Cami Fake Out

Don't you just hate it when you find a super cute shirt and then you try it on and it reveals just a little bit too much? For me that means adding a t-shirt or camisole under it. I don't know about you but I hate the extra bulk and warmth it provides especially in the summer. So, I got out some scrap knit and whipped up one of these little babies;

Supplies needed;

2 snaps

any color of knit and matching ribbon

sewing machine

As far as skill level involved it is very basic. Measure the distance between your bra straps while wearing your bra. Then, measure to the base of your bra. Knit stretches so you can cut the knit a little smaller so it fits more snug between your straps. I hemmed the top and zigzagged stitched. Then, I attached the ribbon to both sides. Make sure to heat seal the ends of your ribbon with a lighter to prevent fraying. Next, attach your snaps making sure there is enough ribbon to wrap around your bra strap.  That's it! You are done.

So much better and no extra bulk! It is very comfortable and you don't even know you are wearing it. No more bending over and worrying about everyone seeing down your shirt. These would be great for moms who are nursing too. Now I'm going to make a bunch of these in different colors. You can also add lace to the top too. It is very basic so it's easy to personalize. Hope you find this one helpful.

First Little Girl Dress

I have never attempted to make clothes before and I found an adorable pattern The Abbey Dress made by Shwin & Shwin. She has the most adorable little girl clothing and shoe tutorials. What's great about this dress is it can be worn as a top the next year.

So, here's the finished product and I think it turned out well especially for my first try. I want to make the pleated mary jane shoes too so someone hurry up and have a girl for me to dress!

Modified Scripture Slip

I love this fabric. I think it is very feminine and just pretty. It's a gift for someone too. I made all the modifications to this one.

I trimmed it with white satin ribbon

Here is the back pocket.

Last but, not least there are two elastic loops to hold a pen and scripture marker.

Thanks honey for letting me use your scriptures for a guide and also for listening and laughing at me while I yelled at the sewing machine!

Scripture Slips

It's cold outside and my Scriptures were looking a little bit chilly sitting there so bare. So, I gave myself a sewing project, a custom scripture case.

I added a handle for convenience. I have the mini-scriptures with the snap closure which was a little tricky. The case velcros shut.

I don't like regular scripture cases where you either have to take them completely out of the case to use them or risk the whole thing sliding off of your lap. Maybe I'm the only one who has that problem so, I made it where you just open up the flap and you have total access to your Scriptures without any annoyance.

Here's the back view. Since I made this one I've made some improvements. I've added a pocket that spans the length and width of the back. I also added some elastic pen/pencil holders in the flap. I am having a lot of fun with these. Next, I'm going to try adding some cute embellishments. These are going to make some lovely gifts!

Sun Hat

Boy has it been sunny lately. Little man and I have been visiting the park almost daily. We walk or I ride my bike pulling him in the trailor. I'm going to be BUFF by the end of this summer. I can't believe how much weight that thing adds to the bike. Well, the park is great but has one drawback. No shade at all! They have these lovely, huge shade trees all throughout the park but nowhere on the playground. I don't want my little one to get sunburned. Me that's a different story. I need some color. Anyway, he has a baseball cap but, that doesn't protect his ears. So, I took a trip to the Outlet Mall. They wanted $10.50 for a tiny hat! I came home frustrated and not willing to give that much for a HAT. So, I searched online for a tutorial. Gotta love the internet and other moms who want to protect their little kid's beanies. I ended up making my very first, very own pattern. That was crazy in itself.

You too can make your own pattern. For this project you need a circle for the top, a rectangle for the middle, and bigger circle for the rim.

First, measure around your child's head (circumference). Take that number and divide it by 3.14. This will give you the size circle you need for the top. Make sure to add 1-2 inches for seam allowance. You don't want it to be too tight.

Second, take that circle and make a second one that is 2.5 inches bigger around the perimeter. It will be a smaller circle inside the bigger circle. The bigger circle = the rim of the hat when you cut out the smaller circle.

To make the middle, I made a 4 inch wide rectangle that was long enough to go around lil man's head with 1-2 inches of seam allowance.

Then, sew all the pieces together. I worked from top to bottom. You can also make this hat reversible by making 2 of the hats and sewing them at the edges wrong sides together. I used leftover fabric from making him a backpack so, it didn't cost anything.

View from the top

Modeling his new hat. I love it. Now his little noggin and little ears are all safe and snug from that bright sun.

Happy Sewing!

~Tabitha~

Tiny Tot Belt

My poor little boy has no bum. Poor kid can't help it. Yesterday, I think his pants fell down 3 times. I've had enough. I went into town today and bought supplies to make him a big boy belt. So, if you have a child that suffers from the same problem here's how to make the solution:

Supplies: Decorative Ribbon, 1yard of cording (measure your child's waist to determine how much you need), and 2 D rings (you'll want them bigger than the cording so you can pull it through to tighten the belt)

Step 1: Pin your ribbon to the cording on both sides and then sew in place.

Step 2: Place your D rings together on one end. Make sure to fold the end of your cording under so it will have a finished end. It was a beast to sew through this thickness.

Step 3: Fold the other end in the opposite direction and sew it the same way.

Here is the finished product.

My cute little model just couldn't wait to try it out.

Up close, rear view.

This is such a versatile project. You can use different colors of cording with or without ribbon for decoration. I also have an idea for using one belt but adding velcro so, you can change the ribbon for different outfits. I'm going to try that next.

*Please use this for personal use only. Please do not use my pictures.

Portable Place Mat

When we go out to eat I don't like to put my son's food on the restaurant's table. He throws plates and napkins so, that doesn't work either. So, I thought it would be nice to have something to throw in the diaper bag for when we are out and about. We also have a portable high chair. We don't have a big house so, to save space we just bought one of the chairs that you put in an existing kitchen chair. It takes up no space. It folds up when we go places. It is wonderful. I don't like restaurant high chairs either. They rarely get cleaned and they always feel greasy. So, now we take our chair and our mat. The mat was fairly easy to make. I had some leftover Car fabric from making his backpack. I bought iron on vinyl. I have heard great things about it. Plus it's wipeable. It is wonderful. It is hard to find though. I ended up getting mine at Hancock Fabrics. It is 6.99 a yard. Expensive. I also bought double folded bias tape. Just cut out 2 rectangles of fabric and 2 rectangles of the vinyl the same size. Iron on the vinyl to the fabric per instructions. Then, pin your bias tape around the edges. Sew it on and you're done. Now, you have a cute little custom mat for your little one to eat off of.