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2 Little Hooligans

2T/3T Hooded Vest Tutorial

I’m posting my hooded vest tutorial here today just in case you missed my guest post over at Project Run and Play a few months ago.

So I knew right away that I was going to share a tutorial for a hooded vest. A few months back I purchased a Gymboree hooded vest at the thrift store and my two little girls are always fighting over it. We have even left the house in tears a few times due to that vest. So I figured if I made another vest then they would both have their own vests and the drama would be solved, right? Instead what I created was more drama, now both girls want to wear the vest Mommy made. Is this anyone else’s life too?! The tutorial is for a 2T/3T toddler size but of course it always depends on the size of your child, so just make adjustments where needed.

Hooded Vest Tutorial
(size: 2T/3T toddler)

Materials Needed:

*One 14 inch coil separating zipper or another zipper specifically for sweaters and jackets. I purchased mine at JoAnn’s.
*1/2 yard quilted fabric or any other fabric of choice. If you do decide to use a lightweight cotton then you will want to use a light batting in between layers.
*1/2 yard of minky fabric or another fabric of choice.

Start by printing off the vest templates here. There are 6 different pages. Assemble the templates by taping the front, back and hood pieces together. Now use those templates to cut out your fabric pieces in both the outer layer and the lining fabric. If you are using a batting cut that as well. *Note that the hood with need to be cut out in both directions, meaning cut out one hood piece then flip the hood template over and cut out another hood piece. You will also have to cut the front of your vest piece in half directly on the fold to give you two pieces instead of one.*

All of your pieces should look like this now.Working with the outer fabric for the vest first, take the two front pieces and the back piece and pin them together at the sides and shoulders with right sides facing. If you are using a batting, the batting should be on the wrong side of the outer fabric and pinned in place. Sew the sides and shoulder seams.Now take the two hood pieces and pin right sides together on the curved part. Sew hood, but make sure you sew only the curved part of the hood. Leave the two flat edges alone for now.
Now take your hood and pin it onto the vest, right sides facing.
Sew. Now you have the outer part of your vest.Repeat the same steps as above but this time with the lining fabric. You should now have the outer and the lining of your vests complete. Now it is time to add the zipper.Take your zipper and lay it on top of your vest with the right side facing up like shown in picture below. Unzip the zipper.Take the two zipper pieces and flip them over so that the right side of the zipper is touching the right side of the vest. The teeth should be on the outer edge and the flat side of the zipper should be lined up with the edge on the vest. Measure 1″ up from the bottom of the vest and start pinning the zipper in place. Do this with both sides.Your zipper will be a little long and that is ok. Just fold over the top of the zipper like so right where the hood and the vest seam meet.Tack zipper in place, then remove pins.Pin the two vests together with right sides facing.Don’t worry those little zipper pieces will be cut off later.
Sew around the entire edge of the vest. Just be careful and take your time around the zippers, especially where the zippers are folded. I used my regular foot and didn’t even switch to my zipper foot and it worked out just fine. I just took my time to make sure I got a real nice straight edge with the different layers lined up.Trim off the excess zipper.Pull right sides out. Make sure the zipper works and lines up nicely. If not, you can go back and fix it.Iron the vest flat. Make sure you push out seams near the zipper and edges really well. To finish off the arm holes simply turn under both fabrics about 1/4″, iron flat and pin in place.Sew arm holes. I find it easiest to sew the arm holes like so, but do what works best for you.

Lastly, top stitch all around vest and on the sides of the zipper. There is nothing worse then having the fabric get caught in the zipper when your little one is learning how to dress themselves.






Thanks again girls for inviting me to join you today!

Fat Quarter Friday {guest post from Syzygy of Me}

I’m so excited about today’s Fat Quarter Friday and not because the post I wrote last night was never saved so I lost everything, but because Karen’s idea is brilliant and way better then what I had planned anyways. It is one of those “Now why did I think of that?!” projects. Trust me, this is brilliant! So let’s all welcome Karen from Syzygy of Me.

Hi 2 little hooligans readers!  I am Karen from Syzygy of Me, and I am so excited to share a project with you for Fat Quarter Friday!

Do you cringe every time you have to remove a hot bowl from the microwave, afraid that you will burn your fingers, or worse yet, drop the bowl and spill the hot contents on you or your kiddos?  Well fear no more because today I am going to show you how to make a bowl potholder so you don’t even have to touch that hot bowl!

Here is what you will need:

2 coordinating fat quarters (100% cotton)

100% cotton batting

cotton thread

sewing machine

quilting ruler and mat or scissors

pins

fabric marker

chopstick or bodkin for pushing out corners

You want to make sure you use 100% cotton materials because synthetic fibers could melt or catch fire in the microwave.  Be sure your batting doesn’t contain scrim or glue.

To figure out how big to cut your squares, measure the outside of the bowl from one edge to the other.

Then cut one square from each fabric, and two squares of batting to this measurement.  My bowl measured 10″, so my squares were 10″.

 
Place one fabric square right side up on top of a batting square, and quilt them together by sewing an X with a straight stitch diagonally to opposite corners.  Repeat for the other fabric square.  (Yes, I switched fabric on you!)
 

Now your are going to make darts in the centers of each side to give the potholder a bowl shape.

Fold the quilted square in half to find the center for the dart.  I found the best way to do this was to line it up on my quilting mat grid and mark the stitch line with a fabric marker.  I came in 1″ and down 2 1/4″ for the dart.  Pin and repeat on all four sides.  Repeat for other quilted square.

 
Sew along marked lines, back tacking at the ends of the darts.  Trim seams.
 

The two halves should resemble bowls at this point.

Pin the bowls right sides together, matching corners and dart seams.  Using 1/4″ seam, sew together, leaving about 3″ open for turning.  I always put two pins at the opening to remind me where I am supposed to stop.

Trim corners.  Turn right side out, push out corners, and press.

Topstitch around the edge, and you are done!

This is what the outside looks like.

This is a pretty forgiving pattern, and if you have an odd shaped bowl you are trying to fit, the darts can be adjusted to the length or depth you need.  Just test the fit of the bowl before the darts are sewed, and make adjustments as needed.

These work great for making hot cereals or reheating foods in the microwave.

They can also be used as an insulating pad for cold foods like ice cream, so your lap and hands don’t freeze!  They should only be used in the microwave, though, and are not for use in a regular, toaster, or convection oven.

Thanks so much for having me, Christina, and I hope you all enjoy this quick and fun little project!

Project Run & Play sew along {week 4: color challenge}

This weeks theme over at Project Run & Play was a color challenge. I knew right away I was going to make something with orange. (I’m pretty sure you could have guess that as well.) I searched a few stores but I couldn’t find the right color orange, so I decided to dye some fabric orange. I planned on making two dresses that coordinated with both oranges in each. Once I got started I realized I didn’t have nearly enough fabric, so another trip to the fabric store. Then while in JoAnns I saw those pretty orange beads that just so happened to match my orange fabric perfectly. Then right next to the orange beads were the tealish ones and it got me thinking about dying my other fabric two shades of teal instead of more orange. So I headed to the dye section and found the two shades of teal…that not only matched the beads perfectly but also my orange fabric. I have to admit I was nervous about dyeing the teal colors but the moment I saw the two colors in the buckets I knew they would be perfect.I knew I wanted to try and make a messy ruffled bodice with tiered twirly skirts, but besides that the rest of the dresses just came together as I went along. I’m also trying to keep in mind what my little girls like to wear. Right now they love twirly skirts and dresses. My girls are not too girly-girly, but they love to twirl! And really, I think these dresses say who they are perfectly. 

To make the messy ruffled bodice I just ruffled my fabric and then sewed the bodice pieces right sides together with it. I wasn’t sure if I would like them once done, but I really like their uneven imperfect look. I’m just wishing now that I would have done unfinished edges instead of finished ones to go along with the messy bodice.But then again, I kinda like the messy and finished edges together. It’s more us.The little cap sleeves were made by using the little center circles that I cut out  from the center of all the circle skirts. I can’t help but LOVE these colors together! And what is more perfect for a color challenge then to make your own colors!I made the bracelets by stringing the beads onto stretchy clear string. Super easy and quick . The girls LOVE them and I think that they make the dresses that much prettier.They loved that each of them had one bead that matched.

Next weeks challenge is all about the movies. I cannot wait! I will be taking a break from sewing for the girls and will be making something for that little boy of mine.

kcwc day 4: The only day i managed to join in on.

So I decided once I finished my dresses for this weeks Project Run and Play that I would join in on KCWC. Yes I did manage to finish up a few skirts for my nieces but then I started making a shirt and a dress for myself, a wall hanging organizer for a friend and then yesterday well I didn’t sew at all. Shame on me, but I did spend hours with a carpet cleaner cleaning two vintage chairs that I snagged from my sister in law. Oh and I dyed fabric for the first time for this weeks Project Run and Play challenge. Then last night I remembered May Day is this week, so we started making May Day baskets out of wrapping paper.  Yes I can get really side tracked…like really bad! Maybe that is why I have a gazzilion unfinished projects.  I think it is safe to say I am the same way when it comes to blogging. My friends and family that live afar have been bugging me to post pictures of our new rooms from our recent home renovation. Sorry I had totally forgotten, I’ll work on that. Plus the fact that this blog is still not finished! I’m really trying to figure out how to switch over my feedburner and how to redirect my old blog to this one, but I just keep getting side tracked and I have no clue what I am doing. Why are computers so hard for me to figure out? Please tell me I’m not alone.So I may not have been able to completely join in on this weeks kcwc all the way, but I did manage to finish some great projects and of course start some new ones!

Fat Quarter Friday {Mod Podged Bird House}

This week for Fat Quarter Friday I decided to do a non-sewing project. I know many of you are not sew-ers so this is a great project even you can do. Plus this is a great project to do with older kids and with Mother’s Day coming up what a great gift to make for that special mother or grandmother. Yes I realize this is not a new concept but a fun one and one that I have been meaning to do for a long time. And thanks to my littlest who decided to write with a pen all over our half painted birdhouse it reminded me why I bought it in the first place.

Mod Podge Bird House Tutorial

(allow 1-2 hours to make or more depending on drying times)

Materials Needed:

* Outdoor Mod Podge  (can be purchased at any craft store or Walmart)

*Wooden birdhouse

*Paint brush

*Krylon clear spray paint

*lots of small fabric scraps

Start by ironing and cutting your scraps into small pieces. Cut them into any shape and size you want. I wanted to make little circles with mine, but time didn’t allow. I think a bunch of little circles would be so cute though.Start by applying a thin layer of mod podge to the underside of the roof. Working in small areas as you go along. Now take some fabric pieces and stick them on top of the mod podge. Now take a little more mod podge and brush right on top of the fabric. Yes it gets a little messy, but it’s fun. And it insures that the fabric is really adheard to the wood.It is easier to get the hard to reach spots first. Don’t be too perfect with the fabric placement or you could come up with a pattern, it’s your choice!

Once the underside of the roof is finished start working on the bottom edge of the bird house.Just keep layering and mod podging until your bird house is complete.Allow the bird house to dry a few minutes and then apply another thin coat of mod podge to the entire bird house. Now the bird house with be slightly sticky even when the mod podge is fully dry. So don’t worry that is normal. That is why we spray paint over the entire birdhouse once finished. It seals it and protects it as well as gets rid of the stickyness.Now spray your bird house with a few coats of your clear spray paint.Now comes the hard part…finding the perfect tree to hang it in.

embrace the camera {picnics on the old bridge}

 

We love to go for picnics and it is always fun when we find a new spot to picnic at.

This old bridge is just a few minutes from the house and has been the hot picnic spot this week.But the truth is, we do more running then picnicking there.

There is something about this old bridge that these kiddos just love.I have to admit it is pretty fun running back and forth on it. Sadly that is the most exercise I have had in months.Thankfully I get to be the race announcer more then a competitor. The kiddos are all about racing one another these days.

My little guys new kicks…I so want a pair!And here we are with strawberry stained faces and windblown hair.We’re a pretty tough looking crowd some days. I have always admired those moms that can keep their kiddos clean and orderly all the time. I’m so not one of those moms.

Project Run & Play sew along {Week 3: Earth Day Challenge}

This weeks theme for Project Run and Play was an Earth Day Challenge. You could up-cycle something or use organic or all natural materials. I decided to up-cycle some curtains that I purchased from the thrift store a few months ago. I have to admit I have been hoarding these curtains for some time, they were just so beautiful and I had no idea what to make with them.

I’m so glad I finally decided to cut into them and make something.
The curtains already had the most beautiful doily design on them so I wanted to keep the designs of the dresses fairly simple. The curtains themselves were pretty enough and I didn’t want to loose their pretty details. The doily design ran the whole length of the curtains so I had to make sure I lined each of the dresses. Thankfully I had some old cream sheets that needed a new purpose. I think the curtains were linen, but I’m not sure. All I know is that they wrinkled very easily, and I actually like the looks of them with a slight wrinkle then perfectly pressed anyways.
For the strapless dress I decided to make ruffled straps and instead of tucking them into the top of the bodice I sewed them right on top of the bodice. The ruffled straps were just so sweet I didn’t want to cover up any part of them. And of course the dresses snapped in the back. But this time I decided to hide the snaps so that you couldn’t see them once snapped shut.
 The dresses seemed a little too dressy for snaps to be showing. 
  
 I love how the little straps fit, slightly moving outward instead of straight up like I planned.
 Totally not what I planned, but I like them even more this way.
 
 The next dress I played with a bit more. I knew I wanted one dress sleeve-less and the other with sleeves. So with this dress I added some 3/4 length sleeves that slightly flared. The main skirt part is the same design as the sleeve-less dress. Again, I like them to match, but not too matchy-match. Plus this way I only used one curtain per dress. Pretty great right?
I tried not to over do it with the design and over use the doily part of the curtains, but it was hard. 
 I did end up applying some of the doilley part to the top of the dress…just because I could part with it. In the end I think it was a good decision.
 Look at that pretty flower and those cute toes!
 
 
 
  I can’t help but think these two look so sweet!
 
 
 
 
 I even had two longer curtains that made the perfect skirt for me. I still have two more curtains. I’m thinking about either making my skirt into a dress or making two aprons out of them. All I know is that these curtains wont be sitting untouched too long. Too pretty to just sit in a drawer.

Next weeks challenge is all about one color. Guess what color I am going to use?

A giveaway winner & our week in pics

The giveaway winner for the Toy Dozer is… mandi who said…This is the answer to my Lego picking up disdain! I’ll take blue! Congrats Mandi, I will be emailing you shortly!

And here was our week in pics.


Project Run & Play sew along {Week 2: Sportswear}

This weeks theme for Project Run & Play is sportswear. This was an easy, yet hard one for me. I had way too many ideas running through my head on what to make, but I finally ended up with these three pieces.
For the first dress I used a medium weight knit with a little bit of cotton to line the inside of the hood and for the front pocket. I used a dress that we already had as the template for the basic dimensions and then just guessed on the hood, skirt part and front opening with snaps. I’m kinda a lover of snaps if you can’t tell by now. I actually bought a few yards of those strips that already had the snaps attached to. Not sure what they are called, but all I know is that it cost 50 cents at the fabric store and I couldn’t resist! I guess those snaps are what kinda gave me the inspiration for these three pieces.

This little dress has everything I love…snaps, ruffles, a hood and its made of knit. Plus it is perfect for this time of the year. It can worn as is on a warm day and worn with a long sleeve tee and leggings on a cooler day. I love outfits like that!

For this little girl I decided to make two pieces. First a simple sundress that snaps in the back and then a short sleeve hooded jacket. But really, the hooded jacket can also be worn as a dress if snapped the whole way down. I used the same medium weight knit as her sister’s dress to make the jacket. I just love when the girls match, but are not too matchy-match.

The sleeves and the overall design of the jacket flare slightly. I want one for myself. I used an outgrown sweater as the template for this one. The hardest part for me right now is getting the arms perfect especially when using a dress that is already outgrown. But I’m learning. And gosh it is fun…and addicting!

I added two little rows of ruffles on the front of the jacket to match the ruffles that are on the back of her dress.

I did a double row of top stitching around most of the seams. It made the construction of them a bit more challenging and a lot more thought was put into them, but the outcome was worth it. The hubby actually did a double take. He wasn’t sure if I had made them or not…now that is a huge compliment in my book!

It was a challenge getting some good pics of these two today.

Thank goodness I had some leftover Easter candy to keep them happy and entertained.






So next weeks theme is an Earth Day challenge (up-cycled, all natural or green fabrics). I’m really excited over this one. I bought some beautiful vintage curtains a few months ago that will perfect for this challenge.

Fat Quarter Friday {Unfinished Projects Bag Tutorial}

I’m pretty sure we can all say that we have a bunch of unfinished projects in the works right now. I know I do. I also know that most of you don’t have sewing rooms or maybe you are like me and have a sewing room that you just don’t use. I know, I’m embarrassed to admit it. But my sewing room has no window and it’s dark, very dark and well it is just not comfy. So I still lug all my sewing junk, serger and sewing machine downstairs to sew at my table. Downstairs I am surrounded by windows with the most beautiful natural light. It’s comfy and it is peaceful. Plus when one of the kiddo’s wakes up I manage to get a few extra minutes in by having a little one on my lap. So anyways, now that I am still lugging my sewing goodies all around the house I decided that I needed to make a bag (or a few) that would easily hold all of my unfinished and in-the-works projects. So this is when I dreamed up this little bag. I wanted something that I could lay my projects in and they would lay flat and stay wrinkle free. I wanted it large enough to not only hold my project but the extra fabric pieces and pattern pieces that went along with it. Of course this project is adaptable to your liking. I hope the tutorial doesn’t confuse you because really all it is, is one large rectangle piece of fabric lined with batting that has two handles to fold it closed. Easy right?!

 

The Unfinished Projects Bag Tutorial

(Beginner level: takes about 1 hour to complete)

 


Material Needed:

*1 wooden dowel cut in half

*1 1/4 yards of fabric to make one bag about 20″ x 16″ when folded closed (use more or less fabric depending on the size of your bag)

*fabric scraps for handles or you can use ribbon or whatever else you have in your stash.

*1/2 yard of cotton batting or stabilizer

 

Start by cutting out your large fabric pieces to the desired size. I used a few different fabrics that were about the size of a fat quarter or a little larger. I just placed them all on top of one another to make the cutting process faster. I decided to cut all of my rectangles at 21″ x 17″ and made 4 of them to make one bag. Two for the front and two for the back.


 

Next you want to make some handles from your scraps. I cut my handles about 21″ x 4″ and cut 2 of them for one bag.

 

Take the strips and make them into a large bias tape and fold in the ends. Iron flat and top stitch. Now you have your handles.
Gather the four pieces of fabric that you will be using.
Pin right sides together on one edge. Make sure it is the longest edge of the rectangles.
Stitch, then lay seam flat and iron. I never used to do this, but it makes a huge difference in the final product, so just do it!
Repeat with the other two pieces. Now gather your batting and lay it flat on the table and layer your fabric pieces like below. Wrong side on top of batting and then the next layer right sides together.
Pin all three layers together. Don’t worry about the batting lining up with the other pieces of fabric. We will trim it later. It is faster to do it this way.
Sew around all edges, while leaving a 2 1/2″ opening for turning right sides out. Trim excess fabric and make sure you square off your edges!
Pull right sides out.
Iron flat. Now we are going to make the little pocket on the edges that will hold your dowel.
Working on the shorter ends, fold them up about 1 1/2″ or whatever size will best fit your dowel. Pin in place. Repeat on other side.
It will look like this now.
Now stitch the edges so that it makes a tube for the dowel. I also top stitched the sides of the bag. Just make sure you stop sewing before the openings to where the dowels will be inserted. You need them open in order to place the dowels in.
Now attach your handles. I placed mine about 3″ in and about 3″ down from the top. But you can place yours wherever you want to.
Repeat with other side.
Cut your dowel in half or shorter if need be to fit into your opening. Insert your dowels and your done.
You can hang them anywhere. And they are so pretty you wont mind if they are hanging off the back of your dining room chairs because let’s be honest, that is where my will be hanging most of them time…oh and with my sewing machine under the table.
Of course they work great on hangers as well. How great would a bunch of these be hanging in a closet? Or you could make a bunch to hold patterns or trims or anything really! I think it is one of those things that can work anywhere for anything!
So I hope they help you get organized and allow you to spend more time sewing instead of searching for all of your materials.
**As always, my tutorials are for personal uses and are not to be sold, thanks!**

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