Flared Jeans into Skinny Jeans Tutorial

It's a happy day when you fit into jeans that you've been waiting for YEARS to fit again.

But it's a sad day when you realize they are grossly out of style . . . and maybe *ahem* they were even out of style the last time you wore them.

Start with your wretched flares . . .

Try them on inside-out.

Pin (on the outside) one leg to a comfortable fit,
be sure to leave at least an inch away from your
legs--it will be smaller when you sew it. (You can
go as loose or tight as you want--I don't like my
jeans skin tight on my calves. These are actually
more "boot cut" than skinny jeans.

Remove jeans and mark pins with a highlighter

Remove pins, and use a ruler to connect your pin
dashes--make the line as straight as you can
[Only YOU can prevent forest fires]

Sew over the line, be sure to backstitch several times at both ends.

And sew a second seam alongside the first . . . 

Here's how it looks before cutting . . .

Cut away the flare, not too close to the seam

Fold your sewn and cut leg over the "un-sewn" one.  I used my iron
on this step to make sure the legs were completely the same.

Cut the"un-sewn" pant leg.  Then sew a double seam up the side.

Try those puppies on!

Totally got these cuties at Deseret Industries

I don't care if light-colored jeans are out.
I love 'em.

T-shirt Throw Pillow

I made this pillow for my son Truman for 2 reasons: 1) to preserve his two favorite shirts in a way he would like, and 2) because I was sick of him wearing only these two shirts.  You decide which reason influenced me more to break out the sewing machine.

Truman is almost 11, and this pillow is going to be one of his birthday presents.  The thing is, I know the main reason he wore these two shirts all the time was more because they were always in the top of his shirt drawer than anything else.  I don't think he has even noticed that the shirts are gone, because now he is wearing whatever 2-3 shirts are currently in the top of his drawer.  I need to go in his room and rotate his clothes if I want to see him dress with any variety.  But I digress . . .

Start with two shirts (clean & pre-shrunk)

Use a template to cut out equal-sized squares
(I used a 12-inch square of corkboard I had lying around)

Cut four rectangles the same length as the side of your squares,
you determine the width
{PS- the fabric I used came from a $2 red tablecloth
I bought at the D.I. specifically for this project---sweet.}

Sew right sides together on the tops and bottoms of your t-shirts

Cut four new lengths to match the long side of your sewn shirts

Sew right sides together along both sides of each piece, then sew
right sides together of both finished squares, leaving a hole for stuffing.

Stuff that pillow like a Thanksgiving turkey!
{I used stuffing from an old body pillow,
fluffing each piece before adding it to my new pillow}

Sew up the hole and present it to your intended recipient with love.

I like this project because it is super simple--much easier than making a t-shirt quilt, but still meaningful to your little basketball camper :).  Right now, Truman is sporting his 2012 basketball camp shirt about 50% of the time, so maybe in 2013 he'll get another pillow after attending Cardinal b-ball camp again.

This Mama is excited for her baby girl to come

Oh nothing...just made up a diaper bag...since I can't buy the one I REALLY want at Target!

Of course those followers who have followed for a while know I'm a 80% and so I made this up...really not so hard...but did forget to take pictures along the way...so I thought I'd just share.

I'm JUST A LITTLE giddy about our newest-soon-to-be-arrival

(whom we have not picked a name for???? HELP)

You go ROCK it......

                     LOVES, Ali

Getting ready for Warm Weather

Look at this picture... (are you lookin?)

 

So are you thinking..."What does a sheet, P.J'.s and two tanks have to do with warm weather?"  

Well I am sure you ALL know HOW FREAKIN' totally pop ("popular" for those of you who haven't caught on to our lingo) tank dresses are right now...and Tanks with Skirts.

If not here are some pictures....

So I decided to give a go at it....went to a local Thrift store...found that GORG sheet and trendy owl PJ's for the skirts, and the 2 tanks for the tops.

Total Cost was $6

So first I came home and cut my dimensions out.
(that I totally made up btw)

The sheet was cut at 18" X 92" .I wanted it floofy.

The Owl PJ's were limited to 9" X 72"
(sewing 3 of the single leg sides together)

So the FIRST step on sewing, is sewing ends together so you have a HUGE circle.

2nd  set your machine to a 4 on the stitch and it should naturally gather the material evenly.

(a REAL seamstress would hem the edges first...but the 80%er in me won't let me take THAT much time to do this step.... :O)

3rd you are going to get your tank top and the shirt you just made

THEN...put skirt in the INSIDE of the tank and pin at the front/back/and sides first, and then add 4 to 5 in between each point.

AND VOILA...
done...
it seriously took me all of 20 minutes to make this one!

And then for the Sheet Skirt....Do the same... but don't add it to the Tank...just leave it plain as a skirt. My little princess didn't want it hiked up...she wanted it on her hips... :O)

If you click on this picture you'll see I added a smaller elastic and a large Elastic.
I LURVE IT!

 

And check out our Fabulous Feature Friday in the below post!

Applique Onesies

My TrUesT just had her first baby, and I wanted to surprise her with something extra special...

for her little Miayah. So I WHIPPED up some holiday long-sleeved Onesies...

First... pick through your material scraps (or get some) to find what you are looking for.

2nd...iron fabric pieces to "Wonder Under" (then cut out desired shape) 

ThiRd...iron shape to Onesie, and sew around the edges.

The thing to remember is to lay out the pieces how you desire them, AND then iron each piece separately and sew. This way they lay right and you have the dimensions that look SUpEr CuTE!

I added some extra LOVE to this one with an arrow that goes through the heart and then some ribbons, knotted and sewn. 

PERFECT for Valentines Day!

On to March 17th and a cute Leprechaun...I like to call Lucky!

Do you think she'll like???

WHAT do you think?

Order yours now and have it for that cute kid on V-Day... send me an email!

~$10 for 0-12 months (long-sleeved Onesies)

~$12 for 1-5 years old...on a cute tee.!

Plastic Recipe Holder

I have had this idea in my head...about using that plastic table cover stuff at Wal-mart to make a Recipe Chart for the Fridge.

(you can click on each image to enlarge)

#1 pick your color palate....(I picked olive green, mustard yellow, barn red, brown, and a dark teal...which will be colors in my new kitchen)

#2 Cut plastic square and paper squares at 5 X 5 1/2" then tape to the Large Plastic piece with 1/4 inch between each piece (LG plastic is 23x20)

#3 sew on each square (side/bottom/other side)

#4 Magnetize the back

#5 Hang on the fridge

#6 Stamp "Mon-Sun" with foam stamps, and "Recipes" on 8th square to hold extra recipes

#7 Choose your weekly recipes/date nights/and FREE B's and There you have it!

It didn't turn out as cute as it was in my head, but it will be nice to have something that makes me plan for the week and KNOW what I need to get for groceries.