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.

Embellished Onesies

I just can't stop making things! I really think it has to do with being pregnant 'cause I'm seriously nesting right now! 

Here are some onesies I embellished with felt and left-over fabric. My kiddos usually live in white onesies for the first few weeks of life and I thought this would be a fun way to add some personality and cuteness. The project was really cheap and simple, and it only took me an afternoon to complete eight.

I simply ironed on bonding paper to the felt or fabric, cut out the desired shapes, and transferred to the onesie. I applied  anti-fraying gel to edges of the cotton cut-outs just to be safe. That's it! Here are some samples for ya....