Ruffle Robe

Inspired by Dana's Ruffle Robe from MADE, I decided my little Scarlett needed one. I bought a used, ugly-patterned one at the thrift store for $1, cut it up for a pattern, and made my own version from some lavender and white terry cloth. I loved how it turned out. My only regret is that I wish I would have used a thicker terry cloth for added warmth.

My poor husband was confused why I would buy one robe, only to cut it up, to make another. There are some things only women understand.

Silk + Taffeta + Ruffles

With only 4 days before she is in my arms, I just finished her itty bitty blessing dress. I cannot wait to put it on her tiny little body in two weeks.

(Silk Taffeta)

I started the dress without a pattern and made it up along the way. However, I was struggling with the bodice so I ended up adapting the top of this pattern (I took off the sleeves and added the neckline flounce) for the dress.

Sewing for little girls is simply the best.

Total Cost: $18

Skirts Galore

I spent my labor day weekend trying to avoid going into labor (not for 10 more days!) and was able to get some sewing in. I was on a skirt kick and created 3 sassy skirts for Scarlett this fall.

I'm loving simple mod black and white and used strips of white and black cotton fabric to create this skirt. I purposely made it shorter since I think it will look sassy with super opaque tights and/or knee-high boots. Total cost: $8

Tulle and flannel together make for one feminine fall skirt. Last fall, I made a smock (below) with this same fabric and so now baby girl #2 and Scarlett can coordinate. Total Cost: $6

This may be my favorite skirt.....

I instantly fell in love with this fabric at Joann's Fabrics and was thrilled when it was on sale for only $1.99 / yard! I added matching pom-pom trim. While I know this makes the skirt hard to launder, I could not resist.


Total Cost: $9

Gorgeous

Leslie, from a room somewhere posted photos of this doily wedding dress and it took my breathe away! Have you ever seen anything more gorgeous? I have a million doilies from ebay and would love to use them in this way but can you imagine the hours of hand sewing this would require? This dress is a perfect example of how sewing is truly an art form. More photos of the dress found HERE.

*photo by Gia Canali

The Sunshine Skirt!

After making the can-can skirt for Emily, I just had to make one for little Scarlett. I decided to use summer yellows and oranges, like sunshine. It seemed like an appropriate way to kick off summer.

I love the Can-Can skirt pattern. It's so easy and flexible. Purchase it HERE. Consider it a crucial sewing investment for those with little girls.

It turned out a little big but I decided to just let her grow into it. I swear the only photos she will stand still for are the ones with that finger up her nose!

After making the skirt, I saw it against black and it suddenly resembled candy corn.

I had no idea that the summer skirt I was making would transition into her Halloween costume this October. I was multi-tasking without knowing it! Imagine it with orange tights, a white turtle neck and white coned hat. Perfect, huh? Now I just need another costume for our new baby girl, that will join us in September. Another Halloween candy would be prefect. Any suggestions?

Strawberry Party

Some friends are throwing a strawberry themed birthday party for their darling 3 year-old and asked me to make a strawberry inspired dress and party favors.

Here is what I created:

For the outfit, I decided to do a red and pink full can-can skirt. I topped with a simple tank that I embellished with a green ruffle, like the leaves on a strawberry.

While the skirt took a lot of work and time, it was not difficult and I'd highly recommend it! Scarlett just kept saying 'pretty' and was not happy that it was not meant for her. I'll have to make her one too!

The can-can skirt pattern can be purchased here: http://www.dana-made-it.com/2008/07/formerly-known-as-turkey-dressing-skirt.html

For the party favors, I created these strawberry barrettes.

And, for a gift, I decided to create this fabric strawberries that designed to be pin cushions but I just made them a lot larger for little Emily to play with.

The strawberries were EASY and FAST.

The full tutorial can be found here: http://embroideroo.blogspot.com/2009/10/strawberry-pincushion-tutorial.html

Sweet Shirred Dress

(Voile)

I came across a tutorial this darling Sweet Shirred Summer Dress at Pudent Baby and could not wait to try it. I loved the simplicity, shirring, fabric and colors.

Prudent Baby offers a photo tutorial here: http://www.prudentbaby.com/2010/03/sweet-shirred-summer-dress-pattern.html

I made my version with a lightweight cotton gingham, deep purple bias tape and a crocheted flower add-on.

While I do love the dress, I was a little disappointed that it did not meet in the center like the red one at Prudent Baby. Perhaps I did not cut it right or maybe I needed a lighter fabric. Or perhaps I need to find a technique to create tighter shirring. Oh well, she looks beautiful in it and that's all that matters.

I just had to include this photo with Scarlett's finger up her nose. Her finger practically lives up there these days.

Dotted Swiss

I have a weakness for dotted swiss. There is something wonderfully nostalgic about the texture and the tiny dots.

Last year, during my first trip to NYC's fabric district, I stumbled upon light blue dotted swiss with red dots. Instant love! The only problem was that the fabric was $30 a yard. I've never spent more than about $12 a yard for fabric in my life. With some persuasion, I talked the fabric store down to $20 for a yard and allowed myself just one yard of that sacred material.

I originally planned to make this dress (New Look 6688) :

However, when I went to attach the bodice to the skirt, I saw I did not make it long enough for my tall toddler. My solution was to drop the empire waist to a real waist (adding several inches), and adding some elastic to create separate skirt. For the top, I just added a bottom panel with several ruffles and a side zipper.

(Please note- these are separates and NOT meant to be worn together)

(Dotted Swiss and Grosgrain Ribbon)

Now that it is all done, $20 for the fabric seems like a steal :)

YOUR Layered Jersey Skirt photos

I just love getting emails from you with the creations you've made from my tutorials. It is so rewarding to see that others are enjoying the same projects I do.

Look at these two 'layered jersey skirt' creations.

Ali made this from two old shirts but it ended up being too tight for a skirt so she got creative and saved it by turning it into a tank! It turned out darling and I love the rose she added.

Krissy Taylor just learned how to use a sewing machine LAST WEEK and look at well this turned out (with the coordinating top). Alternating a solid with a pattern is a fun twist. Her 2-year old loves her 'dancing skirt'.

If anyone else has made this or anything else I've posted, send me photos. I'd love to see them! melhoney(at)gmail(dot)com.

Beautiful Collar

Katie Did is one of my favorite blogs to stalk and I've already posted about some darling dresses she made her girls HERE.

Here is another set of dresses, that she made, that I just adore!

She added a very feminine collar to a simple a-line dress to make it a standout. This collar was actually inspired my blossom tee.

The full post with a photo tutorial can be found HERE: http://katiedid.squarespace.com/katie-did-journal/2009/5/1/tutorial-flower-collar.html

The Perfect Dress

I've been on the search for a good basic dress pattern that gives a basic structure and is flexible enough that I can play around with. I think I just found it.

Leslie, from Creative Chicks call this the 'The Perfect Dress' pattern (Simplicity 4927) and created 6 beautiful variations with it.

The Tuxedo

The Little Red Dress

The Pink Lady

Metallic Linen

Jeweled Neckline

Denim with Pockets

Dots and Ruffles (from her Etsy shop)

I love them all! And you can bet that I ordered Simplicity 4927 the same day I saw this post. The possibilities are endless - it really is the best basic pattern to start with. You could add ruffles, appliques, tulle underneath, or whatever you can dream up.

**For the first time, I elected to get this pattern in the downloadable version, where I just print it myself. Mistake! It's 26 pages long and takes quite a bit of work to pieces the pages together to form the patterns. I'll be sticking to traditional paper patterns for now on.

Button Clips

Seeing these reminded me just how easy funky hair-clips for little girls can be. Just use hot glue to secure and you're done. However, they do warn to glue the buttons on with the barrette open and let dry overnight.

Yo-yo Tutorial

Yo-yos to make great embellishments for little girls (or big girls) clothes. You can add them to dresses, tees, skirts, or just about anything. I've fallen in love with the yo-yo and use it often. I've even had enough requests, that I started selling yo-yo embellished tees in my etsy shop HERE.

While they take time, anyone can make them! They are FAST, FUN, and do not require a machine (great project to work on while waiting for the dentist). They are also a great way to use up scrap fabric you have lying around. Use cotton, silk, seersucker or whatever.

Here is a great tutorial , from Heather Bailey:http://heatherbailey.typepad.com/photos/how_to_make_a_yoyo/hbyoyotutorial1.html

Enjoy!

Tips: Aqua Velvet Dress

After seeing my post on how I love this dress, Dana decided to share her tips and tricks for recreating this masterpiece. Hurray!

Full post with helpful tips found here: http://www.dana-made-it.com/2010/01/aqua-velvet-encore.html

Velvet Goodness

If winter were not half way over, I'd try to recreate this blue velour jumper that Dana created from MADE. Maybe I'll try it for next year.

(velour)

Full post with details found here: http://www.dana-made-it.com/2009/01/aqua-velvet.html

Ruffle A-Line

One of my favorite blogs to stalk is "Katie Did". She creates stunning clothes for her two blond beauties.

(cotton?)

I love these and sort of wish she was my best friend. I'd like to reproduce this someday but I can't seem to commit to a color combination (or maybe add a subtle pattern?). Suggestions?

Full post found here: http://katiedid.squarespace.com/katie-did-journal/2008/3/26/easter-dresses.html

Wow

Remember how excited I am to make this turkey skirt?

Well, check out these versions below that 'no big deal' made.

Are they enough to make a seamstress weep or what?! I can't wait to make mine! I'm thinking of different shades of gold and yellow for summer.

Ruffle Tulle Skirt Evolution

In April 2009, Pink Picket Fence created this tulle skirt, inspired off one she saw at GAP.

Dana, from MADE, was inspired by the pink skirt and made this Orange Bird skirt,

and then revamped it to make the Purple Bird Skirt.

This inspired me to make a cream and black version.

I used 1/4 yard of black cotton (2.99/yard, cut into five gathered strips sewn together and embellished with three strips of tulle. Total cost was $1.25. For the pattern, I made one up, using the market skirt skirt tutorial as a rough base. Next time, I will simplify the skirt to only two pieces and use many more rows of tulle.

I also want to try Dana's newset version of this skirt, the Turkey Dressing Ruffled Skirt -

Isn't it gorgeous? It's fuller and with more more ruffles. For the ruffles, she uses this nylon chiffon instead of tulle for a softer look. She sells the full pattern (23 page pdf file) with photo instruction for $6 in her etsy shop HERE. And she claims to have instructions to make it for adult too. I can't wait to make this in a plethora of bright colors for summer. Scarlett is going to be the fluffiest girl around!