Newborn Outfit

I had a last minute, spur of the moment, business trip this week so I didn't have time to put together a tutorial for today.  So, I decided to finish off Kids Fashion Week by showing you part of the gift that I made for my co-worker who just had a baby last week.

The cute little heart tree was part of this transfer sheet I got from Wholeport:

This sheet is only $3.99!

I got a whole shipment of different transfers that I'm going to show you next week but today you get a sneak preview.  This one has a sort of plastic backing so I wasn't really sure how it would work. 

The sheets don't come with directions so I had to do a bit of experimenting.  I love how this one came out.  **Important, always wash your garment before ironing on transfers.  The chemicals in the fabric will make it difficult for the transfer to stick if you skip this step....trust me, I've learned the hard way on other projects from the past~

For this particular transfer, use high heat, and peel off before it cools all the way down.

I also added the cutest pair of girly booties you've ever seen.  I had a bit of fabric left over from when I covered my own shoes, and then I just added some pretty lingerie elastic to make sure they stay put on the baby's tiny little feet.

I'm hoping to finish up the baby gift by next week and then I can share the rest for you.

What's your experience with iron-on transfers?  To they always work out for you?  Do you make your own or buy pre-printed? Leave a comment below~

Girls Skirt

Well, this little project almost didn't make the cut for Kids Fashion Week but after looking at the photos I realized it didn't turn out quite as bad as I originally thought.

It's just a cute little skirt that I made for my niece:

I used the same pattern that I used for her brother's shorts earlier in the week. But the skirt just seems way too big to me.

It has a seam in the centre front and back as well as the sides which adds a bit of bulk.  As you can tell, I'm not over the moon about so I'm going to try shortening it and I think that'll help it along.

You can find out more about the little top that she's wearing here.

Flower Power Pedal Pushers

It's Kids Fashion Week here at Etcetorize and I am so excited to show you today's project!  I'm so happy with how well this outfit turned out I'm thinking about making a larger version for myself!

 I used this adorable pattern from Butterick:

Even though I actually bought this pattern from the fabric store (I usually just comb the second hand shops for patterns), it looks like Butterick has already removed it from their catalogue.  Craziness considering how cute it is!

The fabric was part of my monthly bundle of supplies that I get from Wholeport.  It's from the quilting section and was sent as a replacement for something else I had asked for.  At first I had no clue what I was going to do with it.  But I always say "Everything happens for a reason", and eventually inspiration struck me.

$12.60/metre at Wholeport!

I love Wholeport's cottons.  They're great quality, wash nicely with little shrinkage, and many of them are 60" wide!

What do you think?  Should I make an adult version for myself?  Leave a comment below~

Girls Sundress

Up next for Kids Fashion Week is a super cute little sundress that I made for my niece!

It's so hard for me to hold back and not just make a closet of these for her.

I picked up this great pattern at the second hand store.  I liked it because it has so many great basic shapes and enough sizes that I can probably still use it next few summer seasons.

New Look 6195

I had a bit of cotton batik leftover from my summer tunic project.  It was looking a little on the plain side when I was finished so I cut up a little doily and sewed it on the front for some embellishment.

My niece is just a little on the precocious side.  Her mom had to give her a slightly wacky haircut recently because she got gum stuck in it.  No matter what she did to get it out it was stuck.  My niece doesn't really seem to care, so all's well that ends well I guess~

What's your favourite thing to make for kids in the summer?  Leave a comment.  If you have a link to a project make sure to add it~

Boys Shorts

It's Kids Fashion Week here at Etcetorize!  Everyday this week I'll share something I've made for one of the kids in my life.

Starting with my soccer playing nephew.

When he can't take goofball photos
he's a little at a loss as to what to
do in front of the camera~

This is absolutely the last I have of this camoflage fabric I picked up from the bargain bin.  I think I got 2 or 3 metres at about $2/metre.  It was 60" wide so I was able to get loads of projects from it.  I think I got a pair of pants, a vest, a jacket, and a pair of shorts out of it.

Here's the pattern I used, an oldie but goodie from the thrift shop:

You can't see it but I used a drawstring elastic in the waistband.  He grows so fast, I wanted to make sure these shorts would fit him for awhile.

I never really know what to make for boys clothing other than shorts and pants and jackets.  Do you have any good sources or favourite patterns that you use for your little boy?  Leave a comment below~

Easy Peasy Bangle Holder

It's our last project of Recycle Week here at Etcetorize!

If you love big bulky bangles as much as I do then you'll also know how hard it is to store them when you're not wearing them.  You can throw them in a (big) bowl or stack them up somewhere but inevitably they'll get scratched or come tumbling down just as your in a hurry to get ready to go out.

So, here's the easiest way to get them organized so you can see them all and pick your favourite quickly.

1) Start with a trip to your local thrift shop and pick up an old ugly mug holder.

If you can find one with some truly tacky stenciling then you're really lucky!

2) Give it a few coats of white paint (oops!  forgot to take pictures of that step), and then drill a hole in the very top.

3) Add a cute but bulky knob to crown it.

And there you go!

Not only are you a little more organized, but you've saved something from the going to the landfill, or worse yet, from sitting on someone else's kitchen counter with ugly coffee mugs on display~

Easy peasy!

Hope you got some fun ideas from Recycle Week.  Keep on reusing and reinventing the things you find around you~

Have a crafty weekend everyone!