Kids Disney Boutique / Customs Clothes Part 3

[LisaZoe]

Here's the result of my first twirl skirt attempt. I bought this basic tank to go with it - but now I'm not sure if I like it or not. What do you all think? What kind of top?

Do you think you could replace or add ruffles using fabric from the skirt? I think the color of the tank is perfect and it works "as is" but adding something used in the skirt might make you feel it's more of a set. Another option would be to add ricrac down the center of the existing ruffles if you have the same color in a narrow ricrac.

It's not too late to add fabric for the stripes is it? Can't I just put it on top of the yellow? I was just afraid of it being so small and having it fray on me while trying to stitch it down.

I don't think it's too late. I would recommend using a print over a solid color because the printing really seems to help reduce fraying - at least in my experience. I've done pieces as small as pencil eraser and didn't have fraying with prints but even large pieces of solids can be a pain due to fraying.

 

[tnmom25]

Ok, I've added the details. Now how should I outline them? And, how should I do my detail lines (cheeks, eyebrows, etc.) I don't want to mess this one up like I did Sebastian, I'm very nervous! I know Flounder's stripes are two-toned, but the thread I have is a different blue than the fabric, so it will look two-toned when I'm done (right?)

Now, I'm outa here until Sunday night, I'm off to Atlanta ... Road Trip!!!!!

My best friend and I are going to see Def Leppard!

 

[sahm1000]

Webkinz have been great for my kiddos. My 5 yr old can log himself on now and take care of his pet and play some of the games. I'm sure he doesn't maximize the site but he's happy and I am happy because he's occupied for a bit



My neice (who's turnig 3 next week) LOVES this book and totally relates...only she calls it Bassy Assy I have no idea why but I crack up every time she says it. my niece loves for everything to be FANCY!

[

Hmmmm....how many outfits for that football game??



She is too stinkin cute! I love those blue eyes. The dress is simply beautiful, very nice work.



I read this and thought "Typical male shopper" My DH totally does not understand how I can spend an afternoon shopping and enjoy it.
It's the thrill of the hunt for me. For example today I found a pair of Kate Spade shoes (I know, who's Kate Spade? that's what my DH would say) that I've had my eye on all season. Originally - $225 (yes for shoes) I'm not that crazy but I loved them. Today, out shopping (again) w/my mom and was in clearance room of my favorite store. Those fantastic shoes were marked down to $56 plus I found a $10 pair of sketchers for my nephew.....I would have missed that deal using the get in/get out concept. So it's all about the bargain for me and you don't get those by shopping with purpose





My kiddos are far better dressed than me on any given day, usually it's me who looks like the slob

I am so JEALOUS of the Kate Spade shoes! I love her shoes! I think they are so beautiful and feminine..........now if I could just afford them! Have you tried on any Christian Laboutin shoes? The ones with the red soles? Those are beautiful too and sexy but they are more like the price of Manola Blahniks so they are way out of my budget!

However, saying that, my girls wear boutique clothing almost constantly and I spend way more on their clothes than on mine and they have a huge closet full of them! I'm the sloppy looking Mom with immaculate kids!

 

[LisaZoe]

Lisa-

Without giving away any of your trade secrets would you mind giving some pointers for first time applique? What are some of the things that would have been really helpful to know when you started? Also, are there any really good sources or guides on applique?

Thanks- Aimee

LOL, I really don't have any trade secrets with applique... yet. Keep in mind I've only been doing applique beyond simple squares & hearts since last December and have only used quilter weight cotton for the applique (so far). That said, I have been sewing for 30+ years so that definitely helped the learning curve. Here are some things that I have learned along the way:

* One thing that has really helped me is a cool notion called a pressing sheet. It allows me to iron the pieces together as I assemble them before they are attached to the base garment/fabric. The pieces peel off easily when cool. Once I peel it off, I can check to be sure the pieces have overlapped where needed so there are no gaps where the fabric might fray. If there are gaps, I peel those pieces apart (very carefully) and reposition to overlap correctly.

* I'll mention again using prints (marbles, tonals, etc.) where possible instead of solids. Even the nice Kona cotton fabric from Kaufman tends to fray more easily. When I look for fabric to use for applique, I look for tonals in smallish prints and I also often check the back. Sometimes the reverse of the fabric will work better as a replacement for a solid than the print side. It also, IMO, makes the applique more interesting if there's some variation in color, pattern, etc. within the applique. For example in this one, the only solid is the fleshtone.

* Match thread to the applique fabric. This means I may change my thread (top only since I use bobbin thread for applique) 10-20 times on an appliqued item depending on how many colors is in the applique and how the pieces overlap. I try to use thread that is slightly darker than the fabric so it helps act as an outline. I tried using black to outline all areas of Mickey & Minnie but I didn't like how I could see a little of the fabric through the stitching even when my stitches were as close together as my machine would do. By using thread closer in color to the fabric, the stitching looks smoother IMO. Below are examples of similar Minnies - the one with black stitching is one of the first detailed appliques I did. I think it's decent but I was bothered by how the fabric showed through the stitching. The other Minnie is one I did recently and matched thread to fabric. My stitching still isn't perfect but my mistakes aren't as noticable.

* Practice! When I started, I did a few practice pieces on scraps of denim (legs cut off jeans, usually). I've also used some of Zoe's old tees. I figured if the applique sucked, I was only out my time and usually the tee looked better anyway. I experimented with different techniques on these practice pieces, too. For example, on this experiment, I tried doing a straight stitch as an outline to define the design even more. I liked the effect but decided it was way too much time to do it and my stitching wasn't as neat as I wanted, too.

 

[eeyore3847]

was someone asking about shirring... here are some tips!!

- Wind bobbin with elastic thread by hand to desire tightness. Use all-purpose thread on top of machine.

- Sew several rows of shirring, gathering as you go. Secure at ends.

- Measure finished front with pattern to make sure it is the same size as needed for the dress.

More about Shirring


Using elastic thread is an easy way to create fabric gathers, a technique known as shirring. The thread comes in black or white, and is used on the fabric wrong side.

Hand-wind the elastic thread onto the bobbin. If working with a sheer or lightweight fabric, slightly stretch the thread as you wind. For all other fabrics, wind the thread without stretching it. Use coordinating non-elastic thread in the needle.

Set the machine to the longest straight stitch possible. Test stitch on scrap fabric. Hold the fabric taut while stitching, but don't pull it through the machine. Adjust the upper tension as desired (usually looser than normal).

Determine the desired distance between the shirred rows. Mark each stitching line with a water- or air-soluble marking pen (1). Align the fabric and stitch the first row as directed above. Don't backstitch at the beginning or end of the row.



After stitching the row, clip the thread, leaving long thread tails. Pull the top thread through to the fabric wrong side. Knot the threads together to secure, and then trim the thread ends close to the knot.

To stitch the next row, place the fabric at the desired distance from the first row. Hold the fabric taut and stitch. You might have to stop periodically to even out the fabric.To do this, keep the needle down in the fabric and raise the presser foot. The more rows stitched, the more gathered the fabric becomes.

To shirr a cylindrical shape, such as a dress bodice, start at the upper edge and stitch horizontally around the fabric cylinder until you've reached the desired shirred width (2).



When the bobbin thread runs out, clip the needle thread and pull it to the wrong side, and knot the threads. Wind more thread onto the bobbin and begin stitching where the previous thread ended.

From the May 2006 issue of Sew News magazine.


lori

 

[HLAuburn]

Did you use a pattern for the skirt? I really want to attempt one, but I'm not sure where to start!

The school outfits are adorable. The appliques look great!

 

[Twins+2more]

Did you use a pattern for the skirt? I really want to attempt one, but I'm not sure where to start!

The school outfits are adorable. The appliques look great!

Thanks!

I didn't use a pattern. Just cut the strips, attached ruffle and waist band. TADA - TWIRL SKIRT !

 

[scrapnmom]

Ok everyone, on the pillowcase dress. How hard are they to make? Is there a pattern. I wasn't for sure if I like them, but I found a cute one on ebay, and trying to decide if I should buy it, or try to make it. I have two girls, and they like to dress alike.

Pillowcase dresses are VERY easy to make! I used one of the tutorials from the bookmarks page. This is the one I used:
http://rowena.typepad.com/rostitchery/2004/06/done_is_better_.html
but there are other tutorials on there, too. I made a couple with fabric, not pillowcases. I also made mine narrower than a regular pillowcase because my DD is little.

 

[HLAuburn]

Thanks!

I didn't use a pattern. Just cut the strips, attached ruffle and waist band. TADA - TWIRL SKIRT !

So are they strips just rectangles? They look tapered at the top, but I guess that's because they are drawn up by the elastic? Can you tell I don't sew!?

Thanks!

 

[HLAuburn]

Thanks!

I didn't use a pattern. Just cut the strips, attached ruffle and waist band. TADA - TWIRL SKIRT !

One more question...

If you don't have a serger, what do you do at the seams where you sew the strips together? Can you just zigzag them to keep them together? I'm afraid mine would look so messy on the inside with all those loose edges on all the strips.

 

[pixiedust_in_ak]

the pounding sound...it sort of does resemble jack-hammering....
My conversations go like this...

Mom-sewing happily away (jack hammering)
Kids-What's that noise?
Mom-What?
Kids-Mom!!!, What are you doing in there?
Mom-What?
Kids-Mom...can we turn the tv up?
Mom-What?
Kids-MOM!!!... You're scaring the cat....He just peed on the floor...

You just made me choke on my dinner (Hey dh is gone, the kids already ate, so I'm eating dinner while sitting in front of the computer, so what?) Anyway, my machine makes that same noise. I wondered if I was doing something wrong. I'm glad it's not me

 

[jennwdw]

I don't know if the colors are showing accurately on the computer, but I love the tank you have with it. The skirt is really cute and the ruffles on the tank tie everything in together. Great job!


That's really feminine and pretty! Great design and super cute model!


My MIL is Nancy and really likes them too . The illustrations are just too precious.


I can't imagine why anyone would laugh, they look great! I really love the Halloween twirl too.

Just wanted to say I like the new pic in your sig....your daughter is a cutie

I am so JEALOUS of the Kate Spade shoes! I love her shoes! I think they are so beautiful and feminine..........now if I could just afford them! Have you tried on any Christian Laboutin shoes? The ones with the red soles? Those are beautiful too and sexy but they are more like the price of Manola Blahniks so they are way out of my budget!

However, saying that, my girls wear boutique clothing almost constantly and I spend way more on their clothes than on mine and they have a huge closet full of them! I'm the sloppy looking Mom with immaculate kids!

Don't worry I don't afford them either however once they get marked down below $100 all bets are off Every now and then I do find them for a deal I can't pass up. These ones I really wanted all season.

I use to be a shoe junkie then I had kids I've tried them (Laboutin) but again my budget does not allow for them. They are gorgeous though/ I do have a decent collection of "nice" shoes that I've picked up along the way, I'm a really good bargain shopper However most of the time you'll find me in my crocs. Being a mommy doesn't alway allow for wearing my "Hooker" shoes as my DH calls them (I tend to favor tall heels and ankle straps...I'm a complete sucker for ankle straps)

was someone asking about shirring... here are some tips!!

- Wind bobbin with elastic thread by hand to desire tightness. Use all-purpose thread on top of machine.

- Sew several rows of shirring, gathering as you go. Secure at ends.

- Measure finished front with pattern to make sure it is the same size as needed for the dress.

More about Shirring


Using elastic thread is an easy way to create fabric gathers, a technique known as shirring. The thread comes in black or white, and is used on the fabric wrong side.

Hand-wind the elastic thread onto the bobbin. If working with a sheer or lightweight fabric, slightly stretch the thread as you wind. For all other fabrics, wind the thread without stretching it. Use coordinating non-elastic thread in the needle.

Set the machine to the longest straight stitch possible. Test stitch on scrap fabric. Hold the fabric taut while stitching, but don't pull it through the machine. Adjust the upper tension as desired (usually looser than normal).

Determine the desired distance between the shirred rows. Mark each stitching line with a water- or air-soluble marking pen (1). Align the fabric and stitch the first row as directed above. Don't backstitch at the beginning or end of the row.



After stitching the row, clip the thread, leaving long thread tails. Pull the top thread through to the fabric wrong side. Knot the threads together to secure, and then trim the thread ends close to the knot.

To stitch the next row, place the fabric at the desired distance from the first row. Hold the fabric taut and stitch. You might have to stop periodically to even out the fabric.To do this, keep the needle down in the fabric and raise the presser foot. The more rows stitched, the more gathered the fabric becomes.

To shirr a cylindrical shape, such as a dress bodice, start at the upper edge and stitch horizontally around the fabric cylinder until you've reached the desired shirred width (2).



When the bobbin thread runs out, clip the needle thread and pull it to the wrong side, and knot the threads. Wind more thread onto the bobbin and begin stitching where the previous thread ended.

From the May 2006 issue of Sew News magazine.


lori

Oh please add this to the bookmarks...thanks

 

[Twins+2more]

One more question...

If you don't have a serger, what do you do at the seams where you sew the strips together? Can you just zigzag them to keep them together? I'm afraid mine would look so messy on the inside with all those loose edges on all the strips.

They are in shapes of "A" about 2 inches on top, 6 inches on bottom. About 12 inches long. This works for a girls size 4/5. I don't have a serger. I just do a zig zag set really close together. A lil below 0 works just fine for me.

 

[revrob]

Do you think you could replace or add ruffles using fabric from the skirt? I think the color of the tank is perfect and it works "as is" but adding something used in the skirt might make you feel it's more of a set. Another option would be to add ricrac down the center of the existing ruffles if you have the same color in a narrow ricrac.

That's a great idea! I'm gonna have to think on that one to try to figure it out, but I think that would really tie to together.

 

[Eeyore's Tiara]

utah - will you make some matching bows for you and Norah so I won't feel so weird?

I like my disney machine.
I've only bent one needle, and that was from trying to go through 5 layers of fabric.
I just handsew when I've got lots of layers.

I bought an embroidery card on voldemort and it doesn't work?
it says my hoop is the wrong size.
how do I know if this is a real error or if the card is wonky?
heh.
wonky.

Celery I dont know if anyone answered this or not for you about the hoop size. But the 270 D will only do an embroidery the size of the original hoop you got with the machine. Some of the patterns on "voldemort" are for 5 x 7's which won't work in our machine. They work in the other brother machines. It's a bummer I know. I'm sorry you're out the money for those. I do have some patterns that I might be able to send you via email if you need some. They are .pes format. I have the princesses, peter pan, monsters inc, winnie, and more that I cant remember right now. So just let me know if you need one in the original format size.

I did buy some additional thread holders and a hoop off of "voldemort". The hoop is bigger and allows me to reposition it without moving the material so I can embroider a name on top or bottom of the pattern. That was worth the investment.

 

[TinkerbelleMom]

I can't keep up!!! This thread is too interesting, and I work, so when I come home to 40+ pages some days, it's too much! lol

But I love it. Y'all are inspiring me. And I need that. I've started sewing for pleasure again. Something that's taken a bit to come. My mom was my inspiration for sewing. She taught me everything I knew. I already told my tale of her sewing everything for us...and I lost her last year. It was hard for me to want to sew again, because when I ran into trouble with something, I had nobody to ask how to fix it. But seeing everyone's creations made me want to be creative again. Thanks for that.

I inherited a Brother Disney embroidery machine, its a Pacesetter ULT2002, I think it was the first one they made (I just copied this off the front of the machine). I'm afraid of it, haven't even attempted to do anything with it at all. There's a bib set up on it, all ready to be embroidered for my now 2yo...mom was in the process of making all sorts of cheap bibs look like something special. I'm going to make arrangements for a private lesson at my local sewing store, just so I can learn how to use this machine!

Anyway, thanks for reading this far. I've enjoyed all y'alls projects, and learned more than I can tell. Best thing so far is CASE...which I plan on doing lots of in the future!!!

 

[PiperPizzaz]

They had red bandanas with big white polka dots at my Walmart today, oh sorry Waldemort, hee hee. I didn't get them, but I did get a red one with dog bones and paw prints and I got some at JoAnn's with pirate maps. I think I will make Ds some pants. I would like to make the overall ones but, I can't find directions.

 

[Eeyore's Tiara]

Okay guys let me know what you think of this bracelet. It's the ONLY thing I've gotten done in 3 days.

This is for my oldest dd's special treat at WDW. Each of the charms will represent something from her day of star treatment.

The bracelet itself is a bunch of entwined hearts.

The tiara represents her day of being a princess. (It's kind of hidden under the ribbon)
The cross is for her "christ like actions"
The heart is for my love for her
The flip flop represents her pedicure
The teapot and cup are for her "grown-up tea party at GF"
The picture frame will be filled with a pic of just she and I from our "day"
The purse is for a little shopping spree on her own
And the cheshire cat represents her very first tea party with Alice and the Mad Hatter when she was 5 years old at WDW right after her dad and I divorced. That trip was Her and I against the world.

 

[twob4him]

LOL, I really don't have any trade secrets with applique... yet. Keep in mind I've only been doing applique beyond simple squares & hearts since last December and have only used quilter weight cotton for the applique (so far). That said, I have been sewing for 30+ years so that definitely helped the learning curve. Here are some things that I have learned along the way:

Wow thank you soooo much Lisa....I am a sponge....soaking up any info you feel like sending my way! You are an artist. Thanks for all of your help!!!

 

[bengalbelle]

LOL, I really don't have any trade secrets with applique... yet. Keep in mind I've only been doing applique beyond simple squares & hearts since last December and have only used quilter weight cotton for the applique (so far). That said, I have been sewing for 30+ years so that definitely helped the learning curve. Here are some things that I have learned along the way:

* One thing that has really helped me is a cool notion called a pressing sheet. It allows me to iron the pieces together as I assemble them before they are attached to the base garment/fabric. The pieces peel off easily when cool. Once I peel it off, I can check to be sure the pieces have overlapped where needed so there are no gaps where the fabric might fray. If there are gaps, I peel those pieces apart (very carefully) and reposition to overlap correctly.

* I'll mention again using prints (marbles, tonals, etc.) where possible instead of solids. Even the nice Kona cotton fabric from Kaufman tends to fray more easily. When I look for fabric to use for applique, I look for tonals in smallish prints and I also often check the back. Sometimes the reverse of the fabric will work better as a replacement for a solid than the print side. It also, IMO, makes the applique more interesting if there's some variation in color, pattern, etc. within the applique. For example in this one, the only solid is the fleshtone.

* Match thread to the applique fabric. This means I may change my thread (top only since I use bobbin thread for applique) 10-20 times on an appliqued item depending on how many colors is in the applique and how the pieces overlap. I try to use thread that is slightly darker than the fabric so it helps act as an outline. I tried using black to outline all areas of Mickey & Minnie but I didn't like how I could see a little of the fabric through the stitching even when my stitches were as close together as my machine would do. By using thread closer in color to the fabric, the stitching looks smoother IMO. Below are examples of similar Minnies - the one with black stitching is one of the first detailed appliques I did. I think it's decent but I was bothered by how the fabric showed through the stitching. The other Minnie is one I did recently and matched thread to fabric. My stitching still isn't perfect but my mistakes aren't as noticable.

* Practice! When I started, I did a few practice pieces on scraps of denim (legs cut off jeans, usually). I've also used some of Zoe's old tees. I figured if the applique sucked, I was only out my time and usually the tee looked better anyway. I experimented with different techniques on these practice pieces, too. For example, on this experiment, I tried doing a straight stitch as an outline to define the design even more. I liked the effect but decided it was way too much time to do it and my stitching wasn't as neat as I wanted, too.

Beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing your tips.

Just wanted to say I like the new pic in your sig....your daughter is a cutie

Thank you! That was her first birthday