Repurposing T-Shirts

I guess saving all those shirts throughout the years has payed off ;) 

For a cousin's new baby... to remind them of the connection back to Sinai, SD!

There's only a few people that I can sew using shirts that has my maiden name on the back!

Patterns: Peekaboo Pattern Shop's Lullaby Bodysuit and Patterns for Pirates' Playground pants.

A fun reminder of the hours playing T-ball and softball under the summer sun!

Pattern: Peekaboo Pattern Shop's Lullaby Bodysuit

It was a hard year for my high school graduation class - this fall, one classmate lost her husband to a hard-fought battle with brain cancer. Two months later, we lost a classmate in a tragic hunting accident where he and his younger brother both lost their lives. I graduated with about 40 other students after spending the previous 13 years together in the same building... so we're a tight-knit class, and these losses were very hard to deal with.

Well, that classmate who died in the hunting accident died about a week or so before his birthday. On that birthday, his little girl was born. I wasn't quite ready to cut up my senior shirt, but thankfully a classmate mailed me his, so I could make this bunny for the new baby. May she always know the love of her father and the support from his classmates.

Patterns: Bunny Lovey by UnlikelyNest

I also made this outfit for her - the top uses a shirt that my mom decided was too small for her (she still teaches at our school). 

Patterns: Peekaboo Pattern Shop Violet Tunic and Go-To Pattern's free baby legging pattern

These were made for a benefit for that same family. I was thankful that I could do something to help!

Pattern: Peekaboo Pattern Shop Violet Tunic 

Handmade in the Wild: Hiking, Hiking, Hiking

We hope to instill a love of the outdoors with the kids, and we look forward to lots of outdoor adventures as a family!

Enjoying the trails around the local lake... this was probably after Dan took them both out on the kayak first. Don't ask me why he's not wearing pants because I can't remember!

My parents have a small trail that winds through their shelter belt. We love hiking it during the spring, summer and fall! I'm thankful that my dad has taken so much time to create this trail!

Ev is growing up! She insisted on pulling her brother in the wagon while we were on just a short walk around the neighborhood. Little brother always appreciates the attention :)

Skirt: Blog Post

Grey Floral Pants: Made for Mermaids Bonny Leggings made from clearance leggings from Walmart

Sweatshirt: Hatteras Hoodie pattern from Hey June Handmade using a upcyled flannel pillowcase and oatmeal french terry from Raspberry Creek Fabrics.

Pretty in Peplums

Remember when I tested two different patterns for Sew Much Ado Patterns last year? Well, Abby (the designer) gifts each pattern tester a free pattern from her collection as a thank-you for helping with the process. The first pattern I chose was the Schoolboy Vest, and then the second pattern I chose was the Pretty-in-Peplum top and dress. Let's just say that I went crazy with making these once I received the pattern!!!

Here's one in Springs Creative princess knit and Art Gallery knit for the sleeves... we gave this as a birthday gift to one of Evelyn's friends. 

I won this "Happy Fall Y'all" panel from Peekaboo Pattern Shop, so I purchased just a little bit of coordinating material to make a fall top for Ev. It probably didn't get worn as much as it could have because we were having difficulties understanding the difference between a one-day holiday and a full season... toddler/preschoolers... :)

She definitely wore this one a few times though - a Halloween top made from two different thrifted tops I purchased the year before. 

Last, but not least, I made coordinating tops for Ev and her cousins! I finished them in time for Kae's birthday celebration last October! The girls really do love matching, and these tops are so easy and quick! The green fabric is designed by Lizzy House, but I can't remember which fabric manufacturer she designs for. The solids either came from my local shop or from Raspberry Creek Fabrics on Etsy.

Onesie Gifts are Complete!

Eek! I've had this post ready to go, but I just forgot to post it!

These onesie sets took me longer to sew up than they should have just because I kept choosing to accomplish quick sews between the different steps.

But finally, these are done and all but one has been delivered!

Pattern: Peekaboo Lullaby Line Bodysuit and the Peekaboo Spunky Skater Skirt

Fabrics are a mixture of stash knits and old t-shirts that have special meaning to each of the recipients

(Three SDSU Jackrabbits, one city rec softball, one 4-H and one band and choir shirt that was designed by the little girls' mom)

I've been pleasantly surprised with the reception of these onesies. They have all been so appreciative and it's been so fun to see a few of the babies in their special creations! (They fit!!)

I should go pick out two more shirts to upcycle... a classmate and a cousin are both due in September!

March Goal Complete!

My goal for March was to finish 6 baby onesies that at the time I had cut out but hadn't sewn together... here they are!

As usual, the pattern is Peekaboo Pattern's Lullaby Bodysuit. This time I branched out and used the 3 month, 12 month and 18 month sizes along with my usual 6 month size. 

Here are the college onesies :)

One is for a high school friend of mine who also attended the same college, one is for a running teammate and one is for a math fraaaaand (we used to have math parties together... aka study groups, ha).

And the hometown onesies... one is actually for a 18 month old little girl. Her mom actually designed the shirt out junior year of high school for our band and choir trip to Colorado. Then the other two are for one high school friend... a softball onesie and a 4-H onesie :)

It felt so good to finish these! There is four of them that will be going to girls, so I'm hoping to sew up quick circle skirts for those. Only one of the babies is due in April, while the others will be arriving later... I work better under pressure, so maybe it would be better if they were all due sooner!

Two More Upcycled Onesies

Valentine's Day Weekend was a busy weekend for my friends :) 

One baby boy was born on Saturday and another on Sunday. One was a day after his due date while the other one was right on time!

Both Moms (and one of the Dads!) were teammates of mine in college, so of course both babies needed SDSU creations! 

One of these is already on the way to its new home, but the other will have to wait for a baby shower. 

I still have several cut out and ready to go... more babies are on the way!

Pattern: PAB's Lullaby Line Bodysuit

Fabric: Upcycled T-shirts along with black, blue and grey cotton lycra from various shops - both online and local

My First PAB Bodysuit

Right after high school graduation, I starting making a t-shirt quilt. It didn't use as many t-shirts as I had saved, but I couldn't make myself throw out the extras. I finally took them from my parents' house and have been hoping to upcycle them. High school sweethearts and good friends of mine from my class recently had their second baby - a little boy, so it was the perfect time to start using up my old shirts!

I use Peekaboo Pattern Shop's Bodysuit from the Lullaby Line. I used a heathered grey cotton lycra for the back and the bands while the sleeves came from a scrap piece of blue interlock. I used blue thread to accent the top stitching and match the Kam snaps. I made several mistakes, but I still think it turned out pretty well. The pattern itself is very easy to follow, and I look forward to making more!

I just cut out several more front panels from t-shirts... now to cut out the accent pieces... soon I'll be ready for all the upcoming babies that will be arriving over the next couple of months!