Shirred Bubble Romper Tutorial

Good grief.  How is it the end of June?!?  One thing I love about holidays is making my littles some special outfits.  It just helps make a special day even, uh, specialer.  I got my ducks in a row this time and have the outfits done in time to share a tutorial.  Be impressed.

I have a serious obsession with the rompers that are so trendy these days.  I was thinking that maybe the Sunbean was too old for them, but I'm so happy I made this.  It's seriously adorable.  And easy!  In fact, I finished in one nap time with a cranky/sick toddler on my lap.  No exaggeration.  I love it because the top is shirred, so it's really comfy and easy to put on and take off.

I used four different fabrics, but it would be just as cute with two or even just one.  You'll need about 1/4 yard for the bodice, 1/2 yard for the bottom, and then some bias tape or scraps for the trim.

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First, cut out the pieces.  I'm no professional seamstress or pattern-maker, so this is in no way exact.

  For the bodice, measure around the child's chest, and then multiply it by about 1.5.  That will be your length.  I used a width of 5 inches, so go shorter for a smaller child and longer for a larger child.

Example:  Sunbean's chest is 21 inches x 1.5 = 31.5

I cut out one strip 31.5 x 5 inches.

Then you'll cut that strip exactly in half.  To make a space for the arms, just fold the ends together and cut out a little curve.  No need to be exact.

Then I took a pattern I had for shorts, and used the basic outline for the bottoms.  But make the top really long.  I just used the full length {or is it width?} of my half-yard.

Then you'll need to cut out the trim pieces.  I cut out a long strip {18 inches x 6 inches} to use for a sash.  You'll also need 64 inches {two 32-inch pieces} of bias tape.  The pre-packaged stuff is fine, but I cut some fabric on the bias to make my own.

So you should have a pile that looks like this:

Now for the sewing.  I started by making my bias tape.

Next you'll need to finish the top edge of both pieces of your bodice.  I turned mine under twice and stitched.

Then for the fun part:  shirring!  If you've never shirred with elastic thread, read up on Ashley's tutorial here.  Don't be scared.  It's fun!  You'll end up with two bodice pieces, nicely shirred and pressed.

The next step is to sew the bodice pieces together on the side.  If you have a serger, go ahead and finish the edges, too.

Now add one piece of bias tape to finish each armhole.  It's starting to come together!

Now for the bottom part.  Put the shorts together as you normally would, serging or otherwise finishing the edges.  You'll end up with a very high-waisted pair of shorts.

To finish the leg openings, just make a casing and pull some thin elastic through.

Almost done!  Now attach the bottom to the bodice.  You will probably need to slightly gather the bottoms to fit.  I got all fancy and topstitched the bodice, too.

To finish it off, I just added a little tie in the front.  Sew your tie piece in half, then flip and topstitch.

Tada!

All ready to run, jump, and play!

Tomorrow?  A {really!} quick project for your little man!

Using a Reflector

This is for all the mommas out there.  You know, the ones who want decent photos of their kids.  Well, unless you have a 3-year-old, a la the Sunbean, and then you'll never get a decent shot.  That child is not a fan of photography these days.

One of my favorite photography tools is a reflector.  Here's my typical setup for Little Dude's weekly photo shoot.

I'm a natural-light photographer, so I never use a flash.  I'm just not a fan flash photography.  So when shooting indoors, I often move around furniture so that I can have a space with lots of natural light.

Here's where the reflector comes in.  It causes that natural light to bounce back on the subject, resulting in a well-lit image instead of lots of shadows.

For example, here's a SOOC (straight out of camera) shot without a reflector:

And here's another SOOC using the same settings, with a reflector:

Crazy different, huh?

Here's the best part.  You don't need a fancy, expensive reflector {though I'm sure they work better}.  My reflector is a simple foam board.  It was 2 bucks at Target, next to the poster boards.

If the subject is sitting or standing, just have them hold the reflector.  You can also have someone else hold it, too.  Just do what works with you, your subject, and the shot you want.

So on your next shopping trip, grab a foam board and start snappin'!

How to Print on Fabric

Do you have this problem?  I always get this 'idea' in my mind of an exact shirt I want, for me or my littles, and then I can't find it.  Or it's too expensive.  Most of the time, I just make it myself.  But sometimes that's hard, like if it's some sort of screen print.

Then, I had an idea.  I have a good printer.  Well, I think.  I like it, at least.

Why not print on fabric?  I've seen tutorials for freezer paper and the like, but I didn't ever feel like messing with that.  So why not?  Worst case scenario, I have to replace the printer.  Good thing it worked out.

Here's what I did.

First, I started with an old knit shirt.  It had little holes all over and more than one stain.

Then, I cut a piece to 8.5x11, for printing.  I also cut a piece of WonderUnder to the same size.

I ironed the two pieces together, and then taped it to a sheet of cardstock, to stabilize it for the printer.

Then I dinked around in Photoshop until I had a few things I wanted to print, crossed my fingers, and pressed 'print'.

It worked!

 

Then I just used the 'knit' stitch on my sewing machine to attach the graphics to shirts.  The top one is a cute little onesie for Little Dude, and the bottom is my new Republican shirt {go Mitt!}.  Don't be mad, Dad.

 

Here's a tip:  if you're ever in the market for a plain shirt {retailers totally missed the boat on that market}, check out the girls' section.  I can get by with a large or extra-large, and they are usually half the price of the same thing in the women's or junior's section.  So dumb.

I have no idea if this is machine-washable.  I figured I'll find out when it's time to wash them.

All in all, I'm pretty pleased with my $5 project!

Quick Shirt Upcycle

 

I recently followed this tutorial to transform an old shirt of MacGyver's.  I'm loving the nautical look.

The best part is that it only took about 20 minutes.

Happy Sewing!

On the Ninth Day of Christmas...

...my true love gave to me:

oven mitt tutorials!

Remember the family stocking-stuffer exchange thing?  Here's what I made for some aunts + a bachelor cousin.  They were super easy.  I used a mixture of the following tutorials:

Skip to my Lou

Diary of a Quilter

Heather Bailey Design

I decided to use the Insul-Brite stuff for the inside to make sure they were actually usable.  It was surprisingly easy to work with.

You've still got time to throw together a few of these for a last-minute gift!

 

The First Day of Christmas

The Second Day of Christmas

The Third Day of Christmas

The Fourth Day of Christmas

The Fifth Day of Christmas

The Sixth Day of Christmas

The Seventh Day of Christmas

The Eighth Day of Christmas

 

On the Seventh Day of Christmas...

...my true love gave to me:

a quick coaster gift idea!

Okay, folks, this is thee definition of a quick, cheap, and easy gift.  And it's totally cute.

As I mentioned before, we did a stocking stuffer gift exchange with my aunts and uncles.  I had planned to make some soda can coasters, but that was a giant fail.

So I busted out the Modge Podge and used photos instead:

It was super simple.  I started with the 10-cent tiles from Lowe's, and some 18-cent prints from Walmart (which got flagged as professional photos...score!).  Modge Podge the tile, put the picture on, Modge Podge on top of the picture, and then spray with clear enamel spray paint.

I added some felt to the bottom, tied them up with some twine, and tada!

We gifted these yesterday, and they were a hit.  Give 'em a try!

 

The First Day of Christmas

The Second Day of Christmas

The Third Day of Christmas

The Fourth Day of Christmas

The Fifth Day of Christmas

The Sixth Day of Christmas

On the Fifth Day of Christmas...

...my true love gave to me:

a men's tutorial round-up!

This year, with my aunts and uncles, we are doing a 'stocking stuffer' gift exchange.  Basically, every adult buys or makes something to put in the other adults' stockings.  And you know me, this is just a great excuse to try out some new projects.

Except one problem.  Half of those stockings are for men.  And men are notoriously hard to craft for.  I've been searching high and low for some good men's craft tutorials, and here's what I've found to be useful.

Gift Wrap Coasters

Soda Can Coasters

Laptop/iPad Sleeve

PJ Pants

Felt Slippers

Next week, I'll blog about what tutorials I used for my stocking stuffers!

The First Day of Christmas

The Second Day of Christmas

The Third Day of Christmas

The Fourth Day of Christmas

Bias Tape Pillow Tutorial

A few months ago, I spied a pillow at my favorite store.  I would have bought it, too, but I'm just too cheap to spend $20 on a pillow that you can't even wash.

So, of course, I sped home to re-create it.  It was so easy, and cheap.  And kinda fun, too.  If you're in the market for a fun new pillow, try my

Supplies Needed:

old pillow or pillow form

1 yard-ish fabric (I used duck canvas)

2 packages of bias tape

1. Follow Martha's method of creating an envelope pillowcase.

2. Before you sew the envelope together, lay out the bias tape in the pattern you like.  Put the pillow at the top so you have an idea of what will be on the front of the pillow cover.  Note:  the sacked-out baby in the background is not required, but suggested.

 

3. Stitch the bias tape on.

4. Fold the cover and continue with Martha's envelope tutorial.

 

Tada!

Some Pinteresting Socks

99.9% of my leisure time is spent on Pinterest.  And I know I'm not alone.

I kept seeing these pins for cute boot socks with lace and buttons.  I loved the mix of trendy and vintage.  Since they are going for an average of $40 on etsy, I figured I could make some easily enough.

And!  It's a quick project.  Behold:

It's so quick, in fact, that I didn't take any pictures.

Supplies Needed:

one yard of lace

knee socks

buttons

1. Cut the lace in half so you have two half-yard pieces.

2. Machine-sew them onto the top of the socks (make sure you stretch and sew at the same time).

3. Sew the buttons on.

Done.

So far, they haven't gotten good reviews from my critics, but I love them and that's all that matters.

Today I'm wearing them with boots, skinny jeans, and a sweater.  Cozy for a Saturday.

Polo Tutorial

Picture this.  One crabby toddler.  One screaming newborn.  One momma on the search for a plain navy shirt for her daughter.

The major retailers missed the boat on plain.  I just wanted a plain navy shirt to compliment the Sunbean's July 4th pants, thankyouverymuch.  Well, they don't make plain navy blue shirts for little girls.  At least at Target, Old Navy, or Kohl's.  And that's about all the aforementioned trio could handle.

So I grabbed a little boys' navy blue polo and figured I'd make it work.  For your viewing pleasure:

Quick Thank-You Gift

You know how sometimes someone does something that totally saves the day?

That happened to me on Sunday.  You see, I'm the Primary President {read:  in charge of roughly 50 of the under-12 crowd}.  You know I just had a baby, so I've been out of commission for a few weeks.  Well, on Sunday, one of my counselors had a family function to attend and couldn't teach the lesson.  The other had just gotten home from Girls' Camp {one week of rain + teenagers + camping + no sleep}.  I could not, in good conscious, call and ask her to teach.  So I called in the Stake Primary Pres, and she agreed to teach {and did a fabulous job, of course}.

I needed to thank her, and I knew I wanted a tasty treat to be involved somehow.  Because, you know, when you don't go to the store on Sundays, tasty treats become a hot commodity.

I saw something similar to this on Make It and Love It.  But I went the lazy just-had-a-baby route and bought a chinese takeout container at Hobby Lobby, some candy at the Dollar Store, and whipped up a little flag on Photoshop.

But I thought someone else might need a You-Totally-Saved-The-Day gift, so I thought I'd share.

Happy Monday.

N is for Nesting: A Really Strange Tutorial

In my life right now, there are about 1 million pregnant people.  No, really.  Friends from high school, friends from church, friends from mom's group, friends from college.  That makes me sound like I have a lot of friends!

If you're like me, you like to stay away from the boring baby gifts.  I love giving handmade gifts, especially for a baby.  Well.  If you are looking for a unique shower gift, I've got you covered.  This one takes the cake for unique.

First, a little background.  So far, I just have a little girl.  Changing little girl diapers is a cinch; nary a leak or spray.  A few days after we brought the sweet Sunbean home from the hospital, our friends with a one-month baby boy came to visit.  And during a diaper change, that darling little boy produced a spout of urine that arched clear across my couch!  Yikes.  I saw a product similar to this, and it got my wheels turning.  So, without further adieu: