Rain Coats for the girls

I've caught on the raincoat sewing when I saw the cute raincoat by Jessica from Me Sew Crazy. Her tutorial at the Riley Blake Designs blog is so inspiring and simple to follow.

So, when I saw these colorful and cute raincoat fabric at Spotlight few weeks ago, I decided to pick up 3m to sew up 2 for my girls.  Nowadays, it's 2 or none for the girls. I chose the pink with red rain boots from the other available prints because it's so fitting for a raincoat don't you think?

I followed quite closely to the tutorial by tracing one of her existing jackets. Make the hood super big and the bodice wider and longer cause she will be wearing her normal clothes inside.  The sleeves are also very much longer so I can fold over to reveal the red polka dots lining. I use cotton for the insides which I also got from spotlight. The red dots matches the rain boots print on the outside.

I used the fabric cover button kit that I got from Daiso for this raincoat. The size is much bigger and it really looks cute. I only made one.

Sewing with the raincoat fabric was quite a challenge in the beginning. My machine don't like the texture so I got a lot of skipped stitches in the beginning. Changed my needles to various types and finally used the smaller size needles and it was quite okay. But when sewing through the layers, I use the thicker needles to go through the layers. Just test on scraps before you start cause the material is not forgiving and the needle holes will be permanent once you sewn over.

Some goofy photos of my girls wearing her new coat. She was very happy with it.

It was quite easy if your machine cooperates but the effort is worth it when I see her wearing it.  It took me a few nights sewing to make the 2, faster if my skipped stitch problem could resolve earlier.

I've not been sewing a lot these few days, busy with work and all. Have actually cut up the fabric to make another Iris shorts and 2 jackets for my girls. Just can't find the time to sew. Let's see if I can squeeze in some sewing to share on the blog..

Today is Singapore Independence Day or we called it National Day. Just watch the parade and mass display on TV.  The fireworks are awesome. It always moved my hearts when I hear the songs.

Happy National Day, Singapore!

Double Ruffles Bib Dress

I had in mind to make a dress from this pretty cotton that I got from Spotlight sometime ago. It had pink stripes and cute rose print on it. Very vintage feel. It was love at first sight but I didn't know if the print is too loud for me so had kept it. 

My girl saw the fabric and decided that she wants it. We look through the Japanese sewing book and she picked this one out. One of my favorite.

The dress was a straight dress with a double ruffles details on the bib. The bib was on both the front and back. I use the fabric covered button for the back.

It also has the option of a wrap skirt.

So you can wear the wrap skirt and it looks like a gathered skirt!

Little sister just want to be part of the photo shoot. You will recognize her pink ruffle dress.

So, I'll leave you with the little sister with her pink dress!

Pillow Case Dresses with Lace

I realized that my pillowcase dress was pin quite a bit at Pinterest. So, recently I saw this set of pillowcase and sheet from Ikea in bright pink gingham and thought I could make another one for my girls.

Actually I made 2 since the set came with 2 pillowcases. I made both the same as a matchy sisters outfit but decided to add a little difference at the hem. The first one has lace ruffles at the hem.

The second dress has ruffles made from the same pillowcase fabric.

Want to try making one?

Material
Pillowase
Lace
Grosgrain ribbon

Measure your kid to see how long you want your dress. Don't have to be exact for the chest since it will be gathered with the ribbon.

1. I fold the pillow in half and cut a J shape to make the armhole as well as cut the tapered line from armhole to the hem of the skirt.  See my other tutorial.  I didn't cut off the top portion unlike my previous tutorial as I need this part to fold over as a casing for the ribbon.

2. After you have cut the pieces, sew the 2 side seams together, Right Side facing. Serge or zig zag over the seams.

3. Fold over 1/4" at the armhole to the wrong side and then fold again to make a narrow seams. Sew.

4. Then, fold 1/4" of the top portion to the wrong side and sew. Fold over about 2" again to make the casing. Sew close to the bottom edge. Just make sure that your casing is big enough for you to insert the ribbon.  Do the same for the back ribbon casing.

5. At the front, I pin a stripe of lace just beneath the casing. Fold and sew the raw edge of the lace in so that it don't fray.

Sew carefully, make sure don't sew over the casing.

6a. For the hem of the first dress, I use the same lace and serge the upper raw edge using a narrow hem stitch.

see the narrow stitch hem on the top

Then, I use the longest stitch and higher tension on my sewing machine and sew 1/2" from the edge. It will automatically gather the lace.

7a. Attach the lace to the hem and sew along the same gathered stitch. Oh, you have to serge or zig zag the dress hem so that it doesn't fray.  After you have sewn the lace, remove the basting/gathering stitch.

6b. Or if you prefer using the same fabric, just cut a long stripe from the same fabric, about 1.5 times longer than your hem width and 2" width.  Serge the top and bottom of the stripe. Then using the same method above and gather your stripe into a long ruffles.

6b. Pin and sew the ruffle to the hem of your dress. Insert the ribbon and you are done!

For my 2 year old, I use 32" long grosgrain ribbon and for my 7 year old, I use about 52" long. I fold the ends of the ribbon twice and sew the raw edge down. 

Time to enjoy the dress.  My older girl has yet to wear it but my younger one looks so cute in it.