Model to a T

Back in the fall I made a little ensemble for Livy for under $10 and was quite proud of it, especially it being my first:)  However, the sleeves were a bit long & then by the time I added cuffs, they were way too long!  So it has sat in Livy's dresser...






 And then I finally remembered to shorten the sleeves- this worked like a charm but I didn't like how the new seam looked with the existing top stitching etc... so I added some yellow grosgrain and coordinating hot pink buttons for beautification:)

 I also added the ribbon to the hem of the skirt and around the large flower adorning the shirt...and now I really love it!  And best of all, so does Livy:)

Livy wore this to church and seemed quite pleased with herself and has since taken to bringing me her play scissors and saying, "Cut my dress, Mama" aka 'Make me another dress'!!!

On to the next!
Tiffany

Fleece Remnant Trousers

Good morning, fellow bloggers.  With the disappointing news of the direction our country is headed for the next 4 yrs, I thought I would share some good news. I've been working on this little number for a few weeks, here and there, and it's finally done- my 1st fleece trousers!

I started with a fleece remnant found at Hobby Lobby for $1.79- sold.  Due to how the remnant was cut though, I had to do some fancy maneuvering to get trousers from it!  And since this was my first pair, made without any sort of pattern (really not needed for something this simple) I had to readjust multiple times.  I've discovered there's much less fitting for skirts vs trousers:)

I deemed this project to serve Livy as play "trouseys" (Livy calls them "foceys") but still wanted some frills to perk them up- gives me an opportunity to play and create...and learn:)

Since I was using a remnant, I scrimped and saved every bit to form rosettes and frills and added some baby white rick rack that I had on hand, for contrast- it was looking too much like cotton candy otherwise!

The rosettes were formed by knotting the end of a strip of fleece and attaching the rick rack with dabs of fabric glue, winding around and gluing until the desired size was achieved- I attached to the trousers with the same glue (need to dry for a long while!).

The waist was easy with some woven, non-roll elastic- loving elastic waists, despite the fact that I had to redo this as the original looked like a Hollywood waist, fit for Fred Mertz!!!

So here they are completed and ready for my Tornado:)

Once Livy tried them on, again, I realized that I over compensated on the length- the original length was too long so I trimmed...now they're perfect for play but just a tad short for proper fit purposes...I'm holding to the story that she grew over the past week though!

Once donned, Livy exclaimed excitedly, "Pink!" and insisted on going to "ride me bike" with her new "foceys"...

She was quite enthralled with the rosettes (aka "fowers") and kept checking to ensure they hadn't flown off during her wild riding of "me bike".

"Livy, do you like the trouseys Mama made for you?"

Livy: "Yesssss!  My Pink Foceys!"

Despite the fact that these "foceys" aren't perfect, I had a fabulous time adjusting, arranging & creating and learned a lot in the process.  And for approx $2.50, Livy has a new favorite pair of play "foceys"!

Ricky's take on this project?  "Couldn't we just buy her some so you don't have to do all this???"

In a word...no!  I'm having way too much fun!

Let me know if you have any questions- I'll be making a pair for Jonah too (minus the trim & rosettes!) so stay tuned:)

Tiffany

Fall Ensemble for Under $10!

So, I haven't posted much lately and it's not because I've had idle hands, just no time to share!

Here is an ensemble I just completed for Livy; 1/2 yard of fabric, T-shirt and notions and here we go!

First, I made a large flower using 2 hemmed/gathered circles of a fine whale corduroy print that I picked up at Hobby Lobby- fallish without being too pumpkiny:)  I cheated, attached the two pieces with fabric glue.

Next, I tried out a new idea: using a snap to affix the main embellishment for easier washing & versatile wearing- worked like a charm.

NOTE: since the flower is so large, it droops a bit with just the one snap so I plan to add another one or two for extra security:)

I also tried out some cuffs on the shirt (Land's End clearance!) that really tied the whole thing together:)

 

 

For the skirt, I attached 2 sides (right sides together) with a straight stitch and then zigzagged the edges (upper right pic). I ran a small zigzag along the bottom edge of the skirt 'tube', turned under and then hemmed with a straight stitch (upper left pic). 

NOTE: I like to add a second line of stitching at the base to give better weight.

For the waist, I did another zigzag along the edge, turned under and sewed along with a straight stitch, leaving a gap to insert the elastic.  Feed through with a safety pin, sew ends together (be sure to reinforce this!) and then sew closed 'the gap'.  Instant ruching- love elastic waists & Livy loved all the free movement!

 

Every ensemble should have a matching hair accessory:)

Hair bow ingredients: hemmed fabric circle (gathered in the center with a basting stitch), hair clip, threaded button, felt circle and a handy dandy hot glue gun!

 





During a Nutella snack, Livy insisted on trying on her new hair bow and was quite chuffed with it:)

So here it is, minus my model!  Was holding off on posting this, hoping for a great modeling pic, but since I've yet to achieve that, I decided to go ahead and share- will hopefully grab a pic of Livy twirling in this sometime this week...she loves the skirt...just won't stand still in it!

Still toying with adding some rick rack to the bottom of the skirt...what do you think???

Let me know if you have any questions- I realize I kept the instructions brief:)  Great beginners project- no pattern needed and minimal measuring of wiggly children:)

Cost:
Corduroy fabric (Hobby Lobby): $3.60
Elastic/buttons/hair clip/snaps: $1
T-shirt (Land's End): $4.99
TOTAL: $9.59

Thanks for stopping by,

Tiffany