The Bandwagon

Well, everyone else was doing it. So I thought, especially since it would benefit Haiti, that I would finally purchase Lil Blue Boo's Sienna Dress Pattern. Ashley apparently knows what she is doing because that pattern could not be any easier to follow. Goose will be getting a lot more of these dresses by spring. They make the perfect play dress. And I can't tell you how good it feels to really be tearing...or cutting... into my t-shirts that have been set aside for years to be turned in something.

So, here's the first of many to come, made from some of my favorite super soft American Eagle tee shirts from college.

I chose to taper the sleeves quite a bit and make them half sleeves, since it will still be cool here for a little while. I think I'll make her one with 3/4 length sleeves as well. But I definitely prefer the tapered look over the wide sleeve. And if you don't know how to do that, she gives you the instructions for it. No worries.

The Fleece-lined Skirt Tutorial

Well, I woke up this morning with great aspirations for making lots of blankets for the shop. Well, Goose had other plans. We got upstairs and she found the owl fabric and immediately began expressing her need for a new skirt with owls. So, with her help we cranked this baby out, only, since it is a wintry sort of pattern, I thought it appropriate that it be suited for wintry sort of weather. Hence, the fleece. I used what I had on hand, otherwise, I may have made the fleece lining a little longer. But regardless, we're thrilled with the way it turned out.

What you need:
1/2 yard of fabric (I used quilting cotton)
1/2 yard of fleece
enough elastic to fit your girl's waist
coordinating thread

First, determine the length of the finished skirt. Then add 1" for the hem and about 1.5" for the elastic casing. Then determine the length of the fleece, which will be the finished length of the skirt, minus 2.5".

Then, fold the fabric in half right sides together , matching selvedge to selvedge (my fabric was 44" wide to start) and sew together with a 1/4" seam. Do the same for the fleece.

Press the seams open on both the fleece and the outer skirt.

To create the elastic casing, fold down the top 1/4" and press. Then fold it down again, about 1.5" (depending on the width of your elastic....you just need to make sure there is enough room in there for your elastic) and press again.

Then, put the outer skirt inside the fleece lining, wrong side together, and matching the side seams. Tuck the top of the fleece lining 1/4" into the elastic casing and pin. (click on the pic for detail)

Sew down the casing, with the lining, and be sure to leave a 1" opening to insert the elastic.
Insert the elastic by first attaching one end to a safety pin, then feed it through.

Secure the ends of the elastic. Then make sure it fits your cute little girl before you sew the hole closed.

Then, turn it right side out and let her dance.