Some Completed Projects

I would like to say that we have had such an exciting week and have a wonderful story to tell but the only story around here is the same one that plays over and over. (similarly to Claire's music) We get up, we eat oatmeal, we dance and play, we go thrift store shopping, Claire naps, I sew. Then we do it again.

This weekend, Josh is taking some boys camping so I am heading to my mom's house. My brother Steve will also be staying the weekend because his wife is taking some students from the school they teach at on a trip and she will be gone for a few days. It will be like the olden days - all of us kids back under the same roof. (plus Claire!)

Here are some projects I've recently finished. The ruffled sleeve top:

This top is made out of a vintage sheet. I use sheets when I'm developing a pattern so that I don't waste nice fabric. (which I also got for $1 - everything you see is from something that cost a dollar. I won't spend more than that on a refashion) The back

Claire in middle of talking.

This next one is made from a Ralph Lauren wrap skirt. I got three of these tops and a dress out that one skirt.

And the dress - which I am in love with.

The following are too big for Claire to model. I am hoping to sell them (and more that are in the works) at a little booth/shop at our upcoming yard sale and if they do well I will try at the Laveen BBQ.

I got two of these dresses out of a LARGE womens shirt.My pride and joy dress - made out of a Roxy Skirt (it was not very photogenic and looks amazing in real life.)

Another large ladies' topand made from a skirt
and a dress.
As you can see I pretty much have 4 different patterns going for me that I really like.

And here is the shirt dress tutorial. I LOVE this blog.

Refashioning

I have been doing a TON of sewing lately. I am LOVING refashioning old clothes into new dresses for Claire. It is hard to get a lot done... especially when little feet can't resist the temptation of dancing all over a large piece of fabric perfectly smoothed out of the floor. I try not to get mad at her because I remember doing the same thing to my mom when she used to sew. "Get off the fabric!" she would say countless times.

Here are a few of my projects.

I got this Charlotte Russe skirt at Swift Thrift for a dollar. The material is an extremely light and wispy cotton. As soon as I saw it I knew the material would be perfect for this dress.
Add some elastic and arm holes and you have a sweet, cool, breezy dress.

This next transformation is from this "dress". When I bought it off the dollar rack I didn't look at the tag but it is a Fredricks of Hollywood dress. Lol. I just knew I wanted it for the smocking that was in the back.This was a fun one working with the smocking and I installed my first invisible zipper in the back.Showing a little cleavage in her Fredricks of Hollywood dress.

Butter fingers!
Thanks to Ashlee Cowell for showing me this great blog tutorial. I love making these.

Before:

After:

Before:

After:

Before:

After:

These were just shirt we had in the throwaway pile. I have recently accumulated shirts that are more little girl looking.

I can't wait!

Alternative to Fabric Stores

I really enjoy making dresses for Claire but I found a few downsides to making them.
1. The patterns are all too big for Claire right now. I made the smallest size and MAYBE it will fit her next summer.
2. The fabric you buy in stores is not the same as regular dresses you buy. It can be cute - but sometimes you don't want a dress that is obviously homemade.
3. Fabric is expensive!! The dresses I made Claire in the past both cost close to $16 when all was said and done, making them the most expensive clothing items Claire owns.

I had this great idea the other day when I was at my favorite Swift Thrift. Every Thursday is dollar day on a certain color tag. So not only did I find a bunch of nice clothes for Claire... Every item shown cost $1 and is either Gap, Old Navy, or Child's Place.

But I also picked up this skirt. It is a Tommy Hilfiger. It was $1. Size 6.
(The bigger the better. This was hard to work with.)
Then I strategically used the skirts best qualities and cut it like this
and a very short while later.... Voila!
Claire doesn't pose well..
and the back...I have two more items ready to turn into dresses. I like this because each one will be different depending on what the clothing item has to offer. I also like this because it was a fun, inventive and inexpensive way to sew.