Our local Salvation Army recently had a 50% off sale. I bought a jumper for my youngest daughter even though I though it might be a bit short. I figured since I was only spending $1 on the jumper adding an edge would be easy.
The only problem was when I got home I didn’t want to do a ruffle or a straight edge. I was bored of ruffles and I felt a straight edge would be too constricting for running around in. So I let the jumper sit for a few days while I let my brain perk over this problem. Here is my solution. A straight edge, yes, but different.
Here’s the jumper – cute.
First I measured how much fabric I would need to go around the bottom edge.
Then I played with the fabric to see how long I wanted it. I doubled that measurement and added one inch for seam allowance (I decided on five inches).
Then I cut four pieces – two for the sides and one each for the front and back.
I folded each piece in half and sewed the short ends. This way I don’t have to hem anything.
I clipped the corners, turned them inside out and ironed them flat.
Next I pinned them onto the jumper. First to the front and back…
…they didn’t quite meet (which I didn’t mind)…
…then to the sides. I don’t know how I managed to make the sides shorter than the front and back, but I call it one of my happy mistakes – I like it. I sewed that all down.
Then I sewed lace around the top of the seam on the outside and added a button at each side.
So there you have it. For $1 and about an hour of effort (thanks to interruptions ☺) I have a very cute “new” jumper for my daughter.
What do you think? Would you try this?
Intentional Simplicity 
Love it! A good deal, a nice jumper & a beautiful girl wearing it : )I would like to try making this BUT first I am in need of two important things… a sewing machine and a daughter : )
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Maybe someday, Rowena. I would love to sew dresses for a little girl for you. 🙂
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Yes, I love this! First off, the style you made is darling, second, I love the frugality and thirdly, you can make most dresses and skirts modestly this way 🙂 Thanks for sharing this on the Art of Home-Making Mondays! I did a lot of hem-letting down but never thought to add like you did…
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I don’t think modest has to equal looking frumpy. I try to think of ways for my girls’ clothes to look cute and modest.
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What a creative way to make that jumper work for your daughter! It turned out wonderfully well…. and she looks beautiful. 🙂
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Thank you. I’m not very creative with paper and pen or ink, but I try to be with fabric and yarn. 🙂
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I think it looks great! The straight edge definitely sets it apart from all the ruffled edges. I love thrift shopping! You can find some many wonderful things!
Thank you for sharing at the #SHINEBlogHop!
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I was going for something different. Plus I just could face all the gathering for ruffles. 🙂
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That is cute! 🙂 It reminded me a little of a pillowcase in the first picture, but once she’s wearing it it looks good.
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I like how it gave her fullness for movement without needing the ruffles.
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