Unicorn Taxidermy

I made up Simplicity 1218 ages ago for Miss Ladybug and forgot to post pictures.  Sadly, I made it so long ago that I don't quite remember the process.  I had a difficult time believing that the written directions would work for the mane so I just did what made sense to me.  

I painted a board gold so that it would have a bit more impact on the wall.  I punched holes through the stiff plastic I used in place of the recommended cardboard and drilled corresponding holes in the painted board so I could tie the wire from the unicorn through the board. It was a fun project.  I would like to make the elephant one of these days!

KCW Project Five Embellished Shirt

I wanted to make Bug a shirt to wear with his state shorts.  I happened to have a red t-shirt in his size so I went the easy way and added an applique to the purchased shirt.  His family likes to vacation in Florida so I thought that would be a fun state to add to his shirt. I used a t-shirt from my donation pile for the applique that I fused in place with heat'n bond. I stitched the applique in place with a straight stitch with grey thread.

KCW Project Four Bird Safari Raglan Dress

I was so excited when I saw that the Titchy Threads Safari Raglan Tee and Dress pattern had been released. I've really been excited by the idea of t-shirt dresses for Ladybug and I love raglan sleeves.  I wanted to do some kind of embellishment on the front of the dress so I chose to make it from a solid interlock from my stash.  Somehow without a visible right and wrong side I managed to get my pieces mixed up and embellished the back rather than the front.  I should remember to always always always label my pieces when I am sewing with solids. There is a bird adorning the front and back of the dress now.  I guess that's just extra interesting. 

KCW Project Three Tropical Dress

In my search for patterns that work well as play dresses for Ladybug I came across Simplicity 1209.  I opted to make a very simple version my first go round so I can see how the pattern works for Ladybug.  I shortened the dress a bit to ensure that it would allow for running and climbing. I really like the idea of having the bodice and skirt made in different fabrics.  It sounds like a really fun way to use up smaller bits of my stash. 

I think there is enough pink in this dress to please Ladybug.  I made it with the fabric leftover from making myself a skirt so we can be twins.  That should make her happy. 

Kid's Clothes Week Project two State Shorts

Bug likes maps so it seemed like some shorts made out of state fabric might just make him happy.  I used the Boy Shorts pattern from Stitch Wear Play.   I decided that Bug might prefer elastic to a drawstring so I modified the pattern slightly.  It was my first time sewing shorts with a yoke or doing any top stitching.

I think it might be fun to add an applique to a t-shirt to go with these.  I can't decide between the US, his state, my state, or the state his family likes to vacation.  

Kid’s Clothes Week Project One Paris Dress

I am excited that Kid's Clothes Week is here!

I managed to do some planning and cutting last week so hopefully I will have a productive week! 

The day that the traveling theme was announced I was shopping in Jo-Ann and came across this fun

Eiffel Tower fabric.  I thought it would make a fun dress for Miss Ladybug.  It matched the theme so nicely that I couldn't leave it behind.  I whipped up a quick Butterick 5776.  To make sure that it would be short enough to be a good play dress for Ladybug I cut the size five but shortened it to the size three dress length.  I didn't add the elastic to the sleeves because I love flutter sleeve look I get when I leave the elastic out. While I love the fabric the dress was a bit plain without any embellishment so I opted to finish the hem with some pink bias tape. 

Hopefully the sun will come out later in the week so I can get some better pictures! Ladybug's mom likes this style of dress for play.  Anybody have any other ideas of dresses that are nice for the active preschool set? 

KCW Project 7

After making the flamingo shorts I decided that Bug needed some as well.  I didn't have any animal inspired fabric that seemed quite right for him.  He really likes math so I thought this nautical fabric with numbers would make him happy.  I really liked making the Sunny Day shorts a second time. 

I can't believe Kid's Clothes week is over!  I've had so much fun seeing what people have made! 

Project 6 Flamingo Sunny Day Shorts

This Kid's Clothes Week has encouraged me to try new things.  In the past, I have avoided sewing pants or shorts with an attached waistband.  I saw some really fabulous Oliver + S Sunny Day Shorts pop up in the KCW finished projects, you can check them out at the Oliver's Fancy Blog.  Aren't they great?  I decided to give the waistband a try.  Next time I make them I think I will try the pockets. 

KCW Project 5 - Zebra Maxaloones

The Wild Things Theme inspired me to make some pants with a bunny face on the bum.  When I went looking for patterns to adapt I found the Maxaloones pattern.  I sure love the idea of pants that fit for so long and cuffs that can keep little legs in baby carriers or strollers warm.  I decided to try it out without the bum circle for my first try.  They are a bit wonky, but room for improvement means another excuse to sew so that's ok with me!  I used some micro-fleece for the body of the pants and an upcycled cotton/lycra t-shirt for the cuffs and waist.  I think I will try to make a large a few times before trying the newborn size again.  It is pretty tricky sewing a cuff with such a small circumference. 

KCW Projects 3 and 4

For my third project I made an Oliver + S raglan t-shirt.  I was pleased to find instructions on the Oliver + S blog to modify the pattern for short sleeves.  I used grey interlock for the body of the shirt.  The sleeve were upcycled from a t-shirt.  I was pleased that I was able to use the existing hem.  I had planned to use the red for the neck binding, but it didn't seem to have quite enough recovery.  I upcycled a cotton/Lycra tank top for the binding.  With the added color from the binding it seems finished.  I had planned to add a shark applique but I think I like it as is. 

My fourth project was a t-shirt dress made from a unicorn shirt. The shirt is pretty blingy so I am pretty sure my niece will love it.  I went wild and decided to make the skirt from purple confetti dot fabric.  I love having the circle skirt rather than a gathered one on the t-shirt.  It took me maybe thirty minutes to make from drafting the pattern to finishing the sewing.  I

KCW Project 2 : Flamingo Dress

For my second project I planned on whipping up a quick peasant dress with Butterick 5776.  When I pulled my pink flamingo shirting out of my sewing basket I decided that the fabric really called for a circle skirt. 

Doesn't that fabric just seem right for a circle skirt?!  So I shifted gears and picked up a copy of Simplicity 2377.  I had added a circle skirt to this pattern once before, so I knew that it would work.  I quickly constructed my bodice so that I could draft the pattern for my skirt.
This was supposed to be my quick and easy flamingo project but as I started to cut out the skirt I realized that my fabric was directional so I wouldn't be able to do the dress without  seams.  At first I thought about just having side seams, but that would have resulted in some of the flamingos and trees at a 90 degree angle.  In the end I decided I would cut out the skirt in eight pieces so all of the flamingos would be standing tall. Not such a quick project after all. 
For some reason when I measured the bodice at 13 inches I thought I was getting the diameter. The fact that I was creating a pattern for a 40-odd-inch finished waist for 20-odd-inch waist didn't even slow me down.  I figured that I would just add some elastic to cinch the dress in and went on my merry way.  I had to shorten the skirt so that it would work with the fabric I had left.  I might need to make some cute shorts to wear underneath. 
It wasn't until I had all 8 panels sewn together to form the skirt that I realized my mistake.   I ended up removing two of the panels and getting a skirt that was just slightly larger than the bodice.  Have I mentioned how much I love Clover Wonder Clips? They are so much easier to use than pins.  I find that when I use them I no longer hate attaching the skirt to the bodice. I added some pink gingham bias tape to help camouflage the gathers.  I centered it over the seam and glued it down with a fabric glue stick  before adding two rows of stitching.

I would never had thought to add the bias tape if  I wasn't hiding my mistake from myself.  I think the bias tape pretty much makes the dress.  I love happy accidents like that.  Anybody else have any miss steps with happy/unhappy outcomes?  I have already tossed one garment into the I make this rags bag.  Lessons learned this week don't make decisions late at night, when making a plan take some time before acting so you can see your mistakes, and mistakes can wind up with happy endings if approached with a happy attitude.  Maybe I should revisit my rag bag and try again.... 

KCW Day 1

Yay!  I am happy that Kid's Clothes Week is here!  I have been having lots of fun seeing what other people have made. For my first project I decided to try my hand at making some Parsley Pants.  I would like to try a pair with a flat front waist, pin tucks, and box pleat pockets so I wanted to be sure that the pants would work well for my nephew first.  It seems like there will be a few more nights of flannel PJ pants wearing this season so I whipped up a pair of PJ pants following the basic pattern out of some moose flannel.  I plan to mail them in the morning with any luck I will here how they fit quickly so I can proceed with some other pants!

Hopefully the rest of the week I will manage to finish before dark so I can get better pictures!  Now that my sewing is done I can go check out to see what others have made!

Kids' Clothes Week Sewing Plans

For my favorite flamingo fan 
Cascading Ruffle Skirt - Light pink interlock base with fuchsia ruffles 
Scarf neck cardigan
Raglan T-shirt with pink lace overlay inspired by this tutorial 
Simplicity 1379 in a flamingo print with a coordinating floral 
Butterick 5776 - in a flamingo shirting 

For serious shark studier
Oliver + S Raglan T-Shirt  - in grey with contrasting sleeves and shark applique
Prepster Pullover  - in a blue grey homespun fabric
Parsley Pants - flat front with pintuck and pouch pockets in navy
PJ pants to test the Parsley Pants pattern sizing made out of some moose flannel
Shark Attack! inspired long sleeved t-shirt

And maybe just maybe some bunny bum pants inspired by this Swoodson Says post.

That seems like a lot for a week, but I plan to spend any free time I have next week prepping.  I also took some time off the week of Kids' Clothes Week to ensure that I would have plenty of sewing time. Anybody have any advice for any of my projects or suggestions of projects to add or swap out?  I can't wait to see what everybody does!

If you sew for it the weather will come

We have had record breaking cold this winter.  Seem has been seeming to take its sweet time showing up.  I have decided that maybe just maybe if I started sewing for spring I could help encourage it along.  I love circle skirts and have made several from knit fabrics.  This time I made one with a woven fabric from my stash.  I couldn't quite face hemming the skirt so I attached some bias tape rather than hem the skirt.  I'm glad I did.  I think the contrast at the bottom of the skirt is fun.  We have snow today clearly I need to do some more spring sewing!

I'm loving the Kids' Clothes Week Wild Things Theme

I am so excited for the April Kids' Clothes Week.  The Wild Things theme is so much fun! 
Ladybug loves unicorns and pink flamingos.  I have been thinking about how to incorporate her love of pink flamingos in some fun ways.  I'm not sure I can get more creative than an applique or fabric stencil with the unicorn love.  Bug loves sharks so I want to come up with some fun shark things for him.  I will have to ask him if he has any other favorite animals.  Little girl ideas are so fun to think of I want to make sure they don't crowd out things for Bug. Have you started planing for Kids' Clothes Week?  I've started gathering ideas and would love to hear what others are planning!
Follow Auntie's board Kids' Clothes Week Wild Things on Pinterest.

Flashback Friday Princess Sofia Costume

The Halloween that my niece was two she was absolutely in love with Princess Sofia.  I was thrilled to stumble across the Melly Sews Inspired by Princess Sofia the First – Dress Tutorial.  I knew that Ladybug would be happy with any purple twirly dress, but having the stencils for the design on Princess Sofia's dress helped grownups to know who she was.  I made a peasant style bodice with an attached circle skirt out of knit fabrics.  I wanted to be sure it would be comfortable and stand up to lots of play. 

She was still playing with it in the summer, so I think it passed the durability test!

Linked up at Tatertots and Jello

Shark PJs

Most of the sewing I have been doing lately has been for Ladybug.  I figured it was Bug's turn to get in on the fun.  I had been intending to make him something with stash fabric, but I happened upon a remnant of shark fleece that was just the right size to make him some PJ pants....  I figure I should shop the remnants as long as he is small enough for them to work!  I'm sad that I can no longer turn t-shirts into pants for him.  I added a shark applique onto a long sleeved t-shirt so that he could have a complete outfit. I figure that gives him cute and cozy pajamas to wear on pajama day at school.  The fabric for the shark came from one of his mother's old t-shirts.  I think that will make him quite happy. 

Flip this Pattern - Infant Peasant Dress

I had a great time checking out the free patterns linked in the Flip this Pattern: February “Free for All” link up.  I was thrilled to see Infant Peasant Dress Pattern. I love sewing peasant dresses for little girls.  I love how quick they are to sew up and that they do a good job of showing off prints.

The only change that I made when sewing up this little owl dress was to skip the elastic in the sleeves.  I like the flutter sleeve look that you get when the elastic is skipped in this kind of dress. 

Project Run and Play Mademoiselle Muscle Tee Challenge

I have enjoyed reading blog posts about Project Run and Play before, but I have never participated before. I was inspired by the sweater vest that Angela from Snippet made for her daughter.  We've had a cold and snowy winter making it hard to imagine making anything sleeveless until I saw her sweater vest.   After making the Mademoiselle Muscle Tee pattern as a sweater vest I think I will try it again for summer wear.

I'm still on an upcycle kick after Kid's Clothes Week.  I upcycled a sweater which allowed me to use existing hems.  The front of the sweater was knit in one by one rib and the back in two by two rib.  I used the one by one rib to bind the arm holes. I had just over four inches of one by one rib left after cutting out the front of the vest, so I bands are a bit narrower than the pattern recommended.  I didn't have enough fabric left to add a band to the neck so I used some cotton jersey from my stash.  I'm not sure if it needs any embellishment.  Any suggestions?

Linking up with Frontier Dreams: Keep Calm Craft On 

Kids' Clothes Week Inspiration

I really enjoyed seeing what people came up with last week for Kids' Clothes Week.  I found some great new blogs to follow and added some sewing to my to-do list.




Do you have any other great sewing for kid patterns to recommend?

Kid's Clothes Week Project 4

Earlier this week I used two receiving blankets to make some PJ pants for Bug.  I thought it would be fun to turn a receiving blanket that I had made for Ladybug into some PJs pants for her to wear. The receiving blanket was one of her Mom's favorites. I think the pants will also be favorites.  I'm sending them off to Ladybug un-hemmed as she has been going thorough a bit of a growth spurt. 

Kid's Clothes Week Project 3

I've really enjoyed the challenge to upcycle and create clothing for kiddos.  I decided to turn a scarf I don't wear into a skirt for Ladybug.  I used a t-shirt that her mom used to wear for the waistband.

The scarf was lightweight so I used a double layer.  This made it so that I didn't need to hem the skirt.  I love it when I can skip hemming!

Kid's Clothes Week Second Project

I rather enjoy making peasant style dresses for my niece.  They fit for such a long time turning into a tunic once they are too short to work as a dress.

These show Miss Ladybug wearing the same sized dress over a 16 month period.  I suppose she could still wear them if I were to ad a ruffle to add some length.

I decided to upcycle a plain t-shirt into a nightgown for Ladybug.  I always like to make a special pair of pjs for the kiddos for their birthdays so I thought it would be fun to use some scraps of iron on glitter vinyl to add some unicorns so the nightgown could be part of Ladybug's birthday present. It just so happened that I had enough glitter vinyl scraps to cut out four unicorns for her fourth birthday.

Kids Clothes Week Upcycled PJ Pants

I'm late to the party.  I got started with my Kid's Clothes Week sewing a bit late.  The theme of upcycled encouraged me to finally pull some of the receiving blankets that my sister gave me to upcycle out of my stash and get to work.  This afternoon I turned two receiving blankets into a pair of PJ pants for Bug.  It's a good thing that I put the fabric to use now.  He's getting so tall I wouldn't have had enough fabric soon.  I like that you can see the polka-dots for the back peeking around front.  I think he will get a kick out of the fact that these used to be blankets for him when he was a baby. I'm excited to try more upcycling projects.

Rainbow hearts

I spent several hours yesterday punching out 400 odd rainbow hearts at my niece's request.  She has been enjoying browsing Pinterest for rainbow unicorn birthday ideas.  She loves the idea of having a cloud I think like this one with rainbow colored hearts falling from it like rain. As I was taking a picture of some of the hearts to send to her I decided it might be fun to make some art for her bedroom.  What do you think of this arrangement?

It looks like she may have more hearts than she needs.  Do you have any good ideas of other ways to use them? 

Birthday Traditions

Birthday traditions are so much fun!  Every year I like to give my niece and nephew a special gift to be open right before bedtime on their birthdays.  Birthday celebrating often means a later than normal bedtime and a kiddo who has a hard time winding down.  I like to help the transition to birthday dreams with a gift of a new book, pajamas, and a bath surprise to help make the transition to bed an easier one. I like my gifts to match the theme of the birthday.  It's lots of fun to see what I can come up with.   I like it when I can find a tooth brush or bath toy related to the party theme.  I can be sure that even if I don't find an appropriate tooth brush or bath toy that I can make a washcloth to match the theme.  This year Ladybug plans to have a unicorn party so as soon as I saw some unicorn flannel for sale I bought a bit for a washcloth.

I'm still on the look out for pajamas and a book, but I am happy to have her washcloth ready. I would love to hear any unicorn book recommendations that you might have.

I stated making making Bug washcloths with extra bits of fabric leftover from making him receiving blankets.  They are still useful many years later.  The flannel washcloths aren't as thick as terrycloth ones so they are easier to use and dry more quickly.  It can be a fun game guessing which washcloth will be in the tub on any given night. 

They are a super quick project.  I usually make them 9 or 10 inches square.

Cut two squares of material
Place them right sides together
Sew around the perimeter leaving a few inches un-sewn so it can be turned*
Clip corners and iron
Turn right side out and iron again
Top stitch
*I always mark my don't sew here bit with double pins

Year of the unicorn

My niece has already decided that she would like to be a unicorn for Halloween and have a unicorn party.  I love supporting her interests so I've decided that this is the year of the unicorn.  I'm excited to see how many unicorn projects I can create.  Amazingly enough the day my sister told me of this news I saw that Simplicity had released a unicorn head pattern.  I've picked up the pattern and am excited about giving it a try. 

I'm procrastinating in getting started because I love to read reviews of patterns before I make them.  I might just have to take a turn being the pattern guinea pig this time.  I'm sure sweet Ladybug would love to have a mounted unicorn head in her bed room and it sure would make for fun party decor. 

In my mind unicorns are white, but I have a sneaking suspicion that my niece would prefer a pink unicorn with a rainbow mane.  I think I need to figure out how to do some mock ups in photo shop and let her choose. 

Do you have any other crafty unicorn ideas?

Hi!

Hi, my name is Louisa.  I am an auntie to two fabulous kiddos.  Bug who is five and his little sister Ladybug who is three.  I like to play with yarn, fabric, and paper.  I really love creating things for Bug and Ladybug.