DIYourself Skirts & Dresses!

I've been paroosing the web for some fresh idea's for making skirts and dresses your way. Here is what I found...

Better Homes and Gardens  shows you how to make this super cute Circle skirt:

Sew a Straight Line gives an amazingly easy, I must make this skirt now, tutorial for a Domesticated Skirt!

Your Style Rocks (why, thank you!) has a free downloadable pattern for this fantastic dress:

Elle Apparel created an easy-peasy winter shirt-dress tutorial I can't wait to make!

Do you sew? Do you have a blog that has your sewing creations?

Don't be shy...share it with the rest of us!

I'm linking up with Stay at Home Daughter today, where others are sharing posts all about modesty! Will you join us?

You sew, girl!

Hi Friends...

So it seems like forever has passed since I posted a post, but here I am!

A few weeks back, when I posted my Wardrobe Wednesday highlighting my girls, I began thinking...

There are very limited resources out there for dressing our girls modestly. I know we can all shop thrift stores, yard sales and consignment stores but what about department stores?

Don't think so.

Recently, The Modest Mom posted on her Facebook page just how difficult it is to find good quality, dresses that are long enough for her girls. I find this a problem as well. I have to purchase a dress size larger than my girls really are just to make sure the hem length is long enough, but everywhere else, the dress hangs like a sheet...or a curtain...or a flour sack. (You get it.)

Before I give you some ideas on how to fix this problem, let's think a bit more about the why. Why is it so difficult to buy clothes that are decent without making us look frumpy or breaking the bank?

The answer is simple.

The enemy is ahead.

He would find no greater satisfaction in defiling and demoralizing the next generation of women.

In the Monstrous Regiment of Women, Stacy McDonald makes a great point as to what our clothing says to the world. I'll para-phrase here, but she states that when you see someone in uniform, you know their job. Police officer, mailman, chef, etc. When you see a pregnant woman's belly you know she is pregnant.

I will go further...when you see a woman wearing a burqa or hijabs, more than likely she is a Muslim. I live in an area with a large Mennonite community. When I see a Mennonite woman, there is no doubt that she is a Mennonite from her head-covering and cape-style dress.

As Christians our clothing needs to say to the world, I am female and I celebrate and thank the Lord for creating me this way.

As Christians we also need to say to the world, I am not like the world. I am virtuous, meek and pure of heart and body.

Ladies we are in this together. We are like a mini revolution of women who are living counter to what our culture says by fighting a silent battle. Our "weapons" are the clothes we wear. Dressing modestly is our armour, so to speak to shield the enemy. We are examples to our children and our grandchildren. They are going to have an even more difficult battle to face as our culture increasingly lives for self and denies the Lord.

So how do we fix it?

"She makes tapestry for herself, Her clothing is fine linen and purple."~Proverbs 31:22

We sew.

And Pray.

We need to sew for our girls!

Below I'll list some links to making super cute dresses, but I know there are some of you who have know idea how to thread a needle, let alone use a sewing machine.

Don't fret! You can learn!

You can go here for simple and easy lessons FOR FREE!

Or you can go here if you would like to purchase a curriculum. (Great for the whole family and can be used multi-generationally)

You can't afford a machine?

(sing this in the Car 54 Where Are You? tune...) Titus 2 where are you?

Start a sewing group in your home or church. Gather the older women along with the younger ladies and start learning or teaching using eachother's machines!

OK, here are the super cute links I was telling you about...

Just Deana shows you how to make a really sweet t-shirt dress.

Ashley at Make It and Love It  has another idea on the t-shirt dress! Remember to think outside the box! These dresses are fabulous for summer. Come winter, instead of a t-shirt, use a turtle neck or long-sleeve t-shirt!

This next idea is so brilliant, I can't wait to make some for my girls! Whimsy Couture will show you how to take a women's 3/4 length t-shirt and re-create it into a skirt with leggings for a little girl!

Made is my new favorite site. In fact, I'm going to make the potato, broccoli and bacon soup for dinner tonight! (drool)

Anyway, back to sewing! Dana shows you how to make an heirloom skirt using vintage lace and scarves!

If you are not in a place or season of life to sew, here are a few links for purchasing darling dresses for your girls at reasonable prices!

The Play Dress

Joyfully Sewn Designs

April Cornell

Wardrobe Wednesday~Summer #3

Happy Wednesday Friends!

Since Ive been talking about sewing this week, I wanted to share with you some of my own summer creations!

The first two skirts shown I drafted myself using the book  "Sew What Skirts."

I took an idea from the book but made it to fit my style. I'm not a fan of the A-line skirt because for me, I look and feel like a giant bell. This skirt is a little bit A-line with a little bit Pencil Skirt. The bottom trim is actually from a pillow case! (Remember to think outside the box when looking for deals, trims and fabrics!)

This next skirt was patterned for a bottom tier. I took that idea and replaced it with a ruffled hem where the tier should have been.

Believe it or not I just whipped this skirt up yesterday!

The West Ladies created a tiered skirt in their DVD "The Art of Sewing" that seemed very simple to make and believe me it was! If you don't count the two diaper changes, three peanut butter & jelly sandwiches I made, the one "owee" that needed kissing and the one "Mommy will you read this to me?" story, I completed this skirt in about an hour!

Be sure to stop by tomorrow! I have some super fun videos in store!

Sewing Helps

Today is all about helpful tips and ideas for sewing!

I began sewing when I was about seven years old. I was raised by a single mom who had a crafty heart and a small budget. She taught my sister and I arts & crafts so we could use our talents to create gifts instead of buying them. I'm very grateful for the time she invested in teaching me to sew. I tell my daughter the story of when I learned to sew and now she can hardly wait until she is seven to begin her own craft adventures!

I want to discuss with you first, a few terms that are familiar to most but because I love history, I couldn't help myself in sharing!

A custom clothier makes custom garments one at a time, to order, to meet an individual customer's needs and preferences.

A custom dressmaker specializes in women's custom apparel, including day dresses, career-wear, suits, evening or bridal wear, sportswear, or lingerie.

A tailor makes custom menswear-style jackets and the trousers or skirts that go with them, for men or women.

A cutter cuts out, from lengths of cloth, the panels that make up a suit.

An alterations specialist, adjusts the fit of completed garments, usually ready-to-wear, or restyles them.

Designers conceive combinations of line, proportion, color, and texture for intended garments.

Pattern Makers flat draft the shapes and sizes of the numerous pieces of a garment by hand, using paper and measuring tools or by computer using AutoCAD based software, or by draping muslin onto a dress-form.

A seamstress is someone who sews seams or a machine operator in a factory who may not have the skills to make garments 'from scratch' or to fit them onto a real body.

Most tailors in history were men, not women as most suits were "tailored" to fit men! Suits and dresses were custom made, not factory sewn until about the mid 1800's!

Sewing Factory c. 1960

Ok...on to sewing!

Here are a few books that I own and love to use as references if I have sewing troubles, frustrations or questions:

Even though there are hundreds of machines to choose from, Me and My Sewing Machine gives you the basics on how to use your machine and has trouble shooting advice should there be an issue. My biggest problem when I sew is that the tension of the machine is not set correctly!

I LOVE this book! I first saw this book at our local library and checked it out maybe three or four times before my husband finally suggested I buy it! This book is littered with so much helpful advice and sewing terms I'm thinking of purchasing a few for my daughters so they can have a copy too!

Amazon carries a book titled, "Sew What Skirts" and I tried to copy a picture but failed to do so. "Sew What Skirts" gives you step by step instructions on drafting you own patterns. If you decide to start drafting your own patterns, I would like to suggest you use Frezzer paper. it comes by the roll and is about $5 per box!

I also own "Homestead Blessings, the Art of Sewing."

If you haven't heard of the West ladies, you are missing out. These homesteading ladies have a way about them that makes you feel welcomed right into their home! They are so sweet and resourceful! Without breaking any copy-right laws, I can share with you a couple tips I learned from watching their DVD:

~ Use un-common fabrics for sewing. For example, I have a yellow gingham, flat queen sheet I plan on using to sew dresses for my girls! Lot's of fabric for not a lot of money!

~When shopping at thrift stores or yard sales, look for pillows, sheets and pillow cases for lacy trim. You can save a ton of money this way!

~If you plan on using a pattern more than once, instead of using the tissue the pattern is made from, trace your tissue pattern onto real fabric for extended use. This way the tissue won't get torn and tattered!

If you are new to sewing, Fav Crafts has a free e-book especially for you!

Free Needle is also a fabulous place to start your sewing adventures.

Copy-Cat Crafts is another favorite of mine. They have all sorts of copy-cat idea's for sewing and creating look-a-likes from Anthropologie and other high-end retailers.

MADE is sooo much fun! This site has tutorials in all categories, even yummy recipes that will make you drool!

(Hello delicious carrot cake!)

Don't forget to stop by tomorrow for Wardrobe Wednesday where I'll share one of my favorite, handmade skirts with you!

Where I Sew

Hello Ladies! This week I'm going to *talk* about sewing. Where I sew, when I sew, frustrations, patterns and a whole gaggle of tips and idea's!

I would love to welcome to my sewing room!

I love my little sewing sewing corner!

When I sit down to sew, I have in front of me a cork board I filled with lovely pictures and spaces to get my creative juices flowing! For instance a layout of our property and dream house, shabby furnishings, vintage linens, (my weakness) and pretty tea cups!

My husband and I have a vision of owning our own property where we can do what we please as far as how big our garden is and how many animals we can raise. (Right now we are renting.) I also have a dream for my girls and I to one day open our own "Tea Cottage" where we can host tea parties for bridal and baby showers, birthdays, Mothers Day brunches and elegant parties in general. My ideal would be to have our tea cottage nestled amongst our property!

You may be thinking... "So where is your sewing inspiration?"

On my sewing table I have my "Sewing Notebook."

I collect different tear-outs of magazines or catalogues that I hope to re-create myself and place them inside for a "scrapbook" style notebook.

I love this skirt and jacket combo!

My husband likes the tiered look of skirts so I'm looking for a similar pattern to this one I found at Anthropologie.

LOVE. LOVE. LOVE THIS SKIRT!

Sometimes I'll take my notebook along when I'm shopping for fabric or patterns to help remind me of what I'm looking for!

For safe keeping, I can use the inside pocket of the binder to hold e-patterns I download and print.

Have you had a chance to look through my "Fabric & Patterns" tab?

Contempory Cloth, Sew Mama Sew and Fashionable Fabrics are just a few of my favorites!

I have several companies listed that carry unique fabrics so have fun looking and be inspired too!

DIY

Here are some lovely DIY's I found I think you'll enjoy!

Remember my Garden Inspiration post? At The House of Smiths, you can learn how to make your own, amazingly easy fabric flower! You can add these flowers to anything! Purses, headbands, cardigans, you name it!

Quinn at Reformation Acres gives very simple instructions on how to make a "Gathering" Apron. Perfect for fellow homesteaders!

You can learn how to to make a skirt from a t-shirt from Melissa at Sew Like Mom.

If you can find a men's business shirt, Dana Made It will teach you how to make a darling dress for a little girl.

Do you have your own DIY idea to share? Send me an email!

Have fun creating!