Baby Gifts

I am going to preface this post by saying that I don't have a picture of my finished products, but please keep reading!

Several of my friends are pregnant. They had a joint baby shower, and I couldn't think for the life of me what I should give (baby gadgets are expensive, ya'll). I really love handmade gifts though. So I thought this would be the perfect time to try a pattern...not as scary as I thought it would be!

I made a pair of shoes and a dress for each little one! I loved how they turned out! Please take a look at the awesome sites that posted these patterns.

The shoe pattern can be found at Fleeting Thing

The dress pattern can be found at Made By RAE

These tutorials were both very well explained and so easy to follow! Please don't be intimidated by these photos. If you have a little fabric and a sewing machine, you can definitely make these. Is there a special little one in your life who would look adorable in this outfit? I'm sure you can find someone to spoil!

Have fun sewing!

Sleep Shirt to Racing Stripes Refashion + A Surprise for a Kitty

We just got a new camera so excuse the goofy pictures. We are having a little too much fun with it. 

 I've had this shirt for years. It's super soft, but the years of love have stretched it out quite a bit. It's also lacking some pizzazz. I have quite a hard time parting with loyal pieces of clothing. This shirt has served me well. I cant just give up on it.

I have quite a few scraps from this dress:

"What happened to the rest of this crazy dress?" you ask.

Well, honestly, I'm not sure yet. I've been fighting with this piece for a while. I think I have a handle on it now, but you will still have to wait on the final results.

Today I used the lining from the blouse part of the dress. So, let's begin!

I took three inches in from the sides on the shirt. I took in two inches on one side and one inch on the other.

 "Why did you take in uneven amounts?" you ask.

I'll tell you.

I added pizzazz.

About an inch of pizzazz to be exact. A racing stripe if you will {or at least that's what Philip said it reminded him of}. It made up for the extra inch that I cut off on one side. 

So one side simply was taken in one inch and the excess trimmed away. The second side had two inches cut away; Straight up the side seam all the way through the armpit and sleeve. Then I added this to the open side:

  

I folded the material in half because it was see through and I don't play like that. I then pinned it to itself so it wouldn't slip or bunch. 

Next, I turned the shirt inside out and pinned the strip of fabric to one of the open sides.

I made the mistake of turning around for thirty seconds, and when I returned, I found an inconsiderate cat sleeping on my handy work. On top of NEEDLES! "Why would she do that?", you ask. Well, you're asking a lot of questions today, and this is one I simply can't answer. She's not the brightest crayon in the box {my mom seriously thinks she has mental problems}.

What a wauzzie...

Here's a better look:

SO MANY PINNNSSS!!!!!

Next things next, I stitched that side down and proceeded to do the same on the other.

I then had a fully functioning shirt again, but I wanted to do something more.

I thought about putting another strip down the other side, but then I really would look like a race car.

I decided to put a strip down the shoulder onto the sleeve.


I'm still not sold on the method I used. It was easier that the way I did the side {which is totally doable if you feel more motivated than I did} because it didn't involve taking anything in or even cutting the shirt. I definitely doesn't look as clean though as the side method though. I might actually go back at a later date and revamp it, but for now, here was my process.

I took more scrap fabric and made a tube.

I put a pin on one end and then flipped it inside out.

I took my fabric tube and ironed it { I may have used my hair straightener} and then sewed it to the outside of my shirt.

After folding the excess under and sewing it into the hem, I was done! It was hard to get a pic of both sides of the shirt, so, again, humor me with the multiple goofy pictures.

I had some extra scraps from this project and from the dress.

I decided to make them into a cute little cat nip mouse for Crunchy.

   

She's happy about it.

Refashion: Choir Dress Revival!

When is tumbled upon this dress at one of my favorite thrift stores, I liked so much about it.

The fit isn't too bad, I loved the waist detail (which didn't show up in this picture...boo), and black dresses are so versatile. 

I wasn't crazy about the neckline though. It has a strange pseudo turtleneck going on. And then those sleeves.... Hmmm

First, I unpicked the entire collar, got rid of that awkward strip of fabric, and stitched the seam right back down.  Buh-bye turtleneck thingy! 

I took the dress in about a half inch on each side. Now it fits perfectly. 

I originally wanted this dress to be appropriate for work, but no matter how I cut the sleeves I couldn't get the image of old choir lady out of my head when I tried it on. 

There is nothing bad with being old. There Is nothing bad with being a lady. There is nothing bad with being in a choir.

There isn't even anything bad with being all three of these things. It was just not the look I was shooting for.

I ended up getting rid if the sleeves altogether. So long work appropriate! I got to unpicking and then sewed the seam right back down sans sleeve. 

Now my dress will be cute for a date night, maybe even church. 

I'll just have to continue my search for work appropriate clothing another day.