Up-cycle Sewing

Even though I have two five-shelf bookshelves filled with fabric, it sometimes happens that a child asks for something to be made that I don't have either the right color or enough of the color the child is requesting. This is what happened when my 3 year old had her birthday.

I always try to make (although sometimes I purchase) a dress for my girls for their birthdays. My 3 year old for some reason has grown a love for the color orange. I knew that she wanted her birthday dress to have orange in it and since she was in need of more clothing, I figured I would make some dresses for her birthday gift and they might as well be orange, too.

Since I didn't have much fabric with orange, I had to start looking. Anyone who sews or who has purchased fabric lately knows that fabric is not cheap and making clothes isn't always cheaper than purchasing because of the price of fabric. Well, God provided fabric for me through our local thrift store!

"Pillowcase" dress in which I added small sleeves
from the fitted sheet.

I found a twin fitted sheet that was orange and pink striped for only $1. The next week, I found an orange pillowcase ($ .50) and orange flat sheet ($1). I now had lots of orange to work with since I was up-cycling from previous products! I also still have lots of fabric left to make more clothes for her in the future!

We had been given the "Birthday Girl" shirt, but
since my daughter is long waisted, it was too
short to use as a shirt so I turned it into a dress.

I did end up purchasing orange thread. I could have made any of these dresses work by using either white or pink, but it wasn't the look I wanted. Of course, that one spool of thread will last through many more uses so I didn't mind spending it. In any case, I spent less than $5 for three dresses (plus material to make more)!

I love the frugality of up-cycling as well how much better it is for the environment. It also sometimes helps with time management because I can use things like the hemmed edges, or in the case of the last dress, half the dress was already done. Besides, it is just fun to give new life to something that most people just discard.

Do you enjoy up-cycling? I would love to see some creations you have made from up-cycling (and it doesn't have to be sewing related).

Spring Sewing Projects

A few weeks ago we went through our totes of clothes to see if we had what we needed for everyone. For those who still needed items, I made a list so that I could keep my eyes out at thrift stores. However, sometimes, it is hard to find exactly what we are looking for so I knew I would have to do some sewing.

In our family, we all wear modest swimwear. Most of the time, the older girls ask for swim dresses or swim skirts with shirts for birthday presents because of the higher costs for modest swimwear. For the younger girls we have usually just done swim shorts and shirts, but I had always wanted them in skirts/dresses just like the older girls. Even making modest swimwear is expensive due to the cost of the fabric. What I did this year though, cost me $1 for two swimsuits! 

For our 2 year old, I took a swim shirt we already had and just added a swim skirt that I had picked up at a free-for-all (A local church has a day when anyone in the community can come in and get items such as clothes, shoes, toys, etc. all for free!). The skirt was a girl's size 6, so it was wide enough for me to gather to add to the shirt and the length was just right for my 2 year old. I had also picked up some athletic wear leggings that I used to cut out what I needed for leggings for her.

For our 1 year old, I had picked up a one piece (with shorts) suit on the dollar rack at our local consignment. I then took another swim skirt that I picked up at the free-for-all and cut out what I needed to make a skirt. The skirt will be worn over the other and the "shorts" of the suit are the "leggings". I had contemplated cutting the suit and making a dress, but I wanted to be able to use the suit for a boy if we have another boy some day.

Our one year old is long for her age so finding dresses that are long enough for her is difficult. I made these two dresses out of shirts that had been given to us. The pink/blue one is barely long enough (I must have miscalculated when cutting the fabric for the "skirt" part) so I am in the process of making at least one more.

The two year old is also tall. I made a couple of skirts to go with these shirts that had also been given to us. 

Our ninth born is having a birthday next week and here is the dress she requested. She loves to twirl so her dresses for the last couple of years have accommodated twirling.

My current sewing project is making a dress for our one year old. Then I hope to move on to some shirts for myself and a shirt for our son's birthday (I have until July to make that one). I have also been making some small bags to possibly sell or give as gifts.

Do you sew? What have you been busy with lately?

Mama Pads

I have written before about using mama pads (i.e. cloth menstrual pads). You can look back at those posts here and here. I have had lots of questions lately about the cheapest and best way to go about cloth pads. I thought I would share here as well so if others have questions, they can find the answers here.

We use cloth pads for two reasons. 1. To save money. 2. No chemicals, therefore, better for our bodies.

I know some women who go all out when making their cloth pads. They will spend up to $30 for the decorative top layer of fabric and about the same on PUL for the backing material and then spend even more for the inner layers and specialty snaps as well. While, this is still cheaper than purchasing disposables and still healthier, I don't see the need in all of that.

First, I created my own template for pads using a few other patterns and a purchased cloth pad for ideas. When I first created this template, I would also make "wings" and then add velcro for the closure, but have since come up with and even easier, quicker, and more comfortable option-the bottom of onesies. I have a large supply of onesies that were stained at the top, but the snaps were just fine. I use all scrap fabric for each layer as well. I have a bin where I will put left over pieces of fabric from sewing projects to use for these. I will coordinate the colors as best as possible, but in all honesty, that isn't a need if you just want to be frugal.

Recently, I spent about an hour cutting out the layers for a dozen pads. I then was able to put together a pad in about 10 minutes of sewing time and I would just do one or two as I had time during the next week.

This is the template I created. I made it on an old Shutterly envelope so it is sturdy and I can fold it in half for storage.

Here are my pieces. On the left is the bottom of an onesie. The next are layers of flannel for the inner core. I sometimes use knit or a combination of knit and flannel. The pink is fleece which I use as my backer. I have never had one leak through the fleece. The top layer is cotton.

My first step is to "quilt" the core to the topper. This time I just used straight stitches, but sometimes I have fun and use a decorative stitch.

Here is what it looks like on the underside.

Then I layer the pieces like this. Fleece right side up, onesie bottom, and topper wrong side up.

Sew around the edges leaving a section open for turning.

I use a chopstick to make sure all the edges are completely turned.

Then I topstitch around which will close the opening as well as help the pad to lay flat.

We have been using cloth pads for about five years. I still have the pads that are pictured in my post from two years ago. They are starting to show wear, but still in use.

I do make another style that one of my girls prefer and a friend of mine has used and prefers them as well. Maybe I'll take pictures and do another tutorial of that style the next time I make more of them.

As far as the practical application, we have a small bucket in the bathroom with a pail liner. We keep the used pads in there until we wash them. We wash them with the cloth diapers and/or towels. I know some people who wash with their regular clothing, but we always have cloth diapers to wash so we just combine them.

What are your thoughts on cloth pads? Do you use them? Would you like another tutorial on another style? Share your comments below.

Summer Sewing

My two youngest are taller than my other girls so many of the dresses I had saved to use are too short so I have needed to either purchase new cloths or make some. I have been keeping my eye out at thrift stores and consignment shops, but it is truly difficult to find any that are long enough so I am better off making my own.

My sister-in-law got married a few weeks ago and since I needed to make them new dresses anyway, I went with material that matched her color theme. As with 99% of my sewing from the past few years, this was using material that was given to me. The lace was also given to me as well as the thread. The only thing I had to purchase was the elastic for the necklines which totaled about $ .35 for both dresses.

I also made dresses for them to wear on Independence Day. For the Kenna, I used a shirt I found at a thrift store (yes, it is a boy's shirt, but I thought it was cute) and then added the ruffles and lace to the bottom to make it a dress. For Bella, I used a simple peasant style pattern and some leftover material from a blanket that we had made a couple of years ago (that had been given to us then) and more lace that had been given to us.

I have plans to make a few more dresses as well.

Providing Clothing

Proverbs 31:13

She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

After going through the clothes for this spring/summer, three of my girls were still short on pajamas. I figured I would just make some. Just a few days later, we were given some bedding which happened to have some extra queen size pillow cases that didn't match other bedding. I use them to make pillow case dresses. I made two different styles as I used what I had on hand. I then took some material and made a "pillowcase" to make a third pillowcase dress. I added some lace to the bottom to make it a little longer.

Pillowcase dress made using bias tape and elastic.

"Pillowcase" dress using material, lace, bias tape, and elastic.

Pillowcase dress used by making a casing and using ribbon ties.

For all three of these it cost me nothing but my time which was maybe an hour combined to make all of them.

Trying to Save Some Money

A few weeks ago, two of my children decided it would be fun to hang from our shower curtain. Guess what?! It broke and they fell. They also tore the decorative shower curtain and broke the shower rod. I'm thankful the shower liner stayed intact as I just purchased that not too long ago.

However, I had forgotten how expensive shower curtains are! We don't like using the plastic shower curtains because the smell of them always give me headaches and I like being able to throw them in the washer every now and then. When I purchased the last shower curtain, it was when we had to remodel our bathroom due to some water damage and we chose the paint color of the bathroom based on the cheapest shower curtain I could find that I liked (it was on clearance and if I remember correctly less than $10).

The shower curtain rod was the rod that came with the house when we bought it almost 20 years ago so I didn't mind that it had to be replaced, but I didn't have the money to replace it with the kind I wanted, so I had to do with what I had.

We had an old tension rod that didn't hold the tension well, but I used the brackets from the old rod to stabilize it. I found some hooks at the thrift store for only $1. I then went about making a decorative shower curtain from some upholstery fabric that had been given to me a few years ago that matched our paint. I did have to spend $4 on some ribbon to cover the seam from sewing the material together to make it big enough, but I like how it turned out by giving it a little more decoration.

So, for only $5 and about an hour of my time, we have a new shower curtain. This way, I won't feel bad about making a new one when we are able to repaint the bathroom another color.

I'm not sure why I hadn't thought about sewing my own shower curtain before. I am thankful that a post on sewing a shower curtain popped up on Pinterest one day when I was searching for something else.

10 Cents and a 1/2 Hour

My girls have been asking me to get out the fall/winter clothes for a couple of weeks. Well, I finally decided that since it wasn't going to be in the 80's again, we would start going through the boxes.

I was pleased to find that almost everyone had enough in their needed size to outfit them for fall/winter. My son needed pajamas, but I was able to get some at the consignment shop and even was able to pay for them with my credit. My second oldest is in need of some shirts, but has enough to get her through until we find some. My 5 year-old was another story.

This girl some how is attracted to a special kind of dirt that doesn't like to come out of clothes. I can wash everyone else's clothes that are covered in dirt and it will come out, but her clothes remained stained no matter how many different types of stain removal I use.

In fact, I ended up getting rid of 5 of her skirts and 7 shirts (I had more shirts for her because of the staining problems)! Considering we only keep 7 casual outfits per person, that is a large percentage of her clothes! Two of the skirts were skirts I made for her at the beginning of spring. (edited to add--only 2 nights after she got out the fall/winter clothes, she came to me with a large hole in one of her pajamas! Praise God that we have more pajamas in her size waiting in the tote!).

After going through the tote filled with her size clothing, she only had 4 outfits. We decided that a couple of outfits could be passed down from an older sister so that left her in need of only 1 more outfit. While I am sure I could get her a skirt using credit at the consignment store, I also knew that I have two 5 shelf bookshelves filled with material so I might as well make her one. She had about a dozen shirts in her size that didn't match anything else and weren't stained so I just looked for material that would match a couple of those shirts. I figured I might as well go with a heavy-duty material to withstand her abuse. I found a brown corduroy with just enough to make a skirt for her. In about a 1/2 hour, I had it cut and sewn.

We have been blessed by a number of people who have given us fabric to use. In fact, I haven't had to purchase material in at least 3 years! In addition, the elastic I used for this skirt was part of a large bag of new elastic that I purchased at the thrift store for only $2 and the thread was also given to us. My guess is that this skirt cost me about $ .10 and less than a 1/2 hour of my time!

I might get ambitious and try my hand at some shirts for my second oldest, but shirts take a bit longer to make so we'll see how much extra time I have. I do have lots of sewing ideas in the works for Christmas gifts already.

I would love to hear about any sewing projects you have done recently, are in the middle of completing, or are planning on doing!

Still Keeping Busy

I just wanted to share another project that has been keeping me busy.

I make a new outfit for my children for their birthdays. My 5th born turns 10 today. She loves the colors yellow and blue and loves parrots so when she saw this material (see picture) in my stash, she knew she needed her outfit made from it. However, there wasn't enough material to make the dress pattern she picked out. She said that should would take a skirt from it and then I could just buy a shirt to match. Well, after cutting out the pieces for the shirt (just a simple ruffle skirt idea-no pattern needed), I realized that I should have enough material left for a peasant style shirt as well. I used the basic pattern and then added the ruffles to the sleeves and bottom of the shirt (per birthday girl's request). I had just enough material (there are a few scraps left that she asked one of her sisters to use to make a hair clip for her).

As you can see from the smile on her face, she loves it! I am by not means an expert seamstress, but my girls love to be able to receive a special outfit every year based on their choice of fabric and pattern and usually I do a decent enough job that it can be passed down for at least a few more girls.

Do you do anything special for your children on their birthdays? Do you sew at all? I would love to hear more about you in these areas!

Handmade Gifts

We make a lot of handmade gifts around here. Partly out of necessity due to lack of funds and more importantly due to creative minds and talents. Here are just a sampling of the gifts that showed up at Christmas time.

apron

doll dress

hotpads

dress

pajamas

pajamas

blanket

crayon roll

doll pajamas

rice pack

apron

quilt

crocheted hat

spark plug hat rack

pen holder and book wrap

quilt

Some of my girls would like to make items to sell to make money to start saving for the future. What do you think would be good items to make to sell? Ideas of what we've already made or new ideas? We would love some input!

Birthday Outfits

For every birthday, we get the birthday girl or boy a new outfit. Since most of the time they wear hand-me-downs, this is an opportunity for them to get something that fits their personalities. Years ago, I started making the girls' dresses as it was easier to find something within our budget, fit their personalities, and met our modesty standards.

Here are a few pictures of dresses I have made this year.

This is the first year the twins actually asked for the same
pattern and same material. Usually it is either same pattern
and different material or same material and different patterns.

She wanted a Princess Auroa dress. It didn't turn out
as nice as I wanted, but she loves it!

This was my first time working with tulle and
with making an overlay skirt. While it was a
little more difficult to work with, I like the end result.

Since I'm new to sewing pants and tailored shirts, I have been doing something different for my little man. In the past, I made him a bow tie. This year I made suspenders and a tie, but purchased the pants and shirt (and matching hat).

There is the rare occasion where I do not make anything. For example, my oldest this year was given a very pretty sweater (new) from someone and then a very pretty skirt from someone else and they matched so well that she said that she wanted to wear those for her birthday outfit.

Fortunately, I didn't have to purchase any of the material used this year for any of the outfits! We have been blessed with people giving us material they either bought for us or had themselves but never used. I also didn't need to purchase buttons, ribbons, lace, thread, etc. The only thing I purchased this past year for their outfits is elastic and the clips for my son's suspenders.

I would love to hear if you sew clothes for your children and your reasons behind doing it.

Keeping Baby's Legs Warm

The women/girls in our family wear dresses and skirts only. Somewhere along the line, all the tights for my baby were lost between now and the last time I had a little girl. I bought one package of three thin tights for $6, but the thicker, warmer tights were $6 each. Since I am quite frugal and money is tight, I couldn't see spending $6 on tights when I would need at least 4-5 pairs. I began a search on Pinterest for tutorials on how to make my own tights. I found two tutorials that I used.

The first tutorial is for baby tights. I made a pair last week and used them to make sure they would work. They are great! I was blessed by a friend with a lot of knit material that I used, but as the tutorial says, she used t-shirts that she either had or bought at thrift stores. The pair I made last week was a white pair and I made another two pair of white and a pair of red. I might make more in other colors.

The second tutorial I found is for leg warmers using adult knee-high socks. I made a pair last week using a some brown knee high socks. They worked great, but were really long on her. They kept falling down over her feet. I tried them again this week but put on a pair of socks and it kept the tights from falling over her feet. I tried another pair using crew socks that I like as well today. I will make more as I find socks I like.

I'm happy that my baby's legs will stay warm this winter and it didn't cost me anything but about a 1/2 hour of my time!

Happy Birthday!

My oldest is celebrating her birthday today! She has grown into a wonderful young lady.

Usually I make (sometimes buy) a new church outfit for each of my children for their birthdays. This year, Dara was given a new shirt by a new friend and she had asked me to make a skirt to match it for her "birthday outfit". Before I had a chance to start on a skirt, another friend gave her a skirt that matched nicely with the top so I didn't need to make a skirt anymore. Instead, she asked me to make her a skirt out of some material she had picked out over a year ago but we never made into anything. Before I even started on the skirt, I found a top that matched it perfectly at the local consignment shop. A bonus was the top was 1/2 off and it only cost $1.75!

She chose the pattern/length for the skirt. She plans on using this for an everyday outfit.

My youngest celebrated his birthday just a week and a half ago! I still have a ways to go when sewing clothes for boys, but I wanted to make him something. Last year I made him a bow tie so the girls thought I should make him a tie this year and I wanted to try making suspenders. I found tutorials on Pinterest for both the tie and suspenders. I found the shirt and hat at the local consignment shop and the pants we already had.

More Sewing

I have been in the sewing/creative mode lately! I truly do want to use up scraps, but also make useful items.

I first made a bib. My son has destroyed some bibs and needs more for himself and I will need some for the new baby. I have several bib patterns pinned in my pinterest account and I tried this one first. The backing is green fleece and the front is a navy blue polkadot material which both came out of my scrap bin. I don't think it turned out too bad. He used it once. He doesn't care for the tie (his others are either snaps or velcro), but it was VERY simple and quick to make.

I know I only have 7 more weeks of my pregnancy, but I'm still low on maternity clothes that aren't stained (for some reason I keep staining the belly area!). A friend shared a maternity pattern so I gave it a try today. It is a simple pattern and I completed it all in the morning. I am going to go through my material to see if I have enough of a knit to make a knit shirt in this same pattern (this is a cotton blend).

As before, I used all material/notions I already had so these projects only took my time.

I have also started on my first pair of suspenders for my son's birthday. I really dislike turning "tubes" inside out so I told my girls I would pay $1 a tube for them to turn them. One is turned and a girl is working on the other.