If you haven't noticed already, I love bows. It's an obsession going on year two. Yikes. I like to make bows when I am not sure what else to make. I think they look super cute on the tops of little heads, on pillows, doubled up, and on blouses! This project is a simple way to finish a neckline and add a little femininity while you're at it! All you need for this project is a nearly completed blouse and some bias tape! You can make your own to match your blouse perfectly, or just use store bought. I made myself some brown bias tape to match ...Continue Reading
sewing101: facings
For this week's sewing 101, let's talk about facing. Facings are so easy to make and give your garment a professional finish, without a full lining. Of course you can face and line a garment, which makes it so nice and fancy on the inside. But facings on their own are more economical and great for keeping clothing lightweight. I use facings the most in necklines. There are lots of ways to finish garment necklines, but facings are my favorite, so nice and clean! You can also face the fronts of blouses or coats with button plackets, ...Continue Reading
big huge pink bow tutorial
I just loved the look of this oversized bow with the Neapolitan dress! As you might have guessed by now, I love oversized details. The bigger the better. It totally worked for the distressed birthday girl look that we were going for. What is fashion without drama? Nothing! So anyways, here's how to make this big bow...I originally made it to be the front feature of a dress. But the dress didn't work so I ripped it off and glued a hair clip to it. First, cut out your pieces, two rectangles and fuse interfacing to them. Then fold your ...Continue Reading
smashed ruffle collection PATTERN RELEASE!!
Finally...the smashed ruffle collection! These clutches, wristlets and totes are so fun to make! The finished products are so satisfying! I have been working on putting together a patterns for them for months now, and they are finally here! It's taken a lot of work, but I'm so excited to share these three patterns! Now we can all smash ruffles all day long! (please read the following in your best infomercial voice) You'll get the crushed ruffle tote, smashed ruffle wristlet and jumbo smashed ruffle clutch: The crushed ruffle tote has ...Continue Reading
The Polka Dot Color-Pop Industrialized Jumper.
What a name! I was working ahead throughout project run and play, so I had my final entry done before last week. Since I'm out I didn't get to enter it, but I still wanted to show you. The theme was signature style, which really meant no theme, so I made a jumper and a blouse with all of my favorite materials! Ruffles? Check Lace? Check Polka Dots? Check Vintage Buttons? Check Bows? Check Headband? Check Tiny little details? Check Topstitching? Check Upcycled Fabric? Check Pockets? Check! I was trying to think of something I could ...Continue Reading
date night double bow clip
I was invited to participate in 14 days of Love organized by Ashley at Cherished Bliss! It's 14 days of fun from some awesome bloggers! You can check it all out here. Anyways, I wanted to make something flirty and cute you can wear on your special Valentine's Date and also use all the time! If you've been around see kate sew for a while, you know I love bows! I wear them all the time and they are so easy to make.This tutorial is for a double bow clip! Fabric: You'll just need scraps for this project. I like to use cotton but have used specialty ...Continue Reading
out and back!
I got the boot from Project Run and Play this week, so I'm officially back! Back from sew-dresses-like-crazy land. I have been working ahead throughout the whole competition since the end of November, so I'm so glad it's over! I didn't realize how much time and emotional energy I'd been dedicating to this competition. Sheesh. But anyways, let's just talk about this week. This dress (the Neapolitan party dress) got me sent home with barely 6% of the vote. What the heck guys? This is the cutest thing I've ever made! It's okay, though. I supposed ...Continue Reading
chocolate-vanilla-strawberry
Perfect combo, right? I used neapolitan ice cream as my inspiration for the special occasion/party wear theme at Project Run and Play. Because what is a special occasion without ice cream?? Yep, not special. click here to go vote! I worked at an ice cream shop in high school. One of my coworkers once described vanilla as "the perfect flavor." But add some pinks and browns and mmmm...even better! Jagged layers of "melting flavors", topstitched together made the body. I hand-drew the pattern pieces to keep the layers organic and ...Continue Reading
how to screenprint on fabric
Silkscreening is a really fun medium! I used to screenprint a lot...mostly tshirts for my high school class and for friends in college. Usually in runs of 100+. And always after midnight for some reason. The very first things I ever sold in my etsy shop were screen printed owls. It's really fun and even more addicting! I think you'll like it, too. I recently screenprinted the lining of this coat for Project Run and Play and think it adds so much character! I love linings that are extra special, it's like your own little secret inside your ...Continue Reading
resewlution: sew through all my thrifted treasures
Jessica at Me Sew Crazy is having a sewing resolutions event= reSEWlutions! It's been really fun so far. One of my resolutions is to sew through the half-rack of thrifted blouses and dresses I've accumulated. For this event I turned a huge blouse into a fitted blouse. I promise I am happier about the result than the photo might imply. That's my husband-better-get-this-picture-right face.Go check out this tutorial at Me Sew Crazy today! ...Continue Reading
outerwear challenge: ruffled riding hood
It's outerwear week at Project Run and Play. Click here to go vote. I wrote lots of details in my entry over at pr+p. I mostly just want to show you more pictures in this post! This photoshoot was really fun. We just went in a little patch of trees and I handed Kaitlyn a basket of apples. She is such a little actress and acted out little red riding hood for me. She is adorable! I think the way she played really shows the fun swing of the coat. I focused on little details for this coat. It was really fun to make. I even dusted off my ...Continue Reading
