DIY Hand Muffs

I've had this idea in my head for a while and finally got around to putting it to use. 
When I was a little girl I had the most wonderful faux fur hand muff. I loved it. Now that I can sew I figured I would make one for Cailey. 
The first one I made was the black and pink. I wanted it to match Cailey's Anna Cape. But I wasn't that thrilled with it. It seemed kind of blah. So I decided to see what would happen if I put a few different contrasts on one. LOVE IT!!! 
Both muffs are reversible but the blue one has a little extra something. ;)

Here's what I used -

Black and Pink Muff 
1 piece of black Minky Dot 13x15
1 piece of pink fleece 13x15
1 piece of pink lace 10"
2 black fabric flowers
Fabric Glue
Stuffing

Blue Muff
1 piece of blue bird flannel 13x15
1 piece of blue heart Minky Dot 13x15
2 pieces of blue ribbon 15"
Stuffing


STEP 1

Cut your pieces


STEP 2

Fold the pieces in half with right sides touching. Sew the top seam.


STEP 3

Now, slide the 2 pieces into each other with wrong sides together.
Fold in the ends of the black piece by 1".
Fold in the ends of the pink piece to match the black piece. 
The folds should touch each other. This will allow the muff to be reversible. None of the raw edges will be visible.
Pin and sew the end seam.


STEP 4

Stuff the muff! Leave some room at the open end so it will fit under the foot of your machine.
Fold the ends in like you did the first side.
Pin the lace in place.
Sew the end seam.
Shift the stuffing around until it's all even.
Glue the fabric flowers on with fabric glue!

ALL DONE!!!!! Wasn't that easy???

With the blue one, I sewed the ribbons on the flannel piece before I did any of the other steps.
Instead of turning the ends in toward each other, I folded the flannel over the ends of the Minky Dot to make a contrast on the edges. 


Let me know what you think!!
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!!!

HAVE FUN SEWING!!!

Little Birdie Nightgown Tutorial

It's been quite a while since I posted a clothing tutorial. I think it shows. I forgot to take a couple of pictures but hopefully I can explain well enough to make up for it.

I wanted to make Cailey and Colin new pajamas for the new homeschool year 'cause everyone knows homeschoolers only wear pajamas or denim jumpers. ;)

Today I'll post the tutorial for Cailey's nightgown and next Wednesday (at the latest) I'll post the tutorial for Colin's pajamas. 

WHAT I USED -

Just over 2 yards of flannel (for the skirt part)

Just under 1/2 yard of minky dot for the bodice (would also work well with fleece or a heavier knit)

The bodice is NOT lined. I added a neck facing and finished the arms with a zigzag stitch. I also did a zigzag stitch for the bottom of the nightgown instead of a traditional hem. I like the way it turned out and it was something different to do.

STEP 1 -

I took an older pattern that I made for Cailey and adjusted it for her growth. It's an easy thing to make using one of your child's shirts. Just trace around it on some blank paper. 

It's an empire waist, so keep that in mind.

STEP 2 -

Cut 2 bodice pieces.

STEP 3 -

Cut the bottom of the nightgown. I just cut 2 pieces for length. I wanted to work with the full width of 2 pieces. Remember, I left off a traditional hem so the length I cut was only 1/2" off of the finished piece.

STEP 4 - 

Cut the facing.

I folded a piece of the minky dot and used the neckline of one of the bodice pieces as my guide. You want to make it just a smidge smaller due to losing 1/4" when you sew the shoulders together. 

STEP 5 -

Right sides together, sew the shoulder seams. 

STEP 6 -

Right sides together, pin the facing to the neckline and sew all around the inside.

DO NOT PRESS MINKY DOT! You'll lose the dots! LOL

STEP 7 -

Fold the facing inside the bodice and pin. Top stitch all along the neckline. 

STEP 8 -

Run a gathering stitch across the tops of your skirt pieces. Leave them in 2 pieces. It's MUCH easier to attach gathers that way, or at least I think so! ;)

STEP 9 -

Right sides together, pin the tops of the skirt pieces to the bottom pieces of the bodice. Sew the seam.

Now, top stitch across the bottom of the bodice pieces or stitch in the ditch.

STEP 10 - 

Pin up the sides and sew the side seam. 

STEP 11 -

Run a small zigzag stitch across the bottom of the nightgown.

STEP 12 -

Run a small zigzag stitch across the arm holes.

If you are dealing with a small sized nightgown, you might want to do that before sewing the side seams. 

Technically you don't HAVE to finish minky dot, knit or fleece. None of them will unravel like wovens. BUT it can look nicer if you do. I go back and forth depending on the project. 

Now you're all done!!!

I'll be posting the tutorial for Colin's chevron knit pajamas soon! :D

Let me know what you think! If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask! 

HAVE FUN SEWING!!!!

DIY Taggie - Quick and Easy

I have 2 friends that have both had babies in the past 2 months. I wanted to make something for them but wasn't sure what. Then I remembered how much Colin LOOOVED his taggie that my cousin bought for him. Taggies would do!! 

They were so quick and easy to make. I think each one might have taken an hour from start to finish. Possibly a little longer, but then there are A LOT of interruptions around here! ;)

The size doesn't really matter but you want them to be small enough for a baby to hold and handle. They are NOT for covering but cuddling and playing.

WHAT I USED

Scraps of flannel in 2 different patterns/colors

2 different colors/styles of ribbon (you can use many more if you like)

First, I cut the flannel into rectangles. The squares on the mat are 1 sq inch to give you an idea of size. 

Then I cut the ribbons in 7" pieces. You really don't need them that long but the longer the are the more anchored they are. 

I used 11 pieces of one color and 10 pieces of the other. How many you use will depend on the size of the blanket. 

Next, fold the pieces of ribbon in half. With right sides together, insert the ribbon in between with the fold on the inside. I put mine in about 2". Pin it all in place.

Make sure to leave a space to turn the blanket right side out. 

Next, sew it all together. You can use any stitch you like but one that is somewhat reinforced is best. 

Now, turn it all right side out and press!!! 

Take one more piece of ribbon and insert it in the opening, pinning in place.

I sewed a decorative stitch all along the edges to close the gap, make it sturdier AND prettier. ;)

Now you are ALL DONE!!! You have a pretty, one of a kind gift!

You can make them in different shapes and styles, different colors, whatever suits your fancy.

             Let me know what you think!!! Are you going to make one???




                                            HAVE FUN SEWING!!!!

Fox Trot Tutorial Part 2

This part of the tutorial is for the bolero. To find the tutorial for the gauchos and tank click here.



What I Used-

1/2 yard of main fabric (I used the fox flannel print)

1/2 yard of lining (I used hot pink flannel)

2 ft of pink ribbon



For the bolero I sort of drafted my own pattern. It was very simple to do, I just used the tank I made as template for the arm holes and trimmed the pattern until I had the fit I wanted. This involved holding the pattern up to Cailey several times! LOL





Step 1 -







As you can see, the pattern is not pretty but it worked! LOL

I wanted the front of the bolero to curve and be slightly longer than the back.

I cut 1 left side of the main and one right side of the main. Make sure you flip it so you have one right side and one left side OR you can fold the fabric over but don't place the edge on the fold.





Step 2 -











Now for the back of the bolero. This is the piece you want to cut on the fold. ;)





Step 3 -









For the sleeve, I wanted it to bell out like the gauchos. I used a front piece of the bolero to cut where the sleeve meets the armhole to make sure it would fit properly.

Cut 2 on the fold.





Step 4-







Now for the lining. Cut it the same way you did the main, 2 pieces for the front and flip if you have right and wrong sides, that way you will have left and right pieces.





Step 5-







Now, cut the back piece, once again on the fold.





Step 6-







Pin your ribbon to the front bolero pieces with a bit hanging over the edge.





Step 7-







Pin the front bolero lining and main with right sides together, making sure the ribbon is still poking out a bit.

Sew the pieces together leaving the shoulders and the bottom open.

Do this to both of the front sides of the bolero.





Step 8-







Turn right side out and press. Cut a V into the end of the ribbon to help keep it from fraying.





Step 9-







Pin the back boleros pieces with right sides together. Sew the pieces together leaving the shoulders and bottom open.

Turn right side out and press.





Step 10-







Pin the front pieces to the back piece with right sides together. Sew the shoulders and the side seams.





Step 11-







Pin the underside of the sleeve and sew the seam.

Here is where the cats started to get interested in what I was doing! LOL





Step 12-







Fold over the bottom of the sleeve by 1/2" and press. Fold over again by another 1/2", press, pin and sew the hem.





Step 13-









Turn the sleeve right side out and slip it into the arm hole with the right side of the sleeve touching the right side of the bolero.  Pin and sew in place.















SIGH... Remove the cats so you can continue!!!! LOL





Step 14-







Turn in the edges of the bottom of the bolero and press. Pin the bottom together and top stitch.

Press and you are all done!!! :D





















I hope you try this out. It was so much fun to make!!! :)

As always, if you have any questions just use the Contact Me button at the top of the page and shoot me an email!

Let me know if anything is unclear!

Fox Trot Tutorial Part 1

Flannel! It's not just for PJs. LOL

I had soooooo much fun with this outfit!! I really pushed myself, I think. I drafted my first pattern for the bolero. YAY!!!! I wanted to be sure I got it juuuuust right. ;)

The tutorial for this outfit will be in 2 parts. The first part will be the gauchos and the tank. Tomorrow I will be posting the bolero.



What I Used for the Gauchos and Tank

1 yard of fox flannel

1/4 yard of pink knit

1" wide elastic



Step 1 -



First I took a pair of pants that fit Cailey well and used them to cut the waist and crotch. Then instead of continuing down straight from that curve I took it way out. WAY out!!! LOL

These are basically like any other pants that I make except in leg length and leg width.





Step 2 -







Pin and sew up the inseam. Go to where the curve of the crotch starts and stop.





Step 3 -







Turn one leg right side out and slide into the other leg. Pin and sew the seam in one continuous stretch.





Step 4 -







Turn the gauchos inside out. Turn over and press 3/4 " and then 1 ", press and pin.

Now, sew the elastic casing making sure to leave a space to insert the elastic. ;)





Step 5-









Measure the elastic to your child's waist and subtract 1". Then safety pin the ends of the elastic and either pin one end to yourself or hold tightly. Insert the elastic into the opening!

They also make really cool elastic threaders but safety pins work just as well. ;)





Step 6 -











Now, sew the ends of the elastic together using a zigzag stitch.

Then sew the elastic casing closed!





Step 7-







Take a moment and get your cat out of the cabinets!!!! Good grief!!!





Step 8-







Fold over and press the bottom of the legs by 1/2". Fold up another 3/4", press and pin. Now sew the hem! :)

Press your hem and you are all done!













Now on to the tank!!









Step 1 -









Using a top that fits your child well, cut the arm holes, sides and length, while on the fold.

Then use the piece you just cut as a guide for the other side of the tank.



Step 2 -







Next, cut in the neck lines. You can make the shoulders as narrow or as wide as you like.





Step 3-







Pin and sew the shoulders together. If using a print make sure right sides are together.





Step 4 -







Pin and sew up the side seams!





Turn right side out and press. Now you are done!!

You can finish the neck and arms and hem the bottom if you like but I always prefer the natural look of unfinished knits. They get that soft curl after a couple of washings. ;)



Let me know what you think!! And PLEASE, if you try this out let me know!!

If you have any questions feel free to use the Contact Me button at the top of the page. :)