Kids Couture T-shirt Tutorial

And now for a Tutorial that you all have been waiting for...with baited breath I'm sure. ;) These instructions will work for for kids shirts, adults shirts, baby clothes, baby onesies, the possibilities are limitless! They make excellent, original gifts, and special clothing items for your own children or yourself.



How to make a Child's Boutique T-shirt:

Materials needed:

Iron on transfer paper, available at your local craft or fabric store.

Iron

Scissors

Thread (A matching or contrasting color for the top stitch, and white for the bobbin)

Fabric (or fabricS) of choice

Sewing Machine

Kids T, Onesie, or desired item to embellish (purse, blanket, ect...)



1) Take your transfer paper and choice of fabric, and iron the fabric onto the transfer paper. I usually cut a small piece of fabric and iron it on, just the size I need for my design. Don't accidentally move your iron OFF of the fabric, or the transfer paper will goo your iron. Icky.


2) I like to cut out the portion that I'm working with. Consider your design to determine the size of fabric needed.

3) Generally, anything you could make a basic outline of is easy to create. You can get more detailed and do something like an animal and layer on its eyes ect. Your choice. I copied the palm tree on this fabric free hand. I like to save the paper backing when I'm done as a future stencil in my stash of design ideas. Draw your design onto the paper backing on the prepped fabric.

4) Proceed to cut out your design

5) Eat your oatmeal (or preferred lunch) while you are working. Because the kids are napping and this is your chance to eat in peace. Plus if you are like me you enjoy doing a million things at once. And if you are like me, it's generally a compulsion that can't be ignored, even if it adds stress to your life, rather than relieves it. I'm referring to multitasking, not eating. Although eating is a compulsion not to be ignored either...

6) Design ready! PEEL OFF PAPER BACKING. Ah the mature voice of experience. I've forgotten this step while distracted or doing multiple shirts, and have ended up ironing longer than needed and wondering WHY the thing won't stick? Oh Duh. (Do you like that use of verbage? Duh? Takes you back to elementary school doesn't it. Again with the maturity here.) Duh duh duh. It can't stick, the paper is still there.

7) Lay out image onto shirt however you want to place it. Centered because you like precision? Go for it. To the side because you like things a little artsy? Sure! Upside down....well...just because you're weird? Why not. I'm not stopping you. Be you. I'm not judging.

8) Iron on according to the instructions on your transfer paper. Although generally I find mine need higher heat and the regular steam setting even if it isn't recommended. But do start by following the instructions first and working from there.

Now, you don't HAVE to do this next step, but don't be scared to try. If you take your time and are careful you CAN do this. If you don't sew your design it will begin to peel after only a few washes. It is worth the time and effort.

9)Top stitch the applique to give it that finished look, and also to hold down the applique during its many washes. If you are new to sewing, take your time, take it easy, and try to sew moderately close to the edges.

The edges will probably fray a tiny bit in the future, which actually looks very cute and vintage-y. If you HATE the thought of that, you can buy a little bottle of Fray-Check at your craft store, and use it around the edges to keep them from fraying at all.

And there you have it! Your own fancy little T! Wal-Mart is an excellent place to find plain t-shirts for a low price. I bought these white ones over a year and a half ago on clearance and got an amazing deal!

Don't forget about my GIVEAWAY for this shirt in a size 4T!! It closes Tuesday night. To enter, comment on the Giveaway post, and for an extra entry mention it when you blog and link to it! (And leave me a comment so that I know you did). =)

Happy creating to you!

=)

Megan

{Quilting for Dummies...and a GiVeAwAy!}

Well, I made Baby MnM's quilt in a day and a half! I know, I'm amazed at myself also! I hope I didn't get everyone too excited at the mention of a quilt the other day, although it is BEAUTIFUL, and I L.O.V.E. it, it is a basic large block quilt. Definitely not an intricate pattern. But wonderful nonetheless!!!

The lovely women who work at Keepsake Cottage Fabrics took the time to generously figure out my dimensions and the size of blocks I would need for this quilt. Thanks to their efforts, I was able to cut, assemble, and create with ease. If they hadn't been such a help, I think it would have taken me MUCH longer. My brain and math (yes, even simple math at times) don't get along. Throw in pregnancy and two talkative children in the room? Forget about it!

I'll walk you through my very simple process of making this quilt, and you will see that even if you don't sew, you could do it too!!

And then I'll tell you about my GIVEAWAY!!! And NO. I'm not giving away the quilt. So don't get your hopes up. ;)

First, you figure out the size you want your quilt to be, and then do a breakdown of the size the squares should be, and how many for each row. Honestly, if you wanted to wing it, you could just cut a bunch of squares and assemble them, and when you are done figure out the size your backing and padding should be. But it's probably better to have some firm dimensions in mind. =)

As the ladies at CKF recommended, I drew out each square on the back of my selected fabric. Each one was measured to be 10 inches square.

I drew and cut them all out, and then laid them out to figure out how I wanted them in the finished quilt. I played with the color patterns a bit, and ended up with this-

(Please note: I highly recommend keeping any dogs, cats, or wild beasts locked up if you are laying your squares out on the floor. You will spare yourself exasperation and gnashing of teeth if you follow this important advice. I also recommend keeping your 2 year old near you in her highchair with snacks, so that said 2 year old does not decide to "Help" and thus become a tornado in the midst of your hard work. Please take said advice seriously.)

Then, I sewed each row. In the bottom corner of each row I wrote in pencil the row number, so that if something happened, I wouldn't get them mixed up. Each square was carefully sewn together. I then pressed the row, and also pressed the seams open-

Finally each row was sewn and pressed, and it was time to sew the rows together-

I carefully ironed each bit as it came together, ironing the seams open so it would sew and quilt nicely-

My fabric for the back is the pink palm tree pattern. I assembled the fabric and batting (wrong sides out) and sewed the whole think together, leaving a gap at one end so that I could turn the quilt. I then top-stitched around the entire thing, giving it a nice boarder, and also closing up the gap that I used for turning it-

I sewed rows along each seam of the squares, first lengthwise, then width wise, quilting it together. My squares didn't match up perfectly each time, so I just moved along the seam as needed.At the end of such a long project, it can be helpful to turn on an old movie. I (thanks to netflix) turned on "Tea for Two" with Dorris Day. It played in the background as I finished up. I highly recommend old movies (especially Jimmy Stewart or Cary Grant) or Christmas movies as a stress reliever at the end of a long day, and while sewing or doing laundry. (Although in the instance of laundry, you might just end up sitting on the couch, with the same basket of laundry next to you and unfolded when "The End" scrolls across the screen...)

Towards the end of my project I had a craving for some cookies. We were out of chocolate chips, so I decided on chocolate cookies. I googled a recipe, and gave it a whirl. Honestly, I liked the dough best. I think the white chocolate chips ruined them, because they were WAY too sweet. And nothing really compares to gooey chocolate butter and sugar right out of the bowl anyways. Just sayin. I mean really, who here just wants to make cookies for the dough sometimes? I'm not the only one, am I?

And honestly? I needed some chocolate therapy. It was an emotionally rough day. Please, please don't send any sympathy to me though, if you think of it, please pray for my church family. Our Senior Pastor went to be with Jesus yesterday. He was a wonderful man, with a faith I hope to emulate. His son is our Associate Pastor (and now Senior Pastor) and his family are all friends of ours. I mention this because I covet your prayers for his wife and children.

Back to the finished product. I decided after a little soul therapy from that bowl of chocolate, to make a t-shirt for LaLa. You will see that in a moment. First, a few more glimpses of the quilt-

Hmm- I see a few threads that need snipping...

And now, for the t-shirt I made for Lala, and the reveal of the giveaway.

The model is cuter than the t-shirt, so she gets first dibs-

Now for the t, I'm sorry that this photo of it on is blurry!

And here is the shirt one more time-

Yes, quite a productive day.

{GIVEAWAY}

I'm giving away one t-shirt just like LaLa's in a size 4t! If you don't have a little one who will fit it or grow into it, it would make a very fun gift! The one she is wearing in her picture is 3t, and I chose it so it would be big, because it will shrink a little bit. Plus she won't out grow it right away!

To enter, leave me a comment! If you want to have a second entry, mention (and link to) my giveaway in your blog! In the past I offered extra entries for licking your elbow, but I'll let you off the hook this time. This giveaway will be open until Tuesday evening, May 25th.

Also, soon I will show you a little tutorial on making your own cute t-shirts for your kiddos. This tutorial will work for t-shirts, tank tops, onesies, or anything else you might want to embellish! It is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO simple, and fun. Honestly, I feel like I'm giving some not-so-secret secret away, because I used to sell these on etsy. But really, you can find out how to do them anywhere. =) I want to share the wealth! Its designer for a buck! (Literally, if you find a t-shirt for a buck, and already have the supplies, it is!)

AND (this is getting really long...) I will post next week my Chicken Salad recipe, and my lemonaid-for-one recipe. (Meredith, there you have it! The salad, lemonaid, AND quilt! Hehe. And also some sewing ideas for that new little sewing machine!)

That said, I'm signing off. Enter my giveaway, and be of good cheer!

=)

Megan

{Chicken Salad and Addictive Fabric...but it all starts with a Pancake}

Our day began an hour earlier than usual, which seems to be the NEW usual. Sigh. The kids have been waking up early, and I have been unable to sleep anyways- a mix of insomnia and my round tummy being eternally uncomfortable. Come September it will return to normal, but until then...Sigh.

So, one sleep deprived Mommy, and two antsy kiddos equals-

And also-

The sun was shining beautifully, and a storm is supposed to be rolling in...So we headed out to my favorite fabric store EVER. I have been hunting all week for the bedding that I want to use in LaLa's room for her BIG GIRL BED! Ack! I ordered hers (you'll see it in a moment...) and decided to make a quilt for Baby MnM who is arriving in September.

Did I mention we found out the baby is a girl???

So, I purchased LaLa's bedding, and I decided to try to find some similar fabrics for the baby's quilt. They will be sharing a room. So we headed out to Country Village.

And saw this cocky rooster-


Did you see that wig he has? Hilarious.

Below is a little snapshot of what we did. Buy fabric. Chase rooster. Shop for fabric. Eat hot dog. Sit on merry-go-round horses. Enjoy sunshine.

Keepsake Cottage Fabrics is also how you spell T-R-O-U-B-L-E. Look it up. It's in the dictionary.


Here is the fabric I chose for the quilt-

YUMMY.

I L.O.V.E fabric. Oh yes. I find it addictive. It makes my mouth water. It calls to me.

I came home, put the kiddos down for a nap, and made myself lunch. I have been anticipating today's lunch since last night, when I made my mom's famous Chicken Salad. OOOOh yes. First I made some home made lemonaid, and threw in some fresh raspberries and a sliced strawberry-

Oh Chicken Salad, this photo does not do you justice.

At the grocery store they had these GIANT strawberries, and so the kids and I will be having some when they get up-


And I will be having this-

Ok, I PROMISE you all that a TWO coffee day is R.A.R.E. Promise. Cross my heart. But this week? It's just one of those weeks. Know what I mean?

Speaking of this week, my son's fever broke on Sunday, Praise God! He is healthy and well now. What a relief.

Do you all want the recipe for my chicken salad? Let me know, I'll post it if you do.

Now, about that quilt. I've never made a quilt before. Uh-oh. I am not the most patient person, so I don't get into very many projects that require exactness. Usually I just let the artist in me flow.

And? I plan to do it THIS WEEKEND. Yep. I'll post photos of my progress. Yikes! I want to be able to get more of the fabric for decorative pillows and such, and if I take all summer to do the quilt, I don't know if they will still have it all!

It looks like the storm is here, the wind is blowing, my power just flickered off and back on, and the kiddos are up!

I'm going to start figuring out that quilt...(And I might just eat some Chicken Salad for dinner too...)

=)

Megan

(P.S. If I ever seem food obsessive on my blog or when I comment on YOUR blog, I shall blame it on pregnancy. But really? I love food. FOOOOD. But you didn't hear that here.)

A Tiny Apron, 3 Year Old Conversations, and The Crud

A Tiny Apron:

First let me introduce to you this little baby apron I made for LaLa to wear on Thanksgiving. Because she needs to get in on the baking too, doncha know?

I will have to get a picture of it ON her next. It came out pretty cute, wouldn't you say? Next I hope to get one made for my son to wear. Without ruffles. Or pink.

On to the 3 Year Old Conversations:

The other day my dear son was playing with his cars. (An hourly occurrence here) He was having a little conversation with them that went something like this:

"Hi what's your name."

"My name is race car." (of course, because it IS a race car. so what else would it's name be??)

"Hi race car. I'm going to pass you by."

"Ok, pass me by!"

That one cracked me up. Another one was between he and I. I had him in the car, and LaLa was at home with daddy. I told my Dear Son that we were going on a date together. (We were headed to the library and then Starbucks).

Me: "Hey we are going on a date!"

Him: "A date Mama?"

Me: "Yep!"

Him: "What is date Mama?"

Me: "This, you and me together without LaLa or Daddy"

Him: "I don't see the date. Where the date Mama?"

Me: "This is the date, me and you together."

Him: "Where date go? I don't see the date!"

This continued back and forth..this is the date...I don't see the date...till I finally said:

"Ok, there is no date. Do you want to go to the library and Starbucks with me?"

Silence....

Him: "Where the date go Mama???

Obviously I didn't explain that one to him very well!

The Crud.

We have what my dad calls "The Crud." I'd say that defines it pretty well, but let me explain just in case- we are sick. If I were to define it I would say the flu with out the throwing up part. It started with LaLa. I hate it when my kids get sick, and it's doubly sad when it is the baby. Then it hit me, then Dear Son, and lastly Dear Husband. Now Dear Husband seems to be fending it off pretty well, but boy has it got me. Fever, chills, stuffed head, sore throat, blah. I am glad we got it before Thanksgiving, hopefully it will be gone by then! Begone Thou Crud!

P.S.

If you love fabric like I do, go check out Bee Square Fabrics. She has tons of delish designs to choose from! And a really nifty new website. Go shop!

Fabric

First off I must confess that these are not the best of pictures, and I couldn't take any time to edit them, so they are really just fresh out of my camera. But I wanted to share some of the fabrics I have that I haven't made anything with yet, but are available for orders.

This first one is so cute, large flowers layered over chandelier sketchings- Below are some great fall fabrics. A 60's style floral with pink, brown, blue, and a few other colors- great for blankets, onesies, and burp cloths. Next is a green and brown stripe with limes- adorable for baby boys items. I have actually used it for a beautiful boys blanket that I need to photograph. Then I have a pink, brown, green and blue stripe for girls blankets or burp cloths, and perhaps some onesie designs. Finally I have a pink fabric with chandeliers sketched on it. It coordinates with the one above, and you can see the one above just a smidge here.
Here is a closer look at the chandelier and the stripe-
And finally, a headband I made for my daughter! I made it specifically for our vacation and then I FORGOT it!!! Oh the agony. This is also available for purchase for $12. It features a soft headband, a adorable fabric flower, and a sparkly button to top it off!
Stay tuned, more to come now that we are back from vacation!

Beginnings

Welcome to Little Bella Bean...I am just beginning my own small business- hand embellished onesies for babies and T's for toddlers. I am hoping to also include some other items also- skirts, blankets, ext. I have been working on my items for the past week and a half, sewing away, crossing my fingers that the things I have created will connect with other mommies/parents and they will love them the way I do.

Recently I have jumped headfirst into the world of fabric...beautiful patterns, fabulous designers, eye candy that feeds my spirit! I am head over heels for this world that is so new to me. The colors, the vibrancy, the patterns and style...

Soon I will announce the opening of my website where you can purchase my creations. Until then I will be dipping my toes into another new world- blogging. I had no idea such a community of creativity was out here! You all post thoughts, pictures, creations, ramblings...and you fuel one anothers creativity. I am inspired as I browse the many blogs out here in cyberspace. If I am feeling dull and my creativity wont flow, all I have to do is start clicking around and I find inspiration. Although it can easily suck me in and I end up wondering where my time went!

Now I must post a link because I really really want to win this quilt!!-



I will keep you posted if I do. =)