Monday, June 28, 2010

Tip: sealing the ends of ribbon

When you use ribbon in a hair bow or on a dress it is a good idea to seal the ends.  This keeps the ribbon from fraying and helps it look great.  Here's how:  Cut the ends of the ribbon (straight or diagonally), move the end quickly across the side of  a flame (try using a candle the first time so you don't have to hold the lighter and the ribbon).  You don't need to put the ribbon right in the flame.  You will be able to tell when you're close enough because you will see the ribbon end melting just a bit.

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Blessing Gown is Finished!

I've been trying to finish all the projects that are half finished before vacation and am almost done.  Here are pictures of Macy's blessing gown.   I used Simplicity pattern # 3710 ( I know I said I didn't like Simplicity --it's very strange that the last two patterns have been Simplicity!)

I changed the smocking and a few minor details.  I never did get the smocking dots from Elegant Stitches    but did hear from them today and they are on the way.
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Another Baby Quilt

I had fabric leftover from the last baby quilt and needed a gift for a customer's daughter so here it is.  I machine quilted the last two quilts with a looping design it was pretty easy and kind of fun!

Monday, June 7, 2010

TIP: Making a bow


If you ever need a big bow for a wedding or formal dress here's an easy way to do it.


Decide how big you want the bow to be and cut a rectangle twice as long and twice as wide plus 1" for seam allowances.




You will need to add something to give the bow some shape.  I like to use netting because it gives the bow nice shape without adding a lot of weight.  Cut the net the same size as the fabric.  Baste together.




Fold in half lengthwise and stitch together using a 1/2" seam allowance





Press seam open



Turn right side out and center seam on back.  Now stitch ends together.




 Press seam open and center on the inside of the circle.  It should look like the picture above.






By hand, sew a running stitch down the center of the bow, gather, and secure.





  
To make the tie ends, decide the length and width you would like and cut a strip twice as long and wide plus 1".  You may want to angle the ends.  







Stitch together, turn and press.




Wrap middle (or slightly off middle for different length ties) around the center of the bow and hand stitch together.






The girl I made this bow for wanted it to be removable so I sewed snaps in three places




I realized after I took the picture that it needs a good steaming, but you get the idea!