Lately I have been really into making clothes for my two girls. It is so fun creating things for them that are one-of-a-kind and I feel so proud when they are wearing what I made for them.
With all the consumer waste that is going on in our world, I think it is so wonderful when you can repurpose an item that has already been created and turn it into something even more fabulous than it’s original intention. Don’t get me wrong, with my sewing and fabric obsession, I am definitely out there buying new things, but I feel especially proud of my repurposed children’s clothing.
Last night I made this really simple pair of Bitty Booties (see picture to left) for my 3.5 month old daughter, Matilda. One of my favorite fabric designers, Heather Bailey, has a free pattern for these booties on her blog (http://heatherbailey.typepad.com). It is SUPER simple with only a few pattern pieces and then I hand embroidered the opening with a blanket stitch using cranberry embroidery floss. For the fabric, I “felted” a mens sweater that I got at Good Will for $3.
Felting is caused by heat agitation. It is a process in which you wash 100% wool knitted material (sweaters, scarves, knitting, ect.) in very hot water (2 times) to produce an incredibly dense, yet very soft and thick fabric for you to use for purses, scarves, slippers, baby booties, ect. More on felting at another time.
If you are interested in finding out more about any of these projects, please leave me a comment or send me an email and I would be happy to answer any questions you may have or post a tutorial. And if the above projects excite you, I highly recommend you check out the Betz White’s book, Sewing Green: 25 Projects Made with Repurposed and Organic Materials which has some other great ideas!
Lindsay Wilkes is the owner and designer behind The Cottage Mama. She creates timeless, vintage inspired sewing patterns for children’s clothes. She is also a fabric designer for Riley Black Designers / Penny Rose Fabrics, author of the book ‘Sew Classic Clothes for Girls’ and can be seen teaching nationwide and online in her video series ‘Lessons with Lindsay’ sponsored by Baby Lock Sewing and Embroidery machines.
Hi! I came across your blog from the fabric co-op site. I really like the dresses you made. I would like more information on them. Specifically the second one and how you closed it? Or, was the opening large enough to fit over your daughter’s head?
I have been playing around with the idea of felted slippers for my daughter this year – just haven’t gotten there yet. You might have been just the inspiration I needed!
So glad you found me! Sorry I didn’t get back to you sooner……I just saw this comment and I’m new to this whole blogging thing.
I left the band around the chest open in the back and attached a green ribbon (same as at the bottom) at the top of the opening to close it – I just tie it in a bow – looks REALLY cute :-).
Also, I would definitely give felting a try. It is SO much fun and easy. I just felted 3 sweaters that I am going to turn into some things for my girls (got them all at Goodwill for $2.00) – looking forward to getting started on those.
Again, thanks for reading! PS……love your blog!
Those are darling!!!!!!