Needing a Black and White Polka Dot Tank Top

 

Amid my spring Joann Hauls, I snagged two clearance bolts of black and white polka dot fabric at dippy Wal-Mart for $14 each. With seven yards per bolt, I can now replace my fading summer wardrobe with as many black and white polka dot garments as I can make – beginning with a simple tank top based upon the upper portion of my Drafted Nightgown Pattern.

Re-tracing my full length nightgown pattern as new short tank top pieces was easy. Although this was my first time doing just a top from it, I'm familiar with the pattern and carried over my markings for shortening the shoulder as necessary while adding length options for the shirt hem. Did I want this top to sit at the waist or a longer tunic style? Fortunately, I have enough of the material to brave the polka dots without a mock-up and can leave room for adjustments. Laying out the pattern pieces on the fabric indicated about two yards use, but as I was unsure how this new 100% Waverly cotton may wrinkle or shrink, I cut the two yards and pre-washed the fabric first. Usually with cheaper thrift materials, I often soak and steam press, but here a medium colors wash, half hour damp dry, and a steam iron didn't shrink or fray – as say my delicate Orange Tablecloth Skirt probably would. Now I could lay out my on the folds front and back and my cut two side front and back pattern pieces, cutting the polka dot print as well as two chiffon remnants for my linings. Treating both polka dots and chiffon as one, I basted all my pieces together using a “Natural” thread-marking thread cone from a Goodwill grab bag. Here on the ironing board I noticed that my two chiffons were not exactly alike. One remnant is slightly more opaque but at least they ended up matching with the three darker pieces in the back and the three lighter pieces in front. C'est la vie!

Upon pinning my pieces on the dress form at the shoulder and sides, I could immediately see this was too big, and a try on revealed that extra if necessary length was far too long. My helper niece was there to be fascinated by the magnetic pin holder and wanted to play with that excess length once I cut it off, but I think I may use it for a popping polka dot belt! I dislike fabric waste and love to use every inch as possible, but it's also better to be too big in sewing and able to adjust instead of cutting too small with no resolution like my First Black and Orange Polka Dot Skirt. Room to turn up the hem three inches isn't an issue, but both side seams can be taken in two inches each. However, the calculations for my half inch seam allowance must be considered first. The front and back princess seams must be machine finished before taking in the side seams. Otherwise, if I take in the two inches from the sides and loose the half inches from the princess seams, the top could end up too small. This kind of math or measuring ease and commercial pattern jargon can often trip up a sewer wondering where a project goes wrong. If I wanted this tank super fitted, maybe it wouldn't be a problem, but this is meant as a slightly loose summer cool. I thought a back keyhole opening and button loop might be required if I went for something tighter, but I can pull this off and on over my head easy. Besides, I'd also like to make another strappy or lower cut blouse, because why have one polka dot tank top when you can have two?

After washing, cutting, and assembling came together in a few hours; final fittings took a day with lots of stay stitches, under stitching, and seam finishes. This fine tuning makes the difference between an everyday wear garment with regular washes compared to the fast and loose Pastel Pretend Costumes for my niece. I turned under and double machined my hem, although I'm not sure if it is curved or flared by design or if this is actually a wavy, erroneous hem. Fortunately, it's actually a very flattering drape at the hips! Thanks to other deadlines and lots of tiny, finite black on black running back stitches; the last seam binding with black satin ribbon took several days. After wearing this loose top a few times however, I decided it was perhaps a little too loose. I returned to my machine and took in just over an inch by creating a center back seam – marking this change on my pattern for future options. What's binding one more black on black seam when they've already made my eyes goes wonky? Unlike my stalled Brown Dress and Housecoat set with the problematic, independent linings and hems; this top went smoothly because I treated my fashion fabric and linings as one as I had previously always done. Such positive progress motivates me further to make more tops, a short dress, pants, and either a long dress or full skirt like my second Black and Orange Polka Dot Skirt – all from this black and white polka dot cotton! I usually wear black and white in the dog days of August with gold jewelry, red lips, red nails, and cat eye sunglasses. I used to love red but obviously haven't worn it as much anymore, yet I may do some of these black and white polka dots with red trims or pop linings to fully embrace that classic fifties, Marilyn Munster vibe. Climate change is real and now I must move up this lightweight wardrobe because it's already been 110F in June!

My thrifted, decades old black tank tops and strappy dresses are getting threadbare, faded, and mismatching, so it's wonderful to be able to make basic garments for essential needs – proper, practical clothes like my dad always wanted me to make instead of silly costumes and hoop skirts. Then again, I do want to make some Stuffed Pumpkins with the little black and white polka dot scrap pieces. This me, after all.

Visit Kbatz Krafts on Blue Sky or follow us on Instagram and Facebook for more project photos. Browse the complete Kbatz Krafts Archive for more sewing shenanigans including:

The Cheap Elsa Costume

Victorian Capes and Bonnets

Halloween Mystery Sewing

Mending with Black Lace

Green Velvet in July?

 

I've been endeavoring to both sew items I need as well as whittle down the unfinished to do pile encroaching upon my work table. Sometimes my project reasons are practical. Working on a green velvet skirt in July just because the green thread was still in my machine after making the Minecraft Ottoman...we'll call this a whim.

This leftover intention from my Mother Christmas Costume has been waiting on my table since 2022, and my notion to make as many skirts as able as seen in my 5 Skirts, 1 Pattern Video persists. Here the center panel and the two back pieces from the Butterick 6196 source remained to size while each side panel was folded and reduced to fit the remaining green curtain fabric. Although the front is its own panel, I cut the back and side pieces as one continuous back. This isn't the most super quality material and it doesn't fray, however I wanted as much fullness with as little seams as possible. While the skirt was laid out flat on the floor, it was easier to pin the hem with several turn under folds before bee-lining every thing through my machine. I surprised even myself when this entire cutting and sewing process only took several hours! If your machine cooperates on decent material with a pattern you know, sewing can be pretty quick and easy, who knew?

After stay stitching the top line, I pinned and pleated the skirt to size on my dress form. Cutting a short back line created a place for my opening skirt placket, but these pleats and folds did become a little too thick for the machine. Fortunately, the original six tab top curtain pieces came in handy as the waistband! After seam ripping them all open, I sewed them all together as one continuous length – retaining their folded seam lines for the waistband and adding a double strip of thrifted black bias tape for reinforcement. The waistband was pinned and basted before a tight running back stitch in front and a final inside stitch encasing the skirt waistband. Black on black sewing I expect to be tough, but the worst part here was the dark green on dark green tiny stitches making my eyes go wonky! I turned to my Giant Button Jar for a unique green button before a finishing press. Initially, I was tempted to do a black velvet trim from my recent Joann Haul but thought it might be too heavy. However a day later I decided to turn up the hem again with some supporting tape and do a wider black velvet panache with some Dollar Store Halloween ribbon. I like the idea that my boots would show underneath with a coordinating black sweater and belt – even though it will probably be a mild 60F in December when I eventually wear this!

It's actually quite tempting to add even more rows of trim, maybe even some black fringe to match the green velvet dramatics! Of course, I intend to do a matching vest with the last remaining material, too, and those future trims should also coordinate with the skirt. Then again, I am but one person doing one impulse project at a time and I have more seasonal summer tops to make. Although this wasn't my next intended project, this unique, feel good look from thrifted curtains is a simple can do that inspires me to continue on those more immediate wardrobe needs. With no second guessing, mistakes, or re-dos thanks to previous pattern use and sewing know how, it's pretty amazing what wearable in a day can be accomplished. So what if it's holiday green in July?

For more project photos, visit Kbatz Krafts on Facebook or Instagram and join us on Blue Sky. Read about further sewing shenanigans in our Kbatz Krafts Archive including:

The Orange Tablecloth Skirt

Black and Orange Polka Dot Skirt 2.0

Reversible Red Skirt

Another Halloween Dress

Making a Minecraft Ottoman

 

My Husband may not want more pillows for the office bean bag (spoiler alert: he got them!). However he does need an ottoman under his desk to alleviate the 9 to 5 leg fatigue as well as the work-from-home perils of cats determined to be in his lap making for some surprisingly uncomfortable positioning. Now at last, my Stuffed Pumpkin Ottoman expertise can be put to good use thanks to some Minecraft themed fabric!

Seen previously in my Treat Yourself Haul three years ago, these two full Minecraft bolts were $14 each at Goodwill. While the blue sword print material has already been put to use as a duvet covert with matching pillowcases, these aren't the softest cotton and this green bolt actually says it's not intended for children's pajamas. What then was I to do with it? Alas, this green print is ideal for a square ottoman design befitting the game's grassy building blocks. Initially I intended this as a no-sew, all hot glue one day project. However the shorter fabric width meant I couldn't cut out three downward blocks and three sideways blocks to create a six sided square to stuff as one whole piece. Instead, two pieces were required with four panels that would be the bottom, back, top, and right side while a separate piece would be the front and left side. Thankfully, unlike my original Black and Orange Polka Dot Skirt Attempt, the direction of the Minecraft print didn't matter. Although I originally wanted to do a twenty inch square, the eighteen inch cardboard piece I used to measure, trace, and base my block panels turned out to be plenty big enough! Maybe even too big – if one's office wasn't already a slightly comical area of video games, collectibles, and Minecraft Curtains.

After cutting my shapes, I realized that if my sewing machine cooperated – unlike with the Cheap Elsa Costume – sewing these straight lines would be a lot faster then folding all the seams and hot gluing them slow and pretty. Fortunately, these quality materials went smoothly with no tension issues, threads breaking, or jams. After turning the giant square right side out, it was time to put in the simple cardboard base and stuff this mother! I used the last of the leftover recycled denim packaging I saved layered with more random Styrofoam and plastic bags. Sometimes trash comes in handy! My mother had also previously given me foam blocks from before she retired as a manager at TJX. These were actually boot packing supports that she thought I might like to use as more Candy Cane Christmas Candles, teehee. While I was in this stitch and stuff phase, I also used two odd rectangle panels from my two piece cut out and put them together to make a matching pillow, because why not? The world is harsh, we need more pillows – especially cute ones that work out unlike my Wonky Halloween Pillows.

After pinning the top, this giant ottoman was easy to hand sew closed just like a pillow. I refer to the top, but this fun block can really be tossed and turned in any direction. The soft lines and comfortable filling make for a fine place to sit or put up your feet as intended. The cats have already given it their seal of approval, and that seemingly too large size means there is enough room to put up your feet and have a cat sit on it, too – if they let that happen, that is! It does bug me, however, that thanks to the two wrapped panel corners, this isn't a perfect looking square as per the game. Had I sewn all six panels individually and maybe lined each of those seams with a thin cardboard strip, this might have been a more rigid design. If this was a formal living room piece, I probably would have gone all out with the curved upholstery needle, wood supports, piping, and fancy trims. Fortunately, that's not necessary for this fun under the desk comfort. Besides, I don't have to live with this project – my Husband does, hehe.  😁

Follow Kbatz Krafts on Facebook and Instagram for more project photos or join us on Blue Sky! Browse the Kbatz Krafts Archive for more sewing and crafting adventures including:

The Orange Tablecloth Skirt

How to Make Stuffed Pumpkins

CardboardHalloween Banner

Memento Mori Sewing

Wonky Halloween Pillows Deux 🥴

 

Thanks to my Haulloween '24, Spring meant it 'twas time to clean out my Halloween pajamas drawer and turn my threadbare shirts into more Halloween Pillows! The sound upcycle idea, unfortunately, was better than the askew execution this time.

Previously, those retired shirts made for some cute, sturdy decorative pillows. However, like my dress turned Tie Dye Pillow, these shirts have seen their day – resulting in stretched seams and frustrating hand sewing. Working within their shapes took finagling, too. Preserving the fun Halloween designs while avoiding soil spots and the cat claw pinpricks that apparently proliferate most of my clothes was not easy, and I even resorted to matching material cut from the discard sleeves to disguise some of the tiny holes. Because of such threadbare inferiority, the plastic grocery bags and fabric scraps used in my Stuffed Pumpkins wouldn't do without a layer of smoothing PolyFil to hide these sheer when stuffed pillows. During this venture for me, I also recovered some of my husband's toss pillows on our me-made bean bag with some of his formerly beloved t-shirts. However those Pixar and Doctor Who pillow transformations turned out beautifully – perhaps a statement on the superior quality of men's t-shirts versus the fast fashion of women's Halloween cheapness. Typical!

An older bed pillow was also used to stuff the paw print material from one of my Joann Hauls for an easy cat bed – which true to the Attempted Cat Cushion, none of them like. Unfortunately, even I disliked my own Boo! Padded sign creation. I don't care for the causal Halloween adoption of “boo” and “spook” ignoring the previous inflammatory nature of these terms, and initially I was unsure how to re-purpose this design – if at all. The very old glow in the dark shirt lettering was the only salvageable portion, so I added a small black ribbon – mistakenly basted the wrong way inside first – before using some scraps from the Cheap Elsa Costume to pad the hanging rectangle. Although I may repeat this idea with better materials in the future, this was not the bemusing glow in the dark pop art I had hoped. It's a hideous, crooked little thing that can't even be excused as intentionally primitive or childlike or saved by it's glow in the dark fun. All I see are the stitching mistakes, and I actually wondered if it's even worth sharing such a shitty, embarrassing, waste of time project.

Fortunately, even failures teach a sewing lesson. These wonky Halloween pillows will float around my basement studio and my niece's kid station, so their potential to not survive and end up as inserts for the next round of Halloween pillows is okay. I'm the one who has to learn not to wear something low quality until it is falling apart and then try to upcycle it! I've carried numerous other pillows from house to house that have been recovered over time – including sports team t-shirts redone as lumbars with the $1 luxury fabric swatches from before the Pandemic when the nearest Joann by me had closed. Do I need more pillows? My husband would say I'm the lady in the insurance commercials that has left nowhere to sit for all the pillows. However, the easy upcycle preservation of a charming design or sentimental shirt remains paramount. This is great sewing practice anyone can do. I don't share my goofy sewing and craft adventures to be instructional perfection. Failed Halloween pillows such as these are more about inspiring a not what it is but what it could be ideology and making it happen. Even if that's not on this project.

For more sewing updates, join me on Blue Sky or for project photos follow Kbatz Krafts on Facebook or Instagram. Browse the Kbatz Krafts Archive for past projects including: 

The Orange Tablecloth Skirt

A Black and Orange Polka Dot Apron

Halloween Shoe Wreath

Mini Pumpkin Garland

Drafting a Nightgown Pattern

 

Before I completely gave a long thrifted, too big, paint stained, and threadbare nightgown over to being my official messy painting smock; I decided to cut it apart and take the pattern from it. Not only did I need to replace the downgrade, but this drafting exercise has become an invaluable lesson in flattering fittings and comfortable alterations.

Let us go back to Summer 2023, when I actually filmed several hours of footage documenting this process – from seam ripping the sleeveless source and tracing out the front, back, and two side pieces on scrap paper to the wearable mock up made from navy sheets and ultimately a nicer black satin nightgown. I was gravely ill and ended up having surgery, which expedited the need for these new post recovery nightgowns. Unfortunately, my poor health really shows in these videos from the time. It was a therapeutic process to focus on useful, necessary garments one stitch at a time, occupying my mind from all the bad things that happened that year. However the footage is too gaunt and depressing to share. It would also be a lot of editing, and now I much prefer single shot, chatty videos and Fun Hauls. My main takeaway from this footage is that the faded navy sheet attempt was for comfort when I felt bad, and the smexy black satin was for when I wanted to feel good. Fortunately, this worthwhile venture has lead to more lounge wear and hopefully nicer dresses in the future. I've posted on Blue Sky about the subsequent, long gestating brown dress and matching housecoat set also derived from this pattern. Alas, I will soon address how that shamefully sat on my dress form these past two years once I finally complete it presently. Hems!!! 🤦🏻‍♀️💪🏻

So far I have four different garments from this relatively simple pattern thanks to the princess seams in front and back. Along with the two side pieces, a variety of changes can be made for a loose or flattering fit as desired. I knew the original nightgown cut apart and sewn back together again to be the paint smock was already too big, so the mismatched navy sheets mock up could carry that largeness for post-surgery comfort and I didn't care if it got ripped or dirty. Here I pleated the side seam under the arms for a baggy, ye olde pinafore kind of ease. I'm not sure now why I used the leftover discolored sheets to make a ruffled hem at the bottom, as the ruffle is a gathered heavy that makes the nightgown hang somewhat rather than drape naturally. Indeed, hems have inexplicably been a constant problem with these projects – needing to redo the lining hem on the brown dress is what frustrated me into stopping back in 2023. The black satin poly nightgown went quickly despite changes to take in the side seams, shorten the shoulder, and make a V neckline with a small pinch pleat. This created a more fitted front with the larger ease in the back. I don't like the high-low dresses fad because they always seem mis-cut to me, and this nightgown suffers from a similar problem! It looks like the front hem is over inch or so higher than the back hem that touches the floor when there shouldn't be that much difference. My husband tries to tell me it doesn't matter, but I can't look at the nightgown or wear it without noticing, so actually, I don't end up wearing it as much.

As yet I'm in media res on perfecting this pattern with the brown housecoat set, and I intend to put some of the orange material from my recent Joann Hauls to good use here. Instead of costumes or crafty things, this is the practical sewing that my father always wondered why I didn't usually do. I needed garments. I made them. They are not de facto but useful nonetheless. This is a pattern copy that I know needs adjustments and customization every time, and it's okay to continually hone this basic princess seam design. Certainly, this may seem simplistic or too basic to advance sewers. However working from a throwaway garment with practice materials toward a preferred block pattern is a great place to start for beginners. Who needs the fear of a confusing commercial pattern and cutting an expensive fabric too small?! Although I turned my last threadbare dress into a Tie Dye Pillow, the cumulative practice here inspires me to take more patterns from my other nicer dresses also nearing the end of their usefulness.

Follow more sewing adventures on Blue Sky or visit Facebook and Instagram for more project photos. Browse our Kbatz Krafts Archive or read more:

The Cheap Elsa Costume

A Christmas Princess Costume

5 Skirts 1 Pattern Video

The Orange Tablecloth Skirt

The Orange Tablecloth Skirt 🍂

 

This $5 Salvation Army thrift tablecloth was an impulse buy several months ago due to it's rust color and tone on tone leaf design. I knew it was too big for my oval table and wouldn't match my red dining room. However, I also knew this fabric would be adorable as a charming fall skirt!

Rather than simply gathering the rectangle, I laid out my tried and true all in one pattern based on Butterick 6196 as seen in my 5 Skirts, 1 Pattern Video. This scrap paper copy of each piece allows for maximum swoosh without any Cut 2s or On the Folds. This fabric was delicate around the embroidered leaves and some directions frayed worse than others so I didn't want to make any more cuts or seams than necessary. This probably should be lined but I didn't have any matching fabric of the same weight, and obviously I'd rather save my blacks and oranges for more fun frocks. I spent a day finishing the seams all the way around the skirt – some with the usual turn unders and others with supporting bond tape. After doing the hem once and disliking the stitching, I folded it up again with more hem tape. I already have one floor length Shiny Orange Skirt so this hobbit tea length is perfect.

Saving my black binding, I instead used a giant roll of white bias tape from an old goodwill grab bag to reinforce the waistband. Some of the gathering encased in the waistband and the back seam feel a little bulky, but there's enough pleated flounce in this pattern that's actually now too big for me. Going from my earlier scrap paper measurements, I had to make the waistband a few inches shorter in length as well as move the button over a few inches. Top stitching on the waistband may have been problematic with a heavier material, but a tight running back stitch helped smooth everything. This project also felt like I went in a different order than I usually do with these skirts, but it all came together fairly quickly in four days despite requiring more hand stitching. With a pattern you know, each use becomes easier even with tender frayed spots on cheap material obviously not intended for apparel use. Then again, after having had trouble with my machine during the Cheapest Elsa Costume, I knew there was no way these fraying ends were going thru my machine.

I've entered my everything autumnity orange phase and a grab bag orange thread cone called “Brique” came thru beautifully here. Of course this skirt probably cannot go in the washer or dryer. Even if I line it in the future this also wouldn't survive regular wear. Hand button holes have never been my best work and getting my button through this buttonhole for the first time was the most painful part of this project! With a black petticoat underneath, this can be a fun fall festival frock, and I enjoyed the sewing practice – feeling the stitching routine even with secondhand, delicate supplies that could be challenging. Thanks to the fabric being so long and my being short, there's yet more of this tablecloth for a matching project! This skirt makes me happy, and again, my mantra of seeing not what something is but what it could be proved whimsical. My husband mistakenly said I was wearing a curtain and I had to correct him, “It was a tablecloth!” ☺️

Follow Kbatz Krafts on Blue Sky for more upcycle adventures or browse our Facebook and Instagram for project photos. Visit the Kbatz Krafts Archive for previous sewing mayhem including:

Reversible Red Skirt

Another Halloween Dress

Black and Orange Polka Dot Apron

Sewing on a Budget for Search Magazine

Final Joann Haul! 🛒👋🏻

 

As Joann nears its end, the inspired Kristin Battestella aka Kbatz hits up not 1, but 2 Joann stores in this final sewing spree complete with measuring tools, fancy trims, buttons, ribbon, and of course, fabric. Thank you for Watching!

Visit our Sewing and Thrifting Playlist for all our Haul Videos or follow Kbatz Krafts on Blue Sky for more pictures and updates. Previous project photos can still be found on Facebook and Instagram.

Peruse the Kbatz Krafts Archive for more sewing and crafting adventures including:  

Bling Binge

Glam to Drab Lampshades

Christmas Princess Costume 

DIY at Search Magazine