Sail Away Again...

 Earlier this spring, I made some pants that I really loved. The Ahoy Pants. Seriously my favorite pants. So I was pretty sad when Abbey out grew them. I was going to just add cuffs to the bottom, but I decided to just make some new ones up. I changed a few things this time around. I made the flap in front a real button flap front. I also made them from denim this go around.

 Perfect for the the winter time. Especially when it is paired with the sweater I made last year. SO let me show you the changes I made for this pair. Other wise you can follow the Ahoy Pants tutorial.

 For the front flap I cut out two flaps. Then I put some strips along the sides of the front flap. Then I put the other piece on top. Sew along the sides and top. Then turn it right side out.

Then for the flap opening I stitched some flaps to the sides and then turned them around to the inside and stitched them in place.

 Then sew some button holes and buttons on and done.

 Then for the pockets I skipped the fabric strips and added some buttons to the back pockets. I pressed some folds in the legs for detail.

 I love the cute little back pockets...

 And the buttons on the front. The cute wide legs... I am so glad that I made another pair... and I added an extra wide hem on the bottom so I can let them out when she grows.

Since she grows a little everyday... Enjoy!

An Indian Summer Tunic

 Are you having unseasonably warm weather? We keep thinking that winter is here, and that maybe we will even get some snow here soon. However the days keep getting sunnier and warmer and we have been loving some fall weather! The midwest chick in me is really wanting some snow, but as long as it comes before Christmas I will be ok. So I made an indian summer tunic for Abbey which is a twist from my favorite summer tunic. Remember the chevron tunic? Well this go around I added sleeves.

 I still love the buttons down the back...

 And the little cuffs on the sleeve. But who can resist a big circle neck line?

 So as I said I followed the same idea HERE only like the original pattern I did have the circle go all the way to the shoulder and I cut in a neckline. Then I cut out a sleeve piece, and cut a triangle slit in the bottom edge. I made a small facing for the slit.

 Then with right sides together I sewed the facing to the slit.

 Then turn the facing to the back.

 At this point you should have the tunic front and back sewn. Then instead of finishing the arm openings, you will sew your sleeves in place...

 Like so.

 Then with right sides together sew the arms and sides together. (following the black lines)

 Then with a rectangle folded length wise I sewed the raw edge to the bottom of the sleeve. I folded under the edges that hung over the edge.

 Then top stitch the cuff in place.

 Sew some buttons on the cuffs to secure the flaps.

 The last thing I did was I added the buttons to the back (real this time) I also made a felt dahlia flower for the front.

 I love the oversized neckline.

 Textural flower, and sweet cuffs.

 The perfect little top for enjoying the last little bit of fall weather.

Adding some warmth to those Tees

So this was a big "organize" weekend. I am a "everything has a place" person (enter my husbands laughter) My husband is a neat freak, so he likes things to just look clean and I like things to be a certain way. Normally it works out fine, and then it seems like everything just needs a gutting and organizing. So I did that over the weekend. It even spilled over onto the blog if you notice the new look, and something else that I will announce tommorow. Another thing I did was gut the kids closets. They have been over flowing with summer clothes and I was getting a little tired of sending Jude back into his room several times to "change into something warmer" I guess he is not as excited about the cooler weather as I am? Well you know what I found when I emptied his room of clothes that don't fit and for warm weather? The poor boy has no clothes. Since the idea of literally buying him a whole new wardrobe seemed over the top, we decided on some ways to make his summer wardrobe (the pieces that still fit) work for winter. So I have a few simple ideas that will be shared the next little while to extend your summer wardrobe. They would totally work for any gender and any size. I might even work in a few for me :) So let's get started today with the easiest. Adding long sleeves to a short sleeve shirt. 

 I started with this shirt. One of Jude's favorite shirts (can't imagine why?) You can grab any short sleeve shirt and you will need some scraps of knit that match, (or look good together) You could also use an old shirt from the scrap pile, or check out the clearance section of stores (old navy is a favorite) and buy an XXL tee in a fun print to use for as many sleeves as you want.

 Fold the knit in half and line it up with the sleeve.I got this knit off Ebay, I used it for a Claire top as well, it was 4 something a yard but then shipping was 5 bucks so it came close to 10 for a yard (yikes!) It was a hard pill to swallow since I am cheap, but I am making the best of it. Tuck the knit into the sleeve. Cut where desired for length.
This is where if I was doing it for one of my shirts I would make the sleeves super long.

 Then with right sides together fold the sleeve and sew up the raw edge.

 Then hem the end of the sleeve. I use a double needle (and apparently thread that doesn't match... I was too lazy to switch when I realized the cuff would be grey not cream) The double needle allows stretch and gives it that "professional" look.

 Then pin the sleeve to the shirt.

 Then I slip the sleeve onto the arm of the machine through the neck opening. and sew the sleeve in place. If you are using thread that matches you could sew along the same line and no one would ever notice.

That's it. BAM! Long sleeve shirt for cool winter style and no need to go out shopping for a whole new wardrobe.

Jude loves his "new" shirt. I think we are both glad this one gets more use :)

And since the kids are a little obsessed with "matching" Abbey was sure to pick her striped Claire top and then hop into the pictures. (Holding hands was her idea and the "cool" dude decided to oblige)

The Simple Dress

 My daughter needed a dress. Both of my kids have gone through serious growth spurts suddenly and when we got them dressed for church it was truly embarassing. They looked like the most rag-a-muffin bunch with clothes that looked 2 sizes to small. Why do they do this? I swear one day everything fits fine and then next they are popping out of every seam and their pants turn into shorts. So my daughter was in need of some new dressy clothes. Normally I go skirt and shirt but I like the ease of a dress, no matching tops and bottoms just throw one on. There is nothing better than a simple dress. So I whipped up a simple bodice and bubble skirt with pleated details. Simple comfy and easy. I may even make one for myself... if I get around to it. So let's make one shall we?

 Let's start with the bubble skirt. Cut out one band that fits comfortably around the waist and hip. I made mine about 5 inches thick but basically you want it to be quite a bit shorter than the actual skirt length. Then you will cut a rectangle that is wider (about 2 as wide or more) and for the length determine how long you want the skirt to be and the height of both strips together should be twice the length of the skirt. (cause it will be folded...) I hope that made sense...

 Then I cut out a basic bodice front and back, and two sleeves. (need help drafting?) For the back add an inch or so for overlap so that you can put buttons in. I also made the sleeves a slightly longer short sleeve. I made the top bodice out of fleece since I had lots of scraps laying around after making the Abbey Jacket

 Now to make the skirt you will gather one edge of the larger rectangle and sew it to the smaller rectangle (need help gathering?)

 Then with right sides together fold the skirt in half and sew up the side.

 Then fold the skirt so all the seams are on the inside and the raw edges are together at the top. Pleat the larger outer layer to fit the inside smaller skirt. sew the pleats in place. Skirt piece done! (you could just add an elastic waist band and stop here with just a pleated bubble skirt if you wanted)

 for the bodice I started by sewing the front and back pieces together at the shoulders.

 Then I cut out some neck facing and sewed it at the shoulders as well (need help with facing?)Sew the facing to the right side of the neckline. Then turn it around to the back and top stitch in place.

 Then we will sew the sleeves into the arm curves. Like so. (I added some little pleats up at the top.)

 Then with right sides together sew up the sides of the bodice and the sleeves.

 Then sew the bodice to the skirt overlapping the back flaps.

 Then I sewed a rectangle to the right side of the back bodice opening. Then I turned it around to the inside and top stitched in place. I did this to create a thicker layer for the button holes.

 Then sew on buttons and button holes. (need help with the fabric covered buttons?)

 Now the dress could be done, but I wanted to add a simple little bow to the front for an added touch. To so this I took a rectangle and folded it length wise and sewed down the edge.

 Then turn it right side out and center the seam to the middle back.

 Then fold the sides in so that they overlap in the back.

 Then sew to secure.

 Then cut a smaller rectangle and fold in the edges.

 Pinch the folded rectangle and then wrap the small strip around the center. Stitch to secure in the back.

 Then you have a cute little bow. I left the string on the bow so I could sew it to the dress.

 Then sew the bow on and done. A super simple dress with lovely little details.

 Like a sweet little bubble hem and pleated waist.

And I lovet he buttons down the back with a nice little pop of interest.