Tuesday, April 23, 2013

A Pattern-Free Summer: Fancy Tank

While going through the girls' clothes I realized they had no sleeveless shirts. I got the idea for this adorable tank from Project Run & Play. I LOVE that website! The tank was created by {lbg studio}. Go check it out! I love the colors and accessories she used. The challenge on Project Run & Play was to remix one of my favorites, The Party Dress, by The Cottage Mama. The tutorial for the button placket is found here. The bloomers are a pattern that I drafted from a pair of the girls' pants.



 I'm not super thrilled with how the placket turned out. I think I made mine too narrow. I'm not a big fan of the clear buttons either. Now I know for the next time.


 I had enough fabric to make a matching outfit for my other little one.

I would suggest marking the sizes on your clothing. You never know if you may need to know later on. Also, I tend to notice my clothing being worn backwards when I don't dress the girls. I like to print little tags like these. Hmm, I see another tutorial in the future. ;)

Here they are! I actually got my little stinker to stand still for a photo. Aren't they just the cutest? They say fraternal twins tend to be very competitive. I would agree! They do love each other though, and some days they are so sweet to each other.

I love how the tank almost has a peplum look to it.





Friday, April 12, 2013

A Pattern-Free Summer: Knit Dress Updated

I just had to post a photo of the second dress. Ah! I think they are the cutest. Since I have twins I have to have two of everything. I would take a picture of my little chipmunk modeling the dress but it's hard to get a picture of a non-stop moving object. The last time I tried to get twin #2 to model for me she wouldn't stop jumping up and down. So plan to see a lot of twin #1. She LOVES to model.

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

A Pattern-Free Summer: Knit Dress

Our pattern-free summer continues with this adorable knit dress. I bought two large adult t-shirts at Goodwill for about $3. I had enough to make two dresses. I followed this tutorial: comfy knit dress tutorial. It was easy to follow and quick to sew. As you can see, the pockets are one of our favorite features.






Friday, April 5, 2013

A Pattern-Free Summer: Reversible Tunic and Bloomers

This year I am trying something new. I am going to make my little girls' wardrobe without using any patterns. I am only going to use tutorials or make my own patterns.
Here is the first outfit.



The bloomers I made by tracing a pair of the twins' leggings. For the tunic I used this tutorial: reversible summer tunic.
I love that the tunic is reversible. It's also very easy to make but oh so cute.




I've got some cute outfits planned so stay tuned!

Monday, April 1, 2013

The Perfect Princess Purse


I have four daughters, and even if my oldest will have nothing to do with anything "girly", we can never have too many purses. This adorable little purse took no time at all to make. I cannot take credit for the idea. I forget where I first saw the idea but when I went searching recently I could not find any directions for it. Here is how I made it.


Supplies:
2 pieces of fabric, 11"x 7"
2 circle bracelets

 You should have 2 pieces like this. Turn them over so that they are facing right sides together.

Now make a mark 3 inches down from the top on both short sides.

 Stitch about 1/2" from the edge, from one mark, all the way around to the other mark. Make sure to backstitch really well at the beginning and the end. This part will see a lot of wear.

You should have this. (Look really closely. I know it's hard to see.)

Turn your purse inside out and press the top edges over about an inch. You can press the raw edge under again about a 1/4".

Take your bracelets and fold one edge over one bracelet and hand stitch.

Here is the method of stitching that I used. I wanted those straight lines on the front. You can use whatever you want. Whatever holds it down will work.

Sewing around the bracelet can be a little tedious. I found it helped to hold it like this for the stitching.

Sew all the way to the end and tie a knot. Repeat for the other side and you are done!

See! What little girl wouldn't love this? It can even be worn on the wrist or arm like a bracelet.