Handmade wardrobe // solee

my top: DIY Solee top, instructions by Nataile Ebaugh

Penny’s top: DIY using the same method, just no elastic at the waist

fabric: rayon cotton voile from Blackbird Fabrics (no longer available)

straps: velvet ribbon from Mood Fabrics

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So, funny thing : my top originally started out looking like Penny’s - loose and wide and floaty at the hem. I already had it finished and everything. But then I saw Natalie post her DIY Solee top on Instagram (and Star’s version, too!), which was a similar style, just with elastic at the waist too. And I fell in love. I decided I NEEDED THIS to have elastic at the waist. But I already had this cut and finished at an almost- cropped length, not enough to turn up the hem even more to add in the elastic. So instead, I simply took some scrap strips of fabric and made a separate casing that I stitched to the inside of the top, and then threaded the waist elastic through that. Voila! It worked!

It worked out fine for me in the end, but if you want to do it the easy way, Natalie has step by step instructions in her Instagram stories.

P.S - I love how mine turned out, but I’m OBSESSED with hiw cute Penny’s is. This is one of my favorite styles to make her, and its also one of the easiest since its just a rectangular piece of fabric with some elastic. Easy peasy!

handmade wardrobe .. mommy and me briar and virginia

Both our outfits: Megan Nielsen Patterns Briar tee and Virginia Leggings, mini Briar tee and mini Virginia leggings

Fabrics: rust modal rib knit from Blackbird fabrics, and black/grey athletic knit from Joann Fabrics

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I made these Virginia leggings a while back (with a yoga waisband! You can find the tutorial on Design Diary here), and while I didn’t have any fabric left over, I did have some similar fabric to finally make a pair for P too.

And while I was at it, I might as well throw in some matching Briar tees, as well! Because why not, haha. I made them both in a really drapey modal rib knit. I kept mine simple with no fancy details, and the longer length to be more comfortable worn with leggings. For Penny, I wanted to add more details so she would be more excited about it. Luckily, Meg includes multiple patch options with both patterns. So I added a contrasting heart applique and matching contrasting bands. She was so excited when I showed it to her! Although you may not be able to tell in these photos - she wasn’t acting herself when we went to take these. Usually shes pretty happy and smiley and totally into it, but not this time. Well we found out why an hour later… she threw up all over herself and her cute new outfit. She was, and has been, fine since then, but oh man! That was a rough evening. And yes, the outfit is fine too, after a go in the washing machine haha.

Megan is currently offering Mommy & Me bundles, so you can get these adult and mini patterns together at a special price!

Handmade Wardrobe // fruit bowl for two

my dress: McCalls 7946 in ‘fruit bowl’ viscose from D&H Fabrics Co.

Penny’s top: Burda 9437

Penny’s shorts: Hello Dear Kids pants pattern, shortened

Penny’s headband: Nelly Lou

bag: Target

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You guys, how cute is this little ruched sundress?! Honestly, when I first saw this pattern, with the main image being a sleeved version, I didn’t think the pattern was for me. Just not something I gravitate towards. But then I caught a glimpse of this tie strap view, and I surprisingly couldn’t get it out of my head. Then Tammy at D&H Fabrics Co gave me a little peek at a new fruit print viscose fabric before listing it, and it just seemed like the perfect match! And now, well now I want to live in this dress all summer long. I’m glad I took a chance on the pattern! No mods or adjustments were needed, because there is a lot of wiggle room with the elastic and tie straps.

So this viscose fabric is a dream. It’s drapy and soft. A tiny bit translucent in direct light (I’m wearing a slip underneath just in case), but not too sheer. And the abstract ‘fruit bowl’ print is just adorable. I love that it is colorful, but the colors are more subdued and more muted. Just my style. This kind of viscose woven is my dream summer fabric. So light and airy, I could dream up a million things to make with a whole bolt of it, lol.

And of course, I made sure I was able to squeeze out something for P too. I wanted something with a similar style, but not exactly the same, since I didn’t have a lot of extra fabric to work with. I found this little tie strap tank top pattern and it was the perfect compliment to my dress! It’s a little big along the top/under the arm. But I’m ok with that, because that just means it will probably fit her next year, too, lol.

Now enjoy about a million photos, because they turned out so cute, ha.

Handmade Wardrobe // matching bees, and sewing for kids

My tank: Megan Nielsen Patterns Eucalypt tank in crepe de chine from Fabric.com

my jeans: Megan Nielsen Dawn jeans in denim from Style Maker Fabrics

Penny’s top: mashed up/self drafted top in cotton from Fabric.com

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No new makes again! We’ve been re-wearing a lot of handmade items already in our closets. especially Penny. She actually originally wore this top over a year and half ago for our family photos, and it still fits!

Its funny, when she was really little, I barely made any clothes for her at all. I didn’t see the point in spending so much time and effort on garments that she would just grow out of in a couple months. Kids grow so fast! But then some where along the way, I realized that making clothes for her meant I could control how they were made. Meaning, I could make them grow with her. I can add a really wide hem that can be let down later as she grows taller. I can use larger seam allowances that can be let out as she gets older. I can purposefully make a garment just a tad big to start with. Not too big, just enough that it still fits, but also will fit her for awhile.

I can’t stop making clothes for her now!

Handmade Wardrobe // flower child

dress: Megan Nielsen Patterns Floreat dress

penny’s cropped tee: self drafted  

fabric: double brushed jersey knit from Girl Charlee

my belt bag: Target

my shoes: sooooo old

penny’s pants: Target

penny’s sunnies: Amazon

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I originally had this post scheduled for later in the week, but I was so excited about this set that I rearranged posts and moved this up to Monday haha.

I’ve been holding onto this fabric for awhile (it’s no longer available, unfortunately), but I honestly knew I wanted to make a knit Floreat dress with it from the second it arrived in the mail. This is the 5th Floreat version I’ve made, and as usual, I’ve had to make zero mods to the pattern. The loose fitting shape is forgiving, and it makes it quite an easy sew. Yes, even with the angled hem! Once you get the hang of it (I mean I have made 5 now haha), it’s a breeze. I did also make the matching tie belt for it, but last minute decided to wear my new belt bag with it instead (which I’m obsessed with!). 

My original vision was to make a cute gathered dress for P, too. Or at least a peplum tee. But I had so little fabric left, the most I could squeeze out was this little cropped tee. That little belly sticking out a bit kiiiiills me. 

Handmade Wardrobe // spring blooms for two

 my dress: Closet Case Patterns Kalle shirtdress

Penny’s dress: Hello Dear Kids pleated top dress

fabric for both: floral twill c/o Measure Fabric

Penny’s jacket: H&M 

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When the ladies at Measure Fabric gave me a peek at this fabric, they suggested the Kalle shirt dress as a good pattern fit, and I loved the idea so much, so I rolled with it! I had never made the pattern before, but it has been on my list. It came together surprisingly fast, for being a collared, full placket shirt with clean finishes on the inside. Also, It is a little shorter than I normally like my dresses, but that’s my fault for not making a muslin or testing out the length before cutting into my main fabric {face palm}. But nothing some little shorts underneath, or leggings on cooler days, can’t fix! 

And the Measure ladies were right - this fabric was perfect for the project! It’s a twill that has enough weight to be pants or shorts or a skirt, but still a beautiful drape to work as shirt dress or pretty skirt. It’s got a slightly slubby texture, yet a silky soft touch, and it sewed up like a dream. Probably why I was able to zoom through it so fast! 

And of course, with a little maneuvering and puzzle piecing, I was able to squeeze out a matching look for P. I ran out of fabric for the pleated front piece, so I used some scraps of this cotton/linen dotted fabric that was left over from a random project. I actually like the contrast even better than if I would’ve used all the floral fabric!

handmade wardrobe // jumpsuit twins

jumpsuit fabric: Cloud 9 double gauze from Fabric.com

my jumpsuit: free pattern with purchase of Mimi G Sew Sew Def magazine

Penny’s jumpsuit: Hello Dear Kids harem jumpsuit

Penny’s turban: Nelly Lou

my tee : Madewell

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A part of me thinks I may be getting a little out of control, a little crazy, with these mommy and me matching outfits. But also…… I’ll never stop, HA. Usually when I make matching outfits for us, I use the same fabric but different types of garments. With this one I went all-in and made matching jumpsuits. Maybe thats why I think its a little crazier.

This is my third time making a version of this jumpsuit (see the last one here), so I obviously love it. It’s not the easiest to get your hands on - you have to buy Issue 2 of Mimi G’s PDF magazine. It doesn’t list the jumpsuit as one the free patterns, but it is included, and worth it. The only thing I change is that I cut the straps into 4 pieces instead of two, so I can tie them and make it adjustable. Its definitely a layering piece for me because of the low cut, I would never wear it without something underneath. But thats how I like to wear most of my jumpsuits anyway. It makes it more comfortable when going to the bathroom in a jumpsuit - you don’t end up completely naked just to pee, ha.

But my favorite part of all of this is P’s jumpsuit. Its a harem pant that goes all the way up to under her arms. And the ruffle at the top and ankles are just the sweetest. Her favorite part, of course, are the little pockets. The PDF pattern is another one from the Etsy shop Hello Dear Kids. And again, the instructions are not the best. But its pretty straight forward if you have any knowledge of sewing and using patterns already.

handmade wardrobe // double stripes

my top: Megan Nielsen Rowan Bodysuit

Penny’s dress: self drafted

striped fabric: modal jersey knit from Cali Fabrics

Penny’s necklace: me-made DIY

both of our boots: Target , my jeans: Urban Outfitters, my sweater: thrifted

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You’ve seen this bodysuit around here before - I made it back in September. But I realized I had some leftover fabric, so I made up a quick dress for P to match! And duh, we obviously needed a whole photoshoot for it, ha.

not much to say here for this set, just a lot of pretty pictures :). As I say all the time, Rowan has become a wardrobe staple for me. And for reference - I have a long torso and add an inch in length to the bodysuit!

Handmade Wardrobe // Mommy and Me, Forever and Ever

my top: Simplicity 8636

my jeans: Megan Nielsen Patterns ash jeans

Penny’s pants:  Hello Dear Kids frill suspender pants

Our fabric: blush slub linen blend from Measure Fabric

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I know I say this a lot, but this is one of my favorite makes eeeeeever. Its just… It’s just exactly what I pictured. And the setting for the photos is exactly what I pictured, too.

So it all started with this blush linen from Measure Fabric. I’ve had an idea for this Simplicity top in a blush color for awhile, just hadn’t picked up the right fabric yet. Well this one is actually a twill suiting. So I asked the ladies at Measure if they thought it would work for this kind of top, and not only did they tell me theyre opinion, but they even sent me a video of them holding the fabric and letting it drape so I could see for myself. Above and beyond! SO yes, it is a twill suiting, but the weight and drape is so beautiful, it actually works really well for this voluminous blouse. And you can’t really see in these photos, but the slub texture is so lovely, too! And it has a bit of stretch, so could work for so many different garments, too.

So. this top. Love. Well, mostly. If I were to make it again, I think I would just lengthen the top yoke sections a bit. I fell like where the yoke seam hits right at my shoulder edge, it kind of flares out a bit and gives me really wide shoulders. Perhaps if the yoke section was a bit longer, it would drape a little nicer.  But still, not too bad, and still so pretty.

Once I had my top planned out, I obviously had to make something for P as well. I became stuck on the idea of these suspender pants from Hello Dear Kids. They are an Etsy shop that sells so many cute PDF kids patterns. And cheap, too. I don’t necessarily love the instructions. But it didn’t really matter for me (I really just did the construction my way, anyway). It was a tight squeeze, fitting it in on the rest of the linen yardage. But I juuuuuuust made it fit. Except for the waistband lining - I used some of my Grandma’s old fabric scraps, which you can kind of get a little peek at in one of the photos below. The end result was so, so good. Fit her perfect, and now I’m convinced I need a pair in my size.

Anywho, check out some of the detail shots below!