Dress Apron Tutorial

Back in January, I had a giveaway contest for a little girl's dress apron. I announced that the winners were Rachel and Amanda. Rachel let me know right away what apron she wanted. However, Amanda was waiting for just the right moment, which was just this past week. I decided while making Amanda's apron that I would take pictures as I went so that I could make a quick tutorial for anyone who wants to learn to make their own. I hope you enjoy...

What you'll need: a sewing machine with embroidery unit (embroidery optional) embroidery hoop (optional) tearaway stabilizer (optional) 2 coordinating fabrics thread	Supplies
Step 1: Figure out what size apron you want to make. I am making a toddler sized apron, so I used one of my son's as a template for the right size.	Step 1
Step 2: (Optional) If you are going to embroider the name, I suggest doing it before cutting the bodice from the fabric. That way you can make sure you cut it it around the name, perfectly centered.	Step 2
Step 3: If you are making a child's sized apron, cut out and iron flat: two 6.5" x 10" rectangles for the bodice one 11" x 44" rectangle for the skirt two 2.5" x 12" rectangles for waist two 2" x 15" rectangles for the neck strap two 2" x 18" rectangles for the belt ties (not pictured)	Step 3
Step 4: Right sides together, sew each one of the waist rectangles to each one of the bodice rectangles.	Step 4
Step 5: Pin the bodice/waist combination right sides together, making sure that the waists line up exactly.	Step 5
Step 6: Before completing this next step, you'll want to sew together the neck strap (two 2" x 15" rectangles) right sides together. Then flip right sides out and sew flat. I like to fold the bodice in half and cut up a slight curve on the side (I fold it in half so both sides match). Then I cut a slight curve for the neck. (Make sure what's left for the shoulder area line up with the neck strap. See picture.)	Step 6
Step 7: Sew up both sides of the bodice first. Then before you sew the top (neck/shoulders area), you'll need to pin the neck strap so that it lines up where it will come together with the bodice. Remember that you you need to pin it inside because the bodice is currently inside out. And, you'll want to make sure the it isn't twisted, so when you do flip the bodice right side out it will lie flatly around the neck. See picture. Then, carefully sew across the top, including where the straps meet the shoulders and the curve of the neck. Then flip right side out and iron flat. Only the bottom waist portion of the bodice should still be unsewn.	Step 7.1 Step 7.2 Step 7.3
Step 8: To prepare the skirt you'll need to start by doing small hems on both sides and the bottom. First fold over over 1/4 inch and iron. Then fold over 1/4 inch again and iron again. Then straight stitch down the hem. (I complete both sides first, then the bottom.) To gather the top of the skirt, I use my ruffler foot. However, if you don't have a ruffler foot (um, you should buy one, you can find them for less than $20), then you can just gather them as you pin them to the bodice.	Step 8.1 Step 8.2
Step 9: Since you will be able to see the seem between the bodice/waist and the skirt, I suggest attaching them using either a serger or a french seam. For this tutorial, I'll assume you don't have access to a serger (they are much more than $20), so I'll show you how to do the french seem. First, pin the wrong sides together and sew. Then, flip the apron over, pinning the right sides together and sew. This will leave a nice clean seam in the back. Your apron is almost done! You just need to add the belt ties.	Step 9.1 Step 9.2
Step 10: To finish the belt ties, sew right sides together on three sides (one short and the two long sides). I like to curve my short side, giving them a ribbon-like look. Turn the ties inside out and iron. Optional: Top stitch (sew on top of the finished sides) to make the ties stay flat, instead of poofy after a wash.	Step 10
Step 11: Fold down twice the ends (hiding the open seam) and then pin to the waist so that it attaches on the back/inside. Then sew. Hint: I like to make sure that the curves of the belt ties are both on the bottom of the ties when I attach them, for continuity. Don't be afraid to reinforce this sewing by going back over it a few times. These ties will be pulled on and need to be really well attached!	Step 11
That's it! You are finished! Here is the front.	Front
Here is the back.	Back

Little girl apron

I raided the fabric closet again!

This time, I used two pretty floral fabrics and a solid pink to make a sweet little dress apron for a little girl. 

Like the Garden Party dress, I did this without a pattern or tutorial, so I'm pretty proud of how it turned out.

In fact...I think I need a big girl version of this for myself!!

Click to make bigger

If you have a little girl in your life that would like a personalized skirt apron, you can win one in my first ever Free Giveaway Contest!

1. Like my Facebook page.

2. Share the link to the Giveaway contest on your own Facebook page.

3. And finally, comment on this blog post with the name and color scheme you'd like for your little lady.

I'll put all names who do all three into a hat and draw a random winner.

Contest ends January 31.

Front

Click to make bigger

Back

Click to make bigger

Update: Here are some pictures of the aprons in action...

Garden Party Dress

One of my favorite little girls in the whole world is turning one this weekend. I dug in my new fabric closet and found a pretty fabric to make her a sweet little party dress.

I love how it looks floral, but doesn't have any actual flowers on it.

More onesie fun

I'm just a nut for onesies right now!!  My last two posts have been about snazzing up plain onesies, and this post is no exception.

One of my best friends is pregnant with a baby girl.  Can you guess what she is naming her?

Here is a hint:

One more hint:

I hope she likes these little onesies I made for her little bundle of joy!

Now, I have to find a cute idea to do for a little boy for my other good friend currently expecting her 3rd boy!

Onesie Dress

To continue on with my obsession of re-fashioning plain onesies, I also found a great tutorial on how to make a dress using a plain onesie and some scrap material.

Here is the dress from the tutorial:

I started with a plain pink, short sleeve onesie from Hobby Lobby.

My skirt is actually made from fabric I have left over from my sorority letter making days in college.

I can't wait to see this on a pretty little girl.

Hoosier Onesie

One of my cousins had a baby girl last week.  I've been trying to think of something to make for them.

Recently, I stumbled on this awesome onesie on Pinterest.com

Since my cousin and his wife are both from Indiana, but living in Colorado, I decided to redo this onesie and put my own spin on it.  I think it came out so cute!

Notice that Indiana is made from a vegetable patch fabric! I thought it was so appropriate for this agricultural state.

I hope they love it and think of home every time she wears it.

Update:  Here is a picture of the blessed baby wearing the finished product

Up-Cycled Sweater Dress version 2.0

Okay, I forgot to take a photo of the before.  But this was a big bulky sweater with a HUGE turtleneck.  I was able to cut it down and make the neck more like a mock-turtleneck.  It ended up being pretty short (it'd been badly shrunken), but it will still make for a great long sweater over a pair of itty-bitty skinny jeans!

Then I crocheted a rose for the shoulder.  Adorable!

For the record, Thing 1 will be a great model one day.  He is not picky about what I put on him!

Update:  Here is a picture of the actual little lady the sweater was made for with her wearing it!  Doesn't she look darling.

Up-cycled Sweater Dress

So, like many crafters, I have developed an obsession with Pinterest.com.  I am so overwhelmed sometimes with good ideas that I'm finding myself working on multiple projects at once.

Last night I was cleaning out/re-organizing my bedroom closet and I came across a few cute sweaters that no longer fit.  Actually, they no longer fit for two reasons.  #1 I have gained weight (duh!) and #2 they've been dried (read: shrunken!).  I've been holding on to them because they are cute and I was holding out hope that if I lost enough weight, that they'd eventually fit again.  But at this point, I've decided to give up the ghost and just get rid of them.

But wait, I remember pinning something into my "If I had a little girl" board on pinterest where a woman does a tutorial on how to turn an old sweater into an a-line toddler dress.

Following the instructions (and using one of Thing 1 & Thing 2's 3T long sleeve shirts), I was able to make a super cute and soft sweater dress for one stylish little Lady Bug.

The sweater before:

Cutting the shape of the dress out:

The dress after:

Thing 1 is about the same size as the Lady Bug, so I made him try it on for me.  He was happy to help.

Do you think he'll hate me for this one day?

I made a few mistakes along the way, but besides the arms being a tad short, I think it turned out great.  I'm ready to try making another one with my other sweater.  And it's not a cowl neck, so it should be easier.