Sum Sum Summertime with Delia Creates

Delia, from the fabulous Delia Creates, is here with us today. I just love all her stuff and today is no exception. Her sweet little girl gets to show off her newest creation and it’s just perfect for summertime.

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Hi Amy Christie readers! I am so happy to be here visiting on Amy’s blog. Her blog is such a happy, creative place to be.

Today I am sharing a quick and easy project…because that’s what I like to do most, especially in the summer time.

It’s also in black and white which is refreshing break from all the color I’ve been posting for Color Your Summer.

It’s a…

For a 0-3 month size top, you only need a fat quarter. If you get it on sale that’s just 99 cents! Gotta love that!

Materials:

Fat quarter

An old T-shirt (you’ll need just a couple of strips cut off the bottom)

elastic thread

1.

2.

3.

4.

Connect the two pieces on just one edge. You will bring the other two sides together later.

5.

6.

Now my secret for shirring is that I don’t use my regular sewing machine with a drop in bobbin. Grosgrain has a great tutorial for that. I don’t like messing with the tension in the machine. So I keep my old Kenmore on hand just for shirring.

Set your stitch to a long length – maybe a 4 or 5. Use a test swatch to find the best length for your machine and the look you want.

 

If it’s too full it won’t work. Don’t ask me why…it just won’t. At least for my machine. I have to wind my bobbin several times for one project because I can’t fill the bobbin all the way with elastic thread.

Now for this top you need…

7. Then PRESS with a steam iron. This step is important and kind of fun. :) It will help the elastic shrink up and gather the fabric better.

8. Now take your strip of shirred fabric.

*I found that for 0-3 months, a  7 1/2 inch width was just right. Measure at the gathered end not the middle part that bubbles out.

9. Make your straps. I used T-shirt knit tubes.

Well…one inch in width. For length, 10 inches is about right for a 0-3 month top.

*Cut 4 straps. Then…

That’s it for the straps! Easy enough, right?

10. Add the straps to the top and a tag if you want. I used one of my homemade tags.

 

 

 

 

All done!

Wear alone or over a onsie. I thought it paired nicely with some little leggings, but a diaper cover would do.

Natalie is 3 months old in these pictures and just starting to grow out of it. Sniff. Sniff. I knew I should have made the next size up.

Have you noticed my matching top yet?
It’s from Old Navy. I love black and white for summer!

Thanks for having me over Amy. It’s been a pleasure.

Happy Summer everyone!

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Thanks Delia!