Floral Pants: Wild Flowers and Skinny Jeans

Floral PantsKid’s Clothes Week Day 4: Floral Pants

To finish up Kid’s Clothes Week: Wild Things, we decided to make a pair of skinny jeans: wild flower style. Floral pants have been all the rage lately showing up in magazines, in stores, on Pinterest, and in the streets! It was only a matter of time before we took on the challenge!

I had some lovely coral floral fabric from Joann’s that I had purchased for a jacket (as it was a bottom weight) that would be perfect for the project.  And it was definitely going to be a project, as I had never made a pair of pants before!

After searching for days, literally days, I found a pattern that I thought would be able to be the foundation for the floral pants.  Believe me when I say that there are not many skinny pants patterns for young girls (or boys) out there! I ended up going with the W Pants pattern by Blank Slate Patterns.  The pants have some pretty significant slouch to them (perfect for young boys), but they offered a unique slanted pocket design with instructions for welt pockets included.  I knew I could alter these to make the perfect skinny pants!

W PantsAlterations I made:

  • Smaller waist with little use of elastic for smooth finish
  • Side zipper in order to take on and off
  • Decreased the size of the bottom by adjusting the crotch (following the instructions from Collette Patterns here)
  • Slimmed the pants from the hips to the ankle in 2 diagonal lines that were about 1 inch (plus seam allowance) larger than her actual leg measurements.

Finished Product:

Overall, I think they turned out fantastic! I was especially proud as they were my first pants ever.  If I had time to do again, I would make them even smaller in the bottom as they stretched out a little.

Here are some great shots from the, plus our inspiration!

Floral Pants

 

Floral Pants

 

Floral Pants

 

Floral Pants

 

We even added a little leopard print accent on the inside waist band as the theme is Wild Things, after all :)

Floral Pants

 

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

 

 

Check out my other blog posts here!

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 […]

Read More

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 […]

Read More

 

 

 

 

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

 

SEE OTHER PROJECTS

KCW February 2015

View Here

New Year, New Puppy, New Projects!

New Year’s Resolutions

New Year's Resolutions

Winifred Rose

2015 is finally here! Okay, well maybe it has been here for a whole month already… and maybe it has been more than a little while since I have sewn anything or posted on here! But… it is a brand new year, we have a brand new puppy (Winifred Rose), and there are so many new and exciting sewing projects in the works! But first, it is time for new years resolutions: to clean out the closets!

This idea has been playing around in the back of my mind since the holiday break (as it does every year).  This feeling was intensified during the New Year’s Resolutions phase and the fact that “excess” was the topic at our family’s local church service, with the mantra: “Excess isn’t success – it’s supply for those in need”.  What a beautiful reminder.

So, in honor of the New Year, the mantra “Excess isn’t success…”, and the upcoming Kids Clothes Week theme “Upcycled”, our family will be cleaning out the closets and giving to those in need as well as upcycling a few pieces into something new and wonderful.

This weekend we will be selecting the pieces that will become something new.  I already have a few things in mind… I’m thinking skirts, t-shirts, and a dog sweater or two! (Winnie counts for Kid’s Clothes Week, right?).

 

Reversible Knit Skirt Tutorial

Reverse Interlock Knit

Reversible Knit Skirt TutorialAfter my first successful experience sewing knits during Kids Clothes Week Fall 2014: My Father’s Dragon, I fell in love with knits! That is precisely why I scooped up this wonderful teal colored reversible interlock knit during a sale at Joann’s.

I got so much, that I was able to sew 2 skirts and 1 pullover. I am almost finished with the pullover and should upload the pics soon!

1 Skirt: 2 Ways

There are a couple ways to sew the waist band Reversible Knit Skirt Tutorialon a simple reversible knit skirt:

1: with a smooth elastic waist band, or

2: with a bunched elastic waist band.

This tutorial will walk you through making both!

But first, lets start with the basics.  For this skirt, no pattern is needed.  The hip measurement (or where you want the skirt to sit), and the length measurement, is all the pattern you need for this reversible knit skirt tutorial.

Need:

  • Hip measurement
  • Hip to bottom of skirt measurement
  • Walking foot
  • Stretch fabric needle
  • Thread
  • Elastic Band 5/8 – 1 inch in width
  • Iron

Reversible Knit Skirt Tutorial

Step 1: Measure

After determining hip measurement, multiply by either 1.5 or 2 depending on how gathered you wish the skirt to be.  Take that number and add 1 inch for the seam allowance.  That is how wide your fabric for the skirt will be. **Make sure the stretch of the fabric is horizontal (side to side) to this measurement.

For Example:

My daughter’s Hip measurement is 25 inches.  25 x 2 = 50 + 1 = 51 inches.

Reversible Knit Skirt Tutorial

 

Step 2: Cut Fabric

Cut out a rectangle in the measurements determined above.  My rectangle was 51 inches wide by 15 inches tall.

Reversible Knit Skirt Tutorial

 

Step 3: Sew Side Seams

 

Reversible Knit Skirt Tutorial

 

Decorative Flat Felled Seam

For a reversible skirt, I like to sew a decorative flat felled seam. To do this you simply pin the side so that the seams match up, and choose a stretch stitch that is decorative on either the front, back, or both.  Sew a straight line down the length of the side seam, and trim the excess fabric on one side only.  Trimming the fabric on one side will reduce bulk in the finished seam.  The longer side will then fold over to the seam edge.  Press flat with an iron.  Turn fabric over and topstitch, preferably with a stretch straight line stitch (one that goes back and forth).  When you turn the fabric over, there should be a decorative stitch the length of the side seam. This step can be repeated on the other side with the fold to even things out.  Just make sure to leave out the trimming!

 

Step 4 (a): Smooth Waist Band

1. Elastic

a. The elastic band should be roughly 2-3 inches shorter than your hip measurement for adequate fitting.  It is best to measure on the person if possible.

For Example: my daughter’s hip measurement is 25 inches.  The elastic band I measured to be 22 inches.

b. Instead of overlapping the elastic and creating bulk, I like to sew each elastic end to the durable piece of fabric as seen below.  This reduces bulk, and provides stability.  With a short zig-zag stitch, go over the end of the elastic 4-5 times.  You can add a third row in he middle if you like.

Reversible Knit Skirt Tutorial

 

2. Casing

a. Cut out a strip of knit (with the stretch going length wise) 2 x the width of your elastic plus 1 inch seam allowance.  The length should be 1 inch longer than the .

For example: I used a 1 inch elastic waist band, so the width of my strip was 2 x 1 = 2 + 1 = 3 inches.

Fold strip in half and, using the flat felled seam technique mentioned above, sew the strip together to make a circle as seen below:

b. Fold strip of fabric over the elastic to make an encasing as seen below:

 

 3. Attaching Waistband to Skirt

a.  Before you attach the waistband, you are going to want to gather the top of the skirt.  Simply run a straight stitch with a wide spacing (preferably 5 on the settings) about 5/8 in from the edge.

 

Reversible Knit Skirt Tutorial

 

b.  Divide the waistband and gathered skirt into quarters. With raw edges up, and right sides together, pin waistband to skirt (matching quarter markings) as seen below: 

Reversible Knit Skirt Tutorial

c.  Sew the waistband to the skirt, with the same decorative stitch used on the side seams, stretching slightly as you go .  Make sure you leave enough seam allowance to include a flat felled seam here if desired (turning up toward the elastic).

Reversible Knit Skirt Tutorial

4. Complete

Trim any gathering stitches and marvel at your masterpiece!

Reversible Knit Skirt Tutorial

 

 Step 4 (b): Bunched Waist Band

The Reversible Knit Skirt Tutorial for a bunched waist is only slightly different than from the smooth waist.

Go ahead and sew the side seams exactly the same as above, however, we are going to leave out the gathering on the skirt and we will wait until the end for the elastic. 

1. Casing

a. Instead of gathering the top of the skirt, we are going to fold it over 3/8 in.  Then sew the same decorative stretch stitch for the entire length of the circle.

 

Reversible Knit Skirt Tutorial

 

b. Trim the excess seam allowance and fold the sewn edge over again so that the casing is 1.5 inches (for a 1 inch elastic waist band).  Use a straight stretch stitch to sew below the decorative bottom stitch (making sure you leave a 1 inch opening) as well as edge stitch on the top.  This will give it a more professional look.

 

Reversible Knit Skirt Tutorial

 

2. Elastic 

Using whatever method you like, run the elastic through the casing, being careful not to twist the elastic.  Once the elastic is threaded through, utilize the same closing technique mentioned above for the smooth elastic band.  Once complete, sew closed the opening on the casing.

 

Reversible Knit Skirt Tutorial

3. Complete

Now you have a beautiful, reversible knit dress!

 

 

Reversible Knit Skirt Tutorial

Reversible Knit Skirt Tutorial