cut it out

I have been working on this dress shirt to tuxedo toddler dress off and on for a couple of months now.  I can't tell you how many stitches I've pulled out to get it just right.  Yet, I'm still not there.  I'm just not satisfied with the dress and I would love your opinions.

I know I need to add a crinoline underneath, but that will have to wait until my remodeled and relocated Joann's opens in a couple of weeks.  The dress is a little on the sheer side.  I'm wondering if the puffiness alone will fix my worries.

However, I think the large collar may take away from the tuxedo ruffles.  I'm thinking about cutting the bodice straight across and adding summer straps in place of the puffy sleeves and collar.  What do you think?  Would you leave the design as is or change it up?

plaid jumper shirt dress

If you enjoy what you find here, be sure to subscribe or become a follower, so you can keep up with all my bloggy goodness.

Continuing with my men's dress shirt to toddler dress series, I recently finished this little plaid jumper made from yet another of John's old button-down shirts. Unlike the striped shirt dress, he claims that this was a shirt he actually still enjoyed wearing.  Oopsie.  I'm pretty sure I saved it from last year's yard sale pile, though.  Now, how it got there, I can't quite recall.

To make this little plaid jumper, I followed along with this tutorial by Made By Lex.   I did, however, change it up a little bit.  I added side panels with the pattern going the opposite direction for contrast, only used one pocket, and placed surprise pleats along either side.

See the tiny bit of pleating and the contrasting stripes?  I like how it adds a bit of modernity to an otherwise traditional style.  The straps don't cross in the back and I think they are long enough for her to wear this for quite awhile.  First as a dress, then as a shirt, of course.

 

Stay tuned for a pink party shirt dress and a lavender tuxedo shirt dress.

fairy tale dress preview

If you enjoy what you find here, be sure to subscribe or become a follower, so you can keep up with all my bloggy goodness.

I've been working on a dress for Katie that reminds me of a character from one of Grimm's fairy tales or something. I have to take a trip out of town for fabric, or place an order online, because our local Joann's is moving and hasn't stocked since September.  How can a store go for six months before a planned move without getting in new stock?  It's like a fabric graveyard in there and they won't open in their new location until April.  April!  What will I do?  At any rate,  here's a preview of Katie's fairy tale dress. 

I have repurposed a red tee for the bodice.  The dress will have an empire waistline and puffy short sleeves.  The extra tee fabric became rose petals ringing the front neckline.  The fabric in the background will be a full circle skirt, attached the fabric and bordered by a wide baby blue double sash.  The bottom edge of the skirt will feature a red tulle ruffle.  Princess perfect, for sure!

striped shirt dress

If you enjoy what you find here, be sure to subscribe or become a follower, so you can keep up with all my bloggy goodness.

Late last summer, I came across a wonderfully cute shirt dress tutorial from liliash.  I knew right away that I HAD to make a dress for Katie, but not wanting her to outgrow it too quickly, I decided to wait until I could include it in this year's spring/ summer wardrobe.  I set aside some of my husband's unloved button-down shirts for just this purpose.  Stay tuned for more variations of this sweet little shirt dress over the next few weeks.

I bought this shirt for John to wear out to a club one night several years ago.  I thought it would be better than his typical weekend tee or polo.  Needless to say, he despised it.  He said it reminded him of a plastic straw from a fast food restaurant.  I think the bold colors are pretty and it makes a gosh-darn cute girl's dress.  The sash was made from a scrap of deep gray fabric and top-stitched in baby pink.

Sweetie Pie Katie seemed to adore the dress, though it is a little short.  (Measure twice, cut once, remember...)  I'll pair it with some skinny jeans for spring or some bright little ruffled bloomers this summer.

Make it!
Here's phia's party dress tutorial for turning a dress shirt into a dress.
The puffy sleeve tutorial can be found here.
I added a couple of little gathered pockets on the front, too.

hey... it's a snuggie!

If you enjoy what you find here, be sure to subscribe or become a follower, so you can keep up with all my bloggy goodness.

The Snuggie Bar Crawl took Roanoke by storm this weekend, and my hubby and I were in on the action.  Organized by Get 2 Know 'Noke, young adults flocked to downtown Roanoke Saturday afternoon, decked out in their finest snuggie-garb, to eat, drink, and be merry.  Read more here.

Mario Makeover

The Challenge: Design a Mario-themed costume for my son to wear to a birthday party tonight, sans cash

Alex has been invited to a Mario birthday party and all the guests are supposed to come dressed as their favorite Mario character.  Like any socially-awkward nine year old boy who desires to fit in, it is imperative that he show up in a posh Luigi costume, ready to kick butt in this real life Mario Party 7.  The problem is, we don't have the extra funds to throw at a costume, in addition to the birthday boy's present, wrappings, and card.  So, today's task will be to create a super cool Luigi costume for a nine year old boy using things I have around my house.

I plan to use this tutorial to make a green hat from an old long-sleeve tee.  I'll add an "L" for authenticity.  Also, I will be repurposing some old jeans for Luigi's overalls.  Due to today's heat, I'll only have to use one pair to make shorties.  Disaster or not, along the way, I'll take pictures for all to see.

Do you have suggestions?  Please, please, please be kind enough to share.  I'd love to hear them because I'm just a little lost here.