Sailor Moon? No, Just a Uniform

Now finally, the last project on my craft project list.  This one was necessary for an event that’s happening this very weekend,  Phoenix Comicon!

I have been going every year for the pass few years wearing some of my pretty dresses each time (see Catching Up - Conventions Anyone?), and I wanted to make something different this year.  What special item did I sew for this year?

A school uniform.

A sailor style one to be exact, seen all over anime and manga and a classic for cosplay.  Plus they are super cute even for everyday wear.  To make mine I used multiple resources.

My main source for inspiration was this video tutorial for making a sailor style top with a t-shirt.  This instantly made my task easier.

Instead of using the pattern from the video, I found a great free pattern for the sailor collar here.  It came with a a sleeve pattern too for a Sailor Moon/Sailor Scout costume.  Whatever, it works great for this.

The fabric I used it a dark blue poly poplin I got at SAS.  I decided to use poplin because of how well it worked for all the purple bags I made before (see Purple and Lace).  I chose dark blue because I thought it was more versatile than my first choice for color, pink.  Still I may try that in the future, wouldn’t that be adorable?

Anyway, the collar is ready to sew!

  I found this cute video tutorial for making a pleated skirt made by the same person who made the first video.  It helped a lot, at least for the pleating part.  I did my own thing for the zipper and waistband.  The piece I cut for the skirt is approximately 14 inches by 60 inches.

Just need to pin the pleats (I had to do it over cause they went crazy on me)…

…and add a zipper, waistband, and hem it…

…then make the collar with ribbon trim…

…deal with the cuffs, add accessories, piece things together and then…

…It’s done!  Looks great all put together.

The bow on the front came out a little bigger than I expected, but I think it still looks good.

Plus if I change my mind about it later there’s no problem.  It pins on.

The collar came out well too.  It is only attached to the top at the back.  The front ends can be unhooked to make it easier to pull on and take off.

The cuffs were tricky because not only did I have have gather the sleeve slightly to sew them on, but I forgot to add the ribbon trim before sewing the cuffs on.  I sewed it on by hand afterwards. 

I couldn’t make up my mind whether I wanted the ribbon along the bottom of the cuff or the top end.  I guess it looks fine like this.

And to complete the look I made simple little bow hair clips from scraps of fabric.  I have a ton of this blue poplin leftover, will they be more uniform style outfits in the future?  Only time will tell.

Here’s the updated list:

• lining
• patterns
• lace
• pins
• scraps
• fabric
• supplies
• uniform

Eight down and out.  All that’s left is Phoenix Comicon and a little surprise afterwards.  Look forward to it.

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Major Craft De-Stash, Part 2

Continuing on from the last post, I have now finished sorting through my craft stash.  Yay!  And it only took a few days.

Anyway, let’s take a look.

First batch is all my scraps and small fabric remnants.  I had a ton of them.  Perfect for making tiny things like doll clothes and accessories, but how many of those do I possibly need?

After sorting, I’m down to half.

The stuff I’m keeping is in the basket, the rest is history.  I found stuff I completely forgot I had and stuff I wished I had gotten rid of sooner.

Since the last batch was small fabric bits, it made to since to move on the larger fabric pieces.  Large enough to for major projects like dresses and such, but only if I actually want to use the fabric.

Now again, the stuff I’m keeping is all that pretty fabric in the basket.  The large amount of fleece and stuff on the outside is going.  The kids will have fun with it. 

Something I’ve noticed that it is so much easier to get rid of fabrics when they were free to me or really cheap to buy as opposed to stuff I had to pay a good amount for, even if I don’t like the pattern on the paid for stuff.  Something to do with that initial investment and wanting to get my money’s worth I guess. 

Of course maybe it means I should be more careful about which fabrics I buy in the future or how much of it I buy.  Like if for some reason I have to buy some fabric I don’t like much, I should know exactly how much I need and only buy that much.

And the final batch?  Everything else! 

All the random stuff I tend to collect for crafts as well as office supplies that are useful or cute.  It’s the cute stuff that are particularly hard to part with.

Which is probably why the stuff I’m getting rid of isn’t quite as cute, still fairly random though.  They include a pvc pipe scrap, reading glasses, and a charger for am unknown device.  And now I won’t have to deal with them anymore.  The only thing left to do is to think up of things to make with the craft supplies I have left.

Here’s the updated list:

• lining
• patterns
• lace
• pins
• scraps
• fabric
• supplies
• uniform

Seven down, just one more to go.  The final projects should be up in a couple of days, look forward to it.

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Major Craft De-Stash, Part 1

I mentioned before that most of my craft projects on my current list are de-stashing my crafts instead of making.  I’m happy to say that I have just completed half of the job.  I used my basket trick to make it easier (see 2016 Resolutions Update: Round 2). 

Here’s the first few batches.

First batch is patterns.  I actually have several more in storage, but they are almost impossible to get to anytime soon. 

Just sorting all the patterns cluttering up my craft area at home.  A few store bought, some free ones I found online, and several patterns I made based on the other ones.  

And here they are all sorted. 

The ones in the basket are the keepers.  The ones are the right are going straight in the trash.  They are ones that are too damaged to use or those ones I made based on other patterns.  They were mainly made for a single dress and so there isn’t much point in keeping them around.

The small middle pile is actually a pattern for a teddy bear I made from scratch (see Sewing for Baby).  I am going to scan that on to my computer before tossing.  If I do some editing on it, I may post it here. 

That last pile is some patterns I will either sell or giveaway.  I have never used them anyway, and some of them are too similar to patterns I have or can find for free.  No point in keeping them.

The next batch is the most fun.  Lace, ribbon,flowers, buttons and beads, etc.  Lots of pretty stuff.  Fun to sort through, but difficult to part with.

Difficult, but not impossible.

The ones in the basket are all the embellishments I am keeping, and the rest are going.  That smaller pile at the bottom is heading straight to the trash.  Not sure why I kept them so long.  The others I will giveaway or sell.

The last one is full of things like pins, scissors, tools, needles, glue, zippers, elastic, etc.  Stuff that come in handy when making stuff, at least when I actually use it.

Again, the keepers are in the basket and the rest are getting the boot.  Mostly extra pin cushions, needle cases, thread in colors I don’t use much, and random stuff.  Yes that is a box of dental floss, don’t ask.

My crash stash is clearer already, can’t say the same about the rest of the house.  When I say I’m giving things away, that usually means to my family members.  They may need to de-stash soon too.

Here’s the updated list:

• lining
• patterns
• lace
• pins
• scraps
• fabric
• supplies
• uniform

Four down, four more to go.  The next few should be up in a couple of days. Look forward to it.

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Purple and Lace Bag Upgrade, Adding a New Lining

First project on my list is actually an update to a previous craft project.

Remember that purple tote bag I made (see Catching Up: Bags and More Bags)?  It was a super pretty bag that could be expanded as needed.  Perfect for everyday use.  And since making it I got quite a bit of use out of it.

And it certainly shows, and I’m not talking about all those stains which are bad enough.

I used that pretty tablecloth fabric for the lining, and it took a major beating. 

The easy thing would have been to just make a whole new bag, but I really like this one.  So instead I just made a new lining.

So here’s the before…

…And after.

I first carefully cut out the old lining and tossed the bag in the washer.  Cleaning alone did a world of good.  While I waited for it to dry, I got to work on the new lining.

Here are two of the sides, this is before sewing them in the bag. 

I used the same purple poplin as the rest of the bag (thank goodness for leftovers) and something else for the pockets, white fleece.  It’s super soft, strong, and a little stretchy.  Perfect for pockets to hold all of life’s essentials.

Here’s the finished bag lining.  Looks so much better than before.

And here it is in action.  Now everything is nicely organized, for now.

Here’s the updated list:

• lining
• patterns
• lace
• pins
• scraps
• fabric
• supplies
• uniform

One down, seven more to go.  And with not even a full week to do it, better get cracking.

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Up to Thirty-Six

My new craft project list is ready, although this one is a little different.  It’s less about making crafts and more about dealing with them. 

I plan on tackling my New Year’s resolutions this month (see 2016 Resolutions Update, Round 2), specifically the one about reducing my craft supply stash.  So most of the projects are dealing with that.

There are still a couple of things I will be making this month, the last one will be especially interesting.

So here it is:

Project List #36

• lining
• patterns
• lace
• pins
• scraps
• fabric
• supplies
• uniform

I plan on finishing everything by the end of the month.  Wish me luck!

Update: You see the finished list here.

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Two of a Kind Doll Dresses

As promised yesterday, it is the final project on my craft project list, right on time.

So what exactly did I save for last?

Doll clothes!

I bought another ball jointed doll a few months ago (see the unboxing here on my doll blog) and she has been in need of something decent to wear. 

For her first outfit, I thought it would be extra cute to make matching doll outfits for both of my bjds.

The tops I made by cutting up an old t-shirt.  They both open in back with Velcro to make putting them on easier.  I used the same pattern for both shirts but there are a few tweaks. 

The one on the left has lace along the neckline with a bow in front, and the sleeves are gathered with elastic.  The one on the right is considerably different.

Here it is on the doll.  The neckline is trimmed with rolled strips of t-shirt fabric.  It’s a look I first saw on a cute t-shirt I have that I have been wanting to try out.  I thought it would be easier to try it on a doll sized piece first.

The sleeves are slashed, I’m not sure how else to describe them.  It wasn’t how I originally planned to make them, but things kind of went wrong with them so I just went with it.  I also gathered the shoulders a little and added the little bows for a touch. 

Now for the dresses.  This one for my first bjd is made the same way as the one from my doll dress tutorial (see Doll Dresses for All, With a Tutorial).  Just with different fabric, different straps, and two bows instead of one.  It was ultimately made to be similar to the next dress with out being exactly the same.

Speaking of the next dress, though it is more of a jumper style skirt.  Pretty simple with straps that cross in the back.  I added lace “straps” connecting the straps in front on a whim.  I think it adds a sweet touch. 

It wasn’t until after I had already sewn the front ends of the straps to the skirt that it occurred to me.  I could have made the straps completely detachable so that this could be worn like this or as a regular skirt.  Why didn’t I realize that before?  Oh well, maybe that might be a better idea for another outfit.

Anyway, now let’s try on the outfits.

Here’s my new ball jointed doll wearing her very first outfit.  Doesn’t it look cute on her?

Her name is Usagi which means rabbit, and she is just as energetic as her name.  So her outfit needed to be cute but a little more casual, less stuffy.

And here is my older ball jointed doll, Hikaru.  She prefers clothing that’s more detailed and elegant (you can see her reaction to these clothes here on the doll blog).

The lace edge t-shirt works well with her new lace trimmed dress.  Perfect to her taste with out being too stifling in the coming summer weather.

Two different, yet matching doll outfits.  They look so adorable together.

Can’t wait to make more doll dresses for them.

Here’s the updated list:

• dress
• hair accessories
• small bag
• pins
• clips
• doll clothes
• video

Seven down and out.  Now to get ready for the next list, and some more surprises.  Look forward to it.

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Lace Rosette Shoe Clips with a Twist and Tutorial

The next project on my craft list is something I made for Mother’s day as well as for myself.

Shoe clips!

I have a set my mom gave me that I love.  I’ve been dying to make more to work with more outfits, and I thought they would make great gifts too.  Which is why my mom found a pair in a cute gift bag on Mother’s day. 

And the gift giving continues.  These were so easy and fun to make that I decided to make a video tutorial.  Shoe clips for all!

All you need are:

• A glue gun
• Lace rosettes (see my tutorial for them here)
• lace, bows, buttons, etc. (here’s my tutorial for ribbon bows)

And a very special item…

…clip on earrings.

I couldn’t find clips for shoes in stores and the prices online seemed a bit much, so I used backings for clip-on earrings.  Easy to find and to afford (these are a good choice).

It’s also helpful to have basic sewing supplies if you prefer more sewing and less gluing, but that’s optional.  Also I do recommend using Aleene’s Jewel-It or a similar glue to attach the actual clips instead of the glue gun.  But that’s just me.

All set, now here’s the tutorial.

Enjoy!

Here’s the updated list:

• dress
• hair accessories
• small bag
• pins
• clips
• doll clothes
• video

Six down, just one more to go.  And it will be up tomorrow!  Look forward to it.

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How to Make a Ribbon Bow

I’m still working on the last two projects on my list and both of the projects actually involve making one or two little ribbon bows. 

A simple thing indeed, but I realized something.  Not everyone actually knows how to make these simple adorable little embellishments.  So I thought, why not tell them how?  So I made this quick little video tutorial showing how to make a ribbon bow.

Enjoy!

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