Tuesday, December 30, 2014

DIY Luggage Tags - Easiest EVER!!

I scoured the internet in search of luggage tags I could make for my DD for Christmas.  There are plenty out there, but they all seemed to be so complicated to make.  How hard can it be really??  Then I came across this tute and loved, loved, loved them!  Super easy and very quick to make.

I had an interior decorator give me about 30 old books of discontinued fabric years ago, and they were perfect for this project.  I had them monogrammed since I have yet to find an EM that I like.  But I digress.....

The front has a pocket just big enough for a business card to slide right in or a printed address card.


She used a specialty stitch on her binding across the plastic, but I chose just to use the coordinating fabric.  I was able to get 9 of these out of these 4 small fabric pieces and still have another 4 I have yet to stitch up.  I had the plastic in my stash.  I just needed the ribbon.  So these were about $10 total for the monogram and ribbon. Not bad at all!

They make perfect gifts!  I gave some to Robbie's teacher this year for Christmas too.

Now my DD can use her black luggage when she travels and still be able to see it clearly on the luggage conveyor at the airport.  She loved them!

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and pray for health, joy and happiness in the New Year.

Angela

Monday, December 29, 2014

Simplicity 1605

I've made this pattern before a number of times, but I don't think I ever reviewed it.  At least I can't find it. LOL

But this pattern isn't just for boys!  I made these for a 10 year old girl from our Angel Tree at the local YMCA.  I found this really cute flannel fabric from Joann's and even found the coordinating chevron flannel for the ruffles.  One leg looks longer than the other in the photo, but I measured it later, and it's perfect.  It must be the way it's hanging on the hanger.


I also made a pair for a boy for the angel tree.


And of course, I had to make a pair for Robbie.


I am super happy with my plaid matching on this pair.  A closer look at the side seam.

I always seem to struggle with plaid matching but practice really does help.

And now for the pattern review:

Pattern Description:  Simplicity 1605. I made view C.

Pattern Sizing: Boys S/M/L and Men's S-XL.  I made boys size M in all 3

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes


Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, very clear instructions.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I like the ease.  And the time was less than an hour!


Fabric Used: 100% cotton on the baseball and flannel on the other 2.


Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: None.


Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes, I absolutely would sew it again. And I definitely recommend it to others.


Conclusion: This is my go to pattern for jammy pants.  Very easy for a beginner.


Thanks for stopping by my little world.  Feel free to ask any questions.

Angela

Friday, December 26, 2014

McCalls 4060 - ladies' boxers



I have been wanting to make boxers for my dd, Britt.  I probably should wait to post this, because she'll probably see this before Christmas. Oops!  Anyway, I tried the first choice boxers, but they don't fit girls as well as boys.  I found this pattern on e-bay from one of my favorite sellers and bought it.



I thought about doing a lace insertion on the front but didn't have the right type of lace and needed to get these finished.  I opted for a monogram instead.  I sent this out since I don't have an EM. :(




I wanted a back pocket but wanted it girly.  I had some 4" lace on hand, so I decided to make a pocket with it.  It was super thin, so I lined it first with satin batiste but lined it just under the eyelet.  I used a rolled hem on the sides, then used a straight stitch to sew it to the boxers.

Love this pattern and will definitely use it again.

Pattern Review:


Pattern Description:   McCalls 4060 Misses classic pants and shorts.  I made view D. 

Pattern Sizing: XS - Med - I cut a small.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?Yes


Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, very clear instructions.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? It was super easy and great for beginners.  These sit higher on the waist.  The fold over is about 2" for the elastic.  I folded it twice for a total of 4".  My dd likes them to sit lower.


Fabric Used: 100% cotton - Moda dot

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I folded over the top twice but will just cut off 2" next time.


Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes, I absolutely would sew it again. And I definitely recommend it to others. 


Conclusion: This pattern was super easy and quick.  From start to finish, they were finished in about 90 minutes.  That includes preparing the pattern, tracing it onto tracing paper and cutting out, and sew time.


Feel free to email any questions.

Thanks for stopping by.
Angela

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Kid's First Choice Boxers

This is my all time favorite boxer pattern for boys!  It is so easy, and I've done them so much, I rarely need the instructions now.

I made these for my BIL's grandson.  He is 3 I believe, so I made the size 4 but shortened the elastic just a bit so they wouldn't fall off. :)  I wanted to make a matching shirt, but I ran out of time.


These were made for one of Robbie's best friends.  He plays soccer, so when I saw this fabric from Joann's, I thought it would be perfect.  I make him a pair every year, because he loves them.  And that's why I sew!!


It really makes a difference when you know what you make is appreciated and loved!

Thanks for stopping by my part of the world.  I have 6 more gifts to go, and time's a wastin'.  Wish me luck and say some prayers!

Angela

Monday, December 15, 2014

Tote Bag

I finished this tote bag last week for my FIL's fiance.  He was in the hospital recently, and she was there with him playing nurse maid.  She commented that a bag would have been very convenient in this circumstance, since she had a lot of things that she needed to be able to access quickly and easily.

I have made this bag before, and it is super easy and quick.  It came from the gook "Home Stuff" by Linda Lum DeBono.  This is a bag I did last year for my MIL with a matching crochet bag.

I added a luggage tag on the outside that she can take on and off if she chooses.  There are 3 large pockets across the front - the solid blue.  And I added one small pocket on top of the larger pockets just because I thought it needed something else.  The ribbons were added to hide the seams, because I didn't like them on this bag.  And I thought the added lace just made it girly.  And she is definitely a girly girl - and right up my alley!!

Here is the close up of the front.


This bag is very roomy.  I folded a king sized blanket and stuffed it down inside. There is plenty of room in there!!


Thanks for stopping by.  Hope you have a wonderful Monday!
Angela

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Adding ruffles to RTW jeans - Tutorial

BEFORE:

AFTER:


Big difference, huh?  I'll show you how I did this in about an hour.  Very simple.  I didn't choose these fabrics.  My friend, Cheryl, did.  She had a shirt embroidered for her dgd and wanted the jeans to match.

The belt was easy.  I cut a 4" strip the WOF.  Folded that in half, opened it back out and folded the edges in to meet the fold line.  Fold again and stitch down both long ends turning in the short ends and stitching those closed.

Now for the ruffles.  This is not rocket science, so no worries about getting these perfect.  We wanted the ruffle on the bottom slightly larger than the other two.  

Here are my pieces.  I cut the pink polka dot at 3.5" X WOF and the other two 3" X WOF.  2 strips of each, but I wound up only needing one.

I hemmed the long edges using a rolled hem on my sewing machine because my serger is in the shop.

I tried ruffling the pink and purple together, but it wasn't as full as I wanted. You can see the pink isn't as full.


So I took it apart and ruffled them separately.  I used my ruffler foot, but you can easily do this with a gathering stitch.  I ran it right on top of my stitch line of my hem.  We didn't want any length added to the jeans, so I only dropped the ruffle down 1/2" below the hem line of the jeans.  I pinned the ruffle in place.


When you get back to the first pin, overlap the ruffle by 1/4" and mark with a pin.

Take it off and to the machine and stitch a 1/4" seam at the pin mark. I pinned it here to show you.

I used my pinking blade to trim the seam.
And it should look like this now.

Pin this back to your jeans legs and use a basting stitch to attach.  **Note.  I put a piece of tape on my machine and lined up the hem line of the jeans to be sure the ruffle was stitched on straight.  If the ruffle 

And here it is stitched on.

Repeat the same procedure with your next ruffle. I aligned it on the same seam so the seams would be stacked.  I used a basting stitch again.
You can see them better here.
Now stitch it along the ruffled stitched line.  I still used my tape as a guide.
This is why I say no need to worry about exact measurements.  I have a smidge extra width on my purple ruffle.  See where my finger is poking through?  That's roughly 1/2" too much.
 To fix it, I simply pinched the excess.
 And folded it toward the seam (toward me).  Stitch right over it.
 It just blends right in.
 Now it's time for the last ruffle.  I ran my ruffle stitch line right down the middle of this last piece.  I wanted to be able to move it just above the first two ruffles to hide the seams.
 I used the same procedure for attaching this ruffle.  Line up the ruffle stitch line right on top of the previous stitch line.  Sew it on the ruffle stitch line (right down the middle of the top ruffle).
 Lift the ruffle edge just to be sure you are covering the other ruffles.  You also want to be sure to catch the other two ruffles on this stitch line since they were only basted.  This last stitch line will secure all of them.
 And now stand back and admire your new ruffles.
And I thought I'd give you a modeled picture.  Isn't she adorable??
Happy Birthday Emma!

Thanks for stopping by and feel free to ask any questions especially if I haven't made something clear.  

Angela