Craftiness is Creeping in.

So, I have not only been bitten by the baking bug in the last couple months, but the last few weeks, I've also gotten the craftiness bug. :) I've been doing crafts with the kiddos- and my hubby has been doing them with them as well. I started crafting, too. Crocheting, sewing, mod-podging... no scrapping just yet since I haven't that much time on my hands! lol. I think the month long break from my camera started my "creative juices" flowing in more tangible ways. I usually pour all my time and creativity into learning my DSLR- Nikon D300- and learning to take better pics. I haven't had a break of that magnitude for about a year and a half. Not that I enjoyed not having my camera for a whole month- for truly I was dying!! But, it gave me the opportunity to be creative in ways that I haven't done as much since going overboard for photography.

So, here's my latest creation- a pillowcase dress for Aliyah. The beauty of a pillowcase dress is- she can wear it as a dress to start, or over leggings/ pants as she probably will be doing since it's getting cold... then when it gets shorter for her- she can wear it as a swingy top! Don't you love that?!

I've been wanting to make a pillowcase dress for her for months!! I've had the "Dumb Dots" Michael Miller fabric since before she was born... need I say more? So, I gave it a go. I wanted her to have a "special" outfit for her very 1st Thanksgiving. and this fits the bill. I did not use a pattern, and I will do a few things differently next time I do one, but overall I think it turned out good. ?? It only took approximately 3 hours from start to finish. I may add some pink ric-rac if I get time to drop by a fabric store or Hobby Lobby in the next few weeks, too. And I will definitely post a pic of Aliyah wearing it on Thanksgiving. :) I do have pics during the process- so if anybody wants- I can add a quick "tutorial". Let me know.

Edited to add directions here:
You will need:
- 1 yard of main fabric (possibly could get away with 3/4 yd)
- 1/2 yard of contrast fabric
- 1/4 inch elastic
- Embellishments: Ribbon, ric-rac, flowers, etc...
- A spool of thread, and a bobbin of the same thread

Directions:
1) I started by measuring a full A-line dress of hers that was similar in style to a pillowcase dress. This was good to get a length off of. However, next time, I'm going to measure it off a pillowcase too- duh! and maybe scale it down just a little. I also looked at Etsy for pillowcase dresses, and figured out that the measurement for her size was about 18" in length. I added about an inch on either side, and at least that to the length for the seams and hem. (no pattern, remember, just pretty much cut it by eyeing it)

2) Then, I pinned it to make sure the two layers didn't shift during cutting. (I only cut it about 15" since I used a contrast fabric at the bottom of the skirt). I recommend not making it quite as A-line as I did in the pics. Also add an extra 1/4-1/2" to the arm holes. So they'll be a little wider than the skirt of the dress. Something I did not do, but wish I had because the edges are a little more raw than I'd like.

3) Cut one side, then flip over and cut other side to match.

(again... make it less A-line, and more boxy- I think it'll hang better.)

4) Using the contrasting fabric, cut an extension of your dress on one side, then flip so it'll match. (again- two layers) There are probably better ways to go about doing this... but I don't use patterns, sorry. I think I made the length about 4 inches?

5) Then sew the two contrasting fabrics together, making sure to finish the raw edges by either rolling under and sewing, or using the zig-zag stitch so the edges don't fray. (The second pic you can see the zigzags). Go ahead and sew the armholes next. Then the sides. Zigzag or turn under all edges.

6) Make a 1/2" pocket for your elastic at the top of the dress on both front & back. Once it is made, you'll insert a 1/4" piece of elastic into it, sew it on one side to keep it stable and gather from the other side. Then sew the other side down.

7) Add a hem! Roll edges or zig-zag, remember.

8) Add embellishments... ribbon, straps (which you can make from contrasting fabric by sewing a "tube" and turning it right side out.), ric-rac, little flowers, whatever your heart desires!

And, here's the finished project!!!

She's going to look so adorable in this! I love how it turned out. Can't wait to make another one. I just love putting fabrics together, and mixing and matching things like this. :) Don't you?!

Blessings! -Sarah