Heat set pleated fabric is one of my favorite things in high fashion. They can also be found in consumer fashion (chiffon pleated skirts are so IN right now!) and there is also tons of it at thrift stores! Heat set pleats are made by basically pressing fabric at high heat into pleats. It's pleated at such high heat that the pleats will stay unless heated to that temperature or above again. But it's so high not even your dryer can reach it. The pleats will stay pleated through washing, hot weather and humidity. Heat set pleats can be found all ...Continue Reading
pleat week guest: craftiness is not optional
Today's guest is Jess from Craftiness is not Optional! Jess is pretty awesome, she's best known for super cute dresses! Her girls are always decked out in handmade outfits. Their closets are probably overflowing. Jess hosts sew-a-longs frequently and also posts fun crafty tutorials like this necklace and these felt flowers. And she's super nice. And we're going to be real life friends soon!! Like, tomorrow!! ........... I feel like such a rebel! Posting about pleats during Ruffle-mania...lol! But when Kate asks for pleats-you give her ...Continue Reading
pleated bubble skirt
I love the look of bubble skirts, but this bubble skirt is a little different--with pleats on the bottom! Little inverted pleats dissipate upwards into a bubble of skirt with a gathered elastic waist. This skirt can be made in any size. I made it in a 6T but am thinking about making one for myself, too! Pattern pieces: YOKE: strip (waist measurement X 2.4) by 8"(ex. waist: 25 so strip is 60 inch long by 8" wide)SKIRT BODY: yoke length by desired length(ex. 12" long for size 5T/6T)ELASTIC: 1" elastic a few inches shorter than waist ...Continue Reading
pleat week guest: kiki creates
Today's guest is Kiki from kiki creates. Kiki's blog is full of free printables, cute crafts and sewing projects! She also has fun contributing posts about things like exercise and liquid eyeliner (I loved that post!). She is currently participating in Project Run and Play and made the most adorable fox dress last week! Everything Kiki touches is so pretty and she always uses great color! ..........While strolling through Target one day clearance shopping (yes, I hit up all the clearance aisles too often!), I saw this cute little clock and ...Continue Reading
pleated strip quilt
This is a great way to use up lots of scraps! And is also a perfect beginner sewing project. This might be the easiest quilt I've ever made. (I've made like 4 quilts...so take that for what it's worth!)You need: Strips of fabric (27): 45" by 2.5" Pleated strips (4): 2.5" by 135" (or 3- 45" strips sewn together) Here's the pattern I used. My finished quilt is 57" by 44". Start sewing your strips together. If your strip isn't long enough, sew two together. After every 5 strips, we'll add a pleated one. To do this, use one of your ...Continue Reading
alice in rucheland
I'm not sure where I came up with this idea, but I couldn't stop thinking about it until I made it. I spent one whole afternoon designing and creating this dress! When it was finished I couldn't help but think it sorta looks alice in wonderland, maybe like an interpretation of the caterpillar or something! Anyways, isn't the ruching awesome!? I gathered the front of the dress before cutting out the pattern piece, essentially making one huge RUFFLE! Then I pinned everything in place and assembled the dress normally. To make this dress, you ...Continue Reading
ruffles 2012 guest: simple simon and co.
Today's guest is Elizabeth from the Simple Simon & Co team! Simple Simon & Co. is full of pretty things and lots of dresses! These girls rock at whipping up cute stuff to share each week, like the starboard skirt or the Audrey Cape. They totally won Project Run & Play Season Two and now they host the competition. One thing that we love over at Simple Simon and Co is taking simple, vintage, classic children's clothing and adding a touch of a modern to them. And luckily, today's project is no exception. It's a simple A-line vintage jumper ...Continue Reading
ruffle 101: 7 ways to make a ruffle
7 ways to make a ruffle: 1. Basic fold-over ruffle: Fold over strip and gather the top. 2. Basic hemmed ruffle: Hem the bottom by folding over 1/4" twice. Press and stitch. Gather the top. 3. Serged ruffle: Serge the bottom edge, gather the top edge. 4. Tube ruffle: Create a tube by folding a strip in half, sewing and turning it right side out. Gather in the middle of the strip. 5. Two-tone ruffle technique: sew two different color strips together, press the seam open and fold wrong sides together. Press again and gather the top. 6. Bias ...Continue Reading
ruffles 2012 guest: sweet verbena
Today's guest is Katy from Sweet Verbena! Katy is a college student and amazing crafter! You might know her from her super popular watermark tee tutorial. She also shares awesome sewing projects like this bag or these yoga pants. Katy's style is so inventive, I just love seeing what she comes up with next! ............. Hi there! I'm really excited to be posting here at See Kate Sew. I'm a long time follower of Kate. In fact, her blog is a big reason that I got into blogging myself! I love Kate's fresh style with that little hint of ...Continue Reading
thrilled and frilled headband tutorial
Last year in my ruffle series closing post, I posted this tutorial for a triple ruffle headband. I used the same exact method to make this headband except with a stretchy knit fabric and ruffle elastic. I love the way this lightweight knit fabric ruffles differently than basic cotton, the ruffles go everywhere!Materials: 1/4 yard knit fabric ruffle elastic 1. Stack 3 layers of fabric on top of each other. They should be the same length (about 20") but varying widths (3", 2", 1.5") 2. Gather them in the middle all at the same time with a ...Continue Reading
ruffles 2012 guest: a lemon squeezy home
Today's guest is Christie from A Lemon Squeezy Home! If her blog's title isn't enticing enough, it's also packed full of pretty sewing projects, fun kid projects + activities and series like Purse Week and Belt Week! I really love this belt and this recent easy peasy shirt tutorial. ........... I’m kind of in love with bike baskets. I love how they are so convenient and practical, but can be totally cute at the same time. I’ve made a couple bike baskets in the past, but this time I wanted to keep it really simple—a project that can easily be ...Continue Reading
