Yards and Yards Original: Simple Summer Outfit

I just got back from a family reunion with my husband's family. I know a lot of people hear "family reunion" and think "boring" at in the same instant, but I really enjoy my own family, as well as my in-laws. Seriously, I am blessed that way. I am surrounded by these amazing people.

Anyhow, at this reunion, I let my baby wear a little outfit I had just finished sewing. It was a hit (blush added), so I decided I'd share with you. It's a fun little summer outfit, and relatively easy to make. Think "pillow case dress" with no pillowcase.

Disclaimers:
I made this for my 15 month old, but the top is incredibly adjustable. I haven't done measurements to size it up, but like I said, it's forgiving. Don't be afraid of making this one perfect-- it's meant to be relaxed. I am not a professional pattern maker, so there may be some errors. If you find one, let me know and I'll correct it. Enjoy! This is meant to be fun.

OK, here we go.

STEP 1: Gather your materials.

You will need:

2 rectangles of fabric (14" x 14")
2 Fabric for Pant ruffles (25" x 4")
56" coordinating bias tape (1") for arms holes and straps
24" coordinating bias tape (2") for neck.
Thread
A pair of pants that fit the intended wearer

Step 2: Cut the ends off the pants.

I wanted my pants to be capris so I cut about 3 " off the bottom with my rotary cutter. I just eye-balled it and went for it. Easy-peasy.

3. Make your pants ruffles.

Measure acrass the new leg opening. Mine was 7". Now times that by 5. Mine was 35". Cut 2 strips from your fabric that are 35" x 4".

Fold the strips in half with the wrong sides together. Sew along the tops using a very long stitch so you can gather the fabric.


Gather the strips and place them along the pants opening until your ruffle is the right length to fit the opening. Now fold your ruffle in half and sew where the two edged meet. This will give your ruffle a clean seam.

4. Sew on your pants ruffles.

Pin the ruffles in place on the pants with right sides together, as shown. Sew them using a 1/2" seam. You may need to adjust your ruffles near the end. That;s OK. Just roll with it.

Now turn the ruffle down and sew around each leg one more time. I sewed mine about 1/8" away from the seam, on the jeans. It holds those ruffles down. If you don't, your ruffles will resemble umbrellas for the feet, so I highly recommend this step. The pants are done!!


5. Make your bias tape. If you are making your own, HERE is a good tutorial.

If you have a bias tape maker feel free to use it. It will make this job a lot easier, but you can still do it without one. I know, because I have made my own bias tape for years, with no fancy tool.

To do this by hand:
a. Get your super long and skinny strip. Iron it in half, wrong sides together, so you have an even skinnier strip.
b. Open it up and fold each side in to almost the center with wrong sides together again. Iron it.
c. Fold it back in half along the first line you made. Fold in the unfinished top and bottom edge, in toward the center, with wrong sides together. Iron.
d. Sew along the top, bottom, and the really long, skinny opening. Mischief managed.

6. Sew the main body of the shirt.

To do this, I used some of the tips form Anna Maria Horner's pillowcase dress pattern that can be found through THIS link. But here is the general idea:

First, place the two pieces, right sides together, and sew up both sides.

And now... for some more of my fabulous art work!

Fold the sewn piece in half and cut as shown:


7. Line the arm openings with bias tape.

Unfold the shirt and line each are hole with a bias tape.
Pin and sew.


Trim off the extra bias tape.


8. Double fold the bottom of the shirt.

Iron and sew. I used about 1/2" folds.




9. Sew top casings.

Make each of your bias tape strips into a 2" bias tape. This will be your casing as well.

I wanted mine to end up about an inch wide when sewn on so I only folded in about 1/4" on each side, and then ironed it in half.



10. Attach your top casings.

Measure your bias tape/casings so they will fit right. Leave an extra 1/4" on each end and iron them in so that your edges will be finished.

Pin them in place and sew them on, leaving room to run your bias tape straps through the openings.

11. Thread straps.

Pin a safety pin to the end of one strip and thread it through one of the casings. Tie off the ends. Repeat with the other side as well.

Voila!



12. Optional Headband.

I had to make a matching headband for this so of course, I used THIS pattern from Heather Bailey. So cute!!

Voila! A super cute, boutique outfit for a lucky gal.

Also, it would be super cute to make a bird with coordinating fabric and stick it on the front of the shirt with a zig-zag stitch to finish it off. Some little ric rac legs would be adorable!! You could do owls, or flowers, or whatever! It would be so adorable! Have fun!

As always, my thumb-sucking model aims to please. She is so fun!

PS. Linking up to some AWESOME parties!