How to turn something old into something new

My violin teacher gave me that dress at the top to see if I could use the fabric to make her little girl a skirt. This is what I came up with. It's kind of cool don't you think? I just think it's a terrific idea to turn something old into something new. All I did was rip the seams from the skirt and cut a rectangle out of that. Then ripped the seams from the sleeves to make the top piece. It's the exact same thing as the spring skirt in my previous post just smaller. I definitely challenge you to take something old of yours and turn into something new and improved! It's a whole lot less expensive then getting fabric at the store and it can be more fun especially with before and after photos.

How to make yourself a springtime skirt

 

 Here is one of the most simple ways to make yourself a fun, flowy, personalized skirt.

1) First, you need to measure around your hips and take that measurement and add 5" This measurement is going to be the length of the top piece. The width of the top piece should be 7" Now, for the bottom piece. Take the length of the top piece and add 10" this should be the length of the bottom piece. For the width, you need to measure from your waist to wherever you want the hem to be. I did about an inch below my knees.
Don't forget to add an inch for the hem.

2) Now, on the top piece make the casing. Fold half an inch over then an inch over and stitch along the edge. On the bottom piece make your hem fold over half an inch then again half an inch. Stitch along the edge.

3) Still using the bottom piece gather the top of it and with right sides together sew to top piece.

4) Next, sew the width at 1/2" (make sure not to sew through the casing)

5) Pull through elastic with a safety pin. And stitch where I said not to in step 4.

YAY! You have completed the most fun frilly skirt! Please tell me how yours turned out in comments.

How to make a vintage apron

I have heard that aprons like these are becoming more and more popular so I went on the internet to get some ideas and came up with this. Here is the pattern for the pockets if anyone is interested.
 http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y113/replicarter/pocketpattern3.jpg

1) First, let's cut out the body of the apron. It's easy to do, but hard to explain so I'll try my best. Start at the corner of your fabric and measure out 28" and mark with a pencil or disappearing ink marker This is the top of your apron. Now let's do the side. Starting at your 28" mark measure downward 13" Do the same at the other side. Next, starting at the middle of the top go vertically 22" and mark. Now going horizontally, measure 9" from the 22" inch mark going towards the direction of the 13" mark. Do again on the other side. Now you match up the six marks making a curve on either side. Cut it out and fold in half to make sure it is the same on each side. Cut out one more using the one you just made as a pattern.

2) Now, cut out the tie, pocket, and ruffle. Tie: 6" by 75" Ruffle: 3" by 88" Then cut out the pocket using the link above. (Follow the instructions on the pocket after you cut it out)

3) Next, fold the ruffle in half width wise and press. Gather until it's about 62" and sew with right sides together to one of the apron bodies.

 4) You should have already sewn up the pockets and turned right side out. Make sure to press. Then, top-stitch each pocket 7" down from the top of the same apron body piece as you sewed the ruffle to.

5) With the ruffle inward stitch the 2 apron bodies together right sides together leaving the top open. Turn right side out and press.

6) Gather the top of the apron body until 15" long.

7) With right sides together sew the tie to the top of the apron body matching up the middle of each.

8) Press The sides of the tie about 1/2" and then fold in half width-wise and press. Stitch where you folded the sides over.

Congratulations! You have completed your very own vintage apron! Also here is the link to where I got the idea I changed it up a bit, but I want this person to get her rightful credit.
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=38097.msg332607

How to make a scrunchy

 Here is how to make a super simple scrunchy.

1) Cut out a 15" by 3" rectangle.

2) Fold in half length wise and sew with 1/2" seam allowance

3) Fold edges over 1/2" then fold in half and press 

4) Stitch along edge leaving about an inch open for the elastic

5) With a safety pin pull through about 7in of elastic and sew edges together

6)  Stitch the edge of the elastic whole (step 4)

Congratulations! You now have your very own homemade scrunchy!

How to make a twirly skirt

Hi everybody!!! This is my very first post! I plan to put different sewing projects on my blog as I do them. The first one is a toddler's twirly skirt. Here is how to do it:

Items needed:
Approximately 1 yd of fabric. Preferably calico or cotton but it doesn't really matter
1 spool of coordinating thread
sewing machine
elastic

First thing you need to do is measure the person you are making the skirt for. Measure around their waist and measure how long you want it to be. Ex: If you want it to be knee length measure from the waist to their knees, but add about 3" to it for the hem and casing.
Now I made mine for a 4-6 year old and it was a 38"by 15" rectangle.

Okay let's get started!

1) First you need to cut out your skirt. It is simply a rectangle. Now take the waist measurements you did earlier and add 10" to it. That is the width to your skirt. Now take the length measurements (15" recommended) and that is the length.

2) Next you need to cut out the tie. It should be 1.5" by 50" You can always sew two pieces together if your fabric isn't long enough.

3) Now let's sew the tie. Fold all of the edges down about 1/4" then fold in half. Sew straight down to secure it.

4) With your skirt rectangle fold the bottom 1/4" then fold over again 1". Stitch.

5) Do the same thing on the other end for the casing (this is where your elastic goes through)

6) Now sew the side together. Do not sew through the casing.

7) Now using a safety pin pull through elastic and tie. Make sure the tie is facing the right side of the fabric.

8) Now sew over the casing just like you did on step 6

9) Tie the tie in a bow.