DIY Adult Anna Costume

My youngest, baby, only 5-year-old daughter asked me to be Anna.  That was pretty much all it took.  I had to seize this moment! Who knows if she'll ever ask me to dress up alongside her for Halloween again?!! 

I made my costume in a day. This included going to Wal-Mart to buy all the supplies. (Yes, they were ALL from Wal-Mart--so INEXPENSIVE--Yay!). 

I already had my white blouse and black boots. If you don't have these in your wardrobe already, borrow or try a thrift store to keep the costume cost down.  I also already had the pom pom trim, but similar can be found here or at most fabric stores. 

Here's the breakdown of the supplies and their cost: 

 For the Anna Dress: 

1. I used 1 yard of blue jersey knit fabric and followed THIS TUTORIAL from Altered Cloth to make this simple gathered skirt.  
2. I trimmed the bottom edge of a black camisole to have an angular scallop at the front like Anna's dress does. 
3. I pinned, then sewed on the gold trim--just on the front of the bodice and neckline--and over the straps. 
4. I used chalk to outline the flowers for the bottom of the skirt and the front decoration on the camisole.
5. I used fabric paint to draw over the chalk drawings I made. 

For the Anna Cape: 

1. I used 3 yards of 55"(ish) fleece and THIS TUTORIAL from Skip to My Lou to cut out the two pieces of the cape. The three yards helped it to fit an adult instead of a child (as in the original tutorial). 
2. I sewed pom pom trim to the edge of the capelet (instead of hot gluing--faster and less frustrating!)
3. I layered a strip of leftover fleece (for a tie) between the necks of the caplet and cape and sewed them all together (instead of hot-gluing). A ribbon would work well here, too, but I didn't have any that matched on hand. 

And that's it! Anna is ready!

My costume was a HIT at our church Trunk-or-Treat! There were 2 or 3 little Annas there who would stare up at me with gaping mouths when I said hi! :) And my daughter didn't want to leave my side! She said we were sisters and had to go around together! That made this definitely worth a last-minute effort!

Participating in these link-ups. 

Contrast Sleeve T-Shirt Tutorial

I have an abundance of T-shirts. If I see them on sale for $5 or $6, I grab them because they are my go-to comfy top. But the same old solid tees get boring, so I decided to do some sprucing up to a plain t-shirt by adding contrasting sleeves.  I've seen similar shirts at boutiques all over the place for $20-30.  This shirt was about $5 and the fabric I used was from my scrap pile! 

This is one my most basic tutorials--a perfect one for beginner sewists!! I will walk you through each step so you can add fun color or print sleeves to any of your plain ol' solid color t-shirts!

My gorgeous jewelry is from African Promise Foundation. I have a dear friend who started this foundation years ago to provide education opportunities to children in Uganda. The beads are handmade from recycled paper. Each piece of jewelry is a unique and amazing work of art created by women trying to improve their family's opportunities. 

You will need: 

• T-shirt
• Seam ripper/ small, pointy-nose sharp scissors
• Stretchy fabric--jersey knit, stretchy lace, poly-knit, etc.  Less than 1/4 yard will work for cap sleeves. If you want to use this tutorial to do long sleeves (This method will work!), you'll want more fabric--probably 1/3-1/2 yard). 
• Corresponding thread
• Straight sewing pins
• Sewing machine (a serger is nice, but not necessary)

1. Remove the sleeves from your T-shirt.  Use a seam-ripper/ small-nosed scissors to rip out the seams.  

Here are the two sleeves removed (I left one folded). Don't rip out the seam for the hem around the cuff of the sleeve. 

2. Using one of the sleeves as a pattern, cut out two pieces of the contrasting fabric, adding on 1 inch to the cuff-side of the sleeve.

Here you see the two sleeves and the extra I added on the contrasting fabric. Since I am using lace for this project, I will be layering it over the original sleeves. If you are replacing the original sleeves completely, you'll still need the extra 1 inch. 

3. (This step is for doing an overlay with contrasting fabric. If you are replacing the sleeves completely, move on to the next step.) Pin the new sleeves (wrong side) to the old ones (right side). Sew along the long, curved side (not the cuff side).  Try to sew right along the old stitch marks. 

4. Use a zig-zag stitch (or serge stitch if available), to sew right along the edge of the contrasting fabric's shorter (cuff) side. This is to prevent fraying and help the cuff lay flat. Repeat for second sleeve.

5. Fold and pin the contrasting fabric over 1/2 inch, wrong sides together. 

6. Top stitch the new cuff in place. Here I am showing the right and wrong sides of the new sleeves after the top-stitch. 

7. Generously pin the new sleeves to the old t-shirt, right sides together. Stitch in place, turn right-side out, and you are done!! SO EASY, and now you have a new shirt!!

Participating in these link-ups. 

Ruffled T-Shirt Tutorial

I have a confession: I'm a bit of an online boutique junkie. I can shop for me, my kids, my mom, sisters, friends, neighbors--all from my home! And the styles are always so hip and trendy--so I (hopefully) don't look like I haven't been in a mall in over a year!

I have another confession: I'm a bit of a cheapskate.  If I see something at an online boutique that I could make fairly easily for a fraction of the price, I'm not buying it. This was the fuel behind my desire to make this trendy, fun, and flattering shirt. 

I saw similar shirts last week at an online boutique for $24. Not a bad deal, but I had a pretty good idea that I could make my own from a shirt and fabric I already had--so it would cost me $0!

Here's what you need: 

• A solid-color, fitted t-shirt. (TIP: This is a great way to make use of any shirts that have little mouse-holes in the front around the bottom of the shirt.) 
• 1/3 yard flowy/silky fabric--chiffon, modal, thin jersey knit, or poly-blend (You won't use all of this yardage, but if you are buying fabric from the store, I'd get this much. If you have scraps already, look ahead to the measurements to see if you have enough).
• Chalk
• Corresponding thread, scissors/rotary cutter, measuring tools, pins, sewing machine

Instructions: 

1. Put on the shirt and mark your waistline (at your navel) with chalk on the front of the shirt.

2. Mark the back of the shirt just above your bum. This will achieve the slightly high-low look (so the shirt falls lower in the back). 

3. Cut the back of the shirt from side seam to side seam.Then cut the front of the shirt starting at the side seam and curving up to the chalk mark and back down to the other side. 

4. Prepare your ruffle fabric. Measure the front of your shirt width. Multiply that by 4. This is how long your ruffle piece should be. Cut an 8 inch wide piece of fabric. If you need to piece two strips together, just make sure they are the same length. The seams can be lined up with the seams on the shirt when you attach it. 

5. Sew right sides together at the ends to make one big loop. Finish the edges of your fabric (if you are using a fabric that frays), with a rolled hem. 

6. Sew a gathering stitch along one edge of the fabric. Pull the bobbin thread to gather the ruffle to the same width as your shirt. 

7. Pin the ruffle to the shirt, wrong side of ruffle onto the right side of shirt.  Be generous with the pins. Be sure to match the seams of the ruffle to the shirt side seams. Sew a zig-zag top stitch across the pinned gathers to attach the ruffle to the shirt. I made two passes to make sure it was sewn securely. 

8. Measure and cut a 4 inch by 5 inch piece of fabric for the pocket. 

9. Press and pin a 1/4 inch double fold around the entire pocket back. I used one factory-finished edge, so I only did one fold on that side.  

10. Top stitch what will be the top of your pocket. 

11. Pin the pocket to your shirt. Again, be generous with your pin usage. You want your stitches to be small and close to the edge.

Done!  You have a fun and frilly shirt! Cute with jeans or shorts, pencil or maxi skirts! Great way to accentuate your true waistline and hide any "extra" you don't want to show off underneath! 

Participating in these link-ups. 

Girl's Sail Away Hoodie Pattern

My good friend Grethel has done it again! She designed a children's and teen's version of her Sail Away Hoodie (that I highlighted in this recent post). 

A was privileged to be pattern tester again, and I once again can attest to Grethel's thorough testing process. She made sure each size was tested by people with varied sewing abilities and tools. 

This pattern is truly an incredible deal. You not only get a tried and true, CUTE, pattern. But you get sizes 2-16Y all in one download! You can make these hoodies for every little girl you know! (And I don't make a dime for saying so--I just really believe it!)

You can find the downloadable pattern at a limited introductory price here:

KIDS AND TEEN SAIL AWAY HOODIE PATTERN

This hoodie has so much going for it! It has pockets (and they are NOT complicated), it has a darling hood, and it can be made from pretty much any fabric that has some stretch to it: jersey knit, other knits, french terry, etc. 

My daughter has adored wearing hers!

Participating in these link-ups.

Easy Head Scarves Sewing Tutorial

While visiting with a dear friend who is going through chemotherapy, I asked her if she would like me to make her a head scarf to wear. She said she really would, especially some that were better for the coming warm weather.  

This reminded me of an excellent story from this podcast: Wigs, Wigouts, and Insurace, in which a woman beautifully and hilariously determines if she is Wig Person or a Scarf Person while going through chemotherapy. It's a great listen.  And between it and my friend's request, I was determined to make some cool, ventilated, and not-too-heavy head scarves for my friend.

My husband came home when I was finishing these up. I had on this one, and he said, "Oooh. Cool head thingy!" He thought it was a fashion head wrap I had made for myself. And it totally could be! Head scarves are for everyone--whatever our health situation. 

I found an excellent tutorial from Daydream Believers, but uses a ribbed knit band and silky scarf. This didn't sound very comfortable or breathable for warm weather. So, I made a tutorial that uses thin jersey knit or stretchy lace fabric. I was so happy with the results!

To make an Easy Head Scarf, you'll need:

• 1/2 yard of thin jersey knit or other fabric that stretches in at least one direction.
• Measuring tape, measuring board and/or ruler.
• Scissors or rotary-cutter
• Sewing machine/serger with corresponding thread

Directions: 

1. Cut the band piece 6 inches x 20.5 inches. The stretch for this piece should be along the length of the cut.

3. Cut the scarf section: 44 inches x 12.5 inches.  Stretch can be in either direction here.

4. Fold the scarf section in half along the width.  Find the mid-point (6.25") of the width  on the open side of the folded fabric. Measure 5 inches straight down each side. Use a ruler or other straight edge to make a straight line from the mid-point to the 5 inch mark on each side.

6. Cut along those lines.  If you are using jersey knit, no finishing is required for the edges of the scarf. I decided to sew a thin rolled hem on my lacey fabric to prevent fraying.  If you are finishing the edges of your scarf, do so now. Then, set this piece aside.

7. Fold the band piece in half along the width, right sides together. Sew the open edges. (This is a good time to try it on your head. It should fit snug enough to not move, but not too tight. If it is too loose, trim 1/4 inch from the sewn edge, re-stitch, and try again, repeating until the fit is right).

8. Fold the band in half along the length, wrong sides together. 

9. Sew that edge up with a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

10. Lay out your scarf piece right side up and find the mid-point along one length. Pin the band's front mid-point (directly opposite the seam) to the mid-point on the scarf piece. 

11. Continue to pin the scarf all the way around the base of the band. The right side is inside here, pinned all around the band. 

Make sure to finish pinning each end of the scarf right at the seam of the band, so the sides will be even. 

This head scarf shows the pinning process better because of the contrasting fabrics.

12. Sew along the pinned edge, all the way around  the band. 

And you are done! 

These are such an easy project, and a great item to make as a community service project and donate to cancer centers in your area. I did a simple internet search for "Where to donate to cancer centers" and had several options. 

Please don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions as you are making these scarves. I'm happy to help!

Participating in these link-ups.