DIY Shirt in to Upcycle Tunic Dress

It's all the rage, upcycling.

It all started with taking old shirts and repurposing them

in to really cool dresses for kids.

You know, like your favorite concert tee from the 80's.

Yeah, why not make it in to something for your little?
Or how about one of those old college tees?
Hmmm, favorite sports team tee that has a hole?

You get my point.
Since then, the trend has changed a bit.

Upcyclers are now searching out all types of tees, old and new.

There is just one tiny problem.

Can you say...EXPENSIVE?
Don't get me wrong, the dresses and shirts I have purchased

are well worth every penny at least i think so, Mr. SIG says it is debatable.

I also love to support another triplet momma

in her creative adventures.

So here is my shout out to Upcycle Me Crazy (but we call it UMC).

Tiffany is mad talented and I always LOVE her combo of knits!

If you don't sew, I highly recommend Tiffany.
If you do sew, let's get to it!

Materials:

~ T-shirt (one that fits your daughter or 1 size larger for a baggier look)

~ 1/4 yard of 2 choices of jersey knit fabric

~ SERGER - If you don't have one, borrow one!

This is the only way to make these dresses.

~ Paper and writing utensil

Old Navy always seems to have a good collection of shirts on sale.

These shirts are size 6, the size my girls wear for shirts.

Purchased those for $7/ea.

I picked up my really cute jersey knit fabric at Hancock Fabrics.

It is a lighter weight but I like it since we live in Houston.
For all 4 prints, 1/4 yard, I paid $13.

$27 total BUT so you know, I had PLENTY

of knit fabric left over, enough to make TWO more dresses!

Fold you shirt in half.

Lay a piece of paper with the edge lining up to the fold.

This is a tunic style dress, so I just continued the line

down from the shirt at a slight angle.

Make sure you measure how long that line is.

{the length will vary for size, mine was 3.75" long for a size 5/6}

Now, using the same line length,

go to the edge of the paper and measure down that far.

Again, I used 3.75" so that is where I placed my mark.

Now you will connect that spot to the diagonal line on the left.

That is your curved line at the bottom.

{geez, i hope that made sense, easier to actually do than write}

This will be your top layer.

Now, continue the diagonal line down.

This time, my line measured to 3.5".

{notice the .25" difference...on purpose, i recommend it

so the layers fall even on one another...didn't realize that

on the first dress but made the adjustment on the 2nd one}

From the bottom of the first layer,

I measured down 3.5".

Then I created my curved line once again.

I really like the layered look so what I did

was retrace the second layer on to another piece of paper.

This will weigh down the dress a bit more but not too bad.

Go to your cutting table/area.

Cut the bottom of the shirt off.

I did this right at the folded seam.

Sometimes these shirts are really long so you could cut higher.

Time to trace those pattern pieces!

Notice I put the edge on the FOLD of the knit fabric?

Make sure you do the same.

You need 2 of each pattern piece.

Time to hit the serger, baby!

Place pieces right side facing.

Serge the sides of the 2 matching pieces.

This will create a loop of fabric.

The top will be more narrow than the bottom.

Repeat with the other 2 pieces.

  

Now you are going to roll  hem the bottom of each looped piece.

I actually changed out my top and bottom looping threads

and used pink so that it would pop against the fabric.

I loved how it turned out!

Match up the side seams of each piece.

Notice right sides are up with each piece.

Turn your shirt inside out.

With the wrong sides facing,

match up your side seams to that on your shirt.

Pin in place if you like.

pins are evil...evil i tell ya

Serge the layers on to your shirt using your serger.

Go all the way around!

And you are finished.

Yep, that's it.

I finished these 2 in less than an hour.

See how cute the rolled hem is!

I love them both!

The dresses and my girls.

Goofy girls.

Wouldn't take those silly smiles off their faces.

The tunics passed the test!
My girls wore them for TWO DAYS straight.

That is what I call a success.

Now, you have to promise to show me what you make.

I wanna see what shirts and fabric combos you come up with.

I mean, the possibilities are ENDLESS.

Now I think I may have a new fabric fetish.

Knits...oh, boy.

OOOHHHH...and if you haven't seen it,

check out my FREE Patriotic Subway Art printable.

Just in time for the 4th of July, go HERE.

And tomorrow, we will have our monthly Skye Reve + {SIG} giveaway!

I hope you all enjoy your Monday.

Peace out Peeps!

I’m participating in Metamorphosis Monday
at Between Naps on the Porch.

DIY Scrappy Flip Flops

Scraps of fabric drive me nuts.

They really do.

There just isn't much you can do,

or maybe there.

Today's tutorial is similar to the Scrappy Heart Wreath

tutorial I posted back in January.

You are just going to use a different "base".

It doesn't take long to make a pair.

I made 3 in a matter of about an hour.
This is great for gift giving or for yourself.

You could even do this as a craft at

a birthday party or with your kids.

There isn't a whole lot you will need.

And it won't cost you much,

especially if you use a coupon to Hobby Lobby.

{i get mine on the phone and show it to the cashier

but you can also print it out HERE}

The flip flops cost me all of $0.98.

The scraps I used...FREE.

Can't beat a cute pair of flip flops

for less than a dollar and sure to be one of a kind!

Materials:

~ 1 pair of flip flops (I recommend Hobby Lobby

but you can always go to Old Navy or Target)

~ About 1/3 yd of fabric (if you are doing 1 fabric choice)

~ Scissors or pinking shears

~ Your hands :)

Cut your fabric in to 1" strips.

You can either cut it with straight scissors or pinking shears.

I used the pinking shears to give it dimension.

Then cut the 1" strip in to about 7"-8" pieces.

To give you an idea of how many I used for the girls'

flip flops, I tied about 20 pieces on each shoe, 40 total.

Starting in the center, tie your first strip of fabric on.

Make sure you pull tight!

Tie in to a knot.

Again, make sure it is tight.

This should be good enough to keep

the fabric on there for good!

Continue to add pieces on.

Make sure they are close together.

You can alternate fabrics or use the same one

over and over again, depends on you!

Sofi picked out her fabric and these are her finished flip flops.

  

Now that is a HAPPY girl!

She hasn't taken them off yet.

{don't mind the band aide on her forehead}

And I couldn't stop at one pair.

I had to make some for Miss Gabi too.

She picked out the green flip flops

and wanted pink fabric but I had to throw

in another choice just to make it go better.

Eh, she loves them just the same.

The pair below...those are going to be given away tomorrow.

Size medium!

I love the light blue and the green together.

LOVE.

Want to keep them for myself but I want to share the love.

There are a million things you can put in the center
of these flip flops like a fabric bloom or bow.
Maybe I'll have to show you some embellishments
later this week or next week.

A big THANK YOU to Skye Reve Fabrics 

for sponsoring the tutorial today.

All the lovely fabrics shown were provided by Natasha.

She is a great gal and great to work with.

If you are looking for fabric, check her out!

And please, stop by our Facebook Fan Page.

Show us what you made from this tutorial!

Don't forget, come back tomorrow to win a pair!

Happy Wednesday Peeps!

Sheelin's Attic Patriotic GIVEAWAY

{SIG} has partnered up with Sheelin's Closet/Attic

as the primary seamstresses for Nicole's awesome,

vintage inspired clothing line for girls!

{read more about it HERE}

Andrea and I have sewn out around 40 pieces thus far.

And they are absolutely gorgeous!

If you are a fan of vintage, you are going to love her stuff.

The very first items we sewed out were patriotic inspired.

I love them and wish I could have kept them for my kids.

They are very patriotic without being over the top

meaning that your sweet girl can wear it again and again.

Check out these beauties!

You see those pretties?
Yep, one of those pieces will be yours!
And we have a 4th piece that wasn't photographed.

These are already made and sized.

Here is what we have for you to choose from...

~ Ruffle Pants w/ Pockets Size 5 ~

~ Double Ruffle Pants w/ Pocekts Size 2T ~

~ Millie Skirt Size 5 ~

~ Pantaloons Size 5 ~

Now, since I made them, I can tell you this,

each size can easily fit one above the size stated.

And if you are bummed because your little one isn't this size,

enter anyway because you can always use it in the future

or give it as a gift to a friend!

Are you excited yet?

Do you want this for your gal?
Let's get down to the deets on entering!

You will have through Friday, June 8th, at midnight to enter.

Make sure you leave A SEPARATE COMMENT for each one!

1)  Become a {SIG} Blog Follower.

2)  LIKE {SIG} on Facebook and leave some

LOVE on the wall!

3) Subscribe to the {SIG} Newsletter by signing up HERE.

4) LIKE Sheelin's Closet/Sheelin's Attic on Facebook &

make sure you leave a comment on the wall!!!

That is FOUR fabulous entries!

You must have a comment for each of the above to get all entries.

Winner will be announced this weekend.

Get to it my friends and followers!
Win you something pretty and vintage!

Happy Wednesday Peeps!

D-Ring Adjustable Ribbon Belt Tutorial

When my kids were younger,

I had a HARD TIME finding belts for them.

I know everything has an adjustable waist these days

but nothing can replace a cute belt.

What I love about the ribbon belts is that they are reversible.

You get 2 colors on a belt at one go!

Can't beat that.

And the best part, you can make a ton for CHEAP!

We all like cheap.

Should also only take a few minutes to make.

Great, easy project!

Materials:

~ 7/8" Grossgrain Ribbon - 1 yd of each color

{I recommend Offray, you can purchase at Joann's or Walmart.}

~ 2 1" D-rings

~ Stitch Witchery

~ Iron/Ironing Board

~ Sewing machine & notions

~ Lighter

Cut your 2 ribbons from about 24"-28" long.

For youth sizes, you may want to go as long as 30"-34".

Using a lighter, burn the edges to seal them shut

otherwise they will fray.

Lay out the ribbon on your ironing board.

Cut the stitch witchery to the same length as your ribbon.

Lay on top of one ribbon.

Place the 2nd ribbon on top of the first one,

covering the stitch witchery and iron.

Following as close to the edge as possible,

top stitch all the way around.

Now, this step isn't absolutely necessary with the

stitch witchery but I like the look of contrasting thread.

After I sew, I like to retrim the ends so they are even.

Slip on your 2 d-rings.

Cut a small piece of stitch witchery.

Fold over the ribbon about 2".

Iron the ribbon down.

Stitch witchery is a great notion to have laying around!

Go back to your sewing machine.

Stitch together your "loop" although the stitch witchery

is holding it down and in place.

I like to stitch a rectangle and then cross with an "X".

This will reinforce your loop.

And there you have it!
All done.

A super cute belt, one happy kid, and a momma that

didn't have to spend $10 to get a belt!

There are so many cute, printed ribbons as well.

You can make them for every season!

I know I have some cute patriotic ribbon

that would make for a super cute belt.

Show us your finished product on Facebook!

We love to see what you do.

Happy Monday Peeps!