Reversible Dress Up Aprons

I created some reversible dress-up aprons for my nieces as Christmas presents.  They just LOVE to dress up and wanted to give them something more personal to them - or at least something that was not found in the stores.

I wanted to dress up clothes as aprons so they are easy on/off, and can be slipped right over clothes. Since it is easy hide seams if you do it reversible, I knew that was the way I wanted to go.

I made up the pattern, which at first was trial and error.  My daughter (shown above) is 4 years old and wears a 4t/5t.  The aprons also fit well on my 3 year old, and the recepient, who is 5 years old.  I put them on my son who is almost 8 - and it was too short, but these can easily be made longer/shorter/wider.  

Here are the measurements that I used.

Since this is imagination play items, I also included a little accessory for each side.

Mail Man Dress Up Apron

Includes a real pocket in the faux messenger bag, and a felt envelope

Nurse Dress Up Apron

Includes Felt Nurse Hat

Construction - Contractor Dress Up Apron

Includes Felt Tools

This dress up was created my dad's company.  He was a general contractor and thought this would be fun - and no one else would have it.  The faux tool belt has pockets for the felt tools.

Chef Dress Up Apron

Includes Chef Hat

I didn't really love this side - but whatever lol

Using the measurements above I was able to create these aprons.  It did take some thought on how to create each side.  The possibilities are endless.  I did love the idea of creating faux items (the bag, tool belt, etc)  Some other ideas of dress up stuff are road worker, police officer, fireman, doctor, waitress, sports player, telephone repair man, train conductor, cowboy/girl, pizza delivery person, soldier, scientist, etc.

These dress up aprons could go together pretty quickly once you figure out the design you want.

If I create another apron set, I will do a photo tutorial for them.

Hope this gets your creative juices flowing

Cleaning a Microfiber Couch

When we bought our couches, we didn't have kids yet (well, we had Colin - but he was 11).  We heard that micro fiber was the way to go since it really didn't stain.  Well, when I find that person that said that - remind me to smack them upside the head.

Since having the little kids, our beige microfiber couches are gross!  Disgusting.  The worst is that if we do spill something, and then wipe it even with a baby wipe - we are left with a water stain.  It really looks so so bad.

We can't afford new couches right now, so I needed to find a way to clean them.  Off to pinterest I go lol.

I found a tutorial using rubbing alcohol.  You basically put rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle and spray on to the couch and then just rub like crazy to clean the couch.  The rubbing alcohol evaporates differently than water so it does not leave the water stain.

Well, I must say - my couches look awesome!

Here is a little before and after.