The long awaited Onesie Dress Tutorial

So here is my Tutorial.  I have not been feeling myself the last week or so and have not felt up to sitting at the computer and writing up this tutorial.

It all started with this find at the local thrift store.  It was soooo cute and I bought it saying - I CAN MAKE THIS.  At the time I had not seen a tutorial for it but since then I have done a little research and have found similar ones.  Most put the skirt up really high and don't have the cute applique.

Enough about the inspiration.  I measured and figured out what you would need to make it.  After I got it all done I realized one thing that I will mention at the end, that might make it not work on a chubby baby.

TO BEGIN:  (I made this using a 0-3 month onesie, so you may want to lengthen the skirt for a bigger size)

Materials:
Onesie - size 0-3 month

Skirt material - 5 1/2 inches by WOF (width of fabric = 44-45 inches)

Ruffle Material -Three pieces 1 1/2 - 2 inches by WOF  (total about 120 inches)

Applique - Left over material

Wonder under or Heat n Bond

Stabilizer

Instructions:

First off you have to choose what you want to applique on the front.  I went to my photoshop files and some of the fonts I have that have images rather then letters and looked through them.  I choose a handful since I couldn't choose just one at the time.  Plus I have my cute daughter that likes to think I let her make all the choices.  So here are some of the things I found.

My daughter wanted the cute butterfly or the lady bugs but I really like the cute flower in the lower right corner,  I made the circle about 3 inches and used the other flower since I didn't feel like sewing around the cute flower in the center.  I took out the heart and used just a plain circle.  I traced them on to my Heat n Bond and cut them out before ironing.  You could just cut around them and iron them on to the fabric.  It is personal preference.  If you are doing any letters, remember it will be backwards when you iron it on.

I chose 3 scraps and ironed the heat n bond on to it and then cut them out.  (see why I think it might be better to do it by just cutting out after - I don't always think things through.)

Once you decide about where you want them, iron on to the onesie.  If you want you can iron each piece to the next piece if you don't take the backing off first.  I opted to just put them all on there and iron all the pieces together.  I guess it could have moved and so to be safe maybe just do each piece by itself.  Unless you are only putting on one piece.

Next you need to stitch around the applique.  First I find it best to put a stabilizer behind my applique.  It helps the stitches not bunch and the whole thing to go more smoothly.  There are many different kinds, the one I use you can pull off after you are done, some wash out after one use.  Second about the stitch,  I find that a satin stitch - which is a zigzag that has a very small length works best.  My machine has a specific stitch that is designed to do this.  You may want to play around with your stitch.  In cases like this I also decrease the width to about half so that it looks nice.   I decided to do it all in pink.  You could do the brown pieces in brown or the pink flower outline in brown.  I also used a rayon based thread that has a bit of shine to it. Doesn't it look cute?

Don't look too close.  My stitches aren't perfect.  I think it is the combination of the knit and the cotton.

On to the construction of the skirt.

Pick up your 3 pieces of the ruffle and sew together the short edges.  I used my serger because I like the finished edge on my seams.

Next I serge on one edge and then do a rolled hem on the other.

 I serge the edge that I am going to ruffle so I don't have to deal with serging when I am finished or any fraying as I am trying to gather up the ruffle.  If you don't have a serger you will want to do a narrow hem on the finished edge of the ruffle.  In that case you may want to use a 2 inch ruffle rather then a 1 1/2 inch.

Take your skirt material and sew together the short edges to make it all one piece.  Again I serged both edges to finish the edge.  ( you can see that better in the next picture.)

Now run 2 long straight stitches for your gathering of the skirt.  I do two so that in case one breaks I don't have to start over again.  I also find about 1/2 way and stop and start again.  I would rather do it that way then try and gather the entire width of the skirt.  It is your preference.  Do not gather at this time.  We will do that later.

Next we will gather the pink ruffle that will be added to this piece.  Because of the length of the fabric I use a little different technique to gather the 120 + inches.  I actually use a thicker cotton yarn/thread and a zigzag stitch.  Here is the yarn I use.

The technique is pretty simple.  You begin by placing the yarn under and over your presser foot (see next picture).  Trying to keep it in the middle of the zigzag is the key.  My foot has a handy divot in it that makes it easy to keep it in the right place.  Then you zigzag the entire ruffle length.  Do not stop in the middle like I suggested on the skirt.

Then you will need to attach the ruffle to the bottom of the skirt.  I always attach the two pieces before I start pulling on the gathering.  I pin at half and then half again over the entire piece.  It makes it easier once you start gathering the ruffles and makes it look more even.

Here is a picture of what I am trying to explain, but I don't think it makes any more sense.

Find the middle of your ruffle and the middle of your skirt and match together.  Do it again so you don't have too big of gaps in between.  Then pull on the yarn/thread you used to gather the ruffle in.  Adjust around so that it looks even.

Then pin in between the pins you already have holding on the ruffle.  It just makes it easier to keep all the cute ruffly ruffle together while you sew.  Then sew about 1/4 to 1/2 inch from the edge.  Making sure that you are catching both layers.  I think I usually go about 1/2 inch but I usually just go along the outside of my original gather so I don't have to unpick the gathering stitches when I am done.  (Now you can see why I serged both of the pieces before I put this together.  I really don't love serging over ruffles or taking the chance that something might get cut with my serger blade.  It is just easier and has a finished edge.)  If you have not serged then you should probably sew a zigzag along the edge to finish this edge.

This is where my mother (who does read this blog occasionally) would say - you need to iron this part.  Uhm, I was so excited to get to this part that I forgot, but Mom is right and I should have ironed mainly to makes sure that my seam was straight when I started the next stitch.  (LOVE YA MOM)  Now we need to top stitch along the edge about 1/8 to 1/4 inch (basically catching the ruffle underneath

See how it looks behind where I am sewing in this next picture?

This will hold the ruffle down and not let it go flipping up.  And it adds that extra touch you see in the store bought items.  (That is one of the other things my mother taught me, do the finishing touches and it looks so much better.  I am a firm believer in this one.  This is what makes my stuff almost look store bought and gives it those loving touches.) Details, details, details.  Don't just throw it together, but make sure you do the details and then not only others will love it, but you will too.  (Sorry - I'll get off my soap box)

Now we need to determine where we want the placement of the skirt.  I drew a line on the onesie and also marked the center (and on the back center) to let me know where to place the seam of the skirt.

I kind of eyeballed this by putting my unfinished skirt at this level and saw if it was going to go below the snaps in the front.  I figured it would cover the bum pretty good.  Plus it is going on a new baby and she probably won't be getting out and showing her bum too much.  Plus you have the onesie there underneath like all babies do to cover those ugly diapers.  I also looked back at my original one and saw that it was above the sides about 3 inches or so.  Either way it is going to look cute.  The ones I have seen online have put it a lot higher and those looked way cute too.

SO here is where I am in a pickle.  The next part I did the whole gather thing and pinned it to the onesie  (I forgot to take pictures - I was so excited I was almost finished) and then sewed it with a very small zigzag stitch on my machine that is designed to be used with knits to keep them from stretching too much and breaking.  But I'm not too impressed with this.  I know this is going on my newborn, but if I were giving it to someone else I would be worried that by the time I got it to them it wouldn't fit their baby is she was at all chubby.  So I have done some research and you can decide what you would do.  I think I would do a larger zigzag to attach the skirt to the onesie.  One tutorial by barefoot in the kitchen uses an elastic (in step 8) to help it to stretch. and then sews the skirt on with a zigzag stitch.  In Cut Out and Keep she does much the same but uses the size of the onesie as her guide for the elastic in step 4.  I think my method might work better if I used a larger zigzag so that the fabric and onesie stretched together with out that popping sound.  You may chose to do it how you want. Lila Tueller Designs put that elastic "thread" in her bobbin and gathered it that way (see her tutorial in step 5).  That might be the way I try it next time. 

But then you are done!!!  Put it on a cute little girl (which I can't wait to do in a month and half) and see how cute she looks.

Here are some pictures of closeups and the final product.

Baby legs

Aren't these soooo cute?  These are one of the fastest and easiest things to make.  I think it took me all of 15 minutes to make them and probably included an interruption from my daughter or son.  I found a link from Homemade by Jill to a link on Flickr that is now not working.  It showed you how to make these adorable baby legs.  I hope the link comes back up so that others can make them.  If not, then maybe the next time I make some (and you know I will) I will create a tutorial so others can make them.  Really there is probably a hundred tutorials out there for them.  Maybe I will do a bit of research and add the links here I find.
Here is Little Birdie's Nest, she did it exactly how I did it.  It is soooo easy!!!  Here is another one I might have to try at Calico that makes it have a cute ruffled edge . . . mmmm. . . so many ideas and so little time.

Just as a teaser, I have figured out how to make this adorable onesie with a skirt.  I have all the pictures uploaded but now I have to create the tutorial and that takes a lot more time then it did to make it.

In full bloom...still...

I've seen these flowers and flower headbands EVERYWHERE in blogland...find a tutorial HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE. {and a million more if you want them}. I've been wanting to make me some, but I have had so much to catch up on....Saturday night I finally took a few hours and spent some time making some for me. {it was really fun, and super easy}. Most of them don't require ANY sewing {for those of you that keep telling me you can't sew}...so grab your hot glue gun, some cute fabric and make some for yourself. {and when you do, post them to our flickr group, we would love to see what you are making}.

I decided to combine the above tutorials and use velcro, so I only made 3 headbands...and LOTS of flowers that can be interchanged!



Here is my 365 picture from yesterday, so you can see how they look in my hair. {not quite as much like a 12 year old....maybe?}

The Elastic Waist Skirt

I am so excited to post this skirt.  It was one of the easiest skirts I have ever made.  The Young Women in our church want to learn how to sew a skirt and have asked me and a handful of other people to help them to make these skirts.  So since I was going to be showing how to make it, I thought - perfect opportunity to make one for Kirsten.  Of course she is always happy to get a new skirt and especially if it is pink.  I used this same material that I made the artist smock from.  I saw one on Adventures in Dressmaking that actually lead me to the site Freshly Picked that has both a tuturial for a chld's skirt and the mama version.  I basically followed the directions with a couple of exceptions.  I did a rolled hem on the bottome edge, I gathered the skirt before adding it to the elastic and I added the cute ric rak because it was there and so dang cute.  I think I finished the whole thing - including cutting time in 45 minutes.  And that was with the thread changing and decisions on the ric rak. 

I used 2 inch wide elastic (20 inches) the size of Kirsten's waist plus an inch

11 inch by 45 inches for the skirt (length from waist to Kirsten's knee.)

Of course if you are going to make it you would measure your child and buy the fabric and elastic accordingly.  I found the elastic in the elastic section of JoAnn's and they have a 2 1/2 and 3 inch I believe, that would work better for a teanager or an adult.  I would guess based on Adventures in Dressmaking's measurements that 3/4 of a yard would work for most adults and possbily 1/2 yard for a teanager.  You would have to measure from your waist to the knee and find a measurement that is close.  I would probably add 1 to 2 inches for the gathering and the hem just to be safe.  You can always cut off if it is too long.

Since I wasn't crunched for time yesterday I made a bow.  I have been using the same bow instructions I found on Tip Junkie but this time I did a rolled serger hem and added the ric rak just for fun.  I use about 1 1/2 inches of fabric by the width of the fabric (about 45 inches) to make this kind of bow.

Child's Artist Smock

I have been in a crafting mood lately and have been making things for the last couple of days.  I realized on Thursday that I needed a smock (or old shirt) for Kirsten for Kindergarten.  I opted to make a cute artist smock.  I found it at Sew Mama Sew and thought it would be fun to make.  I had an old valance that I bought at the thrift store awhile back for less then a dollar that I pulled apart and used the material.  I think if I were to make it again I would use a little bit thicker material or double up, but hindsight is always 20/20.  Since Peter is starting Joy School with some friends and needed a smock of some sort.  I pulled out some material I had also bought at the same time for less then a dollar and made him one too.  It cost me more for the bias tape to go around each one.  The pattern is made from an old t-shirt as the base.  Sew Mama does a good job of teaching you how to make your own pattern and I think they turned out pretty cute.  Peter's is almost the same size and it seems to have more coverage.  I think I would make Kirsten's a little longer.  Now Kirsten will be the cutest girl in her Kindergarten class when they go to paint.  Now I just have to figure out how to put her name on it . . .

Did you notice we added a flicker slide show?  We just wanted to add some of the projects that we repeat over and over again and not bore you with pictures of yet another totebag or apron, etc.  Although I'm still thinking about adding my MONGO HUGE tote bag I made for going to the beach or the pool.  I will consider it if you are interested in knowing how to make it.

Crocheted baby blanket

I began this baby blanket when I was first pregnant.  I was put on modified bed rest and so I found myself often sitting around with nothing to do.  I like to do things with my hands while I am either watching TV or when I am outside watching my kids.  So began this project.  I hoped that I would get it done before the baby was born and last Friday I finished it.  It was a very simple pattern.  That is one of the qualifiers for crocheting for me.  I need a simple pattern that doesn't require me to count, keep track of where I am or have any major things that will be all mixed up when a child decides to distract me or I put it down for "just a minute" and return 3 weeks later. 

I found this wonderful website Lion Brand Yarn and used a pattern similar to this one.  It used only one Pound of Love Yarn ball.  It was an easy pattern and I loved the simplicity of the v-stitch.  I love this website because you can find all kinds of patterns that any skill level can do.  You just look for your skill level, crochet or knit and what you want to make.  They have tons of patterns.

Here are some close ups of the edges.

 I need a baby to show you the size.  Mine ended up being about 42 by 50 inches but I never pay attention to how many rows I am supposed to make.  I actually  ended up using a different yarn to finish the edge because of it.  It isn't noticeable but I guess it would help if I didn't try and just finish the ball of yarn I had and pay attention to how many rows I needed.

AND the winner is.....

The Morris Family....WAHOOO!!!!
{beware Amber and Karri are going to be mad at you!}

Make sure you email me with your current address!!! {I don't know if I have the right one!}

Wood Family Blocks Tutorial

What you will need:

• 
  
  4x4 fence post cut in 3 1/2 inch lengths (or to make them like a cube)
• 
  
  8 different pictures
• 
  
  8-16 papers cut to3 1/2 x 3 1/2
• 
  
  mod podge
• 
  
  sand paper
• 
  
  vinyl letters or stickers or something to make the words with.

I have had these block finished for months.  I just kept forgetting to post about them.  Last fall we did a project using fence post blocks (4x4).  At that time I thought it might be fun to make the blocks as decoration for my home.  Then life happened and I got the blocks cut.

Then they sat in my craft room for awhile and I didn't get back to them.  Then I decided I wanted to work on them and so I had to figure out what pictures I was going to use.  I decided to go with Sepia tones.  I used Photoshop to make them into 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 size pictures and so they would have a similar look to them.

I sent them to Sam's club to be printed.  I left some extra parts of the pictures on the ones I wasn't absolutely sure where I would crop them.  Then I cropped them down to the 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 inch size with my paper trimmer.

Next I cut paper down to the same size.  For this project I needed 8 pictures and 16 cut pieces of paper.  I did duplicate quite a few but you have to make sure they don't end up on the same side when you glue it all together.

I rounded the corners on the pictures and the papers, then set aside what was going to go on each block.

I then just mod podged the papers on the sides of each block.  Remembering to put the pictures on opposite sides of each other and then making sure that the vinyl lettering I needed would show up on the papers.  Then sand the edges to the desired look.

I added the vinyl letters to the side to say HOME and LOVE.  My daughter loves to play with them and was more then willing to demonstrate the four sides that we did.

It does take a little thought process to make sure you end up with the pictures and papers on the right sides.  I did have to sand one of the pictures and a couple of the pages off since I spaced it and made it so there where two Kirsten's on the same side.  After I was finished I did another layer of mod podge to protect everything and here they are.

I did it....and a giveaway!!!

As I've said before, I just started sewing a little over a year ago....and I haven't been brave enough to make anything I can wear....BUT I got this baby for my birthday......and wanted to try a skirt. {I know it's not hard}.



I used this pattern....




...and in less than an hour....I had this CUTE skirt. {really, it was SO fast}. I did a rolled hem at the bottom and let it ruffle, it's so light. I love it!!!



so then I decided to make a pair of pants...I used an old table cloth I got at Salvation Army for $1 and cut it all up. They turned out ok....not as great as the skirt. Next time I will adjust the pattern a little bit, but that is why I was practicing on an old table cloth!!!! {don't you just love that hot pink?} I also did a rolled hem on the bottom and let them ruffle a little.



And because I was having SO much fun....I made this cute apron from a $2 panel I got at Hobby Lobby. It was so fast and easy and I am LOVING my new serger! I can't wait to come up with more projects to use it on!!!



AND....the GIVEAWAY.....

Like this cute apron? Leave us a comment and it could be yours. YEP, that's all you have to do, just leave a comment. I'll pick a random winner on Tuesday August 10th!

Happy Sewing!

Another bag? ! ? . . . . let's call it a purse

I finally made my own purse.  I bought the fabric months ago . . . I think I bought it back in February.  It is the same fabric I used on my Spring Wall Hanging .  I fell in love with it and decided I was going to make a bag for myself.  Then life happened . . . 1st trimester sluggishness . . . birthday presents to make . . . other projects to make . . . LIFE.   I also wanted to wait until Liberty had figured out all the bugs in the pattern we had been using.  The bag turned out marvelous.  I used Liberty's hand bag tutorial as the basis for what I made.  I made the bag 20 inches wide (it is huge - but I'm going to need it with a baby on the way) and each of the pieces to make the front of the bag is 8 inches tall.  I decided also to conquer my fear of zippers and try a zipper pocket. 

I looked online and found a bunch of different tutorials.  But this is the one I found to be the easiest at Sew Mama Sew.  I took the old zipper out of my purse that was dying and put it in here (that is why it is pink).  I was quite impressed with how easy it was and quickly it came together.  I LOVE having it in my purse.  I always hate not having a zippered pocket for those things we like to hide.  Of course I made a million other pockets for things I don't really want to have floating around the bottom of my purse.

After I got done making this I decided to make a gathered clutch.  I used the tutorial on Noodlehead to make a matching clutch.  I made it really simple and instead of making the cardholder and divider I just added a simple one card pocket.  I'm not going to use it for a wallet, just to hold items that I don't want wandering around the bottom of my bag.  Like JoAnn's, Hobby Lobby and Kohl's coupons.

I still have some left over fabric . . . ummmm . . . what can I make????  A key fob, a matching diaper holder, a cover for my calendar. . . . the possibilities are endless.  But is that a bit to much matchy-matchy???

Summer dress fix

So I bought these two dresses at Kohl's on their clearance rack for $10 each.  I knew they might be a little short once I washed them.  They are cotton knit and I loved the style.  I actually bought another shirt that has the same elastic gathering in the middle.  One washing and they started running a little short.  I saw on Make it and Love it where she added on a ruffle and I thought.  I can do that.  So went to the store and bought material to add to both.  So far I have only got the green one done but I have the material to make the other.

I added a 6 inch ruffle on the bottom.

And a little piece at the top to keep things from showing on the top. 

I love this dress.  It is my best GO TO dress for summer.  It is so comfy and anything that doesn't bind around my ever growing tummy is wonderful.  I think I spent maybe $2 or 3 on the additional fabric and with my serger I added this really quick.  I just need to switch the thread on my serger to white and then I can finish the orange one before the summer is over.

Before (pretend it is green)

After