Ruffles ruffles everywhere make a little girl smile

The fabric store is my favorite place to go for inspiration. Sometimes a fabric just jumps right out at me and says take me home and make something extraordinary.  I have to admit I am loving the girly girl ruffles that are popular right now. Cascades of feminine ruffles just flowing over this bright fabric make it light flirty and fun. The first thing I made was a couple scarves for my online shop.

Then I got a little crazy and sewed lots of other fun stuff without a pattern for a complete original ruffled ensemble for my little fashionista Sophia.



I made an adorable ruffled skirt for Sophia.



Next I made her a matching mini child's size skinny scarf shown above that she can wear over whatever blouse I make for her to coordinate with her skirt.


I cut a skinny strip of fabric 24 inches wide and about 4 inches tall. I cut the strip into two 12 inch strips and feather stitched so would be stretchy but stronger than a zig zag stitch them to some fresh new white anklet socks.





Sophia was excited about these and Kaylee asked for a pair too.



Here is the entire ensemble modeled by Sophia.


Kaylee is modeling the ruffled socks because she insisted on trying them on. I will make some for her too but a little smaller since these are practically knee socks on her.

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iPhone

Problem: Can I design and sew better potty training pants for my potty training child?

The answer is "Yes, I can and did!"

I am always trying to find new ways to solve parenting problems or issues and make it easier on us moms with the things I make.  Lately the biggest challenge was how do I get my two year old out of diapers or Pull-Ups?


Front of fancy pretty panties





Back of fancy pretty panties Pull Up style training pants.


I have been wondering for a few years if I could sew a better training pull up underwear for my potty training 2 year old. I hate the training pants you buy at the store because if you don't put plastic pants over them they will leak if my kid has an accident. Plastic pants that are sold in stores are hot and Kaylee takes them off because when she moves, they make a rustling plastic swishing sound. The problem with Real store-bought Huggies Pull Ups" is my daughter thinks it is a diaper and just goes in them.

So I challenged myself to see if I could make Kaylee some "Fancy Pretty Panties". I used PUL (polyurethane laminate) fabric


to make them waterproof and moisture dri-weave wicking liner fabric



for the inside layers to absorb wetness and feels soft next to the skin. The sides are made of a soft interlock fabric so they are stretchy to allow the child to pull them up and down with ease. I also decided that Velcro type tabs were necessary for those times when we are out and about around town, and I don't want up have to pull off all my daughter's pants, shoe, socks etc. just to change her if she has an accident like traditional training pants.

Kaylee was SO excited because I let her choose her own PUL fabric for the outside. She chose the colorful butterflies on yellow as her favorite fabric in the store.

I asked my local fabric stores a couple years ago when they were going to start carrying PUL (polyurethane laminate) fabric and they tried to sell me tablecloth fabric. NO! I am not making training pants or diapers out of a tablecloth. No way! Can you imagine what the other mommies would think if my kid went around wearing a tablecloth. Not to mention how silly my kid would feel wearing a tablecloth on her bottom. Finally just a few months ago my local fabric stores started carrying PUL in cute kid designs. PUL is a waterproof breathable polyurethane laminated fabric that does not leak and can be laundered.  It can even be put in the dryer and won't melt. I have been thinking about making these for several months but just finally got around to challenging myself to the task.

I gave these custom made training pants to Kaylee the other day and she was so excited that she instantly had to put them on. They fit her skinny little body perfectly because i made them based on her exact measurements. She proudly slipped them on as fast as she could and jumped and paraded around the room modeling them and showing them off to big sister and her daddy. It was quite a funny show to see. "I am a big girl now!" she exclaimed.  She asked her big sister if she was wearing Pretty Panties too and Sophia replied that she was just like Kaylee.   She reassured her that she shouldn't go potty in the pretty panties, but rather go on the potty chair.

I am proud to say with her Fancy Pretty butterfly Panties she stayed dry by using the potty all day. She didn't want to mess them up so mommy would make another pair for her. Yeah!

If your having trouble potty training like I was and you need "a better pair of training pants"; let me know.  I would be happy to make some custom training pants for your child. No worries moms of boys, there are super cute boy designs in PUL fabric that I could use if you have a son. I truly believe potty training is harder and more frustrating on the parents than for the child. If I can help make it easier for you, by all means let me know. This idea worked for my darling sweet comical Kaylee and maybe these could help you too.

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Trick or Treating with my Disney Crew

Trying to entertain the little people with some last minute pumpkin craft fun before Trick or Treating time. Here Kaylee is placing stickers on a paper plate that she was supposed to be coloring like a pumpkin.

Sophia colored her picture to be a witch pumpkin.

Kaylee was SO excited about being Minnie Mouse.

Spinning around in the big twirly skirt makes it balloon up.

"This is fun!"

Putting on the hair an attaching her crown to the wig.

A hairpin here and a hairpin there.

Wow!  Kaylee looks translucent and almost magical spinning around in here twirly skirt with her Minnie Mouse tail.

A little adjustment to the top because she had to wear a warm shirt underneath.  I didn't sew it with the intent for her to wear clothes underneath the skin colored blouse but it was necessary because it was chilly outside. I matched the fabric to her skin as best as I could so she would look like she was just wearing the seashell top but she would be decent.

Trick or Treating has begun.   Look at the smiles on the girls faces.

Trotting through the streets in search of candy....

Trick or Treat.

Warm yourself by the outdoor fire Ariel.

Kaylee on the run for more candy.

Trick or Treat.

Ready, Set, Go!

When do we get to eat our treats?

Kaylee hamming it up with her water.

Kaylee being silly.

Take a picture of my candy.

Tongue out.

Kaylee being a two-year-old doing raspberries.

Finally a picture they are both smiling in.

I went out for a few houses.  Here my Disney crew is showing me where they are going to trick or treat next.