I just finished a sweet outfit for my niece's 5th birthday. I hope she likes it! Unfortunately, I didn't find much organically grown/dyed fabric with cute prints, but at least it is all 100% cotton and no polyester. Not being sure of her measurements I made the waist band out of an organic cotton rib knit from my stash and added a drawstring. That is a great way to ensure a better fit if your aren't sure of the person's measurements, and to allow some growth in kids clothes so they last longer! Green in two ways! Frugal and environmentally sound because it makes the garment useful longer!
Another trick was the self bias tape neckline. Why buy bias tape that doesn't even match your cute fabric when you can make it yourself! It isn't hard at all! There are gadgets that help, Clover has them, and the abnotions coop in my link can help you get them at less than retail. We love less than retail! Sometimes less green is greener! (Groan!)
Self-matching (or complementary coordinating) bias tape can be used for a lot of things when you sew. Armholes on sleeveless blouses. Hems, matching or complementing, on blouses or skirts or pants. Binding on blankets, quilts, burp clothes for babies, bibs, and much much more!
Here's a link to an excellent tutorial on how to use the bias tape maker gadget:
http://teachsew.com/teachsew/bias.htmlAnother great tutorial with a different way to lay out the fabric:
http://juliasewing.blogspot.com/2008/03/making-bias-tape.htmlOR you can be even more frugal and make it yourself! Here's a link to a neat trick! You can use the above tutorial for cutting the fabric and use this, or a gadget, to fold the tape into the right shape:
http://creativelittledaisy.typepad.com/creative_little_daisy/2007/11/diy-version-of.htmlIf you want to spend a little money, Simplicity is just coming out with two great looking products, which I will review here in detail as soon as I get them into my hot little hands! One is an automatic rotary cutter that will cut varying width strips either on the straight grain or the bias. The other will fold the strips into single fold bias tape leaving you only that last pressing of the center fold to create double fold bias tape. Here are some links so you can take a look:
The bias tape maker --
http://www.simplicity.com/dv1_v4.cfm?design=0491For some reason, the Simplicity website is NOT Simple to navigate! So here is a link to more info about the new machine:
http://www.simplicity.com/assets/0491/BiasTapeMaker.pdf#zoom=100The rotary strip cutter:
http://www.simplicity.com/dv1_v4.cfm?design=0492And more info:
http://www.simplicity.com/assets/0492/RotaryCutter.pdf#zoom=100There is NO WAY I would (or could!) pay retail, but in the coop I am in, we can get them at a substantial reduction. So, once I get mine, I'll be back and let you know how well they do the job!
Back in a bit to post a pic of how I used self made bias tape for the neckline...
Tie on the back of the blouse to adjust fit.
