Top 10 posts of 2013

I thought I would share the posts that received the most views in 2013.  Now that I look back, they all have to do with sewing.  Specifically children’s items.  Interesting.  If you’re into this kind of stuff, hopefully you will enjoy going back down memory lane with me.  The pics will take you to the post if you want to read more about the item (except for update pics).

TEN – Denim Quilt

Update:  So, I never made the quilt.  My husband put in a request for a pillow cover for his huge euro, and I thought this denim would fit the bill.  I stayed with the ombre idea and came up with a pillow cover that he is well pleased with.  Each side has a different design.

Before

After

NINE – Fleece pants & t-shirt refashion

Update:  We I liked these ruffle bottom fleece pants so much, I made another pair for this winter.  I made a long sleeve top with an XL cowl neck and incorporated an old sweater of mine for accent.

EIGHT – My chocolate drop

SEVEN – T-shirt refashion (high-lo peplum)

SIX – Fab collab

FIVE – Patchwork stripes

FOUR – Sophisticated romper

THREE – T-shirt refashion (handsewn edition)

TWO – A gift for Curly Cutie

THE MOST VIEWED POST OF 2013 – Men’s shirt refashion

I’m officially excited for the new year.  Oh what fun this year has in store.

There is a time to dream and there’s a time to walk it out.  I’ve spent this year dreaming.  So  you know what time it is.  Lol!  Who’s with me?

Sophisticated romper

Soooo, I decided to join in on Project Run and Play‘s Season 6  sew-along.  Why did I do that?  I really have no clue what I have gotten myself into.  This is a new world for me folks.  Deadlines can give me the heebie-jeebies at times.  I can be too easy going, so this is just the fire I need to kick start a new year.  I am a firm believer in starting where you are with all of your abilities and available resources.  And that’s just what I plan to do.

The theme for week #1 is a pattern remix challenge.  The party dress from The Cottage Home was chosen to be remixed.  Very cute.

So, basically we take the pattern and revamp it in some way to make a new design.  I made it a personal goal to use items I already have in my home.  I remembered a pair of jeans I had in my fabric stash and thought they would make great material for Curly Cutie’s outfit.  Fabric is a combo of cotton, them twins “poly” and “ester”, and elastane.  It has a nice subtle stretch and is not too bulky for an active girl.

I chose to remix the dress into a romper.  I consider my daughter to be a “tall drink of water” at the age of 5.  I just knew her long and lean body would be so cute in a sophisticated romper.  I had to get busy on the pattern.

I’m so glad I decided to make a mock-up of this outfit.  One, because my first pattern was too short.  Two, because I taped the bodice to the pant pattern backwards.  That thing looks hilarious, but it did what I needed it to do to get a good fit.

Changes to the pattern

–          Added length to bottom of bodice

–          Dropped the skirt and added a pant

–          Took a little more than 5/8” off of shoulder seam

–          Omitted the sash and added an elegant removable collar

–          Used thin black elastic for button loops

–          Used faux pearl buttons in place of fabric covered ones

–          I did not line the garment

For the collar, I used remnants from a curtain and a piece of lace my daughter so generously gifted me.  She’s beginning her own fabric stash and people actually give to her cause.

And for the full view.

I was so grateful CC allowed me to snap a few pics.  Most times she is so not a camera girl.  Although it seems as she’s getting older snapping pics is a little easier.  I do mean “a little”, a teench easier.  I was able to leave the original hem on the pants which was cool.  This is the beauty of refashioning clothes.  No yardage = no problem, just use what you have.  I also added a slight flare to the pant legs so they wouldn’t be straight up and down.

I had nothing to do with the crossing of the legs.  Lol.  I just go with what she gives me.

And as for The Party Dress…I rompered it.