Shorts on the Line ~ Summer Sew Along!

I was very happy this morning to see a new sewing challenge for me.  I tend to be more motivated when I have a "push" from a challenge.

Starting July 1st I will be participating in this fun challenge.  I am in desperate need of shorts!
You can find all of the wonderful details at imagine gnats who is hosting the challenge along with Designs by Sessa and small + friendly. 

Join me in their fun challenge!

Hawaiian plastic bag holder

I've had this cute Hawaiian fabric for a couple months now and wasn't sure what I wanted to do with it.  I decided yesterday that I would make it into an adorable kitchen plastic bag holder.  There is a nice pineapple in the middle of the bag and I think that fits perfectly with a kitchen as the pineapple means hospitality.
I finished her up last night and popped her into the Etsy shop.  Let's hope she finds a nice home soon.
Happy Friday everyone!

Upcycle ~ Dad's old tee to son's tank top!

I love when I can re-purpose an item.  It makes me feel so happy inside.  I've gotten quite the pile of things to re-purpose as well.... Some I have ideas for and some I'm clueless on but that is ok.  Today I pulled this old shirt out of the pile.  It is one of my husband's favorite from years ago but no longer fits him.

I used a pattern for this project even though I know I could wing it on my own, I still wanted an official pattern.  I picked McCall's 6099 (super easy pattern). 

(Picture from McCall's website)

My husband walked by as I was cutting up his shirt and he was all like "Oh no! My favorite shirt! What are you doing to it!"  I gently reminded him that it no longer fits him and proceeded to hack away :-)

2 pieces cut on the fold.  Sew the shoulders and side seams (I did this with the serger); then hem the neck, arm holes, and bottom.  BOOM!  That's it.  This took me all of 1/2 hour to do.  Mr. T is such a skinny-minny that it is a bit hard to find things that fit him right.  I can see that it drops way too low in the neckline so next time I will add 2 inches to the scoop part.  I also want it a bit longer on him so I will add 2 inches to the bottom.  

The pattern couldn't be any easier.  Super simple for anyone to make.  I like the shape of the tank on T (with the modifications I plan to make next time).  I made it in a size 8 because he wavers between an 8 and a 10. Since this one was my "test" one I think it will go nicely with his upcycled PJ shorts for bedtime!

Oliver + S Ice Cream Dress - Take Two!

You may remember that I completed the Oliver + S Ice Cream Dress first here in Pink and Purple.  I had a few issues with the pattern.  I'm not used to Oliver + S patterns and their directions seemed a bit odd to me. I went off the pictures a few times.  Well this second time around their directions still were weird to me.  I had to re-read a few a couple times to understand what they meant.  Either way I know the end result is so darn cute so I wanted to try again.  I used these cute patterns that I got from Fabric.com (love that place!).

Fabric:  Once Upon a Time Flowers Yellow/Periwinkle 100% cotton (FK-456 on fabric.com)
             Once Upon a Time Bugs Blue 100% cotton (FK-457 on fabric.com)

This time around I knew a bit more of what I was doing so it wasn't completely foreign to me; things went a bit smoother.  I followed the directions exactly for every step of View A, including using the double fabric on the bottom.  I think it makes the dress too heavy down there and wish I had stayed with the single thickness. Miss K likes it a lot and that is what matters most.  The dress fits her well but I know it will be too small in a month.  I feel that 2 tries of the pattern are enough for me and the dress is unique enough that she doesn't need anymore until she outgrows them.  I'm happy, she's happy.  It is an ok pattern in my book.

I really love those cute little "v" pockets!

This Week's List

Wow!  Another week come and gone; it went so quickly!  I really didn't get anything done last week with the rummage sale and family stuff.  Boo :(   I still have half the PJ's sitting on my ironing board.....  I also have a second Oliver + S dress almost done.  I'll finish that cutie up today.  I did cut the fabric for some amazing pillows for the living room and Miss K's room.  I also have another grocery bag holder cut up.

This week is a bit less busy so I can get a lot done! Miss K has one summer school class all week and dance one day, add in 2 chiropractor visits and that is it!!  So here is my ambitious list this week:

1. Finish second Oliver + S dress with these two cute patterns

2. Finish the 3 sets of PJ's

3. Sew four 2 more pillows for living room and 2 for Miss K's room

4. Finish up sewing owl stuffie and get a tutorial up.

5. Make View D on New Look 6871 (just picked up today)     


6. Make View  on New Look 6054 out of the cutest linen blend

7. Make Mr. T some upcycled tank tops out of Dad's old Tee's

I think that should do it for this week.  Let's see how many I can get done!  It is supposed to be super, super hot here all week so inside sewing and movies are where it's at in my house.  I hope you all can tackle your lists this week too!