So when I found out that my second baby was a girl, I went kind of bow/flower clip crazy. I even sat through a bow-making class having contractions five minutes apart. Not smart, I know, but I felt possessed to learn how to make them perfectly. And yes, I did go home and proceed to make four more bows at home that night. And I made another two the night before I was being induced. Whatev.
So now my precious girl is 15 months old and wants nothing to do with any and all of the bows and flowers I worked so hard on. Boo. But I needed to come up with a solution so that she can still get use out of my sweat and determination, so I made her a cardigan where you can interchange the embellishment!
I started off with a standard white t-shirt. I bought this one at Target, so nothing fancy.
I started out measuring the width of the shirt at the collar, midway down, and at the bottom hem and marked the center at each point. Next, I used a ruler to “connect the dots,” but then I got smart.
Hello! Fold it in half and cut it up the center. This way will seriously save you way more time. Trust me.
I wanted to make sure that since I wasn’t going to be using buttons on the placket, I wanted to reinforce it and make it stronger. I decided that I was going to use some grosgrain ribbon to line the inside of the hem. I cut the ribbon slightly longer than the length of the shirt so I had plenty of length to tuck in at the ends.
Before I stitched my seam, I ironed in the cut edges twice (Fold in a little, iron. Fold again and iron.). Now all of the rough edges of the fabric are clean and nice and pretty.
Next, I pinned the newly ironed fabric down with the grosgrain ribbon on top.
I stitched down the edge. Now, my original idea was to have the ribbon completely concealed on the inside of the placket, but the ribbon drifted as I was sewing. I actually like the way it turned out with the ribbon slightly peeking out. When I make another one, I’m totally using a more interesting ribbon; maybe some jumbo ric rac or other patterned goodness.
Now come the part that I was dreading most. Thankfully, I’ve met some fabulous ladies that were so helpful. (Go check out Above All Fabric and Brassy Apple!) I can’t really explain exactly how this happened because I basically followed the directions step by step from my sewing machine’s users manual. The overview: Use a button foot. Choose a button that is slightly larger across than the clip that you’ll end up using, that way there is enough space to insert the clip when you’re all done.
Figure out where you’d like your clips to go, and mark near the top and the bottom of the clips so you know where to place the button holes.
Now comes what ended up being the hardest part for me: the actual sewing of the button hole. As it turns out, the shirt I had purchased for Reagan was too thin and the machine kept catching the shirt. Once I added a double layer of interfacing to thicken it up a bit, the machine was able to put my two button holes in like a champ.
Once the button holes are sewn, gently use a seam ripper to cut the fabric between the seams.
And voila! Now Reagan has a cardigan that I can change out the flowers and bows to coordinate with her outfit. I love it!
Now here’s hoping that she doesn’t figure out how to pull the pretties off of her cardigan like she has her hair. A momma can hope…
Linking this up at:
Blue Cricket Design * Today’s Creative Blog
Such a cute idea! (if only I had a girl…)
Thanks Mattie! Maybe your third baby will be a girl. 🙂
Wow! That is one impressive tutorial! I LOVE this idea 🙂 Reagan looks adorable in it!
I love this! I love your blog too! Im your newest follower:)
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kris already commented, but i have to comment too.
so stinkin cute, katie. holy crap i'd never have patience to MAKE that! and i was literally chuckling out loud seeing you 9 months preggo sitting through a bow making class, that's dedication! 😉
it's darling!!! xoxo.kelli (:
Thanks everyone! Kel: I was actually scheduled for one class but went into labor early so a few weeks after I was out of the hospital I went to the class and convinced my mom to go with me. She ended up making some of my bows because I couldn't breathe or talk through the contractions. She thought I was crazy, I thought it was dedication. 🙂
Very Cute! come and join our party: http://fabricbowsandmore.blogspot.com/
super cute! Thanks for auditioning for American Crafter- good luck:)
What a brilliant idea – I have to try this for my little girl. Thanks very much for the inspiration.
http://licklepickle.blogspot.com/
So darn cute and what a sweet model! My little girlie still wont do bows in in hair…but she would do something like this! Sharing on FB!
Very pretty!! I am visiting from TT&J and new follower!!!
Michelle
http://www.delicateconstruction.blogspot.com
p.s. I am having a giveaway this weekend, you should come check it out!
What a cute idea!
Super sweet! I have tons of bows and flowers for my 8 year old and she doesn’t wear them unless I bribe her! Maybe I will have better luck with my newest little girl!
Found you through CSI link-up, if you have a moment check out my blog at http://creativecowgirl.co
That cardigan is fantastic! And such a lovely clear tutorial too!
I would love if you came and linked this project to my clothes upcycling page. It has a long term linky, so your project would stay there for more than just the week of a usual linky. We have over 60 projects linked up now – some fantastic ideas – and this month I’m upcycling lots of clothes and trying to feature lots of the links too!
Do come and take a look!
http://jembellish.blogspot.com/p/clothes-upcycling-projects.html
I am so glad you like it! Consider the link done!
Hi, friend! I’m admiring all your creative posts here so can you please share them with us at the Creative Bloggers’ Party & Hop? Hope to see you there at the party 🙂