Saturday, November 6, 2010

Resized t-shirt

I didn't take a before picture, but this shirt used to be larger. I used Jalie pattern 2918 to resize it to a toddler size 2. I have had to adjust the neck size from the pattern. As is, the shirts do not fit over my toddler's head. I have to make the opening 1/8" - 1/4" larger to fit over his head and have had to adjust the neck binding as well.

T-shirt

This is a t-shirt that I made from my fabric stash using Jalie pattern 2805. This is the 4th shirt I've made using this pattern. This is my new go-to pattern for t-shirts. The fit is flattering and it is quick and easy to sew. I've also resized other t-shirts using this pattern for a better fit.

Resized Hawaiian shirt

I found a men's Hawaiian shirt at goodwill for $1. I liked the print and wanted to resize it to fit me and my shape. I cut apart the shirt and used Simplicity 9816. I like this shirt pattern as it has different patterns for different cup sizes (no calculating or altering that I would normally need to do) to ensure a good fit. I laid the pattern pieces on the shirt and cut around them. I lined up the bottom hemline on the pattern so I would not have to hem the shirt when I was finished. I also lined up center front with the center front of the pattern so I would not have to redo the buttons or button holes. Sometimes I feel like this is the cheater way to sew, but it saves a lot of time when it is already done.

Training underwear

I made this training underwear from my flannel stash and the training pants pattern from new conceptions. At first attempt, my toddler refused to wear the underwear and I thought that it may have been uncomfortable for him. On the second attempt, he did wear the underwear and I could see the fit better. The second time around I liked the fit better. The underwear has a high waist design and the leg openings are big. They definitely would not contain a poop on my child who is on the thinner side. When it is time for potty training, I do think that they will serve their purpose (he isn't quite ready yet). If I were to redesign this pattern for a better fit, I would lower the waist (who wears anything that high anymore?) and lower the leg openings so they fit a thinner child a little better.

-My favorites are the frog underwear :)

-Update 2011: I love this pattern now. They flannel is more absorbant than store bought training underwear. Now that my kids are 2 and 3 (instead of 1 when I first made the underwear), the fit is different. It it not too high waisted and fits snugly like it should. It does actually contain poop accidents too. I use these daily with my kids and it saves us a lot of money since we are not buying pull-ups.

Underwear out of t-shirts and knit scraps


I bought the children's underwear pattern from youcanmakethis.com. I am usually hesitant to buy .pdf patterns as I have had bad luck in the past with some. I have to say that I love this pattern. If you use knit scraps and recycled t-shirts, the underwear costs less than 50 cents a pair to make or free if you the supplies on hand. So far I have completed one boys' pair in size 2 and one girls' pair in size 2. The instructions were great and I love that the pattern does not use elastic for the binding (it uses a knit fabric with some lycra in it for extra stretchiness plus resilience). The only tricky part was that an exact measurement was not included for the opening on the boys' pattern and I was not sure how far to stretch the binding as I pinned it on. It turned out okay after pressing and it will likely go more smoothly as I make more.

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Last minute Spiderman Costume

My son has recently taken an interest in spiderman. I decided to make him a last minute costume that could double as pajamas. I bought 3 thrifted t-shirts (2 red and 1 blue) from Goodwill for $3. I cut the t-shirts apart and adapted Jalie pattern 2918 for the top and __ pattern for the pants.

I had to piece the back togeter as I ran out of blue. I created the red bug shape on the back by drawing the shape on the center of blue back, pinning red fabric underneath, sewing on my drawing lines, and cutting out 1/8 inch inside the sewing lines to reveal the red bug shape underneath.


I drew on the black spider and web lines using a black fabric paint pen from JoAnns.



Thursday, October 28, 2010

Pillowcases recycled into reusable shopping bags

At http://sewingdork.blogspot.com/2010/10/easy-five-step-market-tote-and-its.html , I saw how one blogger turned thrifted pillowcases into reusable shopping bags.

I got these pillowcases at GoodWill on 50% off Saturday for 75 cents to use for my reusable shopping bags.

I made my straps out of heavy denim that I had on hand. The straps are 1.5 inches by 50 inches. I serged around each strap to finish the edges. Then I sewed the straps on 5 inches from the side of the pillowcase to the edge of the strap. Next were the side seams and top edge. The link above includes a tutorial on how she made the bags. Instead of using bias tape to encase the top edge, I just sewed the pillowcase closed on the open side. Also, to make the bag have more of a bottom shape for holding groceries, I sewed each corner in to form the box shape.


I think they turned out cute and we picked out colorspatterns my husband wouldn't mind being seen carrying. I've used them the past 2 weeks and they have already saved me 10 cents at Sprouts and have held up for carrying groceries without a problem.

I made the straps a little longer than in the tutorial. I like them a little longer so I can carry them in my hand, over my arm, or over my shoulder.