Slouch neck halter

I am enjoying t-shit recons today! After watching this video on Generation-T I had to try it out. I love this little top. I think I will be making myself a few of these! I think I will make them a little longer. I'll still do 3 inches at the top and 7 at the bottom. But I think I will measure longer then 24 inches to give it a little more length.

Upcycled T-shirt

I have been a fan of Generation-T for a while now. I love all the ideas of things you can do with a t-shirt. I have used some of my old baby doll style t-shirts to make my daughters new clothes. But I have never made myself something from a t-shirt. I have had a Goonies shirt for a while now. But I hardly ever wear it. I love the shirt though so I decided to make something that I would likely wear more often. So I made a halter dress. I didn't follow any real pattern. It was some trial and error with inspiration from Generation-T, but I think it came out great. It's a comfy little dress that is perfect for the AZ summer! What do you think?

What have you made out of a T-shirt?

Pillowcases!

I have seen recently that sewing pillowcases has become very popular. Then last week on The Crafting Pot I read about a great cause, 1 Million Pillowcase Challenge. American Patchwork & Quilting has set a challenge for sewers to help reach the goal of donating 1 million pillowcases to local charities through out 2010. I am sure we (well most crafters anyway) have a stack, box, cupboard, etc of fabrics we just haven't found the right project for. Well, here's your chance! Whip up a few pillowcases and donate them to a local charity!

If the thought of making pillowcases has ever had you a bit nervous, by following a photo tutorial (I admit it, I was) The girls at The Crafting Pot also found a wonderful video tutorial. I personally love video tuts, because I know I am following the steps correctly.

Anyway stop on by The Crafting Pot through out the month of Sept. for some great challenges!

T-Shirt revamp

While shopping today I found some cute outfits for my daughters. But I wanted to give them a little more umpf.
I started with this top. It is a girls xs which is a girls size 4/5. My youngest is in 18m/2t, but I loved the top. I figured with a little altering it'd make a cute dress.

So I sewed elastic onto both sides. The elastic bunched up the sides a bit and shortened the top.

I then used some ribbon and made a flower pin.

Since I was already playing with the ribbon I also made a couple hair clips to match.

I LOVE how it turned out! I can't wait to get her in it. But since it is after her bedtime I guess I'll have to wait LOL

I also got my oldest a basic black t-shirt.

I used Tulle and fabric to make a flower pin.

I love how it looks with her new skirt!

And again I made a matching hair clip ;)

Here are some blogs with some great flower tutorials!
http://www.thebridescafe.com/?postID=892&diy-t-shirt-flower-wedding-bouquet

http://boutiquenutmegdesigns.blogspot.com/2008/07/fabric-flower-tutorial.html

http://maizehutton.blogspot.com/2007/08/frayed-flower.html

Sweet As Steel has a new look!

Hi everyone! I recently entered a contest on Giveaways For Mom to have a custom designed blog makeover by Leah at Cutesie Blog Designs I found out earlier this week that I was the winner! So exciting! Leah had me look through different digital scrapbooking kits to find the one I liked best. I answered a few key questions and the rest was in her hands. Leah made the process so easy! And look at my amazing new bog! Sweet! If you are looking to have your blog redone, I whole heartedly recommend you go to Leah! Thanks Cutesie Blog Designs and Giveaways For Mom for my fabulously funky blog! You guys rock!!

Hooded beach towel

Who doesn't like hooded towels? I know as a mom I love them. And if you are a busy mom like me, then this is perfect for you... These are so easy to make! And fast!!

Supplies:
1 - beach (or bath towel)
1 - hand towel

First take your hand towel and cut it in half. I like to fold it and use a pin to mark the middle on each side, mark it and cut it. Set one half aside for another project.





Fold the half of the hand towel in half. making sure the raw edge you just cut is along the top. And pin it together. About 2 1/2" from the top, on the side with the fold, mare a curve. Then cut it.

Next sew that raw edge shut. If you have a serger, I suggest using it. If you are like me and you don't then I would do a straight stitch first. Then go back over that stitch with a zig zag.


Flip it right side out and you've got your hood.

Fold your beach towel in half and mark the middle with a pin.

Fold the hood in half and mark the middle with a pin.

Lay the hood on top of the beach towel, lining up the pins, and pin the hood to the towel.


Using a zig zag stitch, sew the hood to the towel. (Since the hand towel and beach towel had finished edges there is no need to reinforce the stitching)

Voila! You made your very own hooded towel!

Bandana Top/Dress Tutorial

I have really been neglecting my blog. I hope that a couple fun tutorials will make up for it!

Things have been very crazy here the last couple months and I have missed posting tutorials. So to make up for it, I'm going to post more then one this month. Up first...

A girls top or baby/toddler dress made out of bandanas! I got my bandanas at Walmart for $1 each. So you can easily make these for under $5 each 

Supplies:
2 bandanas
1-2 yds of grosgrain ribbon (I am using 7/8")
Thread

Start by making a seam across the top of each bandanas. This will be where we run the ribbon through at the end.




For a baby dress, if you's like it shorter. Trim a few inches off the top. Then sew your seam. On this one I trimmed 4" off the top.

Next we need to mark where the side seam ends and the arm holes begin. Measure from the top 4-6 inches down and mark the fabric with a marker.


You'll have two that look something like this.

I like to pin the bandanas together, stopping where I put my mark. Then sew up both sides, stopping at your mark.


Flip the top right side out and run your ribbon through the top seam. I just have the girls stand here to figure out the best length. But if they aren't around, I like to pull the ribbon through both sides, then pull the looped end out about 2", and have 6" of loose ribbon on the other end. Then I cut the ribbon.


Gather the fabric up a bit. And have your girl put it on. Tie the bow. (sorry the pics aren't better. It's hard to convince a 19 month old to be a model)


Now if you don't want to cut it shorter, you can still use the bandanas to make a toddler dress. Peyton is in 18m, this is her in the top Annsleigh was wearing above. I personally like them a bit shorter though. I think this would fit her better if she were in a 3t.

You can add other embellishments if you wanted. Like trim or a ruffle along the bottom, an applique or embroidery, etc.


Another way to make a summer top for older girls is to make it a tie back halter. For this you only need one bandana.

You do the top seam the same as the others. Then attach a strip of ribbon to both sides. Since it's for Annsleigh, I cut the ribbon's length, the same width as the bandana. I like to get the ribbon placed as close to the middle of the bandana as possible to attach them. For the ribbon length at the neck I double the width of the bandana. Run the ribbon through the seam and you're done! You can do a similar top to this by making the top seam from one of the corner sections. This makes the bottom go to a point.