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Some Great Sewing Tutorials / Tips

5/4/2015

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How to add perfect bias by The Haby Goddess
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​4 ways to sew a ruffle by I Heart Nap Time
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How to add piping or trim to a sleeve by Oliver & S
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How to finish seams without a serger by The Seasoned Homemaker
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Using the buttonhole attachment by see kate sew
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How to sew curves by Sew4Home
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KCW: Polar Bear, Polar Bear Vest

10/28/2014

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I used the FREE pattern by LIttle Kiwis (link HERE.)  This pattern is super easy and I really recommend it.
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In this final project for Kids Clothes Week, I made a little vest for Zoe based on the book Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?

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KCW: Snowy Day Hoodie Dress

10/26/2014

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The final day of Kid's Clothes Week!  Today I'm posting some warmer weather clothes, this hoodie dress and a snowy vest.   The hoodie vest is based on the colors of Jack Keat's Snowy Day book. 
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I used the VERY GOOD Boardwalk Hoodie and Henley pattern by PeekabooPatternShop.  Fabrics were a repurposed jersey dress and Riley Blake hot pink knit.  
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I love the hood!

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KCW: Puss in Boots Dress

10/26/2014

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Have you read any of Ayano Imai's books?  We have three that we love:  Puss in Boots: Chester; and Mr. Brown's Fantastic Hat.  I created this dress for Zoe based on the fabulous reds, oranges and browns in Puss in Boots.  I think it will be perfect for a Thanksgiving dress -- remember, we live in Texas and usually spend the winter holidays in short sleeves.  Are we blessed?
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This dress is based on my go-to pattern, Child's Summer Frock at the Burda website.  I shortened the bodice and lengthened the skirt, used pleats instead of gathers, and spliced a middle panel in the bodice. Fabrics are all repurposed, including two napkins from World Market!  

See more clothing based on storybooks for Kids Clothes Week here.

#kidsclothesweek
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KCW: Lots of Dots Dress

10/24/2014

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Oh, we're halfway through Kid's Clothes Week, and my eyes are about to cross!  But I am having so much fun participating in this sewing challenge. 

In keeping with the theme of clothes based on storybooks, I offer up this little dress based a book Zoe loves, Lots of Dots by Craig Frazier. 
I had put this stitch dot white skirt in my fabric stash a year ago, but had never been inspired to use it.  And in fact, I sat for at least a half hour at my table before getting up the nerve to cut it, thinking, "Well, what if I actually do slim down to a size 8 again?"  Finally I said a little prayer, made a committed snip and broke my paralysis. 
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I used The Sewing Rabbit's free pattern, The Jackie O Dress.  You can find it here.  I paired the white stitch dot skirt with Riley Blake's small red dots cotton, which you can find many places, including here.
I got to try making covered buttons for the first time, thanks to a little kit given to me by a friend.  I really like them!
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To see more clothes from Kid's Clothes Week Storybook Theme, click here.
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Izzy Play Dress Based on The Magic Flute with DIY Flute

10/24/2014

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This run and play dress was constructed from using two adult tops, a blouse from Ann Taylor and a t-shirt from Target. 
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"Zoe's Library" Kids Clothes Week Oct '14 Collection

10/22/2014

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As part of Kids Clothes Week (October 20-26) I will be making sewing 14 projects based on the books Zoe loves most.   
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Skater Dress
 Skater dress based on Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse

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Borboletas Fat Quarters Dress...Err...I Mean Tunic

10/21/2014

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For Kids Clothes Week, I knew I'd want to design something around one of Zoe's favorite books, Butterfly Eyes and Other Secrets of the Meadow by Joyce Sidman.  The illustrations are just gorgeous, and Zoe requests it just about every third night. 
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Alexander Skater Dress - Kids Clothes Week Oct '14

10/20/2014

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An active dress based on the book Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse by Leo Lionni. 

Concept drawing:
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Cherry Blossom Peplum Dress

8/3/2014

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Well, you know I made that public commitment about a week ago to not buy any more fabric or start any new projects until all my unfinished projects were completed.  Once you say something publicly....

I originally cut out the fabric for this dress 3 months ago, and I figured I had better finish it before Zoe outgrows a size 4.  I was originally intimidated by the zipper in back and the bias trim, but I'm starting to let go of perfectionism in favor of integrity.  :)

The fabric is from Jo-Anne's and I snagged the free pattern (LINK) from StraightGrain.  I used pleats instead of gathers.

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Kids's Clothes Week Challenge: Izzy Top  with Cashmere Felted Flower Pin

7/23/2014

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This is an easy pattern to make, and since my buttonhole foot is at the repair shop, I used a magnetic snap instead of a regular button.

Fabric: Lovingly worn sheet from Goodwill
Free pattern and tutorial by Climbing the Willow:  LINK
Cashmere felt flower pin made by me!  See my Pinterest board if you want some ideas
Magnetic snap via Amazon:  LINK
#kidsclothesweek
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July 15th, 2014

7/15/2014

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I was: a stained scarf and a Goodwill t-shirt
Now I am: a soft and comfy play dress

My go-to free pattern and tutorial (LINK) is on the Burdastyle website.  

This project was challenging, however, as I married a knit to a looser-weave scarf material, lots of expletives used during the learning process!  
  
#kidsclothesweek

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Summer Popcycle Dress:  1 Pillowcase, 45 Minutes, #kidsclothesweek

6/3/2014

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The dress comes from a free pattern and tutorial (LINK) on the Burdastyle website.
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#kidsclothesweek
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Eyelet A-Line Dress with an Oops! Fix

4/1/2014

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Had some sweet eyelet fabric left over from another dress, and decided to use it for Zoe's spring school picture dress.  I used the free A-line pattern (LINK) from the Climbing the Willow website, just adding a 1/2 inch seam allowance at the bottom of the bodice and the top of the dress bottom to put the eyelet and pink fabric together.

Unfortunately...when I tried the finished dress on Zoe, the dress neck was too small to fit over her head. Rats!  Here's the odds of how this happened:
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But I did fix it -- by cutting a slit in the back, finishing the raw edges with a small seam, and adding a button and small piece of elastic.  Yahoo!!!!

​And below is the finished dress.

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Little Owl Dress

3/5/2014

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I found a great tutorial and pattern for this wrap dress. Here's the link from the Anna Maria Horner website:

http://annamariahorner.blogspot.ca/2012/08/paper-fans.html?spref=fb  

Unfortunately, I made a mistake somewhere along the skirt directions. Oops! Good thing this beginner sewer always buys extra fabric! I made a simple lined skirt with a few pleats, and I think it came out okay. I also made a simple wool felt flower pin to wear as she chooses. 

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