DIY Cheap Baby (Kids) Clothes Series

My plan here was to finish up the green sparkle motion fabric and use a remnant of sweatshirt fleece I picked up at Joann’s for some clothes for Hazel and Alex.

Starter Pile
Starter Pile

In the pile above is the remaining bit of green fabric, the rest of the waffle knit heart binding role, a pair of pants made for Alex and the remaining bit from that. The remnant for Alex’s pants was during a 40% off sale, plus the 50% off remnants, so $12.27-40%-50% (obviously not in proper algebraic form) = $3.68 + $1 for elastic = $4.68 for his pants. I used the same Burda pattern I used for the previous Hazel pants, so freebie!

This left the rest of the pile at $0….however, after sewing with the fleece, I found that making a tank for Hazel with it just wasn’t going to happen. It barely has any stretch to it, so there was no way it would work in a knit pullover top.

I didn’t like any of the store-bought patterns for the Hazel top, so I took one of her favorite tank-tops and traced it on some taped-together recycle-pile paper.

Basic French Curve Ruler
Basic French Curve Ruler

I don’t trust my tracing to be without wobbles, so I lined up a vary basic French curve ruler on the curvy parts and used it as my guide. That and I just know I’d get Sharpie on Hazel’s shirt and then she’d hate me forever. I don’t need that kind of stress.

Make Your Own Pattern
Make Your Own Pattern

Voila! Free pattern! I marked them with the cut-on-fold parts and front/back because I know I’ll be using these again and I’m forgetful.

I didn’t quite have enough green fabric to make the tank (Hazel is a tall one), and I couldn’t use the gray fleece as the stretchy wasn’t there…so I decided to make my own fabric.

Make Your Own Fabric
Make Your Own Fabric

I cut the green in strips and serged it to matching strips of the green-heart binding until I had enough to fit the pattern.

Ready To Cut
Ready To Cut

I’m playing around with a new camera. Can you tell? hahaha.

Okokok, so after it’s cut, it looks like this….and I’m yet again blessed to have a serger….

Front Cut
Front Cut

I had enough of the green to make the back solid green, and it’s darn cute.

DIY Girl's Tank
DIY Girl’s Tank

I’m leaving the edges raw-serged like this..it’s cute and casual, and the fabric barely has enough stretch. I think if I added a hem, it might just rip out.

I put notes on my pattern for next time to adjust as such:

Add Notes To Pattern
Add Notes To Pattern

So, with that is the end of the green and grays for awhile. I have a nice pile from this session.

Boy Pants and Girl Tank
Boy Pants and Girl Tank

Total for both, with the tank being $0 is just the cost of the pants at $4.68.

I’m saving the pile for an outing later this month to *hopefully* get a photo of them in motion and in the Valentine’s Day/Zoe’s birthday spirit!
The Final Pile
The Final Pile

I’m thinking I need a new color theme for the next batch. This was fun, if a little too Pantone-orrific. I can’t imagine Alex would be thrilled with spring pastels….thoughts? Suggestions?

Meanwhile, I’ve got some serious quilting to do, so I have time to think on this series.