Wear-It-Out Wednesday: Summer Clothing for Cass

Well my goal of making all of the clothes my children need this summer is coming along well.

Every time I think to myself, 'Oh, I am not able to find fabric for Eli's pajamas/Cass' bloomers/Eli's church shirts', something comes up.

A friend gives me a cast-off or Stephen rips a work shirt that I can recycle (actually Stephen has ripped two work-shirts. He says he is the Incredible Hulk).

Being frugal and wise with resources always reminds me of the parable of the talents. My upbringing taught me, and further experience is now validating, that when you are faithful with a little, provision is never lacking.

I am gaining more skills in sewing and creativity, and along with that, gaining a whole chunk of confidence. I CAN clothe my family nicely with very little.

So it's probably about time I posted some photos of my progress.

Cass is the most in need of clothes at the moment, so I have begun with her.

(You'll have to forgive the poor quality of the photos)


We went from this


(an adult halter-top)

to this





From this


(an adult mini-skirt)

to this





And this


(an adult maxi-dress)

to this




These were all items passed to me from other ladies- things they would not wear, nor I.

The two skirts are for play or going about town and were made simply by creating a space for elastic at the top. I used the existing hems and added a trim to the plain red one.

The dress was made with the original hem, cut to the right length and gathered for the waist. The top part I could cut up easily enough into a raglan sleeve pattern with elastic at the shoulders and upper arms. Very simple. The back of the maxi-dress was shirred, so I was able to use that for the back of this dress also. Due to the shirring and the length, it should fit for awhile to come.

I have also made her modesty bloomers but won't post photos of those. I did however gain the simple pale green cotton I made them out of by rather clumsily providentially putting my foot through our good cotton bed sheets. So I have plenty of cotton for underskirts and things in the future.

I am waiting for some more fabric to come my way for a few church dresses and one more play dress, but in the meantime I will be moving onto Eli's things!




One last photo because of the blonde-y cuteness!