DIY headband from fake dollar store flowers

I am so excited for my sister to get married soon! We are counting down the days till we get to go. And I need to make sure that we all have shoes, tights, and dresses ready to go for everyone. And sweaters because it's colder in Utah. So I made matching headbands for my two girls and my new niece who hopefully comes soon!!

I've always wondered how to make a good knockoff of those big fancy flower headbands without looking too cheap and this is what I came up with. I love em and the price is less than a dollar! 

My sisters colors are maroon and cream so I picked up some dark red/maroon flowers from the dollar store. One stem of roses and one stem of these other flowers on the left. I have no idea the name, maybe like a hydrangea? 

Then disassemble the flowers into single petals. The roses have the left three petals and the one on the right is the other flower. 

For each headband I used two of each type of petal, so eight total layers. Using my hot glue gun, I glued each layer on staggered and in order from biggest to smallest and then glued three pearls in the middle.

I attached them to a piece of knit elastic using two circles of felt to keep it in place and laying flat on the girls heads. This is the chart I use for head measurements. 

I'll have to post a picture at the wedding so you can see the whole ensemble but for now just the tutorial. 

Fall wreath

It's still dang hot here in California! At least it's getting down to the 60s for my running run with Aly. It's finally feeling like fall but no way am I going to be pulling out the sweaters or hot chocolate quite yet!

Rocking chair redo

It's been a while since I have posted on here. It took me forever and a half to do this project!!

My mom got this rocking chair for me at a yard sale in Idaho for $10 (I think).

I spent $9 for spray paint and $2 for fabric for the redo. 

First I sanded it, wiped it down, and then spray painted white. Then I made a seat-cushion with ties and also I made that blanket recently. 

Wow those instructions didn't even take that long to type, but it really did take me more than a month because sanding was a mess inside, tiny patio space, naptime schedule, sprinkler schedule, light outside, 3 coats of spraypaint.

I think it was worth it. It looks nicer and is way more comfortable. I haven't even used this chair a lot recently, but I remember many many nights rocking Macy to sleep sitting in this chair. 

Did you even notice how the top of the chair had just been chopped off and also one of the arm handles? random hack job I guess??

But seriously we really miss that 'spirit of 76' paint job ;)

Mason Jar Pin Cushion

I reused a mason jar and made me a new pincushion. It makes me so happy! It's the little things people, it really is. I don't have this annoying box of pins that I have to open and shut everytime I need a pin!

The mason jar and the whole idea of a pincushion feels so old-fashioned. But honestly, that's what sewing feels like to me. It makes me think of grandma's and knee patches and quilts and those old tomato pincushions. You know what I'm talking about right? :)

Purple Gingham Paper Bag Skirt

My baby girl turned 7 months old and so I made a new purple skirt. 

She also has her very first tooth popping up on the bottom right. Woohoo!

Can you see it?? I felt it cut through last night. 

It's new to my shop, but it's similar to this one with an elastic waist.  Instead of elastic, I just made a drawstring out of the same fabric. To make the drawstring, I just sewed a really narrow tube and pulled it inside out. 

I've always know you can use a safety pin to help turn something inside out easily, but I didn't have one small enough for this tiny drawstring I made, so after looking on Pinterest, I found the next best thing... 

a bobby pin! 

You just cut a little hole in the tube, to attach the bobby pin to and turn it inside out, it's really easy and now my go to for turning things. I also saw how you can use a ribbon, but I didn't take the time to figure out where to sew it first, so I think a bobby pin wins.

the drawstring is hidden on the inside back

Sunday sunshine

Today I am thankful for my beautiful girl, the sun and clouds, laughter, and her yellow polka dot skirt. 

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine

You make me happy when skies are grey

You'll never know dear, how much I love you

Please don't take my sunshine away

// yellow polka dot skirt here //

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Sundress Tutorial with Measurements for Size 2/3T

Happy 4th of July!!! 

To celebrate, I wanted to share a tutorial on how to make this cute sundress. 

I will include the measurements I used for Macy's size, 

which is kind of in between 2/3T. 

It is pretty simple to make, 

only 4 pieces plus the bow is 5. 

2 straps

1 waistband

1 skirt

1 bow

STRAPS AND WAISTBAND:

I cut two pieces
12 x 2.5 in.
and sewed them in long tubes (spaghetti style if you remember that from elementary school)
right sides together, and then pulled them right side out

Same thing with the waistband, measuring
22 x 5 in.

ATTACHING THE SKIRT:

Cut a piece of fabric 18 inches down selvage to selvage.

Do a long stitch and pull the ends to gather the skirt to the same length as the waistband.

Pin it evenly by starting in the middle and working in quarters/halves.

Sew below the gather, right sides together. Then flip the seam down/under to hide it inside.

Fold over once to hem both sides of the dress (since you used the selvage, it won't fray) 

Sew sides right sides together starting 3.5 inches down from the the top

Hem the bottom. 

Sew on straps symmetrically.
The straps for Macy's size are 7 3/4 in. visible.
I sewed the straps at the top and bottom of the waistband on the inside. 

Add an elastic and button. 

Hand sew on bow on the front. 

Measurements for the bow are :

12 x 5.5 in. for the tube
and
2 x 3.5 in. for the bow tie

 Sew inside out tube and cinch in the middle. 

And there you go!

Happy 4th of July!! 

Before you go and celebrate, check out my shop for this dress and more skirts.

This dress has been featured on SNAP!

and Naptime Creations