Summer Sewing Projects!

Ready or not, here comes a huge assortment of our sewing adventures from the past few months!

Child Sewing Projects

Summer is the perfect time to tackle 'skills' sewing projects for the kids. As I've fallen in love with sewing, I have had an increasing desire to share my skills with others; first and foremost, with my children. I want them to learn that they can create something beautiful and functional, that they can be inspired by gorgeous fabric and allow that to fuel their creativity. But they need basic skills to do this. I chose simple projects that would teach specific skills and could be completed in just a coupld hours (which means 3-4 hours with kids doing the work). We worked on these projects on rainy days when parks and swimming were not an option. This summer there were fewer 'indoor' days than usual, so we actually didn't even get to the kitchen aprons that were also on the books. 

The towel ponchos they made! We used a tutorial from Polka Dot Chair and the kids LOVED the result! We got lots of compliments all summer on these. I will say it is pretty challenging for kids to work the ribbon through the 'tunnel', but they needed that skill for the next project and I thought this one would be good practice. No. Just do the ribbons yourself unless your 'students' are preteens or teens. It will save everyone stress and frustration. 

THIS backpack project (tutorial also from Polka Dot Chair) they got to pick out coordinating fabric! That was exciting! Selecting fabrics feels like being  kid in a candy store...something about the colors and the patterns just satisfies me-- like looking at row upon row of pretty beads arranged by color in the store-- choosing fabric is THE most fun part of the project for me! I was eager to share that portion of the sewing journey with the girls. And they loved it too! Gwen picked out some blue fabric that looks like mermaid scales and a fish fabric for her lining. Caroline went with a mommy cat and her kittens with a lining of kitties playing with yarn. 

They both did the cutting (with assistance) and sewing (with me behind to help if needed). And Gwen braided all 4 yards of her cord! I sewed the appliques, but they chose the designs and helped me cut them out and iron the interfacing. 

They turned out just too adorable for words! I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. 

 For Me

Cute 3/4 sleeve tee I made. Based my pattern on It's Always Autumn tutorial, but was eager to customize the shape to my own figure. Adorable floral fabric from Girl Charlee. 

The Grecian maxi dress I made for my SIL's blush and gold wedding. I used a dress I own as a pattern. I wasn't completely thrilled with this dress at the time because I had to throw it together last minute when I messed up on the lace-y dress I was working on and the fabric was on back order. But I loved the freedom and comfort and I DANCED like a happy woman at the reception!

The lace-y dress after I got what I needed to finish it. And guess what? I like the other one better! But working with the stretch lace was really fun and educational. And I designed this one from the ground up... which was fraught with error, but definitely a learning experience!

Creme de la creme: the gorgeous tribal pattern maxi dress I made. I used Simplicity pattern 1881 to start, but altered the waist yoke because I'm short and it was designed for long torsos. I ADORE how this dress turned out and have gotten so many compliments on it! Plus, it makes me look GOOD!!

 School Clothes

I mentioned in Wednesday's post that Gwen needed lots of new clothes. She has sprouted long legs, but her waist didn't grow that much (an enviable problem!) So all her skirts were too short and she only had winter leggings rather than capri style. Cheapest solution? Volunteers of America!

I got this entire haul for 20 dollars. Clothes for the girls, swimsuits for next year, undershirts, ballet leotards, and even a shirt to fit Eric (which is truly a rare find at a thrift store). 

From this tee, I made these capris. I used Zaaberry's capri pattern and tutorial and loved how easy she made this!

These were alterations. Size 10-12 that needed taking in for little skinny legs. 

recognize that cute Girl Charlee fabric? Remnant from my shirt project!

This skirt was a size 10-12. I took it in and then added in shorts so she can hang upside-down on the monkey bars. I learned how to make skorts from Make It & Love It.

I made Gwen a new Toothless shirt. Just used a shirt that fits her well as a pattern. The Toothless applique was her special request. Don't be fooled... it was just as tedious to stitch around all those edges as it looks! The skorts were actually 2 shirts (random, right?)

Caroline's dress is pink and yellow (her favorite Fluttershy colors) using a sundress as a starter pattern. I was so happy to find a sweet yellow floral knit to use as the sleeves and trim. The waist is a quilters cotton I had in my scraps that I shirred to make the gather elastic. The little daisy applique was also from my stash (bonus!) and coordinated perfectly!

Oh, it was a happy happy sewing summer!