Toddler and Baby Fourth of July Outfits

I realize Independence Day has come and gone so this post is a bit moot but maybe it can give you some inspiration for other summer outfits or even next Fourth of July.  That's how quickly I seem to get to projects, planning a year in advance, anyway. :)

First is this cute little sunsuit for baby.  I absolutely love this and I wish I had the time to make a few more.  I'm not a huge fan of dresses on babies especially once they're entering the rolling and crawling stages.  They get all tangled up and just seem to frustrate the little one.  This sunsuit has snaps which make it easy for diaper changing but also nice and snug for your little one to move around.  I love how this turned out and it only took me a couple nights after the kids went to bed to finish.  Totally doable before summer ends.  Find the pattern and tutorial here at Made by Rae.

For my toddler, I made a simple sheared sundress.  I kind of just went on a wim with this dress because I have made these before and it is super simple once you get the process down (and I quickly scrambled the night before to get it done).  For a very detailed tutorial go here at GoogieMomma.  Don't get scared by the length and crazy math shown in the tutorial.  Shearing is so, so simple and it really is perfect for a beginner sewer.  The dresses are perfect for summer too because they are so lightweight and flowy.

This light blue flowery fabric is one of my favorites.  It was perfect for the fourth but isn't too patriotic that it can't be worn throughout the summer.  I just love how these turned out and I'm a sucker for matching clothes on my girls. :)

 

Just a little disclaimer here about my photos: I'm sorry they're horrible.  These outfits are so much cuter when they're on but I try not to post photos of my girls so they don't end up plastered all over Pinterest or who knows where. You can get an idea what they'll look like here and hopefully the links I posted can provide further clarification and inspiration.  I mainly like to share fun and free patterns and tutorials I find on the web.  There is so much out there!

Easter Dresses

Can you believe Easter is almost here?  Spring still hasn't shown up here in Nebraska but Easter is right around the corner.  This year I decided to make my girls' Easter dresses.

I'm not big on buying patterns because a. they are ridiculously expensive unless you hit a good sale and b. the sizing on them always seems really off.  If you look online you can find so many wonderful FREE kids patterns made by fellow moms that sew.  The best part is they usually fit really well.

The two dresses I made for Easter were made from online patterns and tutorials I found.  I wish I could take credit for these beauties but the links for each are below.  Use these sites as stepping stones to find soooo many other amazing FREE patterns and tutorials out there on the web.  Also, follow my Pinterest board "girl's sewing" for other fun little girl clothing patterns and tutorials.

First up is the dress I made for my 3 month old.  This pattern and tutorial found over at the Ribbon Retreat was so simple and easy to follow.  I altered it just a bit to make two tiers because I only had two fabrics I wanted to use.  Isn't this bunny fabric adorable?  It fits with the holiday but doesn't scream Easter which I like.

For my two year old I used this tutorial and pattern from Skirt as Top.  I made the Junebug Dress found here at Craftiness is Not Optional for Christmas so I knew it would fit just right.  I love the original version but I also liked the altered version at Skirt as Top so I thought I'd try it out.  Her tutorial was wonderful and super simple.  Again I altered it a bit by not adding the ribbon at the waist and sewing on some flowers to the side which match the hair clip she'll wear.

Now go out there and find some free patterns to make your little ones some adorable, unique and best of all handmade outfits! Happy sewing!

St. Patrick's Day Headbands

It's crazy to think St. Patrick's Day is almost here.  How is it already March?  That means Spring is just around the corner though so I'm not complaining.

I always like to dress up my girls for holidays but I'm not big on spending tons of money for something they'll wear one day. 

This year for St. Patrick's Day I made my two girl's outfits for under $2.50 total.  First up I'll show you how I made their headbands.

I found these super cute glitter headbands in the Target dollar section for a pack of two.  Then I got these glitter foam shamrocks at Joann's for about $1.50 when they were 50% off.  So there went my $2.50.  The rest was made with things I had on hand.  I'll show you how to make their matching shirts in an upcoming post.

These are so easy to make, it probably took me about 10 minutes to make both.

First lay out your shamrocks how you'd like them to look on your headband.  Then cut a piece of matching felt to be slightly bigger than your shamrock design.

Take your piece of felt and place it on the back side of the headband wherever you would like your design.  My foam shamrocks were stickers so I simply stuck them onto the felt until I had it the way I liked.  This part is hard to explain so hopefully the pictures help.

Then I reinforced the shamrocks with some hot glue.  Once your design is together, simply cut off the excess felt.  Smaller scissors like shown will definitely help with this step.

That's it!  Your adorable little headbands are complete and ready to wear!

My First Rag Quilt

When I was asked to make this t-shirt quilt I was little skeptical because quilts can be very time consuming! Then I found this cute idea to make a rag quilt. I used this tutorial http://cinnaberry-suite.blogspot.com/2011/08/t-shirt-quilt-tut.html and you can find many more on the web. They're so simple and so much easier then a traditional quilt. At first I was unsure about the rag look but once it was all complete, I really started to like it. Sorry I don't have better pictures, I forgot as usual.

Girl's Pillowcase Nightgowns

Well, I feel like a bit of a dud for not posting in so long.  I've kind of fallen out of the blogging vibe lately.  That doesn't mean I haven't been busy crafting though!

For awhile I was hooked on crochet and now I'm switching back to sewing.  Especially sewing little girls clothes.  My daughter is at the perfect age for making her all kinds of cute little outfits.

One of my latest projects were these sweet little nightgowns made from old pillowcases.  I love them.  I wish I could make one for myself. ;)

You can find the tutorial here at Prudent Baby.

You can easily alter the pattern to make the perfect size for your little girl.  You can switch them up as I have too..with sleeves, without sleeves, shorter, longer.

They are just the cutest.  And comfy too!

$0 - Little pumpkin...

In honor of the first day of Autumn tomorrow, Harper is sporting a new pumpkin hat.

I don't have a pattern for this yet because I just made it up as I went and of course didn't write any of it down.

I think it would be super cute in red for a strawberry look too.

This one was made mostly just to use up some yarn but I think it's so adorable!

Harper loves it too! She wore it forever while she played!

$0 - Crochet Owl Hat

Since fall has abruptly greeted us here in Nebraska I decided it was time to make some hats for my little girl.  And of course, with yarn I have on hand.  The first is a cute little owl.  I adapted this pattern from other patterns I've used and I'm sure there are similar ones on the web out there. As I'm fairly new to the crochet worlds, this is a rough pattern for a one to two year old.  I used a size H crochet hook.

Hat (hot pink):

Chain 3, Join

Round 1: 6 hdc in loop made from chain 3 (do not join)

Round 2: 2 hdc in each hdc around (12)

Round 3: 2 hdc in each hdc around (24)

Round 4: *1 hdc in next hdc, 2 hdc in next hdc* repeat around (36)

Round 5: 1 hdc in each hdc around (36)

Round 6: *1 hdc in next 2 hdc, 2 hdc in next hdc* repeat around (48)

Round 7: 1 hdc in each hdc around (48)

Round 8: *1 hdc in next 23 hdc, 2 hdc in next hdc* repeat around (50)

Round 9 to length desired: 1 hdc in each hdc around (50)

Slip stitch and weave in ends
Add ears using about 6 strands of yarn by folding them in half, sticking your crochet hook through one of your hdc on your hat at your desired position, pulling the folded loop through and then pulling your ends through the loop you just pulled through and tighten

Earflaps (hot pink):

Slip stitch to join with bottom of hat where you want your earflap to be

Round 1: chain 2, 1 hdc in next 10 hdc

Round 2: chain 2, turn, 1 hdc in each hdc across (10)

Round 3: chain 2, turn, skip first hdc, 1 hdc in each hdc across (9)

Round 4: chain 2, turn, skip first hdc, 1 hdc in each hdc across (8)

Round 5: chain 2, turn, skip first hdc, 1 hdc in each hdc across (7)

Round 6: chain 2, turn, skip first hdc, 1 hdc in each hdc across (6)

Round 7: chain 2, turn, skip first hdc, 1 hdc in each hdc across (5)

Round 8: chain 2, turn, skip first hdc, 1 hdc in each hdc across (4)

Round 9: chain 2, turn, skip first hdc, 1 hdc in each hdc across (3)

Round 10: chain 2, turn, skip first hdc, 1 hdc in each hdc across (2)

Slip stitch and weave in ends

Add second earflap in the same way on opposite side of hat

*Optional Step: To finish off the bottom of the hat, hdc around
Add braids at the end of each ear flap

Beak (orange):

Chain 10

Round 1: 1 sc 3 chain from hook, 1 sc in each sc across (7)
Round 2: chain 2, turn, skip first sc, sc in each sc across (6)
Round 3: chain 2, turn, skip first sc, sc in each sc across (5)

Round 4: chain 2, turn, skip first sc, sc in each sc across (4)

Round 5: chain 2, turn, skip first sc, sc in each sc across (3)

Round 6: chain 2, turn, skip first sc, sc in each sc across (2)

Round 7: chain 2, turn, skip first sc, sc in each sc across (1)

Slip stitch and leave long end to sew to hat

Hand sew nose to hat in desired position

Eyes (light pink):

Chain 3, Join

Round 1: 6 hdc in loop made from chain 3 (do not join)

Round 2: 2 dc in each hdc around (12)

Round 3: 2 dc in each dc around (24)

Round 4: *1 hdc in next hdc, 2 hdc in next hdc* repeat around (36)

Slip stitch and leave long end to sew eye to hat

Hand sew lashes using black yarn

Hand sew eyes to hat in desired position

Vintage Inspiration

This cute little outfit was made from this vintage scarf I found at a antique store for one dollar.  I made some shorts to match out of some extra pink fabric.  One day I will get to the sunhat I planned for this little outfit.  It's still a bit chilly here but once summer hits, this is the perfect outfit to stay cool in.

Before...

After...

Pajama Pants from Old T-shirt

I've kind of been on a repurposing kick lately.  After finding numerous clothes that were stained or I just didn't like anymore I got to thinking about what I could make with all this extra fabric I now had.  The first creation, pajama pants from old t-shirts.  My tutorial is not the best because I get going and forget to take pictures along the way.  They are so simple though I think directions will suffice.  These are so perfect for comfy lounging/night time pants. Plus, they take about five minutes to make.

First cut your tshirt's arms off and cut the front apart from the back so you have two pieces.

Then fold your fabric in a way that will make the t-shirt design stand out when the pants are complete.  This may take some time and hard thought. :)  Even with the thought in the beginning, they may not turn out as planned as I experienced.

Second lay your premade baby pants on top of your folded t-shirt.  You want the side seam of the pants lined up with the fold.  Mark around your pants leaving about half an inch for seam allowance.

Sew the legs closed like so.

Turn one leg right side out and place inside the other wrong side out leg (so right sides are together).  Pin and sew the two legs together.

Turn the pants right side out and fold the top over about an inch or whatever width your elastic is.  Sew the hem in place leaving a small opening to pull your elastic through.

Measure your elastic loosely around your baby's waist.  Pull your elastic through your hem using a safety pin.

Sew the ends of your elastic together using about a half inch seam allowance.  Pull elastic to encase it in your hem.

Whaaalaaa...finished!

Note: You can hem the bottoms and may want to hide the raw edge of your hem for the elastic.  I didn't feel this was necessary since the tshirt fabric doesn't fray much, it just curls.

Baby Cowgirl Boots

I haven't been able to take the best picture of these.  Harper is moving so much now it's nearly impossible.  I made these from a pattern I found here.  I had to alter it to make them a bit bigger but I'm happy with how they turned out.  Not sure they will fit much longer but they're adorable on her and more just for fun.

First Christmas Ornament

I haven't been able to find a first Christmas ornament that I really like.  I got one that simply says baby's first Christmas but I wanted one that said 2010 and I was having a hard time finding one.  I decided instead to make my own.  I took a simply embroidery loop and painted it red.  I got some printable fabric and printed Harper's 1st Christmas 2010 on it and had Harper do a footprint in the middle.  I wanted to do a hand print but that ended up being a big mess and didn't work very well.  I could hold and guide her foot better.  Then I just added some ribbon to hang.  Now maybe we will make a tradition out of this??

Leg Warmers

I really finished these yesterday but I was too tired at night to upload any pictures.  They're baby leg warmers for my little girl.  I think they are absolutely adorable.  I'm not sure how I'm going to incorporate them into her wardrobe but they are still so cute!  I just kinda made up this pattern and it may not work for all babies.  My little one is adorably chubby. :)

Baby leg warmers

Ch 25 and join with beginning chain

R 1: sc in each ch around (24) do not join

R 2: sc in back loop of each ch around (24) do not join

R 3-6: repeat round 2

R 7: hdc in both loops of each sc (24) do not join

R 8 - 15: hdc in each hdc around (24)

R 16: 1 hdc in next 11, 2 hdc in next, 1 hdc in next 11, 2 hdc in last

R 17 – 18: 1 hdc in each

R 19: 1 hdc in next 12, 2 hdc in next, 1 hdc in next 12, 2 hdc in last

R 20 – 22: 1 hdc in each

R 23: 1 hdc in next 13, 2 hdc in next, 1 hdc in next 13, 2 hdc in last

R 24 – 25: 1 hdc in each

Littlest Witch

I was trying to find a cute little costume for my daughter and I ended up finding an adorable little pumpkin but still wanted something different. I came up with this witch costume after wondering through Target, finding this hat, seeing a cute little shirt that said Mommy and Daddy are under my spell and then finding these adorable children socks. I attempted to make this into a tutorial but I'm not sure how good I did because I kind of just made it up as I went along.

What you will need:

Two pairs of socks $2 (I used one child size (arms) and one adult size(legs))

Onesie $1.50 (half off at hobby lobby)

Hat $1 (any size will work because I just cut it to size)

Fabric Paint $.50 (half off at hobby lobby)

Ribbon $1 (plain black half off at hobby lobby)

Tule $.50 (I used 1/4 yard of each color, half off at hobby lobby)

Felt $.50 (just one little sheet will do)

Hair Clips $2 (bag of six, you need 2)

Stuffing (already had)

Headband (already had)

Black thread (already had)

Black permanent marker (already had)

I made the whole costume for under $10. My hints are to look in the dollar section at Target and hit half off sales at Hobby Lobby.

First we will start with the tutu. You will need ribbon and tule.

Cut your tule into about 2 inch strips and double length you want the tutu to be.

Next cut your ribbon to fit around your babies tummy and a little extra to tie off. Then you attach your strip of tule. I did one black and one purple with each knot.

To tie the knot make a loop with the tule in the center of the strip, place the loop under the ribbon and then pull the loose ends of the tule over the ribbon and through the loop.

Continue attaching pieces of tule until you have the tutu long enough to fit around your baby's belly.

Next we will go to the hat. I found a child's hat at Target which of course was too big for a baby.

For the hat you'll need a little stuffing, some felt, left over tule and ribbon, and of course the hat.

Cut the tip of the hat off to the size you want your baby's hat to be. Next place the hat on some felt and trace the perimeter of the hat and cut out. Stuff the hat with felt and sew the hat to the piece of felt.

Then I simply made a miniture tutu like the one above and sewed it onto the bottom of the hat. Then hot glue some hair clips (similar to the previous headband tutorial) onto the bottom of the hat to attach to the headband.

Next up the onesie. You will need a onesie, fabric paint, stencil (or use a cricut like I did), some painting sponges and a pair of children's socks. First, lay out your saying how you would like.

Then simply use the sponge to apply the fabric paint.

I just used a black marker to fill in the letters with holes (such as "a").

To attach the socks to the arms you will first want to get rid of the ankle. It is hard to see in the picture but fold the ankle part of the sock down and sew a line straight across to hide the ankle and make the sock a tube.

Finally, pin and sew your socks to the onesie at the desired length. I just hand sewed them on because I found that easier but you could use a machine as well.

Finally, the leggings. You will need adult size socks, bloomers and some left over tule. You will want to do the same thing to the adult socks as you did for the children's socks to get rid of the ankle and make it a tube. Then, I just cut strips of tule and sewed them to the bottom of the socks. Also cut the toe part off of the socks.

Then sew the cut off end of your socks to the bottom of your bloomers.

I used the same technique as the onesie to put BEWARE on the back of the bloomers.

There you have it, the cutest little witch costume!!