I'm so excited to be participating in Anna (from Noodlehead) and Shannon (from Luvinthemommyhood)'s Sewing with Knits series! Both Anna and Shannon are fabulous and talented gals, not to mention so sweet. :) It took me forever to settle on a knit project to do-I had just come off of an obsession of my own with knits, so I was kind of out of knit … [Read more...]
Summertime refashion guest post
July 13, 2011 By 45 Comments
Today I'm guest posting over at On the Laundry Line, for Laura's Summertime, and the Living is Thrifty blog series, with this adorable refashioned top. (which cost a total of $2.75 thankyaverymuch) Hi! I'm Jess from Craftiness is not Optional, and I'm a cheapskate. I also love to sew. (that's also kind of an understatement) I also absolutely … [Read more...]
this outfit cost me $5.
July 6, 2011 By 22 Comments
Yep, a whopping 5 smakeroos went into this outfit. (minus the shoes, which you can't see anyways cause I sunk into the grass so much) Normally I wouldn't show you my outfits (I'm no "style blogger" though wish I could be worthy of such...really I only "dress up" on Sundays for church...have I used enough "air quotes" in this parantheses?) but … [Read more...]
tee shirts to dress refashion
June 23, 2011 By 26 Comments
I made this dress months ago, but somehow never took any pictures of it. I found some cute printed tees at my thrift store, so I cut off the bottom of a white tee, cut strips of the tee shirts, gathered them if needed, and sewed them into a quick dress. I used the existing hem of a tee for the bottom so it was a really easy refashion! Comfy and … [Read more...]
a few new tops for me…(yes, more!)
June 15, 2011 By 21 Comments
I've been getting so brave with sewing tops for myself. And by brave I mean having too much fun with my elastic, as you'll see. I'm a big fan of the elasticy waistband-gives you somewhat of a shape but is comfy. Gotta love that. This top I made with Prudent Baby's tute, after stumbling across Anna's again. Love hers.I got me some more voile too! … [Read more...]
raglan tee tutorial
June 6, 2011 By 91 Comments
There's something so tomboyish and adorable about a raglan tee. Right? It's also...drumroll....definitely a BOY project too! Never thought I'd see the day on this here girlified blog. Welp, won't happen again for awhile probably. (just kidding. We're hoping for a boy next. Not for awhile though! eek) They're soft and comfy for babies … [Read more...]
keyhole tee shirt: a tutorial
May 18, 2011 By 42 Comments
I saw a little keyhole detail like this on a friends' daughter's shirt and thought it looked fun, so of course I had to try it out asap. I used a thrifted tee (before pic below) and used the existing hem-I love doing that, it saves a whole step, plus my knit hems never look good. Isn't that teal button the perfect accent (and color?) It's from … [Read more...]
summer lovin’ top tutorial
April 28, 2011 By 36 Comments
I kept having visions of summer dancing in my head while sewing this shirt. I don't know if it was the bright yellow fabric or the warm weather I was enjoying, but it works! I totally love Sadie in yellow. and cute shorts. I love the little swoops (technical term, btw) on the shoulders and the buttons. And the stripeys! Gotta love stripeys. … [Read more...]
the one where I stuff all the clothes I’ve made lately into one post.
March 31, 2011 By 263 Comments
The title says it all in this one, right? I've been busy sewing up some fun clothes for the girls, and I have a busy April here on ye ol' blog (hint hint fun things in store! see the sidebar for a clue), so I thought I'd put them all into one ginormous post. So good luck to you all, hope you can finish it. You just know I couldn't stop making … [Read more...]
shades of teal skirt
March 2, 2011 By 13 Comments
I made this quick skirt using Care's tutorial, and some teal shirts from the dollar store and Michaels. I just LOVE the results! (shirt from Target) Sadie does too, despite her expression. She's a little harder to pose these days, she has her own ideas about what looks good, I guess. Like leaning against the wall, sneering. Yep, sorry hun, … [Read more...]