Jack & Jill Shortalls

Recently I volunteered as a tester for Amy over at Naptime Crafters. She has a wonderful shop called the Peekaboo Pattern Shop where she sells patterns to make cute outfits and accessories for your baby/toddler/child. She also has a facebook page, through which she asks for testers for her patterns before they go into the shop (a great way to work out the bugs!).

Because she has a daughter, she doesn't do a ton of patterns for boys, so when the Jack & Jill Shortall pattern came up for testing, I jumped all over it! After all, I'm always game to make things for my son, and when I can get the pattern for free, I'll take it! I consider myself to be a good enough sewer that any "problem areas" are usually things I can fix. Granted, I don't make clothing a whole lot, but the only way to get better is to try!!!

So, here are the pictures of my completed shortalls...if you like what you see, check out the Peekaboo Pattern Shop for more great patterns!

I Made My First "Big Girl" Clothes!

I'm in love with this skirt. No, seriously. It's comfortable, warm for winter, and cute! What more could I ask for?

The original tutorial is at the following link: Knit Skirt Tutorial

Just one thing: when you add the ruffles, be careful. When I went by the tutorial, I ended up with "wings" because the layers ended in points on the side. I had to go through and re-hem each side to make the ruffles rounded instead of pointed. It looked like I had 3 sets of wings without doing that! 

I also used a heavier knit material than the tutorial writer did (apparently), since my skirt holds its form more than the one pictured on that blog did. That's OK, it actually fits my personality better. 

Don't be afraid to try on the skirt before you add on the waistband/ruffles...I ended up taking mine in about 2 inches to get it to fit correctly! Remember that knits stretch, so unless the skirt you use to make your pattern is a stretchy skirt, you will most likely have to make this one smaller. Skirts that have zippers are a little wider than stretchy skirts, since they don't stretch over your body and conform to it. I used a zippered skirt for my pattern and didn't even think about that, thus creating more work for myself!

Aviator Cap

I follow this wonderful woman on blogger named Amy over at Nap Time Crafters. She has a ton of great tutorials, mostly for baby, but some for herself as well. She doesn't have all tutorials, though, she also has a pattern shop where you can buy the patterns for some truly great products!

I have purchased both her Aviator Cap and her Newsie Cap, but so far have only made the Aviator Cap because, well, it's winter and the Newsie Cap isn't the warmest hat in the world.

A word of warning...measure, measure, measure! I made one that was supposed to be 19 inches, but it turned out to be 21 inches because apparently my half inch is less than her half inch, and when you're using half inch seam allowances it's important! That's OK though, because Monkey isn't done growing, and while it works this winter (aka it's not falling off his head) it should fit PERFECTLY next winter.

Here's a pic of what hers looks like:

And here's what my finished product looks like. No, the right ear flap is not smaller than the left, it's just how it was laying on the table at the time:

Stylized Ear Warmer

So, I found this great ear warmer tutorial over on Pinterest. One version of the finished product looks like this:

I love this. It's easy, it's fast, and it's a great gift!

Here's what my finished product looks like:

I liked the look of one big flower on there. Of course, the picture isn't the best because it's not in natural light, but you get the general idea.

If you're interested in it, here is the link to the original tutorial over at Delia Creates. (OK, it's a link to her simplified tutorial, but she also links to the first tutorial on there if you're interested.)

I made this one as a gift, but I liked it so much I just may make one for myself as well!

Retro Flashback: Snood Tutorial

For Halloween this year, I didn't want to spend any money on my costume, and decided to go as a 1950's housewife/pin up girl. I did a pin up photoshoot for my husband last year for our anniversary, so I have the hair and make-up know how, and the wardrobe (for the most part). The only thing I was really missing was a Snood. Lucky for me, they're pretty easy to make! I used This Tutorial, but found it a little difficult to follow, so I adapted it into wording that worked better for me. I also did mine a bit smaller than the other tutorial, because it seemed like it would be too long for the amount of hair that I have.
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Supplies:
Small amount of yarn (probably about 2 oz)
D Crochet hook
Thin elastic headband
1 yd. Gosgrain Ribbon for bow (optional)

Stitches used:
TC=Treble Crochet
SC=Single Crochet
Sl St=Slip Stitch

Round 1: Chain 53

Round 2: TC in 12th chain from hook. *ch 4 sts, skip 4 sts, TC in next st*. Repeat from * to end of chain, TC in last st. Turn

Round 3:  Ch 9. TC in 1st TC of last row that you come to. *Ch 4, TC in TC of last row.*. Repeat from * until you have TC'd in last TC of previous row. Ch 4, TC in 5th st of turning chain, ch 4, TC in same st as last TC. Turn.

Rounds 4-8: Repeat Round 3.

Round 9: Ch 9. TC in 1st TC of last row. *Ch 4, TC in next TC*. Repeat from * until you have TC'd in last TC of previous row. Ch 4, TC in 5th st of turning chain. Turn.

Rounds 10-16: Repeat Round 9

Round 17: Ch 5. TC in 1st TC of last row. *Ch 4, TC in next TC*. Repeat from * until there is 1 TC left in previous row. Ch 4, YO 3 times. Hook into next TC in previous row. YO, pull through (5 loops on hook). YO, pull through 2 loops on hook 3 times (leaves 2 loops on hook). YO 3 times, hook into 5th st of turning chain, pull through (6 loops on hook). YO, pull through 2 loops 3 times (leaves 3 loops on hook). YO, Pull through all 3 loops (This is a TC dec for the purposes of this tutorial). Turn.

Rounds 18-20: Ch 5. TC in 1st TC of last row. *Ch 4, TC in next TC*. Repeat from * until there are  2 TC's left in previous row. TC dec between those two TC's.

Finishing: SC around the headband, working 2 SC's into each "mesh" space you created. (aka 2 SC's between each set of TC's around).

You can sew on the bow at what will be the top of your snood if you want.

Enjoy!

Shabby Chic Flower Headband Tutorial

I have to preface this tutorial by saying that I was inspired by the Tattered Flower Headband Tutorial I saw over at sew4home.com. However, when I tried to follow their instructions, which involve using a sewing machine to create the flower, I ran into some difficulty...so I decided to tweak it a little. Here you go...Have fun!
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Shabby Chic Flower Headband Tutorial

Supplies Needed:

3 2" X 44" pieces of fabric (use scraps...you can sew them together using 1/4" seam allowances)
Iron & Ironing Board
Corresponding Thread
Needle
Scissors
Stretchy Headband
Coordinating Button

1. Fold each end of each strip of fabric in (wrong sides together) 1/4". Press

     2. Fold each strip of fabric in half lengthwise. Press.

       3. Starting at one end, begin accordion-folding the fabric. You will want the long pressed edge to be at the bottom, and make the bottom as even as possible.

       4. Thread your needle with a LONG piece of thread (when ends are brought together and knotted, you will want this to be at least 30 inches...it's easier to cut thread off than to have to add more). Insert the needle as close to the bottom edge of the accordion folds as possible. Pull through.

       5. Continue folding and stitching through the bottom of the folds until the entire strip is folded accordion style and stays put with the thread running continuously through the bottom of all the pleats.

       6. Spread out your pleats until the fabric is 1/3-1/2 it's original length. Knot your thread so that it cannot expand more. DO NOT CUT THREAD.

       7. Begin "rolling" your folded pieces, keeping pleats in tact. Every 2-3 pleats, stitch through the bottom of the fold to attach it, in a roll, to the rest of the "roll." *

*Note...this is all about how you want it to look. I have yet to make 2 flowers that look exactly the same, and that's kind of the appeal. Just roll it as you would a cinnamon roll and stitch to keep it in place. It's all at your discretion. 


       8. Every once in a while, flip the "flower" over to look at the raw edges. These are what actually make up the base of the flower, so check to make sure you are achieving the look that you want. The stitches you are placing make up the base of the flower, where the "petals" grow out and up from.

       9. When finished, the BOTTOM of the "flower" will look something like this. Remember: no two turn out the same, so it doesn't have to be perfect, as long as everything is secure and you are achieving the look you want. I always think the bottom of mine look a little funky.

       10. This is the top of the flower. You can kind of see more of the "flower" when you look at it right side up.

       11. Begin to spread the "petals" apart. When you find the beginning end of the fabric, you have found the center, which is your marker for the button.

       12. Place your button in the center of the flower and sew on using the threaded needle that is still attached to the bottom of the flower. Again, DO NOT cut the thread...you will continue to use it to finish the project.* Repeat Steps 1-13 with remaining 2 strips of fabric.

*Note: if you use a standard 2 or 4 hole button, this is much easier. I happened to choose buttons with a single mount on the underside, which made it difficult to attach due to all the layers of the flower getting in the way.

       13. Using your still attached needle and thread, sew your first flower on  the headband. Placement is at your discretion (but I advise you put the seam in the headband at the bottom!)

       14. Place your second flower uncomfortably close to the first and sew in place. When the headband stretches on your head they will spread out and look much better.*

*Don't be alarmed if your headband starts to twist at this point...it's normal and will smooth out when you wear it.


        15. Repeat step 14 with the remaining flower. See how the headband starts to bend? Totally normal.

       16. If you're like me, and you like the shabby chic look but not to the point of it looking really ragged, trim off the threads that have started appearing all over the raw edges.

That's it, you're done! Wear your new headband and wow people with your crafting skills!