DIY Ruffled Pants with Applique Shirt

Remember when I asked you about sewing? Well, I did in fact get a sewing machine for my birthday (a FREE used machine that meets all my needs for now). I have already had so much fun with little projects here and there. But today I want to show you my very first (post HS home economics) project.

A friend and I have started this sewing venture together. Everything is more fun with a girl friend, right? Sewing definitely is! We got together one night to make these super cute ruffled pants.

You can find the pant tutorial HERE.

I picked up my primary fabric and found a contrasting fabric for the ruffle. The fabric I used is from Hobby Lobby. They have some great fabrics and they are on sale more often than not. I also purchased 1 package of elastic, 1 spool of thread, and the pattern.  Total cost for these pants was around $15. And total time was 4 hours (but keep in mind, this was my FIRST project.) And I have the pattern to use again and again (such as Christmas pants later this week).

The pants are cute by themselves, but who can resist a matching applique shirt? Not me. I wanted something simple and something that wasn't specific to a holiday (this time around). That way she can wear it in the spring also. I picked her first initial. A pattern can be made by picking a font from your word processing program, enlarging it to the desired size. Instructions can be found here.  To make things really easy, I found this alphabet template online and used the copier to enlarge to desired size.

You can find the shirt tutorial HERE.

The shirt requires a bit more of an initial investment than the pants did. I had to purchase a tear-away stabilizer, fusible webbing, a spool of thread,  a scrap piece of the ruffle material from the pants, and a plain t-shirt. Total cost was close to $20. BUT, I barely used any of the stabilizer or fusible webbing, so I have plenty for projects to come. And remember how great sewing with a friend can be? Well, we split those two items knocking about $8 off the total cost of the shirt and I still have plenty of materials left over. (Next time I will only have to buy a shirt and thread for a total of about $7 without a coupon.) Total time on the shirt was about an hour. Again, this is my first time at the machine in 15 years.

I have really enjoyed my time at the machine. It gives me something that I can do for my family and gives me a sense of accomplishment and pride in my work. And who can turn down time with good friends, even if we are working?

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