Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Pillow Case Dresses...

There are some who are interested, and I will personally teach (I taught two yesterday...) how to make a darling Pillow Case Dress. But here are the instructions for those who like to self-teach.
I am not taking credit for this much loved, often used pattern/idea, just sharing the tips I found useful...
Supplies:
45 inch wide fabric; the yardage depends on how long you want it to be. I suggest measuring the intended wearer, from shoulder to where you want it to fall, and add 2 inches (or more if you want to lengthen later, or plan on doing a wide hem) . Make sure that your print will look good the way it will be cut off the bolt. You don't want a print with a cute scalloped edge cut incorrectly, so the scallop ends up on the side of your dress, or vertical stripes end up horizontal stripes... in that case, you would want a yard and a third. Peyton's dress I cut at 16 inches.
thread to match your fabric
trim(s), 1 1/3 yards (trim is always optional :)...)
ribbon, I would suggest at least 2 yards
bias tape, at least 1/2 inch wide, but I prefer to make my own, it's easier to work with
Or you can use a pillow case, cutting off the top, sealed edge... and you can skip to step 4.

Tools:
sewing machine
iron
scissors (a rotary cutter and mat are very helpful too.)
straight pins
device with which to measure...

Ready?
Here goes!

Step 1: Cut the selvage off the side of your fabric. Measure and cut your fabric to fit you darling girl. Do an overcast stitch along all four sides of your fabric. You don't have to do this step, but I prefer to, as I am a perfectionist, and Grandma would do it that way... I also hate it when a project unravels when it is washed because the raw edges are exposed... I wished I would have done an overcast stitch on Lynn's Halloween costume...
Step 2: If you are attaching trim, as in a ruffle, pin it and sew it now. If you are hemming it, pin it and sew it now. If you are attaching any other kind of trim, pin it and sew it now. Trust me. I learned the hard way...
Sew it...
Step 3: After you have sewed and hemmed, sew the sides, which ever two sides that don't have trim or aren't hemmed, right sides together. I use my presser foot as my classic guide, I don't really measure seams... I just used the edge of my presser foot.
While it is still inside out, press open the seam that you just sewed.
Step 4: Turn the dress-to-be right side out, make sure that the seam you just pressed, is in the center and back. Cut a "J" shaped arm hole (should measure 5 inches, from top of "J" to the bottom) on the folds of the fabric, this should make a "U" shaped cut piece. I like to save these, sometimes I use them to make pockets :). Overcast stitch on those fresh cut areas, if you'd like.
Step 5: Now is the time to make bias tape, if you wish or to attach your pre-made bias tape.
I like to make mine by cutting a strip of fabric 12 inches (for this project) by 2 inches. I press it, not quite in half, so there is just a little lip on one side.
Step 6: Pin the right side of the bias tape to the wrong side of the arm hole. This picture shows double fold bias tape, that works too. That kind just sandwiches the fabric between the two folds of the bias tape. If using double fold, you need not follow the next step.
Step 7: Flip the bias tape over to the right side of the fabric, press and pin..
Step 8: Sew with a straight stitch, to attach the bias tape to the top side of your fabric. You want to sew as close to the edge as you can.
Step 9: At the top of the dress, fold down a quarter of an inch, and press.
Turn down an additional inch, press and pin.
Step 10: Straight stitch again, as close to the edge so you catch both folds, all along to make a pocket for your ties. (Repeat for the other side.)
Step 11: Cut your ribbon, and seal the edges so it won't fray... cut it so it extends about six inches past the top of each arm.Step 12: I like to use Grandma's crow hook, but you can use what ever works best for you, to feed your ribbon through the little sleeves. Make sure they are pulled evenly so there is equal amounts of ribbon on both sides.
Step 13: Tack your ribbon ties, and both layers of fabric with a quick "x" stitch. Tie it in a square knot. This helps so your ribbons won't come out in the wash, and when you ties it on you cutie, one side's bow won't be obviously larger than the other side's...
Let me know if you have any questions or need any help!

Sunday, November 9, 2008

And the winner is...

Julie!
Thanks to random.org, my new favorite place to go when I need some random pickin' done...
I'll get it to you soon!
Thanks for all of your "soupy" comments, it happens to be my favorite too, especially with a warm roll or yummy bread...
Keep watching! A new give away will come again soon.. you know I love them!

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Pillowcase Dress...

Got a bigger pillowcase dress done for Peyton... the last one was more like a shirt.
I also took pictures of the process... just in case. I'll post them later with directions. I have a few key details that I NEED to remember! I made her a new bow to match too...
Love sewing...
We sluffed our Stake meeting tonight for a wedding reception. We probably could have made both if the city of Perry believed in well placed and well lit street signs... it took us a lot longer than planned to get there.
We stopped by the Harrisville Wal-Mart on the way home, and look what I found...
Aaahhhhh! (Angelic/Heavenly sounds accompany this..)
So I don't end up in the same predicament, I bought two... just in case.

Raggy Blankets...

I finally got these done...
I so want to keep one!
The most daunting part of it all: snipping all of those edges... so I did it while Merrill and I caught up on Shield episodes... yeah, I know...

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Advent Calendar...

Here's the supply list for those who are interested...
A BIG thanks to the cute lady who thought this one up and posted it on Making Memories Blog last year...

Supplies:
11x17 cookie sheet (other sizes work well too..), the shinier the better, make sure it's not teflon coated, or test a magnet on it
2 12x12 scrapbook papers, pattern is fun!
coordinating papers for your lettering and number 25
calendar grid (I can e-mail this to you... just leave your e-mail address.)
rick-rack or other trim to cover paper seams (about 24 inches)
a 15 inch piece of wire, or you can use ribbon for the hanger part
25 magnets
25 pieces to mark your days
E-3600 craft glue is my fav, but your fav will work too
Fabric Tac glue, a small bottle will be enough
Automotive primer (with the, gray lid, will say automotive primer in white...)
Spray paint, I like satin finish the best

Other helpful supplies:
Punches
Ribbon
rub-ons

Tools:
Drill (to drill holes in your cookie sheet for the hanger)
paper trimmer
scissors
corner rounder, or just use scissors
wire cutters
Sizzix or Cricut (You can also use your home computer to print off text, mirrored so it's backwards, onto the wrong side of your paper, and cut it out by hand, or use stickers or rub-ons for your text...)
sandpaper

Directions:
*Drill your cookie sheet before you do anything!* If you paint it before you drill, it will chip the paint. After holes are drilled, paint it, bottom, or back, side first, with the primer. Get at least two good coats on it, letting it dry well between coats. Turn it over and get a good coat of primer all over, the second coat need only be on the edges, the center will be covered with paper, but needs some primer to help adhere the paper. (I did have a couple of friends who just left it silver, didn't prime or paint, and it still worked out just as well.) Paint it with your choice of spray paint. Follow the same order as priming, bottom or back of cookie sheet, then top.
After it's all dry, you can choose to sand the edges if that's the look you want, or you can leave it.
Trim your papers to fit the bed of the cookie sheet. The top and bottom strips should measure 2 1/2 inches high. The center piece remains 12 inches. Glue down the top and bottom strips first, using the Fabric Tac. Glue down the center piece last to ensure it is centered. Cut rick-rack or ribbon to fit, and glue down, with the Fabric Tac to cover the seams of the papers.
Cut your letters, unless you are using another method.
With the Cricut, I cut "The Days of" in 1 inch height. I cut "Christmas" in 1 1/2 inch height and the number 25 in 2 inch height. Glue down your letters, number, and calendar grid. (I prefer using my Xyron for this, but the Fabric Tac would work well on this too.)
One of the last steps is to get your pieces together and get them numbered and magnets on them! I use the E3600 glue to attach the magnets. You can either go for a collected look (pictured above), where you pretty much raid your scrapbook supply or find trinkets on clearance, and use those as your daily markers. I did a more uniform look, punching out circles of my patterned papers after I printed my numbers on them, and then stuck on a page pebble to add dimension and protection. Feed your wire through the two holes on the cookie sheet, from the back, leaving tails on the front to wrap around the handle. Tie ribbon to the handle.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

It's the weather...

Whenever it starts to get cold like this, I hunker-down with a bunch of cozy projects...
I am almost done with Kimmy's pink hat... I am hunting down more of the knit-crosheen. You think it wouldn't be a hard find.. oh boy... I will be starting the green one soon.
I have 3 rag blankets... 2 to cut the edges on still. All little boy ones :( I want to save one, put it with all the cute little boy clothes I still have in the cedar chest.. waiting... Mer said that was crazy. I'll have to post pics when they are done, raggy and cute!
I also made a new wreath:(I so want to paint my door BLACK...)
And just cause I liked the text, a give away:
Leave a comment.. favorite thing to have for supper in the fall.. I'll draw a winner at random by the end of the week!

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Making...

Because I was sick of many things...
My old kitchen curtain wasn't wide enough for my window...This one is! I still need to get a tougher rod.
I used to have those 3M hooks on the back of the girls' door to hold dress-ups.. do you think those 7 hooks could hold it all?
So I made this glorified diaper stacker... added some lettering to the door, and it's good enough for our highnesses.
And my sewing machine is probably sick of me!
But here's a yummy dinner I made.