KCW Day 4 & Bonus Pleated Kids Knit Skirt Tutorial

I am super sorry about the quality of the pictures in this tutorial, but the lighting in my house was terrible today. We had some snow in central Ohio and the sky has been super overcast. I hate to admit it but this is an (mostly) iphone post in terms of the tutorial. I know, I know I am sorry people! :(

 

 I haven't done a tutorial in a few months and thought I better get back on the wagon and put something together for you lovely readers... AND its Kids Clothes Week. Perfect timing.

 

This is the look for today.... for KCW


 

And this is the look with the skirt I am going to show you how to make. I have to say it turned out cute but not as short and tight as I wanted it. All the better though I guess... I don't want to be putting my 6 year old in a skin tight animal print skirt! He he he.

 

Do ya wonder why I chose a thermal knit for Miss Hannah today? Well her "blankie" since she was just a few days old is made from a light pink thermal knit. She has a total connection to the

stuff, so when I saw that Girl Charlee had some of this in a cute black/white bow print, I had to have some!

 

The skirt is another story. I bought this fabric from Denver Fabrics thinking it would be soft and somewhat sweater-y--- (perfect for a Bimaa Sweater.) BOY WAS I WRONG. This stuff is that scratchy jersey knit I don't like, honestly I don't know what is really called.... but for the purposes of this skirt, (and some leggings I made myself from it), it worked just fine.

 

On to the TUTORIAL!

 

 

First, I just want to say I really kinda winged it with this one. I wanted a cute simple skirt for Han to wear with her latest Bimaa Sweater. The skirt is really just 2 rectangles cut to the size listed below. Super simple folks

  

 

Materials:

about a 1/2 yard of your favorite knit with good stretch

Scissors

Sewing Machine

Thread

Ballpoint needle

* Note: I did not use any elastic or buttons or a zipper. The stretch in the band of the skirt is enough to hold this cute little skirt up.

 

Here are the measurements I used for about a size 7/8 (but it turned out too big I think)

Band: 21 inches x 3 inches

Skirt: 13 inches long x 44 wide

 

Step One: Take the short ends of the skirt piece and sew a French seam down the side.
 

 

What that means is, wrong sides together, trim excess seam allowance, and then sew right sides together.

 

 

This will encase the raw edges of the fabric. I most often use it when I am sewing with quilters cotton, but you can use it on knits too.

 

Step 3: Pleat the front of the skirt as you would like it to lay. I did one large pleat but you could do a few small ones. Once you have it how you like it pin, and stay stitch it in place.

 

 

Step 4: Take the top band of your skirt piece and sew right sides together. Once it is sewed together you will fold the top of the band down to meet the raw edge of the other side. You will be putting the wrong sides together. (Note* the band will be smaller than the top of your skirt, but this is correct) You want the top band to be smaller so you can stretch it to fit on the base of the skirt. The top band will act as elastic.

 

 

 

Step 5: Attach the skirt band to the top of your skirt. Line up your seams and start in the back of the skirt. I like to pin all three layers here and start to sew... pulling the band very taut while letting the skirt part flow through the machine naturally. You only want to pull on the band.

 

 

Step 6: Flip the band up and you are done!  

 

 I have mixed emotions about this skirt.... it came out a little big for the look I was going for, but like I said earlier I kinda just winged it.  Cut; and started sewing not thinking too much about measurements... I think Hannah will definitely wear it... probably just not this fall season.

So since I didn't like the skirt that much I stuck a pair of bright yellow jean shorts on her from Target that I think I got for like 5.99. I think they look adorable with the sparkly leggings and her thermal Bimaa Sweater.
  

 

 

This is really the "punk" look I was going for. 

 

 

She is so serious these days. 

 

 

She even asked me if she could sleep with this shirt! This kid is too funny! I think that's enough permission to buy more thermal knit!

 

XOXO- L

Kids Clothes Week - Day 2

Ok first off, this is my first time signing up for KCW, (KIDS CLOTHES WEEK) and wow what a gorgeous little website these folks have! I love it!

 

I have to say I didn't intend on posting anything until I realized I had a ton of projects I was working on that I have not blogged about, that would be perfect for this week, AND- I sewed them this week.... well almost all of them! - Motivation in full swing folks!

 

On to the good stuff.
 

 

First let me say this post has 2 projects in it. Its a two-fer! Reason being is that it is difficult to get  individual pictures of my girls. Well, let me re-phrase that, its difficult to get individual pictures of my little Emmie, - she's 16 months.

'nuf said.

 

Exhibit A:
(oldest is in perfect model mode, and youngest can't stand still.)
 

 

Exhibit B:

 (total 'tude from the little one)
 

Anyways, onto the project. My main motivation for these two pieces was:

1) Hannah needed a new trendy shirt for her uncles wedding in November. The wedding is going to be held in "hipster central", aka, Austin Texas. I figured a cute trendy knit print would suit this need perfectly.

 2) Emmie needed a new long sleeve shirt!.

The flowy yet structured design of the skipper top was perfect for this. I have been leaving out the pocket detail in the last few of these I have made. I think it is just as cute, if not cuter without it. I also didn't have quite as much fabric as I needed for this top to be on the longer side so I shortened it and also added a skinnier band around the bottom. It came out super cute and will also go well with skinny jeans and a jean jacket for the plane ride. Ikat has to be perfect for Austin, right?

Pattern: Skipper Top
By:Sewmuchado
Sewn by: Oddsofpink
Fabric used: GirlCharlee Knit can be found here (they may not have this exact print anymore but have tons of other options just like it!)

As far as Emmies top, I did make a Bimaa in my last post but this one is a bit different. I used the shawl collar option in a really cute animal print that I picked up from Hobby Lobby. (Advice/Side note: Don't waste your money on this fabric- Its kinda crappy....I won't be using this fabric in the future.) It didn't have quite as much stretch as a Bimaa needs. Unfortunately, I think Emmie will only be able to wear it a few times until she grows out of it. I even sized this one up for her, but this knit is coarse and not as stretchy as most knits. Still looks darn cute though!



Pattern: Bimaa Sweater
By: LouBeeClothing
Sewn by: Odds of Pink
Fabric: Animal Print knit from Hobby Lobby


 Both pieces came out adorable and they are SO wearable this fall/winter season. I love these patterns and they are so worth the money! If you are thinking about purchasing them, do it, you won't regret it.
 

 

You all know I love a good black and white photograph.......

 

 

 

 

Hannah is SUCH a good big sister! Always willing to lend a helping hand!

 

 

 

That's all folks! 

 

 Thanks for reading and don't forget to leave a comment if you choose. I adore reading your comments and love making new friends in the blog world!

 

Happy Sewing!

 

xoxo- L

 

 

 

Bimaa Sweater

Well hello there!

 

I haven't seen you lovelies for a while!
 I am glad to jump right in today with my new favorite pattern!

The Bimaa Sweater pattern by LouBeeclothing.

 

 

 

I purchased the pattern from a little etsy shop along with the Doli Tank pattern. I was going to go ahead and get the sew fab bundle of patterns but I decided that I didn't need like 29 patterns so I went ahead and got just the ones I didn't have anything like in my stash.

 

Lately I have been totally addicted to knits, there are so many new knit prints out there, and wow are they awesome. I have to say, I really get disappointed in the clothing options at Carters, Osh Kosh, and the things Target carries. Not to mention, your kid ends up looking like everyone else when you shop there. Ok maybe that is being too harsh on those retailers. I guess I just prefer making my own trendy stuff for my kids and only paying the cost of fabric. And how cool is it that when you sew you get control over every little detail, you also get to tell people, "YES! I made that!"

 

 

On to the pattern.... It is really a great fit, and such a cute design. I made one in a size 2t for my little 16 month old Emmie, and then I made a 6t (but sized up a bit) for my 6 year old Hannah.  Both of them fit the girls really well, the 2t sleeves were a tad long on E, so on Hannah's I shortened them. She is a big artist and she needs them shorter anyways, artists are always rolling their sleeves up!

 

 

 

The only part I didn't like about the pattern was cutting all the pieces out. But that is just my personal pickiness, and couldn't be avoided. I don't like the cutting stage of any project really. I love to choose the fabric, sew, style and photograph... cutting isn't my fav. There are quite a few pieces to the pattern too- 2 sleeves, 2 cowls, front, back, and then the binding for the sleeves and bottom of shirt - 9 total- BUT it is totally worth it for the cuteness that comes from it. Sarah of LoubeeClothing Patterns really did a great job of putting this adorable top together. Oh - did I mention there isn't just a cowl option but a collar, and a hood option? TOTAL SCORE! It is like 3 patterns in one. AND, if you are a little more advanced, you can also make each of these sleeveless, just add binding and leave out the sleeves. With different fabric choices, this pattern can last you all year long! 

 

 

 

All in all I LOVED IT! I will definitely be using it again.   

 

 

Have a great rest of your weekend all!

Model in Training - Shoot 2

 

Well I tried ..... I tried to get her to like it, and stand still, but it aint happenin'

SHE HATES MODELING!!!

 

I have to admit, she loves putting the clothes on. She wears whatever I make her, happily! But she JUST WON'T STAND STILL.
Who am I kidding? It took Hannah, suckers, M&M's, and marsh mellows, to get a decent shot.

 

 

 

I think Miss Emmaline needs a little more time. There is a learning curve to this! I mean, what 15 month old wants to be still and have her picture taken?

Not mine!

 

 

 

As you can see, this shoot was a total disaster.... crying, I even gave her a bracelet to play with. You know the kind with elastic that kids her age love to pull on and almost break.... It didn't do a darn thing.

 

This was the best shot I got, and she is still crying. ...... I feel bad but it isn't like torture! Seriously, it takes less than 1 minute to get a picture!

 

 

Then, a light bulb went on. Just let her be in her natural state. At this age we aren't going to have the perfect photo shoot, or backround, she isn't age bribe -able at this point. He he he ....

 

 

That's when I got the good pictures,THEN,... and when I put Sesame Street on, and she saw her fave, Elmo! 

 

She says, "E-mo!!! E - mo!!!! E-mo!!!"

 

 

 

These came out so gorgeous, and all I needed to do was be patient and let her do her own thing.

I love this one, so classic.

 

 

So there you have it folks... want to get better pics of your kid in the stuff you make them, or just a good frame able picture? Let them do their OWN THING! Who cares if there is a toy cookie jar in the backround.... I captured her face, in a total state of beauty!

 

 

 

 If only I really had a photography biz. I love doing this stuff!


The dress, by the way, is just something I whipped up with some Michael Miller Neo Dot Lemon.
I bought about 2 yards of it thinking I would make myself a dress, but then I opted to use it for Emmaline instead. I just did a plain round neck bodice with a circle skirt that dips in the front and back. I attached 2 huge black buttons on the back for some contrast.




 I am really into tunics for myself and the girls these days, and I LOVE the way this one turned out. (Excuse the no bottoms in this picture, it isn't really meant to be a dress, and someone wouldn't put her pants on.)The dip in the front and back was really an error because I didn't cut the circle part of the skirt correctly, BUT I ended up liking my mistake better than my original intention!

We only have a few more hot days here in Columbus, so I wanted to get the most out of making Emmie small, sleeveless stuff while I can. they are only little once! I do think this top/tunic will last us a while. We will be able to layer it in the winter with a cardigan, or a shrug and leggings and it's just as cute! Almost forgot, the belt is just an add on of some watermelon chevron I had on hand that I sometimes use as a headband too! You can get chevron knit over at Girl Charlee, but I think they are out of this color. :( They have tons of other options!


- XOXO
Lauren

American Girl Party!

 

This past week was my little pumpkin's (Hannah's) 6th birthday.

How in the heck is she already 6!??
 I feel like not too long ago we found out we were expecting her. Time really flies.

 

I am a big fan of smaller birthday bashes so I really wanted to do something super fun, but with only a few girls. Hannah is into American Girl these days and Columbus just got an American Girl Store this summer..... so we planned it for there!

 

 

She has only had her doll for about a year. It was a gift from her little sister Emmie when she was born. We didn't want Hannah to feel left out in anyway when Emmie came along so we did the sibling gift. There are 4 1/2 years between them and we thought it was the perfect gift. At times McKenna (the doll) can be expensive but it gives Hannah something to look forward to when we pick out a new item for her, or do her hair, or she takes her along for a walk and puts McKenna in her stroller.

 

 

We were able to invite 2 girls to the party. They have parties for groups of 4, and then 10-12 people but the larger parties are geared towards 8-12 year olds, so we opted for the smaller version. I was the adult at the table and then it was Hannah, and her friends Hailey and Evelyn.

 

 

The scenery in front of the store is just gorgeous. Easton is lovely in the summertime but this store is really something special, with fountains and frogs out front it is the perfect spot for a great little photo op!

 

 

Before the party started the girls were able to tour the store and look around at all the fun dolls and accessories. The store has anything and everything for the dolls and it is set up like a museum so you can just look and look and look until your little heart is happy!

 

 

 

The girls really enjoyed this. The dolls are set up in cars, on horses, in tents, and on little beds. They also have all of the old school American girl dolls that I remember from when I was little... the historic ones. I think I had a book about Samantha, but never had a doll. Did any of you have the doll when you were little? It seems like AG has become an American phenomenon over the past 15-20 years. 

 

 

 

After we looked around the store for about 30 minutes we sat down to a very girly, pink, lovely little lunch. Oh and if you didn't have a doll, they let you borrow one! Every doll gets a little highchair to sit at the table, or you can bring a stuffed animal or a doll of your own to join in on the party!

 

All of the girls got to order a drink, and appetizer, AND a meal,...... which would be followed by Gluten Free Cake!  Yes, you heard me correctly! The best part of this meal and one of the reasons that I even scheduled this party here, was because the American Girl Bistro was so accommodating to Hannah's Celiac Disease and diet.

 

 For those of you who might not know, Hannah was diagnosed when she was 5 years old with Celiac Disease. She must eat gluten free for every meal, to avoid damage to her intestines, and to ensure nutritional absorption. It is not a curable disease, she will have to eat this way for life. It was VERY refreshing and almost brought tears to my eyes that they were so accommodating with meal choices and the cake, and ALL GLUTEN FREE!!!! (& no extra charge too!)

 

 

 

 

Hannah had the best time sharing these special moments with her friends. We are so glad they could join us!

 

 

 

We can't wait to do it again when she is a little older!

 

 

 

Group shot!

 

 

 

Cheers to Hannah! Happy Birthday!

 

 

 

Happy Birthday sweet girl! We hope you had a VERY special day!

XOXO-
L

 

 

Model in Training

 Babies are too funny! Especially mine. Emmaline just started to take over her sisters modeling duties for my little etsy shop, www.laurosario.etsy.com 

 

I just can't get enough of sewing these days and I really neglected the shop this summer so I needed to kick things into gear for the fall. My infinity scarves did so well last year and there was such high demand for them that I decided to make more this year!

 

What goes along with new infinity scarves? -- New pictures, naturally.

 So here is the sequence of events that happens when I try to take Emmie's picture.

 

#1- Shock

She doesn't quite know what is going on but she knows she is wearing a foreign object and that mom has a big black thing around her neck. She also is quite still for the first picture, she isn't too sure what to expect next.

 

 

 

 

#2- Smiles 

 This does not always occur but almost every second photo I take of this child in a photo session is clear and usable. Fortunately, in this picture she is all SMILES! Love it! Good job baby girl!

 

 

 

#3- Horseplay

Once she realizes she is in this for a reason, other than to play, she climbs around and makes my job totally crazy. On this occasion I think she was going for her football/linebacker pose.

 

 

#4- Utter Embarrassment

Need I say more? Whatcha digging for?

 

 

All in all, I think she is learning and doing a great job! It is pretty hard to get her to stand still. Being 15 months means constant movement until nap/bedtime.

To get one of these adorable scarves, visit here, they are SO cute for fall, and they really add something unique to any outfit your little one owns.

OH! I almost forgot!

In addition to the scarves, I also have a few new items out there for the ladies. These are so awesome, they are a clutch that can be used for almost anything. The pattern is by, Michelle Patterns. I have made many bags from her patterns in the past and they are all totally awesome... Anyways, me, still having a kid in diapers, and who wants to be stylin' would use it as a diaper clutch, but it is also great for girls night out, or date night with your man! It has a normal large pocket in the inside but also a tiny little secret pocket in front, perfect for your smaller items, but doesn't jeopardize the classiness of the clutch look. Go take a look over here!

SUPER cute eh?

 

Right now the shop has these prints available but I will soon be adding a pink and a yellow version. These are great as gifts too!




Happy Wednesday all!
XOXOX- Lauren