New life for an old shirt

From this...

to this...

courtesy of this, with a few modifications (1/2" wider, kicked out the sides for the skirt, lengthened by 4 1/2", used existing hem of shirt).

Like the headband?  Pop over here for the how-to.

Happy weekend!

Celebrate...with party hats!

While looking at a very girly princess hat the other day, it occurred to me that I could revamp the design to make a basic party hat.  Seeing as this is Celebrate the Boy month over at Made by Rae and Made, I thought this was the perfect way to get in the spirit!

So, dig out your favorite boy fabric and celebrate your little guy by making him a cute (and super-simple) party hat!

Here's how:

Materials: one 10" x 15" rectangle of outer fabric

                  two 10" x 15" rectangles of duck cloth for interior

                  one 11" piece of 1/8" elastic

                  one 18" piece of trim (rick-rack, pom-poms, etc.)

OR

                  

                  see HERE for an alternate way to line hat, including coordinating cute fabric



Step 1: Make a quick pattern - this hat is 9" long (from point to bottom) on both sides, and about 9" along the curved bottom.  So, the top angle is 60 degrees (hello, junior high math anyone?).
I'm trying my hand at including a pattern here (forgive my superior technical skills...ha ha) - the pattern is hand-drawn, and (I'm pretty sure) upside down.  Oh well - it will save you some math, right?

Step 2: Place one 9" side along the fold of your fabric.  Cut along the other 9" side and the curved bottom.  Repeat for both pieces of duck cloth.

Note: when you open the cut pieces of fabric, they will now be triangles with 9" straight sides, an 18" curved bottom, and a 120 degree angle at the top.



Step 3: Layer the fabric together.  Make sure the right side of your outer fabric is facing out.  I like using a temporary spray adhesive to hold the pieces together vs. pins - much quicker.

Step 4: Baste along the bottom curved edge.  I used about a 1/4" seam allowance.

Step 5: Serge (or zigzag or pink) along this edge.

Step 6: Sew down your elastic about 4 1/2 " in from each end of the bottom edge.  I zigzag and straight stitch over the elastic a few times to really secure it (do you think it looks secure?).

Step 7: Sew down your trim, covering up the elastic and serging.  Be sure to move the elastic out of the way so you don't sew it into your trim!  Trim that little bit of elastic sticking out.

Step 8: Fold the hat in half, right sides together, to match each 9" straight edge.  Sew this seam, being sure to backstitch at either end.  Serge (or otherwise finish) this seam.

Step 9: Turn the hat right side out, press and try on your little one. 

Have fun with all the fabric and trim combinations you can make!  I only had this green rick rack on hand when I made these three, but later that day, I raided the trim aisle at Joann's for lots more options.

I also think this would be such a fun project to make with muslin as the outer fabric.  Then, give the kids fabric markers, etc. and let them decorate their own!

Have fun!



For the little Valentine in your life

Back in November, Mr. C and I took a trip to Woodstock, VT.  We saw these adorable ribbon headbands in more than a few shops.  I was shocked at the $15. price tag, though, and vowed to return home and make my own.
Here are the how-to's and results:

1. Materials: 7/8 " solid color ribbon

                    5/8" print ribbon

                    plain headbands - really any kind will work

2. Measure the length of the headband.  Add about 1 1/2"  to this meausurement and cut two lengths of the solid ribbon.

3. Cut one piece of the printed ribbon the same length as your solid pieces.

4.  Pin the length of printed ribbon onto one piece of the solid ribbon.  Edge stitch on each long side of the ribbon.  I used a 70/10 needle.  Note: I have done this without pinning, but it actually took longer as the ribbon gets very slippery and shifty.  Better take the minute to pin and then sew faster, with neater results.

5. With right sides together, sew one short end with an approx. 3/8" seam.  Turn and finger press.

6.  Fold each remaining short end, wrong side together, approx. 1/4" and pin.

7. Now fold the two lengths of ribbon wrong sides together, starting at the short seam.  Topstitch down each long side, close to edge.  When you get close to the end with the folded ends, repin if necessary to ensure that the folds match up.  Stitch to end, backstitching to secure folds.  (Leave the short side open.)  You should now have a casing with both long sides topstitched and one short seam sewn inside.

 8. Feed your headband through the ribbon casing.

9. Once the headband is all the way through, you should have enough overlap to sew a 3/8" seam to close the opening.  Be sure to backstitch.

 10. There you go!  One adorable, handmade headband for your little Valentine!

 11.  Enjoy how cute (and grown-up!) she looks!

12. And then, go make a bunch more because they are so fun, cute and easy!

  

Happy Valentine's Day!