Back to quilting

Back to work on Ellie's quilt.  I got the instructions for this cute Liberated Wedding Ring Quilt here.  Hope to have it finished this week!

Just in the nick of time.

I finished Lucy's outfit just in time for her party today!  Here is a picture of the little denim vest

and skirt

and finally the complete outfit.

Can't wait to see her in her it it!

If anyone is interested in the pattern for  the vest or instructions for the skirt please let me know.  I will admit that I didn't particularly like grading patterns while I was in school and still don't so I'll probably just have a 12 month vest pattern available.

Lucy's Having a Birthday!!

We had a very nice trip to Oklahoma City.  Now it's time to get back to work.  Lucy turns one this week.  How is that possible?!!  Here's what I have done on her birthday dress:

I think I'd better get busy!  Fabric shopping on Monday.

If you use invisible zippers check out Sew True this weekend.  Click on the closeout/overstock tab.

French Bustle

It can be pretty expensive to have your wedding dress bustled, but it is actually pretty simple.  Here are the instructions for a French or under bustle:

1)   Pin the bustle.  This is actually the hardest part.  Take your time and try to pin on seams or embellishments.  This example had three pins.

2)  Mark the spots that were pinned together--I just use pins .

2)   Cut two 12" pieces of ribbon for each bustle.

TIP:  If you are doing more than two or three bustles you may want to use a different pastel color ribbon for each pair--it can get a little confusing!

TIP:  Grosgrain is a good choice because it doesn't slip like satin

3)  Turn end under about 1/2" and pin on underside.

4)   On right side, stitch in the seam to anchor securely.

This is how it will look from the lining side:

 If there is not a seam for every bustle, try stitching through an embellishment. 

7)   Now pair up the ribbons and tie in a bow  

Here's what this finished bustle looks like:

Another Flower Tutorial

Here's how to make the little bias strip flower on the pink dress:

1)   Cut a strip of fabric on the bias approximately 2 inches wide and 24" long.  This will be more than you need, but better to have too much than too little!

2)  Stitch slightly less than 1/4" from the fold.  Trim seam--Sorry some of my pictures are fuzzy!

TIP:  Make sure that when you start the seam it is much more than 1/4" so that it will be easier to turn.  See the picture below:

3) Turn and press

4)  Cut 1/8" ribbon the same length as the bias strip and put it on top .

5)  Measure in 1" and tack the two together.  Measure 3" and tack again.  Continue tacking at 3" intervals.

6)  Now you will make a loop bringing the first and second tacks together.

7)  Pin or sew and then continue for as many petals as you want.

8)  Finally cut off extra on both ends and stitch through entire flower center making sure to catch each petal.

9)  Finish off with a button.  Cute and simple!!

 

Ruffled Neckline

 

As promised, here are the instructions for making a ruffled neckline.

1)  Decide the width of your finished ruffle.  Add 5/8" and double that measurement.  Now cut a strip of fabric this width and 1 1/2 times the finished length.  I like to cut mine on the bias, but cross grain will also work well.

2)  Fold in half lengthwise  with right sides together and press.

3)  Finished short ends that will not be enclosed in a seam by turning right sides together and stitching a 1/4" seam.  Turn right side out and press again.

4)  Stitch two or three rows of gathering stitches along long unfinished edge and then pull up gathers to the length of the neck.   Pin.  Stitch.

5)   Cut a bias strip the length of your neckline plus a couple of inches and about 1 3/4" - 2"  wide.  You might want to experiment with the width.   Pin to neckline, stretching slightly around curves.  Stitch

5)  Trim seam to a scant 1/4" and clip is necessary.

6)  Fold binding over raw edge, fold seam allowance in and pin.

7)  Hand stitch in place.

**Note:  You can also bind the edge by folding the binding in half, like a quilt binding.

Here's a look at the finished neck:

Final Easter Dress and Flower

Here's Macy's little Easter dress.   Maybe if I start now I'll get next year's Easter dresses done on time!!
I used McCalls pattern # 6152 and added a ruffle at the neck and a little flower made from a bias strip of the same fabric and ribbon.  The Dress was made from a pink and white polyester shirting. The only problem with this pattern was that there wasn't adequate width at the bottom of the sleeve to allow for the hem to be turned up so if you make it, you will need to correct that.    I will post instructions on adding a ruffle and making the flower later today or tomorrow.

Variety is the spice of life!

Although I sometimes wish I were the kind of person who could start a project and then finish it before starting the next, that is just not me--never has been!  I sew surrounded by wonderful chaos.  At any given time I have the following projects going on:  First I have sewing for my business (which unfortunately takes priority and does get finished in a timely manner),  then I usually have a dress or two that I am making for myself (very low priority), next and very fun are the dresses for my granddaughters, and finally several quilts.  Here are the four quilts that I am currently working on.

This quilt is for Jay and Amy.  I love to have a hand quilting project to work on when I want to relax.

Baby boy quilt that just needs backing and machine quilting.

Baby girl quilt that I am paper piecing.  This is going together fast!

Another baby boy baseball quilt that I just started.  This will go together fast also.  It is going to be a simple rail fence.

Now I can't wait to start planning the next quilt!

2 Dresses done--1 to go

I can take zero credit for any design decision on this cute dress.  I knew that I wanted to make Simplicity pattern #2907 for one of my granddaughters.  I saw the pattern made up as a sample in this cute pink and green fabric and immediately thought of Anna.  The pattern is easy, quick and so, so cute!!