found out the line was being discontinued. The plan is to use it in the girl's room some time in the future.

















Upcycled Mama Shirt to Eden Dress - Why not turn an old shirt into a fantastic frock for you little girl?

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More links:

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  Prudent Baby - Absolutely fabulous sewing, decor, and craft ideas.
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  Made - Dana is incredibly talented and generous in sharing her sewing and crafty ideas!
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  ~Ruffles and Stuff~ - My favorite!!! Not only is Disney {she was named after Disney Chanel!} talented but she loves the Lord too! Stop by for sewing and decor tips.

Upcycled Creations Part Deux: A Heat Pack for an Achy Back

Got some old pieces of scrap fabric you don't know what to do with? Don't throw them away, make this sweet rice heat therapy bag! I found this great tutorial from Sew Mama Sew the other day and I thought it would make a great gift for a friend of mine who just had a baby. I was going to make an entire "wellness package" but um ya...I ran out of time. After going through the instructions I was confused, so I simplified the project a bit and things turned out swell!


Basically I just cut a long rectangular piece of cotton I had left over from another project. At one end I sewed three cotton scraps and then fashioned the entire piece into a slip cover. This was the outside of the bag. For the interior sack I sewed a rectangular muslin bag that matched the dimensions of the exterior piece leaving one end open. I filled the muslin bag with rice mixed with fresh scented oils and sewed the bag shut. After stuffing the cover I was done. Voila a super chic heat therapy!

Upcycled Creations Part Une: Girl's Sweater Dress

So what's upcycling you say? Well I would define it as using a well-loved item, for example a lush little sweater-set from Christopher and Banks, and re-inventing it for a greater purpose.

For over a year I've been on the hunt for the perfect sweater dress for Eden, but alas the cute little dresses I often find are often out of my price range. So what's a girl to do? Improvise!! Here's how I made a sweater dress for E out of an old sweater I got at Goodwill. And as a testament to how simple this project is (as opposed to my sewing skills), it only took about 15 minutes to complete!!! Alright folks brace yourselves for inspiration : ) *Sorry about the quality
of the pics, the lighting wasn't the best*

Start with an adult sizes sweater and fold in half. (I would have showed you the sweater as a whole but I got too excited and started cutting before I got out the camera).

Using a girl's dress as a template, mark and cut a diagonal line that will represent the sides of the dress.

Unfold the dress and make sure the lines are even.

Now turn the dress inside out and sew the sides together.

Once you've finished sewing the edges, turn the dress so that the right sides face out. You'll notice that the sleeves have some raw edges, so we can make cuffs to make the dress look complete. This step isn't always necessary, especially if your working with a stretchy fabric such as jersey knits.

Cut the cuffs off of the ends of the sleeves to the original sweater.

Here is the sleeve to the sweater dress and the cuff.

Place the cuff so that is slips over the end of the sleeve. The raw edges should line up together. Make sure that the right side of the cuff and the sleeve are facing each other. This way when you turn the cuff the right side shows. Clear as mud huh?!

Head back to the sewing machine to complete the sleeve cuffs.

fin.

Hey Nikki, Whatcha been Sewing?

Well I'm glad you asked! It just so happens that I've finished a few great projects. Whats that,you want to see them? Well here ya go!

I love, love, love these little smocked dresses! Martha Stewart and her guest Heather Ross were making them on her show a few weeks ago so I hunted down the instructions on her website. Because it was my first time working with elastic thread I found another tutorial with instructions on how to use it. Altogether I there were 3 on-line tutorials that helped inspire my smocked dress creations. Heather Ross Dress House on Hill Road Sewing with Elastic Thread































































I also made a little skirt for Adele. It's a prototype really. I was inspired by this tutorial on Kuky Ideas. I had to modify the measurements a lot so let me know if you want to attempt it and I'll give you some hints.









Here are some fleece diaper covers I made for Della. They're super soft and absorbent, keeping her skin nice and dry. I sewed in a doubler for extra absorption.



















Inside out



And finally Noah got some underwear! Poor boy I really need to make him something cute but sewing for girls is so much fun! Anyways I sewed a doubler into some undies I found at Walmart to help him transition from diapers to underwear.
















Inside out.

I can TOTALLY sew that!!!

Pete and I have been married for five years and over these past years I've often teased him when he says, "I can totally make that babe!" Whether it be bookshelves, kitchen cabinets, or a headboard for our bed, my amazing husband can pretty much make anything! Well now it's my turn. Just about every other day I find myself saying, "I can totally sew that sweetie!"  Ah the irony. So on that note here are some projects that I've recently completed...

                                                                                                                         

This used to be the ugliest little accent table! Pete and I purchased it at a second hand furniture store when we moved to Omaha. It was originally painted a dark hunter green, which didn't match our decor. I repainted it this smoky blue color and sewed a skirt that I then velcroed to the inside ledge. I now use it in our guest bedroom/nursery. Behind the skirt hides a small bookshelf that Noah likes to get into. Out of sight, out of mind!

I used the remnants from the accent table fabric plus a cream-colored twin sized sheet from Walmart to make this crib skirt. I wanted the decor for the nursery to be somewhat neutral since it doubles as a bedroom. This project was a lot more challenging than I thought, but I think it turned out great! 

          

Here's a little known fact: It's really, really, ridiculously, easy to sew fitted crib sheets. Why am I just figuring this out now?! For years I've searched for a unique contemporary style crib set that wasn't over $100, finally I gave up and settled for some cheapo sheets from Target (that ripped after about six months of use). Anyways, I just finished these today. I made one for the cradle and one for the crib. Seriously though, if you ever want a cool unique looking fitted sheet, I could totally sew it for you!