ruffle shorts: a pattern hack

Hello!  Remember when I made confetti shorts and promised to show you how to do it?  Well, I'm finally following through.

In this post, I'll show you how I took a shorts pattern (specifically the Oliver + S Puppet Show Shorts Pattern) and changed it up to make these ruffle shorts, which look similar to the Oliver + S Class Picnic shorts.  It can be applied to just about any shorts pattern.


I am not providing printable pattern pieces, dimensions, or a complete sew-along tutorial.  This is merely to show you how I changed up a pattern piece I already own for a different look.  Hopefully this will be helpful to those of you who are looking to modify your own patterns!

Okay ... to start, you'll need a trusty shorts pattern.  For these shorts, I prefer a pattern that is one single piece for each leg (verses one that has a front and back piece for each leg).  It will look something like this:

Fold the pattern piece so the leg inseam meets.  Use this fold as a guide to where you will mark the ruffle line down the front of the shorts.

I marked a line approximately 1 1/2 inches from the fold.

Cut the pattern piece in two along the line you just drew.  You now have a front and back piece.

Retrace the front pattern piece, adding about an inch to side you just cut.  This will be where the ruffled pieces overlap and are sewn together.  You can discard the smaller pattern piece.

Adding a ruffle to the bottom of the short instead of hemming will make them longer.  Shorten the pattern piece about an inch (use a ruler to mark along the bottom edge and cut on the line).

Round off both the front and back pattern pieces.  A bowl makes a good template.

And you are ready to cut fabric!  Your revised pattern pieces should look like this:

It's always a good idea to label your pattern pieces.  :)

Cut two of each pattern piece, making sure to cut opposites for each leg.  The attach a ruffle to the long curved edge.  The front piece needs a ruffle the whole length of the curve (see below).  The back piece doesn't require a ruffle on the whole curve - just about halfway towards the waistline, because the pieces overlap.   Pin the ruffle in place, then sew and press.  Top stitch about a half inch from the seam line.

Using your original pattern piece as a guide, lay your front piece overlapping the back piece and pin in place.  The pieced leg should match the width of the original waistline.  Join the pieces together by top stitching in the seam line of the front pattern piece.

The completed leg pieces will look like this:

Sew the leg inseam and attach the waistband according to the original pattern's instructions, and there you have it ... a snazzy new style of shorts.

All that's left is to find a cute kid to model them.

I made another pair for Ruby in denim.  She needed something a little more wardrobe friendly than those crazy confetti shorts.  I found the denim to be a little too thick to ruffle, so these have really more of a pleated trim.

I also added some back pockets.  Is that a cute little bum, or what?

If you made it all the way to the end of this long-winded post, I am impressed!  Happy sewing.  :)

even more babies in bonnets

Yesterday, I promised you more babies in bonnets:

It really is my favorite summer hat.

For Cora's hat, I substituted a ruffle for the piping in the brim (I saw it on a bonnet in Rae's photo pool and could not resist).  This is really easy to do.  I just took a long strip of fabric, folded it in half, and gathered it into a ruffle (using the pulling threads method, but next time I'll make it easier on myself and ruffle it with my serger).  Then you attach the ruffle to the brim following the same instructions as you would sew the piping.  It looks really sweet!

Now Cora will match her grandma's really big tote bag.  :)

In conclusion, I really like Rae's Peekaboo Bonnet Pattern (can you tell?). Yay, bonnets!

p.s. today is the last day to enter the Whimsy Couture pattern giveaway.  Get it while it's hot!

babies in bonnets

The Peekaboo Bonnet pattern by Made by Rae is one of my very favorite patterns.  Not only is it super-adorable on the little ones, it also provides superior sun coverage.  And it is the only hat my kids can't seem to wriggle out of.

I have a few in assembly line production right now (so you'll see more soon ... like probably tomorrow), but I finished this beauty this morning and am in love with it.  It is fully reversible with piping on both sides.  I love that this pattern has such a retro feel, but with modern fabric it also looks very fresh.

The babies look extra yummy-squishy with their chubb-o cheeks peeking out of that wide brim.  I can't tell you how many comments I get when my girls wear these bonnets.  They are irresistible!

This bonnet went to our friend, baby Elle.  We've got to keep these babies covered in Santa Barbara!  I have my fingers crossed that the sunshine we've been enjoying stretches into the summer.  June tends to be really foggy and gloomy around here.

Cora now fits the bonnet I made for Ruby last summer.  She's getting a new one, too, though.  I'm pretty sure a baby can't have too many bonnets.

Whimsy Couture Pattern Review and Giveaway

I love a good retro-feel pattern, so I was excited to try the Criss-Cross Tunic pattern by Whimsy Couture.

It is an excellent pattern - simple to print and piece together, and the instructions were easy to follow.  I love that the tunic is fully reversible.

The gingham/seahorse print tunic is for Cora and the flower/polka dot tunic is for Ruby and I was really pleased with the fit on both sizes.  I added some pockets to Ruby's shirt and she liked it so much it was worn two days in a row!  It looks cute on its own, or with a shirt underneath.

Whimsy Couture has a huge pattern selection, with everything from simple pieces like tunics, rompers and bloomers, to sweet ruffly dresses.  Something for everyone!  If you'd like to win a 3-pack of patterns of your choice:

•  "like" Whimsy Couture on facebook, and then leave a comment on this post by midnight, Friday, May 25th.
• One entry per person, please.
• Contact information must be provided (if you do not have a public blog/profile, please leave your email address in your comment)
• This giveaway is available to U.S. and international friends (yay!)

Can't wait to start sewing?  Use the code TAKEOFF50 for 50% off your order in the online store through Friday. 

retro easter dresses

The girls' Easter dresses were finished just under the wire (as usual) ... at about 2 a.m Easter morning.  I really have to learn better time management!  They turned out cute though.  I used the Oliver + S Puppet Show Dress pattern, and it definitely has a retro flair.  I can picture a young Sally Draper wearing something like this.

Ruby and Cora had identical dresses, one big, one small.  Can I just say that tiny set-in baby sleeves are especially punishing?

The embroidered collar is still my favorite part.  It was a special detail on an otherwise very simple dress.

After sewing 18 button holes, I can safely scratch them off my "fear of sewing" list.  I wasn't really afraid of button holes, but I always felt a little anxious before sewing them.  I think I have it down now.  :)

I also made bow ties for my guys using this tutorial from the blog papernstitch.   They turned out cute, but I'll have to try out Delia's Little Mister bow tie tutorial next time.  Because a grown man's bow tie should be the kind that really ties.  I was so pleased that Jared was up for wearing one, and owe it all to the Doctor, who taught us that "bow ties are cool."

Oscar and Ruby really aren't into taking pictures these days.

Cora is a much better sport.

By the end of the day, those dresses that I slaved over had more stains than I care to count - dirt from leaning on the car, play dough from nursery, drool (so much drool!), sugar cookies, and leaky diapers.  Every time something new got smeared on, Jared reminded me to breathe and un-clench my jaw.  :)  Sewing for kids is an excellent lesson in patience.

Maybe next year I'll leave time to sew something for myself ...

chevron chenille baby blanket

Back in November, Anneliese of Aesthetic Nest posted a tutorial for a Chevron Chenille blanket.  I fell in love (true love!) and had to make one just like it ... I even bought the exact same fabrics.  So here you have it, my copycat blanket:

This tutorial is a variation of Annaliese's heirloom cut chenille blanket, where many layers of flannel are sewn and cut on the bias to make a faux chenille (you can find another take on it at MADE).  Because the stitches follow the pattern of the zig zag print on the front, the chenille on the back is also in the chevron pattern.  Check out the tutorial for the full details.

A lot of work went into stitching all of those rows, but the result was awesome.  So soft.  So fluffy.  My kids couldn't keep their hands off it, and I want one in a queen size.  :)  It was sad to see it go, but we mailed it off to my beautiful new niece.  Welcome to the world, baby Sofia!  We love you already.

In unrelated news, Lifestyle Crafts is having a great sale on their Revolution die cutting machine.  Use my promo code: HOMEMADE for an additional 20% off the sale price, taking it down to $47.99!

Have a happy Easter!  I'm making great progress on the girl's dresses, but as usual it will be down to the wire.  I should have some pretty dresses to show on Monday.  :)

embroidered collar

It's been slow to start, but I finally began sewing the girl's Easter dresses last night and stayed up way too late embroidering the collars.  After sketching out a design, stitched a sample, and after a few tweaks drew the design on the collar pieces.  I used a stem stitch, french knot, lazy daisy, and back-stitch.

Obviously, there is much work to do, but if these dresses turn out as I envision, Ruby and Cora will look absolutely delicious on Easter.  Do you love to embroider?  I find it very therapeutic!

ruffle tunic

Don't you love learning something new?  Last week I learned how to ruffle fabric using my Brother serger, and it sure beats pulling threads (thanks, Pinterest!).   Check out the tutorial at {lbg studio} if you want to learn, too.

I made this little top for one of my favorite baby friends using the Sweet Little Dress pattern by Leila & Ben.  I shortened the dress to a tunic, lengthened the sleeves to about 3/4 length, and added lots of playful ruffles.  It felt really good to pull the serger out again - I even changed the thread!

Hope you had a great weekend.  :)

bringing home baby - she'll probably need something to wear

Unbelievably, the week has already arrived when we get to welcome our new baby - we'll meet her on Friday!  Some of my friends started asking about her "coming home" outfit, and I realized I didn't have anything planned.  Come to think of it, I have never planned a special coming home from the hospital outfit for my own kids.  I'm not super sentimental about that kind of stuff.  But this baby needed something, poor third child that she is.

First, I made her a really simple knot-top cap.  It is modeled after my favorite store-bought newborn cap that I bought for Oscar years ago.  I sketched out a simple template for you, which you can print out HERE.  You'll need to cut two pieces of stretchy knit fabric from the template, and then another rectangular piece for the border at the bottom.  I cut my border piece to 3 inches tall, and double the width of the bottom of the template piece.  I'm not going to go into detail how to piece it together, but Make It and Love It has a really great baby hat tutorial that should give you a pretty good idea.  Keep in mind that her hat brim folds up, but mine does not.

I also have basic instructions for a really easy baby hat from a t-shirt sleeve from my early sewing days - you can find it HERE.

Besides long sleepers, my favorite newborn clothes are the basic kimono-style snap shirts you can buy in packs.  I even did a tutorial a few years ago about how to dress one up with ric-rac and some pretty buttons (find it HERE). For this shirt, I simply added a lace trim around the shirt's opening - really easy, really fast.  This is actually the exact shirt that Oscar wore home from the hospital, and possibly Ruby, too (I don't actually remember what I put her in).

So there you have it, possibly the easiest coming home from the hospital outfit, ever.  Add a pair of leggings and some cute socks, and you're all set.