Sunday, March 20, 2011

Spring is almost here...time to make dresses!

So, I was looking through my closet and it was really pathetic. With Spring just around the corner, I need some new clothes. The problem is that I don't have money to buy new ones. However, I do have lots of fabric! I have never been much of a seamstress. I have a hard time following patterns and want to just skip steps. So, I found a  shirt in my closet that I absolutely love and I copied it to make a dress.

It was a learn-as-you-go type of project, so I couldn't really do a tutorial.

My 7 yr old took the pictures, so it was kind of hard to get a good photo with me making a decent face!




My headband was made by my new bloggy friend Kitty. You can enter to win a headband and necklace set until March 31st!  Enter the giveaway here!

My earrings are from a crafter on Whoopdwhoop. Check it out!

My second dress turned out really cute too! I didn't use a pattern, just kept trying it on to get the right measurements. The great thing about this is that the elastic waist just scrunches the whole dress together. Before I added the elastic, the dress was a sack. So, the measurements don't really have to be perfect.

To sew elastic, make sure that you have an accurate waist measurement. Sew the ends together to make a circle. Pin it to the waist of the skirt, making sure to stretch the elastic as big as the skirt. Make sure to use a lot of pins. Then sew with a zig zag stitch along both elastic edges.

(If you want a step by step tutorial, check out Made's Circle Skirt!)


I also made a skirt by tracing a skirt that fit me well on the fabric. Then I sewed up the sides.. I hemmed the edges and then added a small piece of elastic at the top on each side. I stretched it and sewed a zig zag stitch across it. This way I didn't have to deal with sewing elastic on the whole waist.


I am super proud of what I made this weekend! These are the first clothing items that I have made that I will actually wear!

25 comments:

Dawn said...

You did a fantastic job, it's so rewarding to make it and actually like it when you're done. Your summer wardrobe is coming together:)

Debbiedoos said...

So cute!!~ I love seeing all you creative cats out here. I can sew for diddly doo! Love the skirt. Thanks for joining my newbie party.

Yvonne@StyleBurb said...

Oh my goodness...these are amazing...how talented are you!!! I really like the black and white skirt. I can sew a straight line and that's it, so I'm very impressed.

Donnie said...

Everything looks lovely. I'm trying to use my sewing machine more so I became a follower for a bit of inspiration. Thanks.

Yvonne@StyleBurb said...

Hi again...we must have been leaving comments on each other's blog at the same time lol! Thanks for your visit. I'm a follower now!

Unknown said...

Boy you sure were inspired! Great job! Everything is so cute. :-) Lori

Kim said...

I love the dress!

Thank you for stopping by my blog and becoming a follower, I'm following you too!

Marie C. said...

Great job! I am definitely impressed.

Jane@Cottage at the Crossroads said...

I need some new clothes too because I've been eating too much Banana Heath Bar pie and everything else!
HeHe! Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a comment and becoming a follower. I'll follow you, too.

Andrea @ Addicted2Tutes said...

You did a great job! It inspires me to not use a "real" pattern! I'm your newest follower!

www.addicted2tutes.blogspot.com

Julianna said...

Great job! I'd love for you to link up at Inspire Me Mondays!
http://singingthreelittlebirds.blogspot.com/2011/03/inspire-me-monday_21.html

Fonda @Southern Scraps said...

Great job!

Lisa said...

Oooo these are adorable. I'm inspired! I, too, feel the need for new spring clothes but it's just not in the budget right now. I'd love to learn to sew a bit better.

Glad I found you from Debbie's!

Lisa
http://chicmagnifique.blogspot.com

Anna said...

You did a great job! I love these! :)

laxsupermom said...

So cute! Love these! You have some beautiful fabrics in your stash! I've been stashbusting, too, and have been working on a skirt that still needs the waist put in. Maybe I should finish that today. Thanks for sharing.

Rissa @ Hazel and Honeysuckle said...

Beautiful, I love them! That circle skirt is on my "to-do" list too, I've bought the elastic, just need to get some more fabric!

Rachel said...

So cute. I LOVE the second dress most. Great job. Stopping by from Debbiedoo's

Hope you have a great week!

emilysnan said...

hiya visiting from debbis newbie party x those outfits are so cute wel done with x tfs hope to see youat mine soon x
xmaggie

Dee ⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️ said...

I love your new outfits! I'm still learning how to sew by hand. I'm impressed with your new talent.
Dee
I'm a new follower

Jenny Hall / Seamingly Smitten said...

Love, love, love it! The dresses are awesome and look comfortable! What kinds of fabric did you use? I just made a halter sundress...www.seaminglysmitten.blogspot.com
Jenny

Ruth Yoder said...

i love sewing clothes! very nice job!

Mamarazzi said...

I am so impressed with people who can SEW...truly darling!!

Stopping by via Debbiedoos Blog. I love love love the idea of a newbie blog hop, so fantastic.

I wanted to make sure to come and give you a very warm welcome to the blogsphere and let you know we are having lots of fun over on my blog and you are invited!

There are so many FUN things happening over on Dandelion Wishes!!!
We are .....
*Taking Back Monday, one Etsy giveaway at a time. Come enter to win something awesome EVERY Monday!
*Airing our dirty little secrets with Friday Confessional. Confess, link up, feel better...I promise!
*Keeping it positive every weekend with My Happy List. What's on YOUR Happy List this week? Post and link up...its a party y'all!
*Every month we give a prompt for a VLOG..yep, turn the volume up, we are talking video posts people!
*And there are crownings happening for Queen for the Day...finally, the royal recognition you deserve.

See something for everyone…come say hello!

Kelly @ Run With Glitter said...

I think these are fab! I love this! I'd love if you linked this up to my very fist link party! http://runwithglitter.blogspot.com/2011/03/glitters-first-linky-party_22.html

Andrea said...

Very impressive! I hope you'll link these to Make It Wear It @ TheTrainToCrazy.com!

Bobbi said...

You have been one busy gal, beautiful work. I used to sew everything.....wonder where my sewing mojo went!! I need to get it back....