I realized I haven’t made anything for Maia in a while. I’ve been making so many things for my shop, and even some shirts for me, but nothing for Maia. So here’s the first of a few Maia wearables (and maybe some non wearables). It’s a smock I made for her out of a thrifted t-shirt (actually a t-shirt dress). It was something I picked up at a yard sale and realized after I got home that was too small for me.
People have probably been making smocks out of t-shirts forever, but I thought this was genius and am already thinking of other t-shirts I can turn into smocks.
I cut a slit up the middle of the back, curved it at the bottom so it was nice and swingy, then hemmed the edges. I also cut off the dress part, but if I were using a regular t-shirt I wouldn’t have to do that. I sewed on pieces of ribbon to tie the smock closed in the back and voila, it was finished.
Although, of course, it wasn’t. It looked too plain and so I added this giraffe applique, loosely copied from a giraffe in SouleMama’s book. I love gray and yellow together! Although I think it’s so cute that I may have a hard time letting Maia paint in it. By the way, you know those ridiculously small pockets they put on adult t-shirts sometimes? They are the perfect size for toddlers!
I also have several unfinished sewing projects that I want to work on: another smock (from Amy Karol’s Bend-the-Rules Sewing), a felted bag from an old sweater of mine, and some pillows from my stencils. My goal is to finish one a week over the next three weeks.
I started the bag back in March, so it’s been around the longest, but I think I might make that the last one to work on. I’m kind of stuck, actually, so if any of you do any felting, maybe you can give me some ideas. I cut it out of a sweater, and sewed it into a bag shape. I suppose the next step would be to felt it (in the washing machine?), but I want to decorate it somehow and don’t know if I should do that before or after the felting. I bought some wool yarn, and figured I could embroider a design on it since I don’t know how to knit. Any other ideas? I’m not in a big hurry on this one since it’s wool (and red) and doesn’t fit the season, but I also don’t like feeling stuck.
Hi! My name is Jean and I am mama to two daughters -- a four year old and a newborn. I'm trying to parent in a way that encourages creative expression, imagination, joyfulness, and a love of learning. Thanks for visiting!
Shawn said
Love it! So adorable.
tinasquirrel said
Love the smock! I’m not a felting expert at all, but I would felt the bag first before embellishing it. Then I would suggest getting some wool roving and making a nice design on the bag with it. Once you have your design placed, you can needle felt it onto the felted bag. You could also attach yarn to the bag before you felt it, and then it would felt up along with the bag when you do that step. I’m not sure how you would ensure that the yarn didn’t shift though during the felting process. You can also buy felted embellishments, and then just sew them on to the felted bag. You can buy a lot of felted embellishments on Etsy.
Angel Funk said
I love the color combo! I think that Design Sponge just had a special post about yellow and gray together.
HeatherK said
How clever! I had never seen a tee as smock before, but so very useful. I have many a tee shirt that I could do that with. The giraffe is adorable! I need to get going on some kid projects—thanks as always for the inspiration!
Mozi Esme's Mommy said
Oh, this is too cute! I wish I was so creative, but I have not once used my sewing machine – my MIL is the only one to use it so far! I need to get her to visit and bring a tshirt with her!
Melissa A said
Great idea! I’m going to make one for O soon. Thanks!
Quinne said
Hi Jean
What a precious tee smock!
Blessings! Q
My sweeties and I celebrate back to school each year on Labor Day with a party and crafts. We always try to make something we can use all year long. I think this would be a great addition to our day! Thanks so much for the idea
Chrissy (joyfilledwifemom) said
I love it. It is too cute!
threesneakybugs said
Very cute smock. I’m going to look around for a t-shirt to cut up now. As for the felted sweater turned bag, here are my thoughts: generally I would felt the sweater before even cutting out as then you don’t have to worry about it unraveling. Since, you’ve already managed to sew it up without it unraveling (bravo!) I would felt it at this point. Just toss in the washing machine – hot wash, cool rinse, a little soap and no spin dry. Doesn’t matter whether you have a top loading machine or front loading. For optimal felting toss a couple tennis balls or an old pair of jeans in there with it. Let air dry. At this point, embellish. I would suggest either an appliqué or needle felting. Since you’re already a whiz at appliqué you know what to do, for needle felting just google it. You’ll need a felting needle, some wool roving and a sponge or block of foam to put behind it and avoid being poked.
cygnetsmall said
No advice on the felting but I did want to tell you that yesterday while I was reading this post (didn’t have time to comment in the moment), Eleanor said, “That girl is wearing a dear giraffe.” Her favorite stuffed animal is “Dear Giraffy”. I have to go and check to see if you have any dear giraffes in your shop now!
Lynda said
I love the fact that you make clothing for your children – well, personalize it for them, if you want to be picky about it. I think it really helps to remind your child again and again how much you love them and support them – even if they don’t realize it on that level. Beautiful!
Susanna said
Love the smock! I need to make one for my son.
Just wondering how you hemmed the t-shirt fabric. I’m squinting at the picture and think I see a double row of stitching? I don’t have a serger, so I’d like to know if you hemmed it without serging the edges first.
elsiemarley said
this is a fanastic idea for a smock. dead easy and stylish too.