KCW day 1 PRP mash up: octopus inspired sling shirt

For this post multiple inspiration sources came together. I managed to sew something that fits both the Project Run and Play's monthly theme and the Kids Clothes Week's theme in fabrics from my stash, yeh!

Today is the first day of Kids Clothes Week Spring 2015. As a contributor I wrote two post that I hope inspired you to make some animal themed clothes. In the first post I wrote about patterns that could be octopus inspired. If I think of an octopus, I think about surprising patterns (because octopuses are masters of disguise). The first garment I sewed for KCW is a reversible woven top without buttons or zipper. Some octopuses can change colors like a chameleon, hence I wanted something reversible. Octopuses use very smart hiding solutions, hence the smart closure option. Octopuses are innovative tool users, Some octopuses use shells from other animals, or coconuts for their protection. This pinafore type of pattern is usually used as a baby dress so  flipping it to a shirt counts as innovative use of pattern type.

Project Run and Play's theme for April is a sling bag. Bags are great, but I prefer children clothes at the moment. When I looked at the bag I thought of a neckline, that is why I decided to make a shirt. This shirt I made is from woven fabric, like the bag. The shirt and the bag neither have side seams and are both reversible. The shirt is put on by putting the straps over the head like how you put on a bag. I was considering making a contrasting front panel, but I liked the fabrics too much as it is.

Both fabrics are from Cloud 9 fabrics which I bought at Modes4u, the fabrics are from two different collections though. I bought half a meter of both, not really sure what I was planning on making from them (I believe the leave version should have been turned into a pillow case for the livings room), but the amount turned out perfect for this shirt. One of the fabrics has butterflies on it, so a clearly animal theme inspired fabrics as well.

I drafted the shirt myself based on existing bodice pattern from the book SVDHZ 2. I took the already cut pattern pieces which I used for this dress, put the front and back bodice part down on my pattern paper with an angle that I presumed would work and drew up a pinafore pattern. The shirt has one pattern piece total, which you cut twice, one inside, one outside. There are no side seams. I am willing to write a small tutorial after KCW if anybody is interested. It sewed up within an hour (besides the four shoulder seams the whole garment is one big seam) and there was no hand sewing involved (I top stitched for a nice finish, closing the turning hole automatically).

The fit is perfect, but next time I will make a lower neckline and I will play with the overlapping pieces a bit to see if I can close the hole so that it is also reversible front and back wise. My daughter really likes the overlap as a front but I prefer her belly button not showing.

I still have to get used to the big hole in my daughter's mouth, she is missing all four of her four front teeth now.

I love to hear what you think of my creations. Feel free to leave a comment in the language you prefer (although Google translate might have to assist me if you choose something different than English, German, Dutch or Hungarian).  

KCW #2: Upcycled embroidered table cloth to summer dress

A few months ago while inspired by a embroidered designer dress I bought a vintage hand embroidered table cloth. Due to KCW's theme upcycle my plans for the table cloth resurfaced and the last three days I spend on turning the table cloth into a summer dress.

The table cloth was covered in beautifully embroidered flowers and I wanted to put as much of them in the dress. Due to the non-circular embroidery pattern (the corners were true corners) I could not cut a circle skirt. The not so obvious optimal cutting schedule was the reason the table cloth was not turned into a dress immediately. After much thought I opted for a skirt in six pieces and a horizontally split front bodice. The bodice part and sleeves are again from the book Doe Het Zelvers 2.

After I cut all the pieces I spend a few hours on removing the embroidery thread of flowers that were cut in half. I wanted to only have whole flowers to create the illusion that the embroidery pattern was designed to fit the dress. Although taking out the extra flowers and leaves took quite some time it was nothing compared to how much time must have gone into embroidering the table cloth in the first place.

I made button closure in the back, this way my daughter can dress herself. While cutting the dress I first had planned a blind zipper. Due to my blind zipper plans I chose two separate flower patterns for the back.

My daughter loved the dress (every time I make her a new dress she claims that it is the prettiest dress ever) and immediately wore it to the restaurant we went this evening. She got several complements which made her radiate even more.

I love to hear what you think of my creations. Feel free to leave a comment in the language you prefer (although Google translate might have to assist me if you choose something different than English, German, Dutch or Hungarian).