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!

$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

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