Seahorse Summer Outfit

Week 3 of Project Run and Play was to design your own fabric.  When I read this challenge, I knew exactly what I was going to finish. In January, I designed some seahorse fabric but then tucked it away because I was going on a trip to visit my grandchildren. You know how life goes, once I got home I forgot about it. Well, I pulled it out of its stash to use for this project, which I made into a toddler summer outfit with a nautical theme. And I must say, I love how it turned out. To see the post about how I designed this fabric go to "Fabric Painting With Markers".

The fabric I designed was really bright, so I decided to combine it with a simple white on white print.  I added just one of the seahorse panels as a pocket to the tunic.  I framed the pocket with bright pink piping, which makes the pocket look like a miniature work of art.

The large covered button was custom painted fabric too.  It took about four attempts to get the right design, color and size onto the button.  

The pattern I used for the tunic is called Black Bird Tunic ( a free download) and was designed by Shwin & Shwin. To fit my granddaughter,  I had to enlarge this pattern.  It's a little big on her now but she's a growing girl.

To the tunic, I added bright pink capri length leggings, keeping them neutral in design so that they can be worn with other shirts.  

Next, I made my very first purse using two more custom designed fabric panels.  I added a rock which had a hole through it. I found this little rock on the beach near my granddaughter's home.  I wrapped jewelry wire around the hole and then sewed this rock onto the closure.

Lastly, I added a hand painted seahorse stuffed animal, as seen here, just because it was so fun to create!  If you want to make your own seahorse toy, then go to "How to Make a Toy Seahorse" where I've shared the pattern and the tutorial all for free!  Below my granddaughter is introducing the baby seahorse to his mother, as she creatively declared.

Get some markers and rubbing alcohol & let me know if you think this fabric technique is as much fun as I did. xoxo Grandma