Hello! My name is Janae Hardy. I am a photographer, wife and mother..... and I love making things! I am so honored to be a guest blogger today on A Beautiful Mess. Elsie has been a huge source of inspiration to me for the past few years. We live in the same town, and I am so thankful to have creative people like her surrounding me! I have a one year old daughter named Hazel. I love having a little girl, and we have lots of fun together.
I find that it is an uphill battle finding cute baby clothes. Everything is overly pink or has baby motifs all over them. I also don't like paying lots of money for an outfit. So, I wanted to post a couple DIY ideas on making baby clothes a little cuter!I found this dress at a local store for $7. I didn't LOVE it, so I thought I would enhance it a bit. I find that most baby clothes are boxy(short and wide). I always sew up the sides of Hazel's clothing. It will give the outfit a more tailored look. A tailored look with baby clothing can make a world of a difference.
Next, I find things around the house and in my craft bins that would work with the outfit. I found a little flower made out of bunched fabric, left over trim from reupholstering our sofa, and some vintage buttons.
After I sewed everything on, the dress already looks better.
I thought it needed a little more, so I used green string to sew along the edges of the collar, sleeves and trim at the bottom.
Here is the finished product:
Lastly, I wanted to share my favorite DIY for a quick dress. It takes about 20-30 minutes! Most of the work is already done for you! Find a great vintage pillow case at your local thrift store (I found this one for a quarter).
I measure everything to my baby. So hold up the pillow case and see how tall and wide it needs to be. Next cute an a-symmetrical line up both sides. Use the opening of your pillow case as the bottom of the dress. You trim is done for you!
Sew sides together. Sew an extra piece of fabric on chest, from shoulder to shoulder ( about 2 inches tall).
Cut and sew the straps according to the size of your baby
I also added a small piece of elastic on the back of the dress, to make it more snug.
Sew the straps on. You can criss cross them, or just put them on like regular straps.Add some of your favorite vintage buttons on the ends of the straps and you're done!
This seriously takes about 20-30 minutes and the outcome is super cute!
Have a wonderful day, Janae
oh my gosh how i envy how talented all you girls are, you make it sound so easy! ;) the pillow dress is sooooooo adorable! i love how yours came out. :) these blog party d.i.y.'s are fun!
Posted by: Ariel | January 25, 2010 at 08:05 AM
cute Janae! thanks for your tips!:)
Posted by: Mary-Beth | January 25, 2010 at 08:09 AM
So nice how you give that dress a makeover!
I just have to watch your blog!
xx
Judith ^Hartje-Bloem^
Posted by: Hartje-Bloem | January 25, 2010 at 08:14 AM
what a cute little makeover :)
Posted by: janel | January 25, 2010 at 08:33 AM
This makeover is so ingenious, so cute!
Posted by: Elle | January 25, 2010 at 08:50 AM
Cute! :)))
Posted by: Ania ze Wzgórza :) | January 25, 2010 at 09:22 AM
Janae, love the pillow case dress idea! Such sweet photos of you and Hazel at the top, too.
Posted by: rachel denbow | January 25, 2010 at 09:45 AM
Love that cute little stripe and polka-dot dress that you altered. and the pillow case dress? Yeah, too cute...and you made it so easy. thanks!
Posted by: Renay Alpers | January 25, 2010 at 09:45 AM
oh, the outfit looks so cute with those small little touches to it.
love this.
Posted by: jessica | January 25, 2010 at 09:56 AM
Love the pillow dress!
Posted by: Jamie | January 25, 2010 at 10:21 AM
um, ADORABLE!!!!!
Posted by: suzanne | January 25, 2010 at 11:18 AM
great tutorial Janae!! I'm totally going to be on the hunt for pretty pillow cases now. :)
Posted by: hollysarah. | January 25, 2010 at 11:23 AM
Awesome. Saving this in my favorites folder.
Posted by: mrs boo radley | January 25, 2010 at 11:39 AM
so so cute! i love the first dress makeover! super fun :)
Posted by: emily ruth | January 25, 2010 at 11:39 AM
Really inspiring, thank you!
Posted by: Emma | January 25, 2010 at 11:46 AM
these are really great, Janae!!! i love your tips! can't wait to make something for Penelope. :))
Posted by: els | January 25, 2010 at 11:57 AM
Great ideas!
Posted by: RachelM | January 25, 2010 at 12:04 PM
what cute ideas! i love them.
my son, ogden, is ten months old and WOW is it difficult to find attractive boys clothing that is also affordable... i love seeing adorable DIYs for girls, but i never see any for boys :( they really do draw the short straw when it comes to fashion so i paint and applique onesies and make him pants :)
Posted by: lauren | January 25, 2010 at 12:51 PM
adorable. now if i only could find a baby somewhere to dress up. hmmm.
Posted by: renea hanna | January 25, 2010 at 12:59 PM
I dream of doing projects like this and it looks super cute and easy!!!
Posted by: Candice Reszko | January 25, 2010 at 01:10 PM