spring fling top

I have had this fabric for awhile and figured I should use it. I made one of these tops for each of my girls but Bramli is not big on getting her picture taken so Londyn is my model. As you can see she hates it. . . . . hehe. Here is your supply list, I am estimating as I made 2 tops and had leftovers.

1 yard main fabric (fits 7 yr old)
1/4 yard contrasting fabric
1/4 yard of lining/bib fabric
buttons
thread



I started out by cutting the fabric doubled and folded to the measurement of my girls' shoulders and then the length by measuring shoulder to hip, I then added 1/2 inch for inseams. I simple added 4 inches to the shoulder measurement for the bottom of the top so that it would flare out. I also doubled the fabric and cut 7 inch by 4 inch rectangles, for my big girl, for sleeves. For the bib I folded the fabric and traced a water bottle cap for the bib making it 7 inches long and about the same across, making it oval shaped along the bottom. I did the same thing for the scalloped hem but with a juice lid. Double the fabric, cut it the same length as the bottom of your top and cut your scallops. I just pinned the bib piece to the brown dot and bottom scallop to the cream fabric with both right sides up, and the used my machine to sew them together by following the scallops on the top piece, then I cut the brown dot and the cream to match the scallops. Then cut a 2 by 7 inch strip of brown for the button placket.

Above are the pieces you should have
2 sleeve pieces
front and back piece of shirt, I cut the shoulders on the top fold of fabric so I didn't have to sew the shoulders together
bib piece
bottom scallop front and back
button placket


Here is the bib, same thing for bottom. I sewed the sides of the top together and then attached the sleeves by just putting them into the arm holes right side of fabric together and sewing them. The nice thing about this was that I am sure you noticed I cut the sleeves long and square, once they were in I had plenty of length to play with and I simple trimmed the inside where there was excess in the arm pit from cutting the ends square. I did do a little scallop and then hemmed it. I cut a square neck by folding my top and then cutting it to the dimensions of the bib. I hemmed the neck, attached my bib and button placket and then hand stitched the buttons. the neck is a bit big but it was nice because I didn't have to mess with buttons or anything and she totally has room to grow.

Next time I am going to try to get Bramli to pose for me, people are going to start thinking she doesn't exist!!!

3 sisters dress

The week before Easter was spring break, and my kids and I were lucky enough to squeeze in a quick 3 day trip to see my sister in San Clemente. The weather was gorgeous and we had fun hanging out and playing with my nephew. I took my sewing machine hoping to slip in a project and when I got there my sister (Jayde) and I decided that it was time to make something for us grown up girls!! I literally never make myself anything, but it was fun and turned out cute, so I may just have to try it again! This dress is so easy, I made one for myself, Jayde and our youngest sister Paige in 3 hours tops. While being endlessly interrupted by my kids. Here is the supply list

1 3/4-2 yards of jersey
1/4 yard of a contrasting knit (it does not have to be a knit, but you do want it to have some stretch)
thread


This is actually the layout for Jayde's dress, because I guess I didn't take pics of every single one. I told her to pick a shirt that was pretty loose and that she liked how it fit. I doubled up the jersey and folded it in half and basically traced it. The only thing you want to watch is the length. I knew the shirt that she picked is pretty long on her, but the one I did was a bit shorter and you want to make sure that the top will fit a bit slouchy into the skirt.

Then I measured her hips and her hip to ankle measurement and added a couple of inches for inseams. I doubled and folded my fabric for the skirt, measured 1/4 of her waist measurement in and cut to there. I then cut into the hem 3 inches further than the waist and simply cut a diagonal line until they met. I am hoping this makes sense.You want to cut this pretty much the same size as you are or else it won't stretch and fit you well. It will be baggy. So, for example, if the waist is 28 and you have a front and a back then each side of your skirt needs to be 14 inches. Since you fold your fabric that means that you would cut 7 inches in at the waist. 10 inches in at the hem and then cut a straight diagonal until you have your 2 pieces. Whew! I am horrible at reading directions and now feel that I should apologize to all the people I said wrote stupid directions. . . . . .

Sew your top right sides together, DO NOT SEW THE SHOULDERS CLOSED, only sew the sides! Sew your skirt together. Then you then take your contrasting knit and cut a piece that is 5 inches by your waist measurement. Then you pin that right sides together to the top of your skirt and attach. Don't know why the top is upside down in the above picture.

Finish it off by opening up the neck of your shirt, slide it onto the skirt, upside down and right sides together. Sew the waistband knit into the bottom of your top, if your top is a little wider around the bottom than the top of your skirt, either pleat the excess into either side of the waistband, or do 2 folds equal distance apart on the back. I know its sounds tricky but I eyeballed it on all three and it was so easy and you don't even notice. Turn your entire dress inside out and sew up the shoulders and you are done! Super easy and nice for summer. I need more colors!! And a shout out to my 9 yr old who took the pictures of me in the dress, he was less than thrilled.