What I have been wanting for a while now is a great big vintage suitcase or chest that I can use to store Sophia's dress-ups in. Needless to say, I have not yet spied the perfect one. So, I've gone with a cheap and simple alternative--a giant sack. Shove it in a closet, under the bed, or hang on the bedroom wall.
I made this one during my baby's sleep yesterday, so it's not too labour intensive. Plus it's relatively inexpensive (especially if you already have a stash of dress ups to fill it with).
And all a bit fun, really.
So, if you're keen for the DIY, here it is:
Step 1. Grab what you need:
2 metres fabric (I found a great red and white spot for $6 a metre at Spotlight)
2-3 metres of cord or strapping
A little piece of scrap fabric for the label
Some stamps, a fabric pen or paints (whatever you wish to write the label with)
(Ignore the buttons in the picture, they are for something else.)
Step 2. Fold fabric with the good sides together so that it measures 1 metre in width and lay it on the ground. You may need to trim it so that the sides line up as the cut is not always straight.
Step 3. Sew down the side you have just trimmed and along the bottom. Over lock or zigzag stitch to neaten up the edges. If you're using the whole width of the fabric you won't need to overlock the top edge, which is a bonus. You now have the basic shape of your sack.
Step 4. Fold over the top of the sack to at least double the width of your piece of strapping. Press but don't sew. Unfold. You now have a guideline for sewing the next steps.
[
Note: if you want to be extra neat you will double fold, press and sew the top seam down before you perform this step. The end of the fabric roll was neat enough for my taste, but you may prefer to sew it all properly, especially if you are making it as a gift.]
Step 5. Setting up the guide for your strap holes. You will need two, one at each side of the bag. Don't be like me and just stitch without thinking--as you can see there is a random hole sewn into the wrong place in pictures 5 & 7--DON'T sew your hole there ;). I've used pins as a guide, you may find it easier to draw the placement on with a fabric chalk.
So, find your side seam where the first hole will be placed. With your pressed seam still folded, mark the point where the folded fabric ends (good side of bag facing you) with a pin and unfold in front of you (shown as pin 1. in the picture). Lay your strapping 1cm or so down from that mark and place a pin either side of it (pins 2. and 3.) these pins mark your hole placement. You can remove pin 1. before you sew, it is just a guide to make sure your hole is not lower than your seam. I like to leave about an inch of space between pin 3. and the folded seam as it creates a nice ruffle when the bag is drawn together.
Step 6. Sew your strap hole parallel to the side seam of your bag. Most modern sewing machines have built-in button hole functions. I use my mum's 1970s gem of a machine which has a special foot and settings but I always forget them, so I've just winged a hole of my own. I sewed two parallel zigzag lines down the length of the 'hole' (twice for strength), and zipped backwards and forwards with a straight stitch over either end. Does the trick for me! :) Repeat the same on the other side of your bag. Slice the holes open with a 'quick unpick'.
Step 7. Sew down the folded seam underneath the strap hole. Once again, ignore the 'button hole' shown in this picture, yours will be on the other side (the 'good side') of the bag.
Step 8. Again, sew around the full width of the bag, but this time an inch or so below the top of the bag, above the hole. (That extra inch above the strap hole creates the nice 'ruffle' I mentioned.) Your bag, inside out, will look like picture 8. Turn the bag the right way out. You are nearly there!
Step 9. Attach a safety pin to one end of your strapping and use it to thread the strapping through one hole. Pass by the second hole and take the strap right the way through the bag, coming out the same hole you placed it in. Zigzag stitch down each end of the strap to neaten it off, then pin the two ends together on top of each other (first image above). Sew the two ends together in a square shape with an X through the middle for strength. Pull the strap into the bag and out through the other hole so that you have two straps (second image above). I used 3 metres of strapping so the second image shows my bag when fully open. This, however, makes for a very long cord when the bag is pulled closed. I think, next time, I will use less strap for a shorter cord when closed.
You have made your sack! Now for the label.
Label: I am always on the lookout for great alphabet stamps. You can use them for so many things. The good ones are usually either expensive or hard to find. I got this set a from
Kikki-K for $30, which I think is worth it. If anyone knows of where to find great & inexpensive stamps please comment below.
I stamped onto a scrap of calico (I'm a bit of a fan of rough edges so I left it like that when I stitched it to the bag). A tip with the stamps is to use a damp cloth to wipe ink off the base of the stamp, around the letter, before you press it onto the fabric. Otherwise you often get a square box around your letter. Practise a few times first.
A few cheaper options would be to write a label with a fabric pen, paint a label, or if you're incredibly game, cut out
your own stamps. Stacy, a lovely gal I know, shares an awesome looking method of freezer paper stenciling
here. I'd love to give it a go some time--could be another great option for your label.
When you've got it how you like it, pin to the bag and sew down.
Top tip: don't pin and sew both sides of the bag together--I'm not speaking from past experience or anything! ;)
Voila, you are done!
Filling the sackWhile pre-made costumes can be quite cool, my style is to grab a metre of sparkly, flowy or colourful fabric and let the imagination do the work. (Cheaper too!) A piece of fabric is a turban, a scarf, a belt, a sash, a dress, and more.
Thus, I am in love with Spotlight. Four dollar bargain shelves filled with bright, soft and sparkly bits. One metre is the perfect size for a dress ups box. Half a metre makes a great scarf, belt or wrap. (However, the minimum purchase for discount fabrics is often a metre.) I do my best to practise self control when visiting Spotlight. My husband would probably beg to differ. Hmm...
Of course, Grandma's shoes, handbags, hats and scarves are the best.
I do wish I had a few of my Grandmother's shoes...
Failing either of those options, the $2 shop can be a bit of a dress-ups winner: fairy wings, beads and faux pearls (making your own is more expensive), pacific leis, kitty ears, pirate hats, crowns, tiaras, wigs etc.
We're very much at the beginning stages of exploring creative dress ups. I do look forward to getting a little more elaborate as the months pass...
While playing a little tiger came to visit! Too cute!
I'll have to say, my daughter was in love with that tiger getup...might need to create one...
And even little Sam could not escape the feather boa. :)
Here's to many more dress-up days ahead. F-U-N. Does anyone know of a good picture book filled with dress ups and tea parties? I'd love to get my hands on one if you do...
xx
p.s. Just so you know, I have a blog post coming on cheap and easy options for tutus and fairy skirts. Great for the dress-ups box, so watch his space.
