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I took a while to make this next giveaway because I wanted to create a complete set with documented patterns which always takes longer. I hope to make a couple more Teacher's Pet pieces down the road. They have a preppy, yet eclectic feel.
In the meantime, I've been fortunate enough to have a couple wonderful guests share their pieces on Grosgrain.
Lily was fabulous during this shoot. I think the apples had something to do with it. Her exact words were, "I used to not like apples but these are the best apples I've ever had." I'll have to include fruit more often in my photos.
Lily has started kindergarten this past week. I found this antique school desk at a local Salvation Army. Her teacher recommended having a stationary place for her to do her homework. (Yeah, kindergarteners have homework!)
We only had the dining room table which didn't seem very personal to me. So the desk served two great purposes! I might repaint the bottom. Any color suggestions?
I liked the blue, mustard and white color pairing. All Teacher's Pet pieces will have these colors throughout.
The skirt is a simple pattern. With a straight waistband in the front and a adjustable elastic band in the back.
But of course the icing on the cake is the giant linen poppy affixed to the side. The poppy is removable and can be worn close to the shoulder as a boutonnière.
If you'd like I could write a tutorial on how to make these fabulous poppies!
I also want to thank April Spinetti who introduced me to a great fabric store in the Lancaster area with a generous selection of knits.
Without her I wouldn't have found fabric for the cardi or tee. I even found a swiss dot plum knit! Beat that JoAnn's. I'm constantly underwhelmed by the selection of knits at all the local chains.
The Goodville Fabric Outlet not only had an endless selection of knits in almost any color but they were CHEAP. And they had something I had never seen before....sweater material on bolts. They didn't have quite as much as that but it certainly peaked my interest.
It's too bad the store is a little over an hour from my home. I just have to make some reasons to go to Lancaster. There's never a shortage....outlet shopping, cheese, friends and family:)
The cardi is gathered at the neckline into four pleats. The result is a trapeze look. I also used large eye popping buttons to compliment the white strips in the tee.
I really debated on what fabric to use for the tee. Along with the swiss dot plum knits, I also found navy swiss dot knits. I can very close to using that for this outfit but in the end I liked the punchiness that the stripes offered to the outfit.
I was able to use my serger to finish off the edges of the knits which was so great. It's easy and never frays. The only problem I've had is changing threads. So many times I settle for using a white thread on a colored fabric because the thought of rethreading the machine is just too much to handle.
I've heard of these wonderful air jet things on the very expensive sergers. I like to say 'it's like cameras". You really have to settle for what you can afford. If it's over $1,000 I have to pass. But wouldn't it be nice? Just once in a while.
I found these kid beads at Claires in bunches of five for a great deal. One in every color. And the mustard tights were from Urban Outfitters.
You probably would never be able to tell but I moved the "studio" down to our really scary basement. It's so strange to have all these lights and backdrop in the middle of cobwebs, concrete and dankness.
I originally had it upstairs in our sewing/office/exercise/ guest room. Obviously we had space issues. Finally I bit the bullet and moved everything downstairs. And I think despite the occasional gross out, it was the right decision.
I had wanted to take these photos out in a field or woods with the desk but with the heat wave we've been experiencing I couldn't imagine asking Lily to wear this fall outfit. It's good for temperatures in the 60s which should be happening sometime soon.
I usually dread fall and winter and the crisp air that accompanies them but oddly this year I find myself craving it. Perhaps it's because recently the heat seems to be making me sick.
But I'm also really looking forward to Halloween and costumes and have a couple ideas in the works already. Last year will be difficult to top. I certainly can't promise anything. I suppose it will depend on my energy level which is so erratic these days.
Like I said earlier if you would like a tutorial on how to make the boutonniere poppies just let me know. There are about twelve tiers of petals. It was more time consuming than difficult. I think they look great on adults!
If you don't have the time to make one for yourself you should check out this fabulous creator of linen poppies. At emersonmade.
So classy. Think new england, j.crew. Great for weddings too. I'm so jealous of her house, her life. Let's say mine could use a maid-for-hire once in a while. At least someone to put away all this clean laundry!
Speaking of laundry. I know this is totally unrelated but it's against township ordinances to hang our laundry in our yard. Isn't that strange.
I guess I can see why it might be an eye sore if you were hanging them from one window to another but the look of fresh laundry hanging in the fresh summer air seems like a pleasing memory.
I've never had the pleasure of air drying my laundry. I assume it's something I couldn't find the time for but I do remember my mother doing it when I was very small. Then one year a nest of bees settled in our laundry poles and stung my father as he tried to evacuate them. That was the end of freshly aired laundry in my house/ life.
Finally, I know posting my winners has gotten backed up. I have to get on Brian's case tomorrow and hopefully they will be announced by Monday. So please check back then. Whenever a picture is taken off the top list of current giveaways then a winner has been announced.
I would say this cardi, tee and skirt would fit a 3T-5T.
As usual, if you would like a chance to win this cardi, tee and skirt just link back to this post.
If you have any questions see the "questions and answers" link to the right. If you use blogger just use the "create a link" link at the bottom of this post. If you don't use blogger, that's fine too. Just create a link on your page as you normally would and I will see it using Technorati.
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j.crew, j crew, jcrew, j.crew, j crew, jcrew, j.crew, j crew, jcrew, j.crew, j crew, jcrew, ann taylor, ann taylor loft, modcloth, express, gymboree, the children's place, gap, baby gap, old navy, the limited, crewcuts, garnet hill, j. jill, banana republic, nyco, white house black market, american eagle, h&m, forever 21, charlotte russe, macy's, bloomingdales, a pea in the pod, abercrombie and fitch, bebe, coldwater creek, delias, motherhood, urban outfitters, victoria's secret, wet seal
I know the value of comfortable pair of pants and an elastic waisted skirt. Don't get me wrong, skinny jeans are great just not when you're cleaning the house or playing in the yard, which is what I'm doing 90% of my day.
Bethany Vermillion of Love September creates practical, playful products for YOU and your child.
As a stay at home mom of a toddler and newborn, she makes items that she uses everyday! Her goal is to make life easier and little more fun for you.
Love September is giving away THREE PATTERNS TO THREE SEPARATE WINNERS!!!! So your chances are good of getting a chance to win.
Says Bethany, "I call this The Favorite Skirt because it’s a skirt so comfortable and easy to wear that you’ll want to put it on everyday. Can be dressed up or down for every occasion!"
It was tested and revised by 10 different people of varying sewing skill levels, so you can be assured that it is easy to understand and simple to follow! Full of diagrams and pictures to help you in the sewing process.
This pattern includes measurements for 5 different sizes: XS, S, M, L, and XL. Women's sizes 0-16. The elasticized waist is even great for maternity! With the measurements included, the skirt falls right below the knee, but can be shortened or lengthened just by adding/cutting an inch or two.
Sent to you by email in PDF form, it is ready to download, printable, AND (the best part) comes to you within 24 hours. No waiting to sew and no shipping charges!As usual, if you would like a chance to win one of these patterns just link back to this post.
If you have any questions see the "questions and answers" link to the right. If you use blogger just use the "create a link" link at the bottom of this post. If you don't use blogger, that's fine too. Just create a link on your page as you normally would and I will see it using Technorati.
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j.crew, j crew, jcrew, j.crew, j crew, jcrew, j.crew, j crew, jcrew, j.crew, j crew, jcrew, ann taylor, ann taylor loft, modcloth, express, gymboree, the children's place, gap, baby gap, old navy, the limited, crewcuts, garnet hill, j. jill, banana republic, nyco, white house black market, american eagle, h&m, forever 21, charlotte russe, macy's, bloomingdales, a pea in the pod, abercrombie and fitch, bebe, coldwater creek, delias, motherhood, urban outfitters, victoria's secret, wet seal
Check out some of these GREAT outside giveaways. Posted in my 'OUTSIDE GIVEAWAYS' link under my logo to the right.
They can also be found at the bottom of my right sidebar.
Right now Utah Etsy is offering a BIG fall giveaway. Look here for updates THRU OCTOBER.
AUGUST- Children's Accessories
SEPTEMBER- Home Decor, Jewelry, Fine Art, Women's Fashion Accessories, Paper Goods
OCTOBER- Grand Finale
For one entry, leave your first and last name in a comment. Leave the Name of the shop you want to win a prize from on Utah Etsy.
For a second entry visit the persons shop of the item you would like to win. Post on your blog about our giveaways.. and tell Utah Etsy about an item or two you wish you owned from this persons shop. Please give url to photo.
For a third entry visit the persons shop of the item you would like to win. Come back to Utah Etsy and in a NEW comment tell them your first and last name and an item or two you wish you owned from this persons shop. Please give url to photo.
For a fourth entry, if the vendor has a blog, visit the vendors blog. Leave the same comment you left for yours second entry above. (visit the persons shop of the item you would like to win. Then come back to Utah Etsy and in a NEW comment tell us your first and last name and an item or two you wish you owned from this persons shop. Please give url to photo.)
For a fifth entry, become a blog follower of Utah Etsy over there on the right-hand side. Once you have become a follower, or if you already follower, in a NEW comment, tell them your first and last name and the word "Follower."
More wonderful refashioning!
Check out this adorable circus dress that was once an adult sized shirt made by flickr user liliashp.
Check out how she did it here.
My favorite part is are the ties in the back. I love using the extra left over material for completely new accessories.
I also loved these little shorts! If I had to describe them I'd say they looked "organic chic".
Made by flickr user outsidetheblue.
When making clothes there's a couple ways you can go. One way you can emphasize bold patterns. Mixing flowers and stripes. This can look amazing. Especially with a cute summer dress.
Another way is using subdued fabrics like linen and gingham. I think the look is lovely and often under used. It's not as easy as it looks, pairing ordinary fabrics to create something simple but lovely.
Finally I wanted to include this little top by flickr user SurrealDesign.
If you look closely you can see that it's shirred. I've never attempted a homemade shirred top. It always seemed tedious to me. So Bravo to SurrealDesign for doing such a great job!
Also, check out her homemade toddler backpack here. It's such a great idea I'm surprised I haven't seen more of them in the crafty blogosphere.
Be sure to stop by tomorrow for a new giveaway and Thursday for a GROSGRAIN giveaway. I know I've been taking a long time to post my own creations but I hope this next one will make up for that. (Multiple pieces:)
Have a great Tuesday!
j.crew, j crew, jcrew, j.crew, j crew, jcrew, j.crew, j crew, jcrew, j.crew, j crew, jcrew, ann taylor, ann taylor loft, modcloth, express, gymboree, the children's place, gap, baby gap, old navy, the limited, crewcuts, garnet hill, j. jill, banana republic, nyco, white house black market, american eagle, h&m, forever 21, charlotte russe, macy's, bloomingdales, a pea in the pod, abercrombie and fitch, bebe, coldwater creek, delias, motherhood, urban outfitters, victoria's secret, wet seal
Don't you just love when craftiness and creativity meet? With these soft and functional tool belts your son can work just like dad does.
Sarah, the clever seamstress behind Everyday May came up with the idea when her son received a tool bench and tool set as gifts when he turned 3. The tool bench and tools were fabulous, but he had no place to keep the items when he was walking around the house "fixing" things up.
And so, after many attempts, she perfected the toddler tool belt for imaginative boys to enjoy!
Have sun? Have water? Plant seeds! This belt functions perfectly as a garden belt, too which makes it great for girls as well. Just in time to plant those bulbs for spring! (see below)
Your little handy man has all the tools and the tool bench. Now he needs a tool belt to hold his items as he fixes and makes things!
The tool and garden belt features bright yellow fabric (straps and belt) and a lively construction vehicles print (pockets and loops) that he will adore. It measures 8" by 12" with two large divided pockets for storing nails and screws. Three belt loops will hold a hammer, wrench, and screwdriver. The straps measure 24". The toddler tool belt fits children from 24 months to 6 years old. Please note that these are made upon order.
The placement of the fabric pattern may vary slightly. Toys not included!
THE GIVEAWAY IS FOR ONE FABRIC TOOL BELTS OR GARDEN BELTS IN ANY OF THE FEATURED FABRICS OF YOUR CHOICE. GREAT FOR GIFTS AS WELL!
Tool belts aren't Sarah's only piece. She also sells card wallets, sachets, slipcovers and zip pouches. She is happiest when sewing. Therefore she sews a lot.
This wasn't always the case, though. She first learned to sew during high school. At that time, she had to use a public school-owned machine. It was...trying, to say the least.In early 2007, she picked up sewing again to make some medieval garments for her family. (SEE THIS WEEK'S FLICKR FAVS!!!!) After she turned piles of nondescript fabric into wearable items, she was amazed and hooked. (It also helped that she had her very own (if basic) sewing machine.)
These days, it takes a small plate of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies to lure her from her sewing room. We all have our addictions, no?
If you still have questions, or would like to request a custom order, please do not hesitate to contact me. Your e-mail will be addressed within a 24 hour period.
As usual, if you would like a chance to win this little tool belt or garden belt in a featured fabric below just link back to this post.
If you have any questions see the "questions and answers" link to the right. If you use blogger just use the "create a link" link at the bottom of this post. If you don't use blogger, that's fine too. Just create a link on your page as you normally would and I will see it using Technorati.
Create a Link
j.crew, j crew, jcrew, j.crew, j crew, jcrew, j.crew, j crew, jcrew, j.crew, j crew, jcrew, ann taylor, ann taylor loft, modcloth, express, gymboree, the children's place, gap, baby gap, old navy, the limited, crewcuts, garnet hill, j. jill, banana republic, nyco, white house black market, american eagle, h&m, forever 21, charlotte russe, macy's, bloomingdales, a pea in the pod, abercrombie and fitch, bebe, coldwater creek, delias, motherhood, urban outfitters, victoria's secret, wet seal
Don't you just love shopping? Don't you just love shopping AND helping a good cause?
Meet Sew Cute Shop.
Brandy Christian sews the trendiest Amy Butler accessories, shirts and household items in all her best fabric lines. You choose the Amy Butler fabric and Brandy sews the pattern.
This giveaway is for Amy Butler Birdie Sling w/ 2 large pockets featured, sewed by Sew Cute Shop with an Amy Butler fabric of your choice.
In early March 2009 a dear friend's son was diagnosed with a brain disease called Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD). Currently Riley (6) and his parents (teamgreene) are at Duke Univ. Hospital receiving bone marrow transplants.
All proceeds from the sale of items listed in Sew Cute Shop will be donated to Riley and his parents.
Just mention Grosgrain in your order and receive 10% off. Refund will be applied after payment through paypal.
The winner of this giveaway can PICK THE FABRIC OF THEIR CHOICE. Up to 3 can be used. She has tons so please let her know what you are looking for.
This sling does it all. Stylish diaper bag, trendy laptop carrier or every day favorite carry-it-all bags. She's included two inner pockets to organize your life with same fabric as exterior bag.
Bags in pictures are samples of bags already made and shipped to VERY happy customers. Dimensions:
28" tall w/handles x 18" wide.
Brandy has a very quick turn-around-time. Typically she can have the bag in your hands within 10-14 days of cleared paypal payment. Even sooner if she has your fabric in stock!
PLEASE READ: The Amy Butler Lotus and Belle lines have been discontinued. This fabric is not available for the giveaway. They are starting to get very, very hard to find and very expensive. PLEASE CONTACT HER before ordering any item in this fabric.
The lines includes: All Colors Full Moon, Morning Glory Linen, All Wallflower Colors, Acanthus in Olive, and Olive Chrysanthemum.
All items are made to order and handmade. If you see anything you like and want a special fabric CONVO her and she will set up a custom listing for you. Current wait time for custom orders: 7-10 days. If you need your order sooner than 7-10 days let her know and she will see what she can work out.
Also visit SewCute Shop Blog: www.sewcuteshop.typepad.com
For an In STOCK fabric list please visit her blog www.sewcuteshop.typepad.com
or visit the etsy shop: www.fabricsupplies.etsy.com
As usual, if you would like a chance to win this bag in fabric of your choice just link back to this post. If you have any questions see the "questions and answers" link to the right. If you use blogger just use the "create a link" link at the bottom of this post. If you don't use blogger, that's fine too. Just create a link on your page as you normally would and I will see it using Technorati.
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Are you like me? Do you have a box full of old tee shirts. Some are too sentimental to throw away. Others are just too big, too stained or too tight. Don't fret. There are so many things you can do to recycle a used tee shirt. I think you'd be surprised how many wonderful things! I like to call this little hobby- "Teecycling". So I've decided to dedicate a post every week (well in theory) to our old friend, the tee shirt.
First 'Teecycle'- a child's tee-shirt dress tutorial. Do you have the same problem as me? Chocolate milk stains on EVERYTHING! Those bastards do NOT come out. The military should look into the power of the chocolate milk stain. It could change the world I tell you. I TELL YOU!
This idea works well for soiled shirts. If the stain is near the middle or bottom of the shirt you can simply cut it off. The cute shirt pictured to the left was from Gymboree. I liked the embroidered strawberries and didn't want to throw it away just because it happened to have a chocolate milk stain.
Since this was such an easy, simple piece. The only thing you have to do to be entered in this giveaway is to leave a comment in this post.
Step 1. Find an old tee shirt. Preferably one that has a defect under the line at which you are going to add the skirt.
Step 2. Cut the tee shirt. I chose to do a dress with an empire waist. BUT, you could also do a traditional waist. If that's what you prefer just make the cut a little lower, at the waistline. Another idea, don't cut the shirt at all. Just add a skirt at the bottom of the shirt for a flapper look. I've seen a couple Carter dresses like this and works well with polo shirts.
Step 3. Choose a fabric for your skirt. I choose a piece of fabric I found in my scrap drawer. You want a piece that's about twice the circumference of the waist you just cut. The length will depend on whether you decided to make an empire, traditional or flapper skirt. Measure from the bottom of the cut shirt to your child's knees then add an inch for allowances. Take those two measurements and cut your fabric. Then fold and sew a 3/4t hem at the bottom.
Step 4. Gather the top. In case you don't know how to gather, I'll give you a quick mini tutorial. Set your machine to the longest setting and loosest stitch. Then sew from one end to the other. DO NOT BACKSTITCH! Knot one end. Take the other end and separate the two pieces of thread. Hold the top thread and push the fabric across, creating a gather. Be careful not to snap the thread. Gather the fabric to the correct length. You can figure out the length by lining it up to the circumference of your tee-shirt's waist, adding about 3/4" for allowance.
Step 5. Once you have the fabric gathered to the correct length sew the two sides of your skirt fabric together (right sides facing) so that you have a "tube".
Step 6. With right sides together sew the gathered tube to the cut tee shirt. To do this, turn the tee shirt upside down and place it inside the skirt. BE SURE THAT THE RIGHT SIDES ARE TOGETHER!
Step 7. Turn right side out and you're DONE! Since I used a scrap piece of fabric I couldn't make the length long enough and altered the first photo to appear longer. So I would say that this little dress would fit a 12-18 month old.
Since this was such an easy, simple piece. The only thing you have to do to be entered in this giveaway is to leave a comment in this post.
Like not spending money?