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Monday, August 29, 2011

Raglan Tee

I've been wanting to sew with more knits, simply because they are so much more 
comfy to play in.  I love the 'baseball tee' (or as other crafters call it-a raglan tee).  I tried to make 
the first one without a pattern or tutorial. It turned out ok...quite rough though!

I had to redo the neck line twice, and it still doesn't lay like I want. I added an 
iron on elephant which makes it look a bit cuter. Still not exactly what I was 
going for, but it works! I made another one using Jess's tutorial 
from Craftiness is not Optional.  It went much better! Still 
finishing it up...pictures to come soon!

From far away it doesn't look too bad ;-)


Not exactly the best looking snap closure...


I've given in...

I've had multiple people ask me if I'll make a certain item for their little one. I'd love to, but truth be told, I don't have a ton of time. Therefore, I've decided I'll give in a little but also set a schedule that I can actually manage.

Here's the deal...I'll be making one order a week. Payment is due on Mondays and I'll ship the following Monday. Prices will be determined by fabric cost and I'll charge $10/hr for my work. I'll be keeping a calendar on my GiaRoseDesigns blog which will let customers know when the next free week is.

I can make whatever you'd like, either items that I have sewn myself or if you see something that someone else is made.

I hope all this makes sense! Please let me know if you have any questions! And thank you for all your support!!!

Friday, August 26, 2011

Cropped Fleece Jacket

I have to admit,I love the Shwin&Shwin blog. They have the best (FREE!) tutorials. 
 I have quite a few on my Fall Wardrobe To Do List.... which is never ending. 

While I loved her military style jacket, I wanted this pink one to be a little more
girly. I followed her tutorial for the most part.  I think the vintage button and pink
fleece girlied it up for the most part. I do wish I would have made the sleeves wider,
but otherwise I think it's the perfect touch to her denim skirt from grandma! 

I plan to make another black one with some military buttons :-) This jacket is just 
the perfect warm, simple accessory! 




Monday, August 22, 2011

And the winner is.....




Congrats #17! 




 I like her on facebook. I love the kids hats or her jewelry. Super cute stuff!  

 holly.****@gmail.com


I used the random number generator but for whatever reason the picture of the generator isn't working! Ugh. However I promise the drawing was done fair, square and legal :-) I'll figure it out before the next drawing...



Sunday, August 21, 2011

Pattern Remix-Yoga/Kimono Jacket

 I love Heidi & Finn's Comfy Yoga Jacket and I was this close to buying the pattern
when I realized how similar it was to the Hooded Jacket Pattern I had just purchased 
from DMK.   

It was actually incredibly easy to tweak the pattern. I made the jacket exactly as I 
did the first time (in size 2T though, fits great now with growing room!). Only this time 
I added a strip of jersey knit to each side seam of the top. The first two are placed on the inside side seams
of the the printed fabric and the last two are the seams where the top crosses over each other.
Does that make any sense? I included a picture that will make my attempt at directions make sense! 

The second time I made this top it went so much easier! I had the whole top finished in less than 
2 hours. Gianna looks adorable in it too! It will be the perfect layering piece for the fall 
weather that will be here before ya know it!






What a great model :-) And she may be a dentist when she grows up. She
loves to brush her teeth!



*Dear my kids has not asked me to review their pattern. I bough their pattern on my own and decided

to do a pattern remix with it. I was not compensated for my review.

Friday, August 19, 2011

DMK Unisex Hoodie Jacket Pattern Review

Last week I purchased a pattern on Etsy; the Dear My Kids 

I wanted to make G a cute fall jacket. I loved the double breasted
look of this jacket and that it's fully lined! (Too bad I made G's
too small so it's not double breasted, ugh!) I will definitely be making
another one...I was thinking a single layer fleece jacket...

Back to the pattern! The pattern was very well written and easy to follow. 
It didn't take very long to make (a couple hours?) which is something I love,
I get impatient easily and just want to see the outcome!

The pattern comes in size 12m-6T which is great. The only downfall is that it jumps from
12m to 2T. I didn't know which one to make (G is in between a 12m-18m right now) so I kind of cut out the pattern in between a 12m and 2T. I should have just gone with a 2T though, especially with the fleece lining
and wanting it big enough to fit over sweaters. I also didn't measure G to compare it with the chart to see what size I should make...oops! Told ya I was impatient! 

Overall I loved it. I plan to make some fleece jackets for this winter 
and cotton jackets in the spring! Overall definitly worth the $6. Especially since I plan to use it
until she's too big for a 6T.

I will definitly be buying more patterns from Dear my kids and I'll review them too!

I hate buttons and button holes. Disregard that I put them on
the wrong side....and that they aren't straight. 

Fully lined in fleece! G loves that it's so soft!

Bad view. And notice our topsy turvy?! Yup,
it didn't work for us! Nothing grew!



*Dear my kids has not asked me to review their pattern. I simply bought the pattern and decided to do
a review on my own. I am not being compensated for this review. 

Monday, August 15, 2011

Handmade Gifts GIVEAWAY!

I'm so excited to announce that I'm hosting a giveaway!

A friend of mine, Lindsey, has been making the most beautiful 
crocheted items! I was so excited when she agreed to do a $25 gift
certificate giveaway on my blog! (I wish I could enter!) 

I can't wait to order a Christmas present for Gianna;
I'm trying to decide between this adorable doll or a sweet little horse. 



Decisions, decisions!






And maybe I can talk my hubby into buying some of
her beautiful jewelry for me for Christmas ;-)



Back to the giveaway info...

Lindsey is giving away a $25 gift certificate to her shop! It can be used
towards an already made item or a custom item! 

The drawing will be held on Monday, August 22th.

How do I enter, you ask?

Simply 'like' her Facebook page; My Handmade Gifts and leave a 
comment on my blog, with your email address, letting me know you did so!

Want more entries?

Do the following and leave a separate comment letting me know you did so:
*Let me know what item you'd love to spend the gift certificate on
*Make her Etsy shop a favorite of yours!
*Follow my blog (Gia Rose Sews)

*If you already "like" Handmade Gifts on FB just leave a comment saying so!*

Good Luck!!

Friday, August 12, 2011

The Aviator Onesie

The little boys I babysit came in shirts similar to this one, from 
Children's Place. I just love them! So I decided to whip up one
of my own...and see a few to customers :-)

You know where to contact me if you want one! 
$8...giarosedesigns@gmail!

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Quilted Owl Vest

One of the fabrics I fell in love with at Joann's was this corduroy owl print.
So adorable and sweet...yet too busy for a top (for my style atleast!). Of course,
I still had to buy a half yard.  



While we were out shopping the other day I noticed the poofy vests were still
in style and I knew I needed to make one for G! I decided the owl print
would be perfect, with some warm fleece lining. 

I didn't use a pattern or tutorial but I did stumble upon a great one by Me Sew Crazy
She has a quilted vest tutorial that is great! 

Here's my version. I really love it. You could also add button or a zipper 
but I hate sewing on either so I did without :-)




And she knows how to take it off..dangit!
But here's a great shot of the fleece lining!
And unfinished seams....



Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Fleece Fall Sweatshirt

I got started on G's fall wardrobe! Tuesday night we went to Joann's and Hobby
Lobby to pick out a few cute prints to start with. I didn't want to go too crazy
because I know the new fall fabrics are still coming in! 

Anywho, where was I? 

I picked up a cute damaskish printed fleece from Joann's. 
Last spring I had purchased the McCall's sweatshirt/sweatpant pattern
and planned to use that to make this top. Once I started cutting  out my pieces
I realized even the size 1 was way too big.  So I grabbed a sweatshirt that fit G well
and sized down the pattern quite a bit (maybe a bit too much). 

There are so many fun things you can do with a simple sweatshirt pattern.
Add ruffles, pockets, buttons, multiple coordinating fabric, etc. I have a few
more fabrics to use to whip up more of these sweatshirts! 

Oh wait...maybe you'd like to see a pic of this top that I keep bragging about?

(please diregard the terrible pictures! It's way too hot out to make G model
her new fleece sweatshirt for me!)


Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Fall Wardrobe Line up!

I know what you're thinking...Fall?! It's only August! This maybe true but G has way too many summer clothes and not enough cutsie fall clothes. Plus, I've been drooling over all the fall fabric that's been coming out! I need a reason to buy some! So low and behold- here is my list of 'must-do' fall clothes for G's wardrobe. (To be honest, I'll be lucky if I get half of these done ;-) )


Military Lace Top- how adorable would this be as a tunic with leggings?!
Asymmetrical Cropped Jacket - because you can never have too many jackets in the fall!
Inspired by Boy Sweatshirt (only with long sleeves)


Craftiness is not Optional: Flora & Fauna Tee
HoneyBear Lane: Sweater Updo I need to thrift a sweater to upcycle!
RefugeeCrafter: Rae Shirt This would be adorable in one of the new fall fabrics!
SewTogether: Tab Tunic Shirt I purchased G about 7 long sleeved tees when they went on clearance, 
here's one of the ways I plan to use them!
KiKiCreates: Dress into a Jacket
SewingforScarlett: Dancer Tee
The Quilted Vest-I'm on the fence about this one...
Made: Lined Pants 
HappyTogether: Mini Me Cardigan
LeafyTreetop: Toddler Slippers - perfect for our wood floors! if she keeps them on....
Madeline's Tunic
From Ruffles & Stuff- Ruffle Necklace Waffle Tee
Made By Rae: Square Neck Top
Adventures in Dressmaking: Knit Bow Top

Long Sleeve Tee into a Ruffled Dress: Using up those long sleeve tees again!

And I may even buy a pattern or two from Heidi & Finn
Yoga Suit This looks so comfy, I want one for me!
(can you tell I LOVE Heidi & Finn patterns?)

And lastly...a few easy projects for ME!
Behind the Seams: Wrap (no sewing needed!)
At Second Street: Drape Cardigan

Phew-that is a TON of clothes I plan on making...who wants to start taking bets
on how many I'll actually get done?

Please share your favorite fall patterns/tutorials and share the outfits you make!!!

Monday, August 8, 2011

Every seamstresses dream...

is to come across boxes full of sewing goods that you get for dirt cheap. 

Well, that's been my dream at least. And this weekend, it happened! A girl my hubby went
to school with talked to me on Facebook because her mother-in-law was wanting to get
rid of some sewing/crocheting items. I told her I'd stop by and take a look. Never did I dream
of what I'd come across! A dresser full of vintage buttons, trimmings, ric rac, thread and 
items I didn't even know how to use! She also had a box full of vintage pillowcases
and crocheted items. She said I could take it all for $40. Heck YES! I was oh.so.excited. 

I packed up 1 box and 3 large paper shopping bags full of my goodies. Once we got home I began
to sort them.....

Just a few of the vintage items. The top left box is a roll of elastic,
which is still good!


Ric Rac and bias tape...again there's another box of this too!

That's a 11 quart tub of thread; and I still had another small box of more!
Plus millions of vintage buttons-LOVE!


That is just some of the stuff I got. I don't know for sure the dates but alot of the thread 
and rick rack was priced at 10cents! 


Stay tuned for posts on what I made with my finds!!! 

Saturday, August 6, 2011

T-shirt Upcyle

A friend of mine from our playgroup gave me a box full of plain colored knit tees 
to upcycle into something amazing. I was so excited! 

There were a few plain white tees in there that looked a little 'dingy'
(we all know we have them...the white tee that turned off-white
from spit up stains or has arm pit stains from chasing around
our kids in the backyard...ya I'm sure you have them too!)
I almost threw them out when I realized I could make a scarf out of them,
and then dye it an amazing color!


 
I took two old white tees that were about the same size. I cut off the bottom portion
(from the arm pit down). I cut along one side seam on each shirt and then sewed
the to shirts together-length wise to make one long piece of fabric.

Next I filled a pot with teal Rit Dye and placed the whole scarf in the pot.
After about 5 minutes I took out one end the scarf and continued taking more the scarf
out every 5 minutes until the whole scarf was out of the water. This caused a gradual difference in
color from dark teal to light teal! I like how it turned out, a cheap and easy way to dress up an outfit!



(You can't really tell the difference in color in this pic. The more it dried, the lighter the colors got...)


I also cut and knotted the ends to add some flare :-)

You could easily make an infenity scarf by just cutting off the bottom of a tee and 
dying it. No sewing needed!! I'm going to try that next....

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Upcycled Sweater to a Cardigan Mini

A friend of mine gave me a great bag of old clothes to upcycle! I am so excited...free knits and sweaters! Heck yes! 

I used a cardigan that fit G for the template/pattern to make her new sweater. The redish (it's actually
hot pink) sweater was the one I upcycled.

Here's the done product! It was SO quick and easy. I'm not in love with it, but 
I think it will be cute this winter with some skinny jeans. 

I'm thinking about shortening it a few inches. A friend of mine says to keep it long, 
your thoughts?

Sorry, no tutorial. But I may try another one soon and I'll attempt
a tutorial then!