Concert Dress

Wow August was a busy month! It's hard to believe it's September and the two of the kiddos are back in school. I've spent my "extra" time trying to get caught up on things that I can not seem to get done with three in the house. Fortunately, sewing is one of the things I can do with all of them around. Good thing too because I've been back to sewing up a storm. With the anticipation of school I created a new pattern for a boxy pencil bag, sewed a bunch and spent some time selling them. I have a fall craft show I signed up for and started preparing for. I will share what I will be selling at the show over the next weeks.

One of my sewing projects this month has been a concert dress. I was asked to take a womens extra-small concert t-shirt and make it into a dress for a little girl. This lucky little girl is going to the concert and has a backstage pass to meet the artist. I feel honored that I was asked to create the dress for the event. It was a bit of challenge to find the right style that didn't lose to much of the image on the t-shirt.

 Sadly, I lost part of the name on the front but I was able to salvage the back.

I settled on a raglan peasant style bodice with elastic neckline and sleeve. After deliberation this style provided the width to best take advantage of the image. This little girl likes to twirl so a skirt was a necessity. I used two full widths of fabric to make sure it had plenty of twirl.

(When I took these pictures the little lady had not yet tried on the dress so I hadn't finished the casement for the elastic neckline and the arms. I was waiting so I can have her try it on so we can make it the perfect fit.)

It's fun to make a completely custom item. It can be a daunting at first but the outcome is always very rewarding.

Time to get back to the sewing machine and mass productions mode : )

Thanks for stopping by the nest!

Darla

Romper

So you know those rompers you see everywhere? They are so easy to make without a special pattern. And so much cheaper to make with an old XL men's t-shirt. All you need is a trusted shorts pattern. You could marry a top or dress pattern you like with the shorts like I've seen done here and here. In this case all I did was make three tubes. Two small ones for the straps and one big one for the body of the top. I also added a strip of fabric from another t-shirt for the ruffle at the top.







As I was shopping on on the Children's Place website and came across this romper that is pretty close to what I came up with. Theirs cost $19.95; mine cost $3.00.  

For the shorts I used the pattern Simplicity 5382 Girls sleepwear. I really like this pattern for PJ's and everyday play clothes. There is one pattern piece and only two cuts. So easy!  I took advantage of the existing hem from the bottom if the men's shirt. I position the single pattern piece centered over the shirts side seam so the seam is on the outside leg of the shorts. 

 I love how easy and breezy rompers are, however I'm a little concerned about potty time. This may not be a first choice if you're potty training like me. Oh well, it's still cute! I debated doing a tutorial for this but for the sake of time I didn't. If you would like me to do one leave me a comment.

Thanks for stopping by the nest!
Darla

Up-cycled Popover Sundress

For a warm up to KCW next week I thought I'd share a few of items I have completed over the past month for Hannah's warm weather wardrobe. This is another variation that I did with Oliver+S Popover Sundress using an up-cycled mens shirt again. I just didn't love the version that I made here. It was just a bit boxy for me. I really wanted this pattern to work so I made minor alterations and am much happier. 

I really didn't do much. I widened the overall dress pattern (not the top yoke) about 4" and ran a gathering stitches on either side of the button placket and all the way across the back. Gathered to fit the yoke and thats it. 

There is something very sweet about ties on the shoulders. It took me forever to get them perfectly even though (dressing a fidgety child is no fun) so I am going to stitch these in place and with the extra width its easy to pull over her head. Over all I like this one much better and Hannah likes how it's more flowy. 

Thanks for stopping by the nest!
Darla

Upcycled Peasant Dress

 I have now paid homage to the Raglan Sleeve Night Dress pattern from iKat bag 7 times. If you couldn't tell it's my current favorite. I am trying to squeeze every ounce out of this pattern before Hannah out grows the largest size (5). 

My number one reason for liking this pattern so much is that it is so easy and with very little modification it's versatile. I can whip one of these out in a half hour if I am making no changes. That's less time then it takes me to go to the store. 

Since I did a up-cycled dress for KCW I had my stash of old shirts out. I have been meaning to make something with this one since it hit the pile but it just kept getting pushed aside for other more pressing or inspiring projects.

I widened and lengthened the skirt a bit to maximize the shirt and give the dress some longevity for Hannah. The girl is growing like a weed.

I kept the sleeves short this time, one, because I didn't have the fabric and two, I am getting Hannah's wordrob warm weather ready.

I have thought about grading the pattern to a larger size when I have time (when ever that will be). I may just need to find a new favorite pattern.

I have several projects in the works and may not get anything else posted this week. I hope to share with you next week what I am working on.

Thanks for stopping by the nest!

Darla