Tulle Little Red Riding Hood Costume (Mini Tutorial)

For the last few years I tried to get my act together in time to make Halloween costumes, but it never happened.  I told myself this year was going to be the year...no more excuses!

I looked in the stores for inspiration and I didn't see anything that caught my eye.  My son ended up spotting an Optimus Prime costume that he wanted so I bought his costume instead of making him one.  I felt bad about not making him something so I bought Transformer fabric and made him a Trick-or-Treat bag using Harts Fabric tutorial.  Sadly I had to omit the reflective tape because I had directional print and the width would require more than the yard I had in my stash.

I still had no idea what to make for my daughter...all I knew was that I didn't want to make something that required a lot of pattern pieces or sewing.  After perusing Pinterest I found a few cute tulle costumes that looked quick and easy to make.  It was a difficult deciding which tulle costume, but after consulting with the critics (my daughter and my husband) it was decided that I would make a Little Red Riding Hood costume.    

If you want to make your own Little Red Riding Hood Costume, here's my quick mini tutorial:

Supplies:

• Craft Scissors
• Measuring tape
• White and Red Thread
• White Crochet Headband (sold at Joann's)
• Red Crochet Headband (sold by the yard at Joann's)
• 15" inches of Black Ruffle trim (sold by the yard at Joann's)
• 6" inch wide red tulle on a roll (I purchased 100 yards online)
• 6" inch wide white tulle on a roll ( I purchased 100 yards online, however you probably need less than 25)

I used McCall's M6187 pattern for the cape, but I only purchased the main fabric and used bias tape instead of adding a lining.  If you don't want to buy a pattern, you can check out these great tutorial on how to make your own cape: 

• Half Circle Cape
• No Sew Cape
• 3/4 Circle Cape
• Unlined Half Circle Cape

Instructions:

To get started on your own tulle costume, measure your child's chest.  My 2 year old measured 20" inches so I subtracted 2" inches from that to make the tube 18" inches.  I thought 4" inches of white in the middle would be proportional for the center, however in retrospect I should have only made it 3"-3.5" inches.  The white section was cut from a single crochet bandeau (meant to be a tube top) so I used it's height (6" inches) to dictate the height of the entire bodice.  To create the red portion of the bodice I sewed 4 rows of the red headband to make the height 6" inches.  Once the red headbands were sewn together, I attached the two ends to the white center to complete the bodice.  I added the black trim after I finish the skirt but I wouldn't recommend doing that because it was difficult to sew with the poofy tulle in the way.  

Next, measure for the length.  Since my bodice was 6"inches, I subtracted that from the total length to get the length of the tulle bottom.  I wanted my dress longer (ankle length) in case it was chilly on Halloween.  In order to achieve the length I wanted I needed my tulle to be 18" long, which means I had to cut my tulle to be 36" inches long.  

I started looping the red tulle on the bottom row of the bodice and went all the way around.  For the second row I filled in the gaps and built the volume of the skirt.  

For the apron I wanted it to be 13" inches in length, meaning I would have to cut my tulle 26" inches in length.  I made a single row of the white tulle in the white portion of the bodice, and I made sure that there wasn't any gaps or holes.

To make the cape I sorta used McCall's M6187.  I cut the hood using the pattern and I laid the cape pattern on the fabric and cut it as if I was making a circle skirt.  The pattern calls for lining and pleats in the hood but I omitted them.  

Instead of using a pleat, I slightly gathered the cape to match the size of the hood then attached the two and covered the seam with bias tape.  As for the back seam I also used bias tape to cover the edge of the fabric.  I topstitched the bias tape down, sewing on the outside of the cape.

For the tie I used white ribbon from my ribbon scraps. 

To make the hem I used my rolled hem foot...it gave the hem a nice finish and saved me a lot of time!  If you don't own a rolled hem foot, I highly recommend buying one.

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Have a Happy and Safe Halloween!!!

Project of the Moment

Wow, so it took me a while to get this skirt done...I just didn't have time to sew.  As you remember, I never made a dress for my cousin's daughter (whose birthday was back in February) because it came out too small.  Instead of a dress I decided to make her one of the skirts I learned how to make in my sewing for kids class (you can read more about it here).  With this little skirt completed I'm finally starting to make the pants I was supposed to in week 2 of the class, although with summer around the corner I may shorten them.

Also, to match the skirt I made fabric rose hair accessories.  I think the gingham makes this skirt look very vintage.  

P.S. - I finished the baby shower gifts for baby Zach, yeah!  I made a flannel blanket with a decorative stitch along the edge, a satin trimmed fleece blanket and a bunting for the nursery.  I can't wait to meet the little man.  :)

Nik's Birthday Bunting and New Store Item

For the birthday party I made a bunting and painted "Happy Birthday!" on it using fabric paint. My original idea was to cut out small monsters and glue them to the bunting flags and paint on them, however in order to make that work the letters would need to be very small. I figured it would be best just to make a birthday bunting without monsters instead of trying to make my original idea with tiny unreadable letters.

Making the bunting was fun and after I finished Nik's birthday bunting I started making a few more for gifts and for our house when I thought to myself, "This is so much fun!  I really enjoy making these." 

So, if you're interested in a custom bunting please contact me at happilybyash (at) gmail (dot ) com.  Bunting prices will start at $15 (depending on the fabric and size) and I will also be creating a listing for my Etsy store sometime in the future, most likely once I finish the ones I'm currently making...I'll be sure to announce when the listing is up.

Falling Behind

Remember that class I told you I was taking?  Well I'm falling behind!  I was able to keep up the first week when I completed a skirt and then made one of the pattern variations, seen here.  However with all the last minute party things for Nik's party and invitations to parties and baby showers, I'm starting to fall behind.

Ok, ok....you can't really fall behind in this class because the material will be up for me to use until July but I feel like I'm behind because I didn't start the pants or the shirt yet and those are going to be big projects for me because I've never attempted to make them in child sizes before and it just looks daunting.  I did watch the videos and she makes it look easy so I have faith in myself and my abilities to sew pants and a shirt.

Right now I'm working on a present for baby Zach who will be joining us soon.  Things are looking good so far, just need to finish up the a few things here and there ASAP so I can work on the bunting I planned to use for our family pictures. 

p.s. - I can't read a calendar because I just realized I have 2 weeks to until the pictures and the baby shower.  I guess that means I should also try to catch up on my class and make some baby pants!

Owl Elbow Patch Tutorial

I'm guest posting today at The DIY Mommy and I'm showing you how to make Owl Elbow patches like this guy:

To view my tutorial click here.

What's a girl to do?

I have become obsessed with the emerald/hunter/dark green color that I first saw at Zara.  I can't get enough of it and I just bought some velour fabric from JoAnn's that was half off.  Now comes the tough part....what to do with it....

I love skirts because they help hide my mommy pounds so I'm definitely going to make a skirt, but I can't decide on the style.  I could just make it like the skirt I bought myself for my birthday:

Skirt (see more velvet skirts)

Or I could make a skirt like one of these:

Rachel Antonoff skirt (see more velvet skirts)

Vivienne Westwood Red Label mini skirt (see more mini skirts)

Vivienne Westwood mini skirt (see more costume skirts)

RED Valentino skirt (see more gathered skirts)

Mini skirt (see more pleated mini skirts)

Any suggestions or votes?

Vera Wang Inspired Tulle Trim Cardigan Tutorial (Valentine's Day Themed)

I saw this Simply Vera by Vera Wang cardigan at Kohl's and thought it was super cute but way over priced at $64.  I thought about making one for myself but I really didn't want to go and use one of my cardigans and upcycle it so I decided to make a mini version for my friend's little girl.

Here's what you need to get started on your own or one for your mini me:

Supplies:

1. A Cardigan (old or new)
2. Tulle (4" for a child and 6" for an adult), the length of the tulle off the bolt should be plenty to go around the bottom band of the cardigan
3. Ribbon for the inside of the cardigan (make sure the width is not larger than the seam of the bottom band), you will need the length of the bottom band plus 3" extra
4. Rotary cutter and mat or scissors (unless the fabric store cut the tulle evenly, lucky you!)
5. Thread to match the color of the cardigan (I am using invisible thread)
6. Hand sewing needle

Instructions: 

1.  Cut and trim your tulle so that it is even.

2.  Take your hand sewing needle and start a gathering stitch for the tulle.  Once you have sewn the gathering stitch and the tulle is the length you need, tie off the thread with a knot (you can cut the gathering stitch once you have sewn down your gathers to the cardigan).

3.  Pin down the gathered tulle to the cardigan, keeping the top of the tulle close to the existing seam of the cardigan.

4.  Take your ribbon and lay it over the top of the gathering stitch at the top of the tulle.  Leave the extra length on the ends of the ribbon so you can fold it over and sew it down (to prevent the ribbon from fraying).  Pin it all in place. Placing the ribbon over the edge of the tulle will prevent it from rubbing against you while you wear the cardigan.  

5.  After you have everything pinned down you can start sewing your ribbon.  At this point you can cut the gathering stitch.  Begin sewing the bottom part of your ribbon and sew as close as you can to the existing seam.  If your cardigan is stretchy, you will want to pull it a little as you sew.  This will help preserve the stretch.  

  

6.  As you sew the top of the ribbon, remove your pins.  (The owl ribbon ended up being too wide for my project so I had to use a thinner ribbon, tragic!)

That's it, you're done!

I decided to add a little flair and make heart shaped felt elbow patches since the cardigan is Valentine's Day colors.

(Hopefully I will have time to write a tutorial to show you how I made these elbow patches)

I'd love to see pics of your creations :)  Feel free to share the links in the comment section! If you have questions leave me a comment or send me an email.

Project Run and Play Pattern Remix

I adore Project Runway, it's one of the few shows that my husband actually likes to watch with me.  I find it funny when he critiques the designers, "That's hideous, gross."  We both have very different tastes.

While reading one of the blogs I follow I discovered Project Run and Play, I thought it was a cute idea, especially because I need to start sewing things for my little man (I feel so bad that I haven't made him any clothes like I had hoped to do).  This "season" on Project Run and Play they are hosting audience contests, so the folks at home can sew along and win prizes.  For week 1 the challenge is pattern remix, here is the original pattern:

My remix:

New Skirt Preview

Here's a sneak peek at my latest creation, available soon in my Etsy store: My Happily Ever After

I'm dreaming...

of a handmade Christmas!

After buying tons of baby stuff and a new wardrobe this year, I'm a little tight on cash.  Good news is that we won't have to buy that stuff again because I'm saving it for next time ;)  Anyway, since I like crafting I thought I would buy a few things and also make some gifts.  It's the thought that counts, right?  rriiiiggghhhtt?? 

So far this is my list of things to make before Christmas:

1. Flannel Baby Blanket, Changing Pad and Burping Cloths (maybe with a matching ornament)
2. Christmas Tree Skirt
3. Infinity Scarves
4. Travel Bag for Shoes
5. Snowman Ornament
6. Stuffed Doll
7. Sugar Cookies (5 dozen)

Now that I wrote everything out it seems like a lot of stuff.  I'm almost done with the baby gifts and a lot of the other things can be finished in 30 mins or less...so hopefully I'll get it all done!  I'll post my creations as I complete them for you all to see.  :)

Quick and Easy Tablecloth Tutorial (Rectangular Table)

This is a very easy project, perfect for any beginner! It makes an excellent gift for Christmas, house warmings, etc.  It's the perfect thing for newlyweds like me...okay, okay, I'm not THAT newlywed...it's been over a year.

My Nana gave me two yards of Christmas fabric that she had stashed away for 6 years and said maybe I could make something with it. I loved the festive plaid print and I thought it would make a great Christmas tree skirt. I let it sit in my project pile for a few days and then Nana mentioned that she had measured the fabric and it was the same size as my table (light bulb!).

Since the fabric is the exact size as my table I really didn't have too much to work with. I could have bought coordinating fabric and made a ruffle or something to hang over the edge but that would require too much time and effort for me right now and I have a million other projects to complete...so...I took the lazy way out! Instead of adding fabric or hemming the fabric I bought bias tape and added it as trim to the table cloth (if I want to add a ruffle I can always do that some other time).

Here's what you'll need:

• Measuring Tape
• Bias Tape (Double Fold)
• Matching thread or contrasting (your choice)
• Pins
• Fabric (measure your table and figure out how big you want your tablecloth)
• Iron and Sewing Machine

Instructions:

Wash and iron your fabric

Trim uneven edges of fabric

Pin bias tape to the edge of the fabric (I recommend starting with one of the long side), be sure to put the shorter edge of the bias tape on the bottom of the fabric.  I suggest sewing one side at a time because you will have to fold the corners when the bias tape meets.

Once you have sewn down the first long side of the tablecloth you will have a little bias tape left over.  You can use the left over for one of the short sides however you will probably have to sew two pieces together to cover the short side.  If you don't like having two pieces instead of one then you can cut a piece that will fit perfectly (I used the left over to not waste the scraps). 

Pin and sew the other long side of the fabric.

Use your scraps or cut a new piece for one of your short ends.  Once you have pinned the bias tape to the edge of the fabric fold over 1/4" of the bias tape under itself at the corner to keep it from fraying.

Marvel at your work, you're done!

Wasn't that easy?  The most time consuming part for me was pinning everything, I was trying to keep the gold bias tape from fraying and snagging (metallic fabric is not forgiving).