Knock Off Sundress

When my daughter was visiting a few weeks ago, we went shopping at the outlet stores. We popped into one of her favorite stores, where she saw a child's J.Crew sundress that she loved. She wanted it for her two girls but even the sale price was a little ridiculous.  I looked at the dress and whispered to her that it looked like it would be easy to make. I was right.  I ended up making four of these sundresses for my granddaughters.

Here is my version of that sundress, modeled by two of those granddaughters.

This dress reminds me a little of a pillowcase dress.  The thing that sets this sundress apart is the fun knot on the back of the dress.  No more straps falling off little shoulders.

If you'd like to make this sundress too, I've included the pattern along with a tutorial below.

Here's what I used:

• Fabric:  My Favorite Ship, by Sarah Jane for Michael Miller Fabrics & accent is Out to Sea. (See the links below to purchase these fabrics.)
• Pattern:  self-drafted, free download here (size 3 only).  I ended up making a size 12 month (pictured above), 3 years, 2 years and 4 years.  I used the downloadable pattern for all these sizes.  To change the sizes simply shorten or lengthen the dress, shorten the straps for the smallest size and adjust the elastic around the front and back per child's width.

Here's how to sew this cute knock-off sundress:

1.  All seams 1/4" unless otherwise stated.  Sew extra wide bias tape onto the back top of the sundress.  You'll be forming a casing for the elastic so finish sewing close to the edge of the tape leaving the sides open.

2.  Sew bias tape to the armholes starting from the wrong side.  Iron the tape toward the front of the sundress and sew close to the edge from the front of the sundress.

3.  Add elastic the width of the back (I added 8") to the back casing stitching along the openings of the casing to keep the elastic in place.

4.  Sew the side seams together wrong sides facing (this step is from making French side seams).

5.  Iron the side seams and sew the side seams together with the right sides facing.

6.  Sew the straps together with 1/4" seams leaving an opening at the center.

7.  Shows the strap fully sewn.  Clip the corners.

8.  Turn the straps and iron.

9.    Leave 1/2" extended on both sides and pin the front strip onto the top of wrong side of the front of the dress.

10.  Sew the two pieces together.  Iron the top of the front strip under 1/4".

11.  Iron the strip in half toward the front of the dress.

12.  Top stitch the strip in place, close to the edge, leaving the ends open to insert elastic.

13.  Sew the straps.  Cut the corners and turn this piece right side out.

14.  Sew the back knot piece leaving the middle open to turn.  Cut off the corners and turn right side out.

15.  Iron the straps and back knot piece.  Top stitch 1/4" from the edge.
16.  Find the middle of the back and measure 4" from the center, marking with pins.

17.  Mark the middle with one additional pin.

18.  Add elastic to the front of the casing and stitch the ends of the elastic to the a strap that has been folded over.

19.  This image shows the edges of the front casing folded over.

20.  Stitch the strap inside the end of the front casing.  

21.  Stitch a small piece of ribbon onto the middle of one of the straps and thread one of the straps under the ribbon.

22.  The back of the sundress has markings which you'll add the back of the straps to.  Securely sew the straps in place.

23.  This is how the strap should look once sewn in place.

24.  Now add the back knot into place by looping the knot under the ribbon.  I stitched the knot by hand.  

This sundress is light and airy and perfect for a hot summer day.  I also made diaper covers out of the same nautical fabric for my youngest granddaughters.  May your little ones enjoy summertime with a comfortable, stylish and affortable sundress.  xoxo Grandma

This is the main fabric used:

Sassy Sundress with Shoulder Ties

When I was a young mom, I tried dressing my little girls in cute sundresses when the sun was scorching outside. Those cool dresses made it so much more comfortable for them to play outside. Now that I have grandchildren, I want nothing more than for them to spend their days playing comfortably too. So, if you're on the lookout for a cool new summer outfit for a baby, look no further. You'll want to download this free pattern here.

The pattern states it's a 24 month size but once you download it at full size image, would you please cross out the 24 and write 9-12 months instead? I goofed-up on the sizing. I discovered this error when I made it with a particular granddaughter in mind. When it didn't fit her, I tried it onto the next smaller granddaughter. It fit her perfectly. 

If you've opened the pattern, you'll notice that I added instructions right on the pattern with details on all the extra pieces you need to cut to make this sassy little sundress. 

The instructions are pretty simple. Simply sew together the four long shoulder ties.  After ironing them, add one to each side of the top of the bodice and baste in place.  Now sew the side seams of the bodice together.  Then pin and sew around the neck of the bodice making sure the shoulder straps are out of the way.  Turn this piece right side out and iron. 

Sew the skirt along the back seam to create a circle.  Add basting stitches to the top of the skirt.  Pin and then sew the skirt onto the bodice.

Sew the short edges of the ruffle into a circle.  Clean finish one edge of the ruffle.  Sew along the unfinished edge two basting stitches for gathering.  Gather the ruffle onto the bottom of the bodice, pin and then sew onto the lower skirt.  Iron and you're ready to try the sassy sundress onto your child.

So glad it fit this little angel.  This little girl has been one of my all around happiest granddaughters so far.  She always has a giggle or smile on her face. Yea, for happy children!  Especially ones who can play comfortably in the sun!  xoxo Grandma

Nautical Romper

One of my favorite fabric trends this season just screams summer to me! Have you all caught on to chambray yet?  Well, if you're looking for the perfect fabric for a summer romper, you'll want to try chambray cotton... better yet, try it with a nautical print, like this one I used to create this romper. 

Chambray is like a denim but it's smoother and light weight, making it perfect for summer. Better yet, the more this fabric is washed, the softer it becomes. How can you go wrong with that?

You may recall seeing me using a different nautical chambray cotton a while back to make a dress for another of my granddaughters, which you can see here.

For this romper, I combined this anchor chambray fabric with wooden laser-cut anchor buttons.  These buttons came from a fabric shop near Boston.  I love how they add accent to the front of this romper.

For the ties I added navy bias tape.  I have this compulsory need to keep toddler's shoulders covered and protected from the sun, so I added cap sleeves edged with more navy bias tape.  

The pattern used was McCall's 4136.  It really was an easy pattern to make.  I adjusted the fullness out of each of the legs by deleting about 3" from each leg to make the outfit look more contemporary.  To find this pattern you can go here.

Since I took these photos at the beach, I fully expected this independent toddler to get wet.  I just didn't realize how wet she'd get.  Which was fine because she had a great time digging and splashing in the warm China Sea.

Have fun sewing on chambray cotton this summer and if you get the opportunity, go to the beach whenever you can and get wet!  xoxo Grandma

Linked to: Project Run and Play, May 

Breezy Summertime Outfit

I know we just entered Spring, but I am in need of some serious summertime inspiration already. Maybe it's because I've been spending the last month on a tropical island, visiting my daughter who just had a baby. And I've been soaking up all my visits to the beach trying to forget that its still winter back home. Whatever the reason, I am ready for some warmer weather to stick around. So, if you're ready to kick winter to the curb too, then read on... hopefully you'll be inspired to whip up something to wear in the hot, humid weather. 

The best fabrics for keeping one cool are breathable, breezy cottons.  So, for this outfit, I took full advantage of loose fitting cotton fabrics so my granddaughter can stay cool this summer.

When I broke my arm this winter and couldn't sew,  all my sewing projects got pushed to the back burner. So, I went to the library and checked out a lot of books to keep me busy. Quite a few of these books were about sewing. I came across a book called, "Little Girls, Big Style" by Mary Abreu which was filled with loose fitting cotton clothing ideas and patterns for children.  As soon as my arm healed, I started sewing this little toddler outfit to take to my granddaughter, who lives with her family on a muggy, humid tropical island.

Just look at those cubby arms and that toddling, independent child.  She is loved so much!

These are beautiful Chinese gardens that we visited in March.  The garden isn't in China, but can you guess where they are?  Hopefully this cute, little girl will stay cool in this breezy outfit this summer. xoxo Grandma



Linked to: Threading MY Way, Project Run and Play

Green Floral Romper - a Refashion

Time to bring on Spring fashion! The dress on the left met up with my seam ripper because it's time to show you another refashion. For this refashion, I used the free pattern from Elephants and Elegance called the pleated playsuit.  From the original dress, I kept the smocked waistline and the pretty ruffled front.  And let me tell you, I had barely enough fabric from this dress to make a toddler playsuit or as my daughter calls these little outfits, "rompers".

For the shoulder ties, I used the green sashes and a little more of this fabric was used to fill in the low front...can't having a toddle revealing her chunky chest! Then I took off the pearlized buttons and re-positioned them evenly back onto the front.

When I first made this sunsuit, the legs were a bit long but now they fit her perfectly.

Everywhere this little red head goes in a sea of black hair, she's usually surrounded by people wanting to take her picture.  I've wondered what her life will be like when she comes back to the states.  She's just a cute little red head that tans.  xoxo Grandma

If you like rompers, see these additional posts:

Beaded Sunsuit

Dress Into a Romper in 30 Minutes or Less

Shared with:  Threading My Way

Autumn Overalls - a Refashion

These autumn overalls started with a pair of adult jeans, which I could have sworn I took a "before" photo of, but imagine with me coral women's skinny jeans.  I took those skinny jeans and turned them into warm looking autumn overalls, perfect for a toddler.

These jeans once belonged to this little girl's mother (my daughter).  While I was at her house, helping with her new baby, I consulted with my daughter about using these old jeans to make these darling overalls.  I even took my daughter fabric shopping and she found this black and white plaid shirting flannel to use as a compliment to the coral jean fabric.

I first unpicked the original pants back pockets and scaled those down to fit a toddler.  For the pattern, I used a pair of my granddaughter's jeans and then laid them on top of those old skinny jeans and cut away.  One portion of the original waistband was used for her waistband in the back of the overalls. The rest of the waistband was turned into the straps.  The bib was formed by opening up an inside seam and centering the bib so that the middle of the outside seam was in the middle of the bib.  

I used this wonderful flannel fabric for pant cuffs, pockets, and to line the bib and the straps.

I made the mistake of adding elastic to the back of the overalls and then sewed a stitch up the middle of the elastic.  When these overalls came off my granddaughter, I confiscated them, pulled out my seam ripper, and ripped that mistake away.  They look so much better without that seam and the elastic.

I foresee that these overalls will be perfect for autumn and maybe into winter or until she becomes potty trained and has to learn to unbutton these straps herself! Didn't they turn out so cute?  xoxo Grandma

Dress Into a Romper in 30 Minutes or Less

This sweet little butterfly dress was a hand-me-down from a cousin.  When my daughter asked me to make this little girl some rompers, I remembered seeing a post on turning a dress into a romper at Make It & Love It. I wanted to try my hand at doing the same thing.  The only problem was, I don't own one of those snap attachment tools that you need and didn't want to buy one. I really don't want anymore stuff!  Never fret!  I figured out how to make it without one!  So this tutorial will show you how to make a romper in 30 minutes or less without that tool. 

First you'll cut a semi-circle from the middle bottom of the dress.  Then you'll want to add the ruffle to the legs.  If the hem is wide enough (this one wasn't), simply add elastic the width of the calf plus 1" into the existing hem.  If your hem was only clean finished like this dress, add a casing around an inch above the hem by sewing bias tape, then add the elastic and you'll have cute ruffled legs.

Now, in place of that little snap attachment tool you'll need to purchase some snap tape.  Snap tape is simply tape with the snaps already in place.  How convenient, right?  All I did was finish the edge of the cut semi circle and then sewed the snap tape to that edge.  Make sure the snap tape edges line up so the bottom will snap together properly.  

And that's it. Really. That's it. Pretty simple, eh? Yea for super easy projects!

That's really all there is to this refashion.  In 30 minutes, I had this cute romper to take my granddaughter.  Two weeks my husband and I headed overseas to visit this adorable girl and her family. I got in some grandkid time, and she got some cute new clothes. Win, win.   

Enjoy this simple project!  And if it also leads you somewhere exotic to drop off your finished product, then I'd definitely love to hear about it.  xoxo Grandma