Shopkins Shorts

It is starting to get hot where I live.  Today was about 107 in fact.  My girls had outgrown most of the shorts they had from last summer.  So, I decided to make them some rather then buy ill fitting shorts at the store.  I have many shorts patterns but I wanted something different than what I already had.  I went searching on etsy and pinterest for a shorts pattern I had envisioned (flat front, pockets and not short shorts).  I found the perfect one through Pinterest and that is the Little Honeybuns Shorts from Pattern Emporium.  As a bonus, they are an Australian company and their dollar is weak compared to USD right now making this pattern super affordable as well!

One of the reasons I choose this pattern is that there are several options.  This makes this pattern an even better deal!  There are 3 different lengths (sporty, play and bermuda).  They have a flat front with elastic back with an option for adjustable elastic.  Some of the other options include back pockets, back flaps, cuffs, tabs, belt loops and sash.

I choose to make the play length.  I made it simple to start out with and did minimal options.  On the next pair I plan to do cuffs and maybe back pockets.

This is a size 9 for my 9 year old daughter that loves Shopkins.  I just got 4 new Shopkins fabrics in the shop a few weeks ago.  This one is called Bags of Fun.  Another great thing about this pattern is that it only took 1 yard of fabric so they were pretty inexpensive to make.  Now lets talk about pockets.

This pattern does the front pockets in a way I have never seen before.  Instead of there being 2 pieces (pocket and lining) the pocket is one piece.  I thought this was genius and it made it simple and quick.  I trimmed the pocket opening in bias made with Fairy Frost in Fancy.  It really picks up the purple colors in the fabric and matches perfect with the tank top she will wear with this that I bought at Target.

Here is the back of the shorts.  There is a back yoke and elastic in the waistband.  The only thing I did different from the pattern directions was how I sewed the waistband.  The first pair of shorts that I made I followed the directions and found it difficult to sew the back waistband after inserting the elastic.  So, with this pair I top stitched/sewed the back waistband, inserted the elastic with my bodkin and then sewed the elastic in at each side seam.  Then I finished it up and top stitched the front waistband.  This was so much easier and I will do it that way from now on.

This is my new favorite shorts pattern and will be making several more this summer for both daughters!

Climbing the Willow Izzy Top

Yesterday we went to a joint birthday party for both my neighbor's girls.  The oldest was turning 5 and the youngest 3.  I always like to make handmade presents for birthday gifts because 1. it saves me money and 2. it is fun to give a unique gift that people can't buy at the store.  For the younger girl I made the Frozen Fever Sophie dress blogged about below.  The older girl does not wear dresses and usually likes superheroes over princesses.  When I went over to their house to take their measurements I quizzed the girls on what they liked.  The oldest told me she loves Ariel because she swims (they are currently taking swimming lessons).  So, I decided to make her a top using a free pattern called Izzy from Climbing the Willow.  My original idea was to use Marvel Avengers fabric but she told me she loves Ariel so I used the new Ariel and Eric fabric from Springs Creative.

This was a super simple top to make and you can't beat a free pattern!  The directions were easy to follow too.  I made this top in a 4T and it took only 1 yard of fabric.  This pattern is perfect for a beginning seamstress because there are no set in sleeves or zipper.

The back bodice is split and there is a tab on one side that crosses over to the other side.  You can use a button/buttonhole or snap.  I choose to do a snap because it was easy and I had a snap color that matched.  I used KAM snaps on the top I made.

This morning I got a text from my neighbor and both girls were wearing the outfits that I made them to school today.  Looked like they both fit perfect too!

Frozen Fever Sophie Dress

Later this week is my next door neighbor's 3rd birthday.  Last week I asked her who her favorite princess was and she said "Anna from Frozen".  I happened to just get in new Frozen Fever fabric so I decided to make her a Frozen Fever dress.

Let's start with the fabric.  For the skirt, bodice front sides, bodice back and lining I used the brand new Disney Frozen Fever fabric from Springs Creative.  It features Elsa and Anna in the dresses they wore on the short Frozen Fever.  Olaf and little mini snowmen (which my daughter tells me were the result of Elsa sneezing) are also on the fabric.  The colors are vibrant and fun.  The fabric in the middle section is Michael Miller Fairy Frost in Lagoon.  Sorry I do not have this fabric in stock but bought it retail from a shop.

On the middle piece I embroidered a sunflower that matches the ones on Anna's skirt.  I used an applique design I bought from Lovely Leaf Applique on etsy.  I used the 4x4 size, which was perfect for this 2T dress.  I also used metallic gold piping on the bodice between the center and side pieces.  I purchased the piping at Hobby Lobby.

On the back I used a beautiful lace zipper.  Exposed zippers are so much easier to install than the traditional zippers and add a fun element to the dress.

Now for the pattern.  I used the Sophie dress pattern from Made for Mermaids.  The sleeves in the original pattern are 3/4 length.  I used her add on pattern for the sleeves shown and made the short sleeves with cuff.  This is one of my favorite patterns and with the add on pack there are tons of new options, making this a very versatile pattern.

Ariel Ayda Dress

My niece's birthday was this month so I decided to make her a dress.  She is now 4 and is the most girly girl I have ever seen.  She is also crazy about Ariel.  Wish I had modeled pictures but since my girls are way too big for this dress (and I won't put it on my son to model) these photos will have to do for now.

The fabric shown is new from Springs Creative.  It features Ariel as a mermaid and human, Prince Eric, Sebastian and Ursula!  The colors are just  gorgeous too!  This is a cotton fabric and can be found HERE.  While you are there take a look at all the character fabric I have in stock.  I have many new ones including one with just Ariel, Cinderella, Tinkerbell and more.

I made this dress with the Ayda pattern from Simple Life Pattern Company.   You can make a peplum top or dress.  The skirt can be gathered or a circle skirt.  I chose to make a circle skirt.  I think it is much easier/quicker plus it provides tons of twirl.  Another option is for flutter sleeves but I chose to keep it simple and didn't add that.  This is a super easy and fast dress to make because there are no closures (no buttons or zipper).  The back overlaps as shown below.

There are also two options for the back.  The back as shown above or a more modest back that provides more skin coverage.  You can also add trim or lace or leave that off for an even quicker sew.  I decided to add lace to give a bit more coverage in the back and to make it just a bit more girly.  I got this lace at Joann and I thought it looked like it was crabs all along the lace.  Perfect for an Ariel dress that also features Sebastian!

Rapunzel Outfit

A while back I won a $50 gift card to Spoonflower.  One of the things I bought was 1 yard of Rapunzel fabric from one of my favorite designers Heather Ross.  At the time I had no idea what I would make with it but I bought it to make something for my 10 year old.  As some of you know, 1 yard of fabric for a 10 year old doesn't go very far so my options were limited.  When I got the Potato Chip skirt pattern from the last Bundle Up I thought this was the perfect thing to make with that fabric since it doesn't take much fabric even for the larger sizes.

The skirt pattern will be available soon from Tie Dye Diva.  The Bundle Up is no longer available so if you want the skirt pattern you will have to wait a few more days and then you can buy it direct from her website HERE.  The skirt has a timeless A line shape with a flat front and elastic back.  It also has inset pockets with instructions to add piping.  This skirt is also reversible but I doubt she will wear it on the other side.  This fabric is too cute to hide.  I made another Potato Chip Skirt and blogged about it HERE.  There are more pattern details on that post.

After I made the skirt I thought "now what I am going to do for a matching shirt?".  I only had a small piece of the Rapunzel fabric left after making the skirt so I didn't have much to work with.  I decided to make a tank top using the Hip Hop Tank pattern by Love Notions.  I just love all of her patterns.  The directions are fantastic and the results are always perfect.  I did view C where the front is all knit, the back top portion is knit and the bottom back is woven.  The back looks like a button up shirt and is just so cute.  Luck was on my side and I had just enough leftover fabric to make a size 8 tank top with the button up feature.  The knit is solid cream knit from Purple Seamstress on Facebook.  I get all my solid knits from her.  I can't buy knit from Joanns anymore after using her knits.  The quality is much much better.

Here is a close up of the back detail.  You know what else is fantastic?  This pattern is also available in Women's sizes!  I am making myself a tank next.  I happen to already have it because I got it in the Women's Bundle Up from Pattern Revolution a while back.

Lilly Giggle Cecille Pattern

I made my 3rd outfit from a pattern in Pattern Revolution's Bundle Up.  I made the Lilly Giggle Cecille as a dress.  I had never used a Lilly Giggle pattern before and found the instructions to be good and there were tons of options.  This pattern uses knit fabric or a combo of knit and woven for the dress.  You can make a shirt or a dress.  There are also 3 sleeve options (short, 3/4 and long).  There is also an option for a sash (waist band) with the dress.

I choose to do the dress version and incorporated knit with woven.  This can also be made with all knit.  I made short sleeves because in Southern California we really only have about 2 weeks when we can wear long sleeves.  For the fabric I used a blue snowflake knit I got on etsy a while back from another seller.  I got 1 yard and this is the 3rd thing I have made with it.  Knit really goes a long way.  For the neckband and sleeve cuffs I just used a solid white I got from Purple Seamstress on Facebook.  For the skirt I used Frozen Ice Skating Toss with glitter.  Usually I do not like fabrics that have glitter in them.  But, I actually like this one.  Due to the background color of light blue the glitter does not overtake the fabric but gives it nice sparkle.  I have it on sale for $7.99 right now too!  For the waistband/sash I used Fairy Frost in Cobalt.  This color goes perfect with the color of Anna's dress and breaks up the similar blue colors in the bodice and skirt.

The pattern has instructions to sew the sleeves flat (easiest) or in the round (harder but better finish).  I choose to do them in the round.  That way there weren't any uncomfortable seams at the cuff and the finish is more professional.  If I can find cute snowflake buttons I am going to put them on the sleeve cuffs.  She loves this dress and wore it all day today.  Even though she is 10 she is still majorly into Frozen.

Tie Dye Diva Potato Chip Skirt

My 7 year old loves My Little Pony so I decided to make her a skirt using the Potato Chip Skirt from Tie Dye Diva.  This skirt is available in the Bundle Up from Pattern Revolution.  This is the second pattern I have made from the bundle I bought and so far I have loved both patterns I have used.

What is so great about this pattern is you can make the skirt with either one fabric, lined or reversible.  I choose to make it reversible and used 2 My Little Pony fabrics.  That way she has 2 skirts in one!  The skirt also features pockets, a flat front waistband and elastic back.  It has a timeless A line shape and is super simple to sew because there are no gathers, ruffles, buttons or zippers!

For the main side of the skirt I used my favorite My Little Pony fabric called My Little Pony Names.  It features all your favorite My Little Ponies (including Rarity!) amongst a dark purple background.  There are so many colors you can pull from to match coordinating fabrics with.  I choose to bring out the pink and used Fairy Frost Love for the waistband.

On the front of the main side it features handy pockets.  You can even decorate the pockets with piping or in this case bias tape.  The pattern has directions for piping but I had this super cute crochet trimmed bias tape that I used to decorate the edge of the pocket.  I got this bias tape in a previous month's box from Stitch Box Monthy.  When I saw this pattern I knew this would be the perfect trim to use for the pockets!

On the reverse side I used My Little Pony Ombre fabric.  This is my daughter's favorite so I knew I had to use this fabric as well.  For the waistband on this side it is also the Fairy Frost Love.  The pattern includes directions to use a one fabric waistband (what I did) or a waistband with two different fabrics in case you wanted a different fabric on each side of the reversible skirt.

This skirt was a quick sew and I will be making more!