Hanger hamper and T-shirt dresses

Now that we are getting more sun, am able to hang my washing on the line.  I love the sunshine! but I'm slightly getting fed up of looking at my hangers strewn on the bedroom floor, broken or tangled.  So I hit pinterest for inspiration and  I found this:

   I thought I'd make one but it's harder than I thought because I don't have anything sturdy for the sides.  I ended up with a flimsy bag but it doesn't matter at least my hangers will have it's own place.  Made a bag for my square pegs too.  Used an ikea fabric.










I'm feeling a bit under the weather at the moment but still have the energy to do some sewing.  An old T-shirt of hubby turned into a little dress for DD.

 

DD requested pockets so I did 2, only to be told she only wanted 1!

 

Looking a little plain on top half so I added a heart  and a little heart to cover a stain.

My neckline is a little wide.

 

This dress was bought in the CS, it's only from Primani...lol but I love the prints! 

It is too big for DD.  I cut the bottom half.

 

 Looked for a top, 2-3yrs but quite stretchy and cut it in half, cut the sleeves too because it was long-sleeved.

Turned it into a t-shirt dress.

Great for twirling!

 

She wore it to the park today and a friend of mine immediately recognised that it's one of my homemade dresses...lol... One day I hope they won't be able to tell :)

Painted dining table and chairs

Finally finished painting the table and chairs.  I didn't plan to paint the table top but there was too much sanding to do and I didn't have the patience.  It's too white! but never mind.  The carpet still needs changing and I'm hoping to find a rug to go under but for now I'm finished painting.
Ooops, the middle bit for extending still needs painting.

The before pic isn't mine but very similar with the same chair covers too.

Flutter sleeves shirred dresses

These are my 4th and 5th shirred dresses they are lovely at the front but the stitches at the back doesn't seem to be right. The threads are too loose although my machine tension is set to 9 the highest.  The patchwork fabric is from Dunelm and I'm hoping it will fit my friends just turned 5yr old DD.  2 extremes with these 2 flutter sleeves.  One day I'll get it right.

 Do you know these shirred dresses can be worn as a skirt / maxi skirt too.  Easy and versatile!

 

Lunch bag for the teachers

It's nearly the end of school year and I have been thinking of what I can give as a thank you present for the teachers at the nursery where DD goes.  She only started January but she's happy there and the teachers are lovely.

I saw this lunch bag tutorial and I had a go.  It took me a while as I only do a  bit at a time at night before bedtime and there was too many pieces.  Luckily I made a pattern so I can make the other 2 a bit quicker.  It is so cute! I want to keep it :) They are made from tea towels I bought from Wilko in the sale.   I came back if they had more of them but they have the new range which aren't as pretty.  I found some more from Asda and Aldi today.  They are thick cotton and I don't think I'll be able to find similar fabric so the tea towels are my best option.

 

*Table update - Am onto my last top coat. And now DH said to get rid of the table and chairs. I don't think so! Let me enjoy it first :)

Next project is a Tudor outfit of DS for the school parade at the end of the month. But I am shirring another dress made from a fabric bought from Dunelm £5.99 / m. I normally get fabric for £1 / m in the Asian shop so this was a big purchase for me but it's worth it cos it's' beautiful! I can see me addicted buying fabrics.  I plan to give this dress to a friend's daughter from school who passed me a few school dresses for DD when she starts in Sept. 

Sewing dresses - shirring & pillowcase

The clothes I was going to show off are the ones I made for DD few days ago.  I am so happy I can now sew something that is good enough to wear :)

First, is this dress using a pillow case dress tutorial.  I am not good at explaining instructions but there are plenty of great tutorials out there.  I had this fabric for a long time.  I used to know a lovely old lady who is an experienced sewer and bought a load of fabric for her to make me some dresses.  She made some lovely maxi dresses but there are not now to my taste so I pass them to to my niece who is growing like a weed.  Getting taller everyday.  At first I thought it was a little short so I added another piece of fabric I used for the ribbon.  I made some mistakes, like sewing the ribbons on the wrong side and making the 'J' armhole a little big.  It would be ok but I have a skinny minnie DD.  I didn't like showing her bare arms too much.

 Shirred dresses - this is the first time I tried shirring and I love the result. So much that I made 2 dresses to give to DD's friends. One of them wore it at pick-up time at school and she looked so cute!
The first one I did was the checked in the middle, I went back to get some more of this fabric but they've all gone. Lovely and light fabric. The purple striped is cotton but a little thicker. 

 

 

 She wears it with the tights-turned leggings.

I made another of the purple striped with different straps.  Tried straps with flutter but it's harder to adjust the fit.  I kept unpicking it.  I think next time I will put elastic inside the straps so it will be snug on the shoulder instead of keeps falling off.  Photo to follow.

3rd - playsuit.  This took me all day! but it is easy once you made one. I was being very careful following every step of the tutorial but made a simple band on the chest instead of pleats on the tutorial. DD doesn't want to wear it though because it isn't a dress! I love the fabric and I may make myself a top.  I bought 2 meters, you have to when it's only 66p / m! I might buy some more next time.

4th -  This skirt is actually the very first one I made. It is made from left over fabric from a Next double duvet cover turned single.  This is the bottom of the bed and it's too pretty so I thought it would make a lovely skirt. The back and front are different panels so it's actually reversible...lol...it may look odd but DD likes it :) At first I just fold over the top of the fabric for the elastics but then it was too bulky on the waist so I unpicked it and made a waistband which is better.

I am happy to report that the table has had it's first coat of zinsser bin.  I tried sanding it with an electric sander but the wood isn't getting lighter.  I was planning a bare wood top and waxing / varnishing.  Now it will all be painted to match the chairs.  DH has acquired some great looking table tops LA shop was getting rid of them, slight fault / cracking.  I must show you some photos.

Hooked in sewing...liner and pvc bag

I am not getting anywhere with painting my table but I haven't given up yet.  I have been sanded and sugarsoaped it but will need wiping again.  Hopefully I can slap on a 1st coat of primer this weekend.  There you go, it's in writing, so I have to do it! 

 

But meanwhile, I have been busy with my sewing machine and made a new padded liner for DD's puschair, she hardly use anymore.  Made my own bias binding and finished it off by hand sewing.  It looked so much neater! Am so pleased.  It's reversible with very soft fleece and cotton curtain.

          

A cute little pvc bag from this tutorial  http://www.makeit-loveit.com/2011/12/clear-toy-storage-bags-with-drawstring-closure.html

I have some clothes I'd like to show off in my next post.