Dress up a dress!

This time I just didn’t have time to make a full princess dress, who does when the kids are little? So last minute I used a plain tutu dress that actually has paint stains I couldn’t get out on it! Don’t worry, they get covered up!

Then I ordered a special mermaid appliqué with the number 5 for my daughters birthday off of Etsy. I also had some leftover sequin fabric I wanted to add to the dress.

I used the sequin fabric and sewed it all

Around the bottom inner layer of the dress. Then I added the patch and wow what a difference with that easy change! I was going to add some puff sleeves but the weather was warm so I ended up keeping it sleeveless.

Purchased an assortment of gem heart stickers and used fabric stitch glue to place them on the dress!

This can be done easily and quickly and you have a birthday dress! You can add sleeves, bows, a sash or belt!

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How to Make an Owl Costume, It’s a Hoot!

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What a hoot! I made this owl costume for my toddler girl for Halloween. This costume can be adapted for any age! Not only is it soooo cute, but it’s also soft, comfortable, and easy to make!

Let’s start with the materials. If you are making this for a larger toddler, child, or adult, you will need more material. You will need:

  • Felt, 3 or 4 colors or more, I ordered half a yard of each and it was more than enough
  • Hot glue and hot glue gun (I got a cheaper version at Michaels and it worked great!)
  • Scissors
  • A piece of cardstock or thicker paper

Let’s start with the cape (aka wings).

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I didn’t have cardstock so I used a flier in the mail for my pattern. I simply drew a teardrop design and cut it out. To make all of the feathers for the owl, you must trace the teardrop design over and over.

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I ended up tracing over 80 feathers in each color. I did this because I wanted to do wings (the cape) and put feathers on the front of the sweatshirt (optional). Trace the feathers in each color and cut them out.

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I used 3 colors, but I recommend 4. If you have 4 feathers it will be easier to vary the pattern the feathers are glued in, so that there is no repetitions. 3 colors definitely works though.

Next, measure the wingspan of your toddler (or adult). You can use a measuring tape or eyeball it with the fabric like I did. I held up the white felt with my daughter’s arms outstretched and make a mark from fingertip to fingertip. You can also adjust and cut the cape when you are finished, so if you are unsure make it a little larger.

Next, warm up your glue gun and choose a pattern for your feathers and glue them on. I put glue on the top half of the feather, so that when I did the next row I could snuggle a feather underneath the bottom of the feather. Check out the picture to see what I’m talking about.

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The feathers overlap so don’t put glue on the bottom half of your feathers. You’ll notice the first row I did very straight, as I was working I realized I wanted to tilt feathers a bit to the side so they looked more natural. Continue gluing until you have filled up the wings!

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Beautiful! Now it’s time to add a tie to the top sides. You want the wings to be able to tie around your toddler’s neck. I wanted something that wasn’t tight, would hang down, and very comfy, so I used felt. I cut some extra pieces of felt. I simply used my scissors and in the upper right and left hand corner of the large piece of white felt (that the feathers are glued to), I made a hole with the scissor. I tied the shoelace type felt piece on each and wallah! Then I could tie the cape together.

The cape is done. I happened to have an owl hat. If you don’t have a hat, you can make one. If you like to crochet, then simply google and find a video and pattern. If you want to make the hat from felt (which is easier), then simply google “diy toddler owl felt hat.”

Here is where options come into place. You can do the wings and hat and leave it at that. I bought a pink sweatshirt and pants at walmart for $10 for the costume, but you can use any clothes you like.

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This is a picture without doing the feathers on the front of the sweatshirt. This is very cute and if it’s cold weather in your area, will work great with a winter coat.

I went ahead and did the front of the sweatshirt, but as you can see in the picture below, ended up covering it anyway because of the cold weather. The cape (wings) can easily go over a large winter coat.

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If you want to cover the front of a shirt, then simply cut out more feathers. I wanted to reuse my sweatshirt, so I didn’t glue the feathers to the sweatshirt. I measured the front of the shirt, used a large piece of white felt and glued feathers to the felt (just like the cape). Next, I put it on top of the shirt and sewed it on in the corners. This way I can simply cut the thread and take the felt off and use the sweatshirt again. If you don’t want to use the shirt again, gluing is easier.

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Happy Halloween! I hope you have a hoot of a time!!! 

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DIY Placemat Place Setting

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My daughter loves to assert her independence, even at meal time! So I thought, why not make a placemat that she can set her own place setting at? There are many ways to make placemats.

One way is simply laminating a printed out version of a placemat setting such as this…

placematHowever, my laminator is only big enough for a regular printer sized paper. You can take it to your local staples or office store to get laminated. You can even make your own placemat out of fabric and have it laminated.

I decided to go with the fabric version and just use the washer to clean it.

So you want to prewash the fabric to make sure it does not shrink.

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As always there is a video youtube tutorial and a written one below.

What you need for this placemat place setting is…

1) fabric: it will end up being 12×16 inches.

  • 1 batting or felt for the middle or back side 12×16
  • 1 center front piece 12×12
  • 2 outside front pieces 4×12
  • 1 back side
  • felt or non fraying material to cut out fork, spoon, cup, and plate

2) Next, take your front center piece and your side front pieces and pin them fabric facing fabric on the sides and sew. Then iron the seems.

3) Following that, you want to use your felt or nonfraying material to outline a plate, cup, fork, spoon, and any other utensils that you want on your placemat.  Then cut them out and sew them directly on the front piece.  You can also use fabric glue if you like.

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4) ***You want to put the piece of fabric you want as the backing down first facing the front fabric and then the basting or felt behind that (as you can see I did it opposite and ended up with my black fabric as the back outside as you will see). However, if you are using felt, it ends up rather nice as a backing since it prevents sliding.

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5) Sew all the way around leaving a 3-4 inch opening so you can pull it out the right way. Don’t forget to backstitch. Once this is done, pull the inside out and make sure all the sides and corners are all the way out.  Iron it all out and sew the remaining opening with either a hand stitch, or if you want to use your machine then sew around the whole placemat to give it that look.

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You can add any other embellishments, I used my daughter’s name on the side. Enjoy and check out the other videos and tutorials!  Let me know if you have any questions!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Twinkle Twinkle

Hello! Guest writer here! I am the blog founder’s twin sister, Jessie, and I’m here to share my decorations and ideas from my little girl Madison’s first birthday party. You can use these decoration ideas for anything from baby showers, birthday parties, to graduation parties depending on what your theme is. If your theme involves stars, pink, or gold then you are in luck!

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The dessert table before the desserts!

Let’s first start with the pink and gold theme. All of the tablecloths, plates, napkins, and containers are from Walmart. I wanted a good deal, but also wanted it to look good and found the best deals there. Michaels was another store I frequented for ideas and supplies. All of the numbers, letters, and banner supplies were purchased there.

Okay, before we dive too deep into how each decoration was made, let’s check out some pictures!

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The birthday girl’s chair!

All of the banner pennants in this article were purchased from Michaels. The letters on all of the banners are stick on letters from Michaels too. However, they don’t stay on the thick fabric of the pennants so need to be glued on. I used a hole puncher to make 2 holes at the top of each pennant and put string through them. I purchased some glitter foam sheets from Walmart to make the stars and used a cookie cutter to trace them.

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The happy birthday banner hanging above the food table.

Again, I used the materials I purchased to make this banner and it was fairly easy because everything was cut out besides the stars. This banner was definitely worth the time to put it together, it was super cute and personalized to her party. I moved the pictures that were originally above the banner and replaced them with picture frames of Madison.

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Balloons were purchased at the dollar store. I used the cork board from the kitchen to put pictures of her from the first year-a simple and affordable decoration. The 12 month banner was also made from the pennants. I simply traced the star cookie cutter and cut out stars instead of using the pennant shape. If you don’t have a cookie cutter you could print out a star from a computer and trace it! I found little pink clothespins at Michaels and hot glued them to the stars so the pictures could be added below the banner. This could also be a cute idea for other types of parties. You could write someone’s name and have pictures of them beneath it or for graduation with pictures from each school year. The options are endless!

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Again, I cut out stars and added the stick on letters with glue. These stars were cut from glitter foam paper.
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Stars, stars, everywhere!

I made the twinkle banner, the stars hanging from the chandelier and the star wands on the table that I used as party favors and a centerpiece. For the stars hanging from the light, I cut out stars from the foam paper and attached it to felt pink cloth I had. I cut the outline of the pink cloth around the gold star so it looks like an outline for the stars.

As for the wands, I purchased gold straws from Michaels and they were very sturdy made from cardboard and didn’t bend. I decided to use the foam paper to cut out two stars and stick them together around the top of the straw. I also included 2 cut pieces of ribbon on the wand. I put one on each side of the star and pushed the stars together (they have sticky backs, but you could easily glue them). They were a hit!

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Yum! I made chocolate covered pretzels with pink chocolate melts and gold sprinkles. I also made the sugar cookies with star and number one cookie cutters!
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No, I didn’t make this beautiful cake. However, I thought the stars sticking out of the top were so cute and easy to make! They simply used some wire and cut out stars they hot glued to the wire! 
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Pictures, pictures, everywhere! 
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Super cheap decoration-pictures on string! I used pink string and taped the pictures. For a twinkle twinkle theme you could also use string lights around the house for decorations!
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A giant number one made with pictures!

There are great tutorials online about making the number one with pictures for your baby’s first birthday. Most people recommend using cardboard from a large appliance box. I didn’t have any available, so used regular printer paper. I simply cut pictures and fit them on the paper with glue, then laminated the paper. I am a teacher so I happen to have a small scotch laminator at home that worked perfectly. I lined up all the papers to make the number one and adhered it to the wall with tape!

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You might be wondering about her outfit and this wonderful sign. I’m sorry to tell you that I didn’t make them. A local woman made them both for me. 
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My sister (aka the blog writer) made her beautiful dress and headband. Hopefully there will be a post on that coming up soon! Yes, Madison wanted the cake.

If you are a very busy person with many kids, making all of these decorations might be too time consuming. However, even making a small amount of them is very rewarding. It not only adds a personal touch, but can be used as a keepsake or for future parties!

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Thank you for visiting this blog and YOU can make these decorations too with a little time and effort!
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DIY Rudolph Slippers!

 

DIY RUDOLPH SLIPPERS

This easy DIY sewing project can be made for any size shoe!  All you need to do is trace the shoe (or foot) size and create!  Easy peezey Christmas fun! Also makes a great gift!

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As always, there is a video tutorial on the ceceliasspot channel and here is the link… 

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Baby Slippers Tutorial! this has a pattern for baby slippers if you don’t want to trace a shoe or foot

And there is the written format below.  ENJOY AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

 

First, what you need for this project:

  1. Non-skid fabric
  2. Fabric colors (I used cotton and fleece)
  3. 1/4 or 1/8 elastic
  4. Sewing tools, googley eyes, red cotton ball, and any accessories you would like to add

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  1. Next, trace your subject’s shoe or foot (if you are using their actual foot add 1/2 inch all the way around).

 

2. Trace the top of your childs shoe to make the front of the slipper. Cut four of these pieces. Then trace the back and cut 4 of these (add 1 inch to the long length side so you can overlap)

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3.  Take pattern facing pattern and sew the two front pieces together only on the straight side as shown (do this for both slippers).

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4. Trim excess and turn right side out, iron right side out and sew across the top you ant on outside (this makes it look nicer.

5. Take pattern facing pattern for both back pieces and sew across one long side for both slippers.

6. Take your elastic and cut it about 2.5 to 3 inches shorter than the length of the back piece and pin it and pull it tight while sewing across to the end. This is still on the wrong side. Sketch

7. Flip the fabric over the elastic with right side out and iron and then sew right below the elastic and down the sidesSketch2

8. Freehanded antlers by looking at a picture of antlers. cut 4 sew around except bottom and stuff it.

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9. Check sizing and put front and back piece pinned together with pattern facing down (right now you should only see (the side that is up) what will be on the inside when you are finished done).

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10. After pinning the front to the back and the antlers in between the front and back piece, sew across front to attach front and back piece

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This is what it should look like now.

11. Line up the sole two pieces with the patterns on the outside (not the usual, but it doesn’t matter since its on the bottom) You can see it in the back there with the nonskid on top.

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12. Line up the sole with the top piece (nonstick sole facing upwards to the reindeer face) by finding the middle of the front and back (you can fold to find this). Then sew all the way around. And turn right side out and WAH-LA!!IMG_0398 - Copy.JPG

I sewed on the red cotton ball nose and hot glue gunned the eyes on.  If you have a little one then please don’t use googely eyes since they might try and eat them!

Don’t forget to check out our facebook site and subscribe to our youtube videos!  ENJOY! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

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Princess Dress and Party!

My daughter has recently developed an interest in princesses and playing dress up. I decided to take on the challenge of sewing a princess dress. I’ve made many dresses, including the princess-like 1st birthday dress, but I wanted to make something different, so I did some research and then bought fabric I thought she would love, and designed a dress. I made several adjustments during the process and added embellishments.


Since I did this all during the process of making it, I decided to take pictures instead of video like I usually do.

 

There is no pattern for this since I designed the dress as I went. I used one of her regular party dress to eyeball the correct sizing for a 3t dress. (This is what you can do too!)

So below are pictures and some steps. If you want to design a similar one just use a dress to get an idea of the sizing. I don’t work with a lot of tulle sewing, so it didn’t turn out the best, but I’m proud of the end results, and she loves it too!

So I first made the front and two back pieces. You can copy these shapes from the picture and use a dress for sizing.

I ended up making another three pieces (another front and two back pieces) and using it as the inside of the dress.  So I took pattern facing pattern for the front piece and left a 3 inch space to pull it right side out.  Then I sewed this shut and ironed it all. I also used sparkly elastic and pinned it in between the pattern facing pattern (this is what I should have done but forgot and ended up just sewing it to the top).

I also added a tulle happy birthday and two pieces of silver design on the front. You can add or not add as many embellishments as you want.

Next, I used interfacing ironed on both back pieces and then used white hair ties cut in half.  I pinned the half hair ties facing inwards in between the pattern facing pattern pieces then sewed all the way around except a 3 inch area and pulled it right side out and sewed then ironed it.

Following that, I placed the two back pieces on the front pattern piece and sewed the sides and then folded them back to have the top finished.

I then measured the skirt by measuring from the top down to the right length for my daughter with a measuring tape.  I used the soft fabric of the top for the under-skirt and then cut happy birthday tulle and tulle for the skirt.  i made the white tulle width three times the width length since I will gather it to make the skirt more “poofy.” I then gathered the tulle using the easy method of dental floss, on top of the soft under skirt. With this method, you use a large zigzag over the floss and then at the end you pull the floss out and it is gathered!

Next I decided to use the happy birthday tulle and sewed it on as well.  Then, I put the layers together and I put pattern facing pattern and sewed it all together.

I ended up sewing on a bead embellishments on ribbon in between the top and bottom.

 

Happy Sewing!

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DIY Masks and patterns! 


My daughter loves running around in her cat mask saying she’s Cece cat. She also wanted to be Cece dinosaur, cece giraffe, and many other cece animals.  So I had a couple extra crafting materials nearby and we created these easy masks!  Also, masks are great for parties or as a craft at a party! 


There are many ways to make many different masks, the first way is simply with 

1) popsicle sticks or tongue depressor sticks (or you can use elastic or string) 

2) construction paper

3) scissors and glue 

4) crayons, ribbons, stickers or any other decoration you would like to add


I absolutely love this new glue I got from crayola, it is so easy for my toddler to use herself and its washable! 

I simply held the construction paper up and estimated where the eye holes needed to be and cut them out then made my own design and let her glue the pieces together and decorate! Such a simple and easy project for your little one. 

Now if you are looking for a particular pattern or don’t know how to make an animal let me suggest a couple tutorials I found:

Animal masks by Hoosier
These cute masks are perfect for your little fall creature! There’s a pattern for them too! 

Next are easy felt masks that are perfect for Halloween costumes! 

Felt masks by prettyprudent

Free patterns again!! Enjoy

Here is a tutorial for the little superheroes:

Superhero masks
These masks are simply made from paper plates! 

For the older kid Mask that can be decorated with little jewels! 
Halloween masks! Boo! 

Halloween time
These masks are just a cut out and wear mask, however you can easy trace it and have your little one color and paint.  Paper plate masks

I love these paper plate masks! So easy! 

Animal masks
Lastly, is a group of animal masks you can print off and color or paint! 

Hope you enjoyed these ideas, now get crafting! 

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DIY Superhero Cape!

Superhero cape time!  You can make an easy superhero cape in less than 15 minutes!  My daughter needed to be distracted in a fun way while I needed to care for her baby brother, so we pretend to be superheros who fetch diapers, plastic bags, and bottles for baby brother!  Also, her dolly had to have a super cape too! So I went to the fabric store and found the perfect superhero fabric!  The fabric has a great design and also is very stretchy and does not fray easily.  I also bought double sided bias tape in gold for the outside.  Her dolly also needed a superhero cape so I designed a small one for dolly.

As usual, there is a written and youtube tutorial for this cape.  I only used one side of material but you can easily do two fabrics (this is outlined below). Enjoy!

 

What you need:
1) Fabric (one or 2 different cuts 1/2 yard each)
2) Velcro or your preferred method to connect
around neck
3) Optional: Bias tape and/or monogram

 

You can decide on the best size by either knowing your childs height and how wide you would like it, or you can always look at their clothes! I do outline the length and design in my video and written tutorial.

  1. I made the cape for my 2.5year old but it ended up being very big, big enough my German Shepard dog could wear it!  The sizes I use could most likely fit up to a 4t.  Fold 1/2 yard of fabric in half.  Measure long way 26inches long (this was a bit big for my 2.5yr old but still worked) and cut straight across. If you are using two fabrics (one for front and one for back), repeat this whole cutting process.
  2. Then measure about 4 inches down from the 26inch top and cut in and up for the connecting part of the cape (mine was a bit big for my 2.5 year old but she will grow into it!)
  3.   If you are using two fabrics take both sides and cut and then face each other and sew all the way around except leave a 3 inch opening (as with all other projects with two fabrics).  Then pull the fabric through the hole and sew hole shut (make sure you push out corners).
  4. Next, I took the bias tape and sewed all the way around (pinning it first).
  5. Lastly, I ironed on the Velcro sections with the softer side facing on side downwards (that way if its too big at one point it is not rough on the skin). You can also use snaps or any other closing you would like.
  6. And that is it!  Pretty easy just eyeball the size or you can measure your little one!  Enjoy!
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DIY Bandana Drool Bib

Once the drool starts it doesn’t stop!  I saw an adorable bandana drool bib in a store and thought, I could easily make that!  And you can too!  It is a simple 5 to 10 minute project that makes a great gift and a fantastic accent and cute and functional accessory for your little one.

 

As always, there is a youtube tutorial and the written steps on here!  Hope you enjoy!

 

This is for size 6months to 12months.

What you will need:
1) Two Fabrics (one side needs to be absorbent). I used a cute flannel fabric and then a yellow fleece material for the back.
2) Velcro or snaps to hold it shut

  1.  Fold your fabric in half. Cut out two triangles, one with each fabric (you can use my measurements or compare to your bib size for your little one) .  I used the measurements of  9in long and 7 1/2in on the fold.
  2. Next, you are going to make a cut for the neckline about 3 inches in from the side
    and 2 inches down the fold.
  3. Cut the little triangle off the very end, abut half an inch, this is where the velcro will connect.
  4. Take pattern side facing pattern side and sew all the way around leaving a small
    opening around 2 inches (this is where you will pull it right side out)
  5. Now pull it right side out and hand sew the hole shut and VOILA! drool bib
    complete!
  6. Iron press it!  You can also go around the whole outside and sew it if you like for the design look!
  7. Next you want to attach either your velcro or snaps.  I have iron on velcro I used.

Hope you enjoyed this tutorial, if you have questions just post! Thanks

 

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Summer Bee Dress

Cecelia’s Summer Bee Dress

This lovely summer spaghetti strap dress was suppose to be made in time for my sister in laws baby shower in June.  However, I was unable to finish it due to my water breaking early and being hospitalized.  I finally finished it and love how it turned out!  I free handed the design and sizing.  I meant for it to end up as a 2t size, but as you can see it’s a bit big!  This works out great since its winter and not summertime!  She can wear it this upcoming summer.  I can’t wait for the warm spring and summer to come!  Bulbs and flowers emerging and gardening time, but let’s get back on track.

As always there is a youtube tutorial and this written one.  I do not have a pattern as a freehanded it and designed the pattern myself as I went.  I used one of my Cece’s dresses to size it and make part of the pattern to guess the sizing.

Unfortunately, a lot of the video tutorial was accidentally videotaped over with my baby boys arrival home (sorry more important anyways!).  So I videotaped again trying to explain the best I could.  If you have questions please let me know!  More great videos to come soon!

What you need:

  • Chose of fabric colors and types (I chose three colors
  • 1/4 inch elastic (for gathering of the top of back of the dress)
  • Bias tape (or you can make your own like I did)
  1.  First you want to cut out your fabric pieces.  I looked at another dress I have for my little one and based the main front and back piece by measuring and estimating the sizing.  Then I cut the bottom piece I needed which ended up being about 40inches long and 4 inches wide (for the ruffle on the bottom). I ended up added another color (black) on the two sides of the dress.  Then I also cut out fabric to make bias tape (here is a good tutorial on making bias tape if you’ve never made it before..BIAS TAPE TUTORIAL. )
  2. Take your strap (black piece) and sew it to the top piece and bottom piece.  Pattern piece to pattern piece (facing each other) sew the bottom to the strap
    then the top.
  3. I made my own bias tape by cutting and ironing the fabric.  Then you proceed to use it to line the top of the dress (sew it on!). Then sew up the armholes and long to tie…estimate how long you want the straps to be to tie behind the neck (longer the better!)
  4.  
  5. Take the back side and sew two black (or whatever color you choose) by sewing
    facing pattern sides together
  6. I decided to add a small piece of fabric above the black strap to make it higher .  If you want, sew and connect.  Then place from and back piece facing each other and sew to connect from and back.
  7. Add elastic to back piece if you want it ruched and tighter.
  8. The last part is the bottom ruffled part.
  9. Hem the bottom first about 1/8inch
  10. To gather your fabric put your machine on the longest thread setting make two
    straight lines (Do not reverse!). Roughly 1/4 and 1/8 inch away from the top.
    Leave long threads on the ends.
  11. Next you knot the bottom of the back side of the threads so you can gather, just the two in the back (not the front).
  12. Pull the bottom threads from the other end and slide the cloth along the threads toward your knot making small folds. When your cloth has been
    gathered the way you want it, knot the ends securely with each other.
  13. Sew pattern side to pattern side all the way around.  Then you can zig zag around (or you can zig zag before attaching (this prevents fraying).
  14. Then you are finished! Great Job!  Have fun! Post your pics!
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