Friday, January 23, 2009

Sash it up!

After I drafted the elongated Portrait Peasant patterns last week, I made a some test tops. This springy one went out to an adorable little model (along with a pair of ruffled Easy-Fit Pants and a Patchwork Bucket Hat), and I am beyond thrilled with the pictures:

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My friend Shannon suggested that I add instructions for a sash. I thought it was a great idea, but had to admit that I was "sash challenged." The sashes I've made have either been too big or too wimpy for my liking. My ideal sash would have a big pretty bow and a nice looking belt. I decided to do some experiments with different widths of fabric. What I found was that the loop part needed to be wider than the belt part to get the look I was after. This is what I ultimately came up with - back view:

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...and front view:



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My original plan was to write up my findings and post them "tute" style here on the blog. After illustrating 10 pages of instructions and drafting 3 sizes of bows (with cutting lines for 3 belt sizes each), I decided to put everything together in eBook format:


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You can download it for FREE at YouCanMakeThis.com. The belt part can be custom sized, so you can tie bows around just about anything. I'm going to make a set of sashes to spiff up my dining room drapes. I might even make one to wear with a long denim skirt that I have hanging in my closet.


15 comments:

Shannon said...

OOH! OOH! I'm SO excited! And I get to leave the first comment!

Thanks so much, Carla! You rock!

Kelly said...

Yay! Carla! I am so excited! I can't wait to try this!!

Stephanie Ressler said...

It amazes me that you are constantly updating and improving your patterns, which are already far superior in my book. Thank you so much: I can't wait to try the sash!

Mom of 2 princesses said...

Yahh!! I am going to download today as I have a top I am ready to make with a sash! Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Very sweet! I can't wait to try this!

Leslie said...

Whoohoo!! Thanks - you've done it again!! Thanks so much!

PS How do I get the updates to the stripwork and portrait peasant ebooks if I bought them in 2007? They don't show up in my library.

cupcake studio said...

You are such a talented soul! Love your blog.

Kristina said...

Carla! These are gorgeous!!! For free!? Are you mad woman!? I would pay well for the perfect bow. :)
Guess where I'm off to now.... hmm... where can I put a bow??

Courtney said...

I love the look you got with that outfit!

Thanks so much for the sash instructions! I need one today, so perfect timing!!!

teresajoy said...

Thank you CARLA!!! I just love the look of that big bow on the back! You are the BEST!!!

7th Heaven Boutique said...

Oh Thank you so much I am sash- a- Litically Challenged ...LOL!
I love all your stuff Thanks so much for sharing your talent.xoxox

Shelly said...

Carla, I love the sash! Your model is soooooo adorable and so photogenic. She may be destined to be a model someday for someone other than your beautiful designs. Can't wait to get on my computer (instead of hubby's) to download the sash pattern. I love sashes--but like you they are always too big or too wimpy. Yours is perfect. Thanks for taking the time and effort to perfect it for all of us!
~Shelly~

Carla Hegeman Crim said...

Thanks for all the great comments!!!

Leslie - I'm emailing you...

Shelly - She is a gorgeous little girl, isn't she? I love her big brown eyes!

Teresa Pomerantz said...

Hi Carla- love the sashes- btw- I renamed my blog- I am now imalearba.blogspot.com

Courtney said...

I passed an award on to you! I love your blog and you are always so kind and willing to share!

Thank you!