sewing for me: another most flattering shirt

I made another "Most Flattering Top". I love green. It's such a cheerful color. I realized recently that I have a lack of green in my life; in my wardrobe, in my home. So this is my first effort to add a little green.

I did nine rows of shirring on the last top. This time I only did one row in front...

and three rows in the back.

It gives the top a little more relaxed, flow-y feel. This top would look great with a trendy belt-- I need to get one of those!

I think I am going to make one more in a Fall-ish print and add sleeves. Have you made a "Most Flattering Top (or dress)? You can find the tutorial here.

onesie dress embellishments

These aren't super detailed instructions but hopefully with the pictures and text it will provide you with some ideas to dress up your onesie dresses!

I used elastic thread in the bobbin on most of these embellishments. It may not be necessary since the back part of the onesie will have stretch enough to fit over you little one's head but I used it just to be safe. Using elastic thread does result in a gather but I have found that unless you have several rows of stitches with elastic thread (shirring) the gathering is minimal and unnoticeable.

tuxedo ruffles

This embellishment has raw edges and is suitable only for knit fabric. Cut five 1" strips. 1- 8" long, 2- 6" long, 2- 5 long". Ruffle the strips with a gathering stitch.

With the ruffles hanging over the neckline (onesie and ruffles right side together), center and pin the 8" ruffle on neckline. Pin the 6" strips on either side of the 8" strip. Pin the 5" strips next to the 6" strips. Sew the ruffles to the onesie just underneath the binded top edge of the onesie. I know that is worded weird... does it make sense at all? (The reason I sew the ruffles to the onesie this way is to make a cleaner ruffle that lays flatter on the dress.)

Flip the ruffles down. Pin. Sew down the center of each ruffle over your gathering stitch. Remove the gathering stitch.

gathered neckline

Cut a strip of fabric- 2.5" x 16. Make a fabric tube by sew your strip together lengthwise, wrong sides together (the raw seam will be hidden later). Center the seam on the back and iron.

Gather your fabric tube by sewing (with a gathering or basting stitch) down each side 2/16" from the edge.



Fold the shoulder flaps of the onesie back. Center and pin the gathered fabric tube just beneath the binded neckline of the onesie. Sew with a regular straight stitch using elastic thread in the bobbin. Remover the gathering stitch.

little bow

Cut a strip of fabric 1"x7" on the bias. Fold and iron the raw edges to the center- wrong sides together.

Fold the shoulder flaps of the onesie back. Center and pin the strip just beneath the binded neckline of the onesie. Sew with a regular straight stitch using elastic thread in the bobbin.

Make a fabric tube by cutting a 2"x12" strip of fabric. Fold in half lengthwise, right sides together. Sew with a 1/2" seam allowance, leaving the ends open. Turn your fabric tube right side out. This can be tricky with such a narrow tube- try this magic tube turning trick. (Yarn works well too!) Iron your fabric tube and tie into a pretty bow. Trim the ends. Stitch close and parallel to the raw edges to minimize fraying. To further discourage fraying use a little fray check on the ends. From the back hand stitch the bow to the neckline. These stitches also prevent the bow from untying.

ruffle neckline

This embellishment has raw edges and is suitable only for knit fabric. Cut a strip of fabric 1.75"x15". Gather one long edge. Fold the shoulder flaps of the onesie back. Pin the ruffle with the gathering line matching up with the binded neckline of the onesie, right sides together.

Stitch just beneath the banded neckline of the onesie. (I used elastic thread in the bobbin on this one too)

Remove the gathering stitch. Trim the excess fabric. Fold the ruffle down and topstitch.

I embellished these onesies a while back. No instructions, but they are both pretty self explanatory and would be adorable with or without an attached skirt!

 

Any of the embellishments would also work for a toddler, little girls or even a woman's shirt. 

Happy embellishing!!

tutorial: onesie dress

Onesie Dress Tutorial

The first time I made a onesie dress for Gemma I was so excited. It was adorable! But then I tried to put it on her. I could barely get it over her head- so disappointing. Once the skirt is sewn on with a regular stitch the onesie loses the ability to stretch. I brainstormed and it finally dawned on me... elastic thread! I have used it on so many times as a waistband, I was surprised it didn't occur to me before.  Check it out:

Lots of room so you won't have to wrestle the dress over your little ones head and certainly more comfortable and forgiving on those big chubby baby bellies! :)

All you need is a onesie and a piece fabric- 42" x 8.5". For the tutorial I used a jersey knit but cotton works great too.

Sew the short ends of your fabric together to make a large tube.  If you are using cotton, at this point you need to hem the bottom and finish the top edge with a serger if you have one. If you don't have a serger you can zigzag the edge or trim the edge with pinking shears.

Gather the top edge of the skirt.

Mark the waistline on the onesie. Mine is 7" down from the collar but you'll probably want to measure your daughter.

Arrange the gathers to fit around the onesie, lining up the edge with the waistline. Pin.
Hand wind elastic thread on to your bobbin. I stretch mine slightly as I go. Sew with a straight stitch all the way around the skirt.

That's it! Easy, right?

I'll talk about embellishing the onesie dresses in another post. Hopefully next week but, you know me, it'll probably take six months. Haha!

dressed up onesies

I've been making lots of onesie dresses and tie applique onesies as gifts.

The tie applique onesies  couldn't be easier! I made these for a friends new nephew.



I used Char's perfectly sized tie applique pattern + tutorial.

The dresses are easy to make and fun to embellish.

These dresses (plus a few more that are identical to the ones hanging on the line) are for friends that have recently had little girls. I am keeping a couple for my little girl though!

When I sat down to make these dresses I tried to reference my tutorial for sizing only realize I never finished it and posted it. Oopsie. I am so behind in blogging. Hopefully I will get caught up soon!

birthday totes

Each year I have one item that I make for my sisters and sisters-in-law birthdays (though I admit that I have missed a birthday or two. Sorry sisters!) This year the gift is tote bags! You can find the tutorial here if you want to make your own.

Two of my sisters-in-law celebrate their birthdays this month. Jen's birthday was the 4th. I made her a yellow chevron with brown trim tote bag. I love the yellow chevron! I got it at Hancock for 50% off. The trim is a brown linen I've had for years and the lining is a white canvas. Jen recently moved to Asheville, NC and I am missing her lots!

Today is Jessica's birthday. (Happy birthday Jessica!!) She is pretty amazing- she has four children, teaches preschool, and is finishing up her masters degree. She is a superwoman!

I made Jess' tote bag in brown linen from my stash. The trim and lining fabric is Flea Market Fancy Sprout by Deniyse Schmidt, one of my favorites, which sadly, is no longer available. I made a dress for Sutton years ago (pre blog days) and after making this bag I only have scraps.

HAPPY WEEKEND!

sewing for me: the most flattering shirt

I haven't sewn clothing for myself in a long while. When I first learned to sew that was all I made. I miss sewing for myself. I also miss having clothes to wear... I am still carrying an extra 20 lbs from my last pregnancy (not to mention the enormous boobs that go along with breast feeding!) so not many of my regular clothes fit. I am sure the weight would come of faster if I exercised with any sort of regularity but in my limited "me time" sewing usually wins out. Maybe someday I will be better at balancing all the things I want to do.

I made this top from the Most Flattering Shirt Dress tutorial at Prudent Baby. I obviously made it a shirt length rather than a dress. It was a quick top to make and I think I will probably make at least one more and probably a dress once I am no longer nursing Gemma. I got the fabric from Wal-mart- $3.47/yard. I really liked the blue and white medallion type print and the price can't be beat! It is soft and light- a necessity in the brutal summer heat!

a skirt refashion that is a sort of fail

I totally forgot to take a before picture but the skirt was the same style as the skirt I refashioned a few weeks ago.

I made it pretty much the same way as the last dress... I took in the skirt until it fit Sutton's body. Using the excess material I made the straps and ruffled sleeves.

Again with the wrinkles. You probably think I don't own an iron. I do, I'm just lazy.

I used the contrasting material from the bottom of the skirt to make a pleated ruffle between the straps.

I used more contrasting material on the back because I am sort of a prude when it comes to modesty, especially when it comes to my children. Only, I think it looks a little weird and doesn't cover that much. I may just take it off.

But that isn't the worst part. Look closer. Notice how the ruffled sleeves are totally uneven? Crappy workmanship right there.

The sash was part of the original skirt. All in all, it's not so bad. Just don't look too close!

Luckily Sutton isn't as nit-picky as I am!

refashion: ladies skirt to girls dress

I haven't done a refashion in a long time!

Please pardon the wrinkles! I didn't realize how bad it was until I downloaded the photos.

I found this skirt at Salvation Army for $1.50. I knew immediately that I wanted to make it into a dress for Sutton.

Black clothes are hard to come by for kids, especially little girls. Which is unfortunate because I really love black on little girls, it feels unexpected. The other day I was shopping at a kids consignment store and a woman that was perusing the racks next to me asked, "Do parents of girls ever tire of pink?" Uh, YES! I am not opposed to pink but I like variety and thankfully so does Sutton.


Utilizing the finished top of the skirt and the hem, I took in one side seam and used the leftover fabric to make straps and cap sleeves.


I really love the gathering detail at the waist.


I left the original waistline intact but after I finished I realized that I would have to cut the underarm for comfort. It was a last minute adjustment on a Saturday night but it came out okay.


I need to get back into doing refashions. They are quick and simple projects. I love the instant gratification!


They make Sutton pretty happy too!