{DIY} No-Sew "Ribbons and Bows" Holiday Shirt

So there's no better time to make holiday shirts for your kids, than the day of the party right?  Perhaps I'm the ultimate procrastinator, or perhaps I like to live life one day at a time, but I woke up this morning realizing the girls didn't have any cute party shirts to wear to Daddy's Work Christmas party....at 2:30...hmmmmm.... I always love the idea of embellishing t-shirts, but a really hate sewing anything onto jersey knit.  Even with stabilizer, I feel like it bunches up and starts to looks really funky.  BUT I didn't want to use glue either...so I fished around in my supplies and came up with some magical Stitch Witchery.  If you have any aversion to sewing, this product can be a lifesaver!  So here's my no-sew tutorial for the

Ribbons and Bows Holiday Shirt

Here's what you'll need:

Stitch Witchery
Iron

Various Ribbons

Scissorrs

A plain T-shirt or onesie (or both!)

Step 1:  Begin by tying your bows.  I used 3 on the shirt, and 2 on the onesie.  

Here's the best way to tie perfect little bows:

-Make two loops with about 2" of ribbon between them

-Cross one loop over the other

-Pull it through and tight

-Adjust the length and size of your bow

Step 2: Lay out the ribbon on your shirt.  Cut some pieces of Stitch Witchery to the length of your long ribbons. 

I then cut my S.W. (Stitch Witchery) in half, lengthwise because it was thicker than my ribbon.  You can of course buy S. W. that is the right size for your ribbon, but that would've made things way too easy ;)
Step 3:  Simply follow the directions on the S. W. box - fusing the ribbon to the shirt using the heat of the iron.  Tuck under the ends 1/4" before you press it down, so you won't have any raw edges showing. 

Then add a small piece of S.W. to at the bottom of the ribbon and cover it with a bow. 

Press again to fuse the bow to the shirt.  Continue this process until all of your ribbon is on the shirt.  Put a dab of Fraycheck or clear nail polish on the ends of your bows so they won't unravel.
(turn the shirt inside out when you wash it)
Enjoy your holiday season sporting these sweet little T's!!

Happy Crafting!!
xoxo
jessica

{DIY} A Kokeshi Valentine

Well we've fallen in love over here in Japan with the adorable Kokeshi.  

They are super cute little wooden dolls that come in all shapes and sizes.

That's a great little book about them that you can buy here.
 

So since that's our love right now, I decided to make a Kokeshi Valentine t-shirt for Charlotte this year.  Today I have the free pattern for you in case you'd like to make your own!

The supplies you'll need are:

the pattern

plain t-shirt

scrap fabric/felt

coordinating threads

needle/embroidery floss

sewing machine

scissors

tear-away stabilizer

Step 1:

 Download the pattern and cut out all the pieces.

Decide on your fabrics and trace the pattern pieces onto the correct fabric. 

Step 2:

If the pattern says cut two, then cut one piece using the right side of the pattern and one using the wrong side of the pattern.

I cut out several different dolls, because I wasn't sure what style I wanted. 

I finally decided on this one:

Step 3:

Draw a face on your Kokeshi head.

Assemble the doll.

Sew the hair onto the head using a straight stitch, then the hair ties using a zig-zag stitch.

Sew the kimono together using a straight stitch down the front and a zig-zag along the bottom to attach the base.

Embroider the face onto the head.

 Step 4:

If you have some iron on transfer you could use it to secure the kokeshi onto the t-shirt.  I didn't have any so I just pinned it really well.  Slip the stabilizer into the shirt.  Thread your machine with the correct thread and set your zig-zag stitch to 3.5 width and .5 lenth.  Stitch around the doll, switching thread when needed. Take your time with this - keep the needle down and rotate your shirt often.

Step 5:

The final step is to zig-zag around the heart, and you're all done!

Isn't she so cute smiling at you?

Happy Sewing!

Have fun getting ready for Valentine's Day!

xoxo

jessica

Family Fashion Week Day 1 - T-shirt for Daddy!

Welcome to Family Fashion Week on Sew Homegrown!
This week we are going to revamp the whole family's wardrobe.  Time to get everyone ready for summer!

We're starting out with the men, because they are tricky to make things for.
Okay - how funny is this shirt?!

It's a copycat of this t-shirt from Urban Outfitters.

When Ryan and I saw it we literally laughed out-loud.  This shirt would be a great gift for your hubby, brother, son, cousin, dad, or friend.  It's pretty easy - no sewing required - just some simple freezer paper stenciling.  Now, I know that I am like the last person in blog world to do freezer paper stenciling...but better late than never right?
So let's get to it.  Here's what you'll need:

1 T-shirt in the appropriate size
fabric paint (or acryllic paint and fabric medium)
freezer paper
FREE T-REX PATTERN (that I drew...just for you.  because I love you.)
paint brush
xacto knife

Step 1:  Print the pattern.  Connect the dino at the x's.  Trace it onto the freezer paper.  Cut it out with an exacto knife. It's up to you to make the words.  I just used Microsoft Word.  I would recommend a simpler font than I used - those little curves were tricky.

  

Step 2:  Using a dry, hot iron, iron the stencil onto the t-shirt.  

Paint the shirt.

Step 3:  After it has fully dried, peel the paper off.  If you are using the acrylic/fabric medium combo you will need to let it dry overnight, then iron it, then wash it in cool water.

Easy craft for a guy right?  

Enjoy!

jessica