Rectangle Bloomers Tutorial

Here's the first installment of my Hip to Be Square challenge!  I'll be making things all week, using only (or almost only) square or rectangle pattern pieces.  Woohoo!  First up: rectangle bloomers!

They're a little bubbly and can be made in one solid color or with a contrasting facing-- look closely in the pic below for a splash of purple.

Materials: 
about 1/2 yard fabric (I used one fabric for the tutorial, but you could use two--like pic above-- if you want a pop of color in the facings)
1/4 inch elastic
sewing gear


Instructions:
 Use 1/2-inch seam allowance throughout.

Cut your rectangles.  Here are my dimensions for a size 2T.  You'll cut two each of these.

Main piece-- 14 inches x 16 inches (I actually cut this two short-- only 8"x16" in the pic-- don't get confused!)
Top facing-- 3 inches x 16 inches
Leg facing-- 3 inches x 13.5 inches

Using these dimensions, your bloomers will be slightly shorter than the ones modeled in the pictures above.  If you want them longer, just add to the length of the main piece!

Fold both your main pieces in half.  Cut a rounded rectangle on the fold, 3 inches x 1 inch.

It'll look like this:

Sew your top facings to the top of both your front and back pieces.

Press the seam down toward the legs.

Sew side seams and in between legs.  Finish with a zig-zag stitch (though you don't have to zig-zag the facing; it'll be folded over and invisible at the end).

Sew your leg facings into loops.

Press the seams out and press one side over, 1/4 inch.

Line the raw edges up, right sides together, and the seams up at the inside of the leg.  Stitch together.

Fold facing up and press.

Sew close to the edge, leaving a 1/2 inch hole for the elastic.

 Then sew another line of stitches, this time all the way around, about 1/2 inch away from the first stitches.  I just ballparked this.

Fold your top facing over 1/4 inch (like you did for the leg facings) then press it down at the seam.

I like to slip in a folded over ribbon for the tag (though, yeah, on these, both front and back are the same).

Stitch close to the edge, leaving a hole, just like you did with the leg facings.  Then stitch that other line of stitches.  

Now all you have to do is thread your elastic through with a safety pin and stitch up the openings!

For my elastic, I cut two pieces the leg hole measurement minus 4 inches and one piece the waist measurement.

All done!  Bubbly bloomers, using all rectangles pieces!

Addie Flared Bloomers Tutorial

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Here's part two of my sportswear ensemble: the Addie Flared Bloomers.  I love bloomers, especially when they surprise you, peaking out from under a skirt.  They can easily boost an outfit from "cute" to "so freaking adorable!"  Plus, they keep those diapers hidden.

 Materials:
1/2 yard of fabric
scraps of coordinating fabric
1/2-inch elastic, cut to waist measurement
1/4-inch elastic, 2 strips cut 10 inches (depending on size)
sewing gear

Instructions:
Create a pattern for your bloomers, just like I did on the Sweetie-Bell Sweats.  The only difference is that you go straight down on the leg piece instead of bringing it in slightly.  Your pieces will look like this:

Cut four strips of coordinating fabric, 2 inches wide by the width of bottom of the leg pieces.  Sew them onto the bottom of each piece.

Press the seam allowance up.

Here's the front side.

Again, you'll do what you did in the Sweetie-Bell Sweats.  Sew the crotch of front and back together.  Then sew the inseam and side seams.

When you finish, you'll have this:

Press the coordinating fabric inside, 1/4-inch.

Then fold it and press it right at the seam.

Stitch close to the edge of the coordinating fabric, leaving a 1/2-inch opening.  Then run a parallel line of stitches, 1/2-inch from that first line of stitches.  Do NOT leave that one open.  Now you've created a casing for your 1/4-inch elastic.

Cut elastic smaller than your leg width.  My legs were about 18 inches wide and I cut the elastic 10 inches long.  You don't want it so tight that it'll pinch little legs too much, but you do want it smaller than your pantleg.

Thread your elastic through, stitch it together then close up the casing.  For the waistband, turn over 1/4 inch then 3/4 inch to create another casing.  Thread 1/2-inch elastic, cut to desired waist size, through.  Close up casing, and you're done!

Now you have some cute bloomers, with some flared flair.

And you can put 'em under a cute skirt, like the Aubrey Pleated Skirt, for a pop of fun (and a good-lookin' diaper hider!).

Angelina's Ruffles

My aunt (well, technically, my husband's aunt), who is not only a great encourager but also just flat-out awesome, hooked me up with her boss to create this little ruffly outfit.  Have I mentioned how much I love ruffles?  I love ruffles.  A lot.  And this turned out cuter than I ever imagined.  

It's an A-line tunic top...

 

paired with either shorts... 

(I apologize that the shorts look a little funky.  My "model" is super skinny.  I had to tape them on! Ha!)

or capris.  

 

Now just imagine them on an adorable little girl.  Drool. :)

Neon is IN!

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So, you're (probably) not going to catch me sporting the new (or is it called "retro" if it harkens back to the 80's?) neon trend.  But you better believe I'm going to take advantage of it for my little ladies!

So here's some ruffled bermuda shorts and a neon top for my aspiring 80's chick. :)  It's a definite change of pace from the Catherine top... tutorial to come soon!

I think it's pretty darn fun for my silly peanut-girl.

Catch that crazy 80's wave!! :)