Apron dress for toddlers

So, I made another apron dress! I can see hate mail coming my way soon for neglecting all the boys, London in particular, but I figured I had the pattern on hand and material at the bottom of my stash, so I just went with it ...  Click HERE for a winter version of the same dress made from upcycled sweaters.  

I don't have a tutorial, because there are so many other great momma crafters, who do that much better on the internet (check below for the list of free patterns you can download) ... It's more about the idea and showing you how you can re-use and recycle stuff that's already in most closets. With that said ... the green corduroy is from Walmart and I am not sure about the cost, but I remember it being really cheap. I wanted to line the dress, for which I used daddy's old work shirt, otherwise destined to the garbage bin (I also cut off the buttons for future use). The applique is made from scraps and the ribbon on the top of the birdhouse is from the handle of an Anthropologie shopping bag. (I am trying to resist becoming a pack rat, but I couldn't throw out such a pretty piece of ribbon :)

Here is a full view of the dress  ... 

 Work in progress ...

Bird detail

I wake up excited at 7 am, give Lola the surprise dress I've worked on all night, she takes a look and swishes it right then left and says with a disappointed face: 

"Mommy, this dress no good! It doesn't twirl" 

My favorite model and hard to please customer. 

Toddler dress patterns I lolove from Prudent Baby:

* Pillowcase toddler dress 

*Snap wrap dress  (I adore this dress! It's on my sewing list)

*Party dress 

And another free (similar) pattern by snazzlecraft 

If you'd like the applique pattern, please leave me a comment!

See you later alligator! 

Have a lolovely rest of the week, 

LV

Cashmere gloves from an old sweater

I told you I was obsessed with upcycling sweaters in my previous post, so no surprise that when it was time for my mother-in-law's birthday gift (Valentine's Day) I thought of making her a pair of mittens.

The inspiration came from finding a cashmere sweater for 3.99 USD  399 USD ;) at a charity store.

It was so soft and so beautiful I could not resist buying it without caring if it turns out to be boxer shorts for hubby or these mittens ... 

There are many patterns on the internet - some more professional and complicated than others, but I picked the one of Studio 5. Additionally to the pattern, there is a step-by-step video which is helpful (especially if you are anything like me, who can't figure out where the thumb goes :))) 

Link to the pattern and video HERE

The written instructions as well as the video are precise. I would only add that as a first time mitten maker you are not going to make it in 30 minutes as it is suggested.

Here is my step-by-step just to show you that even those who can't figure out their fingers and their right and a left hand can make this project ... 

Each glove is made of 3 pieces of the outside fabric (cashmere) and 3 pieces of the inside (fleece). 

Pin and sew together all 4 gloves. Insert fleece glove into the outer shell glove. Sew together the layers.

Cut the sleeves of the sweater and pin reverse to the gloves. 

Sew the cuffs in place and decorate them if you would like to.   

I cut a piece from the bottom of the sweater and zig-zag stitched it all the way. While sewing, pull on the fabric (sweater) and it will fringe. I folded a piece back and pulled it all together to create a flower. (Most fabric flowers are created with this technique.) A button in the middle and it's done! 

Happy Birthday Nana!

I am sorry to disappoint all, but my next project is also "gloves" :) I am just so into them and LoLo is shamefully wearing mittens from the 99 cent store ... not good when everyone is asking if I self-made my t-shirt, sweater as well as shoes ... LOL 

Have a great week Lo(lo)velies! LV