Wedding dress into baby gown

Wedding dress to christening dress

I love sewing garments from scratch but I must admit that refashioning clothes is what I like to do most. Therefore I was thrilled to be asked if I could do a wedding dress makeover for my daughter in-law’s first child. She wanted to have her daughter’s christening dress made from her mom’s old wedding dress. Such an exciting and romantic project and a true refashion pleasure for a sewist. In this wedding dress to christening dress tutorial I will demonstrate how I made some basic pattern alterations to an infant commercial pattern (McCall’s M7307). And explain how I designed and added details for this little girl first custom dress.

Let’s start this wedding dress into baby gown tutorial!

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DIY decorated summer hat

How to personalize your summer hat

Is it still summer? Yes! Then their is still time to post another DIY hat transformation. This time I wanted to challenge myself and see what result I could achieve with a very basic hat purchased for $1.00. I used ocean mementos and upcycled jewelry to decorate and create a very special mount for this DIY decorated summer hat tutorial. This is a simple 2 hour project that I hope will inspire you to make your own.

Let’s begin this tutorial on how to personalize your summer hat!

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DIY summer hat with mother of pearl

How to embellish a hat with mother of pearl elements

Summer is still with us and it is not too late to buy a hat to embellish it. Or do like I did and use a hat that you already own to follow this DIY summer hat with mother of pearl tutorial. This very simple 1 hour project is perfect for beginners!

Let’s begin this tutorial on how to embellish a hat with mother of pearl elements!

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1 sewing pattern used with 4 different fabrics

Fit a pattern when you are short on fabric

1 sewing pattern used with 4 different fabrics is a fun study that demonstrate how to get diversified looks using the same sewing pattern. I will also demonstrate how to fit a pattern when you are short on fabric, use fabric selvage for neckline finishes and how to copy a garment without taking it apart.

Let’s begin!

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How to copy a garment without taking it apart

Making a sewing pattern from my favorite vest

Ever had a piece of clothing you liked so much that you wore it to shreds or you wished you could replicate it in another color? Well actually to copy your clothes is a fairly easy task. In this post I will demonstrate how to copy a garment without taking it apart a simple technique that I explain in this step by step tutorial about making a sewing pattern from my favorite vest. I will also demonstrate how to use fabric selvage to sew a hand-rolled hem. I encountered difficulties with this project because of my chosen fabric but it allowed me to explain my infallible tip for sewing difficult fabrics that may be slippery, lacy, stretchy, types of vinyl or coated materials and I am sure that it will be of great use to you.

Lets begin →

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Bead your jean jacket DIY

How to cut out shapes in fabric

I created the artwork featured on this Bead Your Jean Jacket DIY about 20 years ago. It was time well invested (around 40 hours) since two decades later the jean jacket transcended trends and is still getting me many compliments for my art work when I wear it. This DIY jean jacket is an easy to follow step by step tutorial on How to make a stencil from an image, How to cut out shapes in fabric and How to hand bead. Do not be intimidated by this DIY jean jacket, yes it does requires time (but time passes anyway ; ) yet it is really simple to execute.

Let’s start!

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tshirt to infinity scarf

DIY not needing a sewing machine

This tshirt to infinity scarf DIY is a quick transformation with rewarding result, perfect for beginners.

Found this tank top on a sales rack. It was two sizes too big for me, therefore the neckline was too low and too wide and the armholes were also too low and too big. But at $9.99 and in a pale nude colour matching one of my pair of shoes (call me miss matchy matchy) it was coming home!

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Posting of 14 bespoke jewelry creations

To celebrate Valentine’s day!

I am very excited to announce that you can now view my blog posts on my new Pinterest board named Cardinal Sewing Nest.

When you’ll visit my Pinterest account Cardinal Sewing Nest take the time to browse my boards all related to handmade crafts. I hope that they will inspire you to create your own art work.

Below you will see my 14 bespoke jewelry creations ……

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DIY veiled beanie with glitter

Last day of 7 days 7 hats

White knit cap embellished with a veil, faux fur pom pom and a glitter iron on patch

Time required 45 minutes

For this last DIY veiled beanie with glitter part of this hat transformation series, I wanted to transform a hat into something that would distinctively express winter. I’m a born and raised Quebecer and what spells winter in my heart is the colour white. My feelings for winter were formed during my early childhood when even the lightest snow fall brought pure joy. Although as an adult snow storms, traffic jams and shoveling my driveway are not enjoyable on working days, snow is still very special to me. There’s something about the way snowflakes muffle sounds and makes the environment calm and peaceful. On snowy days you can feel the ambient stillness from inside your house. Winter evenings can be visuals from fairy tale books. Walking outside hearing the snow and ice crackle under your boots with the fields sparkling like diamonds around you is pure bliss.

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DIY beanie with pearls

Day 6 of 7 days 7 hats

Black slouchy beanie embellished with pearls, velvet bow and a brooch

Time required 2 hours 30 minutes

For this sixth DIY beanie with pearls, I will refurbish an oversized slouchy beanie. The ornament you see below is the central element of this hat transformation.

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