Orphan/ Apron Dress Costume Tutorial

It has certainly been the month for making costumes and I can foresee that I will be putting my hand to many more in the future. This latest costume has been made for my daughters dance performance at the end of the year (talk about being organised). After coming up with zilch tutorials I decided to make one up of my own so as always I am not a pattern maker and I try to explain things as easy as I can but if you have any queries please leave a message below and I may be able help out.

The pattern provided is for approx 6-8 year old (depending on chest size) but you can increase or decrease as needed (info in pdf file).

Sewing level: easy to moderate

 

Fabric Flower.

With one day to go to a friend’s wedding I thought I should perhaps put a little colour into my outfit. I liked the idea of putting something in my hair but where to start. Google images. It is the place I go to for inspiration on a desired project. I suppose it is a bit like pinterest but I have yet to delve into yet another cyber outlet that can otherwise consume more of my time.

Anyways in my trawling through the photos I came across this tutorial on a flower collar by Katiedid. Very cute indeed.

I turned this great idea into a hair clip.

I ended up using light weight jersey, put a circle of felt on the reverse with a hair clip to attach. I am also thinking of adding a brooch pin. 

I am really pleased with how it turned out. As I had left it to the last minute to make I needed to make it right first time. In the end the wedding was beautiful and I wish the happy couple all the best in the future.

 

1 down 3 to go…

I have finally got my bottom into gear and started making my daughters school skorts (they look like a skirt but are infact a short). With only a week before school starts I am cutting things fine. I can dooooo iiiiitttttt.

1 made and 3 more to go.

I confess though that they are pretty quick to whip up as all the seams are unfinished. The great thing with working with Jersey as it does not fray.
You too can make one of these using my tutorial that includes a pattern for size 5/6.

Back to school tutorial round up!

With school soon approaching us it is time to get organising and preparing the wee ones for the year ahead.

Here are some great tutorials that will help you on your way (click on the picture).

My Skort Tutorial

Back Pack

Library Bag

Pencil case tutorial

Art Smock

Lunch bag

 

Skort Tutorial

The ‘Back to School Skorts’.

My little miss is not a fan of wearing shorts, yet as with most little girls they have yet to learn to sit like a lady. I had a search at other tutorials on the net but I was yet to find the right skort I had in mind. So off to the the drawing board and after a few failed attempts I ended with a working pattern.

Skort Tutorial pdf

I would love to see your end results or a review of the pattern so leave a link/comment below.

Happy Sewing!!

* I found that doubling your hem stops it from rolling up.

Super quick Bolero Tutorial.

I love love this super cute Bolero that gives you that little bit extra over the shoulders and also giving you funky layered look.

Once you draw up the pattern I swear it takes only 5 mins to sew up, thats if you are using a jersey stretch material that doesnt require hemming (always a bonus)

Here is my beautiful niece modelling the bolero.

I only bought 1/2m to make this but liked it so much that I went back and bought more. Perhaps great christmas presents for the ladies in your life.

 

So where is this pattern I here. Well after scrolling through endless tutorial I found it at Modest Prom. They show you how to draft up the pattern using boxes making it easy enough for even the novice to give it a go. It is well worth taking the time to draw it up as you will be asked by your friends to make them one as well.

Cute, Cute, Cute. What can I say. A must make this summer.

Upcycled Lounge Pants Tutorial

I started making these last year for my wee man. They are perfect light weight pants that can be used as pj’s, around the house pants or even going out pants. They can also be made in under 30 mins.

I love the concept of taking something unused and bringing back to life in a different form. I also really enjoy scouring my way through thrift stores. It is my time out as you really have to take your time and look. Bliss! My other half knows  when I say that I am off to Good Sammies that I am gone for a good 2 hours.

So here is the tutorial that I put together for you. I have tried to keep it simple but if you have any questions please dont hesitate to contact me.

Upcycled Lounge Pants Tutorial

Another version using a mans button-up shirt. I just sewed up the edge of buttons to stop gapping.

Sew easy…

I am in the swing of making dresses for my Mellebug, with the completion of dress number 2 from the pattern Butterick B4176 “fast and easy”.

I found Amelia rummaging through my pattern box and she declared that this is the next dress to be made, pointing to the pink (of course). She we headed off to the fabric store for her to choose which fabric she wanted. After a few cringes at some ghastly fabric to my suprise she liked one with strawberries on it. Whilst waiting at the checkout I was looking through the remnants bin and found two meters of pink gingham at $1 a metre, bargain, thats what I am going to get.

So with cheap fabric, a secound hand pattern, buttons from the stash and I made my own bias binding it was set to be a super cheap dress. The pattern was as it states “fast and easy”, the only complaint is that it needs to be streamlined as its a bit balloned at the bottom. I also loved learning how to make a button loop, you learn something new everyday with sewing. I found this tutorial that has great pictures and is sew simple. Will definantly be doing that again.

Button Loop

Another success with her liking the dress. I will be going back to get the strawberry fabric to make another one and lucky for me for not buying it that day as tommorow it goes on sale, yeha!. I think next in line will be something for the wee man. Was thinking I would make a tutorial on making upcycled t-shirt pants but I have to get my hands on a cheap tee.

Till next time….

Pretty party dress.

I havent made a great deal of clothing for Miss A over the years as she never seemed to like my fabric choice or had so many hand-me-downs that I didnt bother.  Now with less in the cupboard and with her approval of fabric I have started to make more.

This pattern was bought over a year ago now and has been sitting there just wanting to be made. With impending birthday parties coming up and a lull in Mellebug makings I decided to give it a go.

A pretty simple pattern to make which is good because sometimes I find patterns can be sooo confusing. They expect you to understand a complex step with one crappy picture and a few lines. It also looks like its a wrap dress but infact it is fixed at the front and has a zip at the back. Wouldnt mind altering it slightly so that it is a wrap, not fussed on putting in zips.

 So glad I made it as she looooves it. The only problem is that it turned out a wee short for her long legs, she said ” nevermind mum, I will wear it with leggings”. I could unpick the hem and add a length of fabric used for the sash but instead I will make another one just because.

Didnt get a chance to photograph it on its own. She divided on it first thing this morning and wont take it off.

Cute, Cute, Cute..

Yeha!

It has been all systems go at Mellebug HQ but in the last few weeks it has slowed right down. Not at all  complaining though as I have had more time to spend with the wee ones and make things for them. The really wet weather and the dreaded lurgy has kept us all hanging out inside for the last couple of days giving us time to work on Amelias cowgirl costume.

Its her first dress-up day at kindy next week and she is super excited. The theme is a farmer/animal but apparently that also includes cowboy/girl. What ever makes her happy, right? So her idea was Jessie from ToyStory but in her mind her outfit was not pink enough. She wanted pink pink pink. So with a bit of searching on the internett we or should I say she found something she liked and this is what I made.

The vest is a simple pattern that I drew, easy peasy! The bonus is that it is reversible, check on one side and plain pink on the other (remember pink pink). The skirt I confess is not my design. I saw it one day on FB and looooved it. Thought it would look great as a dress up as well as a nice going out skirt. I am really happy with how it turned out, just beautiful. Have to say thou that it took me quite some time to make and she will have a few years wear out of it as I made it a wee big. Oh well! no complaints from miss Amelia. I have been ordered not to alter it. The idea for the skirt came from Freyja Monkey.

The little fella also wanted in on the action and wanted a woody vest. This was the only photo I have before he dripped chocolate all over it.  It has the brown cowhide drill on one side and on the reverse he picked Buzz Lightyear fabric. So he has the best of both when ever he likes. I will endevour to take another picture once cleaned.

From mellebug1

I am off now to make some curtains to hang in doorways to stop the draft and save on heating costs.  Happy Days!!