Friday, July 22, 2011

Art Smock

Little Sweets and I have been doing lots of arts and crafts lately. I basically tell her, "You will be crafty, whether you like it or not."

Just kidding (mostly).

Anyway she needed an Art Smock so we could really start getting messy and I couldn't find any I liked, so I made her one. Here it is:

Art Smock by Tricia @ SweeterThanSweets

I love how it turned out and I was so proud to have finally mastered the art of sewing bias tape, which I'll talk about more a bit later.

I learned how to make my own pattern for an art smock that would fit Little Sweets from this tutorial over at Prudent Baby. I didn't add the cute pocket but I changed it up a bit with a tie back closure using the extra bias tape I had (I needed 2 packages).



Art Smock by Tricia @ SweeterThanSweets

Back to the art of bias tape. I finally mastered it thanks to Angry Chicken's video tutorial on the no-swearing bias tape method. I think everyone should check out that video tutorial, whether you plan on sewing bias tape or not. It's hilarious.

I learned a lot from the video tutorial, but the best tip was folding the ends of the bias tape under to give it a nice finish on the corners.

Art Smock by Tricia @ SweeterThanSweets

And this beautiful oilcloth fabric? It's Passion Lily by Amy Butler, which I purchased from Oilcloth Addict on Etsy. You can find tons of great oilcloth fabrics on her shop and even some chalkcloth (remember my post on Chalkboard Inspirations?).

Once Little Sweets' Art Smock was done, we had to try finger painting for the first time. This is a girl who does not like being messy. It took about 10 minutes of me finger painting before she dared touch the paint.

I really like how this project turned out and I'm thinking about Christmas gifts for nieces, nephews and friends... if any of my loved ones are reading this and your kiddos need their own Art Smock, let me know.  If I start on them now, I may even finish them before Christmas.

27 comments:

  1. I love it and she looks so cute in it. She's having too much fun with all that paint all over her hands! She does look like quite the artist. Like her choice of colors, blue and green are my favorites to use together. The smock is adorable!

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  2. Cute Blog!! I am your newest follower checking you out from Sassy Sites. You can see my blog here if you'd like:)
    http://www.trashtotreasure-dominguezfam.blogspot.com//

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  3. Super cute! I love it. I almost wouldn't want to get paint on it!

    And my daughter is the same about being messy!

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  4. Love the idea of using oilcloth. Your daughter and the smock are adorable!

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  5. How cute!! The smock and the little girl that is. Nice colors. :)

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  6. That is a great idea. Wonderful job and I love the colors you chose.

    BTW, I'm hosting a fabric giveaway for 12 FAT quarters. Swing by when you get a chance :) -
    http://www.jaqsstudio.com/2011/07/fabric-love-19-fats-and-fabric-giveaway.html

    -Q

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  7. So stinking cute! And the apron is pretty adorable, too... ;)

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  8. I love this!!!! So cute! And your sweets looks super cute!!!

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  9. What a great idea! I still get nervous when projects involve bias tape...it always frustrates me. You did this beautifully!

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  10. This is simply adorable! I'd love for you to stop by and link it up on my weekend craft hop: http://sewplicity.blogspot.com/2011/07/weekend-craft-hop.html

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  11. You did really well on this, it is so cute! Looking at it I would never have guessed that you are a newbie with the bias tape. I also recently tried it for the first time and I love it! It creates such a nice finish.....

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  12. Very cute! i love oilcloth. Perfect for this use! She's a cutie too! :)

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  13. So cute! I can't wait to try it out. Maybe it will motivate my similarly no-mess daughter to try finger paint! I have never used oilcloth, though- is it very expensive?

    Feel free to stop by and enter our first giveaway that ends tonight- We are giving away 2 sets of our Crocheted Hair Accessories! http://bearrabbitbear.wordpress.com/2011/07/16/our-first-give-away/

    Thanks for the tutorial!

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  14. This is so cute...
    I'm inviting you to join our linking party every Wednesday at
    http://www.passionatelyartistic.com/2011/07/american-pickers-with-linking-party.html
    Have a fabulous week,
    Maggie
    http://passionatelyartistic.com

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  15. What great fabric choice! saw you on link party, now following you via google, fb and pinterest, Karima x www.karimascrafts.com

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  16. i love it!! great pattern and colors!!! ohh...and how I love finger painting!! The messier the better!!! thanks for stopping by my blog!!

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  17. How cute! I need to make my toddlers smocks for their art messes.What a great idea and thanks for the link on the oilcloth.

    Erika
    Artful Rising

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  18. Great idea! Very useful as well as cute!

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  19. That is too cute! It is adorable on as well. Great job! Thanks for linking this up as well.

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  20. Thanks for checking out my newest creation!

    Melanie, yes, oilcloth is more expensive than regular fabric. Oilcloth Addict sells it for $17 per yard. For this project, you need 1/2 yard but don't forget shipping costs. Other places online also sell oilcloth (or Laminated Cotton). I was looking to just buy an art smock but couldn't find any that I really liked and the prices that I saw were at least $20, so it was about the same price but I got to pick the colors and pattern. =)

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  21. I wanted to let you know I'm featuring this on Fabulous Finds on Friday. Stop by and grab a button if you want. Thanks again for sharing!

    http://thelittlegiggler.blogspot.com/2011/07/fabulous-finds-on-friday.html

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  22. This is great! I love oilcloth! It's pricey but it lasts! Check out my oilcloth table cloth here -http://jamesandleighann.blogspot.com/2011/07/oilcloth-tablecloth.html

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  23. I love it Tricia! The fabric you used is adorable. Following your blog now.I would love for you to show this off at my Wickedly Crafty Saturdays! http://wiccanmakesometoo.blogspot.com/2011/07/wickedly-crafty-saturdays.html

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  24. This turned out great!! =D I'm stopping by from the Catch A Glimpse Thursday party. I would love for you to link this up to My Favorite Things party! It's going on all week,
    & be sure to check out my giveaway too!
    Thanks
    ~Iffy~

    www.stayathomenation.blogspot.com

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  25. You have inspired me! Just wondering what width size bias tape you used and if it was single? Jade

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