Black and White Bobbles!

 

In addition to my Black and White Polka Dot Dress, I made more assorted black and white bling – bang for my buck that looks a lot more classy and sophisticated than for what these totally cheap jewelry sets actually cost.

First came the seventy-five cent clearance cameos from one of my spring Joann Closing Hauls. I was finally able to utilize some flat black faceted beads in addition to dangling black bobbles and cheap gold beads that came from either a thrift grab bag or beaded holiday garland that I cut up for the beads. I don't remember which! The cameos made for earrings, a necklace pendant, and a bracelet with a small dangling cross to match. Obviously nothing here is more than plastic yet it's a posh looking set that adds instant elan to any little black dress.

Next I made two odd, ball style sets by supplementing a handful of unique but low in quantity beads. Two random white fireballs were done up with gold crosses for a pair of earrings shiny enough to match some of my heirloom pearl and gold pieces. More creamy pearl-esque balls of several assorted sizes combined with more cheapy black and gold beads for a full suit of earrings, necklace, and a sideways cross bracelet. These faux pearl beads ended up being very tricky thanks to a very small threading hole, forcing me to use a lesser gauge beading wire for the necklace. I have trouble crimping the ends of such wire properly, thus I generally just twist, knot, and wrap the wire but it always seems to hold. Jinx! When I wore this graduated ball set, my dad asked why I was dressed so fancy. I said, “Thanks. I made it!”

All of these random grab bag beads came from the sadly now closed local Carnival of Collectables Antique Mall and have been in my stash for sometime. In my previous Bling Binge, I was trying to use as much of my stash as possible to make jewelry sets whether they were in my seasonal colors and wearing window or not. Here however, I used miscellany pieces to make what I wanted and needed right now – filling in gaps with black, white, and gold that I only wear in August. Regardless of outdated Victorian and Edwardian classism, I don't believe in wearing white after Labor Day. It's autumn people move on to fall colors! Of course, that's not going to stop me continuing to use up many of my black bobbles as well as the black wood bead garland seen in my Haulloween 2024 video.

Simply cutting this bead garland strand made for a long, opera length necklace before a matching bracelet and ear bobs. In contrast to the imitation pearls, because these string holes are so large, I was also able to use up some smaller millimeter beads to finish the earrings and prevent the larger beads from sliding off the ear wire. Because who doesn't need more black wood bead necklaces, I continued with a smaller collar style necklace – this time alternating with other black beads for a tone on tone set again with a matching bracelet. Next, leftover silver Christmas garland beads combined with more of the wooden beads made for a sophisticated cross necklace set. Finally it was time for some large plastic gold beads with the black wood beads, matching dangling earrings, and a cross bracelet. Whew!

Believe it or not, I still have MOAR of the black wood beads, and I'm tempted to experiment in alternating them with more autumn colored beads. September was formerly my time to wear red (a color understandably retired for political reasons), but moving up silver and black or all black in chunky, cool tone sets goes well with this transitional weather, crisp black and white buffalo check scarf, or my black and white plaid skirt. I love thinking outside the box in making accessories that go with any outfit or season but don't break the bank. The most expensive materials here were probably the elastic cordings, beading wire, and earring hooks that a jewelry maker should always buy in bulk and have on hand for when colorful inspiration strikes.

Visit Kbatz Krafts on Blue Sky for more crafting or follow our Facebook and Instagram for project photos. Revisit the Kbatz Krafts Archive for more bobbles including:

Green Holiday Jewelry

Jaunty Autumn Hat

Jewelry Making Basics

Drab to Glam Lampshades

Red Pops and Black and White Polka Dots

 

My quest for a black and white polka dot summery wardrobe continues – graduating from my Black and White Polka Dot Tank Top to a strappy knee-length dress with a dash of red inside and out for that classic fifties vibe.

Instead of utilizing my Drafted Nightgown Pattern as with my tank top, I first chose a new to me thrifted McCall's 7116. Being unfamiliar with this pattern, I went to work on a mock up from a Goodwill “Khaki” bolt. Although this was supposed to be my size, it just wasn't the right design for this black and white polka dot print. I need more room in the bust and high empire waist, which could be solved by cutting more ease and creating stylized gathering. I always end up altering a commercial pattern in some way so such changes were not unexpected. However the polka dots and double gathering combined felt as though it would be too busy and bulky for my breezy lightweight intention. This isn't a mistake; it's why sewers do pretend practice before the lesson is learned once it's too late with the fashion fabric. Fortunately, I'm also halfway there in using this pattern for a warmer fall dress!

Alas it was on to the thrifted Simplicity 2587 pattern instead. Using the red cotton remaining from my Mother Christmas Costume, I cut my pattern pieces and basted them together for any adjustments. Here the pattern fit as intended with only a shortening of the shoulder straps and excess inches in the back seam. Huzzah! Now this mock up can be taken apart to serve as my pop lining. I think there is a right and wrong side and some of the waistband pieces may be backward. I needed to piece together the end of the waistband with odd triangles, too, but for a lining that won't be seen, so what? It's also down to the selvage with this red cotton so I had to use another red satin-esque remnant for the skirt lining – which is okay for a shiny flash of color that may be seen. Since I have the polka dot fabric to spare, I cut extra around my pattern pieces for finishing seams and fold overs to hide the strips of white Goodwill grab bag interfacing in the collar, armhole, and straps. After all the black on black seam binding in my tank top made my eyes wonky, I'm more than ready to save my black trims for more dramatic frocks and bind this biznitch with red satin ribbon instead. Although this turned out to be the most time consuming part of the garment because I had to assure my red thread never came through on the outside black and white polka dots, it's another cheeky pop if you see inside the arm. I did end up needing more red ribbon though, buying less yards for more money at the Dollar Tree. Shrinkflation!

Strangely I don't think I went through the proper order of sewing on this project – assembling most of the new to me top for increasing fit and fine tuning before the more straightforward skirt. I've been trying to find an empire style, triangular bust bodice pattern for awhile, even drafting something of my own in hopes of a matching top for my Black and Orange Polka Dot Skirt. Since I didn't need the bust room, I sewed up the center line for more modesty, but unfortunately taking in that generous back seam left the waistband seams slightly misaligned with the bodice side seams. I was tempted to remove it altogether but decided to keep the empire band because I can do something totally different in correcting this pattern next time. I was more unsure about how the straight line skirt would fit as this is my problem area and I prefer skirts more full. When cutting the black and white polka dots, there were extra rectangles that I sewed together as another back skirt panel. This allowed me to loosely gather the entire skirt at the empire line for more flow for my hockey butt – which is apparently drastically different measurements then my back block. I had to piece the last of the red satin remnant for the bottom half of this add-on panel, resorting to another red lining repurposed from a dress I made previously for the top half. So far I have discovered at least three previously made, worn once, and taken apart again dresses put back in my sewing drawers. I have no idea why I did this! 🤦🏻‍♀️

Initially I intended to simply fell the polka dot skirt seams so in case you see red lining, you also see a polka dot pop. However, both the polka dots and the assorted red linings were fraying a bit too much so I went with more red ribbon seam binding that took much more time than I expected. I'm just glad that I didn't intend this as a maxi dress! Turning up the hem was the perfect knee length, and a rack of clearance trim from a hobby gift card became red panache for the hem, collar, and waistband. In this project I discovered that since my weight loss, I hadn't changed the adjustable dress form, and now I had to take it in for the dress to fit back over the form while I basted my trim in place. Darts are my bane, but I was able to do two small bust pleats in the top empire line as well as cinching the bottom line's gathering with the red trim for a final look that is fitted and flattering yet breezy enough and still able to get off freely over my head. Initially I wasn't sure how much red trim I wanted, but it also hides any seam lines where the polka dots are slightly cut off with a “Wow, what fun!” instead of a “Homemade mistake, whoa.” I debated some fun black buttons at the front v or at the strap ends before having the brilliant idea to put two small bats on the front and back. These critters are from a longer bat trim roll used previously on my Halloween Mystery Costume. I try to use it sparingly, but this up close chuckle disguises where the trim ends meet and attaching them with little red eye stitches gives the dress even more humorous personality, tee hee. 🦇

I needed a summer frock and learned a lot about what I would do differently, yet I already want to use this pattern again. Despite being a new to me pattern with fit adjustments, lining compensation, and trim hiding; I am pleased with the attention to detail and the project overall. These polka dots were necessary seasonal pieces, and I didn't disassemble everything at the first stumbling block because I wanted to wear what I made. Persisting on the fixes, bells, and whistles made for a really fun garment even as summer waned. I'm itching for more orange autumn projects, so this pattern's long sleeve option may come in handy soon!

Follow Kbatz Krafts on Blue Sky and see our project albums on Facebook or Instagram! Visit the Kbatz Krafts Archive for more Sewing Adventures including: 

Green Velvet Skirt

Cheap Elsa Costume

5 Skirts from 1 Pattern

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