Scirocco Peplum Top Tutorial: Wild Things

Scirocco Peplum Top TutorialKid’s Clothes Week: Wild Things

I love Kid’s Clothes Week!  This season’s theme: Wild Things sparked my attention early on.  There are just so many possibilities!  However, when my rapidly growing up almost 9 year old announced she was “too old for animal faces on her clothes”, I was stumped.  I wanted something cutsie! She wanted something trendy.  We ended up going with a very chic leopard print peplum top.

Once we decided on a peplum top, I immediately went back to one of my favorite patterns: The Scirocco Dress from Figgy’s.  I knew the tried and true pattern would be the perfect starting point!

This time, instead of the tiered dress, I decided to modify the skirt to create a peplum top.  I also modified the back panels again to avoid the dreaded gape often caused by the bulkiness of the pattern. I simply drew the inner diagonal line closer in by 1 inch and all the way to the bottom corner, sparing just enough for the seam allowance plus 1/2 inch.  On the peplum top, I cut the triangles shorter, going all the way to the side about 2 inches from the bottom of the front pattern piece.  As the bodice has a lining, the side seams are still encased and do not show any unfinished seams.Scirocco Peplum Top Tutorial

To add the skirt, I simply made a circle skirt (with lining in the same material).  Instead of cutting on the fold, I cut straight through so that there would be side seams.  The back was created 4 inches wider (for the elastic waist band).  As there is more material in the back, it creates a certain oomph on the behind.  The length hits right about where the second tier of the dress would have hit.

Scirocco Peplum Top Tutorial

 

Scirocco Peplum Top Tutorial

 

Scirocco Peplum Top Tutorial

Upcycled Dress: Violette Field Threads Olive Shirt

Violette Filed Threads Olive ShirtLast season of Kid’s Clothes Week got me so wrapped up in “upclycling“, that I have continued to turn two more dresses into shirts for Cadence.  One is another Juicy Couture dress from her Mimmy (that was way too short for me) and the other is an Ann Taylor dress of mine that hung in my closet for 2 years with the tags still on.

As they were both striped dresses, I thought the Violette Field Threads Olive Shirt pattern was a very good choice for an upcycle project.

Violette Field Threads Olive Shirt

Violette Filed Threads Olive ShirtWhat a wonderful pattern! I have never gone wrong with Violette Field Threads, and I just love the ruffles on the back! I made the similar Adele Dress pattern awhile back and was very pleased with the results.  This time, I wanted a simpler look, so I omitted the top ruffle.  I had enough fabric left over with the grey and pink Juicy Couture dress, to make a scarf for a very sophisticated look.

The Process:

I laid each dress out flat and cut along the side seam so there were two pieces (a front and a back).  I folded the front piece in half long wise and laid the Violette Field Threads Olive Shirt front bodice pattern at the fold.  This way, I was able to keep the neck line from both dresses!

I repeated the process with the back panel.  The rest of the back was a large enough piece to turn sideways in order to create the back ruffle with contrasting vertical stripes.  The only thing left to do was sew up the sides, and create the straps/sleeve bias with left over fabric.  Some of the easiest sewing I have done yet!

 

Violette Filed Threads Olive Shirt

Violette Filed Threads Olive Shirt

Violette Filed Threads Olive Shirt

 

Violette Filed Threads Olive ShirtViolette Field Threads Olive Shirt

a. juicy couture chain link dress b. juicy couture striped dress c. tory burch tank top

 

 

How to Make a Dog Sweater: KCW Day 7

How to make a dog sweater

Winifred Rose

It is now the last day of Kid’s Clothes Week, and I have accomplished 3 out of 4 intended projects.  I’m going to take that as a win!

This last project includes my two girls: Cadence and Winifred Rose.  Winnie is one of my kids too, right?! I couldn’t help including her in this wonderful theme: Upcycled!

After finishing a simple skirt for Cadence, from a Tory Burch Tank Top that no longer fit me, I had plenty of fabric left to make…..something! I thought about it, and decided to make a matching sweater for Winnie! How cute would that be!

How to Sew a Dog Sweater

NEED: How to make a dog sweater

  • 1/4 yard fabric of choice (mine is knit)
  • 1/4 yerd fleece (contrasting color)
  • 4 inches of velcro

PATTERN:

  • Neck Measurement (where the color would go plus 1 inch)
  • Chest Measurement (largest Part
  • Tip to Tail Measurement (from neck to bottom)

*Winnie’s measurements are: 10 X 12.5 X 10

From there, simply draw a rough oval with the given measurements (adding an inch on all sides for seam allowance), and leaving a small flap on the side for the Velcro.  Cut out the neck (about 2 inches in a half circle shape (with enough room on either side for Velcro strips.

Sew right sides together, leaving a small opening to turn right side out.  Once turned, sew shut and attach the Velcro. Wallah! And that is how to sew a dog sweater in its simplest form.  I have a feeling I will be making many more!

 

Upcylced Skirt

The skirt turned out nicely too.  For a simple skirt tutorial see here.

 

Now, Cadence and Winifred can go out in style!

How to make a dog sweater

 

 

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Floral Pants: Wild Flowers and Skinny Jeans

It is now the last day of Kid’s Clothes Week, and I have accomplished 3 out of 4 intended projects.  I’m going to take that as a win! This last project includes my two girls: Cadence and Winifred Rose.  Winnie is one of my kids too, right?! I couldn’t help including her in this wonderful […]

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Scirocco Peplum Top Tutorial: Wild Things

It is now the last day of Kid’s Clothes Week, and I have accomplished 3 out of 4 intended projects.  I’m going to take that as a win! This last project includes my two girls: Cadence and Winifred Rose.  Winnie is one of my kids too, right?! I couldn’t help including her in this wonderful […]

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Upcycled Juicy Couture Chain Link Dress: KCW Day 2

Kid’s Clothes Week: Day 2

This seasons theme: Upcycled, from Juicy Couture Chain Link DressKid’s Clothes Week, is a pretty exciting theme.  The process of going through my closet brought immense joy to Cadence, who found out that she can nearly fit my high heels! She was beside herself with glee upon the realization, and was in love with the idea of making something of mine into something for her.

The best part is, we were able to include not 2, but 3 generations in the mix! Cadence’s mimmi, my mother-in-law, gave me a beautiful, Juicy Couture chain link dress of hers a couple years ago.  However, it was a little too short for comfort, so it was an obvious choice for our projects: a hand-me-down to a daughter-in-law to a granddaughter.  With a few alterations, I created a much smaller version of the original. A very sophisticated dress for an 8 year old, I might add.

Juicy Couture Chain Link Dress

The original dress is shown below, and we decided to keep the same shape, just a smaller version.

Juicy Couture Chain Link Dress

The Adele Dress pattern by Violette Field Threads was the perfect bodice shape to help design a dress that would fit a smaller frame.  I also used this pattern for a dragon themed dress here.

Juicy-Couture-Chain-Link-Dress-6

 

Upcylced

The upcycled Juicy Couture Chain Link Dress was more than we hoped for! Cadence was in heaven being able to look and dress like her mimmie! We opted to sew the tag back in place to preserve the look.  What a fun project!

Juicy Couture Chain Link Dress

 

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KCW February 2015

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My Father’s Dragon: KCW Day 5

My Father’s Dragon

My Father's DragonThe Kid’s Clothes Week Fall 2014 theme is: storybook. There are so many ways to go with this theme! There is the more obvious costume feel (like my Princess Anna here) or a more inspired look (like these comfy reading PJ’s here). Some opted to screen print quotes or images onto tees or skirts. There are just so many wonderful ways to interpret this seasons theme.

I chose my storybook theme to center around one of my childhood favorites that I am now sharing with my children: My Father’s Dragon.

 

My Father's DragonDragon: 

For the dragon dress, I chose the Adele Dress by Violette Fields Threads with Robert Kaufman Laguna Stretch Jersey Knit in Royal (here) with red tulle accents.  I coupled the dress with DIY Leggings in Riley Blake Jersey Knit 1″ Stripes in Yellow (here).  With the boots we got from Hanna Andersson, the dress could not be a more perfect dragon!

 

Elmer: 

For Elmer, I chose the Rowan Tee by Titchy Threads with Riley Blake Jersey Knit 1″ Stripes in Red (here).  I added a light blue knit color band and accent pocket with scrap knit I had.

 

 

My Father’s Dragon Photoshoot

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KCW Fall 2014

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DIY Leggings Tutorial: KCW Day 3

DIY Leggings TutorialKids Clothes Week: Day 3

What is the best part of Fall? Leggings! The most comfy thing a girl (or boy) can wear!

As part of Kids Clothes Week, I am making a pair of leggings. The great thing about leggings is that they are incredibly easy to make.

This tutorial will walk you through how to make a pair of leggings by using a pair you already have as a guide.  However, you can check out this other fantastic tutorial here, if you need to make them from scratch using your own measurements.

Let the DIY Leggings Tutorial begin!

DIY Leggings Tutorial

Need:

  • 1/2 yard knit fabric (for tiny ones!)
  • 1 inch elastic band for waist (about 1/2 yard)
  • 1/4 inch elastic band for rushing (about 1/8 yard)
  • poof of tulle for accent (optional)
  • matching polyester thread
  • printer paper
  • tape
  • marker or pen
  • walking foot
  • ballpoint or stretch needle
  • double needle (optional)

Step 1

Fold your pair of leggings in half length-wise to use as a guide. Trace around the leggings onto a sheet of paper (or many sheets taped together) with a pencil or marker.  Once the outline is created, we are going to adjust.  Because the elastic band has made the waist slightly smaller, we are going to draw lines straight up to meet the top as shown in the picture below.

DIY Leggings Tutorial

Step 2

Add 1/4 inch seam allowance to the side that is not straight up and down.  The side that is straight up and down will be placed on the fold.

DIY Leggings Tutorial

 

Step 3

Add a one inch seam line to the bottom of the leggings as shown below.

DIY Leggings Tutorial

 

Step 4

Add 1 1/4 inch seam allowance to the top to allow for a 1 inch elastic waist band.  If you prefer a smaller waist band, use that size plus 1/4 inch.

DIY Leggings Tutorial

 

Step 5

Cut out fabric carefully.  Knits are prone to stretching, so they should be laid out on a flat surface.  Try not to stretch the fabric as you cut.

Since 2 legs are needed, you will need to cut out two pieces on the fold.  If the fabric has stripes, make sure the stripes are lined up by using one piece of cut out fabric as the pattern for the second as shown below.

DIY Leggings Tutorial

 

Step 6

Using your walking foot, double or twin needles if you have them, and polyester thread (for maximum stretch): Hem the bottom of both legs by folding the fabric in 1 inch.  #5 on my machine provides a good amount of stretch, however, a straight stitch can work if you slightly stretch the fabric while sewing.

  • Note: If you want to do the ruched sides, now is the time! Iron the fold seam, open fabric, and sew the elastic to the wrong side of the material at the bottom of the pant leg.

One the bottom hems are complete (and side ruched detail), with a single ballpoint needle, and the zigzag stitch of your choice: sew the leg seam together until you reach the curved point (crotch).  I like the zigzag with the straight line best: #10 on my machine. However, anything that give stretch to the fabric will work.

Once both legs are complete, sew the seams up the front and back (all in one go) making a U shape.

 

DIY Leggings Tutorial

 

Step 7

Add the elastic band to the top by encasing it in the excess 1 1/4 inch fabric.  Now the product is done and any decorations (such as the tulle poof can be added)!DIY Leggings Tutorial

 

 

day3-f14

 

 

Frozen Princess Anna Costume

 

Frozen Princess AnnaKids Clothes Week: Day 1

Today marks the first day of KCW Fall 2014. While I have been working on this project for some time, today it is finally finished and that is worth celebrating!

This year has been all about Frozen.  At first it was the music.  “Let it Go” played everywhere, and all the time, followed by “Do You Want to Build a Snowman”.  The latter was sung on repeat in our house for 2 weeks straight to prepare for the upcoming “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” musical audition.

All summer long we dreamed about Frozen.

As we approached Halloween, it was obvious that an Anna or Elsa costume would be in the works.  After Cadence got the part as the “Little Red-Haired Girl” in the Charlie Brown play, we decided that Anna would be the perfect choice as we already had a red-haired wig.

Frozen Princess Anna Costume Review

The pattern for Princess Anna is from Joy2Sew and I couldn’t be more pleased with the result!  While I made a few minor adjustments (as we all do!), this pattern was very well laid out and provided just enough instruction to make the sewing process comfortable.

Instead of painting on the design with the provided templates, I decided to use felt sheets and Heat n’ Bond. The skirt and cape I simply ironed on the designs, while the vest I opted to sew on for durability.  I also added a scalloped skirt hem line in a contrasting blue and shortened the skirt by about 6 inches to show off the boots.

 

 

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KCW Fall 2014

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