Kid Side Up Sews

Amy Butler Birdie Bag

2010-05-20T12:21:00.000-07:00

LOVE this pattern. I have like 6 more cut out. It's big, it's comfy and just lovely.

Sorry about the quality of that one, I'm too lazy to find a better pic. It was given to me by my cousin as a thank you for sewing her some really awesome curtains. And they were, super awesome.

This is my new church bag, happeeeeeee!

Why, no, it doesn't match anything in my closet, why do you ask?

Here's the thing, if it almost matched and was off, that's tacky, I don't want to look like I tried and failed. I'd rather look like I really like the happy that comes with orange.

Mixing Patterns Again

2010-05-20T12:18:00.000-07:00

Because really, is there another way to sew?

I used the McCalls 4359 because I just LOVE that circle skirt and the sleeves from New Look 6448 because they're lined with the bodice and it gives the bodice of the dress pretty insides.
I added a sash at the end, I'm still not sure about it, but when sewing for a six year old...

This is some fabric that I've had laying around forever, it's something my mom picked up for me. My friend Lindsey fell in love with it so I did a baby dress for her new baby (it's at her house, no pics) and this one for her six year old daughter. I'm addicted to binding and it seemed a lot easier than going through the pain that is a circle skirt hem. One cool thing about the binding on the bottom of the skirt is that it helps the skirt stay out a bit. Happy stuff.

Nothing too exciting

2010-05-20T12:12:00.000-07:00

I used some old bits of fabric to make bags for baby showers.
Nothing great but easy and fun.

I didn't use a pattern, yes, they're lined, because if they weren't, I wouldn't have bothered.

How to Make a Super Easy Wrap Skirt

2010-03-25T16:18:00.000-07:00

You'll need two and a half yards of fabric.
You need to fold your fabric so that the selvage elges fold over each other. In other words, fold the fabric to make something similar to a square.

I laid the cut out skirt (it's on the fold still) over another delightful print (Now my cousin's curtains) so you can get an idea of layout. The Amy Butler print on the bottom is a 57" wide fabric. On a standard width fabric, the skirt will go from edge to edge. The cut edges will be the selvage edges and the bottom center of the skirt will touch the selvage edges on the opposite side.

I am 5'8" tall and wear the skirt ON my waist. I cut the skirt 29" long, I do not fold over either the top OR the bottom for hems. The length should be consistent all the way around. You can adjust the length to your height.

Cut the smaller waist part first. If you're teeny, you may want to subtract an inch or so, but really, the skirt could just wrap around more, that's usually a good thing. So, the fabric is on the fold and it's 20" from the end of one to the end of the other. The fold is on the right hand side, the edges are on the left. You can see how I left the skirt top straighter on the left side. I would imagine this doesn't matter a whole lot.

The piece you cut out should look like this. I love this because it doesn't break up fabulous patterns and works great with quilter's cottons because they'll stick together in the front - lessening your chances of having your wrap skirt fall open!

1. Hem the two edges of the skirt that will be vertical when you're wearing the skirt. Not the bottom hem, and not the waist - really, there are only two straight edges on this thing - hem those first.

2. I simply used quilt binding for the waistband. You could make your own binding if you like, I honestly don't have the patience. That, and the red matched perfectly.
A tip for sewing on binding. First, and most obvious, make sure your thread matched perfectly, if you're unsure, always go slightly lighter. Second, usually one side of the bias tape will be shorter than the other, even slightly, put this side on the top, where you're sewing. When you're done with the waistband, put a buttonhole on each end.

3. On this one I used double fold bias tape for the hem and another row of single fold bias tape two inches above. You need JUST over one package of each. I know, bummer.
So, you can use bias tape for the hem only - my friend has one wrap skirt with a standard hem at the bottom and one with 1 row of bias tape. I added the extra one just for fun. Do what you like. I will warn you that the second strip of bias tape is a real pain in the rear. I've thought about doing quilt binding on the way bottom, regular half inch bias tape and then another strip of the tiny stuff above that, just for added torture ;)

4. Mark where you want your buttons and sew in your buttons, your skirt is now ready to wear!

Fun stuff.

New Look 6836

2010-03-25T15:42:00.000-07:00

I love this pattern. I did the short sleeved blouse with no frills or anything on the front placket. I've already cut out another one but I made it a dress length. I think it'll be a fun, throw on summer dress.

I made one alteration I wish I wouldn't have. I thought that having the gathers in the center front would contribute to the maternity look of the top. I kept the front flat and moved the gathers to either side of the front, what happened is that the side silhouette isn't as smooth as it could be.
When I do this again, I think I'll also add a waistband. I have a large chest and these shirts don't always work on me, making me look pregnant more often than not. I'm hoping the waistband will help with that.

I do love this print. It's a rare find at Joanns to find a print that I like as much as this. I'm undecided on length, but I think I like it. I'm not sure if I should continue wearing white underneath it? Or go dark to match my jeans? No idea. It actually is very slimming from the side but the two pics Emma was willing to take are too blurry to see.

The jeans are Gap's "real straight" LOVE them. Super comfy and have this great horizontal seam on the back of the knee.

1940's Swing Dress Pattern

2010-03-25T15:34:00.000-07:00

This is from here
http://www.sensibility.com/pattern/main/?page_id=45

The fabric is this delightful 1950's print and the first problem (I realized halfway through the cutting out process) that maybe I shouldn't be using a 1950's print on a 1940's dress. I'm still not over that little piece of stupidity but it matches my red flats perfectly and I like the off-white/beige/dark ivory background. I have a "thing" for Parisian prints. I would love to sew a million little girls dresses, all in Parisian prints. Happy, happy stuff.

I have NEVER, I mean NEVER taken out so many seams in my LIFE! If I ever do one of their patterns again, I'm going to sew much, much slower.
This was my nightmare project and I'm only in "like" of the finished product. I think it turned into a great "house dress."

My favorite part of the pattern is the gathering at the shoulders, but after putting this together, I think I'll have better luck altering a pattern I already have to get a better fit on the bust while maintaining the gathering at the shoulders.

I also realized partway through construction that the top isn't supposed to be fitted, the skirt is slim and the top blouses over the waistband. Although this may be flattering for some? It's not as flattering on me, it's okay, but not great.
It was my first hidden zipper and my first side zipper. I LOVE the side zipper, I think it's great. Next time I do a hidden zipper? I'm going to buy the proper foot for my sewing machine, I do not recommend doing a hidden zip by hand. It wasn't horrible, but it wasn't fun either. Fortunately, it's hidden on the side ;)

I do like the skirt of the dress, I LOVE the idea of the dress, I like the sleeve length - especially with the feeling of having an "everyday" type dress. Like, "Oh this? Yes, I wear this one to do the laundry and dishes!"

Photos taken by a sick six year old girl.

Another little button dress

2010-03-19T15:48:00.000-07:00

So, I love my serger for the delightful rolled hem at the bottom, but I now know why I've never done a flounce. What a horrible pain. All that gathering...

If you want the short version of how I make these. I take a "standard" girls' dress pattern. I take out the zipper allowance in the back. If you want the bodice more fitted, I would do a small side zipper. On the back pieces of the bodice top, I simply make the shoulders about three inches taller. Then I add a button hole to the top, and a button the the tops of the bodice front. Then you can do whatever kind of skirt you like. Easy.

Simplicity 4764

2010-03-19T15:43:00.000-07:00

This is classic thing that I never wanted to do while sewing. Take a perfectly fun princess dress pattern and make it look like something a mom sewed. BUT, in my defense, Emma has been absolutely BEGGING for a dress with sleeves like this. I needed some fabric that was easy to sew with and easy to wash, knowing that summer will eventually be here - even if it doesn't feel like it right now - and that the dress will make many, many trips through the washer and dryer.

Emma is getting better at posing - I'm not sure how happy I am about this.

So, from a sewing standpoint, there are a million things wrong with this dress. One - it's in coordinating quilter's cottons. That in itself isn't bad, it's just the combo of this pattern and the cottons. Two - it's absolutely HUGE on her. It looks sewn, I really hate that. The pattern is okay, not too hard to follow, I made some of my own piping to add to the seams in the front. For a "play dress" it'll work.

I think that I'd actually like this dress if it fit Emma - I should have done a size 3 and made it as tall as a size 5 - and if it had a fluffy skirt to wear underneath. Since I have NO desire to sew together layer upon layer of tulle, I'll need to find a slip somewhere with a "puffy skirt" in it.

McCalls 5804

2010-03-06T21:34:00.000-08:00

I LOVE this pattern.

This pattern got really mixed reviews. My only problem with it is how short the skirt is. I had to add a ton to the bust, but that's normal for me. I added 6 inches to the skirt (it's all the fabric I had) and I still couldn't make it long enough, so I need to watch the yardage if I decide to do this one again.
I love that it's totally lined. The sleeves have a teeny little pucker on the shoulder but are still really simple, I love this. It's an easy pattern to fit to size, especially considering there's no gathers on the skirt, I'm looking forward to making one for me. This one I made for my friend Rachel (when I realized the skirt would always be too short) who is smaller and shorter than I am. I just had to take it in everywhere, even with the piping, it wasn't too hard.

I also need to remember to use teeny piping when sewing a whole dress, the zipper was a bear. I made this piping with some fabric leftovers from a print that I just LOVE. The linen I bought way back in Las Vegas, it served as curtains for a while in our last house, I've made two skirts out of it and now this dress. I'm definitely DONE with this stuff! Whew!

I make my own piping by wrapping fabric around existing piping. My mother used to buy small cording and do it that way. My way is easier, and probably not much more expensive, but it does add bulk.

Emma's Regency Style Dress

2010-03-06T14:08:00.000-08:00

She loves the underdress. It's from fabric that I inherited from my Grandma Beth. I'm sure it spent a decade or three in her stash. I really am weeding out what I have. I made three of those underdresses for Emma out of old "stash" items, she wants to be in dresses all the time and they go together really, really fast. That's a winning combo for me.
The overcoat I made a pattern for. I took an adult corset pattern and shrunk it way down, that gave me the right seaming for the top vest looking part - I drew side back and front skirt panels (They're the same) that A line out on the side and the middle back panel of the skirt is just a rectangle that I gathered at the top. I made a waistband and attached the top and skirt to it. Le Voila! Emma is a little sad that it's not more fancy. Sigh.

Oh - the dress still needs to be ironed - you can see those bottom seams, I hate that. I used the edging only to hopefully distract from my messy hallway.

I do have the pattern for the overcoat part, somewhere in my drawer of self drawn patterns and ottobre tracings.

Results of a Girls' Dress Modification

2010-03-05T21:20:00.000-08:00

I'll post the instructions tomorrow. Too late for thinking tonight and taking pictures that will make sense but I wanted to get these up because I'm pretty pleased with myself ;)

My friend Andrea bought me this fabric for helping me to sew window treatments for her house - I'll post pics of those when they're done. Anyways, I made a blousy shirt for myself that was just big and not cute. SO - I cut it up and turned it into this dress. I L.O.V.E. this dress. I needed to have seams in the bodice because of how much fabric I had left and how it was cut, but now I love the seams. The only closures on it are the buttons at the shoulders. Emma's skinny so she can just slide into it. Another kid would probably want to go in feet first. I took an existing pattern and altered it. I can't remember the last time I used a pattern for the skirt on a girls' dress. I usually make my own because of the amount or shape of fabric that I have. This was no exception.

Here's the back of this cute little dress. And no - the scene you see in front of you did not end in disaster. I rescued the castle after the Farm was put away. I'm crazy about that - just ask my kids.

Here's another dress I did with the same self-made pattern. Emma doesn't like it, she thinks it's too plain. I LOVE it. I used the last few little scraps of my Oh La La Paris pattern. I really wanted to use every scrap of that stuff, and I nearly did. I think there were a few 2x2 squares left. I also had enough for matching pockets, I love that couple with their frenchy little dog. The tan was leftovers from a skirt I made for a sister missionary a few years ago who purchased herself a really cute pair of Uggs and didn't have a skirt that matched. Kinda funny. It's a heavy cotton sateen. The pockets normally lay better but I wanted to see the pattern on them.

You can see why there had to be pockets.

The back isn't all that exciting. I think this dress has a great little girl in the fifties feel to it, maybe that's just me. I already have another one cut out, it's a great way to use leftovers.

McCalls 4359 - Flower Girl Dress

2010-03-01T18:05:00.000-08:00

I don't know if this counts since I did it last summer, but it's a fun pattern - if you don't mind the tedious horribleness that is hemming circle skirts. It took me the whole West Side Story to do that hem. I just love them hand stitched - I blame Aurelie.

The swing of that dress is pretty cute though, no?
Melissa asked me to take some of the volume out of the skirt but I just couldn't. But I told her I did ;)
This is where Melissa rolls her eyes and says something like, "Yeah, that figures..."

Here's my Mike who officiated the wedding. Emma wanted no part of bows, Melissa was thrilled with this. The back sash folds over itself and attaches with a small snap. Emma wanted it loose. Sigh. At least I have pics of her in this one - she STILL won't wear that adorable pink check dress because I put a tie on it. If that dress doesn't make it to church in the next two Sundays, I'm going to find it a new home. Grrr.

Oh - Super easy pattern. Most little girl dresses have a nearly exactly identical bodice but this was my first circle skirt for little girls, I really need to do this pattern again.

New Look 6674

2010-02-28T13:15:00.000-08:00

So, I watched Aurelie do a beautiful red polka dot version of the dress you can see in blue and white - with the cute sleeves.
I made a red print cotton wrap dress for my friend Heather off the simple red dress view.
I had to have one of my own.
I used just a joanns suiting material (this cracks me up as NONE of their suiting materials should ever be used to make a suit) it was east to sew with though and has a nice weight. I like how it swishes and isn't so slippery that I'm worried about the flap sliding open.
**I get double points for this one, this is a "stash" fabric. I don't even remember what the original intention for it was.

So, I can't seem to leave a pattern alone. I didn't want to use this fabric with sleeves because I thought it would look a little like a flight attendant's uniform. So, I didn't do the sleeveless version, I did the normal version and took off the sleeves.
I added piping, did buttons instead of a tie and lined the upper bodice instead of just using facings.
This dress should be worn with heels but I love my saddle shoes and Jack was looking lively today - thought I should wear something I could run in.

I leaned my hip to one side, the dress does not normally pooch like that on the side.

Aurelie - this one is for you - I know how you like neat and tidy insides ;) You'll be extra proud of me because I hand stitched the whole waistband and I did it from a twill - not the easiest stuff to hand sew.

What an odd hair day I'm having today. Doesn't look like me, I'll do better next time. Also, the glare off my glasses, whatever. Mike looked impatient...

Kwik Sew 3396

2010-02-18T11:01:00.000-08:00

I wasn't sure how much I'd like this pattern but I totally do. I think the biggest thing it did for me was help me find something I could sew for someone without making another bag (I love to do those) and without needing tons of fabric or measurements.
The other thing this pattern was good for is that I now LOVE bias tape. I'll use it on anything - It just forced me to not be afraid of it anymore (I tend to sew inside my comfort zone). You need to cut this pattern out carefully ;^) Ask me how I know this...

^ What it's supposed to look like

What it actually looks like:

This is me wearing one that's a size or so too small - I made it for my friend Melissa as a Bridal Shower gift - it's kind of a joke because she married a chef and does not cook.

The one I made for my friend Heather. I've made loads of these and I really need to keep better track and take more pictures.

Stash Challenge - Simplicity 4647

2010-02-18T09:25:00.000-08:00

I inherited this pink check fabric from a friend of my mom.

It's been sitting in my stash for about two years, in my mom's friend's stash for about 25. My friend Heather said there was no way I could make that cheap fabric look cute.
Well, seriously, I couldn't leave that one alone.

The white is a Nordstrom Men's dress shirt - it had pit stains (I know, eww). FYI - One mens dress shirt - after pit stains are cut out - has enough material for a small child's bodice, lining, and small sleeves, even if you decide later not to put on the sleeves.

I used a ridiculously shiny (and cheap feeling) lining for the skirt, it adds a small sheen which makes the whole thing look a lot more expensive than it was - $3 buttons, and a zipper I had laying around. I actually have NO idea how much a zipper costs. It doesn't really seem important since most of the fabric I purchase would be pointless without zippers...

OH - I didn't really use a pattern, I took the bodice from Simplicity 4647 because it had cute sleeves (which I obviously didn't use) and a high waist which I wanted because I didn't want two things out of this material :^) It hits my daughter around the ankles - she politely refused to pose for pics. Grrr.

A Painful Moment

2010-02-18T09:17:00.000-08:00