Rainbow Remix

Several months ago, I ran across this image of a Vintage McCalls pattern and fell in LOVE with the jumper.

I can totally picture it in a tweed fabric paired with white tights and red shoes. I have saved the idea for when LA is a little older since I think the "look" will really be adorable in a 3-4 year old size.

When I saw the Junebug Dress over at Craftiness is Not Optional, it reminded me of the McCalls jumper and my imagination started to take over :) Mix a sleeveless variation of the Junebug Dress with the fun rainbow stitching used on this adorable skirt from Probably Actually, and you get...

a RAINBOW Remix!


I added the running stitches along the hem for a fun effect. The purple doesn't "pop" as much as I would have liked, but oh well :) It's still cute! The colors are a bit more vibrant in person.

The bodice is fully lined with an adorable Tattersall fabric from Alexander Henry. I actually had a hard time finding a rainbow fabric that wasn't too garish. Once I spied this fabric on Etsy, I knew it was perfect! I went to 3 different craft stores looking for a fabric I loved, but kept coming back to the Alexander Henry--so I bit the bullet and bought it (although, I must admit, I do feel somewhat silly focusing so much attention on the LINING fabric. Oh well...)

It was really easy to make the dress sleeveless and BONUS--I'm going to show you how to do it:)

First, you go over to Jess' fabulous blog and, if you are lucky enough to have a kiddo in the 2T size, download her pattern. Otherwise, follow her directions and she will teach you how to make your own pieces (it is easy--trust me). Follow her cutting instructions, but don't cut out the sleeves--we aren't going to use them!

Ok, now is when we deviate from Jess' tutorial for a few steps.

Join the front and back pieces at the shoulder. Sew (as indicated by black lines) and press open your seams. Do this for both the main fabric and the lining.

Lay your two bodices on top of each other--right sides together--and line up the edges. Sew the armholes, necklines, and part of the front pieces closed (as indicated by the black lines).

Clip, flip, and press (clip your curves and corners, flip it right side out, and press your seams open so it lays nice and pretty).

Ok, now the next step is easy to do, but might be a bit trickier for me to explain--so bear with me. We are going to sew the sides of our bodice. Carefully, open the bottom of the bodice and line up the fabric right sides together.

Center the seam and line up the edges.

Sew along the black line, press your seams open and VOILA! You have a fully lined bodice without sleeves!




Now just follow the rest of Jess' directions (leaving out the "sleeve stuff" of course) and you will have a super cute sleeveless dress/jumper!



How fun will this be paired with long sleeve shirt and tights--you pick the color! I'm thinking red tights for sure!!

Another CINO Refashion!!

My blog might need to be renamed "The I Heart Jess Blog" since my last 2 projects (and the next one in the queue) have been based off of Jess' tutorials over at Craftiness is Not Optional (aka: CINO). But seriously, have you seen the cutsie-patootsie stuff she makes? Her oldest daughter is just a little bit older than LA and Jess' taste in little girl clothes is very similar to my own :) How could I NOT love her? In fact, I now have a new "CINO" label since I have used her tutorials for so many outfits.

This spring, she refashioned a thrift store adult shirt into a very cute toddler top with fun "tabs" and buttons on the shoulder. I am trying to become more adventurous with refashioning items (especially out of knit since it is so hard to find cute knit fabric in the local stores). Besides, I need more knit practice :)

One evening, it dawned on me...how cute would this be as a spirit wear drop waist DRESS for LA! LA has such a slim waistline that drop waist skirts are perfect for her. You can tell I love them..I made her this one and this one and she had this cute rainbow one from Carters' too.


I had this UGA shirt that I purchased a few years ago to try to support my husband's team--but I just could not bring myself to wear it in public (WAR EAGLE!!).


So, I took Jess' shirt tutorial, added some length and a drop waist and now LA has a cute little dress to wear when she cheers for daddy's team. And, even though it does support the second best team...I LOVE it!


I fussy cut the front to include the logo and had to really work around the fabric to get enough for all the parts. Refashioning can be a lot more challenging than using yardage--especially when the end product is very different than the original garment.


I love the black buttons :) You'll be seeing LOTS of buttons this season.


So now both teams in our house are represented.

My Twist on the Playdate Dress

A lot of bloggers scour the thrift stores in search of clothes. Not necessarily to wear, but for the FABRIC. So, I decided to give it a try. I went to the local Goodwill store and began sifting through the racks looking for some knit shirts in good shape.

I found this shirt and decided it would come home with me--and bonus--it was a "red tag" so it was half off that day! (A few more also made it into my bag but I haven't quite figured out what I am going to do with them yet). Ok, back to the story. As I was saying, this shirt called to me.

Any ideas as to why?

Oh come on. Orange? Navy? Any guesses? Ha! It should be obvious--orange and navy mean only one thing in this house. WAR EAGLE! Poor LA must grow up in a house divided. Her mom is a smart, intelligent, amazing Auburn Tiger. Her dad is a Dawg (blech). Since I make the clothes, her first football outfit had to be orange and blue (besides, I think winning the national championship affords you first rights!)

With the guidance of the Playdate tutorial over at Craftiness is Not Optional, I transformed that Goodwill shirt into this adorable dress/tunic.

I used the basic idea of the Playdate dress, but made a few changes. I decided to make it a little bit shorter so that I could pair it with a long sleeve shirt and a pair of leggings when the weather gets cooler.

I increased the size of the sleeves and used my serger to create a lettuce edge along the sleeves. By increasing the size, I was able to gather them a bit to create more of a flutter sleeve. I also a lettuce edge along the bottom hem.

It took me a bit of practice to figure out how to do the lettuce edge on my serger. My technique still needs some work, but I am pleased with the outcome for this dress.

I was able to reuse the binding from the original shirt for both the neckline and the pocket.

It was a bit faded from washing and wear, so I just turned it inside out :) Good as new! I even tried using a double needle to topstich (you know--like the "pros" do)

LA is ready to cheer her Tigers on!

Cute as a Button Fall Outfit!

It may only be July, but I have shifted my sewing focus to LA's fall and winter wardrobe. Honestly, she has more than enough summery clothes (but don't count me out on adding more just yet). Since I have just a little over a month before school starts back again, I have started to put together a few outfits.

I am so happy with how this outfit turned out! The combination of pink and red dots pairs nicely with the dark, lightweight denim (with a little stretch to it). The dot fabric is "Picnic Dots Red/Pink" from the DS Quilts Collection sold at Joanns this summer. I waited until it was NOT on sale and then used a 60% off one regular price item coupon (partnered with my teacher discount). Sometimes waiting for a fabric to regular price is better than the sale--just a little tip!

The top is the Amelia Top from Mama Stellato. I snagged it during a half-off sale and am glad I did. It sews up quickly and is adorable on. There are a few changes I made, and will make in the future, to the top. The pattern calls for the armscyes to be turned 1/4" twice to finish. I much prefer a bias tape finish--so that is what I did. I think it lays better and is actually easier to do.

Next time, I will add the button hole(s) PRIOR to sewing the bodice to the dress. The pattern calls for it to be the last step. Well, my buttonhole foot did NOT like trying to work that close to the thick seam created by the lined bodice attaching to the dress. I had to manually sew the hole and it ended up being a little small for the button. Luckily, the neck is large enough that I can slip it over LA's head without needing to unbutton the garment.

I know LA loves the top! When I was sizing it to her, she insisted on wearing it the rest of the day--even pitched a little fit when I had to take it off to sew on the button!

The pants are my own creation. I mimicked the button/flap from the bodice on the "cuffs" of the pants.

A smaller button paired with the dot fabric lining is just too cute!


Not that you will see it when worn, but I made the front of the pants with a flat panel. It decreases the bunchy-ness (yes, I made that word up just now) and they lay very nicely on LA's thin little waist.

This outfit can carry her through the first cool days of fall, the frigid days of winter, and the beginning of spring simply by changing the shirts underneath. I love layering clothes and this top pattern is going to be a staple in LA's wardrobe for a long time!

Off to figure out what to sew next--can I tell you just how strange it feels to sew "warm" clothes when it is 90+ degrees outside!