Monday, February 23, 2015

Button Tab Add On for the Devon with FREE pattern


Today we have a FREE pattern add on for you! It is a simple add on and tutorial, but I think you'll agree this button tab really adds a whole new look to the Devon
Get the pattern for FREE and then come on back here!

Sew the Devon up to the step where you sew the side seams.

You will put the 2 pairs of mirror images right sides together of the tabs and sew around them. Clip the curves around the seams and turn out and top stitch.


Before you sew up the side seams place the tab about 6 inches up from the bottom of the sleeve pieces right in the center with the pretty side of your button hole looking at you and stitch across the top, tucking your ends in first for a clean finish.


Then sew the button a little above the tab's stitch line on the right side of the fabric as seen above. Finish sewing the Devon as per the pattern. 


And a thanks to my (Jeanine's) lovely mom for modelling !



Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Add a top! Betsey Apron Tutorial

Today we have a special guest poster!!!! Brianne made a fab apron last December using the Angie pattern and I begged her for a tutorial! Today she is sharing that tutorial with us!!!!!

So grab your Angie pattern and your Betsey pattern and be sure to leave Brianne a nice comment so she'll guest post again - I hear she has another amazing idea for the Betsey up her sleeve.... 


Last December, I made this apron for Pattern Revolution (scroll to the bottom).

I used the SisBoom/Scientific Seamstress Angie bodice with a sweetheart neck and added a 3/4 circle skirt.  Isn't my model handsome?

Do you want to make this sexy little apron? I've sewn up a new bigger and better version still using the Angie bodice but added the Betsey skirt.  The apron is 100% reversible.  NO visible seams and NO serger needed!
This is unbelievably simple; a beginner can have it competed during nap time (unless of course you're the one napping). 


You will need:
  • Angie Pattern
  • Betsey Pattern
  •  1 to 1.5 yards of each fabric (front and back) depending on size.  Maybe a bit more if the fabric is directional.  Honestly, I don't know here. Totally guessing.  Buy a bunch of pretty fabrics
  • Tracing paper
  • All other sewing paraphernalia  
  • Do NOT need binding as indicated in apron pattern.
Take your Angie bodice and lay a piece of tracing paper over it.  I love Swedish tracing paper.  

 

  Trace starting a little bit up the neckline, down the fold, across the bottom, up the side and slightly into the arm cycle.  Something like this.


A few things to remember.  The Angie bodice side goes to your side, obviously.  We don't want the apron to go all the way to the side, but stay on the front of your torso.  So, draw a curve up starting on the fold line.  Make the curve as big or little as your sexy self desires.  When bringing the curve down,  make sure to angle the straight edge out ending before the side seam.  Like below.
Don't worry about it being perfect.  The way we put the apron together, there is room for lots of error.  You could definitely bring it in more narrow!


All three compared to each other.

Mark the dart on your tracing paper.  Cut out your new pattern piece.

Trace and cut your new bodice pattern on both of your fabrics (Side A and Side B)


Punch little holes into your pattern piece for the three dart points.
Using a marking tool of choice, mark the dart points on both sides of both bodice

Cut out all pieces indicated in the the Betsey apron tutorial. 
You need 2 apron skirts (Side A and Side B)
Two Bow pieces (optional Side A and Side B)
Bow center (only if sewing the bow)
2 waistbands (Side A and Side B)
4 side ties (2 Side A and 2 Side B)
2 Neck ties 5"x22" (or longer) (Pick any fabric)


1/4" seam allowance used for tutorial.

Grab your neck ties and fold hot dog style right sides together. Sew down a long side, down one short side and up the other long side; leaving the last short side open.
 Clip corners and turn right side out.  Press well.  Repeat for other neck tie and set them aside for now.














Sew all 4 darts on the two bodice pieces as indicated in the Angie pattern.  Side the bodices aside.














 Grab a waistband and two of the same side ties.  Lay the waistband down.  One each side side, lay a side tie down right sides together. Sew each short end to create a really long strip of fabric.  Press your seams apart.  Repeat for other waistband and the other two side ties.

Fold a waistband in half, matching the seams connecting the ties.  Mark the middle of the waist band (mark to and bottom).  Repeat for other waistband/tie strip.

Grab one of your bodices.  Find the bottom middle and mark.

Take the coordinating waistband piece and match up middle markers.  Lay the waistband on top of the bottom of the bodice, right sides together.  Pin entire bottom of the bodice to the waistband. 

Sew waistband on and press seam towards bodice.  Repeat for other bodice and waistband/tie strip.

Take the coordinating skirt.  Fold in half to find the middle.  Mark the middle.

Remember we also marked the bottom middle of the waistband?  Match up middle markers on the skirt and waistband.  Pin the entire skirt on the waistband.  Sew it on.  Press the seam towards the skirt.

What side A will look like.

Repeat sewing the skirt on Side B.  Lookin' awesome!

Take the neck ties.  Raw edges matching, place the short side at the top of the bodice.  Slightly angle the strap up in the middle.  Pin

 Baste the strap on, following the curve of the bodice.  Repeat for other strap.














Now we are going to sew the two sides together.  Pin the straps down so they don't get caught up in the sewing.

Lay one side on top of the other, right sides together.

Pin around ENTIRE, and I mean ENTIRE apron, including the side ties.  Make sure to match seams.

Along the skirt bottom, mark a 6 inch gap.  That might be hard to see here.  I have to big purple lines.

Starting at the first marker, sewing towards the second marker, sew a long basting stitch. 

When you get to marker two, change stitch length to normal, back stitch and sew around entire apron, including the ties back to marker one, back stitch at the beginning of the basting stitch.

Clip tie corners.

Clip bodice curves.  Snip open valleys where the bodice/skirt meet the ties.

Clip or use pinking sheers along the curve of the skirt.  DO NOT CLIP SEAM ALLOWANCE ALONG 6" BASTING LINE. We want to keep the full seam allowance here.

Pop open the 6" basting stitches.  (there is a reason for my madness)
Birth your apron.  Push out corners.  Put your hand in and smooth out the curves.  Press the apron along the seam. Don't iron your hand.

Now fold the bottom opening along the now perforated basting line.  This makes it easier to fold the seam along a curve.  Press each side of the skirt in along the line.  Pin the hole closed and top stitch around entire apron. 

If you are making the bow, and you should be, sew it together as described in the Betsey pattern.  I did not use bias tape to bind it.  I simply sewed the two bow pieces right sides together, leaving an opening to turn then top stitched.

and...you're done!  Wear it with pride!





Thursday, February 12, 2015

Happy almost Chocolate Day!


Happy Valentines day!!!!! Well almost chocolate day anyways.... I decided I'd post this the day before in case anyone needed a last minute idea for a quick sew for that school party!

This is the Stripwork Jumper in a size 5! (sizing is 6 months to 8 years) Did you know the Stripwork Jumper was Carla's first pattern with pieces? I didn't either, until the other day when I showed her these pics !

For this dress I was on a time crunch and seriously lacking coordinating fabric so I skipped the strips - which is a pattern option. I had 1yd of this lovely Cars fabric Sent from the lovely Tomi! (thanks!) So I did the skirt just width of fabric, a little less gathered than the pattern calls for - but still cute and great movability!! 




One thing I LOVE about this pattern is that the bodice is the perfect size for embroidering on! This is a 4x4 design from Whimsy Willow. I love the ruffle top and the straps with snaps mean easy on and off and self toddler dressing.

Also, and this is very important to note: I cut and sewed and embroidered this dress in one evening! So If you start now, your girl can have a special Valentine dress! 

(love this kids goofy grin!)

Berry just loves this dress! Her teacher informed me when I picked her up from preschool Berry was telling everyone how I made this dress for her. I might have done bought candy with the Valentine's cards, but at least the dress is handmade, haha.

May you all get the candy you want tomorrow! 

Monday, February 2, 2015

Just for ME January wrap up!


This month was sooooo much fun!!! and the participation was amazing! You ladies all blew me away with your sewing! Today I'm going to do a little re-cap so read along and let that inspiration flow!

 Here are the week 1-3 winning looks (thanks to random.org because there was NO way I'd want to actually choose a winner!)


April is our week 4 winner with this knock it off look using the Sisboom Dana top!

Here is a collage of SOME of the week 1 entries into the casual and chic category!


Week 2 was date night and it was another amazing week of sewing! 


Week 3 was our Comfy&cozy week and I love how different everyone interpreted this look!


and our final week was a challenging one - Knock it off! Where you had to find an inspiration source and then recreate using a pattern from the etsy shop! I made sure to post the inspiration pics with the challenge looks, and I'm sure you will agree this week is VERY inspiring!



We'd love to hear your thoughts on Just for ME January!
  • Did you find this month inspiring? 
  • Did it challenge you to sew? 
  • Should we run this again?
  • Anything we should do different? 
  • Any other challenge ideas you would like us to do?
Share away! We'd love to hear YOUR thoughts! And as always for more info on these looks and an in general fun and supportive sewing group please join us in THE LAB! (it is not as scary as it sounds, I promise... buwahahahahaha!!! But really, we'd love to have you and are not threatening)