Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Pettiskirt by LouiesMama


I've never actually seen a pettiskirt in real life, so I just sort of guessed on the dimensions. Basically, the one I made is 2 layers, 3 tiers each (2" ruffle tier and two 6" tiers) with a ribbon waistband. I just cut 5 yards of tulle (I think it was 60" wide, but I'm not positive) into 6 inch and 2 inch strips with the rotary cutter. I then set the ruffler to ruffle to a factor of about 5, and ruffled the 2" strips onto 2 of the 6" strips. It was really time consuming because the edges of the two strips kept trying to stick together. Plus, the ruffler kept on jamming for some unknown reason (DH told me to go up and watch my own video ). I just kept ruffling and ruffling until it looked like the bottom tier would be full enough. Then I attached the bottom tiers to the top tiers, and the top tiers to the waistband.I used a really soft bridal tulle, but I'm really wishing I had gone with chiffon. The ends tend to stick and it just doesn't seem to hang right. Plus, it is too sheer at the top. It is for Louie's little friend Abbey (the cute redhead in the easy-fit and raglan eBooks), and I think it will be fine for photos and play, especially if she wears leggings with it .Anyway, it wasn't overly hard, just very time consuming (I probably have 4 or 5 hours into that one). If you are going to attempt one, make sure that you are very good friends with your ruffler attachment - LOL!

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Dolly Tights By LivNDisney

Ladies knee highs!!!!!Walmart sells 1 pair of ladies knee highs (in the little egg) for .39. 1 egg equals two pair of tights. Walmart usually has some really fun colors.Remove 1 knee high and turn it inside out. Smooth out the wrinkles. The top (open part) becomes the waist. Make a small mark in the middle of the stocking about 5 inches from the top of the waist. (This will be the "crotch")

Fold the stocking in half long ways. Make a mark 1/2 inch from the middle on either side of the middle. These are the feet.


Starting at the toe stitch up the leg from one mark to the top mark. Stitch from the top mark down the other leg. Cut up the middle between the two stitch lines. (Be careful not to cut the stitches or cut too close to the stitches) You can serge the inside seam but it is not necessary. Trim as needed and turn rightside out. (You can also "shorten" the legs of the tights by sewing across the toes)Once I had made a few pair of these, I moved on to using "trouser socks". They are a little more costly, but they tend to be "thicker" and a little more durable. They also have some neat patterns that look really cute as tights. Just remember to only use socks with no heel.




Friday, March 21, 2008

Jham's 30 Minute Skirt (including math time)


Here is my easiest ever skirt (30 minutes including math!), I'm sure some of you have made it before, it is not exactly genious. And here is the "recipe":Figure out how long you want it (in this case it was 20"), subtract 3" for the border strip, then add 1 3/4" for casing and seam allowances and cut that length the width of your fabric (45") so in this case I cut 18 3/4". I cut a strip of the border fabric 6 1/2"X 45", folded it in half, wrong sides together. I ironed it, then laid it on top of the right side of my big piece, raw edges lined up, then stiched a 1/4" seam allowance, serged my seam, turned serged edge up towards main body of skirt and topstitched it, then stitched the one side seam. I then serged the top edge of the fabric, or you can turn it under 1/4", then I turned it under about another 1 1/4 inch, then stitched around making a (1") casing, leaving an opening for my elastic, then threaded through some 3/4" elastic, sewed the ends together and stitiched my casing closed. Now I just need to make the peasant top to match! I like how it turned out! I only needed a tad over 1/2 yard of fabric for the skirt (could've made it with 1/2 yard) and 1/4 yard for the contrasting border.

Circle Wrap Skirt by 100AcrePrincess

Some very sweet person on here (I think it was jham, but I'm awful with names) gave me a run down on the directions & I ran from there. Basically, the skirt is 2 half circle skirts & 1 quarter circle sewn together (there are several patterns & instructions for circle skirts in Teresa's bookmarks). You finish 2 of the straight sides instead of joining them all together. Then you make the waist band really wide (I think mine was like 3 or 4 in wide when it was finished) & reall long (I used 2 45" lengths). I wrapped it around dd & marked where the end wrapped to on the waist band & made a button hole almost the same width as the waist band.

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Easy Beret Project

From Sew What's New

The beret is the perfect choice for those not quite ready for a big hat. Simple line and classic styling suit everyone. Any coating, fleece or velvet will be fine.
You will need 16" by at least 32" of fabric. Ribbing 4 1/2" by 18". Apleasing contrasting colour of ribbing looks better than a poor colourmatch. Neutrals can pull an outfit together.
1. Cut two large circles 13" in diameter, put one aside and cut a smaller 7" circle out of the centre of the second circle. Now you have one in a donut shape.
2. Place the two circles right sides together, sew around outside edge in 1/4" seam allowance.
3. Turn work right side out. Topstitch carefully around outer edge, this will keep the outer edge from having a rippled effect.
4. Cut ribbing 4 1/2" by 18". Stitch ends together, fold in half and sew to hat. Stretching ribbing evenly to fit. Embellish with your favourite pin and wear proudly. Machine embroidery could also come into play here.