Let's talk about awkward necklines today. The ones that are sorta low but not too low. I have this dress that is not quite too low, but it just hits a weird part of my back and is just uncomfortable in the front. It is uncomfortable to wear alone, but I love the dress too much to wear a cardigan over it. So I fixed the awkward square neckline with a ruffle. It's an easy fix and adds a little punch. Done! Now enjoy your new comfortable dress! Don't I look so happy? ...Continue Reading
ruffles 2012 guest: maybe matilda
Today's guest is Rachel from Maybe Matilda! She had a super cute crochet booth at the queen bee market this weekend and I even saw her in real life! Rachel is even cuter in person. On her blog, she likes to refashion old clothes into cute accessories, try her headbands on her little boy, and make skirts. Today she has a cute ruffle project that anyone can do! ........... Hi there, ruffle-lovers! I'm Rachel from Maybe Matilda, and my contribution of ruffled fun comes in the form of a pretty little duvet cover for my bed. Our bed has undergone a ...Continue Reading
where do you buy ruffle elastic?
I use this ruffle elastic all the time because it's so perfect for headbands! It's really stretchy and doesn't dig into your head! Oh and it's extra cute! I've had a few people ask where to get it, so here's your answer! Brown Ruffle Elastic I buy ruffle elastic on a roll from Hobby Lobby. It's sold in their ribbon section Elastic Lace Trim Another sources is fabric.com. They sell it by the yard. I ordered 10 yards of black but they sent yellow. So I emailed them and they sent me 10 yards of black. Love them. Here are a few projects ...Continue Reading
ruffles 2012 guest: sew sweetness
Today's guest is Sara from Sew Sweetness! Sara is a really fun blogger to follow, she is always using the most beautiful fabrics and putting together beautiful things. She's a pro-bag maker and sews up gorgeous quilt blocks. Sara also reviews patterns all the time. And you have to check out this underwater stripes bag! .................. I am so happy to be guest posting for Ruffles 2012! I followed along last year, and the projects were definitely amazing, so I am honored to be a part of the festivities this year! Thank you to Kate for ...Continue Reading
lace dress with ruffle collar pattern + tutorial
I'm totally obsessing over this collar! It turned out just as planned on the first time, which doesn't happen too often! I think this kind of collar is great for costumes, but if it's not overdone can be nice for an everyday piece. The collar really inspired this whole dress. I'll show you how to make the whole dress. I am providing the pattern pieces I drafted for myself, so if you're about the same size, like a Medium, you can use these pieces! If not, just adjust them bigger or smaller to your liking. 2 yards lace2 yards knit1 invisible ...Continue Reading
pinwheel pleated pillow tutorial
Yesterday I shared my pinwheel pleats dress that I made about 3 years ago. Today I'm sharing the technique to make circular pleated insets. You can do this on anything, I'll show you how to make it into retro pillow. You'll need two colors or prints of fabric. I used a vintage sheet and a solid peach color for the backing and pleats. Cut out 16" squares. You'll need two of the front color and one for the back. Stack the two layers right sides together.Using a big bowl, trace a circle smack dab in the middle of both pieces of fabric. Pin ...Continue Reading
pleat week guest: running with scissors
Today's guest is Jess from Running with Scissors! Jess was one of the competitor's during my Project Run and Play Season. She has some serious skills, did you see the baby TOMS she made? Jess also has a pattern shop and just released a cute Euro boy swim suit pattern with James Bond Variation! She also sews for herself a lot, which is so inspiring! .............. I'm excited to join the Ruffles 2012 with a pleat idea! When Kate invited me to participate I immediately wanted to be in on the pleat week! I love ...Continue Reading
pinwheel pleats dress
Before I blogged, I made this knockoff dress. I saw the original on etsy for about $300 and thought it would be fun to try and tackle the project. I'd just taken a patternmaking class and was pretty confident. So I did it! (worn with the short dress fixer slip) inspiration (no longer for sale) The hardest part was figuring out how to do the circular pleated insets. I'll show you how to do it tomorrow! Thanks for checking out my very first knock-off! ...Continue Reading
pleat week guest: my sparkle
Today's guest is Danielle from my sparkle! You might remember her from when she made the every color in the box dress. I love Danielle's consistently beautiful and clean style! Her other entries for the competition inspired me, especially this boy's week entry. She also shares cute crafts on her blog like this felt ball garland. ............ I wish I could say I thought of this technique on my own, but I got the idea from a shower curtain I have that is all white, and has this same mock-smocking design. I thought it would be interesting ...Continue Reading
fabric spotlight: heat set pleated chiffon
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
