Be sure to check out my review of the Polar FT7, Personal Heart Rate Monitor/Watch.  This gadget has been my favorite so far……..and lets me know exactly how hard I’m working.  No matter where I am.  Love it. 

. . . . .

Simple things are good.  Panties are simple.  So, panties are good.

Haha.

I love it when my little girl asks important questions like, “Mommy, why do you put that brown make-up stuff (she’s talking about foundation) on your face?”  Or, “Mommy, why does daddy kiss you for a long time and not a short time like you kiss us?”  And one of my favorites, “Mommy, why is your tummy a little squishy?”  Haha!

Another important question she asked me just the other day was, “Mommy, do I have to wear panties every day?”  I told her yes.  So she then asked me, “Then why doesn’t Ella (her dolly) have to wear panties every day?”  Well, hmmmm, good question.  I guess she should have to wear panties every day too. So I asked her, “Should we make Ella some panties?”  She nodded her head yes. 

So, I was commissioned to fix this simple little dilemma.

And make some little Dolly Panties.  In 3 different colors.

And because it’s a doll and doesn’t need to be one bit fancy…….I kept them simple.

Now, she has plenty of panties to wear underneath all her little dolly outfits.

Problem solved, right?

 Yes, I believe it is.

Now maybe I should answer all of her other questions.  Like, why my tummy is a little squishy.  Or why my face is imperfect and I cover it up with a little secret potion called foundation. 

Nah, I’ll wait til she’s older.

I’ll just let her keep living in her little girl world, where things like dolly panties are amazing, and “Awww, mommy, so cute!” 

Good, Little Miss, I’m glad you like them.

P.S.  Sorry if you only use the term “panty” for women’s lingerie.  I always grew up calling my underwear “panties”.  So I call my little girls undies “panties”.  And my little boy wears “underwear”.  (I didn’t even know girls could wear something as boyish as the word “underwear” until I was much older.)  Anyone else do the same?  Or are you a “underwear” only family?

Would you like to make some Dolly Panties for some little dolls in your house?

First of all, decide which sized doll needs some undies.  Then, trace around the lower bodice of the doll to get a good idea of how big to make the panties.  Measure her waist, her legs, etc and make your panties just a bit bigger so that the waist and legs can be gathered in just a bit.

(For help with measuring around a doll and making your own paper pattern, visit this dolly diaper tutorial here.  That may help you a bit.)

I have included the Dolly Panties pattern piece (that is sized to fit an 18 inch doll) here.

(Even if you have a doll a different size, you can always adjust the pattern to fit.)

I made my Dolly Panties out of knit fabric….so they would stretch just a bit more.  And yep, they were leftover scraps from some old knit Tshirt that I cut up and used for some other project.  (All re-purposed projects found here.)  Or you can buy knit at most fabric stores.

First, you’ll need to cut out the pattern (or create your own and cut it out) and place the long edge of the pattern on the fold of your fabric.  Then cut. 

Once you open up the fabric, it will look like this.  (If you notice, the angle of the leg opening is slightly curved up for the front of the panties and more straight for the back side of the panties.  The fabric is actually upside down in the photo below and the paper pattern is right side up.  Sorry.)

Now, time for some elastic thread.  Remember?  No need to worry.  There’s a whole tutorial here. 

With your elastic thread down in your bobbin, sew along the curve of each leg, a 1/4 inch away from the edge.  This is a view from the wrong side of the fabric.  (This blue fabric doesn’t really have a wrong or right side…..but if yours does, make sure the right side is facing up while sewing with your elastic thread, so that the elastic thread is on the wrong side.)

Now, take your elastic thread out of your bobbin and put in regular thread.  Then fold the panties in half with right sides together, and sew along the sides of the panties, using a 1/4 inch seam allowance.  (And it will only be a slight difference but the leg opening on the back side will come down a little bit further, to take into account a bum needing more fabric to cover it.  But after I put all the panties together, I couldn’t really tell a difference.  So don’t worry if you can’t either.)

Now, put your elastic thread back in.  Then turn the panties right side out and sew along the top edge of the panties, using a 1/4 inch seam allowance.  Start at one side seam and sew all the way around the top of the panties, and back stitch when you get back to the start.  Then do the same thing, starting your seam about an 1/8 of an inch below the first one.

Now, trim your thread ends and you’re done.

And your panties should look like this.  All nice and cinched in at the waist and legs.

Now make a few more pairs.  Because no one can survive with only one pair of panties.

Be sure to check out my review of the Polar FT7, Personal Heart Rate Monitor/Watch.  This gadget has been my favorite so far……..and lets me know exactly how hard I’m working.  No matter where I am.  Love it. 

. . . . .

Woo-wee, I’ve gone and done it.  I signed up for a race.  (In case you didn’t catch this, check out my running tips for beginners or slow/clunky runners like me.  All came from my marathon runner friend.) 

I have run a few 5k’s and 10k’s in the past few years but have totally lost the training for them.  So why am I nervous? ;)  Haha……I guess it just comes with getting back into it.

The only way I keep running and keep trying to improve my distance, is if I have a race to work towards.  I don’t just enjoy running for the thrill of running.  That’s like saying that I clean toilets because it’s enjoyable.  Nope, I clean them because I enjoy a good clean sanitary toilet.  That’s it.  As for running, I run for my health and to prove to myself that I can do it.  And the longer I run, the more surprised I am at myself.  I don’t ever wake up and think, “Ahhh, I can’t wait to slip into my jogging shoes today.”  (I leave that kinda crazy talk to the serious runners.)  In fact, I have to force myself out the door.  And it isn’t until I have conquered the 1st mile or so, that the rush kicks in and keeps me going.  But I do have to admit, that the endorphins produced after a run are priceless.  I wish I could bottle that stuff up and sell it. 

Anyway, back to the race.  It’s a little lovey-dovey Valentine’s race.  And I’m going to run it.  It’s 4 miles total and is for all ages.

Here’s proof that I’m registered:

Nope, I can’t back out now.

I hope the weather is kind.  We have had lots of snow lately……but the race is this weekend and weather.com says this:

Yeah, a little chilly but at least there’s no snow.  But 36 degrees means I’ll be all snuggled up in a hat, jacket, and gloves.

 . . . . .

I was reading my online trainer’s advice this last week (thanks for all the tips Alysa!!) and she talked about staying motivated.  I couldn’t agree more with her “Pump Up the Jams” suggestion.  Music keeps you going.  And makes you feel a bit more care-free as you pound the pavement.

Do you want to know my number one running buddy?  My music.

Here’s what’s been on repeat on my RUNNING playlist lately:

• Happy, Natasha Bedingfield

• Beautiful (SMASH Cast Version) [feat. Katharine McPhee]  

• Mercy, Duffy

• Set Fire to the Rain, ADELE

• Good Life, OneRepublic

• Hold Me (feat. tobyMac), Jamie Grace 

• Marchin On (feat. OneRepublic), Timbalan

• Waka Waka (This Time for Africa), Shakira 

• King of Anything, Sara Bareilles

• I’m Yours / Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Straight No Chaser  

• Here Comes Your Man, Meaghan Smith

• Be OK, Ingrid Michaelson

• Say Hey (I Love You) [feat. Cherine Anderson], Michael Franti & Spearhead

• I Gotta Feeling, The Black Eyed Peas 

I know.  Kind of a random list.  I always skip around and listen to these and then in a few weeks, it may be something completely different. But these current songs keep me going for some reason.  But there are 2 songs that I have to listen to every time I start running. 

Last time I was really into running (about 2 years ago), I had different songs that I was really into.  But these 2 current songs were ones that I listened to when I started running again about 5 or 6 weeks ago.  And I had this tremendous surge of energy and motivation to make some changes.  It was as if my whole body decided right then and there to welcome running back into my life.  A serious surge starting at my toes and bursting up and out the top of my head.  And these 2 songs were playing when this happened.  So, any time these songs come on, I immediately have a renewal of energy……and my motivation continues.  Funny, right?  Because the songs are so random.

The first is:

• Billionaire (feat. Bruno Mars),  Travie McCoy

(And let the truth be told that I actually can’t really stand this song and don’t have any written goal or determination to become a billionaire.  But that beat gets me hopping right along.) 

The second is:

• We Are the World 25 for Haiti, Artists for Haiti    

(And this one, wow, it cracks me up to write this title too.  Because, some of the artists make my skin crawl.)

Music is powerful.  And because of the circumstances, these 2 songs will forever remind me of running.  And my renewal to jump back into it.  And no joke, if I get tired while running, I replay these songs and I always have a few more minutes left in me.  Ahhh, music.  You can surprisingly make me a lover of something that I, well, normally wouldn’t love.

How about you?  Have you signed up for any races to keep you motivated?

 . . . . .

Read all ‘Inpiration to Fitness’ related posts here.  There’s tons of inspiring articles from trainers and other bloggers who are trucking right along with me. 

. . . . .

Baby feet are the sweetest kind of feet there are.  You know what I mean, I’m sure of it.  If you’ve ever held a little baby foot in your hand and have had the sudden urge to munch on it or smother it with kisses…….you’re totally normal.  Toddler feet?  Well, um, only sweet after a bath.  Adult feet?  No thank you.

And almost as cute as those little baby feet……..are those itty bitty shoes that cover them.  I just gush when I hold a pair of baby shoes in my hands.  They’re as sweet as sweet gets.  I know babies don’t really need shoes, but good golly, I can hardly stand how adorable they look in them.  But wait, I guess I have these same emotions when I hold a little pair of pants, or bloomers, or onesies, or……..oh help!

Anyway, babies grow so fast so it’s hard for me to justify buying new shoes for babies every few months.  So I thoroughly enjoy making my own.  And since my 11 month old is growing like a weed, she continually needs new shoes.  (Especially in the winter……..shoes keep her tootsies nice and warm.)  So while at the thrift store a few weeks ago, I found some old purses that I knew I could use to make new shoes. 

(I used part of the same thrifted purses to embellish my 5 year old’s shoes last week.  Remember that?)

So, I turned those old purses into new baby shoes for my littlest lady.  (Using the Abigail Bootie pattern from my shop, here.)

So, keep an eye out at the thrift store (or you probably have an old purse or two in the closet). 

And turn an old cast-off……into some great little low budget shoes.

It’s the perfect way to gussy up those feet.  For cheap.

You can use real leather or faux leather (aka vinyl) purses.  Both work great.   (You could also look for shoulder bags, pouches, leather jackets, etc.  There are some great/inexpensive resources out there.)

Making your own shoes can save you some money…….but can also be really satisfying.  Especially after you try them on for size.

Using old purses keeps the shoes soft and flexible…………making them perfect for babies.   And yep, great for crawling.

So, hurry and find an old purse to cut up and think about how you want to fancy up some shoes for baby. 

Bows? Darling. Ruffles? Scrumptious.  Or go with something completely different.  Have fun with it.

Like I mentioned above…….I used my Abigail Bootie Pattern (for sale in my shop) as my base shoe construction and then I added on the extras.  I used the same sort of cozy lining that’s explained in the pattern and then used the purse scraps as the outer shoe fabric. So if you already have the pattern, dig it out of your computer files and print it off again.  Or if you have a different pattern that you like, you can probably make this work the same way.  Or go and purchase one and get started.

To add the ruffles, stop before attaching the main shoe part to the sole.  Then add little strips of ruffled purse vinyl to the toe section of the shoe.  (Need help with gathering/ruffling?  Go here.)  Also, there’s no need to hem under the little strips because leather/vinyl won’t fray.  So keep them simple.  And I sewed the ruffles right onto the shoe through the black fabric and the lining together (and sewed right over the basting stitch where I gathered it) .  Then I finished putting the shoe together, like explained in the pattern.

To add the bow, just make the shoes like normal, make a bow out of the some of your purse leather/vinyl, then hand-stitch the bow right onto the toe section of each shoe.  (As for the elastic strap, I added that on instead of a velcro strap, but that is not included in the pattern.  But it’s pretty easy to figure out and add on.  Sorry, no pictures of that.)

***I just use my regular needle and my regular sewing foot when sewing with faux leather and soft real leather.  There are leather needles out there that may be better for real leather (especially if it’s thicker) but I have never had a problem using a regular needle with faux leather (vinyl).

***Also, if you’re having problems with your vinyl sticking a little bit to your sewing machine while sewing, visit this post for some tips.

Another way to turn old into new.  Remember how invigorating that is?  Have fun with it!

**P.S. If you have a baby boy……don’t feel left out.  You can turn purses into boy shoes too.  Just choose boyish colors and cool textures.  There are many boy bootie patterns out there, including one that I have for sale, here.

As discussed in this and this post, I have been asked to test out a few items to help me with my new goals for this year and have also been provided with (you too!) the advice of a personal trainer/dietician, found here. I will be blogging all about it on Make It and Love It during January and February. (All related posts can be found here.) Join with me and healthy up that body of yours too! In fact, why not take the pledge to live a healthier lifestyle right now!

. . . . .

Just so you know, this may be my favorite little gadget to date. (And yeah, I may say that about them all……but I REALLY do love this one.)

Best Buy sent me this little Polar brand heart rate monitor in the mail and I wasn’t sure what to expect. I always wonder what my heart rate is while exercising and though I do sometimes check by counting the blood pressure throbs in my neck, I don’t always trust my count. The reason I would really like to know my heart rate though, is that if I’m going to go to the trouble of working out, I might as well work hard during those 20 or 30 minutes (which are hard to come by as a mommy), and burn those calories off quickly. So I’d like to know if I’m even in the right workout zone. No more lazing around and then calling that a workout. (Because then I complain that I have been working “so hard” but can’t see results. Sound familiar to anyone else?)

Once I opened up the box, I knew it had a heart monitor strap to go around my chest……but I thought it would be big and bulky and awkward. Well, this is what arrived.

A sleek little watch and a very slim strap to go around my chest.

Then I thought, “hmmmm, there’s no way that thing is comfortable. This is so going to bug.” So I strapped it on (right below my sports bra, right on the skin) and then ran around my living room (while my kids asked what I was doing), just to see how it felt. And wow, it didn’t feel any different than my sport’s bra. Cool.

So then I set up the watch and entered my info (weight, height, age, etc.) and then began the heart monitor function. Right away the electrodes (which were pressed against my chest), registered my resting heart rate and sent it right over to the watch. Then, of course, I began pounding out some jumping jacks, did some high knees, sprinted around the kitchen table, etc……….and then watched the monitor rise higher and higher. Then I rested and watched it dip, then hopped around some more and watched it rise, etc. I was just testing out the little sucker…..making sure it worked.

Another thing (in case you were wondering…….because I sure was) is that you can take the connector off the chest strap and wash the entire strap. Whew, you don’t have to wear an old sweaty strap each time.

This little Heart Rate Watch is light, super easy to use, no problem to wash, and produces info quickly. I was in love.

So I have taken it on a few runs and am able to glance down and check my heart rate at any time. I have also used it during an aerobics class and let me tell you, it’s nice to look down at the watch and see when I’m working hard and then to see when I’m not pushing hard enough. It seriously kicks me into gear. Eeeeeh!

A few other things that I really love about the watch:

• After a workout, the watch shows me how many calories I have burned. LOVE this.
• There’s a target heart rate graph, showing you if and for how long you were in “fat burning” or “fitness” zones during your workout. And it also tells you your average heart rate.
• There’s a BEEP, telling me when I have changed from fat burning to fitness zones.
• The watch and strap are waterproof, so they can be used while swimming.
• The watch saves your most recent 99 workouts.
• There’s a weekly summary feature, telling you the amount of time you worked out that week, how many calories burned, etc.
• If your weight changes, you can adjust it in the watch, so that the info your watch produces stays accurate.
• There’s a backlight on the watch, in case you are exercising in low light.
• The info transmitted to my watch, is also transmitted to the equipment at the gym (treadmill, eliptical, etc), so it displays it nice and big on the machines.
• The watch and chest straps are very adjustable and are both very light. This was a major plus for me.

Some things I don’t like:

• While Working out, I can’t see how long I’ve been working out on the main screen. I just like to have a counter. So I wish there was room for a counter to always be present. However, I can click over to the timer by clicking one of the buttons. So it’s not a big deal, really. I’m just kinda lazy.
• Not crazy about the color/design. But you know, I guess color doesn’t matter too much while burning calories. (But come on, can I get a kelly green one? Or maybe tangerine? I’d even go for teal.)

Anyway, onto the exciting part of this post. The free stuff.

Who would like a free Polar Heart Rate Monitor of their very own? Just tell me your favorite heart pumping exercise in a comment below.

Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment, answering the question above
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 2/8 ñ 2/14

Also be sure to visit the Inspiration to Fitness page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggersÌ reviews, get great fitness tips and find more chances to win! You can also roll over the Best Buy image at the top of my blog to view a calendar of all the Inspiration to Fitness content. Good luck!

Best Buy does not sponsor, endorse, approve, or have any responsibility for this promotion.

I know, I know, we talked about this ages ago………but who would still like to meet up in the Denver area? 

(In case you missed the chatter about a Denver meet-up, go here.)

image source

You know, to meet, chat, maybe sew (or glue gun) a thing or two?  The plans aren’t definite because the location isn’t definite and that’s not definite because reserving a space is hard without knowing an approximate number of attendees.  But let’s get this little meet-up rolling.  Deal?   Haha……setting this up later than planned is better than not planned at all.  Right?

Whew, okay.  January is gone.  February is speeding by……so how about March?  Anyone up for a nice little gathering in early March?  I’m thinking March 10th.  I have several location ideas bouncing around.  Some are smaller and more intimate and perfect for a group of 15-20.  Other places are bigger and less swanky…..but would be perfect for a larger group.  And since anyone can come, (sewists, crafters, or just chatters)…….I’m not sure about a number.  I hope all will come and meet those with similar interests in the area though.  So, a big place to reserve would be great.  Ack……but I am terrible at guessing.

Let me tell you what would go down at a little Denver meet-up.  Of course chatting and mingling, most likely we’ll make a little something (making items for charity is being thrown around), maybe a little q&a from everyone (not just me), and of course some treats.  And if you’re on a diet, you have to cancel your diet for a day. Ha! ;)

So, tell me.  Who’s still interested?  Who’d like to meet up on March 10? 

(THIS IS JUST A TENTATIVE DATE THAT I’M PROPOSING TO DIFFERENT VENUES.)

(This is totally a new poll service I’m trying out.  Please tell me if it’s buggy or not working out for you.  Eeek!)

Can’t wait to hear from you.  And okay, even more excited to meet you guys!  For all I know, some of you could be living on my same street and I didn’t even know it.  Wouldn’t that be crazy?  If so, I’m the crazy lady with 3 kids who is never showered until noon, unless I have somewhere to go.  Yep, that’s me!

Talk to you soon.

-Ashley

Be sure to check out my review of the Personal Microdermabrasion Device.  This tool is pretty cool to have so that you can exfoliate, rejuvenate, and brighten up that face (and other areas) of yours, on your own. So cool!

. . . . .

Ooooh, I love me some shoes.

And there are some seriously lovely shoes in the stores.  When I want to feel fancy, I kind of have a thing for a few rhinestones on the toe, a bit of fringe, maybe a crushed fabric flower.  Whatever it is, it adds a little interest to those plain feet.  But the more glam you find on the shoes, usually the higher the price tag.  And, well, that bugs me.  (Because we all know it doesn’t cost the manufacturers that much more to add it on.)

So forget overpaying and gather a few things to glam up your own shoes (or as shown here, for a little girl).

And since I found the purses at the thrift store, it only cost me a few dollars to fix up these little beauties. (I’m not kidding, hurry over to the thrift store now.  Or dig up some old purses from the back of your closet.)  The buckles came off the old silver purse and the bow came from cutting up the black purse. 

Pretty quick and easy transformation.

And if bows aren’t your thing, try making some ruffles, or some fringe, or even a flower of some sort.  The fabric you’ll find on old purses is so perfect for this.  And really, comes in so many colors and textures.

You may start finding reasons to decorate all your old shoes in your closet.  It’s slightly addicting.

Would you like to transform your plain shoes into glam shoes?

First of all, you probably aren’t going to find the exact hardware that I found but look around, you never know what you’ll find at the thrift store.  But if your heart is set on buckles……..check the craft store or the sewing section.  Or use a big rhinestone right at the center of your bow.  Or make a flower and put a rhinestone at the center of that.  Really, the options are endless.

But, to show you how I made these little glam bows, I first cut some square shapes out of the black bag.  And if you find leather or faux leather, you won’t have to sew (or fray check) the edges because they won’t fray.  Bonus.

Then I cut the buckles off the silver purse.

Then slid the black fabric through the buckles.

Then I made sure the bow was a good size for the shoe.  Check.

So then I used a heavy duty glue to adhere the bows to the shoes.  I pinched them in place with clothes pins, which worked great. 

And now those little bows aren’t going anywhere.

Be sure to check out my review of the Personal Microdermabrasion Device.  This tool is pretty cool to have so that you can exfoliate, rejuvenate, and brighten up that face (and other areas) of yours, on your own. So cool!

. . . . .

Here’s what’s going on with me and my New Year, New Me plan lately.

My Goal:  To fill up several water bottles and place them in several different rooms.  And then sip on them all day long.

Reality:  I usually only make it through part of one.

My Goal:  Snack on items such as these.

Reality:  Sneak a few of these from the freezer as I walk by.  Num-num.  (Why do we put “off limit” food in the freezer?  Like we’re really not going to eat it.  Ha.)

My Goal: Put these on 5-6 days a week.  Oh, and use them.

Reality:  I wear the above shoes about 3-4 times a week but thoroughly enjoy wearing these just as often, if not more.

Haha.  I know, I have some work to do. 

However…….I really don’t feel like I have to be perfect.  I am doing way better than I was in December.  Actually, I’m doing better than I was all of 2011.  So that is something to be happy about.  I have been known to say, “Ooops, I messed up and ate too many calories this morning.  I guess the whole day is ruined.”  (I know I’m not alone…….as humans, we’re cruel to ourselves at times.)  But I’m getting so much better at not doing that.  Most days that I mess up or am not absolutely perfect (since the beginning of 2012), I just kinda go with it.  And it’s been so freeing.  I definitely feel less pressure from myself now that I have eased up on the “All or Nothing” mentality.   Whew.  This fresh start has been just what I needed this year.

I also used to feel like if I wasn’t sweating and pounding the pavement, I wasn’t doing any good.  But I have been following Alysa’s expertise and have been doing more strength training and more flexibility training, along with the aerobics.  And if that’s all I fit in one day, that’s all I fit in.  And then I congratulate myself.  And it has felt good.

Just this last week, Alysa assigned Flexibility Training as the homework to focus on.  I have done the full rotation of flexibility exercises 2 times since last week and plan to keep it going.  It’s funny how even simple movements and stretches make your body feel even a tiny bit stronger.  And I honestly call it a good day when that’s all I fit in.  Small successes are still successes.

(*image is of Alysa, found here)

Anyway, I’m not perfect.  But I’m still hanging in there.

(I guess I better eliminate the temptation and throw the chocolate chips in the trash.)

How are your New Year’s resolutions going?

Be sure to check out my review of the Personal Microdermabrasion Device.  This tool is pretty cool to have so that you can exfoliate, rejuvenate, and brighten up that face (and other areas) of yours, on your own. So cool!

. . . . .

Have you seen enough Valentine clothing ideas?  I know, I know…….there has been an overload already.  Haha.  But really, hearts can be worn all year round…….this has just been a good excuse to slap a heart on everything.  Thank you St. Valentine.

Here are the other 3 ideas that I have made for the little munchkins in our house.

(Click on each image to visit tutorial.)

Anyway, only one more shirt idea.  (Unless my husband suddenly changes his mind and wants a bright pink heart tie or a heart beanie or something.  Haha……..I doubt it.)

And this one, is a quick and happy little Tshirt fix.  You know, for that plain Tee you have in your closet. 

So go and grab it (or buy a basic Tee at Target/WalMart.  I really like the Target Mossimo plain tees for stuff like this.)…….and also a little bit of scrap knit from some other re-purposing-cut-up-tshirt-project.  Because you’ll need that too for the little peek-a-boo color in the background.

And no, I didn’t actually use cookie cutters to make this shirt.  But those little cut-outs of hearts, all perfectly lined up…….look like a pan of cut-out sugar cookies.  Right? 

And I really did try to be the one wearing the shirt in these pictures……but you know how that goes when trying to take a picture of yourself.  (I didn’t have a husband handy to help me.)  Either your face fits in the frame or some other part of your body.  But never both.  Ha.  You get the idea though.

Good thing there’s a mannequin at my house.

If you look closely, you can see that those little soldier hearts are cut out of the main shirt……..and then they are backed with the lighter pink fabric (one big piece of light pink fabric behind there) and each little heart has stitching all the way around, securing the back fabric right to the shirt.

Maybe it seems like a lengthy project……but it all comes together pretty quickly.  And is a great little knit Tee, any time of the year.  (And really, would be great for the little girls too.)

Would you like to make your own Cookie Cutter Heart Shirt?

To begin, turn your shirt inside out and iron a piece of interfacing to the WRONG side of the front of the shirt, that is bigger than the space where you’ll be placing your hearts.  The interfacing ironed to the back will stiffen up the fabric and keep it from stretching.  (Need more help with interfacing?  Click here.)

Then turn the shirt right side out again and trace around a little cut-out paper heart 9 times, with chalk.

Then turn the shirt right side out again (being careful not to smudge your chalk) and place a piece of lighter colored knit right over the interfacing.  Make sure it’s nice and flat and smoothed out (but don’t stretch it) and pin around the edges.  You could also use a woven cotton for the backing but keep in mind that wovens don’t stretch and will change the stretchiness of the front of the shirt.  But it would still work and would be just as cute.  (Just be sure it’s not a see through woven cotton.)

Then turn it right side out one more time and then stitch right around each of your chalk tracings.  Increase your stitch length so that your stitches are more visible.  (I turned mine up to about a 4 out of 5.)

Then slide your hand to the inside of the shirt and pull the light pink knit back away from the front of the shirt….and then snip through the front shirt fabric (and interfacing).

Then cut around the entire heart, staying pretty close (1/16 – 1/8 of an inch) from the stitched seam.  (Be very careful to not cut through that attached layer of fabric on the back.)

Do the same with all 9 hearts.

Then turn your shirt inside out and peel back the excess amount of interfacing, if you had any, and trim it away.

Trim away any of the extra fabric too.

And that’s it.

Your little Cookie Cutter Heart shirt is finished.