Whether it’s the Disneyland 1/2 marathon or the Disney Princess 1/2 Marathon, dressing up for any Run Disney race is an absolute MUST.  For me, having a Disney running costume that is comfortable while I’m on the course is also a MUST.  Here’s how I put together a Sleeping Beauty running costume for my friend for the Disney Princess half Marathon with very little sewing involved!  You can use the same technique to make a Princess Running Tank for your Belle running costume or Cinderella running costume.

Supplies: 1 Team Sparkle skirt in pink (super lightweight and so comfortable), 1 pair of hot pink velvet Sparkle Sleeves, 1 pink running tank (got mine at Target), 1/8 yard of white, swimsuit lycra (or other lightweight knit fabric), needle and thread or sewing machine.

If you are planning on dressing up as Belle, start with a Golden Yellow Team Sparkle Skirt, gold Sparkle Sleeves and a yellow running tank. Is Cinderella your princess of choice? You will want to start with a pale blue Team Sparkle Skirt, silver Sparkle Sleeves and a pale blue running tank.

1. Measure the distance of your upper chest making sure to go around (not under) your arms. Use this measurement to cut your piece of knit fabric (your measurement x 8″)

2.Using a sewing machine (or by hand), stitch two rows of wide stitches down the center of your cut piece.  Make sure to leave thread ends loose.

3. Pull the thread ends to gather your strip of fabric down the middle.

4. Stitch the gathered piece to the center front of your running tank.  Put a few stitches connecting the band to the armhole (see picture) to tack it in place. This is a good point to try on your tank to make sure you like the placement of your princess band.  Also, have someone help pin the band together in the back, testing out how tight or loose you want it around your arms and also how high or low to sew it to the tank back. Once that is decided, stitch the ends of the bands together to make a complete loop.

5. Stitch the band to the back of your tank and you’re ready to Run Like a Princess!

Don’t forget your gold tiara!  I had a hard time finding a tiara in gold, but with a little spray paint, the problem was easily solved.

Make sure you do at least one practice run in full running costume to tweak as needed to stay comfortable during the race and be sure you’re ready to run happily ever after!

Today, I’ve teamed up with Lion Brand Yarn to share my tutorial for a “Semi-Homemade” Mohawk Beanie Cap.  Don’t worry, there is no knitting or crocheting required!  All you need to make your own Mohawk Beanie is a pre-made cap, some Martha Stewart Crafts Roving Wool, and a yarn needle.  You’ll be able to whip one of these up super quick!

Now click HERE for the “Semi-Homemade” Mohawk Beanie tutorial. It’ll keep your kids warm and “totally cool” at the same time.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post by Lion Brand Yarn. The ideas, opinions, and how-to instructions are all my own.
I am so happy to have been given the chance to create a fun non-knit/non-crochet project using their new Martha Stewart Crafts line of yarn.

I know you have a ton of big, yet sentimental, t-shirts sitting at the back of your drawer that are just begging for a transformation.  They deserve to get worn! Head on over to the Words to Sweat By blog for my latest T-shirt refashion tutorial. And while you’re there, check out their “mantra” workout towels. They make perfect stocking stuffers!

With the right yarn, making a Rapuzel wig for my 6yo daughter was way easier than I thought it would be.

Click HERE for the full tutorial.

If anyone is interested in making this wig, I have extra Lion Brand Yarn for you to make it happen! If you pay for shipping, I’ll be happy to send it off to you (can’t imagine it’d be more than $5).  Just leave a comment below and I will get in touch with you.  Update: Jessica has snatched up the extra yarn. Thanks to Lion Brand Yarn for being so generous!

Commentors have had some great ideas: change the color to red & and put in two braids and you have Jessie from Toy Story.  Style with two pigtails and you’ve got a cute rag doll.  Change the color of yarn to blue or pink or purple with sparkles and style a fun fairy wig.  The possibilities are endless!

Dressing up for any Run Disney race is an absolute MUST.  But for me, having a Disney running costume that is comfortable while I’m on the course is also a MUST.  Here’s how I put together my Snow White running costume for the Disneyland Half Marathon.

How to make a Snow White Disney running costume

Supplies: 1 Team Sparkle skirt in Golden Yellow (super lightweight and so comfortable).  1 running tank (got mine at Target), 1 yard of 1″ soft knit elastic, 2 yards each of 1 1/2″ blue ribbon & 1″ red ribbon (you’ll have some extra to play with), Cape & collar (optional).

Steps:

Measure around your upper arm. Cut 2 pieces of elastic to match that measurement. Sew elastic together in a circle. Be sure to sew the seam flat so there won’t be any chafing.

Cut 2 pieces of blue ribbon 9″ long

Cut 2 pieces of blue ribbon 10″ long

Cut 2 pieces of red ribbon 9″ long

Cut 2 pieces of red ribbon 10″ long

Cut 2 pieces of red ribbon 8″ long

Mark the middle of each piece of elastic. Pleat ribbon pieces and pin onto elastic as show in picture in the correct order of length. Sew with a zig zag stitch onto elastic.

Do the same on the second piece of elastic, but reverse the order of ribbon.

Pleat ribbon on other end and pin to tank, right sides together, matching 10″ blue ribbon to shoulder seam of tank and spacing out other ribbons on each side. There will be more ribbons toward the front of the tank then they back.  Sew.

Try on tank with “puff sleeves” and adjust length of ribbons if neccessary.

Adding the cape is a little more complicated but here is the general idea and shape of the pieces:

Once collar is sewn and cape is attached, try on tank to get proper placement and tack collar in place at front tips.

Everyone has been so patient! The new Rockin’ Baby Gown tutorial is ready, complete with instructions on how to include a little hand flap.

There are also a few minor tweaks to the pattern and added ideas on how to customize your gown with ribbing and color blocking.

Have fun turning your favorite, old T-shirts into rockin’ baby gowns!

Click HERE for tutorial.

After making a bunch of Beaded T-shirt Bracelets , we still had a rainbow of “fabric noodles” and pony beads left to play with

Princess came up these fun and simple hippie headbands (which have become so popular among the neighborhood kids, she’s made a few bucks selling them).

Click HERE for the Tutorial (although I bet you can figure it out)!

I’m guest posting today over at Skip to my Lou‘s Craft Camp Series. I’ll show you how to do a kid’s craft that combines my love of refashioning and crocheting! Check it out HERE or HERE.

You can also find 5 more fun things to do with an old t-shirt in my Refashion Camp for Kids Series.

And while you’re there check out the entire Craft Camp series – 30 days, 30 bloggers, 30 crafts.  There’s enough ideas to keep your kids creating all summer long.

I’ve also rounded up a few of the things that we’ll be doing around here to the kids happy and creating once school is out.

Scrap fabric Paper Dolls

“Art Smart” – a series of fun and child friendly art lessons

Shape Stretchies for Creative Movement

Summer Family Calendar & Inspiration Center

Don’t let a shirt stain get you down.  Let it inspire the shape and placement of a quick, no-sew, freezer paper stencil.  Freezer paper stenciling is not new in the crafting world, but it’s good to remember it’s not just a technique for creating new designs.  It’s also an easy and practical ways to extend the life of your children’s old clothes. Let’s save those stained shirts!

Freezer Paper Stenciling (no sewing required)

Supplies:
X-acto knife
Self- healing cutting mat
Freezer Paper
Iron
Fabric Paint
Sponge paint brush

1.    With a pencil, trace or draw desired shape onto non-shiny side of freezer paper.

2.    Using an X-acto knife and cutting mat, cut out shape from freezer paper following pencil lines, creating the stencil.

3.    Iron on cut freezer paper stencil, shiny side down onto shirt over stain.  Iron another piece of freezer paper to the inside of the shirt so paint won’t bleed through.

4.    Apply paint to stencil.  Let dry overnight.

5.    Peel off freezer paper and set paint with iron as directed on fabric paint bottle.

Download the Star & Bow templates HERE (pdf)

Find more freezer paper stencil inspiration HERE.

Using creatively shaped and placed appliqué, you can cover a pesky stain or rip without anyone being the wiser.  Appliqué is not new in the crafting world, but it’s good to remember it’s not just a technique for creating new designs.  It’s also an easy and practical ways to extend the life of your children’s old clothes. Let’s save those stained shirts!

How to Appliqué

Supplies:
Paper backed fusible web (Pellon Wonder Under)
Scissors
Scrap Fabric
Iron
Sewing Machine
Fabric Stabilizer (optional)

1.    With a pencil, draw desired shape as a mirror image on paper side of fusible web (if you use a font or shape from your computer, there is most likely an advanced “mirror image” printing option. Then trace onto paper side of fusible web)

2.    With the paper side up, iron fusible web onto wrong side of scrap fabric.

3.    Cut out appliqué following pencil lines.

4.    Peel paper off appliqué & iron with fusible web side down, postitioned over stain.

5.    Using a sewing machine, zigzag around outer edge of appliqué (placing a piece of tear away fabric stabilizer on the inside of the t-shirt will help keep shirt from stretching during sewing).

Find my monogram specific appliqué tutorial HERE

Find more appliqué inspiration HERE.