A Little Sister Maxi Dress

After making so many things for myself the last couple of months,

I decided one day in May (yes, I rhymed that one purpose)
that I needed to branch out and make something for someone else in the family.

I had a maxi dress idea I wanted to try,

and my little sister was the benefactor of my test run.

These were my sources of inspiration from my Pinterest boards....

 

 

I *love* this maxi dress, you can find a great tutorial on making it over at Sew Much Ado.

I didn't actually follow her tutorial (but I plan to someday!).

 

This maxi dress also had a cute ruffle along the top that I liked.

You can read how to make this adorable dress over at the blog Dances With Fabric.

 

 

These images were inspiration,

but from there I pretty much just winged it.

I didn't use an actual pattern, instead I took measurements
and basically made the dress one long tube, with a ruffle and an elastic waist.

 

 

I would do some things differently next time I make one of these.

 

I will actually follow the tutorial from the blog Sew Much Ado which I mentioned above.

In it, she uses a tank top for her guideline for the top,
creating a fitted garment and not just a straight tube.

 

A second change I would make is omit the ruffle or change fabrics.
The stiff cotton fabric ruffle looks a little odd and 'in the way'.

 I wonder if that will change with lots of washings??
 

So...

it was a good project because I learned some things along the way
...mostly what not to do.

 

My sister likes the dress, but I think I will probably end up making some changes to it.

 

 

It did turn out cute, so I shouldn't be too hard on myself.

It was my third dress and fourth from scratch project.

 

 

 

 

 

Strong Enough to 'Scratch' It: An Apron

Sewing from scratch.

That used to scare me.

But after my week of crash course sewing, and in another desperate needing-a-gift-situation,

I felt motivated and sufficiently prepared to tackle my first from scratch sewing project!

It was February, just days away from my Nana's birthday, and I decided to make her a new apron...
she had been wanting one for quite a while.

After looking through mom's small supply of sewing patterns, I was out of luck.
There wasn't any thing that would work.

We (mom was my go-to person, I couldn't have made it through without her!) decided
to just wing it using various aprons of our own as a guide.

I traced one of our basic tie back aprons for the main body.

The back was altered by adding a yoke strap instead of just a loop around the neck.
Does that make sense?
I'm really not familiar with sewing lingo and terms yet, forgive me.

Can you see what I am talking about?
It is really hard to tell in this photo, but that is the back of the apron.
If you look hard you can see a piece of fabric that attatches the should straps horizontally.


Nana's old and favorite apron had lots of ruffles,
so I added them to the shoulders of my version.
There is one row of ruffles made in the main fabric that runs the whole length of the shoulder strap.
I also added a second, wider ruffle in a secondary pattern, these only over the shoulders.

My favorite part of this apron was the adorable pocket!!

I used a pattern I found on Pinterest, it was one of 25 other free pocket patterns!!!
So many adorable pockets, I had a hard time choosing.
In the end I went with this one.




The colors were even pretty similar to what I really used!
You can find the directions here.
I was surprised how easy it was! It was, after all, my very first pocket!
I even did it without mom's help, I have to say I was pretty dern proud of myself!


It was one of those whirlwind projects,
 I was literally working on it just moments before it went into the gift bag!

Hmmm, maybe I should rename my blog 'Making It By the Seat of Her Pants'?!

Anywho...

I was so pleased with how it turned out, especially for my first *real* sewing project!

I think Nana liked it too. :)

7 Days Makes One...Strong!

After my Valentine's Day 'gift of the knowledge of sewing',

I embarked on a week long journey of refashions, mending, and crafting

to strengthen my sewing skills.

It was also the week I decided to go through my Pinterest boards, pick out some projects

and actually DO THEM! 

So, over the course of seven days, I did 12 projects!

1.  Button Bobby Pins

 

 

 

A pinterest project, I think they turned out really cute, and they work so nicely!

I sewed and hot glued the buttons to the top of the pin.

 

2. Necktie Collar/Necklace

I had this gorgeous tie given to me, so I made my own Pinterest tie collar!
I admit, I haven't gotten up the courage to actually wear it out yet!

3. Refashion- Trousers to Pencil Skirt

 

This refashion was made from a pair of dress pants.
It is really simple- you seam rip the legs, sew them together in the middle front and back,
then cut the length off where you want the skirt to be.
The ridge that runs up each leg was already part of the pant design, so don't let it confuse you.

Here is the pin that will take you to a blogger's great and easy explanation
on how to make your own!
It was a really good first sewing project since it was all straight lines!

The top I am wearing in these pictures is actually from...

4. Refashion- Long Sleeve to short sleeve ruffle top

 

Sorry, no before picture.

This was a simple long sleeve knit shirt- I made the sleeves short and using

the extra sleeve fabric, made one wide ruffle that run up the center of the top.

Then I added different kinds of cream buttons.

 

In my version, I used one ruffle and ruffled it with one row of stitches down the middle.

It was easier that way as compared to the way it was done originally.

 

 

5. Refashion- Long sleeve button up to tank

 

Before

 

 

 After

 

 

 

 Also, another Pinterest For Real project. :)

This was my inspiration/directions-- only my top actually fit me,

so I seam ripped off the arms and changed the neckline.

 

 

6. Flower Pins/Clips

 

Following these directions, I made three lovely 'french pouf' fabric flowers!
I hot glued a pin to the back, that way I could wear it as a pin and still easily slip a bobby pin over it and wear it in my hair.

Hint: In making these flowers, when folding the flower cut out in half, don't be OCD like me and line the petals up so they are perfectly symmetrical- if you fold them in half messy, it actually adds to the fullness and flowery look of it. I speak from experience!


7. Refashion- Long skirt to ruffle hem

Once again, no before picture.
This was a skirt I had buried in my closet and didn't wear.
It was just a few inches short of ankle length, I chopped it off to just below the knee,
and using the left over fabric, made a ruffle hem.
It turned out pretty nice, I think I will actually wear it now. :)

8. T-shirt scarf

I whipped this scarf up one evening while watching a movie with the family.
And yes, this one I have worn out! :)
Another Pinterest project to check off my list!


The next few projects don't have pictures, because, frankly, there isn't much to show....

 9. Skirt Fix #1- take it in and take it up

This was a skirt for my little sister that sat in the mending basket for months.
Being way too big for her, I took in the entire width of the skit by sewing a line from the point on her waistband she needed, straight down to the hem. It was a very flowy skirt, so I could do this without it looking strange. Then I cut off a good 6 inches from the hem.

The left over material I used to make her a little scarf and one of those fabric flowers!

10. Skirt fix #2- box pleat
 

Another project for my little sister.
A really easy fix that introduced me to the box pleat.... and now I'm in love!

11. Skirt fix #3 mending hole

Pretty self explanatory.
It was one of those tushie holes, sooo, yeah, it needed fixing before I could wear it!

12. Skirt fix #4- Replace zipper

I found an adorable blue/green stripped a line skirt at a thrift store,
it was in great shape except for a broken zipper.
This was my initiation to sewing zippers, and yes, that is why I saved this project
for last on my list!
It was scary, I'll admit, especially since I loved the skirt and didn't want to ruin it,
but it turned out in the end and now I can wear it!
 

*Fwew!*

There you have it!
My week of crash course sewing and crafting!
I think that may possibly be the most productive week I have had in my entire life!
It felt pretty amazing to look at all I accomplished and the various sewing
skills I learned during that time.

The culmination of my week however was the project that followed...
and that is for another post.

Until then,

 

Pinterest for Real: Pizza Grilled Cheese

Pinterest.

The greatest thing since Google, agreed?

Of course you do.

But...

there is a downside to Pinterest, as I'm sure you will also agree.

That being: way. too. much. time. spent. pinning!

Not to mention we tend to devour the pins more than the actual food on the pins.

So, to alleviate my guilty conscience (and rumbly tumbly),

I started a Pin board called 'Pinterest For Real'

that I plan to fill with things I have actually made and done!

*Gasp*

I consider it my passport of 'stamps' on my journey

from a see-er to a do-er.

Join me?

Here is some inspiration.

This is one of my favorite recent  recipes.

Pizza Grilled Cheese

Recipe from Forkful of Comfort blog

2 slices of bread

butter

mozzarella cheese, sliced

pepperoni

Italian seasoning (or basil)

Parmesan cheese

pizza sauce for dipping

Warm a medium/large skillet over medium heat.

Butter each piece of bread on one side.

Place a piece of bread butter side down on the skillet,

add one slice of cheese,

small shake of Italian seasoning (or basil)

and a good sprinkling of Parmesan cheese.

Top with a desired amount of pepperonis (I used about 9 slices per sandwich).

Add another slice of mozzarella, sprinkle more seasoning and Parmesan if desired

(and I desired it!)

Top with slice bread butter side up.

(At this point I covered the pan, this helped the cheese melt better)

When bottom slice is golden brown then flip over carefully.

Once both sides are brown remove from pan cut and serve with pizza sauce if desired.

 ***

*Variations*

1. I made this on Wal-mart's "Everything" (sesame seeds, garlic, poppy seeds, Parmesan etc)

french bread and it was wonderful!

2. I made this same recipe but substituted chicken breast lunch meat and it was great.

I even using the pizza dipping sauce!

3. Make a 'cheese pizza' variation with out the pepperoni (good for the little kids.)

4. We made this with Turkey Perrperoni (some family members are allergic to pork).

 These are super simple and taste great!

I was sceptical at first that the flavor wouldn't be very good

on normal, run of the mill bread.

But it turned out oh so tasty!

We've been making these quite regular for the past few weeks.

So get grillin' and enjoy!

~Me~