Homemade Christmas presents

For Christmas this year, I made most of the gifts we gave. The final tally was 9 stocking hats, 8 pairs of pajama pants, 4 canvases, 3 infinity scarves, 2 pajama shirts, a tote/ diaper bag, a backpack & a messenger bag, plus cookies for the teachers and paraprofessionals at Tate's school... WHEW! I even managed to make a few things for myself here and there.

Earlier this year, I swore off making gifts for people. I make gifts because I enjoy it, but I also get enjoyment from people's reaction. I made several things that I felt went unappreciated by the recipients.  Of course I got all upset and was convinced that no one appreciated anything I made for them. Then several random Facebook pictures appeared. A friend posted a picture of her daughter wearing a cloth diaper I made her. A week later, I saw my niece wearing something we had made together to school. My sister posted a random picture of her family and both of my nieces were wearing things that I made for them. Another friend also posted a picture of her son wearing a cloth diaper I made for him. Seeing the pictures convinced me that I was being silly, not everyone was ungrateful. So thank you to Taylor, Erica L. and Jenny N. for your pictures; I truly appreciate seeing them!

Reactions like this are priceless!

Every year the boys have gotten a pair of pajamas for Christmas. This is the first year I made them. 
I hope to post a few tutorials or at least individual pictures of what I made over the next few weeks. My sisters kids all have birthdays coming up and both nieces have already requested presents they would like me to make for them, so I still have some sewing to do! 

Backpack

This year, I have decided to make most of the boys' and other family members' Christmas presents. The boys don't really need anything. The first project I finished was a birthday/ Christmas combination (Mayer is getting one for his birthday, but Tate has to wait until Christmas).

I made them out of jeans and fabric scraps.

To get see the mini tutorial and the pattern, please visit my guest post on Happily Domestic!

Superhero and Villain Halloween Update

I know it has been two weeks since Halloween, but I figured I should share the final tallies on the cost of our thrifty, homemade costumes.

Mayer's Robin costume:

Materials used: 2 onesies, a long sleeve t-shirt, a men's dress shirt, a maternity tank top, pantyhose, gold paint and felt boot covers
Total cost: $0.46
Tate's Batman costume:

 

 (added a utility belt)

Materials used: men's grey t-shirt, men's dress shirt, RIT dye, t-shirt and knit scraps, and belt
Total cost: $4.50

 Action shots of Batman and Robin

Tate is sad that Halloween is over and he can't be Batman every day. 
My Catwoman costume:
I don't have any pictures of my full costume, but here is most of it in pieces.

(minus the boots and necklace)

(close up of mask and ears)

(gloves with claws)

Materials used: black long sleeved t-shirt, black leggings, maternity tank top, gold necklace, gold paint, headband, black boots and felt scraps

Total cost: $0

I think I kept the cost of all three costumes under $5, but I guessed at the cost of the RIT dye for Batman's cape/ mask and his boot covers... and I didn't include tax on the dye or the felt on Robin's boot covers. Even if the cost went over my goal, it wasn't by much and I am still pleased. I had fun designing and making the costumes. 

Actually, I was able to create five costumes for around $5. My brother dressed up as the Riddler. Austin wore some green Under Armor from Michael's closet (since he wouldn't dress up with us). We pinned a paper question mark on his chest and I made him a purple paper mask. My sister-in-law went as the sound effects. I used the new Sharpie fabric markers to write on a white shirt. I wish I had a good picture of all of us together in costume!

Superhero (Villain) Halloween: Catwoman

Based on the pictures I have seen of Catwoman circa 1960's television, I modified the pattern slightly for her mask.
Inspiration:

My results:

How I did it:

It isn't exactly what I wanted, but it was the best I could get freehand. I used some more scrap material from the maternity camisole I used for Robin's mask and another Catwoman project. I cut out two pieces (they are the same size, just a poor angle).

 I knew I was going to need some extra stability, beyond just fusible interfacing, if I was going to get the cat eyes to stay up like the inspiration mask. I had some leftover felt from Robin/ Mayer's boot covers, so I cut two pieces and used the interfacing to hold them in place.

With right sides together, I sewed around the outside of the mask. Then I peeled the backing off the fusible interfacing and turned the mask right-side out.

 Since the fabric is so stretchy (nylon/ spandex), it took some work to get the seams lined up. I pressed it with the iron to make sure it stayed in place. Then I sewed around the eye holes.

I also stitched part of the elastic camisole strap to each side. Rather than have the mask strap go all the way around my head, it is attached to Catwoman's ears/ headband.
For Catwoman's ears, I used this pattern. I had searched several different times and couldn't find a pattern. Just when I had given up and was going to use triangles, the post appeared in my blogroll... perfect!

 The pattern says cut 4 large pieces and 2 small. I was cutting the small pieces out of felt to give the nylon/ spandex fabric some more stability. I ended up cutting 4 small pieces.

First I sewed around two of the outside edges. I used craft glue to attach the felt pieces. I wanted to ears to curve in a little on the edges, so I came up with a plan using some cord I bought for another project and never ended up using. I used fabric glue to keep it in place.

 I ended up opting to cover my headband with fabric. I used the hem from the bottom of the camisole. It was extra wide, but it made it easier to attach the mask and ears.

 When the fabric glue dried, I turned the ears right-side out. I sewed right next to the cord and in the middle of the ear to help it curve.

Also to help the ears stand up better, I had to put toothpicks on either side of the center seam I made in the ears. They still weren't stable enough to stand up without the toothpicks.

 Since I had decided to cover the headband, I had an ingenious idea to get the measurements symmetrical. I slid the fabric cover off and laid it on my ruler. I measured everything out from the center, pinned it in place and hand stitched them in place. I slid the cover back on the headband and stitched the bottom shut to keep it from sliding.
Voila... a Catwoman mask!

 My smile doesn't look sinister enough to pull off the evil temptress. I will have to work on that! I also need to add some gold glitter to the mask. My hair is really fine, so it is hard to get my hair to poof up like that in the front. I am going to have to do a lot of back-combing and use a lot of hairspray for the Trail and Treat 5k* or if it is windy on Halloween!

 For those of you keeping track, the materials didn't cost me anything to make this mask. That means the total cost of Batman, Robin and Catwoman's costumes is still $1.46, to date!

 * I don't usually dress up in costume on Halloween, but this year we are participating in a local 5k, as a family. Part of the fun is that there is also a costume contest. Since Tate and Mayer are going as Batman and Robin, I thought it would be fun to go as Catwoman. Michael won't dress up, so we are going to tie him up and he is going as Catwoman's victim. The boys are going to ride in the Batmobile/ bike trailer, which doubles as a stroller.

My brother and sister-in-law are also going to run/ walk with us. Michael had some green Under Armor. My brother is going to borrow it and dress as Riddler. My sister-in-law is going as the sound effects. If you have ever seen the 1960's Batman TV show, then you know exactly what I am talking about. If not, you are missing out! They are classics. During the fight scenes, when someone gets hit, things like "POW!", "BIFF!", and "ZAP!" pop up on the screen. I'm super excited and will be sure to post pictures!

Superhero Halloween: Masks

I found this awesome pattern to use for Robin and Catwoman's masks. I will do a separate post for Catwoman because her mask will be slightly different.
When the boys saw the pattern on my desk, they thought they needed some superhero masks "RIGHT NOW!!" So I made them some out of scrap paper and ribbon. They were thrilled even if they only lasted one afternoon.

For Robin's actual costume mask, I had some scrap material from a maternity camisole I used for another project (post coming soon). Since it is made of nylon/ spandex and is pretty flimsy, I doubled the material and lined it with fusible interfacing. Most of the DIY masks I have seen use felt to make them more sturdy. I went with fabric I had in my stash, plus I needed it to form to his face.

When Tate saw Mayer's mask, he had to have one too! His Batman mask isn't quite finished, and since it is on a hood, it will be attached to his cape. It doesn't take long to make one and I had some leftover grey t-shirt from his costume (coming as soon as I get pictures!), so I made him one too. I left the fusible interfacing out and I can tell a huge difference in the fit. It is a lot flimsier.

The fabric masks have elastic bands from the straps of the camisole.

To make three (Catwoman's included) masks, it didn't cost me anything. That leaves the total cost for our Halloween costumes at $1.46, so far. I am hoping to keep the cost of three costumes under $5, or better yet, under $4!

Superhero Halloween: Batman

Inspiration:

Tate is so excited for his Halloween costume!  I started with Batman's t-shirt. He didn't have any plain grey t-shirts in his drawer and I didn't find any at garage sales or the thrift stores. He did have a long underwear t-shirt, but I wasn't sure how transferring the Batman insignia on the waffle material would work. Luckily, my mom found a men's XL long-sleeved t-shirt for $1, so I made it from that.
Before:

I used one of his size 5T long-sleeved t-shirts as my pattern. I used iron-on transfer paper to put the Batman symbol. The symbol came from a free font I downloaded.

After take one:

 The shirt is a little big. The tights/ leggings/ pants are the waffle-style long underwear with a real pair of underwear on top. It looks okay in the picture, but I didn't like the look of the real thing.

So with the remaining t-shirt, I made a pair. I had some navy knit material leftover from a yoga skirt I made and I used that for the top part of the leggings. I used FOE (fold over elastic) for the waistband; although, Tate told me it didn't need any elastic because his utility belt would hold his pants up!

I'm so disappointed! Batman's costume already cost more than double what Robin's did and it isn't even half finished! (Robin part 1 and 2) The total cost of Batman's shirt and leggings was $1, which is still pretty cheap. That brings the total so far to $1.46 spent on our Halloween costumes, so I can't really complain too much!

Superhero Halloween: Robin 2

This is part 2 of Robin's costume (part 1).
Inspiration:

 My version:

 Holy hand-me-downs, Batman! These 5 totes contain most of Mayer's clothes, size 18-24 mos/ 2T. There are hand-me-downs from Tate, 3 nephews and my best friend's son. I knew there had to be a plain red shirt and a green onesie in there somewhere!

Materials: red onesie, green onesie, black t-shirt scraps, a yellow sleeve (leftover from the cape), fusible interfacing, a seam ripper and metallic gold paint (not pictured)

I decided to combine the t-shirts and go from two onesies to one. Two of my good friends on this project were the seam ripper and fusible interfacing.

The green onesie was trimmed with navy around the bottom and on the sleeves, so it required some seam ripping to get the parts I wanted plain green. The only navy remaining is under the snaps. I also used the seam ripper to take the sleeves off both shirts.

The fusible interfacing kept the yellow stripes from moving too much. The red onesie had buttons on the front. I made the mistake of assuming they were just decorative. They were not. I removed the buttons so the yellow stripes would lay flat when I sewed it shut.

It wouldn't fit over Mayer's head, so I had to add a snap panel on the back. Thankfully, since it was a onesie I saved the snaps!

I went ahead and added the belt directly to the costume. The real Robin's costume has gold pieces on it, but those could potentially be a choking hazard, right? Solution: my mom had some metallic gold paint my great aunt had given her. So the total cost of this project was... FREE! 

This is before I added the gold to his utility belt. In case you couldn't tell, he was SUPER excited to try it on this morning! I only got one snap snapped before he was up and running, shouting, "Bat-man!"

 So far, Mayer's Robin costume has cost $0.46 (the cost of the felt for his "boots"). He still needs a black mask, tights and gloves. I am hopeful that the total cost of the project will be under $3.

The logo from the green onesie also found a new home... recycling does rule! :)

The high, the low and the fix

The high: A customer came in to my office today. We started talking about the ridiculous cost of living. He mentioned my "designer clothing." Apparently, I make designer clothing because here's what I am wearing:

I didn't have the heart to tell him that I made my shirt using 3 different shirts, but better yet that my shorts are actually made from a tablecloth and men's underwear!!! My cowboy boots are Ariat and are at least 5 years old. Based on his outfit, he probably isn't the best fashion judge; nevertheless, he Made. My. Day.
The low: The whole good feeling was ruined when I saw my mom at lunch and she told me I had a hole in the backside of my shorts. Blowout! Ironically, on my way back to work I heard "Baby Got Back." Of course, I turned it up and rapped along with Sir Mix-A-Lot, as well as a Kansas girl can any way!
The fix: Luckily, the lace was just unraveling at the seam. Nothing a little craft glue (because I didn't have any fray check or fabric glue and they are going to be hand washed), a needle and thread couldn't fix!

 Before

 the patch

 double stitched it in place with my machine

 hand stitched the rest of the patch in place

 the unraveled part stuck out like a sore thumb, so I trimmed it

 patched from the inside

final result

Every seam got a liberal coat of craft glue and hopefully it will stay together now! My lace shirt is also getting a good coat of craft glue along the seams too. I don't know how I am so hard on clothes, but I seem to have a horrible time with anything that isn't made from knit or denim. It is a good thing most of my wardrobe is made from recycled/ refashioned clothes because I have a feeling I would ruin expensive, designer clothes.