tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60720607019488337322024-03-21T17:44:11.704-07:00"I Dare You!"Sewing Support Groupk.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18263491230656715050noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072060701948833732.post-4645290445717075302011-08-12T02:17:00.000-07:002011-08-12T02:17:38.146-07:00Continuous Binding<iframe height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WQlX5j1887k?fs=1" frameborder="0" width="425" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>Here is the second part to the Continuous Binding. This is the one I had to watch while I was cutting it out, just to make sure I was cutting it right. What I really liked about this technique, it that all the sewing you have to do is 4 long straight lines. I hope you all like it!
<br />Joannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06958645896962271506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072060701948833732.post-34505679834026146912011-07-15T03:56:00.000-07:002011-07-15T19:28:23.725-07:00Reversible Apron TutorialI hope this tutorial won't be too confusing, because this really is a very EASY apron to make. I think anyone can make one in a day. I made 2 today, and I'm sure I could have made a 3rd if I'd had the inclination....or if I didn't have 4 kids;) I'm going to add a LOT of pictures, and some of them are from different aprons I made, so don't let all the different materials confuse you. Here's the first apron I made.<br /><br /><p align="left"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629536348140953682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC2p-exSXBPg6z4ouDm1hNib1XW5mk1mpNVamZnX8yoxToSYvg1yaSn4bhKm5HdsrtSHuNL4B3zJ68SOSOaR0B-cO_RpYwOQBHXf4xwh1rtirA_ws65QRlCs09wNlZtPqqZomZQoI-ZT4/s400/DSC_0240.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629536352153525202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP6YpDyGHPxDaBmXeDBugjWcIeq4mSFaScXELxhdV_zAyR9kKUGLRdhSn6Qotj8ZZiBnondKcQbSEMFacMzorRRq-ffttKueteG4ZjUBF25uticDk7FaekKg2zYI8QoEwZWhryqoeGpK0/s400/DSC_0238.JPG" /></p><br /><p>As you can see, it is 2 different fabrics, exactly opposite patterns on each side. You will need 2 coordinating fabrics - I can get 1 adult size apron out of 1 yard of each material. Here are the pieces you will need to cut.</p><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 287px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629536353234966690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK62GUNX-szYrLPfuTNtt-xyQvuPbw0rQ3A1rP82HFINoVoXfFd9rdyAk5phh6p77qEIre-j3eaKp9_2oKCDRRAMdXGPqNSHYbtwBiSRG4i9lfpPc_yqT4NHgQLbW61OD_PS0rVLAH6Jk/s400/apron.jpg" />I actually make my waist straps 32" long instead of 22", because I like to wrap it around myself and tie it in the front. </p><br /><p>For a child size apron - 4 1/2" along top (instead of 5), 11" along bottom (instead of 15), 23" full length (instead o f 26") and 15 1/2" length from waist down (instead of 16 1/2"), waist straps are 20" long and neck strap is 21" long, pocket is 12" by 7" (I think - see if it looks good;) ). This size fits my 10 year old very well, but would not fit a toddler or young child.</p><br /><p>Now you can start cutting. If you make yourself a template of the main apron piece, out of newspaper or tissue paper or whatever, then it'll make it a lot easier if you want to make multiple aprons (like for Christmas presents or something). <strong>Make sure you're cutting your main apron piece on the fold of fabric!</strong> Cut one main apron piece out of each fabric. Also, at our sewing group we used Kimberly's cutting machine to make the 1 1/2" strips - that was nice:) Cut 2 waist straps from each fabric (4 total), and 1 neck strap from each fabric (2 total). Cut 1 pocket from each fabric, unless you're doing 2 small pockets - then you'll need 2 from each fabric (4 total). As you can see on my first apron, you can do applique on the chest of the apron, so if you want to do that, cut those out too. Now you have all your pieces.</p><br /><div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629535863861063762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnaoINppf16eu7_ikKOJLbKUQO_7vEWkkIHBpy0CNpXLdXaqBdXDNxPckZTqFN6Xf03k5pGjc2HHQ9tgoP7W3kkWGYx3ksUPoDznevBrflnrP5B78NXztqMO0slyuLneJrnC9njz5nC4M/s320/DSC_0263.JPG" /></div><br /><div>First sew on the pocket. For the regular rectangle pocket, iron down all side 1/2", then sew 1/4" stitch along the top of the pocket.</div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629535359085771762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioswJszn4W_dxG37tFFowYYiMQGoKaQn9lOJErjtkPU9EsYDZJeK4_cL6xMchDAwAj3RgHYcxZmZfbzRlFI7ecR5KT04KQRBJ_ckilCkzcS4epTRtx4d_e5hl-q3-r_mG1v9cVThRUejs/s320/DSC_0274.JPG" /></div><br /><div>Turn pocket over and sew onto apron, 1/8" or 1/4" down one side, along the bottom, and up the other side. You can sew a line down the center of the pocket to creat 2 pockets.</div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629535352145385986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9KXxMIHsBsizgZeKuEs3P7NLcB1I3ABr5JKXj1nRyz9Cliy_1E1cXFATNhqKaQjP0Ke-Gt_Me7SsblhqMJKubwRoHnXaXzVB8h95nnt0FXxbxJPKBqhC4kaECExG0eYSJAn1ap492tlQ/s320/DSC_0269.JPG" /></div><br /><div>If you are doing applique, now is the time. The first apron I did had a really cute apple and pear print, so I just cut out some of those. </div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629535859532907954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSmeatwT9DG0WLJjq7J8YmS3ttSRwLU99Zc6NX1570F21J4LmPqRWBOYMqOlhJifI8vj3aJfmMEn8Jd2pDLjZbnECBjEMiGM8EaXL8FOErCoxA3PNid7qE6O6SHC9Y3RTFzrS4qjznZo/s320/DSC_0239.JPG" /></div><br /><div>I did a zig-zag stitch on these, but you can also use your button-hole stitch if you have a cheap sewing machine like mine, and you can't get a tight zig-zag stitch.</div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 256px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629535850101125634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwC_IpU2ULMJ6YysDg6mizGytOT3dP-nKcquLq6pAs22605xJijkviC7367i8Y_LMwfXvttCnthGktrPpvG8f3QiZ1vWrIyS4B4YlRGprlO-EieAI-7JYLW9G0q6IT68wbPOCYT6jJMk/s320/DSC_0241.JPG" /></div><br /><div>Next, straps. These are 2-sided straps, and that is why you needed 4 pieces instead of just 2. Put the straps right sides together.</div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629535349619170370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5x2gXpLtJTj6jdbSADUmQuE2tiRzOVA_XXPJwT3VtPm-f9QaanZlL8RDzvHAXtNE0JrVl-26wRJZ98XFPu_u_cttyfKOn-np6bdavHOrUhG5Eiv2JXn37fIx1ikn3hpUP91Okg6LvQQ/s320/DSC_0285.JPG" /></div><br /><div>Sew 1/4" seam down both sides, creating a tube, leaving the ends open so you can pull it right-side-out again.</div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629535344003575794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJEKVKes6C_72yoTO2_wotiamqEGMuV_7bX-1Zt2FB8jCEImJC6GoO0RacgOYx0x8j8RId4ORxGLf9GkxdMpMEx3b_m3S3pZi1JIqUKem1y-TmlGLxhnLcKZW9z7PnkhfHY-ax78ESWhk/s320/DSC_0286.JPG" /></div><br /><div>Once you've pulled the right sides out (I always use a safety pin), iron the straps flat, and finish one end of each waist strap by tucking it into itself 1/2" and stitching it however you like.</div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629535337617346466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPPjwRbm-sM3aRNVWV8oVY3fwYorZyXPJRMjbrYcK62ehQeAfCWM3bBHqgSVjzVmRGsCKfgEG0QdiQjdjTTSQTg2C45AX3RtRZmyak8S6acgDWD-yKGK0uJ6i9nT9cFV8AQYCqQAixGs0/s320/DSC_0287.JPG" /></div><br /><div>I also made an apron that had 3 materials instead of two....</div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 133px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629532538546322322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIpkCVKQz9ujHwfbd4KV6gU_JKBDknNCl_FWPAqignDcI3u1NkMXpY9nIESMrXFQg4UNXVyHcTOhnKhz0bY8DCFVtBDVGRswTBRA23dfPfxXtNOALorxZYmJAOg_quUo79mXgzGK1BgN0/s200/DSC_0282.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 133px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629532536689484354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPwNF1cxPGIxmYrZP-T4oEEwMrMoto7OZpzFmEqlA5irZyFLGMxbqWTPgZY1dgCASHiwkTdOTlfp4d6KLYtR-tFSFB6ubl4W2sQW-M-CcEHQo07PRJk8AazQjEYVHMMbTPKnYp9WIxeZk/s200/DSC_0283.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629535873827761666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSOOD5TWoHiNaetFUd5aJgT5X0KU-WhHKF5ubM_0TNbiL_QlM_zQf3n2O_TpmB718uTuwpXfYzfa0S4znUm3cDcefO8Z4o3j-InzXGKgTPvR6J0ZpItT6ymB6PS_uiq8xEYyHl2QJMmBE/s320/DSC_0247.JPG" /></div><br /><div>The straps on this one are just one material instead of two, so if you wanted to make straps like that instead, here is how. The strap is still the same length, but it needs to be 4" wide. First finish one end of each waist strap by folding it down 1/2" and stitching. Then fold the strap in half lengthwise and iron to make a crease, and then fold the edges into that middle crease and iron, like this</div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629534487086799954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZX1oY_laDSkWZray7tHKlCEYWSeHTUwNXJ-NQ29PlDw3kuebPp7Ky_X2rlmsOzdc682yTdmzpm1Wn-w16hc3AsienPuzYjL0CgQJIZV8cksbgyTlTMELC3AP7kdIvPXYwkECbd6LZD0A/s320/DSC_0248.JPG" /> Then fold together<br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi412oHKN47TM6i8PHg3JRE76unCI84ijPwQL-ekdI_75VDbHBll-EdfVDh1ZLGxn3ZIa-l5q6FlWjrc0dLe-4-bjtLY3iK8snOMVN7dczx2W6CPnq5VBBCtJmHK27vCcd8nh3bhHUCRkY/s1600/DSC_0249.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629534483969423970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi412oHKN47TM6i8PHg3JRE76unCI84ijPwQL-ekdI_75VDbHBll-EdfVDh1ZLGxn3ZIa-l5q6FlWjrc0dLe-4-bjtLY3iK8snOMVN7dczx2W6CPnq5VBBCtJmHK27vCcd8nh3bhHUCRkY/s320/DSC_0249.JPG" /></a> And sew about 1/8" seam down both sides of the strap<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSO6YV4g76xy4OX8L7aengSb41KAKzeycsfz4r0w3QnsoTkbLcIVOV40Pp23UOrfAMHNWz6izKBneHBbG7-ywp7SJAr5nBHi3H3cFLykoB8Z8hAWmY5N9nhaUjJRfLo4St-Mbl9dQHhxQ/s1600/DSC_0296.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629534484937561202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSO6YV4g76xy4OX8L7aengSb41KAKzeycsfz4r0w3QnsoTkbLcIVOV40Pp23UOrfAMHNWz6izKBneHBbG7-ywp7SJAr5nBHi3H3cFLykoB8Z8hAWmY5N9nhaUjJRfLo4St-Mbl9dQHhxQ/s320/DSC_0296.JPG" /></a> Okay, now you are ready to put it all together. Lay down one side of your apron<br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629534001768215010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS2-PlOLTxw3PlX1tho5Vpq22n-8RaO2h9OibDJ4tT2_cl4i26M5ZfeSh1XoWQp8pgnh2ggy0lMBZBXyktxUy3fTs_ajOdiJ5dMQ6MMz99WbmCvdHjuZhUsxoxJiSbrkNp4HlzUskYkBE/s320/DSC_0272.JPG" /></div><br /><div>And put the other side on top, right side's facing together.</div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629533999251411746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNopBqWxQhWg8BArhjju8tc671RxIm1H4tK_ComaGtX_RhRt3vnuhQLZCfA2BbA70gIJD3sE1ttVlgtcp6hPUiu7l3B5w8QZKsCrBgqHWpxKpomnNN7VkIaBXiK7AU79yu1OaQPLaDBDk/s320/DSC_0273.JPG" /></div><br /><div>Remember, you've got to put your straps in. Line up the unfinished edges of the straps with the edges of the apron, a little more than 1/2" from the corners, to allow for a 1/2" seam allowance.</div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629533994197254242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3de1Jx4DqTGe6Qb2q-oliljw4tz7S0NYag4jrDFGhUHfW_JkflpFe6DnsJwAolsfEDdCyyZi1T8UnzW_cD-w0IGCrjoC0M41E1_Mq-e3pWJyYiY28C3X-08nFqOBKnZtETvTfqQokcdA/s320/DSC_0277.JPG" /></div><br /><div>If you have straps with 2 fabrics, make sure that the fabrics on the straps are facing the opposite fabrics on the apron.</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPrQp0rS9ovHpAoXkTMVJ53G1TeKjg_Wk99ggEJOv5dnWsGwUHP3ciU9OMMhM3I39QtBnWoV5b4eel2VSCXRNKAuiCQEF10aeoQepKSBbtzVTs9DzrGc40rw_iP2BgpSVahAWF2JEryhI/s1600/DSC_0288.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629534480004674626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPrQp0rS9ovHpAoXkTMVJ53G1TeKjg_Wk99ggEJOv5dnWsGwUHP3ciU9OMMhM3I39QtBnWoV5b4eel2VSCXRNKAuiCQEF10aeoQepKSBbtzVTs9DzrGc40rw_iP2BgpSVahAWF2JEryhI/s320/DSC_0288.JPG" /></a>Now sew 1/2" along the whole outer edge of the apron, except for a pocket you will leave along the bottom, so you can pull the apron right-side-out.<br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKAbcqQKhQRwWDyFCiFaii2kU_u3uUXZHihVPSp2lO8DjJKtkRpM4f3DWB_0A6Hu76agU9MBF_aabalIKkkxrlv7YVrkiRhnbsJR_84PDK6azRPf-uLu8kebsYewM0zqOtM7UbqWcKvmQ/s1600/DSC_0279.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629533990380363746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKAbcqQKhQRwWDyFCiFaii2kU_u3uUXZHihVPSp2lO8DjJKtkRpM4f3DWB_0A6Hu76agU9MBF_aabalIKkkxrlv7YVrkiRhnbsJR_84PDK6azRPf-uLu8kebsYewM0zqOtM7UbqWcKvmQ/s320/DSC_0279.JPG" /></a>Before you pull it right-side-out, snip the corners to remove bulk.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsUakeHPExo7P6fmAEGiLh0h0hcghyphenhypheng9pkwLWzlBZ3G9Pzn8FYxOb2fSFuw1WeqY8ldq5dW8arY2G61sqhtBL3Do-tgw1BejEXe4xWUZp3_tgkc-76RwCPBn3o1q0MNUQPoLolQ974tU/s1600/DSC_0280.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629533984704203138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsUakeHPExo7P6fmAEGiLh0h0hcghyphenhypheng9pkwLWzlBZ3G9Pzn8FYxOb2fSFuw1WeqY8ldq5dW8arY2G61sqhtBL3Do-tgw1BejEXe4xWUZp3_tgkc-76RwCPBn3o1q0MNUQPoLolQ974tU/s320/DSC_0280.JPG" /></a> After you turn it right-side-out, iron all the seams. Here's your opening at the bottom.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg-BvnUicBctKT35wgBc5Kifdfv_BSMhyNfY5jxZmnHPKPIm1iHjjOc_x2K-_u8_putlk8XC8UmC2e8TBy5jHh9_kcEO-OS2s9RsqO9tSDTx41drdxS3ipbihn_Leg6c0zpqo0zm56Z9M/s1600/DSC_0289.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629533403804396514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg-BvnUicBctKT35wgBc5Kifdfv_BSMhyNfY5jxZmnHPKPIm1iHjjOc_x2K-_u8_putlk8XC8UmC2e8TBy5jHh9_kcEO-OS2s9RsqO9tSDTx41drdxS3ipbihn_Leg6c0zpqo0zm56Z9M/s320/DSC_0289.JPG" /></a> Turn it under 1/2"<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjts4D06fWxyAyKcYucKmd4ga7w5oWm-KoJiGUQMhDPGxzpDB5Je7E9Eav-JfuT3YRJQ-wzl0I9s-3Mf828uY9CsdnmLIK60QYLG1A3BA4ccvoMGqvfKPHql8Q6sIUCK9YWTlWtbIvHz3o/s1600/DSC_0290.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 229px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629533398778222258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjts4D06fWxyAyKcYucKmd4ga7w5oWm-KoJiGUQMhDPGxzpDB5Je7E9Eav-JfuT3YRJQ-wzl0I9s-3Mf828uY9CsdnmLIK60QYLG1A3BA4ccvoMGqvfKPHql8Q6sIUCK9YWTlWtbIvHz3o/s320/DSC_0290.JPG" /></a> and iron flat<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3BPqbJ1wJZozFo5Et-Ffhyphenhyphen7Zx7VznJu47_9jAsUE4eLHzce58ZgpujUvEeNwKpNXPhcSxM8ioO4zoclA2e2XaiJrCXKI6_mYq6A5aD2bfo15Pk0XIvy-wNjOnRXcCNrDwkoilJQoyMaw/s1600/DSC_0291.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 228px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629533389627777458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3BPqbJ1wJZozFo5Et-Ffhyphenhyphen7Zx7VznJu47_9jAsUE4eLHzce58ZgpujUvEeNwKpNXPhcSxM8ioO4zoclA2e2XaiJrCXKI6_mYq6A5aD2bfo15Pk0XIvy-wNjOnRXcCNrDwkoilJQoyMaw/s320/DSC_0291.JPG" /></a> Now you are going to top stitch the whole apron 1/8"-1/4". This will close up the opening you left at the bottom....<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQnAuCF0LJI00aqgwI9gicb0G3yTIXCI5U9GBtQz5zbqGjstvME18dfIsG7wDeAjp_4FOFu75EMm7aTT-BW8WdTTIrHKdk_RgkjuZITwLSXFrtuT_GqMy1s3Ws_VstK6oeC1eXKA_CgI/s1600/DSC_0292.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629533386425834546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQnAuCF0LJI00aqgwI9gicb0G3yTIXCI5U9GBtQz5zbqGjstvME18dfIsG7wDeAjp_4FOFu75EMm7aTT-BW8WdTTIrHKdk_RgkjuZITwLSXFrtuT_GqMy1s3Ws_VstK6oeC1eXKA_CgI/s320/DSC_0292.JPG" /></a> And reinforce your straps<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW0wrhrQiWmL9lGl945xGtjyLDX9FCZQUwBgw8NDSFEX3jyL45aRRGEdItpU8qoYWHwUmogRbXn77nymgJL8OacKLaXumhoUsuxdYXC_tPCzq164DCzKkR6o6LoBOYoPlBZ9wdAYOkxlA/s1600/DSC_0293.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629533380291989842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW0wrhrQiWmL9lGl945xGtjyLDX9FCZQUwBgw8NDSFEX3jyL45aRRGEdItpU8qoYWHwUmogRbXn77nymgJL8OacKLaXumhoUsuxdYXC_tPCzq164DCzKkR6o6LoBOYoPlBZ9wdAYOkxlA/s320/DSC_0293.JPG" /></a> Here's another one I made with 2 pockets instead of 1.<br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 160px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629532286089359602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ReQLk-1f_LVmfbDdJP_EYFDSElFSXxzTQUoBIXEmjXqJ0zbV9055BQ2QOjXCSBtI8s8qvDR3br6wZZUhb9WMY81xq4QUAkFTE3LLzBg4hhBP9jyTEVubuPPqSqov3ALkf_F77R_GVHk/s200/DSC_0294.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 160px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629532278932538834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrwZSz9TB8_8WK3GYHCI2UkpgfCYNzqlS1g30LM2H2Ipgv_EdbfixnuNh6vPYLwDMU4CyOTPRgsC0P5kRsDHD_Z_bzhHd635R4jdGjWz49_yquutZ19aJQ-leJi6xUvjg957C-pfEBtyM/s200/DSC_0295.JPG" /></div><br /><div>And here's one I made for my daughter</div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 134px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629532288278406450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRYo-iiMIlBOKEtDUj76bDn10YKJUjgnFBZopmF65KMNDrep3yUxhqT4eTSkkqeVlAvop5ZtCD1729L2ed6xN0HJ06XKpR62bf_4USb_GMCaZy4NU8KJs0iRVeEIxeoUBZDyvO6PokQ4I/s200/DSC_0271.JPG" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4IOit_UJkqBrHKgG86jp-jIBNosrfJST1XUef7OYwCynfS82D4ugePpcgowlwlZbVpc8TANicsgLxRK3jTO1iAarxtDWEmYTtzdqLQtKjcxHJfRlTx_eUYd9TYiK5XyrFuZtIxQxKCLQ/s1600/DSC_0270.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629532297391410866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4IOit_UJkqBrHKgG86jp-jIBNosrfJST1XUef7OYwCynfS82D4ugePpcgowlwlZbVpc8TANicsgLxRK3jTO1iAarxtDWEmYTtzdqLQtKjcxHJfRlTx_eUYd9TYiK5XyrFuZtIxQxKCLQ/s200/DSC_0270.JPG" /></a>I had 2 long pieces of fabric that I couldn't quite fit the whole apron piece on, so I cut the bottom and top parts of the apron out separately, and then stitched them together on opposite sides. I also had to piece together the straps, but I really like the way that it turned out, and there was NOT material wasted:) My other daughter wants one too, and I think I might try a ruffle along the bottom or something. The basic pattern for this is very easy, but you can tweek it in all kinds of ways - just use your imagination. Happy sewing everyone, and I hope you will add your own pictures of the aprons you make. </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>OUR HOUSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09782723533881418845noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072060701948833732.post-31245622034236556192011-05-27T01:19:00.000-07:002011-05-27T01:19:26.751-07:00At Last...Sigh! It is more than a little embarrassing that it took me this long to get my post for the Skirt challenge done. I seem to be losing steam. sigh again.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3UbSouqxzF-BGQFr3P6d36qy3qnrukDp_yuXOtGc1SEfrtDDk5n6S9GvzjGhB4TMk0E5vRzp0ATgqyloTMh1iuNz4iD6B7CdbwpNVH9Ef9kP3UPGJClSO5jD9R1g59JCQLY0OUOefYN2/s1600/flowerpower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3UbSouqxzF-BGQFr3P6d36qy3qnrukDp_yuXOtGc1SEfrtDDk5n6S9GvzjGhB4TMk0E5vRzp0ATgqyloTMh1iuNz4iD6B7CdbwpNVH9Ef9kP3UPGJClSO5jD9R1g59JCQLY0OUOefYN2/s320/flowerpower.jpg" width="120" /></a><br />
Here is the Skirt! (I feel as if there should be some momentous music cue....or perhaps an ominous one!)<br />
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I just made a simple tailored skirt. I originally intended to put some welt pockets on the front but chickened out as I did not have enough fabric to match the print on the welts. (When looking for an excuse, you will always find one. It may not be a very good one, but it will be an excuse nonetheless. heh) I was also worried that they would gap as I am not as experienced with that style pocket as I ought to be Of course, how one is supposed to get better if there is always a convenient excuse.....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTtdQi-HV4lANwIxxy8gPihDfEm8CC0ke3ZEX4RFKqCkFkzDbVU_vcFJZaDfRHo7fRhWDwgmcIWza763oyhnzDl3ivgumQNnVSgBnhZbWXrjgirhoYuGgRqpGrPsxkZyqzKG7h0wvO4B1E/s1600/findingdet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTtdQi-HV4lANwIxxy8gPihDfEm8CC0ke3ZEX4RFKqCkFkzDbVU_vcFJZaDfRHo7fRhWDwgmcIWza763oyhnzDl3ivgumQNnVSgBnhZbWXrjgirhoYuGgRqpGrPsxkZyqzKG7h0wvO4B1E/s320/findingdet.jpg" width="183" /></a>As you can see, rather than a traditional kick pleat in the back I set in in the side. I wanted it closed so nothing would show. When I set the fabric in to the seam I was pleased with the proportions, forgetting that I was going to put a big hem in it. So now every time I look at the pleat it seems....um, stumpy. I am very pleased with the funky jewelry finding I added for art's sake though. :)<br />
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In a funny side note, I carefully remembered to add the little bits in the side seams where my sloper said I need a bit more room, only to find that it was COMPLETELY wrong. Sigh! You see, since Ruth still had my sloper pattern I just used the "fashion" version of the pattern and it had the ease already added. sigh again. So Now I need to go through and trace off the seam line that I actually used on the skirt and draw it on the pattern so I can remember the adjustment.<br />
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I also put into practice the "lapped zipper" I learned how to do from our zipper month. Be proud of me, it is PERFECT. <br />
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Now on to bigger and better things? perhaps. heh k.k.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18263491230656715050noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072060701948833732.post-77441948162922726142011-04-17T15:23:00.001-07:002011-04-17T16:02:01.327-07:00Pleated Skirt<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6bZne8l1ToM5ZSOI2yaMDb7KuonHCy6HlCswO6-b-CIA5T7mVClUm5UBW214d3jLdUEZ2UnijPMNebO9yeDrO6JNEWH1N4KOHO1NZF5O8jla6GydkOOGBDtqUICcMZGSsm7efHD7FsE/s1600/DSC07152.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6bZne8l1ToM5ZSOI2yaMDb7KuonHCy6HlCswO6-b-CIA5T7mVClUm5UBW214d3jLdUEZ2UnijPMNebO9yeDrO6JNEWH1N4KOHO1NZF5O8jla6GydkOOGBDtqUICcMZGSsm7efHD7FsE/s320/DSC07152.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596683014121525666" border="0" /></a>When Kimberly issued the skirt challenge, and showed us her beautiful gathered skirt, I was excited to make my own. For some reason, I thought I could do it without a pattern. I mean, skirts are easy, right? I really don't know what I was thinking. Despite a few little nitpicks here and there, I'm quite pleased with my final product.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOON7sQd9IacVajPCE8HmEiRsiuh5rMjVYJzNYucims4itDGlkbTnRtUQfs4v4LOCnVuVQJidZ5i0MnBrimLHv8Q_w66vHWQHFUzA-jhE1TKzOhCAm41CN4ijPgt8EnS9YKGejLl4zTzA/s1600/DSC07195.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOON7sQd9IacVajPCE8HmEiRsiuh5rMjVYJzNYucims4itDGlkbTnRtUQfs4v4LOCnVuVQJidZ5i0MnBrimLHv8Q_w66vHWQHFUzA-jhE1TKzOhCAm41CN4ijPgt8EnS9YKGejLl4zTzA/s320/DSC07195.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596683039914012322" border="0" /></a>I went to my fabric stash and pulled out these coordinating fabrics from Riley Blake's collection. I had a purchased four yards of each at the Happy Quilt warehouse but didn't have anything planned for them. I thought the sunburst fabric would make a fun and colorful skirt. I started out by cutting two rectangles (from selvage to selvage) the length that I wanted for my skirt. I sewed the two pieces together and then sewed a hem. (I did it in black thread, but I wish I'd done it in white. I also should have done a blind hem.) At first, I tried to make a gathered skirt but I didn't like the way it looked. Kimberly suggested I try pleats instead. Never having worked with pleats, did a little internet research and played around with pleating on different scraps of fabric until I found the type of pleats I wanted (there are several types of pleats, who knew?). I then spent a bit of time playing around with my skirt, pinning and tucking until I found a pleat width I liked. I initially make my pleats much wider but I decided to space them about 3 inches apart, which I liked better. I ironed all my pleats in and then topstitched down the front of pleat about 8 inches to keep my pleats in place and to create shape to my skirt. I can't find the tutorial I used as my model, but this <a href="http://mariemadelinestudio.typepad.com/mariemadeline_studio/2010/01/the-most-adorable-little-pleated-skirt-tutorial-ever.html">tutorial</a> shows how I basically created my skirt.<br /><br />After sewing my pleats in place, I sewed the two sides together and put in the zipper. I attempted to put in a lapped zipper, but when that failed, I went with the old center-seam standby. Not as refined, but it gets the job done. Next up was the waistband. I wanted to do a black piping to set the waistband off from the rest of the skirt. I love the effect it gives but I should have cut the black fabric on the bias so it would have moved and shaped itself better. Ruth also recommended using linen fabric as it was easy to work with and shape. Don't look too closely on my piping (especially around the curves). It's a mess. But from far away, the effect is quite nice.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU3umsqxJZFyIjLOU7yWMNyyvAOD_w3X_AyB6DB8c2q0sFj0LpzeL1fYOZVMCIg6Hs7aty-6cVvQ0ws2l0itGkU4kyNeZFqCnvcmvW-tVqb7uMVuXiwPHUX2Wf1z5QP3v7joSIqXQKjGs/s1600/DSC07179.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU3umsqxJZFyIjLOU7yWMNyyvAOD_w3X_AyB6DB8c2q0sFj0LpzeL1fYOZVMCIg6Hs7aty-6cVvQ0ws2l0itGkU4kyNeZFqCnvcmvW-tVqb7uMVuXiwPHUX2Wf1z5QP3v7joSIqXQKjGs/s320/DSC07179.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596683037667697554" border="0" /></a>The other thing I didn't know about wide waistbands is that they should be cut on the curve so that they will be narrower at the top. That way, they conform to the waist better and offer a snugger fit. My skirt and waistband created a bit of a gap, so I sewed in three makeshift darts in my skirt to lessen the problem.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicfSNuvakJ1TGEOjC37h3EXscoGBb4bLxG7p_S5w9IsmM7RDmbX5ZcMuMNN1KjNdbrasREVKho3DqQ2wx2Oo8mD0MfJg_zuyNKg6VEchbkGbz5Iyl9wzXjaqznEZ9U8T0jnkTVQjhpvv0/s1600/DSC07180.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicfSNuvakJ1TGEOjC37h3EXscoGBb4bLxG7p_S5w9IsmM7RDmbX5ZcMuMNN1KjNdbrasREVKho3DqQ2wx2Oo8mD0MfJg_zuyNKg6VEchbkGbz5Iyl9wzXjaqznEZ9U8T0jnkTVQjhpvv0/s320/DSC07180.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596683028745728834" border="0" /></a>As you can see, there's still a lot of space in my waistband, but it's much better than it was before. I like my skirts to sit on my hip and not fit too tight. It's not quite as snug as I would have liked, but at least I don't think it's going to fall off me. The final touch was sewing buttonholes and buttons on the waistband tab. Again, here I learned that I should have sewed my buttons closer to the end of the tab. Now, there's a bit of waistband that sticks up.<br /><br />After making my skirt, I had to make something for Zara as well. I used the coordinating fabric to make this <a href="http://barefootinthekitchen.blogspot.com/2009/06/onesie-dress-tutorial.html">quick onesie dress.</a> It seriously only took me twenty minutes and I think it looks great.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPtaP_cRrHS3Hh4dQM4aujLnT3QSSxIVd9WCFEFMa6F4gQ1ZAELZq_h_3XrutzxbU6ph0ifSC0vzD98MeSyVMmthIW6W_Jl53QL6j2iVf3iguXXsZCkXFnAdgjmM7UNdit3sPGvjuUTc/s1600/DSC07160.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPtaP_cRrHS3Hh4dQM4aujLnT3QSSxIVd9WCFEFMa6F4gQ1ZAELZq_h_3XrutzxbU6ph0ifSC0vzD98MeSyVMmthIW6W_Jl53QL6j2iVf3iguXXsZCkXFnAdgjmM7UNdit3sPGvjuUTc/s320/DSC07160.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596683018926471858" border="0" /></a>I may have to make some more.Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03682301447903769809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072060701948833732.post-69565449846067894022011-04-10T04:30:00.000-07:002011-04-10T04:34:56.584-07:00Mad Men Sew-AlongI don't follow this particular blog much anymore, but was looking through their archives and noticed they are doing a <a href="http://presserfoot.blogspot.com/2010/11/mad-men-dress-sew-along-starts-monday.html">"Mad Men Sew-Along"</a> of a dress pattern similar to the sloper we are using. I'm only posting the beginning post, but there are others where she discusses making the darts and adjusting the pattern, such as <a href="http://presserfoot.blogspot.com/2011/01/mad-men-sew-along-adjusting-skirt.html">this one</a> where she talks about adjusting the skirt (which I'm in the process of doing right now).Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072060701948833732.post-58560078795263835872011-04-09T03:40:00.000-07:002011-04-09T04:10:31.058-07:00Skirts on the Internet<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN94VtSbphEfcdYARAVYJVpQIeSCLnV8zlx3rp6rmSgM7vbKxpzXw7t431bJ35Dy227UslXKZ282N7FVwgs9X6gejgnYJUNgBHHNRDXMIwmnrYNseppAyt1Gfl1uxwiIPewCaXFDfVra3r/s1600/dana+skirts.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 196px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN94VtSbphEfcdYARAVYJVpQIeSCLnV8zlx3rp6rmSgM7vbKxpzXw7t431bJ35Dy227UslXKZ282N7FVwgs9X6gejgnYJUNgBHHNRDXMIwmnrYNseppAyt1Gfl1uxwiIPewCaXFDfVra3r/s320/dana+skirts.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593535023012794898" /></a><div>Hi, everyone. I made a skirt and wore it to church last Sunday, but we left that day for our vacation and I never took a picture. I promise to put it on tomorrow and have someone take a photo for me to share with you.</div><div><br /></div><div>I know we've moved on to another dare, but one of my favorite bloggers, Dana, posted <a href="http://www.dana-made-it.com/2011/04/simple-skirt-simple-tutorial.html">this cute skirt tutorial</a> that is so simple and adorable. After I gave birth to Claire last May I made myself a bunch of skirts in basically the same way Dana shows--except mine were cut in a slight A-line. It was great for my post-pregnant belly that wouldn't fit into any of my old summer shorts or skirts. Actually, I still like elastic waistbands best because I feel like my shape is always changing. I'm also planning to make her <a href="http://www.dana-made-it.com/2008/07/tutorial-circle-skirt.html">circle skirt,</a> which a different version of a skirt I made last summer as well. </div><div><br /></div><div>This would be an easy skirt to add pockets to, so it could fit into our next challenge too, right?</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072060701948833732.post-31058613288531608522011-04-06T04:25:00.000-07:002011-04-06T15:12:53.952-07:00Skir-Ta Da!I ended up making 2 skirts for this dare. I think I made the first one (which was very simple) just to see if I could make a skirt that I would actually wear. The only other skirt I've ever made for myself was in college, and I never wore it, ever. I used this pattern <br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1sssKkU10ucvZSVqF-SwCvapON9E29cJGvkTw8O-9tUXIn0BB36rNiOjnojuoRLKxTqs30gUKXSrRbv-wSvR3CpKKcB1M_3uV38qBsIvSJ6LT91oF6pnXVXSaVHO0pBimG73-9uHbhkI/s1600/DSC_0083.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 268px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592432868601503410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1sssKkU10ucvZSVqF-SwCvapON9E29cJGvkTw8O-9tUXIn0BB36rNiOjnojuoRLKxTqs30gUKXSrRbv-wSvR3CpKKcB1M_3uV38qBsIvSJ6LT91oF6pnXVXSaVHO0pBimG73-9uHbhkI/s400/DSC_0083.JPG" /></a> </p><br /><p align="center">And I had some left-over material from skirts that my daughter Cora made last year for herself and her little sister.</p><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixu77NUBYQ-2zXSrCVRLt773dWbdFGE_yldyUxauGW45OBNsVfFwCNgcw73YNrmvZ8FkyGVCEBrxWa3tYU30zSaH-xUxHhApIwpjYsWt9Vd6Etoyt3CJo4vas14maKsHAvMpesj21lcVk/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 268px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592433234074808882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixu77NUBYQ-2zXSrCVRLt773dWbdFGE_yldyUxauGW45OBNsVfFwCNgcw73YNrmvZ8FkyGVCEBrxWa3tYU30zSaH-xUxHhApIwpjYsWt9Vd6Etoyt3CJo4vas14maKsHAvMpesj21lcVk/s400/DSC_0009.JPG" /></a> </p><br /><p align="center">And I ended up with this.</p><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6YRukR5GlksrEgXoDzFoDQ6dE5RiHWHLM_EEQVnSeJXFJFE7zWDgvGAhI7RhE8w2SKV4sby1lGSs3JXo04JxW6XNLIsCZ5aAoBhr3s5yzn13EQD1glpjtMp4Totcs5mdN6w7tNl7HYEQ/s1600/DSC_0070.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592432377812867538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6YRukR5GlksrEgXoDzFoDQ6dE5RiHWHLM_EEQVnSeJXFJFE7zWDgvGAhI7RhE8w2SKV4sby1lGSs3JXo04JxW6XNLIsCZ5aAoBhr3s5yzn13EQD1glpjtMp4Totcs5mdN6w7tNl7HYEQ/s400/DSC_0070.JPG" /></a> </p><br /><div>I made it slightly too big, and I made one mistake on the ribbon.</div><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9mB1VbP2ZOr6NiiqbrUVltWfsgjX0j1zsAtsfZNha66Q2Tku4dSTtz0K96rN-sB5ZvF_2G4V3jZnjKdsBt3QT5oxKgaQAyDh6HOP-LlaXb1D_Hy6Afj6VLeImzTjzcKsArTQaY58hijk/s1600/DSC_0082.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 266px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592432866886168146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9mB1VbP2ZOr6NiiqbrUVltWfsgjX0j1zsAtsfZNha66Q2Tku4dSTtz0K96rN-sB5ZvF_2G4V3jZnjKdsBt3QT5oxKgaQAyDh6HOP-LlaXb1D_Hy6Afj6VLeImzTjzcKsArTQaY58hijk/s400/DSC_0082.JPG" /></a></p><br /><div>But overall I think it's fine for a skirt this summer. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>With the next skirt I wanted to challenge myself a bit more, and I had some fabric that had actually inspired me (I'm pretty sure that made a big difference!). I used this pattern.</div><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLvwKuttMTAcBV6ZZHpnJNXILMe9JEqt-jKjNd3ZZLjshPoMTSwCtwDBIztooQy_6e1po2jwksSUXvrQThN_m2cYdp_tRm2vrsY7pLkEbsuOaboZa3zzZcCNixjmzCTw9wTItqpaFzofE/s1600/DSC_0085.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 268px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592432872038759730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLvwKuttMTAcBV6ZZHpnJNXILMe9JEqt-jKjNd3ZZLjshPoMTSwCtwDBIztooQy_6e1po2jwksSUXvrQThN_m2cYdp_tRm2vrsY7pLkEbsuOaboZa3zzZcCNixjmzCTw9wTItqpaFzofE/s400/DSC_0085.JPG" /></a></p><br /><div>And here was my finished product.</div><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQKM0zKStEU5I-9bTDIxtDpF2cgAp9JyuAfhoPgt0DEfRJ3RSKVVkYc9JG0zkWMxFyd8dcCd8FJbvEFlXPFZmIqACW38i1mevqJuZWCGTL6OzOXvXoBuzidKlJ0fmnHAwkOLiI3Iiebc/s1600/DSC_0075.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592432388333990162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQKM0zKStEU5I-9bTDIxtDpF2cgAp9JyuAfhoPgt0DEfRJ3RSKVVkYc9JG0zkWMxFyd8dcCd8FJbvEFlXPFZmIqACW38i1mevqJuZWCGTL6OzOXvXoBuzidKlJ0fmnHAwkOLiI3Iiebc/s400/DSC_0075.JPG" /></a></p><br /><div>I am very, very happy with this skirt, but I did make a few mistakes. This was the first time I'd done piping, and it's a little uneven (thicker in some places, thinner in others).</div><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3IQVcb092E3oBcMP9z06lsYSgkQUBboQToidSoGCwCO73LEHrM773AQCSjx-5X-2DezqpUBoVe-OxlCUiKmKvHKNbJ7hHi2i2FsaPMKoChPGZYm7aMBOghbo2JjQ3Lot2Hj33cGiULg0/s1600/DSC_0077.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592432393312372626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3IQVcb092E3oBcMP9z06lsYSgkQUBboQToidSoGCwCO73LEHrM773AQCSjx-5X-2DezqpUBoVe-OxlCUiKmKvHKNbJ7hHi2i2FsaPMKoChPGZYm7aMBOghbo2JjQ3Lot2Hj33cGiULg0/s400/DSC_0077.JPG" /></a></p><br /><div>I also accidently made a tuck here, and was too lazy to fix it.</div><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyf7D3I2HBv_P6PdK2xIM0ZgN0nb0PdcB1R-MdKw46dl5z_paruLT3WPFbQA9t-2eCbpzg-_EsGtG-I91FGze-McHGMIUV8RJFJkJT5Ktkho5dPHiPDx6HEA5akjGD98q0Mx6jeJK5WLs/s1600/DSC_0079.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592432858351052402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyf7D3I2HBv_P6PdK2xIM0ZgN0nb0PdcB1R-MdKw46dl5z_paruLT3WPFbQA9t-2eCbpzg-_EsGtG-I91FGze-McHGMIUV8RJFJkJT5Ktkho5dPHiPDx6HEA5akjGD98q0Mx6jeJK5WLs/s400/DSC_0079.JPG" /></a></p><br /><div>I'd like the skirt to be a little longer, so I'm going to try and replicate the yoke along the bottom of the skirt. I think that will add the perfect amount of length, and hopefully it won't ruin the overall effect. I learned how I can change the side seams just slightly to make the yoke fit better in front, and then this will be the perfect fitted skirt pattern for my body:) I wanted to make a fitted skirt out of this material because I wasn't sure if it would hang right as a fuller skirt. However, Liz made her skirt out of the same material (hers was a purple color scheme instead of yellow), and she made a fuller skirt with pleats - I LOVED it! I hope she posts a picture of it (hint, hint, wink, wink). So that was good for me to see how the same fabric can be used in different ways. We also learned from Kimberly about backing, and I think that would have made a big difference with this skirt as well. Next time:)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>It sure was fun to see all the skirts that everyone made on Sunday, and this really was a motivating challenge. I even plan on making another skirt out of this lovely material that I found.</div><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyBcwJn8alFJf4TCWnudi-TkBfepLH0zEezIvgYICtL7pyjvgWcWUba7uJE0qNTdgESD-XiKTRt4LAeXGDtUApCgkM0JP5pxeWVrLAjGtJXlG63m-S9tekUFvn1LLKrXFcpfJe4mV62wg/s1600/DSC_0074.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592432383723810002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyBcwJn8alFJf4TCWnudi-TkBfepLH0zEezIvgYICtL7pyjvgWcWUba7uJE0qNTdgESD-XiKTRt4LAeXGDtUApCgkM0JP5pxeWVrLAjGtJXlG63m-S9tekUFvn1LLKrXFcpfJe4mV62wg/s400/DSC_0074.JPG" /></a></p><br /><div>It will have pockets in it!:)</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>OUR HOUSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09782723533881418845noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072060701948833732.post-52892251508885938872011-04-04T05:16:00.000-07:002011-04-04T05:17:05.220-07:00Skirt: done!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0TGTORMdR-e8ZqQnXv5X_zIi6lk15SSXcD_-Eqyq7FCKqQ_CmnsvdHji2dNKwvIR4W35FO-LwV6BlmzN6dVInyeR06uMQNEawZNFib9iuWV8AOvaBV5tR8gHCfWt1T2EUxvNFV5dDOrTo/s1600/IMG_1293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0TGTORMdR-e8ZqQnXv5X_zIi6lk15SSXcD_-Eqyq7FCKqQ_CmnsvdHji2dNKwvIR4W35FO-LwV6BlmzN6dVInyeR06uMQNEawZNFib9iuWV8AOvaBV5tR8gHCfWt1T2EUxvNFV5dDOrTo/s320/IMG_1293.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>I completed the challenge this month! I started experimenting with making a pair of (maternity) jeans into a skirt, but quickly lost interest in that - after spending an hour picking out the legs. So I looked through my stash of fabric and found this piece that I had bought as a remnant some time ago, and used<a href="http://grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.com/2009/06/20-minute-simple-skirt-tutorial-and.html"> this tutorial</a> to make the skirt. It is much longer than the one in the tute because I put the waist below the baby bump (mountain?) and because I used polyester fabric that is 60" wide, instead of cotton that is only 45" wide. I will be able to wear it around my waist when I'm no longer expecting, and can easily take more of the elastic in if need be.Living Lavalleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445972538313303822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072060701948833732.post-24577030829268835012011-04-04T00:19:00.000-07:002011-04-04T00:24:17.926-07:00April's Dare? Pockets....any type you can justify. heheAfter some discussion during the meeting, it was decided that we should all to some pockets. So there you have it. If you must, your pockets can be on a flat piece of fabric, but try to put it on something that can be used/worn. After this month when everyone is feeling virtuous and accomplished because we got our skirts made, I have realized that having "something to show for yourself" is an excellent motivating principle.<br />
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Having said that, I am not sure what I will make with pockets this month. (Especially since I wussed out and didn't put pockets on my skirt like I planned. sigh!) Happy pocketing, ladies.<br />
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Pockets set in the seam<br />
Patch Pockets<br />
Welt Pockets<br />
Shaped or Applique'd pockets<br />
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What other sorts are there? Post examples..... k.<br />
P.S. I will get my N to take pics of my skirt so I can do my post about it this evening. Wish me luck. k.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18263491230656715050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072060701948833732.post-81250148938794839852011-03-31T21:44:00.000-07:002011-03-31T21:44:30.326-07:00SKIRTSLooking forward to Sunday and everyone's skirts. Everyone seems to be grumbling about their results....just remember: When you wear it smile and say "I made it." You must NOT say anything negative about it while it is on your body. (You can talk about that afterward if you must. ;) Also, you must not wuss out.<br />
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We will meet on Monday. Be sure to bring your skirt with you, and we will have ready ears if you need to grumble about it after (and maybe some advice for the future.) I think the Army calls that an "After Action Report."k.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18263491230656715050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072060701948833732.post-31027829502056456112011-03-20T23:46:00.000-07:002011-03-20T23:46:18.821-07:00Joanna!I just want to say that Joanna is a rock star! She brought a little dress today that she made from the sloper pattern....it is little...I mean really little because it was from the Doll Sloper I gave people, but the design is so cute and CLEARLY successful. <br />
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It is very gratifying when people actually like what I tell them to do. heh k. (It is up to her to post a pic though, as I did not think to take one.)k.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18263491230656715050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072060701948833732.post-9158040730306461002011-03-15T17:47:00.000-07:002011-03-15T17:47:41.016-07:00One of the Things We Talked About....Thanks to Carolyn, I have been following this great blog called "Gertie's Blog for Better Sewing." She regularly has great articles about a variety of things....<br />
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Here is one that was particularly applicable to our general project....(although you might not need it for the Spring Skirt Challenge.) <a href="http://www.blogforbettersewing.com/2011/03/pivoting-dart.html">Gertie's Blog</a> Note: I have noticed that this blog has been having trouble loading lately....patience. The article is worth it as she is MUCH better at explaining things than I am!<br />
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The topic is one method to shift darts to other locations on your pattern. This method is perhaps more useful when working with full sized pattern pieces (as opposed to doll sized, which is what I do best. hehehe) Be sure to check it out! k.k.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18263491230656715050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072060701948833732.post-4134909694163658442011-03-08T18:29:00.000-08:002011-03-08T18:29:37.725-08:00Some Skirt Links.<a href="http://www.daciaray.com/?p=334">http://www.daciaray.com/?p=334</a><a href="http://susanstars.com/howto/make_aline.php">http://susanstars.com/howto/make_aline.php</a><br />
<a href="http://grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.com/2009/06/20-minute-simple-skirt-tutorial-and.html">http://grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.com/2009/06/20-minute-simple-skirt-tutorial-and.html</a><br />
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and a big collection<br />
<a href="http://craftstew.com/sewing/free-skirt-patterns">http://craftstew.com/sewing/free-skirt-patterns</a><br />
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I wrote up mine, and MAN that is hard. Maybe it will work best if you try to hear it in my voice as you sew....ugh!<br />
<a href="http://boxpleat.blogspot.com/2011/03/ks-3-panel-vintage-skirt.html">http://boxpleat.blogspot.com/2011/03/ks-3-panel-vintage-skirt.html</a><br />
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Good luck and happy sewing. k.k.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18263491230656715050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072060701948833732.post-15813177044627531782011-03-07T17:38:00.000-08:002011-03-07T17:38:02.954-08:00<a href="http://www.interweavestore.com/Needlework/Books/49-Sensational-Skirts.html?a=swe110304">Cool book</a> of embellished skirts! k.k.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18263491230656715050noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072060701948833732.post-12663911175435545582011-03-07T17:33:00.000-08:002011-03-07T17:33:29.359-08:00March Dare: Skirts!March has only one requirement: On April 4th you must WEAR a skirt that you have made in the month of March. This means that if you aren't sure how this is going to work, you may want to leave yourself time to try again before then! hahahaha<br />
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You may make any type of skirt you'd like, from a full gathered skirt with a waistband to a slinky knit with elastic and anything in between. It does not matter what <b>kind</b> of skirt you make but you are going to have to produce a <b>wearable</b> product by the deadline.<br />
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Last month's participation was a bit lacking and I have thought a lot about what went wrong. (I should say here that Miss Joanna was not lacking at ALL and she deserves all the kudos we can give her!) I decided (right or wrong) that the problem with the assignment to baste up your fitting pattern is that it was just a STEP. It is much harder to make time in your schedule for things that aren't really going to result in anything concrete, anything finished...so now we are all stuck with this challenge! Are you happy now?!??! (I have to point out that I didn't even do a blog entry for last month. ;( sigh!)<br />
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Just kidding. Skirts are a great way to feel accomplished and warm up your skills....what skills, you ask? Well, you could practice your lapped zipper that we worked on a few months ago. Make a skirt with a waistband. Learn the settings on your sewing machine for knits. If you are still stuck doing your fitting shell, do the SKIRT part and make a tailored pencil skirt. Your skirt can be as fancy or as simple as you want it....it doesn't have to have piping or pockets, linings or embellishments....but it <i>could</i>. Challenge yourself and make something fun for Spring. <br />
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(And if you didn't finish the first fit on your fitting shell, you really need to get on with it. We can't move on to design until we have a basic pattern for your bod. I know people got sick this month, but try to get things done early in the month this time. It <b>will</b> happen again, something always comes up. If you are ready with the fitting shell and want some help with alterations before the next meeting, let me know. ;) k.k.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18263491230656715050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072060701948833732.post-60502510866677689502011-01-02T20:47:00.000-08:002011-01-02T20:47:43.340-08:00Welcome 2011This month for our dare we are actually going to....well, dare ourselves! This month we are plotting the BIG project. Everyone here has been feeling a need to feel INSPIRED, to find something she really wants to do and then to do it fully. <br />
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In the course of the discussion (which included some great things like organizing/maximizing your work space and your calendar time) we decided that this year we will try to make a dress....from scratch....well, from sloper. That means of course that we all need a decent personal sloper. (A sloper is a basic pattern that FITS perfectly and is the basis for every design. With a good sloper and some creativity...and a little patience I suppose...you can make any design your heart desires.)<br />
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This project will also include all the skills mentioned during the meeting of things we OUGHT to work on this year. SO there will likely be hemming, buttonholes, sleeves to set etc. <br />
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So the first challenge of the new year, and the requirements for January? You need a good basic pattern that can be made to fit you just right. (I found a "good" one at <a href="http://butterick.mccall.com/b5746-products-1984.php?page_id=155">http://butterick.mccall.com/b5746-products-1984.php?page_id=155</a> It is "good" because I have never tried it, but it seems like just what we are going to need and happened to be on sale when I saw it.) You also need to bring a pic (or post if it is a digital image) of your dream dress. And the final thing to bring for the DRESS is a dress that fits you well, and/or your list of gripes about the way things off the rack tend to fit you.<br />
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And a last little bit: we are going to try to do a little general fabric education...so bring a found piece that we can examine/discuss and potentially destroy. hehehe k.k.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18263491230656715050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072060701948833732.post-84579232428250918082010-12-14T18:44:00.000-08:002010-12-14T18:44:19.577-08:00Completed!<span id="goog_704808704"></span><span id="goog_704808705"></span>After the meeting when I issued the dare, I went to my office and made up a list of things that ought to be completed. The list was VERY long. Very long.<br />
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When the month was over I had accomplished a surprising amount. Not a LOT of what I had written....that list remains long and will probably always be...but a lot of productive work none the less. Here it is in no particular order.....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.boxpleat.com/blogpics/butterflygarden/butterflygarden.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://www.boxpleat.com/blogpics/butterflygarden/butterflygarden.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This small panel of flowers was put together back when <a href="http://cursedquilt.blogspot.com/">Cursed Quilt</a> did hexagons and by behest. You can see that these AREN'T hexagons but go together with the same technique. I have a little template set that I bought and used up bits of a jelly roll of solids. As an exploration it was productive but then just sat around as it is both an odd size and an odd shape. For Completion, I decided on borders and an eventual home: my Mother-in-Law's house as Christmas Present. I love the way it turned out with a few exceptions I will NOT mention. ;)<br />
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Here are a few of the flower center details that I like. All in all, a pleasing completion and one fewer thing in my multiple work boxes!<br />
<a href="http://www.boxpleat.com/blogpics/butterflygarden/bgdet1.jpg"> <img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.boxpleat.com/blogpics/butterflygarden/bgdet1.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://www.boxpleat.com/blogpics/butterflygarden/bgdet2.jpg"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.boxpleat.com/blogpics/butterflygarden/bgdet2.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.boxpleat.com/blogpics/butterflygarden/bgdet3.jpg"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.boxpleat.com/blogpics/butterflygarden/bgdet3.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://www.boxpleat.com/blogpics/butterflygarden/bgdet4.jpg"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.boxpleat.com/blogpics/butterflygarden/bgdet4.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://www.boxpleat.com/blogpics/butterflygarden/bgdet5.jpg"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.boxpleat.com/blogpics/butterflygarden/bgdet5.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.boxpleat.com/blogpics/QOV/qofvcases.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://www.boxpleat.com/blogpics/QOV/qofvcases.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I also finished the "Presentation Cases" (which are pillowcases, really) for our Quilts of Valor which are nearly ready for sending out! WooHoo.<br />
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I also made a variety of other pillowcases (with help from Nicole and Karen) that got sent off for donation. 31 in all not counting the QofV ones. I hope they find good homes.<br />
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Now the last thing I have to report is that this Dare has done what nothing else has been able to do in more than a year....get me back to WORK. Here is a pictorial (and not a good one at that) of what I accomplished in the month...a work that continues, I am pleased to report.<br />
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10 Dresses, all new draft or first check patterns (plus a skirt and top.) In the pattern pic, the top row are checks, the middle are new drafts during the month and the bottom are new drafts since the end of the month to show how the work continues. I will post the dresses on my blog someday soon so you can see the details (and prices) but since the Holidays are upon us, I think that can wait. Besides, I have a quilt to bind, a pattern to check and at least two more designs to draft! (And I have already put in one zipper for December!) k.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.boxpleat.com/blogpics/deedresses.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://www.boxpleat.com/blogpics/deedresses.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>k.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18263491230656715050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072060701948833732.post-5275075104952872232010-12-14T16:10:00.000-08:002010-12-14T16:14:34.578-08:00Liz's Introduction and Finished ProjectsLiz here. So, introductions first?<br /><br />My mother was a sewer. Growing up, she made most of our clothes--I remember matching strawberry-print sundresses made for me and my two sisters particularly well--and all of our Halloween costumes. I understood the principles of sewing, but never had much interest in actually sewing myself because my mom just did it better. (Being a perfectionist has it price since I never wanted to try something new if I thought I'd be bad at it.) She did force me to help her sew my pioneer skirt and matching bonnet for our Stake's pioneer-themed Youth Conference when I was 14. But it wasn't until my junior year of high school, when I was faced with an open spot for an elective class, that I decided that sewing might be fun. I took two clothing classes in which I made everything from pillows to simple pajamas pants and skirts to dresses and even a fully lined jacket. I really enjoyed my clothing classes and my mom even gave me her ancient Singer sewing machine (okay, it was really only from the 70s) which weighed approximately 50 pounds. But college derailed my sewing endeavors. I never learned how to use my mom's old machine and grew tired of lugging it from one apartment to the next so I gave it to my sister (a move I still regret, especially since my sister doesn't sew). So I didn't sew for nearly ten years. I had been thinking about buying a simple machine and picking up the hobby again right around the time that Kimberly announced the quilt group. That was all the impetus I needed (that, and Dongdaemun) to start me on my new sewing craze. I love having a creative outlet and I really enjoy making things for my family and others to enjoy.<br /><br />Zara has two cousins (and 3 second cousins) who were born within a month of her. My brother and his wife welcomed their first baby--a girl--on August 24th. Zara followed a week later on August 31st and my sister had her third child--her second boy--on September 21st. (And my <em>other</em> sister just announced that she's expecting her second next year.) So for Christmas this year I decided to make everyone a diaper and wipes case. I used a tutorial from <a href="http://www.makeit-loveit.com/2009/03/diaperwipes-case.html">Make It and Love It</a>, one of my favorite crafty sites. It's not the best tutorial, but now that I've made so many of these things, I can whip them out in under an hour. I love quick and easy projects that can be finished in a day.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98D8guhj5pqHexLRq-89ETYNd9xuLInYnbyRa9S_8v9ZiGJ8Up-8sSg_-m0oF9jR3ZGVf4oDaPVbrxRgRv86Vi7_MNuhyphenhyphenvG8hg_AG7j64ZeQmw-iLM6d1X3lhExzQdGWcWbO_TZVD8xM/s1600/DSC06075.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550693134861934002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98D8guhj5pqHexLRq-89ETYNd9xuLInYnbyRa9S_8v9ZiGJ8Up-8sSg_-m0oF9jR3ZGVf4oDaPVbrxRgRv86Vi7_MNuhyphenhyphenvG8hg_AG7j64ZeQmw-iLM6d1X3lhExzQdGWcWbO_TZVD8xM/s320/DSC06075.JPG" /></a> These don't use a lot of fabric so they're a simple project to do with your scraps or other fun fabrics that you're not quite sure what to do with yet. I made the one on the right side for myself. I just couldn't help myself.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3-j8eLd4jjOk5a2ud0S2QJYyKuJVkbBYgJ9350HPecrCBsxaLB8fB3t_13zUdPdA1417jK86TsXBxdCxlyhaaRDer_CigJmKAaftuj4DeZ-qtknzbpV6IivlIvYAg2mpgboQtkCj-f94/s1600/DSC06078.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550693115586658130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3-j8eLd4jjOk5a2ud0S2QJYyKuJVkbBYgJ9350HPecrCBsxaLB8fB3t_13zUdPdA1417jK86TsXBxdCxlyhaaRDer_CigJmKAaftuj4DeZ-qtknzbpV6IivlIvYAg2mpgboQtkCj-f94/s320/DSC06078.JPG" /></a> The insides. I actually started working on these quite some time ago (I did the one in the center during the summer) but I had just never finished them. But I was motivated after our last meeting, and so I finished them all last week and they've now been mailed off to their intended recipients.<br /><br />Well, I had so much fun finishing that project (finally!) that I decided I wanted to do another quick and easy project. And since I've got this really adorable little baby now, who's suddenly very interested in grabbing and holding onto things and shoving them into her mouth, I wanted to do some simple toys she could play with.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWwa-bkAINOltZ_gOCQIWFdTFRbCStF279Rqq18wzaIXmmxF0bpzIlF85J7Hz9m8G9nmF9m1wDo9obbNhCLfNcN1Kt12q3EIkxqVAgwIBld9GmMnSfvntIieZDa2JUBxQtJ36Uq8DYIy4/s1600/DSC06117.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550692639408130802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWwa-bkAINOltZ_gOCQIWFdTFRbCStF279Rqq18wzaIXmmxF0bpzIlF85J7Hz9m8G9nmF9m1wDo9obbNhCLfNcN1Kt12q3EIkxqVAgwIBld9GmMnSfvntIieZDa2JUBxQtJ36Uq8DYIy4/s320/DSC06117.JPG" /></a> So I turned to Make It and Love It once again and found tutorials for <a href="http://www.makeit-loveit.com/2009/03/as-promisedcloth-blocks.html">cloth blocks </a>and <a href="http://www.makeit-loveit.com/2009/03/cloth-baby-rings.html">cloth teething rings</a>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOcLYhIF5LvATyPxtHe9_jXK8XxXKT7GQmGyT9Fhjqi8nm8PYm_o2rqQSB4la5sgPUJo_RgdbTPs5SkxQSvShKn-sUPA-2IYJBA7LW5iaTWj-70FW6ZV8_KFHXpZjRmSU4nLM9YFihLY/s1600/DSC06119.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550692628774316034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOcLYhIF5LvATyPxtHe9_jXK8XxXKT7GQmGyT9Fhjqi8nm8PYm_o2rqQSB4la5sgPUJo_RgdbTPs5SkxQSvShKn-sUPA-2IYJBA7LW5iaTWj-70FW6ZV8_KFHXpZjRmSU4nLM9YFihLY/s320/DSC06119.JPG" /></a>I made 6 inch, 5 inch, 4 inch, and 3 inch blocks using lots of fun, vibrant fabrics. The 3 and 4 inch blocks are easier for Zara to hold and play with now.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinYPgX26muO8TupzNfV8Ew8jQrU5xiI0CzKyfw6urPXqbYsalNpn04xIlNj3zuHk2KkgXDwstIG3Z-wxL3hDnGPgMiQqu36amOrjl2EljoGlBd1yTJP76H8EemY8DMgkZwFTf8J8t1PnI/s1600/DSC06095.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550692618133183922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinYPgX26muO8TupzNfV8Ew8jQrU5xiI0CzKyfw6urPXqbYsalNpn04xIlNj3zuHk2KkgXDwstIG3Z-wxL3hDnGPgMiQqu36amOrjl2EljoGlBd1yTJP76H8EemY8DMgkZwFTf8J8t1PnI/s320/DSC06095.JPG" /></a> Here she is with her 3-inch block clutched tightly in her hands on its way to her mouth. Next up, the cloth baby rings. These were another pretty quick project, but I think I stuffed them with just a little too much fabric because they were kinda a pain to sew together.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9fK3TT7XRKtIzyLECyF6pk503mIzkYkD5v_z00R1r-g-pEnLSl0H8whnWOu72q3MF_QstvM4afEDp9aE3NtRc6A-rWYa1-Hbt6hujMQwMm3xxW0tjaUtkFLsAW3xdAW5-ZaE_fx2rOw/s1600/DSC06130.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550692615401071074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9fK3TT7XRKtIzyLECyF6pk503mIzkYkD5v_z00R1r-g-pEnLSl0H8whnWOu72q3MF_QstvM4afEDp9aE3NtRc6A-rWYa1-Hbt6hujMQwMm3xxW0tjaUtkFLsAW3xdAW5-ZaE_fx2rOw/s320/DSC06130.JPG" /></a> Luckily, black fabric hides a multitude of sins.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNokSrTz6HbBL2GtnqQA4lSzagEdnJbefa7b8gHwO1YAtUV7K2chgvOoOKG2BTJ_1DFl7clUrWsNAf8kC0mVfhehK9bWo6gEQ83ppbirewl-bhaCwkwOB1lFw-gNK0E-1-JH0eDhOKNc/s1600/DSC06133.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550692608371555218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNokSrTz6HbBL2GtnqQA4lSzagEdnJbefa7b8gHwO1YAtUV7K2chgvOoOKG2BTJ_1DFl7clUrWsNAf8kC0mVfhehK9bWo6gEQ83ppbirewl-bhaCwkwOB1lFw-gNK0E-1-JH0eDhOKNc/s320/DSC06133.JPG" /></a><br />And Zara certainly doesn't seem to mind my less-than-perfect sewing projects.<br /><br />She's just that awesome. Also, she really will stick anything into her mouth. At least these are easy to wash.Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03682301447903769809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072060701948833732.post-47912044082677446422010-12-05T22:20:00.000-08:002010-12-05T22:20:56.443-08:00December's Dare: Zippers!At today's meeting we had a great time showing off the things we completed. I am afraid I exposed myself as a "show-off" but I am so delighted to have some things finished! (I will post my personal entry soon.) <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJe5lgH1r0ehx_Bn8BowLwizOLqi2gx_cwrFTpOzBdPIn8pLGCamSpOL9sSGCX6kYYUiLeuvC_GKGqOQ9y-QoJlVm03SsYsO2HL-9BBGR7jZoxemLJFieXPGRL5RwGQ_suI5dcxvB9JtT/s1600/zippers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJe5lgH1r0ehx_Bn8BowLwizOLqi2gx_cwrFTpOzBdPIn8pLGCamSpOL9sSGCX6kYYUiLeuvC_GKGqOQ9y-QoJlVm03SsYsO2HL-9BBGR7jZoxemLJFieXPGRL5RwGQ_suI5dcxvB9JtT/s1600/zippers.jpg" /></a></div>In our discussion last month we decided that we all need a refresher in zippers, so we did a little example and talked about what seems to go wrong (and a few ideas on how to fix them.) What do you think of our fabric choices?<br />
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The first revelatory idea was that the edge of the zipper does not HAVE to start at the edge of the item. (see the pic here!) No one can get the stitching perfectly straight while working around the bulky tab.<br />
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We also talked about different pinning techniques, basting and even using a glue stick (suggestion from <a href="http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=87">HERE</a>.) (This linked blog also includes a hilarious pep talk about how you can do it...and how the zipper foot isn't as intimidating as you might think....)<br />
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Other ideas include using 1/2 inch tape down the right side of the garment/item to give you a 1/4 stitching guide on either side of a centrally placed zipper, not waiting until the very end to put the zipper in to minimize chances for catching other parts of the item and having to pick out, etc.<br />
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There is a great list of tutorials available online <a href="http://www.iwillhttp//iwilllearntosew.blogspot.com/2007/09/zipper-tutorial-roundup.html">HERE</a> Note the date, however. This list was made years ago, so there may be a number of other great tutorials on YouTube etc at your fingertips by simply searching for "zipper sew tutorial." :) We actually watched <a href="http://www.burdastyle.com/techniques/lapped-zipper-tutorial-part-1">THIS</a> which does a nice job of explaining how to do (at least the first part) a "lapped" zipper (shown on the left) in contrast to a centered application. This sample is the first time I ever tried it and the tutorial was very helpful!<br />
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So, amid all your other adventures this Holiday Season, we dare you to put a zipper in something...anything. That is all. k.k.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18263491230656715050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072060701948833732.post-66920743179144036452010-12-05T16:03:00.000-08:002010-12-05T16:08:14.352-08:00Not Sew Daring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Here I am at last. My mom took a lot of home ec classes in high school and still has/uses the sewing machine she got (used) as a young adult. She didn't often have time to sew, as she worked full time, but stated she was a "pretty" sewer, meaning she sewed neatly and properly, which is true. I had an interest in sewing as a child, and would "help" her a bit, then took my one and only home ec class in high school. I made a few dresses that I wore, on which she would usually have to fix the tricky parts for me. Since then I have been interested in sewing more, but only have dabbled a little in it, and made an occasional thing or two, but more often just mending or hemming as needed. This group is great for me to get out of the funk and have motivation to actually <i>do something.</i> I am still not a "pretty" sewer like my mom, but maybe with more practice... <br />
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I'm finding that sewing with a pattern (i.e. McCalls, Butterick, etc.) is much like learning to read music to play the piano - a lot more work, time, effort and tedium (yet seems like the "proper" way to go). Whereas, following a simple tutorial or youtube video to make something fun (or remake something) is more like sitting down at a piano and picking out a tune, or for the really gifted, truly learning to "play by ear". It is instantly rewarding, or nearly so, without all the turmoil of cutting out a pattern and all that. I've been learning the past couple of years that it is more rewarding to shift from the "pattern" mindset to finding something simple and fun that I want to do, and using cute fabric to do it. This way, I am breaking the "mental block" I've had about sewing, because it seems like so much less of a <i>chore.</i> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtMM6kugsdNbaK0Ta1_rcJqO6sMGigVI3St7wGchE1NtHRK0Z0mEixfDWXhyphenhyphenqrris3AAJgQLDN981rEcOZnKyWClLJz43J7PlN7NIH-VzHGpsXnzzjChGWkrJep8YAmx8UEEyVVgFG748H/s1600/IMG_1080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtMM6kugsdNbaK0Ta1_rcJqO6sMGigVI3St7wGchE1NtHRK0Z0mEixfDWXhyphenhyphenqrris3AAJgQLDN981rEcOZnKyWClLJz43J7PlN7NIH-VzHGpsXnzzjChGWkrJep8YAmx8UEEyVVgFG748H/s320/IMG_1080.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Sew, with this past month's challenge, I vowed to actually finish something. Oh, the guilt I carry for projects unfinished, nice fabric unused, and on and on. Three homes ago, I bought some inexpensive (from Walmart) curtain panels and hung them in our home. They have a tapestry look about them and I really liked them. We sold the house to a couple of young male punks and I feared that all my heart and soul that I had poured into the house would get thrown in the trash, so I took all the curtains throughout the house with me, and have lamented it ever since, wondering if I would ever have occasion to use them again. Not really. Every "home" (or army quarters) is different, and we've only used one panel on one window since, so I've been kicking myself that we move or store this extra weight without using it. But alas, we bought a new mattress before coming to Korea, and so had no need for our 4" memory foam mattress topper anymore. I drug it with us here (it is heavy) and the plan was to cut it into chunks and make big pillows out of the curtain panels to stuff it into, since we couldn't really bring our giant bean bag that hubby and the boys like to wrestle on. I needed no pattern. I just cut one of the panels in two, and sewed it up (leaving a hole to stuff, then hand sewed that closed). It took many hours to cut up the foam, but the sewing really didn't take long. One is complete, and the next just needs to be stuffed and finished by hand. I may have enough foam to do a third pillow/bean bag.Living Lavalleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06445972538313303822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072060701948833732.post-15122418578142927402010-10-31T21:48:00.000-07:002010-10-31T21:48:32.111-07:00Sage Green VintageI can't remember if I mentioned this, but I collect vintage clothing. Every few years I go through a phase where I do a lot of buying, whether at Thrift Stores or eBay and renew my collection with fun things to wear. This dress was purchased at the tail end of my last eBay buying spree, more than a year ago. I had it cleaned and it has been hanging since then....because, while I love vintage clothing and designs, they don't always love me!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosqFmPnzlfZp8esFp8ev8ITBFyYP6f_hNt_wngxgldyfetgsfxYI2suQ86-FnFAU20_BIyJvn24hHaGLzZFGnvCDqarse5QSg6x72c239uU_4GljxH5ofZfSB48JzvL5OYWak09LTfiVb/s1600/alteration2010.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After Pic, sorry I forgot the Before!</td></tr>
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I thought this dress was a likely suspect right from the start: a relatively high neckline, a kimono style sleeve (more on why that is important later!) and the skirt's measurement put the length right below my knee! Sounds perfect right? Well when it came it was not at all perfect. If you look at the picture here (Sorry, I forgot to take before pics!) the Ivory silk section is new. When I put the dress on for the first time the skirt started right where the Ivory meets the bodice! (So of course the "just right" skirt length was way too short, even if I could bring myself to wear it so short-waisted.)<br />
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When I buy vintage clothing I usually have 2 problems. The first is that, although I don't consider myself long-waisted, I regularly find things to be too short. Women with my body "size" in the past were shorter in the past. They also were inclined to wear things somewhat higher on the waist as well I think, but it feels and looks awkward to me. <br />
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This is somewhat related to my first problem, which is my gigantic Football Player shoulders on an otherwise scrawny body. This is why the Kimono Sleeve is key. Many times I have purchased dresses that pull tightly across the shoulders and under the arm but fit perfectly elsewhere. Many times. sigh! The reason I think this is related to the first problem is that, especially in raglan and kimono style sleeves, the dress rests very differently across MY shoulders than intended, pulling up waistlines etc. Compounding the problem my bustline is not what was considered "ideal" in the 50s....more like in the 20s: high and flat! hehehehe<br />
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The alteration was successful, but was still fraught with trouble. I mean, I can wear the dress as it is now, but I need to be more thorough next time! The pattern I used to make the inset panel is from a dress I used to wear all the time....I probably used the pattern 3 or 4 times. A good basic dress, but not as fitted as it should have been in the front. If I had used something with front rather than bust darts I think I would have been happier. I also really should have pulled the old metal zipper out completely and set a new one. The vintage one reset fine with the panel, but it is really too short....by the length of the panel I inset. This makes it especially hard for me to get the dress on and off (over the shoulders....yeah, getting stuck in a dress is NOT fun. Especially when you are trying to be careful with vintage fabrics etc!) It goes on and off, but the added difficulty makes it less likely that I will want to wrestle with it on Sunday Morning, know what I mean? sigh!<br />
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I do love the way the bias band wraps across the front and the waterfall sash effect. If I were really dedicated (which I contemplated) I should have done the whole panel in bias pleats, but I was worried I would never actually get it DONE so took the easy route. I can't even picture what the pattern would look like to inset the pleats like that!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFMmVpkZwiriufrsxMzenTjFejAdh4kLxJjmQX6zbjbPJ_dGvCMSKP1S5IXiLMSsxOkMpf2jxem0ekfaqagLwwhzBscVXVVTtyfDoQAYPdXKgoXv2ih8H_KWFqnD6AN7n7p_bXaQVicux/s1600/stain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFMmVpkZwiriufrsxMzenTjFejAdh4kLxJjmQX6zbjbPJ_dGvCMSKP1S5IXiLMSsxOkMpf2jxem0ekfaqagLwwhzBscVXVVTtyfDoQAYPdXKgoXv2ih8H_KWFqnD6AN7n7p_bXaQVicux/s200/stain.jpg" width="200" /></a>The last pic is a representation of the ill-fated nature of this adventure: That is a picture of my blood. While trying it on in one of the pinned up phases, I apparently stabbed myself without noticing and bled all over everything! I saw this spot, gave a little "argh!" of exasperation (took the picture for a funny note in the blog) and took of the dress and washed the little spot off. Came right out. I was very pleased. What I didn't notice was the 7 other places I sopped up my blood across the back of the dress as I fidgeted with the fit! I can NOT believe that I bled that much without noticing. ugh! N. says I should weep a bit on it, then sweat a bit on it too for good measure. hehehe I plan to work on the spots on the skirt this week and try to get up the energy to wear the dress to Church Sunday. <br />
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In dim reflection of this new dare for November, the sash needs to be re-basted as it is a little crooked and I ought to finish the inside of the dress, perhaps with a lining.....but since it is unlikely to see much heavy wear, I may just be lazy. :) k.k.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18263491230656715050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072060701948833732.post-78186301263622711132010-10-31T20:58:00.000-07:002010-10-31T20:58:34.583-07:00November's Dare: Completion!One of the themes that showed up regularly in the suggestions is this: "Easy Gift Ideas." Now, I think I am a terrible person, but I NEVER (well almost never) make gifts. I think this is mostly because of the deadline issues.....which I am not good at. Of course, I wasn't sure that "Easy Gift Ideas" matched really well with the kinds of things I am trying to use for the Dare....not quite open-ended enough, and yet also a little too "specific." Except that people wanted to do it.... <br />
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So, the challenge for this month is two-fold. The first required part: You must finish SOMETHING. I don't care what it is, or how long it took you but you must have something to show for yourself by the first Monday of December. You should also post a blog post about it. (And I am giving you all the eye....look over at the Labels list on the side....I know you can see that ALL, well most, of the posts are tagged by me. Will it help if I ask nicely? Please will you post your projects? Pretty Please? heheheh)<br />
The second required part is that you identify, whether online or from your own brain at least one (but perhaps hundreds) project that is easily "completed." We are looking for those projects that can help you feel accomplished on a day when nothing seems going right. Projects that give lots of bang for your buck but that won't sit on the work table forever.<br />
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When you link to projects, please be sure to give credit to the actual designer (especially if it is YOU!) and if you try it, show us pics of yours. You don't have to try all of the ideas you post (although ideally it should be a great item to be completed), just share some of the fun things you can find out there!<br />
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For the December meeting we will practice with zippers. (Everyone sounded like that might be a good skill to review/learn.) If you have zippers, bring them, if not we will try to have some available. Also, bring pins, practice fabric and your sewing machine if you can. And ask around to see if anyone knows some good tips and tricks for successful zippers. <br />
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Now go out there and finish something! ANYTHING! and then blog us about it! k.k.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18263491230656715050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072060701948833732.post-26189765685120906512010-10-31T16:54:00.000-07:002010-10-31T16:57:54.785-07:00Walla Waldo<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72gRbousYo1Qn7OXf8ze_Yo9ncXYf-piM5Se76mm-kSREtlgOgBW4Ft-az_rOEWtnicIqS6hWXDoBtP_Es03wjhb-5V926ujK8tkuTeMxtzfFvoRD_VjxrzaU9-hqb5b_Xt5xHvyg-dI/s1600/P1000508.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72gRbousYo1Qn7OXf8ze_Yo9ncXYf-piM5Se76mm-kSREtlgOgBW4Ft-az_rOEWtnicIqS6hWXDoBtP_Es03wjhb-5V926ujK8tkuTeMxtzfFvoRD_VjxrzaU9-hqb5b_Xt5xHvyg-dI/s200/P1000508.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534363112073289666" border="0" /></a><br />So I took a red shirt and a white shirt and got this! I guess it is like Carolyn's shirt kinda. The hat is made from left over pieces of both. The Glasses are mine.Darshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13209182984747900712noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072060701948833732.post-21831682514584022882010-10-25T17:22:00.000-07:002010-10-25T18:03:30.852-07:00Free Child's Dress Pattern<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd4PJWSKhg7HwdxRR15lCh29iOBIo-uQmXg9bhLHJbKvFlN-Grb7w9AsrLTNZFO8f7JwF5MleflmUaO9xXxynXOc5326BvEBqVkTJs7eLiaUDnemfZrcYBpIbat1vfe1YxpbCQ5D2Rcn0y/s1600/100_5815.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd4PJWSKhg7HwdxRR15lCh29iOBIo-uQmXg9bhLHJbKvFlN-Grb7w9AsrLTNZFO8f7JwF5MleflmUaO9xXxynXOc5326BvEBqVkTJs7eLiaUDnemfZrcYBpIbat1vfe1YxpbCQ5D2Rcn0y/s320/100_5815.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532145355294867890" /></a><br />So, my thoughtful mom sent me a pattern for a girl's dress that she thought looked like one I would enjoy making. The thing is, I already own the pattern and have made several dresses with it. In this photo you can see Audrey being silly in one of them. So, would anyone like the new pattern? It is <a href="http://www.simplicity.com/p-2260-toddler-dresses.aspx">Simplicity 5695</a> and is in size 2,3,4--which was the perfect size for both girls when they were 2 and 4 and is now too small for Audrey now that she's a tall 5. It's very simple to make and a very cute dress. Or, if you know someone who might like it, just take it from me and pass it along. I'll give it to the first person who responds to this post.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072060701948833732.post-1756363072100974642010-10-21T18:40:00.000-07:002010-10-21T18:40:42.551-07:00My Late Embellishment Report<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.boxpleat.com/blogpics/embellish/plaintops.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://www.boxpleat.com/blogpics/embellish/plaintops.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>And this is how we begin! Several years ago I realized that some types of products I was making were too time-consuming to be made for a price people wanted to pay...so I sent out some fabric to have these made in one of the factories specializing in doll sized items. <a href="http://www.boxpleat.com/blogpics/embellish/embellish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://www.boxpleat.com/blogpics/embellish/embellish.jpg" width="200" /></a>Since that time, I have really done very little with them, and the company that helped me do it is now gone, but I still have this heap of tiny shirts. There are 9 styles of shirt and I had 20 in each style made....I still have 19 or 20 of many of them. This project has been a LONG time in coming! hehehe<br />
For the great embellishment adventure I decided to pull out my supplies (of which there are mountains....you should see it!) and actually DO something with these. Here is a little taste of what can/could/might/should be done with them:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.boxpleat.com/blogpics/embellish/sdtiedye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="http://www.boxpleat.com/blogpics/embellish/sdtiedye.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The first four shown are SD sized. (I would be happy to share measurements if you are interested....and if you don't know what SD sized means, well it probably doesn't apply to you or any resin you own. heh!)<br />
I found it was MUCH more difficult to generate a good spiral pattern on the small sized shirts. If you look carefully you can see it on the orangey crewneck shirt, but it is pretty subtle. The circular yoke dyeing was clearer. The longsleeved was done just with horizontal bands (Carolyn did that one! Her very first!) and the fade was done with dipping rather than tie-dyeing. Those were a little tricky because the biggest problem I have in tie-dyeing is dye-pooling while still active.<br />
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In a normal setting you put the dye on pre-wet, pre-wrapped shirts and it has to cure(?) for 4-24 hours while remaining wet. This usually means: in a bag. Of course if you really saturated your item (because you want strong color) you are going to end up with you shirt in a puddle at hte end of those 24 hours. (We saw this with many shirts during the family reunion tie-dye extravaganza...where we also saw MUCH better spirals.)<br />
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<a href="http://www.boxpleat.com/blogpics/embellish/16tiedye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://www.boxpleat.com/blogpics/embellish/16tiedye.jpg" width="320" /></a>Since I wanted the white to STAY white I actually clipped the shirt inside its bag to a skirt hanger. You can see that we had a little cross-over with the bight pink on the sleeves, but on the whole I think it was fairly successful. You can see that same effect on the boatneck tops for the 16 inch-ish dolls. For those I just dipped the wet shirts hems and sleeves and let the dye creep up the fabric while it rested in the baggies (hanging up.) You can see how the magenta and turquoise behaved a bit differently on the purple one. You can also see where (if you look closely) I got a small dot of yellow on it. Argh! It is really hard to keep track of all the dye at once! We had a LOT of trouble with that during the extravaganza too. This round was better because I used a wire cooling rack instead of a flat surface as my work area, but there was a stray drip of yellow I didn't wipe away before I set the shirt down while working on it. Sigh! <br />
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You can see some bullseyes, and almost spiral and even a slightly too subtle heart in this group too.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.boxpleat.com/blogpics/embellish/independencetank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.boxpleat.com/blogpics/embellish/independencetank.jpg" /></a></div>Here is my first ever hot-fix rhinestone use! I have had this little motif forever and, since I am not much for sparkly, just never used it. I didn't get the straps on, but here is "Independence." I think the motif is actually supposed to be a snowflake, but I think it looks more like fireworks....besides I need to use some of this fun ribbon. My excuse for not having the straps on? Can't decide if I want it to be a super casual tie-neck halter, if it needs some fancy back and forth through loops or if I should just put sliders on plain straps so it will fit "everyone." Probably the latter but who knows. Someone actually wanting it would be enough motivation to get it done I think......hehehe<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.boxpleat.com/blogpics/embellish/othertops.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://www.boxpleat.com/blogpics/embellish/othertops.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>These are the other two I tried going for actual embellishment. I know that my "embellishing with color" is kind of cheating but since this group is for "motivation" I figured I had better take that motivation where I could find it! The purple ribbon tank has sliders on the straps...like you would see on a full sized tank with adjustable straps! <thank much!="" very="" you=""> Can you tell I am pleased with that? I also included a little sequin shaped like a flower under the beads but the pic isn't great. heheh <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.boxpleat.com/blogpics/embellish/trialscreen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="http://www.boxpleat.com/blogpics/embellish/trialscreen.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>These last pics are of my adventures with silk screen paint. I actually used stencils (as the prospect of making screens for tiny things is still daunting me.) The first pic includes my first and last trials of the evening in question. The SD (larger) t-shirt suffered a terrible accident, in that I was not as careful with my workspace and it got dripped on, and then I over ran the edge of the stencil. There was much cursing, let me assure you! According to the information on the paint itself, until it is heat-set it should wash out. I set the spider and should wash it to see what I get. The sleeve drips are smear-y because I just rinsed it a bit to see if there was an EASY fix. We shall see I suppose. <br />
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The small tank was my first realization that you could control the density of color. The first was too thick, so this little spider was done with a very dry brush and I love the misty look it has.<br />
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The last butterfly's only excuse is that I was tired and didn't secure my stencil carefully so it shifted. Poor thing. <br />
<a href="http://www.boxpleat.com/blogpics/embellish/mixedbutterflyltops.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="http://www.boxpleat.com/blogpics/embellish/mixedbutterflyltops.jpg" width="320" /></a>And THESE, which have been in the plan for almost as long as I have had the "shirts," are actually part of a greater plan. I have some great camo fabric...that is made of butterfly shapes. There is a GREAT clothing line in this fabric, and this is the beginning. Sadly, the rest of the line needs to find me some more motivation. Even the notebook I drew the sketches in is missing! Some day! hehehe <br />
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I custom mixed this color (I have all the "basics" but didn't really want it black or bright.) I mixed and mixed and then mixed some more and finally got a convincingly camouflaged color.....of course by then I had a huge bowl of paint. Using my new-found knowledge, I used paint density to get a surprisingly wide range of color for my little butterflies. I also tried to come up with some less conventional placements.<br />
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The stencils I used for all my projects are from <a href="http://www.dreamweaverstencils.com/stencils.html">"Dreamweaver Stencils"</a>. They are metal and very easy to use. She has some really great designs (and I was delighted to find this tiny butterfly which is almost the exact shape of the motif in the fabric in her collection.). In case you are wondering, I asked the designer if I could use her products in creating my work and she graciously said yes. Crafting Ethics can get complicated sometimes, but I have found people to be gracious each time I have asked for permission, and as such, I have no trouble in saying "You should go buy stuff from this great designer!"<br />
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So there are my adventures in embellishing for September! I have all the supplies for it, so if you want to try any of those things out, come on over! k.k.http://www.blogger.com/profile/18263491230656715050noreply@blogger.com1