Upcycled T-shirt Dress

I've been dying to make an upcycled t-shirt dress for my daughter.  I've seen them all over.  I finally decided to give it a try!  Worse case scenario, I have extra rags for when I paint or need to stain something.

I, for some reason, am terrified of sewing clothes.  I am actually more comfortable trying to make a slipcover than clothing.  Don't ask me why, just one of my many idiosyncrasies.  Anyways, I was enjoying Goodwill's 50% off everything sale this past Saturday.  I knew I was wanting to give this t-shirt dress a try, so the search was on for some cool t-shirts for a buck.  Let's just say that I went a little over board.  I really hope I can make one of these dresses because it looks like I will be making a few!

All you need is some t-shirts. 

In this case, I actually bought some white and navy knit fabric to use for this and future dress projects.  I started by trying to figure out the placement of fabrics.  Next, I cut my daughter's shirt a little below the arms.  If I actually had to make the arms and neckline, I doubt if I would be doing this.  Anyways, I knew how long I wanted to make the dress.  So that meant I just had to start piecing the fabrics together to make it work.

Don't you just love the graphic in the middle?!  Anyways, I didn't take a picture but I did piece another strip of navy fabric and orange to get the length I wanted.  I actually used the bottom of the orange t-shirt so I wouldn't have to make a hem.  I sewed the strips together so they will have the raw edges on the outside of the dress.  You can't see it in the picture below because I just had to have my model try it on right then so I could share it with you.  But after a good wash and dry, the raw edges should curl.

Doesn't it look comfy?!  Let me know what you think!  I plan on sharing this over at:

Round Tuit @ Creating my way to Success

 

 
May edit to add links to parties.

When reality smacks you in the face...

Warning!  This post contains ramblings from a mom dropped into reality. 

It hurt.  Reality smacked me in the face this past weekend.  I was just minding my own business when it happened. 

I had taken the kids to see a movie.  Then, I thought wouldn't they love it if I took them to Chucky Cheese.  We hadn't planned it.  You see we were dressed just for a dimly lit movie theatre.  A nice velour outfit for me, the kind with a little give for the extra popcorn, and comfy sweats for the kids.  I wanted to throw an extra surprise at the kids, spur of the moment and all.  We had never been to Chucky Cheese, you know, 'where a kid can be a kid?!'  (Mental note:  pause and think really long before being spontaneous.  oh, make sure you have help too)

The kids were as happy as clams going to Chucky Cheese.  It felt good seeing their smiling faces.  It wasn't until we were 20 tokens into our 50 that I started to think perhaps I should have brought someone along to help.  As I went from game to game, I took in the crowd.  That is when it hit me!

As I eyed the other mothers, I had a big, fat reality check.  I have become one of "those moms."  You know.  The one that picks comfort over fashion.  I suppose it happened because my waistline has been growing.  Everything seems to squeeze and pinch it.  As I took in the fashionable moms with their skinny jeans and knee high boots that is when I realized it.  I've lost myself somewhere between having child one and having child two.  I use to never leave the house without makeup.  Oh, those workout pants actually use to be for working out.  But now, it is sad to say that I don't get decked out anymore.  I mean when you are staying at home cleaning and playing with the kids why bother with makeup.  I do brush my teeth and hair:)  Well, enough is enough.

Here is me in my mid-20's when I taught ballroom dancing.

 
This was one of the best times of my life.  I really loved teaching dancing.  I was happy with my body.  Don't worry, I am not going to delude myself into thinking I will be like that again.  You know gravity and all the beautiful stretch marks aren't going to go away.  So, I am going to take it one day at a time. 

A little less of this:

And a little more of this:

I am not planning on going on a wacky diet.  I can never stick to those.  Instead, I'm taking it day by day, drink by drink, bite by bite.  If I have a good day, good for me.  If not, there is always tomorrow.  I suppose I'm telling you about this because they say if you write it down it is more likely to happen.  So there it is in black and white.
I would love to hear if realty has come and visited you lately.  Please feel free to tell me all about it.

Happy New Year!!!

No, I haven't forgotten about my blog.  I've been wrapped up in the holiday and post holiday celebrations.  I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.  I've got so many ideas for projects for the new year that I can't wait to share!  We will have to see what I actual do as the new year gets started.  For now, I hope everyone has a new year filled with much happiness and many blessings!

Happy New Year!!

Merry Christmas

With Christmas a few days away, I probably will take this week off from posting to enjoy family.  With relatives in town, school being out, and last minute shopping, I don't think I will have much time for anything else.  So, I wanted to wish all of you a Merry Christmas by sharing our Christmas card with you.