Beachy Top

This top was constructed from my DH's collection of T-shirts.  Yes, I did get his permission to steal it, so I could construct this adorable shirt for my DD, Sierra.

Husband's shirt

We just love Kauai-it is by far the most beautiful island of the Hawaiian Islands.  It is nicknamed "The Garden Isle" because of its beautiful landscape!

So when my DH wanted to discard this shirt(because it was too small)-he bought it that way, I couldn't donate it.  Obviously, a long trip to return it.... so I saw this tutorial and decided "that's a great idea"

Here is the newly-designed, beachy, sassy, t-shirt!

 

Sierra was SO excited, she graciously modeled it for me.  I heart those straps and belt big time.  They are braided from the excess t-shirt fabric.  Awesome!  I added eyelet to the ruffled fold over to "girl it up".

The criss-cross in the back is the icing on the cake!  How fun is that?

 

I want one!  For the adult version, I would have to use knit fabric by the yard instead of a t-shirt.  That's okay... I have royal blue knit fabric in my stash just yelling at me!

Here is the tutorial for this beachcomber top!

http://tearosehome.blogspot.com/2010/05/guest-blogger-ruffles-and-stuff.html

Yes, I think I will make one for me, maybe a dress version.  As I am creating this in my mind, I hear my oldest DD in the background- I want a shirt like that- it is SO cute! 

My sewing projects will NEVER be done.....but I like it that way!

 

Another Elastic Waistband Skirt

My DD saw my flowery skirt and wanted one!  These are SO easy!  I made this one more flowy and twirly for my "tween".  She LOVES the denim fabric, of course!

I added the heart embroidery-it has a lace-look to it and I thought it would add a little spunk to the overall denim skirt-plus my embroidery machine has been feeling neglected! ;)


This heart design is from here:
http://www.embroiderthis.com/heofhesm.html
You might have to sign in as a member to download this free design-well worth looking at the other free designs, too!
My oldest DD wants a new skirt, so I am off to my stash of fabric and my sewing room....

Memory Dress

Every season when the pattern companies release their new patterns, I am always SO excited.  I love the new designs and styles they have come up with.  Recently, McCall's released some new patterns and when I received the email, I knew I had to have this one specific pattern.
The reason is seeing this particular style dress reminded me of a time and a place.  I was 16 years old and was asked to go to my first prom.  I had never been to a prom before and only just read about it in Teen magazine.  I loved seeing all the new prom dresses and smiling teenagers.
The dress I picked out was a white-satiny fabric with small lavender and purple flowers on it.  The hem on the bottom was just like this one-I believe they call it a "handkerchief" bottom!  I just LOVED, LOVED that dress.
This is the pattern!  McCall's #6113

I sewed up the shorter version for a more casual look, but my prom dress was the longer version!  This version was an easy sew for me.  I plan on sewing another one, but using a smaller skirt bottom, as I think it is a little too flowy to me.  I would prefer it looked more like the picture!  Anyway, I still LOVE the one I sewed-and for me!!!



The fabric is from Walmart!  It is a rayon fabric which lies so perfectly.  It has such a breezy, flowy effect!  I wore a black tank top under the dress, but it could be worn without it!  I want to try the next one with a knit fabric.
Loving that hem for sure.  I can remember dancing at the Cococabana in NYC wearing my prom dress and dancing to Michael Jackson!  Awesome! I feel 16 once again....
Okay, would it be wrong to wear this dress everyday?

Simple Flowery Skirt!

OMG!  I am in LOVE with this simple technique to sew up a skirt or dress! The tutorial is actually for a dress attaching a tank top to the skirt.  I did not have one I wanted to part with, so I figured-why not just make a skirt!
I did just that and only used the 44" inches of the fabric and not the 60" suggested.  I want to do a 60" wide one so it will be fuller and flirty-looking!


The fabric is from my stash-purchased from Joann's a few years ago.  I think a matching headband is in order.  Imagine this with a black tank top and some fun accessories such as a black necklace, matching earrings, and one of those chunky bracelets!
Here is the tutorial I followed:
http://megannielsen.com/2010/06/diy-fridays-how-to-make-an-elastic-waistband-dress.html

Thanks Megan for a great, easy, and fun tutorial! Thanks for the inspiration!
I am off to the store to buy some tank tops for my DD's and myself to make more of these! 
Enjoy!

So Beachy

Not only have I been preparing for vacation, but my poor blog has been on vacation, too!  I have a few projects that I completed prior to our family vacation and was too busy to post them.    I have been home for a couple of days and have been trying to get back in the groove. Sigh....
We went on a Caribbean cruise and had lots of fun.  By far, the time spent on the beach was awesome.  For us Arizonians, the beach is a real treat!  I miss the beach already...
Here is a beach ensemble I made my youngest DD, Sierra, who is SO fun to sew for.  I promised her a beach bag and this is what I came up with.


Pocket on the inside for all her little things!
 
I just LOVE, LOVE the fringed flip-flop appliqué, that I cannot recall where it is from.  I added a keychain to the beach bag for her never-ending collection of key chains!

What beach diva is without a matching cover-up?  This cover-up was RTW on super clearance from Target last summer.  $2.48 and voila-ribbon and appliqué flip-flops and it goes from vanilla to cookies-and-cream like!



Sierra just LOVED this set and strutted on the beach with it.  Reality is once on the sand, the beach bag fell from her hands and her cover-up came off her faster than a wardrobe malfunction!  ;)

Both fabrics are from Joann's.  It is home dec/outdoor fabric.  I used webbing for the handles and lime-green polka-dot ribbon for the pockets(yes those are pockets) and for the trim on the cover-up-also purchased from Joann's.
The flip-flop appliqué on the cover-up is from  http://planetapplique.com/all-appliques/flip-flops-applique/prod_312.html
As I am blogging to you and thinking of the beach, which was unbearably hot and humid, I am glad to be home in the desert of DRY HEAT.  Weather forecast for today-112!  Honestly, feels better than the 90 degrees on the beach.  Really....
It feels good to be home and being creative, once again!

Memory Pillow

My LJ's BFF(best friends forever) was moving to Mexico.  I can remember when I was that age and how your BFF was everything to you.  I am saddened that both girls have to endure this.  ;(

On Thursday, with one day left of school, and my DD's BFF leaving, my DD wanted me to make something "special".  Thank you DD!  I had to come up with something quick, special, and hope that I had all the supplies I needed.  I went to bed that night not knowing what to do and knew I had to have it done by Friday afternoon!

Memory pillow.... that's it!  Pillows are generally quick to make.  I found some fabric leftovers I had from another project and decided to use that!  I asked my DD for a picture of her and her friend that I could place on the pillow!

I used photo transfer paper that you print the picture on.  You then transfer it to fabric with your iron.  It was somewhat a tricky process as this was the first time I ever used this product.

http://www.munrocrafts.com/Tulip%20Photo%20Transfer%20Paper.html

 

Haste makes waste as they say, because the quality of it could have been much better.  User error on MY part, but I think it came out okay....

I also made the back of the pillow sham-like for easy cleaning.  Yes, you can machine-wash this in cold water.  It really is an amazing product!

My DD just LOVED it!  I am making her a replica, as per her request!  Her friend LOVED it, too and said the pillows are the colors of her new bedroom! 

When your last-minute creativity works out, it is a good day!  Under these circumstances, not really.  It is a sad day and I have a strong feeling some tough days ahead....

 

LJ's Shirred Top From Daddy's Duds!

I donated a huge pile of clothing yesterday-really!  My oldest DD, "LJ" has been studying all this week for finals.  I felt that she need a pick-me-up and nothing does it more for her than clothes-Hmmmmm, the apple does not fall far from the tree!
  She loves when I make her something and she has a matching accessory, too.  Her friends swoon over her outfits in amazement with her matching and personalized wardrobe. 
I all along had intentions of making my DH's sage green Hawaiian Top into a shirred one for LJ!  She LOVES them because they are summery and legal to wear to school because I make the straps thick.  No spaghetti straps are allowed at school.  A much limited summer wardrobe in Arizona where much of everything is thin straps!
Follow along for a fun tutorial!
Original Hawaiian Shirt
I cut the shirt just below the sleeves!  Save the rest for straps for the top and a fun accessory!

I like things really straight and it makes the outcome that much more professional-looking.  I took my straight ruler and squared the top of the shirt.  The already hemmed bottom I left untouched!

At this point you can make a narrow hem on the top.  I chose to attach white double-sided bias binding to it.  Why?  Honestly, I am not a huge fan of sage green clothing, but it suits my daughter really well.  I thought the crisp white contrast would make it pop and add that touch it needed.



IMHO the white bias binding was the way to go!  It is starting to look more feminine.
The next step is to hand-wind your bobbin with elastic thread.  Not TOO tight but somewhat firm.  Wind it 2/3 of the way, because when you let go, it will expand and this is normal.  Wind at least 2-3 at this point.  If you run out of elastic mid- way into a row, no worries.  Just place another bobbin in its place and backstitch and continue!
Elastic thread is awesome!  I also have it in black, too, which is great for darker fabrics!

I know it, but I crave perfection.  It does take a few extra moments, but SO worth it.  I take my disappearing ink marker and ruler and make straight lines.  I like 1/2" increments and I accurately made 8 lines, but you can do more if you like.  I found this is perfect for LJ!  If you are using a button down shirt as I did, allow enough room for your sewing foot to go across the fabric and not interfere with the button.  I actually made that area 3/4" to accommodate this.  Once shirred it will blend.....


Place the bobbin in the bobbin case.  I choose white thread for the top for the contrast.  Increase your tension to 8 or 9 and stitch length to 2.5 or 3.  You can practice on a scrap piece of fabric.  Once you have determined the numbers that work for you(fabric starts to gather) place the right-side of the fabric facing you under the foot of your sewing machine and follow your lines.  Make sure to back-stitch at the beginning and the end.  From buttonholes to buttons!
You will notice that your gathers may appear "loose" but as you gather row after row it starts to look like shirring.  After you finish all rows, it will look like this.


At this point, it is a good idea to cut all your loose threads and neaten up your shirring!  It usually is still a little "loose", but all you have to do is take a hot iron with steam and steam all your shirring.  I do the front and back and you will magically see it shrink!   Do not place the iron on your fabric-keep it a few inches away and steam blast!  I then spray it with a little water and it is perfectly shirred!  You can button up your top at this point!


Time to make straps, if you like!  As I mentioned earlier, wide straps are a must for my LJ to wear it to school!
I cut the fabric in strips longer than I needed.  I measured LJ to get this measurement.  I made hers 19 inches long each, because I wanted to criss-cross it in the back!  More is always a good thing.....




I cut the strips 19" long by 2.5 " wide.  I made an executive decision to add bias binding to the straps again for visual detail!

I had to find my LJ so we could do a fitting for the straps.  I wanted to strategically place the straps so her bra straps would be completely hidden!  While she had the shirred top on I carefully pinned the straps in place.  Front and criss-crossed the back!  Carefully remove top!
You can either serge or narrow hem the raw edges before sewing the straps in place.  Just keep your pin in place for the exact spot for your straps!
Easy, breezy, shirred top!






She LOVES her matching headband!  Now, on the last day of school, she can be fashionable and a brainiac as she takes her last final!

Flower Jungle Dress for DD!

Today's forecast is sunny and 99!  Yes, 99 degrees.  Piece of cake for us, really!  One way to feel cooler(and look divatastic) is too wear a flowy dress, such as this one.  Since I made my DD a top out of this same pattern, I decided to try the dress.  Easy and very rewarding in about an hour or so....

The pattern is Mccalls M6009!

http://http//mccallpattern.mccall.com/m6009-products-10707.php?page_id=843&search_control=display&list=search

I have the same pattern in my size and I would love to sew one up for me!  If you noticed this is one of the fabrics from my "fabric extravaganza" from last week.
With 2 days of school left, my DD's will be on vacation for the next 10 weeks.  I am hoping for some sewing extravaganzas and hope to NOT put my sewing machines on summer break.....  DD's permitting!

Hawaiian Top repurposed for DD!

Today I am really donating a pile of clothes that I have in my car!  When I come across the bag, it seems as if an article of clothing screams out to me to "save" them!  I LOVE hawaiian/tropical prints!  They are so casual and fun and bring me back to beautiful beaches and swaying palm tress... Yes, we have LOTS of palm trees here in AZ, but NO beaches.  Miss that....
Here is my DH's shirt he donated because he did not like what the fabric was made of!  It is very silky and flowy, not your usual cotton shirt!

I grabbed this shirt out of the pile(again) and decided it would make a great summer top for my DD!  She also loves hawaiian anything.
I used McCall's pattern # M6009.


http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m6009-products-10707.php?page_id=843&search_control=display&list=search
This is one of their "easy stitch" patterns and I would definitely use this pattern again.  This sews up really fast and I love the swing top style!  I am currently sewing a dress out of this pattern as well.  Stay tuned!
Here is my DD modeling her new top!  She was so delighted that she wanted to try it on right away.   Usually when she comes home from school, she needs some moments to unwind.  When I showed her this new shirt, she grabbed it from me!


I am pleased that she is pleased! ;)  As I hear hawaiian music in my head and sipping a mai tai, I realize that my vacation is almost over.  3 days of school left= 3 days of vacation left....  Another mai-tai PLEASE.....

Master Bath Valance Curtains(Finally)

The title of my post says it all-finally!  I mean a couple of years finally!  I had NO idea what to do.....until I read this blog.  She really is "centsantional" in every sense of the word.  When I saw this valance she made for her kitchen, I knew this was the long-awaited answer I was looking for!


http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2010/03/painting-kitchen-cabinets-etc/




When I purchased this bedroom comforter ensemble, it had it all.  Comforter, dust ruffle, shams, Euro Shams, decorative throw pillows and 2 sets of curtains and 4 valances!  WOW!


But I knew I had to make some kind of curtains for my odd sized windows in my master bathroom!






















Just in case you are wondering, my bathroom paint color is a subtle mustardy yellow.  It came out pretty vibrant in these pictures!


This is a very easy project!  It is practically a no-sew project( unless you want it to be) and you need a staple-gun!  Easy!


Please visit the link I posted for all the details!
Now, if I only could soak in my tub and enjoy my hard work!  Aaaaaaaa- okay, back to reality!