Dueling Sewing Machines

Ever since my daughter's sick day almost one month ago, there have been issues with the sewing machine.  Scheduling issues.  She is obsessed.  So much so, that we are going to borrow one of my Mother's machines (yes, she has several just in case someone wants to learn to sew or needs a backup) to get us through the remaining two months of summer break.  Or maybe beyond, depending on if sewing loses it's luster or not.

My daughter picked out this pillow pet pattern and has been crafting animals at lightning speed.  She made just about every animal in the original pattern, and then started drafting her own (the caterpillar is her original).  She has plans in the works for designed-by-her butterfly and spider, but those guys are on hold until we can get to JoAnn's for more supplies.   

Yesterday, I gave up begging and pleading for sewing machine time and busted out the serger instead.  It was kind of nice, stitching side by side with my offspring and chattering about stuff.   That day resulted in new frocks for us both.

The t-shirt knit purple sheet became a summer maxi dress.  To make your own, find a dress that fits you good and turn it wrong side out.  Trace around the bodice part, waist, and hips on to tracing paper.  Add 1" for seam allowance.  Fold your sheet (or fabric) in half and cut out two; one front and one back.  Unfold them and pin side seams right sides together.  Use the serger to sew both side seams.  Cut a couple of 2" wide pieces from your fabric scraps and use them to bind the edges of both sleeves and the neck. 

Below is a better picture of that binding step.  (ignore my arm as I self-portrait once again ;-) ) I left the edges raw on mine, because I like that look with knits.  They could be folded under if you like a more finished edge.  To tighen up the armholes a bit, I ran a piece of elastic cording (like for beading projects) inside that armhole casing by threading it with a large-eyed needle, and tying a knot when the elastic felt about right.  Hem the bottom with a quick serge around the edge.  Fold it up and stitch if you want.

The other serger project from yesterday is the Upcycled Grow-With-Me Dress.  I just named it that right this very second.   This idea takes that old tank top from last year that is now waaaayyy too short and modifies it into a maxi dress.

We started with a reversible tank top (stripes on one side, flowers on the other) in primarily oranges and blues.  The skirt was made entirely of stash fabrics in those shades.  The width of the stripes is completely random - I just cut the maximum width I could with the bits of fabric available.

My daughter's waist is 23", so the first tier is about twice that: 40" more or less.  Sew the strips into a tube with the serger and make a ruffle at one long edge (wrestle your offspring for control of the regular sewing machine to make the ruffle) Adjust the ruffle until it's the same width as the tank top.  Cut the hemmed edge off the tank top, and pin your ruffle to it.  Serge.

Repeat with all the tiers, making each tier longer than the one prior for maximum twirlage (is that a real word?)

 
And the best part?  Next summer, when this dress is too short, all I have to do is add another tier.  Theoretically she could be wearing this thing for the next 4-5 summers.