St. Patrick's Day Shirt & Ruffle Pants

Well, another holiday is almost here, and it's the perfect excuse for me to use my embroidery machine to stitch up a cute design for a t-shirt for Ella.  Oh, and of course, she needs some new ruffle bottom pants to go with the shirt.  Right?  I'm sure my daughter is in no need of new clothing, but I just love sewing and making fun things for her to wear.  You know what?  She really loves it, too!

Anyway, I stitched up this shabby four leaf clover from Planet Applique in 10 minutes using my Brother PE770 embroidery machine.  I think this is the simplest embroidery project I've done yet!  The only thing I wish I had done differently is position the design a little higher up on the shirt, but oh, well!  It's still adorable and perfect for St. Patrick's Day!

I used medium weight (Pellon No. 40) cut away stabilizer on the back, plus I doubled my fabric by using a piece of white flannel behind each print to give the edges more fluff when they were snipped.  I've tried using other fabrics like white cotton or muslin, but so far, I prefer to use the flannel.

Now it's been forever since I've made Ella a pair of ruffle bottom pants, so I took this opportunity to whip her up a new pair to match the St. Patrick's Day shirt.  I used McCall's M6530 pattern, View D.

These pants were made using the size 4T length and the size 5T width and stride measurements.  I also added a second ruffle by cutting it out 1" shorter than the pattern ruffle measurement and in the same pink fabric I used on the t-shirt.

Finally, I hemmed the ruffles using the rolled hem settings on my serger.  Stitch a label on there and call it done!

These were super easy and fun to sew together, so I know I'll be using this McCall's pattern again and again.  Ella loves these pants and already wants another pair!  Great!  More sewing for me!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  Linking up at the parties shown below as well as others listed here.


  

     

Win a Custom Embroidered Girl's Shirt

Yes, today you have a chance to win a custom made embroidered girl's short sleeved t-shirt from me!  The contest is part of Southern Holiday Life Magazine's 25 Days of Christmas Giveaways.

Here are a few examples of t-shirts I've made recently.  The winner will get to choose the embroidery design and t-shirt blank from the designs and t-shirts I have on hand.

To enter, either go to Southern Holiday Life's website or simply use the Rafflecopter entry below.  This contest is open to US residents only and includes shipping to a US address.  The winner will be notified on Saturday, December 1st.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And come back tomorrow to see my full pictorial tutorial for how to make a Christmas Tree Tabletop Decoration.  Thanks for stopping by!

I've Been Published in a Magazine! Plus a Giveaway!

I was asked about a month ago to put together a fun Christmas project to be published in Southern Holiday Life Magazine!  What an exciting opportunity this was, and I felt so honored to be asked that there was no way I could turn them down.

I had the perfect project to make, too.  A Christmas Tree tabletop decoration similar to the one my mom and I made when I was a little girl.

A brief tutorial is included in the magazine along with lots of other fun holiday craft, decorating, and entertaining ideas.  

And starting today, the magazine will be hosting their 25 Days of Christmas Giveaway contest.  

To enter the prize of the day, go to the Southern Holiday Life Facebook page and click on the Giveaway Tab for the details or their website to enter via Rafflecopter.  Remember, you have to enter each day to win that particular day's prize.  The contest is only open to US residents, and please read the details of each giveaway regarding shipping/local pick-up only.

Be sure to enter on Friday, November 30th for a chance to win a special prize from sewVery!  I've offered up a custom embroidered girl's short sleeved t-shirt.  The winner will be allowed to pick out the design from my collection of applique/embroidery files as well as have their child's name embroidered on the shirt.  To see a few examples of things I have embroidered/appliqued, check out my Custom Orders tab.  Sorry, but comments left on this post do not count as an entry into the contest.  

And if you are interested in the full pictorial tutorial for my Christmas Tree Tabletop decoration, I'll be posting it here in a few days!  

Lovely Rita's Slim Jeans and Matching T-Shirt

This has become my favorite outfit for Ella--a pair of slim fit Lovely Rita's jeans and matching appliqued t-shirt.

A few months back, I tested the Pleated Penny top for Shauna of Shwin & Shwin, and as compensation, I was allowed to pick one pattern for free from her shop.  I chose the Lovely Rita's slim fit pant for girls.  

I picked this particular pattern out of all the wonderful, unique designs she has to offer because most little girl's pants patterns are for wide legged, ruffle bottom, elastic waist pants that aren't fitted at all.  This design is such a nice departure from that norm and is a lot of fun when you add contrasting fabrics to the pockets and pants cuff.

I made Ella's pants using size 5T and with stretch denim fabric as recommended in the pattern.   Shauna's pattern was filled with easy to follow instructions and helpful photographs which made constructing these jeans a cinch.  I did change one thing though.  I lined the rear pockets with the floral fabric.  This was easier to me than ironing and hemming the edges of the pocket.  Plus it added another cute detail.

The only problem that I had with the pattern was with the front pocket pattern pieces. I cut them out according to the pattern, but the side seam edge curved inward and did not extend out far enough to match up with the pants leg side seam.  The only solution was to recut the pocket pieces.  I made a note on my pattern to be sure to extend those edges the next time I make a pair.  

I thought the jeans were going to be too big for Ella, but in fact, they fit her quite nicely.  The Lovely Rita's slim jeans are great for running around, climbing, and playing in general.  And they are very stylish!

I bought more stretch denim the other day to make her a second pair.  The next time though, I think I'll make them without the lined cuff and buttons. Now I just need to find the time to sew them together!

Not sure what Ella is doing in all these pictures, but I see that she's having fun poking her lips out!

To go with these cool pair of jeans, I appliqued a double flower design with the letter "E" onto a t-shirt using my new embroidery machine.  I think I am finally getting the hang of machine embroidery!  Check out some of my embroidery/applique work here.

Ella has loved wearing this outfit so much that she has worn it at least three times this past week!  Guess I better get busy making that second pair!  Now if I could only figure out how to make these in my size...

  

Thanks for stopping by!