Monday, November 29, 2010

Hemming Tip

Here's a quick tip to help you out when you are hemming a dress that needs to have the netting cut.  Use a good chip clip to hold up the layers you're not cutting!  Works like a charm!

Monday, November 22, 2010

Cute as a Button Reversible Skirt

Pictures by Amy Armstrong
Here are three of the cutest little models you will ever see wearing a reversible skirt with ribbon and button embellishment.  

















Pictures by Chelsea Armstrong



Here's how to make the skirts:

1)  You will need two measurements.  A waist measurement and a finished skirt measurement.

2)  Cut four pieces of fabric (I used three different fabrics for each skirt).

    Length:  1 3/4 - 2 times the waist measurement plus 1 inch (obviously the longer you make it the fuller the skirt will be.
   Width:  The finished length divided by 3 plus 1 inch.

*Note:  All 4 pieces will be the same size


3)  Fold the band fabrics in half with right sides together and them insert the top part of the skirt in between.  You will be stitching three edges together.


I kind of roll up the top portion of the skirt and make sure that the top edge is out of the way

4)  Pin and stitch the three layers together.  All seams are 1/2".


5)  Turn right side out


6)  Press.  It should now look like the picture below.



 7)  Now add ribbon and button trim.  I did some above and some below the seam.  I used two types of ribbon and various buttons making each side of the skirt different.







I used a Chenille needle to thread the ribbon through the buttons

I stitched through the large buttons just to make them more secure


8)  Put the two pieces right sides together and stitch along the long unbanded edge.



9)  Press the seam open.


10) Now pin the last unfinished edges wrong sides together  (  I did a french seam so that there would be no unfinished edges--feel free to sew and regular seam and serge it if you'd rather)  Stitch a 1/4" seam.

11)  Trim the seam close to the stitching and press.  Now turn right sides in and stitch another 1/4" seam. Press.




12)  Fold in half and press well.  Pin the top waist together.



13)  Stitch 7/8" from the fold.  Leave an inch opening.




14)  Cut elastic waist measurement plus 1 inch.  An thread it through the casing




15)  Overlap the elastic ends and stitch together.  Finish the skirt off by stitching the casing closed.



All done!!
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Thursday, November 11, 2010

Birthday Dress

I love corduroy and polka dots.  Here they are together in a cute jumper!  I used Butterick # 4842 and added this flower with a button instead of knots for the center.





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Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Little Girl's Purse

Here's a cute little purse I designed for our Anna.  She is having a birthday next week! It matches her dress which I will post another day.

I need to make a couple of changes to the pattern (I think the strap should be just a bit more narrow) and then it will be available if anyone wants it.

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Monday, November 1, 2010

There's no place like home!

How can you live in Kansas and not be a character from the Wizard of Oz?!  Here's the costume for the cutest little Dorothy I ever saw!

I thought I would have to design this costume, but was thrilled to find Simplicity Pattern # 4024.    I made two changes 1) I left off the bias trim on the skirt (I mean really--IT'S A COSTUME!)  and (2  I extended the zipper up through the collar instead of using hooks--do you really want a hook and eye on a toddler dress?