Spring Top Submission: "Day to Date Night"

This is my 2nd submission for Spring Top week. It's kinda addicting! This top is different from my first submission "In Full Bloom" in that I didn't use a pattern! It's a little intimidating working from scratch and to be perfectly honest it's not at all what I intended, but I love it all the same:)

My thoughts behind the day/date night top are this...I often feel rushed getting the kids fed, bathed, and ready for bed before the babysitter gets here so I wanted a top that I could wear during the day and if need be turn it into something more appropriate for a date night. I used Anna Maria Horner's Little Folks fabric. This fabric and I have mentioned it in previous posts is so nice to work with. The day/date night top has elastic at the top and through the mid-section. I wanted something I could take off and on easily. The shoulder straps can easily be tucked into the shirt to give it a different look. The bottom of the shirt is serged using a rolled hem with yellow pearl crown thread. The belt and roses on the belt are also serged with the same thread. The belt is be fastened by a snap.

You can wear it by day...

and night!

Spring Top Submission: "In Full Bloom"

I am always up for a good challenge:) This will be the third one this year (Lil Blue Boo/Dharma Trading Co., Ruffles and Stuff and now Spring Tops) and I LOVE it! It really pushes me to explore my creativity and actually finish projects. So often I start something and don't finish. Does anyone else share that vice?

Spring Tops contest is a little different from the past two. I have to make something for myself!!! The only other thing I have made for myself is this. I have never actually made a piece of clothing for me until now! Truth be told...my kids look way cuter in clothes than I do and are much more fun to sew for. But without further ado...here it is...

I call it "In Full Bloom." Here is my journey in completing my first top for me!

I sat down...well, not really. I had both kids with me. I stood up and in between potty breaks and feedings I browsed through the pattern books at the store. There were a couple different ones I liked, but ended up choosing Simplicity 2601.

Things I loved about the look of the pattern...

Style -classic, simple, feminine and a tailored

Versatility-dress up and dress down...could be worn with a skirt, shorts, dress pants or jeans.

It also had several different options for sleeves and collars.

Then I was off to choose some material that I thought would compliment the style of the pattern. I chose a light weight 100% percent cotton for the main fabric and a swiss white dot fabric for some of the flowers, covered buttons and sash. I loved both the look and feel of the fabric. I was also looking for a fabric that I would want to wear through the hot/humid Florida summer. And it was 30% off...an added bonus!

Now, since I wasn't creating the shirt from scratch I needed to make it my own. I started thinking about what I love about a shirt and next to comfort it's definitely how it's embellished. Flowers, buttons, ruffles and sashes are four embellishments I used. I knew I wanted to incorporate these items into my shirt, but I didn't know exactly how. So I turned to my favorite store...Anthropology. I don't think there is one item of clothing that I wouldn't buy from that store...if I had unlimited funds that is, but I don't...so I use their clothes as an inspiration for my own. This, This and This were all inspirations for embellishing my shirt. I love a ruffled neckline, beautiful fabric flowers and a sash to define the waistline.

So...after I finished the basic pattern for the shirt I made the little flowers

I made "Yo Yo" flowers, little roses (I serged the edges of these first) and what I like to call "scrunch and sew" flowers. Not much to them. I just cut a circle scrunched it into a flower and sewed it to tack it in place. Then I wanted a little fray, but also wanted to contain it so I applied a little fray check to the edges of the flowers. In the center of two of the flowers are covered buttons. For the ruffle along the back of the neckline I used a scrap piece of fabric about 2 inches in width. I serged the sides with a rolled hem and then sewed a basting stitch down the center. I gathered, pinned, and sewed it into place. Voila!

I love it! It's comfortable and makes me feel pretty! And I think that's a big part of this contest. If I have time I may make a couple more spring tops! If you sew you should treat yourself too!

Thanks for hosting Rae! It's been fun focusing on me for a change!

Disney's JCrew Inspired Necklace Tutorial

So pretty, So easy and So affordable!

I was so excited when this arrived in the mail the other day!

Disney from Ruffles and Stuff posted this tutorial on how to make a necklace similar to this one at J Crew. And to make things even better her sister offered to sell kits at her shop for a $1.99 plus shipping...sign me up! This means I wouldn't have to drag two kids to the store to look for items I had never bought before. Now I was sure to make one! And I love how it turned out!

I have never made anything for myself and I have never made jewelry before. The tutorial was easy to follow and now I have a beautiful necklace for myself:) Thanks Disney!