Homemade, Handmade Clothing

It is another Homemade, Handmade Clothing portion on the blog today. If you ever noticed, I make a lot of clothes for my girl and not for my boy. I basically buy ready-made clothes for my boy online that he can wear to school. My little girl is the baby in the house and she is still at that age where she will wear the clothes that I make for her. And like I always say, while she still does, I better enjoy it. So homemade and handmade clothing it is. 

About a couple weeks ago, we went to a thrift store here in Wyoming and I saw some of these fun fabrics at the fabric aisle, and immediately I thought of making a dress or a romper for my little girl. I am pretty sure the first one is a vintage fabric, but I am not sure about the other one with the letters and all. I found another vintage fabric at the store that I like so much, but when I checked the price tag, I thought it wasn't right for me to pay $3 for a little piece of fabric. Bummer, though! I ended up with these two instead for about $1 a piece. And here's what I made out of these fabrics. 

Materials Used: 
Fabric: thrift find for $1 a piece
-- I used snaps on all the closure for the clothes. Easy to install, Easy to use. 
-- I used a blue biased tape for the dress and some crocheted lace that I found from a rummage sale. 

First one is a simple skirt. All I did was cut a piece of my vintage fabric into a rectangle, sew the ends together, make a casing for the elastic band, and sew the hem. I added a crocheted lace on the bottom and the skirt is done! The crocheted lace is from a rummage sale find. It was in a vintage sewing box filled with sewing kits and other crocheted laces. 

Next one is the Alphabet Letter "Romper". 

I don't have a pattern for this one, but I used my little girl's existing piece of clothing that fits her well as a template. That yellow part on the front wasn't in the plan, but then later on I decided to add it. Now I am not sure if I should have added it or not. Because when I showed the romper to my husband, his immediate response was "very clownish". Agh! Oh well! I guess she can just wear it in the house, then. What do you think? It's okay. You can tell me the truth. 

At first I thought the romper was too big for my girl, but then when she put them on, it was just right for her. I guess I keep forgetting (or maybe I just didn't want to think of it) that my girl is growing up fast. She is no longer a newborn, but a toddler. 

The front and butt gusset allows plenty of room to move around. The thought of adding a gusset wasn't in the plan until I made a mistake cutting my fabric for the bottom part. 

And the last Homemade Handmade item is the "A Child's Garden Verses" Dress. 

I named it that way because that is what it says on the fabric. And I thought it was adorable! 

I used a blue biased tape on the neckline of the dress, then I added some crocheted lace on the neckline and on the hem. The dress has an elastic waist, and elastic on the bottom of the sleeves. 

The blue buttons on the front aren't really buttons. They are snaps. 

I look forward to another thrift shopping next weekend and I hope I could find some more vintage fabrics and maybe even some vintage dresses for the girl. I am crossing my fingers and toes that I get lucky. Have a great one! 

Hand Sewn Little Girl's Clothes

Sewing two cute clothes for my little girl by hand sure makes me appreciate that sewing machines were invented. Or that you can buy them at the store ready made if you don't know how to sew. It is amazing how the women back in the hey days made their dresses by hand. It takes time and patience. 

I picked up these two vintage patterns during my rummage sale shopping and I wanted to use it and make some clothes for my little girl. Fortunately, we made a trip out of town, so I bought some fabrics. Well, the store that we were at didn't have a variety of fabrics to choose from, so I ended up with these so called Super Stax. There were 8 pre-cut pieces of fabrics in different colors and prints and I made two things out of it so far. I have a few pieces of fabrics left that I can still make one wrap around skirt for my little girl. I have seen some really cute fabrics online that I would love to order one of these days, so I can start making clothes for my kids for the fall. 

A 3T Romper I made using a vintage Romper pattern. I can actually make one with long pants for the colder months, which is an awesome thing about the pattern I got. I need to go fabric shopping one of these days.

You can tell it is hand sewn by the buttonhole. Not perfect, but I did my best to do a clean hand sewn romper. 

With this dress, my girl can actually wear it differently. I mean, the front can be the back- side or the back can be worn front-side.

FRONT 

BACK

What do you think? Which of these two is your favorite? I am excited to be making some clothes again because my girl enjoys wearing the clothes I make for her. And while she still does, I better take advantage of it. Have a great one! 

Her Outfit: Homemade Patriotic Dresses

Just a really quick post about my little girl's homemade Patriotic dresses that I made for her the other day. Remember when I went thrift shopping and I found this skirt? Well, I finally busted out the old sewing machine that was my mother-in-law's and I started sewing. No patterns here and no tutorials because there is a sea of dress tutorials out there in the internet world now, where you can go check out if you want to make one for your little girl. Or, if you need any help and have some questions for me, then feel free to ask. 

First one is a dress with an open back. It actually has a bow on the front, but you can't see it since it blended well with the dress.

The hem is a bit of a hi-lo style. 

The second one is a top with an open side, which will be nice and cool for the summer weather. The white skirt is also something I thrifted awhile back that I refashioned into her own skirt. 

Link Up Participation: Thrifter's Anonymous

Product Review: Customized Stripe Poplin Dress From eShakti

Hey, everyone! Today's the first day of summer and it is hot and humid in Kansas. We are kind of missing the Wyoming weather already. And it is during this time of year that we start missing the mountains, too. I hope everyone's having a great time and don't forget to protect your skin and drink plenty of water. Sunscreen and Water is a must this summer, right? Right! 

Anyway, I am not really talking about the weather and mountains, but I am talking about a beautiful dress that I got from eShakti for free in exchange for an honest review. Do you guys remember when I wrote something about dreaming of pretty frocks from eShakti? Well, at that time I was really wanting this Cutout Denim Chambray Dress for a review, but they were out (bummer) so I picked out this customized Stripe Poplin Dress in Black and White instead. 

I love my new dress and it is something that can transition to spring, summer, fall and winter type of dress. You got to love a piece of clothing that is versatile. The style and the cut of the dress fit just right on me, hence it is customized. I know it is a bit scary when you order a dress online because sometimes you would end up with a piece of clothing that is either way too big or way too tight. But like I said on my previous post, eShakti is an online store where you can customize your dress to your height, size and style that you require. To further learn more about eShakti, below is a little introduction. 

About eShakti

A fresh concept in fashion - customization

eShakti believes that all women have the right to wear affordable fashion that is made for them and makes them look their absolute best.


Our Story: eShakti began as a small website offering basic cottons and modestly embellished pieces. As we grew, we were tasked with providing design and fit solutions to meet our customers' needs. Today, we are an international fashion design company making custom clothing. Offering both style and fit customization for women size 0 through 36 is the heart of our business.

If this was my money spent on purchasing the dress, was it worth it? It would be money well spent!

The dress is well made and comfortable to wear. It slips on overhead and with a side zipper closure, and with two pockets. I love me some pockets on the dress. I love that sexy V-shape neck, which as they say is slimming and elongates your neck. And you can't go wrong with the classic Black and White combo.

If you are shopping for summer dresses, don't forget to check out eShakti, because it is a great place to shop if you want to order customized dresses. All in all, my experience with eShakti is wonderful and I am very thankful for this opportunity. To check out the rest of their collection, check out their website at http://www.eshakti.com/default.aspx. Thank you, eShakti!

For more update:

LIKE eShakti on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/eshakti

Follow on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/eshakti

Follow on Pinterest:

http://www.pinterest.com/eshakti/

Follow on Instagram:

http://instagram.com/eshakti

Product Review: One Dress. Six Ways. (Mata Traders Dress Review)

I have been given the chance to review a lovely summer dress from a wonderful company that supports fair trade. This company is called Mata Traders. Mata Traders is the kind of company that supports these families in India from poverty. They treat their workers with respect and equality, and it helps empower women, as well. And not to mention that their collection is amazing! 

The Mata Traders collection ranges from clothing, accessories, jewelry, bags, home decor, weddings, to gift certificates. Read below for a short introduction to the company, then followed by my own personal product review. Also, a how-to style one dress, six ways. Enjoy! 

About Us

Our products are handmade using artistic traditions such as block-printing and embroidery...no factory production here. Combine that with flattering design and a flair for color, and you've got the Mata look.

But that's just half the story - this is fashion with impact. For our producers, it's an opportunity to make a better life for their families. Choosing fair trade means you're helping fight global poverty.

Our journey with ‘Mother India’ began in 2003, when Michelle, Joni, and I, best friends since college, spent 4 months traveling the subcontinent on a round the world trip. After that, while Michelle went to grad school and Joni worked at a community org, I went back to India yearly for buying trips, importing everything from antique wall hangings to leather shoes.  As my business blossomed, so did my awareness of the conditions of poverty that exist for much of the population. I began to see my buying power there as a chance to make a difference, and on my second trip I actively sought out producer groups that paid their workers good wages and practiced the principles of fair trade.

Mata Trader's Mission

Our mission is to work with organizations that educate, employ, and empower women. Spending time with these groups has helped us realize that even the most traditional women, when given the opportunity, thrive in a sphere of meaningful work that is outside their homes and families. We have also learned that equality in the workplace IS possible in a country as socially stratified as India.  Whether a beginner sewer or the marketing director, all the women that make our clothing and accessories have a voice. We are so proud to be a part of that voice by bringing you their quality handiwork in a high fashion, fairly traded product line.

  

What's In The Mail?

Summerfest Dress Houses

- Your go-to spring/summer dress! 

- With the higher neckline you can dress it up for a family occasion or wear it casual to your neighborhood street fest.

- Hidden pockets.

Length: XS: 33", S: 33.5", M: 33.5", L: 34", XL: 34" 1X: 36", 2X: 37", 3X: 38"

Materials: 100% cotton

Summerfest Dress paired with Blowfish Ricky Shoes


Summerfest Dress paired with a vintage top and Rocket Dog shoes. And a belt borrowed from a jacket. 

Summerfest Dress paired with a vintage hat, a green cardi, and a pair of Minnetonka Mocs. 


Summerfest Dress paired with a Nectar Sunglasses, a thrift-ed and altered Army Jacket, and a pair of Rocket Dog shoes for a low-key, casual and comfortable outfit. 


Summerfest Dress paired with a vintage button-up tie blouse, and rocket dog shoes.


Wearing the Summerfest Dress as a top and paired it with a vintage navy blue skirt, a skinny red belt, and a pair of Blowfish Ricky shoes. 

My Review:

- First of all, I love the fact that Mata Traders company supports fair trade. And I am happy to share the news about this company with all of your readers out there.

- Not only they support a wonderful mission, this dress is also well-made. It fits right on me and I love the two pockets on the side. Reminds me of the vintage dresses I have with side pockets. 

- Another thing I love about this dress is that it is versatile. You can dress it up or dress it down. You can style it in how many ways you want it and as you can see in my photos, I style the Summerfest Dress Houses in Six Ways. I am sure you can come up with different ways to style it up yourself. 

- I feel really comfortable and stylish in this new dress and I can't wait to really enjoy wearing it this summer. 

- To check out the rest of their collection, don't forget to visit Mata Traders website today at http://www.matatraders.com/index.php. Thank you, Mata Traders! 

If this was my money spent to buy the dress, was it worth it?

- Yes! And it is wonderful to know that when you shop at Mata Traders, you are helping families in India. 

For more update:

LIKE on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/matatraders?ref=ts

Follow on Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/MataTraders

Follow on Pinterest:
http://www.pinterest.com/matatraders/