Tips for Recycling Knit Shirts

For some time now, I've been holding on to a stack of long-sleeved knit turtleneck tees, mockneck tees, and fing guage sweaters that belonged to either me, my mom, or my husband--all with the intentions of someday recycling these shirts into refashioned tops for Ella. Why buy new, expensive knit fabrics when each of these old, gently worn shirts has all the fabric I need to sew my daughter a new top?

Today I'm here to give you some tips for how to recycle a gently used adult knit shirt into a new child's shirt using the Tee x 3 Pattern from Blank Slate Patterns (affiliate link).

The first Tee x 3 I sewed Ella used only the front, back, and sleeve pieces of the pattern. I saved myself time sewing by reusing elements of the existing adult sized turtleneck shirt I recycled. Here's how!

This post contains affiliate links. Although I was provided the pattern at no cost in exchange for my review, all opinions given are my own.

Embroidered Terry/Cuddle Burp Cloth Tutorial

Hi, everyone!  Today I'm guest posting at My Cuddle Corner, the new blog for Shannon Fabrics, and sharing my tutorial on how to make these soft embroidered terry cloth/Cuddle burp cloths.

You may remember my tutorial post from a few days ago for the matching Simple Baby Wash Cloth.  If you missed it, look it up HERE or just click the picture below.

The embroidered font I used on the burp cloth is the Arizona Monogram Set from Embroitque. I've used it a few times on other projects, and I'm so pleased with how well it stitches out.

Make both projects along with a matching bib for a quick, personalized baby shower gift that the recipient will love!  I'll have a blog post on how I put together the bib in the coming days, but in the mean time, please head over to My Cuddle Corner for my Burp Cloth Tutorial and for other great Cuddle projects!

Disclaimer:  Shannon Fabrics provided me with the terry cloth and Cuddle fabrics, but all opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Hope you enjoy these tutorials!  Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think! Have fun sewing!

Patriotic Hopscotch Top

Now that Memorial Day is over, it's time to gear up for the 4th of July.  I've got the perfect top for your little girl to wear to celebrate our nation's independence--the Patriotic Hopscotch Top!

To make this adorable and festive top, I used the Hopscotch Top/Tunic/Dress Pattern from Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop and the Happy 4th of July embroidery design from Embroitque.

Disclosure:  I am an affiliate of Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop and was provided both the pattern and embroidery design for free, but all opinions in this post are 100% my own.

I've been wanting to try out the Hopscotch Top Pattern for a while now.  It has such a classic, simple style with a fit that is ideal for active little girls.  Now, the pattern designer provides instructions on how to add a center decorative placket down the front bodice, but when I saw this design, I thought the front bodice was just the perfect pallet for an applique or embroidery design.

So, in order to make the Patriotic Hopscotch Top, I embroidered this Happy 4th of July design to the bodice.  To make it easy to center, I first traced the pattern bodice piece onto my white fabric and marked the center.  Next, I hooped my fabric and then stitched out this design.

I'm finding that I really enjoy basic embroidery designs so much better than applique designs, and Embroitque has lots of really cute designs.  All the stopping and starting and removing the hoop from the machine to trim fabrics is a little stressful and time consuming in my opinion.  With this embroidery design, I just had to switch out the thread colors and trim a few threads.  The entire design took maybe 20 to 25 minutes to stitch out!

Next, I decided the bodice needed a little pop of color, so I trimmed the waist, the neckline, and the back button placket with red piping.  This added a little time to the construction of the top, but it was well worth it.

For the rest of the top, I stuck with the original pattern design.  The bodice is fully lined and those little flutter sleeves just add the perfect touch of femininity and sweetness to the piece.

The Hopscotch Pattern offers pattern lengths for three styles--Top, Tunic, and Dress--and comes in sizes 3 mo. to 8 years, so I know I will be getting lots and lots of use out of this design!

Plus, as I mentioned earlier, you can do so many things with this pattern to make it all your own. Add the center placket (as provided in the pattern) but maybe add some ric rac or other trim down the center of it to jazz it up even more.  Sew a ruffle strip down the center of the bodice or maybe leave off the the flutter sleeves.  And finally, I can just see this as an adorable dress with a monogrammed bodice!  Can't you?

I made Ella a size 5T based on her actual measurements compared to the pattern sizing chart.  The fit of the top is perfect and comfortable on her.  She squealed when I showed it to her the first time and insisted on wearing it right away.  Always a very good sign when that happens!

So by now you know I am a big fan of Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop patterns, and it's not just because I am an affiliate.  I am an affiliate because I like her patterns so much, and I've made quite a few with plans to make lots more.

If you are also a fan of Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop or would like to try out one of her designs, then today you can pick up the Lazy Days Romper Pattern for just $4 for Thrifty Thursday!

Happy sewing!  Have a great day!

Last Minute Teacher Gift

My son finished up third grade last week, and in normal fashion, I waited to the last minute to make his teacher a gift!  I had decided earlier in the week that I would make her an embroidered zipper pouch, but with all the extra activities at school and Ella's dance class during the week, I just didn't make the time to get it done before the last day of school!

So, on the morning of my son's last half day, I cut out a piece of duck cloth and set up my embroidery machine to stitch out this cute bird in a nest of leaves design.  The design is from Hang to Dry.  I purchased it a few weeks ago when they had a sale.  I'm finding that I enjoy embroidery designs much better than applique designs.  I get a little frustrated with all the stopping and starting and removing the hoop from my machine for applique work.

Anyway, I had not tested out this design before, so it was a make it work no matter what kind of moment!  The design stitched out pretty good, but because it jumps from leaf to leaf so quickly, I didn't stop each time to trim the threads and instead waited until it was finished to do all the trimming.  Well, as you can see, that made it difficult in some spots to get a close snip, and some of the threads frayed or fuzzed up on the ends as a result.  Also, some of the outline stitching was off from the fill.  All in all I really like the design and will use it again.

I then used a piece of Amy Butler's Lark Floral Couture in Berry for the lining paired with a pink zipper and a matching zipper pull.  Project complete!

Ella and I were able to leave the house with enough time to run by the store and purchase a gift card to The Cheesecake Factory to go inside the pouch.  When we got to the school, Connor was already outside waiting, so we ran back in to find his teacher.  He gave her the gift and she loved it!  Whew!  Next year, I hope I don't wait to the very last minute to make the teacher gift, but I'm glad I finished this one in the nick of time.  Mrs. Fields was a wonderful teacher and my son loved her class!

Now it's on to the fourth grade--already!  Hope you have a great summer!

Baby Gift Bundle

Just last week, I blogged about the adorable Ruffle Bum Romper and Mary Jane Shoes I made as a baby gift for a relative.  A day or two later, my close friend, Melissa, called me up and ordered a custom Baby Gift Bundle that includes the exact same thing plus a few extras for her soon-to-be great niece!  She needed them in time for a baby shower this coming weekend, so I worked on them on and off for two days until they were done and dropped them in the mail yesterday.  Whew!

Note:  I am an affiliate for Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop, but all opinions provided in this post are 100% my own.

First up was another Ruffle Bum Romper by Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop.  This one is a size 3 month and is even smaller than the last one.  It is so sweet!  I embroidered the baby's first initial to the bodice using the Adam's Accent Monogram by Embroitique.  Both the pattern and the embroidery design are quickly becoming my favorites!

For the straps and ruffles, I used Anna Maria Horner's Loulouthi collection.  The red is Triflora in Lipstick and the pink is Curated Bloom June.  The teal polka dot fabric is quilting cotton from Joann's.

Like I mentioned in my previous post about the Ruffle Bum Romper, I did add interfacing to the buttonhole and snap areas for a little extra reinforcement.  I also did a better job at attaching the snaps this go around!

This romper also got a matching pair of little Mary Jane Shoes.  I used the Little Shoes pattern again, but this time, instead of making a strap with a velcro closure, I made a strap with elastic that is sewn in place on both sides of the shoe.  Thanks to Melissa for giving me the idea.

The third item is this precious, teeny tiny sun hat.  Again, I used a Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop pattern, the 4-in-1 Sun Hat which includes sizes for a newborn up to a 10-year-old child.  I also monogrammed the same initial H on it.  This particular hat is a 3 month size.

Oh, and the hat is reversible, too!  The pattern shows you how to make these finished slits in the brim so that you can pull the straps through to either side of the hat.  How cool is that?!

The fourth part of the Baby Gift Bundle is this embroidered baby bib.  The embroidery design is Bows Embroidery Alphabet Monogram Set from Embroitique.  I found the free pattern on Gingercake.

I used cotton batting in between the top layer of quilting cotton and the bottom layer of pink minky fabric. Instead of using snaps for the closure, I sewed on velcro.

The fifth and final item of the Baby Gift Bundle is a this burp cloth or changing pad.  It's roughly 10" wide by 18" long and also has a layer of cotton batting in between the quilting cotton and minky fabric.  I used my round magnetic pin holder as a guide for filleting the edges of the burp cloth.

I'm really happy with how the Bows Embroidery Alphabet Monogram Set stitched out on both these items.  I'll definitely use this design again.

And there you have it!  Another personalized sweet baby gift!

KCW Day 1: Monogrammed Ruffle Bum Romper & Baby Shoes

My husband's cousin is pregnant with her first child, and I received an invite to her baby shower this weekend.  She's having a girl, so I had no problem deciding what to give her.  I'd simply sew up something cute and adorable!

I am an affiliate for Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop, but all the opinions in this post are 100% my own.

I decided to try out the Ruffle Bum Romper by Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop and the Mary Jane Shoes by Little Shoes.  Besides a few doll clothes, I've never made clothes this small before, so I knew this would be fun.

This baby outfit is also my Kid's Clothes Week Day 1 sewing project.  Both items were easy to sew together, even with the added monogramming.

First of all, every little baby girl needs a ruffle bottom romper.  This type of outfit is just perfect for showcasing chunky baby legs and arms, and the ruffles on the bum make it look even cuter.  To make my version of the Ruffle Bum Romper even more adorable on the new baby girl, I opted to add a single letter monogram to the front bodice.  I used the Adams Accent Monogram from Embroitque.

The Ruffle Bum Romper pattern is absolutely perfect for adding a monogram or other embroidery/applique design to the front, especially since the front bodice is lined--conveniently covering up the stabilizer and stitching on the back of the bodice.

I hooped the front bodice using Pellon 40 stabilizer and floated a piece of tear away stabilizer under that for extra stability.  I could have used solvy on top, but to be honest, I forgot!  I think the stitching turned out great though.

This is the first Embroitque design I have used, and I was very please with how the 3" design stitched out. In fact, I think this was my fastest embroidery project ever!  It took literally no more than 2 minutes to stitch out the A and the flourishes on the sides.

I almost always have a difficult time deciding what color thread to use on these types of embroidery projects.  My first thought was to use red since the ruffles on the bottom are red, but that reminded me too much of the Scarlet Letter!  I'm so glad I just went with a slightly darker shade of teal than the fabric. I think it's perfect!  Don't you?

Ok.  Back to the romper.  To make this romper, you'll have to know how to make a buttonhole to thread the ties through.  Don't be scared!  I know I used to be, but practice, practice, practice and you will get better at it!  I did.

For the smaller sizes, you'll also have to know how to install snaps.  I have never put snaps on before, but for some reason, I already owned the pliers and a box of snaps!  I just followed the instructions on the plier package and did a pretty good job.  I did have to pry one off and try again because I somehow put it in the wrong place, but luckily, I didn't tear the fabric when I removed it. I forgot to wash off my mark, but it was made using disappearing ink, so it should just wash out.

The pattern is full of detailed photos and written descriptions on how to assemble every part of the Ruffle Bum Romper.  When I first read through the instructions, I was pleasantly surprised at how simple and easy it was to make one.  I did do one thing slightly different than the pattern specified.  I used my serger to give the ruffles a rolled edge hem instead of folding and pressing the fabric to form the hem.  That was just faster for me, plus I like the look on this outfit.

Now, for the next time I make a Ruffle Bum Romper, I will definitely add a small piece of interfacing in between the bodice and bodice lining at the location of the buttonholes as well as add interfacing in the hem before I attach the snaps.  The pattern didn't call for any interfacing, but I think it would help the buttonholes hold up longer and keep the snaps from possibly damaging the fabric after a lot of repeated use.

After I finished the romper, I remembered winning some baby shoe patterns from Little Shoes a few months back.  I never thought I'd get to use these patterns for anything but doll shoes, but they are the perfect addition to the Ruffle Bum Romper.  I even monogrammed the same, but smaller 2" size, Adams Accent Monogram to the top of each little shoe.  Why do we find things in miniature so stinkin' cute?!

Since I only have a 5x7 hoop for my Brother PE770 embroidery machine, I traced the two shoe pattern pieces using disappearing ink onto the fabric, hooped them with the same stabilizers I used for the romper, and then stitched out the monogram on each shoe piece.  I had drawn mine toe to toe, so I had to flip the design file 180 degrees for the second shoe.  Wish I had taken a picture of it in the hoop, but I always forget to do that while I'm working!

These 3-6 month shoes took about an hour to sew together.  They were surprisingly easy to make.  The Little Shoes Mary Jane Pattern pictures were great in showing where to stitch and how to put the pieces together.  However, the written descriptions, although thorough, threw me off a little at times because of their grammar.  The pattern provides sizes 0-3 months up to 18 months, and I'll definitely be using this pattern again in the future for more baby gifts!

Well, I better run!  The baby shower is this weekend, and I have to get this gift in the mail!

Come back tomorrow to see my Kid's Clothes Week Day 2 project!

Bunny Day Outfits

Easter is quickly approaching, and I have been a busy bee at the sewing machine all week! Today I have three little projects to share with you--two tops and a pair of ruffle bottom jeans. All were fairly simple, so you could still get one or all three of these done for your precious little girl before Bunny Day next weekend.

Up first is this adorable purple gingham swing top I made using an adapted version of the Evelyn Dress Pattern from Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop.  I've used this pattern tons to make swing tops and a-line dresses that I then machine embroider.  I'm pretty sure I could make this version of the pattern in my sleep by now.  It's a great base pattern to use.  I highly recommend it!

I appliqued this Bunny Alpha design from Planet Applique onto the front of the top using some super-duper soft minky fabric.

The letter is suppose to be a bunny face with ear, but the fabric is so fluffy, the eyes, nose, and whiskers of the bunny are nearly lost in all the fluff.  I trimmed quite a bit off, but it obviously didn't help a that much.  Ella doesn't mind though.  She loves to pet it!

I didn't make this particular swing top reversible like I have some others seen here and here.  I was in a hurry and wanted to keep things simple.  I did fully line it with white muslin though.

To complete Bunny Day Outfit No. 1, I added these cute banded ruffles to the bottom of some jeans that fit Ella everywhere but in length.

Destri over at The Mother Huddle had blogged about this idea earlier this year, and I quickly pinned it.  When I was cleaning out Ella's closet and found these jeans, I knew her tutorial for Banded Ruffle Cuff Pants would be a perfect way to salvage these jeans for a few weeks more use!

Instead of adding a bow like the one used in the original tutorial, I used some crocheted trim to cover up the center seam.  There are a lot of ways you could add extra detail to this, and now I can't wait to for her to need another pair so I can play around with the finishing touches more!

For Bunny Day Outfit No. 2, I used this cute 3/4 sleeve raglan tee with 3 bunnies appliqued on the front. The t-shirt is from Kavio and the embroidery design is from Planet Applique (and it's on sale right now for just 50 cents). I used some gingham in blue, pink, and purple for the appliqued bunnies. I just love gingham fabric!  Can't you tell?

And to make the applique fabric stay nice and smooth wash after wash, I used Heat-n-Bond Lite to fuse the applique fabric to the shirt before I satin stitched around each one. I also used Pellon #40 cut away stabilizer on the back.

This is my favorite little embroidery project yet.  Ella has received so many compliments the couple of times she has worn it already.  Paired up with this cute little bunny barrette that my friend from Sewing Mama RaeAnna made, and she's ready for some Easter egg hunting!

To complete the Bunny Day Outfit No. 2, Ella just wears the same ruffle bottom jeans that I made for Outfit No. 1!  I love it when separates can be mixed and matched with other pieces!

Hope you've found something on my sewVery blog to inspire you today!  Oh, and I thought I share a few other pictures from our day out at the agricultural park.  Happy Easter!