From Pants to Shorts - an Easy Refashion

My favorite pair of white pants got a black stain in the back. No worries, I thought as I promptly pulled out my trusted Clorox pen. But the stain was stubborn and wouldn't budge. So I applied a little more, and then some more. It faded quite a bit but was still there. No worries, I thought, I'll just leave it on for a little longer. And then there was a hole, smacked in between two back pockets. Since flashing your underpants through a hole is generally frowned upon by the public, the pants were declared officially ruined. Any other person would have tossed them in the garbage can. Not here. Here, the oldest child gets a new pair of shorts.

 

Seriously, how can I let such awesome pockets go to waste! What I like about refashions is that they are usually quick and you can keep original features. I used the shorts pattern that fit Eli well. I placed the front pattern piece on top of the pants in a way that I could reuse the front pockets, traced it. Did the same in the back, then cut them out. The trick I use to line everything perfectly is to use the already cut pieces as my new  pattern pieces. That way you can match the pocket placement perfectly and everything will be symmetrical.

 

 

Check out the coolest pockets in the back, and no holes! For a waistband I used ribbed knit. The shorts also have a functional drawstring.

 

I am happy with the shorts and the fact that I sort of saved the pants from going to the dump. The photo shoot was a different story. The boy never stops moving. Ever.

 

 

See what I mean. I am happy he likes them and they are comfortable to play around.

Project Run and Play - Signature Style

It's the Signature Style week at Project Run and Play.  Since I have been mostly sewing for Ania, I thought about making something that would reflect her signature style. Not an easy task. Ania's ultimate look would be footed pajamas spray painted with glitter. She would probably accessorize that with diamond earrings, if she can get a pair. What can I say, the girl is all about comfort and bling-bling. So I decided to merge my style and hers. My style is a mixture of classics and new fashion trends. I love well tailored, fitted clothes. I especially love dresses. They are easy and always  make you look put together.

 

 

We decided on a comfortable sweater dress refashioned for a dad's sweater.

 

 

I forgot to snap a picture of the sweater, was too excited to start remaking. It was a pretty simple refashion. When the dress was done, it was comfortable for sure, but sort of boring. It needed something special.

 

 

The embroidery came from Embroidered Effects. I love how it turned out. Just enough sparkle to make Ania happy.

 

A added small stitches around the neck to tie it all together.

 

 

 

Ania loves her new dress, but not the modeling outside in the cold. Poor child, suffering  in the name of fashion. :)

Here are the link parties I visit. Check them out!



A quick refashion - from a romper to a t-shirt

My almost two year old had two rompers that were still in decent shape, but kept coming undone at the bottom, a sure sign that it was time to retire them. I was kind of attached to the rompers, or maybe just to the idea that my baby boy was still a baby, not a naughty toddler. But I had to face the reality that he was growing up and looking like he was wearing a dress wasn't the best look for a young man. So we decided to make t-shirts. This is a quick and easy project. It took me 15 minutes to finish both.

And you are done! Two "new" t-shirts to wear.

The white dress

I always loved white summer dresses; so fresh, crisp and breathy.  Unfortunately, it is easy to end up looking  like a runaway bride. Little girls, however, always look adorable.  I also believe white clothes are very practical for kids; there is nothing a little bit of Clorox can’t fix. A while ago I stopped at the garage sale to look for new toys to entertain the kids on a car ride and came across this.

The blouse was in excellent condition. The size, 2XL, gave enough fabric to play with. The fabric was simply divine. It also cost $1.00. Naturally, I had to have it. I knew it would make a perfect summer dress for Ania.

I love the eye let details in the fabric!

To make a pattern I simply traced a t-shirt leaving generous seam allowances, made it slightly A-line, and added extra length.  

I wanted to make sleeves, so I traced the edge of the where the sleeve would go and then made a sleeve following the curve. It was ok, but didn’t stay the way I wanted. So I gathered the ends and made thin strips of bias tape from the sleeve of the blouse to finish the sleeves of the dress.  The neck binding was also cut on bias from the sleeves. I am glad the blouse was big!

I kept the front buttons and added shirring in the back to add more shape to the dress.  I really like the end result, and so does Ania.  It is perfect for hot days of summer!



Vroom Vroom - shorts for a toddler

It was time to sew for my 20 month old. He is into cars and trucks and everything else transportation related. So when I saw a pair of Bermuda shorts in Ottobre magazine (3/2011), I knew it was just what the boy needed.

I had a pair of wide leg, high waisted jeans that were just a tad too short on me.They were in my Goodwill pile and it was just what I needed. The cuffs came with the original jeans, otherwise I used the pattern form the magazine. The shorts are narrow and long with a yoke in the back.

The pocket has two folds on the side and serves as a parking garage for little cars.

Of course, I had my design team helping me along the way. They made the executive design decisions.

The project is simple and easy to sew and the effect is quite adorable. You can also print the signs template for free from here http://www.ottobredesign.com/ and use them to decorate an existing pair of shorts or pants or a t-shirt.

I will definatley be making more of these.