Thrift Store Score!

My newest obsession is creating upcycled tiered cake plates. They are great for lots of things -- craft fairs, bathroom counters, party tables -- the list just goes on and on. In looking for more supplies, I swung by the local Goodwill to find candlesticks and plates. (I'm in the middle of finishing another one and then I'll post all about them.)

But while I was there, I spied this dress. Look at this beauty! It's a hand smocked heirloom dress I found. Amazingly, it's in pristine condition. I only paid $4!

It'll be a few years before my youngest can wear it, but I could not pass up such beautiful craftsmanship. Look at those details. The pleating, the smocking, the perfect little bullions. Gorgeous!

Someone's mother or grandmother made this beautiful thing and it ends up at a thrift store. I felt so bad for it. I just had to take it home with me.

Butterfly Wings

I'm working on new items for my Etsy store.  I'm concentrating on children's dress up and pretend play items.  My children have always loved dress up, and it's so much fun to make.  

This newest creation is a set of butterfly wings.  I've seen lots of them in my love of Waldorf toys, but they are always made of silk and very expensive.  I found this great batik in my fabric stash the other day, and  it told me to turn it into a pair of butterfly wings for little Miss M. 

Halfway through the process, I got the bright idea to take pictures, so I only have half a tutorial of pictures ready.  I'm currently a little busy with some Etsy orders, so as soon as I sew through those, I'm going to whip up a few sets of butterfly wings for the store and will make a tutorial.

I did get one action shot, but I wasn't running with her, so it's far away.  Next time we're using the sports action shot app so I can get lots of action shots together.

We were a bit cold taking these pictures, lol.  But, I have a feeling these will be great in the spring and summer to fly through the air as a butterfly.

We also had to take time and pick the lovely dandelions in the yard.

Upcycle T Shirt into Peasant Dress

Easy peasy tutorial!!  Upcycle a favorite t-shirt into a peasant dress for your daughter.

Materials:
1 Tshirt
1/4 to 3/8 inch width elastic

Step 1:  Cut off the top of the tshirt.  Make sure to do a slight upward curve at the sleeves so you don't end up with a V as you hem the sleeves. (I will take a picture of this close up in the next few days and post.)

Step 2: Fold over the neck and sew a casing.  Leave a small opening to insert the elastic.

Step 3:  Insert elastic using a safety pin.  Try on and wiggle around elastic to make sure you have enough, cut and pin. (I use about 18-20 inches for a 3-4T)

Step 4:  Sew elastic ends together.  Insert into the casing, and sew up the casing opening. 

Step 5: Voila! You're done!

Tippy Toe's Sundress Tutorial

One of my popular tutorials is now an easily downloadable PDF. The Tippy Toe's Sundress. I love this dress because it's so easy to make, yet it comes out looking like you got it at a boutique.

You can literally whip one out in an hour -- complete with ruffled hem!

It's a quick and easy birthday gift.  You could even whip up a patriotic one before the fireworks tomorrow night. 

You can easily make a dress from infant size up to girls size 6 from 1 yd of fabric. For bigger girls up to size 14/16, you will need up to 2 yds of fabric for optimal "twirly-ness."

Just click on the picture to download the pattern.  Enjoy!!

Pill-o-Bow Dress

I have a new pattern available. Only $5!! It's currently only available through Craftsy, but I will soon get it on my website. Just click on the picture and it will take you directly to the pattern. It's a PDF file complete with illustrations and full color pictures. Also included is a chart to easily make your little girl the right size -- from a 6 month old up to size 7/8. Recently, I finished the Hula Hello Kitty dress in the picture for my 2 year old. She LOVES it, especially the ties when they blow in the wind. She twirls and twirls trying to catch her "tail." These are easy to make, and we get so many "oohs" and "aahs" for the big bow hanging down her back.

Source: Pill-o-Bow Dress Sewing Pattern via stephanickety on Craftsy

Look for some adorable little appliques to embellish for your little ones that I'm going to share as printable tutorials later this week.

Sneak Peak - SunKissed Sun Dress & Bloomers Sewing Pattern

I just finished up a new pattern. It's the SunKissed Dress & Bloomer Set. Here is the sneak peak. It will be available in 0-24 months sizes. I'll be digitizing it in the next week, and it should be available by June 1st.

Pink hair...here I come!!

So...in my profile it says I dream of having hot pink hair. I guess I'm what you would call a natural "pinkhead" lol. I finally am going to do it. My children go to an uppity private school and I keep worrying to much about what people think, and you know what?? Who freakin' cares? You only live once and why not do what makes you happy? So, I have an appointment with my hairstylist for hot pink highlights. I told her I'm going to start out slow to not scare everyone around me, lol. First, it will be highlights and gradually I'll move to a complete head of cotton candy pink hair. I'm so excited!!

My husband is obsessed with Kohl's and their big clearance sales. I swear if we lived closer to one, he'd be there everday. But right now they are having an 80% off clearance sale with racks of clothes. I found a dress in this same style for $5.40. It was originally $60.00. Can you believe it?? It is reveresed though, the print is the main part of the dress and the black solid is at the hem and the waist and neckline. It's a nice slinky poly fabric that feels really cool. And Miss Em found a pair of gaucho pants that were originally part of set of something, and since it was just the pants, they were only $1.25. So check out your nearest Kohl's for some amazing clearance prices.