Ruffles rock. (just like you.) This is a long post about lots of ways to gather ruffles for different effects. It's not difficult but there are a lot of variables. Because sometimes you need your ruffles just so.The real word for this technique is gathering. But you knew that. So let's gather some fabric and make some ruffles!rows of bastingThe fastest way to make a ruffle is to gather one side of the fabric by stitching 1 line of baste stitches and pulling the threads. It works but try it with 2 and 3 lines of stitching, 1/4" apart, and you ...Continue Reading
ruffled up comforter cover
a cloud of ruffles If you are wondering where the ruffles in my new header came from, it's my luscious new duvet cover!I've been wanting to make a ruffly duvet cover for a while. I may have based this whole event around motivation for me to actually do it. I've had the fabric for months! You can find similar things at urban or anthro, for a price. But...after making it, I say those prices are pretty fair. We're going for an all-white color scheme in the master bedroom. Because I think all white is gorgeous and there is no better place for it ...Continue Reading
little man diaper clutch reveal
Week 2 at So You Think You're Crafty was the thrift store theme. This is what I came up with: A new mom with a pooping baby. Nothing is more exciting. And challenging. This little diaper clutch is designed to make diaper changes easier. It holds diapers and wipes and there is even room for a little extra. Diapers. Check. Wipes. Check. Baggies for dirty diapers? Room for that too. Burp cloth. Check. The top zipper makes everything easily accessible, you can see it all! You can even use it for cloth diapered bums. Large enough for the ...Continue Reading
sewing 101: guidelines for interfacing
One of my lovely readers, Susan, sent in a question about interfacing. So I thought I'd answer it in todays BONUS Sewing 101. I wanted to squeeze this in before the ruffle event on Monday!(Do you have a question? Leave a comment! I don't know everything, but I'll tell you what I know!)How do you choose an interfacing?Do you ever walk into the fabric store with a pattern in hand. You are so excited to pick out fabric and then you reach the interfacing isle. A sea of white. What's the difference? Fusible? What?Well I'm sure we've all been there. ...Continue Reading
do you like ruffles? + Anthro shower curtain
is like an understatement?Well, good. Because starting in ONE WEEK we're going to revel in ruffles. Ruffles rock, so we're going to rock them. For 3 weeks. With 10 guests. 3 giveaways. Ruffles. Ruffles. Ruffles.Ruffles up to your ruffle sleeve elbows. Be prepared to be: As a little teaser to our 3 weeks full of ruffle madness, have a look at my $5 Anthropologie inspired ruffle shower curtain. This was my project for the Dollar Store craft over at So You Think You're Crafty. Week two is going on now and you can GO VOTE for a thrift store ...Continue Reading
your questions about the clothing labels
Thank you so much for your sweet responses to the clothing label post!I had lots of questions about the labels so I thought I would answer them all in a post so everyone can see the responses.How long does it take to cut and iron 300 labels?I just cut and iron them in small batches when I need more. I actually got over 320 labels in a 1 yard print. I don't have the patience to do it all at once! (So the answer to this question is probably a long time!)Why do you sew them before you sew them onto a product? I have sewn these labels on things in ...Continue Reading
300 clothing labels for $20
clothing labels for the masses tutorial My most frequently asked question is about my clothing labels. Where did you get them? Did you make them? I did make them. And it was really easy. And the price was right. You can't beat $20 for this many quality clothing labels and that's a fact! I've also made lots of promises that I was going to tell you my secret and make a tutorial. It's only taken a few months :) So here it is. If you are looking to brand your product to sell, or just for fun, this is a great way to start out at a low ...Continue Reading
basic zipper pouch tutorial
let's make some zipper pouches! This is a lined basic zipper pouch tutorial that is great for beginners! They are great for everything! let's start: To begin you need four pieces each measuring 6.5" tall by 8" wide. A front, back and two lining pieces. If you're going to add a label, do that first. And you need a zipper, about 8" long. Lay your zipper face down on the front piece. Sandwich it in with the lining piece. Your front piece and lining piece will be right sides together. Pin it up. Stitch at 1/4" with a ...Continue Reading
sew sew zipper pouch
sew sew zipper pouches Basic zipper pouches with hand printed vintage sewing machine silhouettes all over. "Old-time sewers," as my husband would say, somehow make everything suddenly charming. I think one of the reasons that zipper pouches are so endearing is that they are good for anything. Everything. Buttons. Lace bows. More zippers. (Does that zipper pouch look hungry for some reason?)What do you do with zipper pouches? These are in my shop. I'll be posting a tutorial later today so you can make a bazillion ...Continue Reading
how to shorten a zipper
how to shorten a zipper I have so many zippers I don't know what to do. And most of them are pretty long, which is great! But zipper pouches call for shorter zippers so this is how you shorten them. First, decide how long you want your zipper. Then go 3/4" down from that and that is your sewing point. Make a new zipper stop by whipstitching across the zipper teeth a few times. A whipstitch is just a swoop all the way around. Now you have a new zipper stop, replacing the metal one that comes on the zipper. Cut off the excess and you're ...Continue Reading
who loves grape soda?
and ruffly dresses. Are you sick of ruffles yet? I'm not either. Here's my post from the audition of So You Think You're Crafty. (Tutorials at the bottom!) ............ I had a little sewer's block this week. So I went back to the sketchbook and drew up a dress. A faux placket lined with ruffles. Sleeves that tie in a bow. Four vintage buttons lined down the front. A bottom ruffle poking out beneath a black umbrella on a rainy day. A button closure in back. It was all of those things causing sewer's block that became this ...Continue Reading
