2 Fat Quarters and an Old Shirt

I made these shorts in the same manner as the ones shown in a tutorial Here. They are an upcycled t-shirt! So easy when you use the t-shirt hem for the hem of the shorts, makes for a quick project.

Then I made a basic pillowcase dress or in this case a shorter version for a shirt like this One. I always make a few adjustments each time I make one, this time being no different, I wanted to share what I did.

Instead of the typical binding with bias tape (bought or homemade)to go around the armholes, I used the remaining hem of the t-shirt after making the shorts, it was the perfect length for this approx. size 3-4 shirt.

After sewing the front and backs together, I pressed open the seams and pinned the shirt hem along the arm hole, right sides together. Then stitched it up.

Then I pressed it and top stitched so the seam would lay flat and not rub little Misses underarm...
Then I folded over the top to make the casings on the front and back...

I have misplaced the ribbon I intended for the ties and am quite happy I did so. I really like the 1/4" drawstring I used instead. I knotted the drawstring over the shoulder rather than a bow and it worked great - no retying bows all day.

I think she is pretty happy to be wearing her new outfit...
or maybe the smiles are for the geese and ducks along the Snake River we went to feed.

This outfit is 3 fat quarters and an old t-shirt. I used a 3rd fat quarter as the binding, ties and hem. This was actually a dress 2 years ago and is now worn as a shirt with capri's made from an old t-shirt.

It's so great these little pillowcases dresses can 'grow' with our little girls. I love the Endless creativity and super cute girls!!
Happy sewing!
~jan

Play dresses

Twenty years ago my little Amanda began her stage of refusing to wear pants. She only would wear dresses from age 3 until 1st grade. At times it was difficult with our cold Idaho weather, but warm jeans and leggings under dresses became a fashion statement at our house. I often resorted to making simple 'play dresses' for Amanda and now that she is a mother of a 3 year old herself, we have resorted to the apparent tradition of Play Dresses.

I have made these dresses for Miss H for holidays in the past...
here is the Halloween dress of 2009...


here is the autumn dress of 2010...


and more recently Fourth of July 2011.

Knowing Miss H would want to wear it everyday, I thought I had better throw a couple more together. I chose the t-shirt and she chose the fabric for the skirts. See how she is in love with The Princess and the Frog lately? By notice...I mean how dirty it is because she wore it 2 days before the yellow/pink one was finished.



All I do is get a t-shirt and 1/2 yard matching woven cotton (for size 3 - more for older girls - measure length you want and multiply by 2). I sew the 2 short ends together and then fold wrong sides together and so the rough edges are together then making the fold the hem - yay no hemming! I gather the two rough edges and sew to the bottom of the t-shirt. So easy to make a high waist or a drop waist dress. They can be embellished with ribbon, rick rack, buttons or flowers. Endless creativity! Just make it quick so the little Miss can phttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifut it on! Apparently they are super comfy, because my girls wear them out!

Also, this is a great way to reuse shirts that have stains on the lower half, as I am doing next.
Happy stitching!
~jan

I am sharing at these linkys. Thank you!!

I love this recipe!

Check it out!

Hawiian Pie with Coconut Crust!

http://www.easytobeglutenfree.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=166&Itemid=7/

-Amanda

Sew-Along Finalists

Hey everybody, Mz. I's outfit is one of the finalists in the Cottage Home Sew-Along Design Contest...

Voting ends tomorrow night - please go vote for me? Pretty please?

Go here to vote...

Thanks! 

<3 AmberLou

Idaho Staycations

My youngest son and I have talked about going on a vacation this year. However, with economic set backs in recent months I was leery about spending too much on a vacation. So we decided to have a few short trips in our surrounding Southern Idaho and get to know more about this great state!

My ancestry homesteaded in Star Valley, Wyoming area so the first staycation with Amanda and Miss H began there. Then last week, said son and I went to Shoshone Falls near Twin Falls, ID. Having had a very wet spring has increased water flow to the highest level in 10 years. These pictures just don't do it justice.

Click on the picture to enlarge it...

Also near the falls is the Evel Knievel jump site - if you are old enough to remember his death defying jumps this may interest you. My teen-aged children have always found this intriguing - they are all boys!!

Some other great places to visit when coming to Idaho...

-Bear Lake - south of Montpelier
-National Oregon/California Trail Center at Montpelier
-Minnetonka Caves near St. Charles
-Mormon Tabernacle in Paris
-Geyser Park in Soda Springs (only captive Geyser in the world)
-Chesterfield Historic Town Site a restored town site from 1880.
-Mineral Hot Pools in Lava Hot Springs
-Fort Hall replica in Pocatello
-Bannock County Museum in Pocatello
-Idaho Natural History Museum at I.S.U in Pocatello
-Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Museum - Fort Hall
-Idaho Potato Expo in Blackfoot
-Museum of Idaho in Idaho Falls (currently the BODIES exhibit is there)
-Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve near Arco
-Climb Borah Peak
-Ski Sun Valley, Targhee, Kelly Canyon, Pomerelle etc.
-Minidoka Internment National Monument (relocation site for interned Japanese)located between Twin Falls and Jerome.

There is also an abundance of fishing, camping, hiking, white water rafting and mountain biking places to visit. As a non-traditional student in college, I took an geology class that opened my eyes to the place I had lived for 30 years. There is a wealth of geologic treasures to be seen in Idaho. I think I am sounding like a PSA or a Chamber of Commerce ad - so I will leave it there. But...many of these places are just off the freeway and so easy to find. I look forward to a few more stops while going on our own staycations.

Leave me a message and tell me your favorite place to staycation near your hometown, I will put it on the list of places to visit!!
Happy exploring!
~jan

PS... A couple websites to visit...
http://www.visitidaho.org/historic-sites/?page=1&size=
Look for historical markers Here!

4th of July Duds: Cottage Home Sew-Along Reveal

I love, love, love Mz. I's new outfit.

I was hesitant about making this pattern, since the XS size was 2T-3T, and my little girl comfortably fits into 18m, but it was really easy to modify the pattern. When cutting out the top, I measured one of Mz. I's shirts whose length I liked, and adjusted the length of the cut piece. The width I figured would be fine - the design is 
more blouse-y than fitted. 

I love it!

The shorts were basically the same - I measured an existing pair that she had and modified the pattern slightly. I shortened the waist 
and legs, and brought the seams in about 1/2" to accommodate 
her tiny legs.

Love, love {L-O-V-E} the shorts! 
(and the little bows!)

(and this little bow, you can only see when she 
shows off her belly button!)

When listing the fabric requirements for this pattern, Lindsay promised there would be enough leftover for whatever accessories we wanted to make.

Mz. I has a serious love affair with hats. 
So I made her a newsboy girl(?) cap. 

I. Just. Love it!


Did I mention that this pattern, while complicated looking, was really quite simple?


Thank you Lindsay, for hosting this great sew-along!

<3 AmberLou

Hey! I'm one of the five finalists! Please go vote for this outfit here! 

sharing at some of these great parties!

Firecracker Cake!!

I just love this festive holiday cake. Amanda and I made this for a purse party she was hosting with her cousin. It was served with fresh strawberries and was incredibly moist.


I got roped into helping only because Amanda's oven has dual personalities and can't decide if its job is to BAKE or BURN food:) We didn't take a picture of the cake after it had been cut, but the inside is as festive as the outside - red, white and blue!


A tutorial can be found on Betty Crocker's website. It was a hit at the party and the men in our lives were grateful for a couple small slices left over for them!

Have a Great Long Weekend and Happy Baking!
~jan

Linked to our favorite parties listed on the above button and ...
http://www.504main.com/
http://www.designsbygollum.blogspot.com/
http://litandlaundry.blogspot.com/
http://sweet-as-sugar-cookies.blogspot.com/
http://www.homemakerinheels.com/
http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/2011/07/show-and-tell-saturday-070211.html
http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2011/06/sunday-showcase-party-with-mama-j.html
http://niftythriftythings.blogspot.com/
http://www.itsybitsypaperblog.com/2011/07/red-white-and-blue-linky-party.html