comfy & pretty

Barbie´s fans must see it

2012-01-19T04:21:00.000-08:00

Fabulous tuorials for making barbie stuffs. I´ve tried some of them. Simple but GREAT!
http://www.youtube.com/user/MyFroggyStuff#g/u
I followed her tutorials to make:
No sew vest: http://youtu.be/6G138lZpdL4
No sew scarf: http://youtu.be/_PL7GagvwtQ
Curl doll´s hair http://youtu.be/QgcEUL9jw1s
Fold a Piano and Vanity: http://youtu.be/vCTg5UK6yqc
Laptop (cut from magazine) http://youtu.be/VJLRL9SH_eM
Gift bag/Hand bag http://youtu.be/3MrM5X9QvqA
Hat: http://youtu.be/Ig5l5338pp4
Refrigerator full of food: http://youtu.be/Sb4N3NU9-4o
Picture frame http://youtu.be/QdHBCkDIswc
Book with pages http://youtu.be/w8iuGi0jwwk
Shop display: http://youtu.be/GN50Sa_rsUc
Bathroom sink: http://youtu.be/bY-I2NY0xp4
Toilet: http://youtu.be/u_MLMocwgfU
Bath tube (mine has foam :D) : http://youtu.be/ORbliLGsDDM
Lamp: http://youtu.be/9Lmsp1PQ5UA
Kitchen sink and cabinet: http://youtu.be/Pvo1uN1kM_k
Potted plants: http://youtu.be/UXi1BlydcgY

I printed something at this site
http://www.printmini.com/printables/p1.shtml
such like:
Piano keyboards (1/2" scale), fits well on a piano folded out of lettersize black sheet
http://www.printmini.com/printables/music/index.shtml
Board games (if you do this too, make sure that you have/can make a dice for those games because your little lady will aks for)
http://www.printmini.com/printables/games/index.shtml

I made my own:
closet with hangers
kitchen shelf
stove
round table
bed and bed linens
sofa
sauce pan with sauce inside
night stand
microwave
....
not enough yet ..(maybe..never ... hic...)
But making those tiny things are so fun

Two methods for shortening sleeves without cutting

2011-11-15T04:54:00.000-08:00

My little girl grows like spouts out of her clothes

So this year I bought her some clothes which 2 size bigger , like these cardigans

They will last longer (?)

Hope so.

Ok, back to the cardigans. The sleeves are 4 inch longer than her arms (because of bigger size)

But I can´t cut them off away.

I shortened them

but let them grow with my kid

1. Fold and sew the sleeves as show. Turn right side out and tacked the folded piece into place.

2. sew four long stich (basted stich) around the sleeves (I did 4). Gather, knot two ends of your basting thread together to secure and enjoy new ruched sleeves

Instead of basting you may use elastic (like the ruched leggings).

But it will take longer to rip out and may ruined your sleeves.

Jacket sleeves - lengthen with cuffs repurposed from socks

2011-11-14T00:38:00.000-08:00

I used those cuffs to lengthen jacket sleeves

I´ve found a nice tutorial for extending jacket sleeves with cuffs and fingerless gloves .

She used felted sweater cuffs but sock cuffs can work well too.

Jacket sleeves - mending

2011-11-13T00:44:00.000-08:00

Has your hubby ever got jacket sleeves like this?

Just because the sleeves are a bit long.

So I shortened and mended them in four steps

More sleeves lengthened

2011-11-12T01:26:00.000-08:00

short sleeves + old long sleeves/leggings = new long sleeves

too small hoodie to collar

2011-11-11T01:48:00.000-08:00

Before

After: a new collar

I folded top edge and saw shut using blind stich

Rock shirt needs long sleeves

2011-11-10T01:22:00.000-08:00

Yes, the sleeves are repurposed from the pants legs that I posted yesterday

Baby PJ pants

2011-11-09T01:18:00.000-08:00

One year ago I made this baby PJ pants

You can get tutorial and pattern HERE

Love this bum

Toddler blazer pattern review

2011-11-08T05:27:00.000-08:00

I was so lucky to be a pattern tester for the toddler blazer from Melly Sews

Making a blazer is definitely not difficult as I thought

especially with her clear and step by step constructions

That was my very first blazer

But I´m pleased with the result

Little gentlemen, even little ladys look always good in blazers!

You can see more blazers HERE

Oh I love this pattern so much.

I picked cotton for the main and sweatshirt for the lining because our local weather is getting chilly

If you choose a thick lining material like me,

sew the lining 1/8" or 1/4" seam allowance larger than the outer blazer to reduce bulking

Go ahead to her Etsy shop and make a cute blazer for your little darling before christmas.

She offers this pattern for only 5$

Ruched leggings and sweater dress

2011-11-05T09:32:00.000-07:00

Tutorial for making ruched leggings HERE

It would pair with this simple A-line dress which was repurposed from my sweater.

I added a bow from the same knit as the leggings

A comfy waistband for jeans

2011-11-04T03:23:00.000-07:00

I made this jeans pants for my little boy, repurposed, of course :-D

But I hate to fold the waistband twice to create casing for elastic (as usually when making pants)

because jeans are very thick.

Instead of knit you may use cotton for facing.

It makes jeans cuter and comfortable to wear, especially for baby and todlers.

Tutorial - make a vest with mitten pockets

2011-10-31T03:54:00.000-07:00

That´s an old vest/sweatshirt but you may you anything you have: sweater, shirts...

I used a vest that fits as pattern, you may use a fitted shirt, just tuck sleeves inside.

I used ribbing knit strips which 2 inch shorter than the length of neck and armscyes to bind them

and sightly pull thoes ribbing bias while sewing.

I have idea about mitten pockets HERE. But I drew my own mitten.

Girly shirt to boyish shirt

2011-10-13T07:36:00.000-07:00

I forgot to take a photo before :(

But the dog has a tiara and no glasses

I attempted to make it more manly, so that Ben could wear his sister´s shirt withour "Hey, is that a girl?"

Let that little dog wear a new jeans cap (to cover his old tiara) and big glasses (fabric pen)

Emmi got a new wool cardi

2011-10-11T01:59:00.000-07:00

That was mine again, was bought in Rom, Italy two years ago

but I never wore because it got too short after first washing, phew!!..

Yesterday I took it from my wardrobe, tried it on Emmi

Its´ length fits her well

except the width is loose, and sleeves are long

but they´re definitely no big problems

I just folded the sleeves like you see in the picture and hand-sewn in place.

No cutting or machine sewing. I was scared about them since the cardi is made from wool.

Then took in at the back for more fitting, added a bow to disguise

Vest into jacket for my little boy

2011-10-11T00:47:00.000-07:00

a vest + new sleeves (mine from my old jeans blazer

which I want to turn into a vest and play with it like using bleach ...)

Autumn jumper

2011-09-28T01:36:00.000-07:00

Link for squirrel friends applique

Leinen tunic

2011-09-22T03:59:00.000-07:00

Love the embroidery and material but I "grow out" of this top :)

It´s cute enough to make a tunic for Emmi as you see in pictures above.

I saw two lines on my top to make armpit smaller

and create the A-shape for that tunic.

No-sew brooch/Hair clip

2011-09-20T08:54:00.000-07:00

I use leftover from this shirt

cut into circles and tackled them together with hot gun

what to do if you can´t get your (kid) big head over small shirt opening

2011-09-19T01:43:00.000-07:00

That´s my way: a simple exposed zipper

Pin a zipper on the shirt anywhere you want, front, back or shoulder

Fold over two top ends of the zipper like you see in the picture below

First sew the outer edge of the zipper and then the other outer edge

Sew a line close to the zipper on both sides

Once the zipper is sewn on you can unzip it, cut down the shirt,

and trim the edges of the shirt underneath so they don't get stuck in the zipper.

since knit doesn´t fray, no more worry about finishing the egdes.

I was failed to make a ruffle shirt ...

2011-09-16T14:25:00.000-07:00

...therefore Ben and Emmi have new things to wear (Oh, bad mom!)

A tank for Ben

I had no idea at that time how to decorate it.

So I used a silver metallic pen for fabric and wrote

a legging/capri from t-shirt sleeves (here is a good tute too) for Emmi

and a boxer for Ben.

(Follow the link to get tutorial and pattern)

Simple night dress from big tee

2011-09-15T13:01:00.000-07:00

This was a long shirt size small

I turned it into a night dress for kids.

Truly, I wish that my daughter would wear it as a night dress

but she love wearing it all day.

You knew, that little girl loves all stuffs in pink or glitter.

and that dress has two things above.

You can make it too, in just two steps

zippered hoodie refashion

2011-09-14T03:29:00.000-07:00

I altered an old zippered hoodie with ugly embroidery.

I first tried to pick out the threads, then relized that didn´t worth

I thought about use ruffles to cover the embroidery,

but it´s hard to choose a fabric which color matchs.

Why not use the hoodie to make new collar band and ruffles?

Much prettier, huh?

It reminded me of something you might find at J. Crew

The collar band looks a bit curly because I must stretch it a bit to fit the collar when sew. But a steam iron will help it lay flat.

Ballon dress for my little girl

2011-09-09T11:19:00.000-07:00

That was my ballon shirt.

I found no promblem if my daughter wears it as a dress with a shirt underneath.

But it would be too warm in those hot days.

So I fixed it a bit since I don´t want to wear it anymore.

I did slip stich by hand along two sides as shown here

Turn it right side out.

We have that dress.

(I mustn´t tuck two sides in. They stay so as you see in the picture)

Super cute outfit

2011-09-08T05:09:00.000-07:00

..came yesterday

We had luck enough to win it as giveaway from smallbirdie

Dear Bec, thank you so much for making this outfit for us! We love it.

(Emmi wrote that. I hope Bec can see it as attached file in her mailbox today)

Freehand embroidered skirt

2011-09-04T13:27:00.000-07:00

My little boy love sleeping in his buggy when we go for a walk.

There he takes a long nap which he never does at home.

Today I took some scraps, embroidery threads and this skirt,

sat on a bench next to the buggy and tried to pimp it a bit while Mr. Comfy were sleeping.

Comfy pants from daddy´s T-shirt

2011-09-03T13:23:00.000-07:00

New PJs for my Ms. Pretty

2011-09-02T07:19:00.000-07:00

That´s it.

Shirt with raglan sleeves + PJ pants.

I´m still thinking of add elastic in sleeves openings

so I hemmed them using straight stich, not decorative stich as the neck and bottom of shirt.

This tag is my favorite part because we both (I mean my daughter and me) love little dogs.

My little Ms. Pretty was so excited when she knew that outfit made for her.

So good mommy had to let her wear it before she finished the neckline and hem.

I don´t take a picture before but that outfit used to be mine.

Some lately refashioned tops

2011-09-01T01:56:00.000-07:00

1. Lace around neck

I saw the lace with zig zag stich. If you have liquid stich or fabric glue, it will go faster.

2. Make scoop neck smaller

I cut another neck from an old shirt then saw on that scoop neck

3. Ruffles around neckline

I originally wanted to add two rows ruffles to make that scoop neck higher but it failed :(

For this I cut the bottom hem , gathered it then sew around the neck

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Wrap dress altering

2011-08-28T02:46:00.000-07:00

This dress has a wrap bodice which is a bit tight for my daughter.

I altered the bodice so that it is looser

But I like that she can wear it so: the back is now the front, her dress has now total new look

I did it so

Cut the bodice and bottom of dress into two parts

Cut seams on the top of dress bottom off.

You may notice that dress bottom is gathered a bit on the top,

so after cutting I will have a wider dress bottom

New dress is now finished.

Have a nice sunday!
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Add cap sleeves to sleeveless top or dress

2011-08-23T10:25:00.000-07:00

Note: if you give the rectangle of fabric (see in the tute) more length, your sleeves will get puffier.

Not my own tutorial :D

Art tote for Alexa

2011-08-23T02:16:00.000-07:00

Alexa is daughter of our friend.
She is off to school this year.
So I make this art tote as gift for her.

Love that Ikea fabric so much! I used that for a purse for my daughter

I saw an art tote and want to make one similar like that.

I didn´t follow all steps because I´m too lazy to measure something,

I simply laid a coloring books and some painting tools on fabric,

then fold and cut, not a good method for beginner

So I prefer the original works.

Hoodie into Cowl Neck Pullover

2011-08-20T03:38:00.000-07:00

Had to wait for a long time untill zipper of this hoodie got broken (No, I didn´t do that :D)

Tutorial HERE (thank you for sharing)

The first cowl neck pullover of my little Mr Comfy

First I didn´t want to sew around the neck

but then I did slip stich by hand to make the cowl neck look neater

We love it!

I lengthened clothes again

2011-08-20T03:18:00.000-07:00

Too short sleepwear

into

Too short straps

into

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I tried these recipes

2011-08-16T14:40:00.000-07:00

Trust me, they´re all great to taste and easy to make!

Drawstring bag

2011-08-16T01:11:00.000-07:00

Bag for dancewear.

I drew freehand two dancing rabbits then embroidered the outlines.

Bodices were felt and ribbon scraps

I used french seam, so that no lining is needed.

Pull on the knots, it will cinch closed.

What a super monday!

2011-08-15T02:27:00.000-07:00

We won this super cute outfit from Smallbirdie at The 36th Avenue

and Ms Pretty is running around me and screaming with happiness

Simple jumper dress for todlers/kids and bonus from aldult skirt

2011-08-15T00:27:00.000-07:00

I bought this skirt on sale at H&M. Look at its material: jersey brings comfy and plissee pretty.

Though the orange rot color is not my style

I bought it for refashioning into a jumper for my little Ms. Pretty

You may see it on picture above, huh? I just saw along the pins and use leftovers to make straps

Ms. Pretty can wear it solo, a blouse/shirt may be underneath, a belt may wrap around ... many variations

Bonus: a ruffled headband

Crop top (with knotted bows)

2011-08-14T00:44:00.000-07:00

I made this crop top for my little Ms. Pretty.

I thought about making a crop top for her but didn´t do it
until I found this top in a pile of hand-me-down clothes

A long sleeves top in her size but seams are wavy

If you have a top like mine, you may want to follow these simple steps to make it into a prettier ones.

They work for aldult tops too

1. Lay the top so

2. Crop the bottom.

Mine looks like a curve but yours may be straight. Do what you like

3. I must sew side seams because my shirt has wavy seams.

You may want do it too if you want to make the sleeves smaller and the shirt has a little flare

4. It´s now time for hemming. Because knit fabric doesn´t fray we haven´t zig-zag or serge

but I trimmed excesses on the raw edges as close as I can for a clean finishing

5. I make the knotted bow by sewing two rectangles fabric together, leave gap for turning right side out.

Sew the gap shut then knot it into a bow.

Edited Oct. 13: I found a good tutorial HERE for making knotted bows

Jet plane applique

2011-07-30T06:27:00.000-07:00

Pattern here

I embroidered around it after sewing it on the shirt.

Great to cover a big stain!

make overalls fitter by a tab and button

2011-07-30T06:24:00.000-07:00

Today I share with you a trick to make overalls fitter: a tab with buttonhole

I did it on some overalls of my baby boy because he is tall but skinny

This tab is only a fabric tube with buttonhole.

Pin It if you like this post

How to make baby/todler clothes last, Part 2

2011-07-17T02:40:00.000-07:00

I did it again
Last time I added cuffs to pants or romper to make it longer.

Today I lengthened some clothes which still fit but short by adding ..something on it,
Like this, this, this, and this

I mean a strip fabric (I prefer knit/jersey so I don´t have to hem) or lace that is the width of your shirt you´d like to extend.
You can mix and match many strips together to make your shirt funky.
I just keep it simple.

My baby boy can stand but still not walk

How to make scoop neck higher

2011-07-17T02:24:00.000-07:00

Before

After

How-to

Boutique capri jeans

2011-07-16T07:31:00.000-07:00

That was a long jeans pants. I cut off the legs to make it into a capri like this one

I wanted to use some doilies that my auntie crocheted for me,

like so

but then I saw a boutique style jeans here. So my boutique capri jeans was born

100% cute, huh :)

I made button-on-apron for dress

2011-07-10T15:07:00.000-07:00

I saw this one then sewed quickly an apron for a dress of Emmi which has some unremoveable stains

on front of dress.

The apron is attachable and reversible, made from 3 rectangles fabric and some buttons.

I´m thinking about making attachable aprons in many sizes and styles.

Great to cover stains or just pimp boring clothing up.

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Skirt from dress that´s too short

2011-07-10T14:59:00.000-07:00

I shirred the back of skirt so the front could lay flat

yellow shorts for my baby boy

2011-07-06T09:35:00.000-07:00

I made a pair of shorts/bermudas for Ben from an old pants of his little big sister. Yellow color is wearable for boys and girls, do you think so? I just have to make it more boyish

Cut off the legs, then used leftovers to make belt loops and flaps for a faux flap pocket look.

Tutorial: flat front skirt with box pleats (optional) upcycled from dress

2011-07-06T09:09:00.000-07:00

flat front with little box pleats

gathered at the back, with elastic strung through it.

Do you think it looks like a paperbag skirt?

It was a A-line dress that fit Emmi chest not any more.

I cut and made two little box pleats those were optional for you.

I cut a strip of fabric that is a few inches longer than that skirt is all the way around and 1 3/4 inches wide (for one inch wide elastic).

I folded it over an one inch wide card board strip and ironed it flat. That´s my trick when working with fabric strips.

Then I pinned the strip all the way around the skirt, sewed all the way around the top of the strip 1/8 inch from the edge, leaving two gaps at side seams for threading elastic through (I´ll do flat front skirt) and a few inches free at both ends.

Then I layed the 2 ends flat, pinned them together right where they met, a mark where they met and flipped them so that the right sides would be facing each other.

I re-pinned them right where they needed to be sewn together, then sewed them together and trimmed off the excess fabric. Sewed the casing closed (except two gaps at the sides of skirt for elastic through)

Then I strung the elastic through the waistband.

I started at one side of the skirt, went around the back, the elastic should come out the other side of the skirt.

I sewed the elastic in place right on the seam of the skirt in a matching thread color, so it's disguised.

I pulled the elastic in the back so that it gathers up the skirt a bit, sewed the other side of the elastic in place at the side seam.

The finished waist should be the same size as your child's waist.

Then sewed two gaps closed.

linking up to

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Circle skirt

2011-06-24T14:33:00.000-07:00

Tutorial from Made

My note: Length of elastic = waist - 2 inch

Faux rolled hem (satin stich)

Ikea farbic is a little bulky for a circle skirt. Sadly, the most fabrics I have are from there.

It´s still ok for Emmi because she´s a skinny girl. But next time I will try lightweight fabric.

A week full of luck!

2011-06-24T04:24:00.000-07:00

I won this pretty slouchy newsboy cap of Fuzzy Sushi over Occasionally Crafty.

We love it much, yes, Emmi and me. The cap fits both of us, can be worn in two ways.

Did I say that the cap came in so beautiful package?

And as I said above, I was a very lucky girl that week. I won this awesome dress pattern of Ellie Inspired over Lee La La.

I´m making it for Emmi. She falls in love with the layers of flounces. Such a twirl girl!

Many thanks to all of you!

Ahoy! Faux sailor pants

2011-06-24T03:51:00.000-07:00

(Faux) sailor pants for Ben. I used the same pattern like this pants, but sewed it into flat front pants as guideline of Dana. Some white buttons give it nautical look (at least I think so, ha ha...)

Love this pattern because it fits Ben very well.

The sailor beret using free pattern of Ellie Inspired (Thanks so much, Laura!), very easy to make and sew.

I sketched also freehand an anchor with my lovely water-soluble pen and embroidered it.

Faric from Ikea.

Tutorial: Upcycled romper - KCWC Day 6

2011-05-14T07:36:00.000-07:00

For top of the romper you could use onesie, shirt or overall (chop to desired length ).
Make sure that they fit loosely
Mine has shoulder snap to take on and off.
If yours not, you may add zipper instead. A exposed zipper would be very cool
Or what about a snap band at crotch

Note: I forgot to topstich the pockets and must do it later

sew the shirt piece and pants together, sandwich pockets between them like this

after sewing and turning right side out

Sew cuffs for pant legs and sleeves like I did HERE

(Note: I forgot to cut the cuffs shorter than the pants legs so I inserted elastic in the cuffs to make them smaller. And I love that look)

Then add some buttons for decorating the flaps pockets and keeping it laying flat.

This one is made with the same concept, but no pocket flaps (sorry I didn´t iron it before taking pic)

Two shorts/bermudas-KCWC Day 5

2011-05-13T05:14:00.000-07:00

The blue has faux cargo pockets or faux flap pockets (?)

The yellow one has stencil. How-to here

They were long pants but became too short for Ben.

So I cut leg pants off, used the leftover to make faux flap pockets.

See how-to pictures below if you interest.

sew and topstich

determine where the flaps would be

sew it upward

like this

flip it over, topstich you will have the faux flap pockets

Knee pad pants-KCWC Day 4

2011-05-12T05:06:00.000-07:00

Ben crawls very fast from room to room. It seems that he doesn´t want to stand up and walk :)

So I sewed him a pair of pants with knee pad, inspired by Dana

repurposed from a daddy´s shirt that has contrast yoke and sleeves.

I made double-folded hem for pants legs so that it could be let down and last longer.

This pants fits Ben very well.

jeans skirt and a lil´ how-to - KCWC Day3

2011-05-11T01:22:00.000-07:00

I used two leg pants to make this skirt

simple elastic waistband

two pockets at back

simple hand embroidery on front

raw hem with decorative stich

I want to show a trick

Here was the skirt before making casing for elastic waistband.

If I´d folded top edge as usually it´d be too thick because there´s two layers of felt-flat seams (?)

So I picked thread out and trimed a bit

Then folded the top edge over to make casing as usual.(Jeans thread would be better but I haven´t got :( )

Thank you, elastic thread - KCWC Day2

2011-05-10T01:13:00.000-07:00

Because of you, Emmi got some new clothes.

Remember this tunic? I altered it once more time into this ruffled collar shirt with elastic waistband

It used to be a top of Emmi´s cousine, size XS.

Only two row of shirring on straps

My shirt that doesn´t fit anymore and I want to change my style also.

Maybe in the next days more repurposing clothes would be born

Two rows around the neck and sleeves

Cap sleeve top -KCWC Day1

2011-05-09T03:16:00.000-07:00

I repurposed my top this time.

I love its apricot color but it fits me not well anymore.

I planned on making it a sleeve-less shirt, but then in the process decided to add a little cuff at the arms
by sewing stretchable lace around the armpit before sewed side seams.

Neckline binding was the armpit binding of the old top.

My lovely aunt sent me a big pack of doilys and many tiny flowers crocheted by herself.

It´s now time to use them.

My lil´ model

Cut long sleeves off, be ready for summer

2011-05-05T02:34:00.000-07:00

This shirt has two problems: the neck too small, so Emmi can´t get this shirt over her head.

And it has a long sleeves, not so comfortable for summer.

But it´s from Zara, and Emmi love pairing it with her yellow shorts.

So mama may alter it a bit.

Leftovers become binding for a larger neck

My favorite part: the new sleeves using the cuffs of old sleeves.

3-in-1

2011-05-03T14:00:00.000-07:00

I made it for Emmi so I used the bottom of my shirt.

For bigger version, just need to sew two rectangles together

(width=your waistx2, length=length from armpit to over hip, or as desired)

I added some shirring lines at the top,

elastic in its hem,

sewed on thread loops at waist and around the shirred parts,

braided a belt from leftovers.

Not many steps I promise you.

It could be worn ...

...as a mini dress at the beach, swimming pool or on very hot days

...as skirt, or ballon skirt as long as your lil girl doesn´t run and play

...as a ballon top.

Halter top or top with tie straps as you want.

Be creative with help of thread loops

model-in-the-making! :-D

Leah tunic Nr.1

2011-04-08T06:24:00.000-07:00

I sewed it along with Jess at CINO.

It´s Nr. 1 because I plan to make more. I especially like the puff cap sleeves.

Must confess that my first Leah tunic is not perfect.

This tunic´s neckline is too large

and its yoke is not as high as I want.

I will make the pattern again.

But Emmi loves it much. She asked me for wearing the tunic before I sewed the pocket on.

Emmi loves (fast) all things mama sewed for her.

That makes me smile and happy whenever she stands proudly and tells everybody that the stuff that she is wearing is made by her mommy.

Tutorial: resize aldult tank to todler tank

2011-04-07T16:00:00.000-07:00

...a tank like this

...from this

Lay a tank that fits your lil´ on your tank like as showed in the picture below, pin and sew, then trim

Do the same with the shoulder parts

Embelish the new tank as you want.

one becomes two

2011-04-02T06:26:00.000-07:00

I love any clothing with dots or strips.

Top and skirt size 4T below used to be a sundress size 12T, I couldn´t pass it though it is too big for Emmi, just because of the dots.

I cut the sundress in the middle.

The bottom piece: I made casing for elastic waistband, then a new skirt is born.

The top piece is my favorite:

I sewed a bit at two sides for more fitting. Hemmed it then.

I didn´t change the position or resew the straps because they´re adjustable, but added elastic at top edge of the top as showed in pics below, so that the top fits better.

That´s all. Just only few steps.

My daughter would wear the new top over a long sleeves top and pair with skinny jeans in chilly days ,

It can go solo leggings or short in sunny days, certainly

Tutorial: Baby dress turns todler skirt

2011-03-31T03:15:00.000-07:00

I did it once more time
The first time is HERE
Using skirt piece of a baby dress, some elastic or knit, your little girl will have
a new skirt.
For a knit waistband you can reuse an old shirt or knit pants (as seen at here) if no knit/jersey on hand. I love knit waistband because it´s soft for kid' belly.

Cut your knit piece as showed above, you decide how high it should be, then sew into a tube using light zig-zag or stretch stich.

Fold the waistband in half lengthwise with the wrong sides together

GATHER the skirt piece automatically: highest tension, longest stich, sew about 1/4" from top edge.

Then you may need pull/loosen the bobbin thread a bit to make the skirt piece fit the waistband.

Insert the gathered skirt piece with right side out into the waistband tube as showed below and pin evenly in place.

Don't stretch the waistband as you're pinning.

Serge or zig-zag those layers together (3 layers in all), using a 1/2 inch seam allowance

You have that

Pull the gather thread out if needed.

I tied a bow from the old strap of the baby dress and saw it on the waistband because my daughter wished that.

"Always tuck me in" shirt

2011-03-23T04:52:00.000-07:00

What a great idea!

Tutorial here

Tank to todler skirt

2011-03-18T10:03:00.001-07:00

Women shirt size S

becomes todler skirt size 3/4T

Inspired by this

But I made a knit waistband. How to HERE

What an effective sewing week!

Many thanks to kojodesigns for hosting this Spring Detash Party!

Ladylike skirt

2011-03-18T09:51:00.000-07:00

I made this skirt from a blessing blanket (with lace and lining). Inspired by the ladylike skirt.

Lovely piece for every girly girls.

Wear it SOLO or as UNDERSKIRT. Two ways look very adorable.

Tank with flutter sleeves

2011-03-18T09:37:00.000-07:00

Follow this link or this if you want to add flutter sleeves to a plain tank but don´t know how to.

leggings - 3 are not enough

2011-03-18T09:24:00.000-07:00

All of them are made from old shirts.

Leggings are easy to make, never enough to wear (at least for my girl :-))

I´ve made three pairs for her, and will/must sew more :-)

1.ruched leggings

For ruching thick knit fabric or jersey I would choose elastic instead of elastic thread.

2. strip and dots leggings

too late to match striped prints :-(

3. Lace leggings

A girl couldn´t live without lace :-D

Fill it with lace!

2011-03-18T08:49:00.000-07:00

This top becomes too short for Emmi, but still fits.

So I make a new hem for it. And fill the hem filled with lace.

Appliqued onesies

2011-03-18T08:26:00.000-07:00

Not a new idea but an easiest way to using up scraps

and making onesies looking more invidual.

This baby pants is repurposed too. It was an old T-shirt.

Turtle-rabbit-pouch

2011-03-18T08:09:00.000-07:00

I will add snaps later .

Made from scrappy Ikea fabric.

Jeans skirt with elastic waistband

2011-03-18T06:57:00.000-07:00

I used the skirt piece of a baby dress and a piece of wide elastic to make the skirt above.

Then full some posies to the pockets.

I made this skirt without following any tutorial but I found a good tute here in case you interest.

This time I remembered to take a photo before repurposing it :-)

Barbie clothes as design of my little girl

2011-03-17T10:18:00.000-07:00

I´ll find her original design and upload later.

Summer top

2011-03-17T09:57:00.000-07:00

Barbie clothes - pants

2011-03-16T05:13:00.000-07:00

1. Jeans capris (use a piece of a jeans hem after shortening), long top (not by me)

2. High waist pants, crop top

3. High waist pants, turtleneck top

Faux necklace or painted necklace

2011-03-14T13:58:00.000-07:00

I found out how to impress the others with fabric paints, some pens and a headpin.

Barbie clothes-lace collection

2011-03-13T05:12:00.000-07:00

1.Dress

2. Tunic (the skinny jeans not made by me)

3. Pleated skirt

4. Mini

Purse for Ms. Pretty

2011-03-13T01:00:00.000-08:00

Purse for my little girl, 8"wide x 6"long, straps 11" long, Ikea fabric, no lining since I owned a serger and the fabric is sturdy enough for carrying some Barbie stuffs

Make waistband more fit

2011-03-12T01:18:00.000-08:00

Sew on only one or two elastic pieces as showed here, pull the elastic when sewing. They´d make the waistband tighter.

Sundress for Emmi from a women top

2011-03-11T14:02:00.001-08:00

It used to be a shirred empire top in my stash.

To make it fit for Emmi I only changed the position of straps and made them shorter.

Two sides must be also shirred again.

Peasant blouse

2011-03-11T05:05:00.000-08:00

Thanks Indietutes for giving a great tutorial. Very easy to make your own pattern and sew.

Just make sure to measure your kids or use a shirt that fits to adjust the lenghth or width.

My very first label :-)

That hem is perfect because it´s the hem of a pillowcase of Ikea :-D

Maxi skirt from lounge pants

2011-03-08T02:11:00.000-08:00

Yes, this was a lounge pants

I will try to put it on Emmi :-D

PJ Shorts out of Ikea bedlinen

2011-03-07T01:19:00.000-08:00

...for my hubby
That´s the first thing I sew for him. Luckily he loves it. Simple, comfy, manly :-D !
The shorts becomes softer and softer after a few washing

I also add these bags to Destash linky party at kojodesigns

Bag.. bag.. bag..

2011-03-04T03:23:00.000-08:00

I stop blogging for a while because I had nothing to show, no, to sew :D

I saw many fancy things made by another bloggers and felt guilty for my never-end-to-do-list

Just because my kids have enough clothing to wear?

Or I own any fancy fabric?

And my baby doesn´t like to nap alone but only when I carry him on my arms and cradle.. ?

Oh no, I must confess I´m too lazy to finish my long list.

This week I saw these

The messenger bag from cargo pants.

You can find tutorial at Noddlehead or Bludor. Very easy to follow.

I used a pair lined cargo pants size 6T so I had not enough fabric for making strap but could use up the lining of pants for the bag.

I did some differences: edging around front flap (I thought this bag needs a bit of pop color),

and polypro strap

Reversible grab-bag or Japanese Knot Bag (pattern and how-to make)

The last, breast pocket bag by me (is this name right?). It has the size of my hand and simple to make.

Only 4 seams must be sewn, and the size of this little bag is perfect for using up scraps

If anyone interests I can show how to make it.

I added these bags to Destash linky party at kojodesigns

Tutorial: Grandad cardigan from sweater or T-shirt

2011-01-17T06:08:00.000-08:00

We got back from a vacation and got ill, so that I didn´t blog for a short time. But everything is now ok. (thanks, Dewi) I´m happy now to have time for blogging and doing some very own favorite things.
Back to my post today, I did refashion again and turned a very boring sweater into a cardigan for my lil Emmi. To help myself and my readers get rid of boring because many bloggers did the same refashioning, I made a cardigan in grandad-style. You can do it for girls, boys or maybe yourself too. All you need is a sweater and some fabric, scraps are welcome.

I remember that a reader said that she loves the combo of pink and yellow. Me too, just don´t know why :)
Pictures below are my sweater-or-Tshirt-into-cardi-making process.
1. Find the center of sweater/T-shirt. Cut.

2. Cut collar as a normal grandad cardi (V-shape)

3. Make binding or add trim as desired. Binding will make it into classic grandad cardigan but trim may add more extravagant spice, especially if your girl will wear the cardi. Anyway, I added binding because I have a tube fabric on hand. It should be a belt for a pleated play-dress (certainly sewn by mom, Yellow and Pink again), but Emmi doesn´t like wear that dress with belt. So I give it a new life. You can make binding from scraps too. Very extravagant!

4. Use another cardi as pattern to make sure that the new cardigan will fit. Mark or pin then sew

Make button holes, sew matched buttons on. Add more spices as you want and you have a new cardi finally!

I made these

2010-12-14T14:23:00.000-08:00

Gift for little niece: the (fabled) Baby booties von Heather Bailey. Tutorial and pattern here I made also a tag at the shoes back so we could put shoes on and off easily (Or at least I think so :D )

Taggie square for my baby. I put all my ribbon scraps I have.

This no-sew tulle skirt is for my little girl. She attends a ballet class.

I made also this bandana dress for next summer

Barbie clothes showcase

2010-12-08T06:31:00.000-08:00

I made some new clothes for Barbie and her friend Steffi
I choose knit fabric for most of Barbie clothes this time because I´m tired of hemming and adding velcro to tiny clothes.
I took photos of some sewing processes for sharing if they take you interested in making.

This orange dress is similar to this . But I made ribbon straps and did pleats for dress piece instead of gathering because this fabric is a bit sturdy. (It´s Ikea fabric if you ask)
The tote in the picture is made from Burberry perfume flagon cover. Authentic look, huh?
The next, maxi dress. If you´d know how I did it, he he ... But I show that, anyway.

Lace dress with big bow. Emmi loves much this because it´s rosa, it has lace and bow on ... Too many girly things?

Tube top and elastic waist skirt. I used scraps from this project

Another way to wear

Simple sleeveless top and skirt. I love these because they´re simple but dressy

Paperbag waist shirred skirt

Wool jacket and cap to keep Barbie warm in the winter
Knit cap and messenger bag because its strap here is long. Making strap shorter, you´ll have a shoulder bag.

No Chanel clutch. It gotta lost :(

how to make baby/todler clothes last

2010-12-06T05:14:00.000-08:00

My baby boys grows so fast. He grows out of all pants and rompers, almost of his shirts becomes short. He is just 4 months but must wear size 6 months.
So mama must do this:

MAKE his clothes LAST

Before doing that, I was sure that crotch still fits.

1. add cuffs to pants/sleeves which are too short (not short sleeves) or romper suit
My express way: use often old baby shirt sleeves for making cuffs. Save so much time for hemming and sewing. But you can do it with a folded-twice-fabric-tube too.

Pants before:

after:

For the romper suit I cut off footies and added cuffs instead.
Footies to footless.
The left romper suit is size 6m and the left ones is size 4m

before:

after:

Sometimes I didn´t add cuffs, but saw a tube of knit fabric to make it longer (see pic below).

Here I used the old cuffs of the blue pants above because the color matchs. Nothing wasted.

(I didn´t do iron to show you that used to be cuffs)

This ones I make cuffs from knit fabric tube (folded twice)

2. Turn romper suit (playsuit) into pants
my express way: use bottom of a baby shirt for waistband.

This way are great for romper suits which are too short (or crotch fits no more)

before:

(I forgot to take a picture before. So I put the cut-off top on my baby to show you that the suit was too small for him. He couldn´t wear it on.)

after:

If no baby shirt on hand, you can certainly sew knit fabric to make a loop/tube which fits your baby belly. Here I made a high waist band to keep his belly warm in winter.
Oh, a BABY BELLY BAND. I must do it.
And if you want to lengthen short sleeves, there are already many detailed tutes, like this
http://samstermommy.blogspot.com/2009/04/waffle-tee-onesie.html

Tutorial: Sweater dress 101

2010-12-04T14:59:00.000-08:00

Because the winter beginns ...

Hope these pics below will help somebody who makes a todler dress from his sweater for the first time. Don´t forget to CLICK on pics to view it bigger (if needed)

Use the todler dress as pattern to cut the sweater. You can cut on fold or be more careful: trace only one side, cut that side, then fold it over and cut the other side.
.

Her "rainbow buttons"

Make bed and bedlinens for barbie

2010-12-02T08:46:00.000-08:00

"Mom, my Barbie needs a bed! It´s so cruel to let her sleep on floor. It´s cold."
Oh, yes, mom dislikes to be so cruel.

First I wanted to build a new bed from light-weight woods I have on hand, but I changed my mind when I saw this wooden box below (it was a fruit crate). Saved much time.

I saw a bedhead from wood and make sure that the width matchs. The height may vary. You may cut a bedhead from cardboard, which is easier and fancier to cut, glue it with fabric then for decorating. But I choose wood for studier bed.

It´s now time to make an bedsheet or bed cover (more exact :D)

I make also a blanket and a pillow for Barbie. Can´t sleep well without them, right?
Blanket/comforter and pillow are made in the same way, but measurement varys.
Cut two rectangles (1xfleece, 1xfabric), sew them with right side together with gap for turning right side out. For the blanket I sew some straight lines through two layers. For the pillow I let Emmi tucks some polifil into it before sewing the gap enclosed.

Finally Barbie can sleep well.

Should I give my little this bed right now or let her wait until christmas?

Tutorial: Top into A-dress with scalloped edge

2010-11-28T16:06:00.000-08:00

That is a dress likes this

To make an A-dress, I like to choose a bit sturdy fabric which can stand and bring A-shape. For this dress, I use Ikea fabric, just because of the scalloped edge on selvage and I think the color may match with top´s color. I will make this edge into real scalloped edge with satin stich, no making scallop pattern required. You can do scalloped edge with tight zig zag stich too.´
The process below is so easy if you experience with sewing. But not, maybe you need it as a hint.
1. I mark where the top should end. Then cut two piece of fabric, using an A-line dress as pattern for the bottom

2. After cutting fabric I have these. (see scallops on the selvage?). You can hem or serge the top of farbic. I do this with pinking shears because of the thickness of fabric.

3. Wrong sides face, sew two pieces of fabric into a skirt,
then attach it to the top at the marked line (step1). Then turn right side out, top stich as desired.
Make sure that they fit well together. You may measure the width of your top and mark on fabric or be lazy like me, I just lay top on skirt then mark with pen, so that I know where I should start sewing two sides of skirt.

4. I don´t need to make scallop pattern with a round dish as usual because this Ikea fabric has scallop on its selvage, I just cut and "hem".

Satin stich is used to finish the scalloped edge.

In fact, it is only the very tight zig zag stich (2.0 length and 0.7 wide).

That´s all for this dress.

So simple, huh?
Feel free to ask me if something not clear.

The first time I won

2010-11-28T06:13:00.000-08:00

I was so lucky to be winner of her giveaway. This is the first time I win something, really! I thought I never won.

And her mailings came with many lovely things inside. All with sewing theme.

They made me very excited.

The tote below is one of her products. If you want to check more, visit her shop at Artfire or her blog Sweet Bee Buzzing

Some of my favorites

Asian-Inspired Basket Bag

Daisy Waves Buttercup Bag

Skort for my active little girl

2010-11-25T10:28:00.000-08:00

Because she loves wearing skirts and dresses,
but hates doing quiet activities
So I combine a short and a skirt of her into this

Saved much time for making waistband and co.
Skort is highly recommend to make if a favorite short has stain on it or a skirt waistband becomes too tight.
You have just to cut off the waistband of skirt, then serger/hem/use pinking shears the top and gather it to fit the short. Sew. Finish.

Gift for my niece

2010-11-03T10:28:00.000-07:00

Dress: Itty Bitty from Made by Rae. Some changes of mine: ribbon hem, and I cut the skirt piece not as long as in tutorial. I made also ribbon hem for lining, french seam for skirt piece, so that my little niece doesn´t be bothered of raw seams because I own any serger.

Bonnet: my own design. But you can use this too

Booties: Stardust

Bib: made by Petchy

Thanks all for sharing your great tutorials.

Tutorial: faux layered t-shirt

2010-11-01T01:39:00.000-07:00

If you could see this shirt on Emmi, you may relize both the sleeves and the bodice are short. But this is looks nearly new and fits Emmi anyway. She is skinny little girl.

So I cut and sew some pieces from fabric as you see in picture below to make it into layered t-shirt. It should looks like a t-shirt with shirt inside, and the sleeves will be rolled up.

Here's what I came up with....

Some pics below might better to show how I made it

Lengthen clothing

2010-10-25T05:44:00.000-07:00

with fleece from an Ikea blanket for bottom and straps. I took off old straps (they´re too short) and make new ones with elastic and fleece because I want ruffled straps. If you don´t, you can use fabric to make straps instead. Remember to attach button or make button holes if needed.
I added also some rolled rossettes.

with eyelet trim from a old shirt...

Sadie shirt is finished

2010-10-24T08:05:00.000-07:00

I finished this shirt last night. I done cutting several days ago but couldn´t sew this a long with Jess at Craftiness is not Optinal. Tutorial of Jess is very detailed. I, as usual, didn´t see every photos throghout. So only after finishing the shirt, I relized that my shirt does not have the contrast center piece in front placket.

Not very satified with the finished shirt. This is my very first sewn-from-fabric-shirt. Maybe sleeves and neckline should be changed to fit Emmi better. But I learned a lot. Thank you so much, Jess. After this sew-a-long I found out, that only taking the neddle can help us to collect experiences in sewing.

Maybe someday I will make an Emmi-shirt :)

Sewing clothes makes me happy. Because I have a little model who enjoys wearing everything her mama made.

I join this sew a long

2010-10-14T00:52:00.000-07:00

This may be a kick for me. I have too many things to do, but too lazy to finish the to-do-list.
I will make ones for Emmi. I saw for her some clothing but only one shirt.

Barbie dress

2010-10-03T07:06:00.000-07:00

My love with making barbie clothing grows up after I saw some simple, easy too make but expensive barbie clothing at toys store :D

I used white lace and black ribbon for the clutch. Can you see it clearly? It makes me think about Chanel because of the combi of black and white. So I call this Chanel clutch.
Dress: use tutorial of Jess
theadventuresofroryandjess.blogspot.com/2010/08/barbie-dr...

Women tunic becomes dress

2010-10-03T07:02:00.000-07:00

Emmi likes this much. She loves any comfy but dressy clothing. Err, not sure if this dress dressy enough, but at least it is dressy nach opinion of my little daughter :)

I grab one of my tunic, cut it as shape of a dress and sew.

The neckline opening of my tunic is too big for Em. So I add tiny elastic in the neckline, use original neckline as casing.

Onesie into shirt

2010-10-03T06:47:00.000-07:00

How simple is this way. You must only cut off the bottom of onesie, serge or hem or make lettuce hem (like me). I will make more onesie-shirts when my little BEN grow out of his onesies.