Sewing

Ruffled Pumpkin Applique {tutorial}

October 17, 2011 32 Comments

I made Harper a super cutie Ruffled Pumpkin Applique shirt!

And today, I am showing you how to make your own!

Yay!

I started with a piece of fabric that was about 5 inches wide and 18 inches long.

(It was a scrap piece so it does not have to be exact!)

Sitch two rows down the center of the fabric to create your ruffle.
Make sure to set you machine on the LONGEST stitch setting and DO NOT backstitch!

Pull one of the threads on each row to ruffle your fabric.

The ruffle should be about 6 inches long x 5 inches wide.

Iron the ruffle flat!

Trust me, just do it!

Apply your ironed ruffle to Heat n Bond or Wonder Under following the directions on the roll.

You only need a square that is about 6 x 6 (just to be safe!)!

Gently pull the threads out that you used to create the ruffle.

Their job is done and it’s time to say goodbye!

Next Print out this template and use it to cut the pumpkin shape. You can trace around the pumpkin shape using a pen on the back of the ruffled fabric (the paper side). Get a scrap piece of fabric for the stem and apply Heat n Bond to it too. Use the template to cut out the stem!

Ruffle Pumpkin Applique Pattern

Now you should have this:

Place the stem and pumpkin onto the shirt where you want it.

Pull off the paper and iron into place following the directions on the package.

To create the ruffled neckline, cut a strip of fabric that is about 3/4 of an inch wide and 12 inches long. (again I used scraps… just make sure it is long enough to go from shoulder to shoulder when ruffled)

Create your ruffle by stitching straight down the center using the longest stitch setting.

Remember DO NOT backstitch!

Pull on thread to create your ruffle.

Use the neck of the shirt to determine the length.

Pin your ruffle onto the shirt neckline:

Using a normal stitch setting, stitch the ruffle onto shirt:

And while you are at your machine, stitch around the pumpkin and the stem too!

Gently remove the thread that was used to create the ruffle on the neckline of the shirt and…..

You are done!

Now your little girl has a super cute Ruffled Pumpkin shirt!

Put that cute shirt on a super cute little girl and show off your creation!

Happy Halloween!

I am linking this post here , here and to these awesome places!

Filed Under: Applique, Make Your Own..., Seasons, Sewing, Tutorial

Dear Amy Butler,

September 30, 2011 6 Comments

A package arrived at my house the other day and this was inside:

Yep.

A whole bunch you your wonderful fabrics!

I was like a kid in a candy store…

and still am!

I just wanted to thank you for creating the most fabulous fabric EVER.

And thank you for fueling my obsession with fabric…

Yes Amy,

you are an enabler to my addiction and I love you for that!

With love,
Natalie
(the fabric addict)

What are you loving at the moment?!

Filed Under: Random, Sewing

Owl Pillow Tutorial!

September 6, 2011 15 Comments

Don’t know if you have noticed lately, but Owls are eeeeverywhere!

Here is an Owl Pillow I made for Avery’s (the little’s cousin) room!

Depending on the size of your pillow, measure and sketch out an “owl” shape (see next pic if confused).

I wanted this pillow to be about 17 by 12 inches when finished, so I drew a rectangle that was 18 x 13 then sketched the owl shape inside of the rectangle.

Then you have this:

Gather coordinating fabrics and print the pattern below as a guide for cutting the applique shapes!

Owl Applique Pattern

Apply Heat N Bond to the fabrics you want to applique before you cut the pattern out.
Then assemble the pattern, like this:

Next, iron the eyes (you will layer the eyelashes, layer1, layer 2 then layer 3) and wings on…

And stitch along the straight side, make sure to back stitch at both ends:
(the outer edges will be stitched down later… trust me!)

Next stitch around the all three layers of the eyes and eyelashes (make sure to back stitch!).

After the eyes are stitched, iron on the beak then stitch it down!

Now you should have this:

Next lay the blank layer on top of the applique with right sides facing each other and pin together. Then stitch all the way around starting at the bottom left side of the owl (make sure to back stitch) and sew all the way around leaving about a 2-3 inch hole at the bottom. Got it?! STOP about 2 -3 inches before you get to where you started and back stitch – then you have an opening so you can stuff the owl!

Before turning right side out, snip little 1/2 inch sections all the way around the owl.
Like this:

Then turn right side out!

Stuff the owl and hand stitch the bottom closed and then you have a super cutie patootie owl pillow!

How cute would it be to applique a name on this pillow?!

I am linking this post here , here and to these awesome places!

Filed Under: Crafting, Decorating, Make Your Own..., Sewing, Tutorial

The Ruffle Dress.

August 18, 2011 7 Comments

I am so excited to share with you The Ruffled Dress!

Isn’t it so flirty and fun?!

I just LOVE wearing it – It makes me super happy!

And the ruffle around the neck – simple fabulous!

Guess what?!

I will make one JUST for YOU!

This is a recent one I made for someone else

(I think I may just HAVE to make one out of this fabric for myself… Wanna be twins Rikki?!)

Aren’t you dying to get one for yourself?

Here is what you do:

Purchase The Ruffle Dress from The Shop.

I will get in contact with you via email.

I will get your measurements (nothing too complicated – promise) and ask you about colors, prints, etc that you look fabulous in.

Then I will send you fabric choices.

You choose your fabric and I will custom make you The Ruffle Dress!

When you wear The Ruffle Dress, you can rest assured no one will be wearing the same dress as you EVER again – and you in your super cutie dress will be sure to be the talk of the party!

Happy Shopping!

Oh yea, The dresses are made in the order they are purchased.

Filed Under: Sewing, The Shop

Old Skirt – New Dress Upcycle!

August 9, 2011 21 Comments

Last week I shared a super fun tutorial over at Seamingly Smitten for the Sew Chic Upcycling Week and I am re posting it here just in case you missed it!

Here is my

Old Skirt – New Dress Upcycle!

I picked this skirt up at the local thrift store for $4!

The front…

…the back…

I decided to make it into a dress because I am a dress kinda gal!

So, I pulled the skirt up and it was a little long for my 5’2 frame… so I grabbed a random sash out of my closet and tied it around my waist then I decided to chop 3 inches off the bottom of the dress.

Measure and cut 3 inches off the the bottom of the dress – straight across. (keep the part you cut off, we will use that in a minute!)

Unbutton the dress, fold the hem under about 1/4 inch then 1/4 inch again and stitch to create a nice, clean, finished hem.

After you are finished stitching your new hem, grab the piece of fabric you cut off. Put your machine on the longest stitch setting and sew straight down the RAW edge DO NOT backstitch - We are going to create a ruffle to go around the top of the dress! (I swear if everyone wore ruffles, this world would be a much happier place – ruffles rock!)

next pull ONE of the threads and create a nice ruffle.

Keep pulling and working the fabric until you have this:

Next pin the ruffle onto the top of the dress RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER with the ruffle UPSIDE down.

Like this:

Put your machine back to a normal stitch setting and sew the ruffle onto the top of the dress making sure to backstitch at the ends!

Now for the sash!

I wanted a fun color to “pop” with the busy black and white design on my new dress, so I picked out a turquoise color from my fabric stash…

Cut your fabric 60 inches long and 8 inches wide (this is the size I used for myself, you can add more or less to the length depending on your size) then fold it in half and iron.

Pin straight down the open end…

… and stitch HALFWAY down the open end making sure to backstitch at the beginning then in the middle of the sash. Cut your threads and leave about a 2 1/2 inch opening in the middle of the sash then continue your stitch making sure to BACKSTITCH at the beginning end end once again. (confused? – See next image…)

Here is a visual just in case you are super confused:

Now fold the “tube” so the seam is in the center. Like this:

Then iron flat:

Now fold the tube in half so that the raw ends are on one side, making sure it is still turned INSIDE OUT:

Draw a line at an angle and cut along the line like this:

Unfold the tube and stitch the ends closed.

Find the opening you left in the center of the tube and begin to turn right side out.

I use a little pencil to make sure the corners are nice and pointy, but whatever you use to create nice corners will work just fine!

Once the sash is right side out and the corners are nice and pretty…

Iron and you have a new sash!

Yay!

See?!

You can’t even tell where the opening is…

Now put on your “new” dress and go on a date with the hubs!

The front (I should totally be a professional model don’t ya think?!):

The back (aren’t the buttons fun?!?)

The sash adds that perfect pop of color!

I think the ruffle makes this dress fabulous!

This was super simple and cost me a whopping $4!

Next time you are at the Thrift Store, look with a creative eye for those “old” items that can be made “new” again!

I am linking this post here here here here here here and to these awesome places!

Filed Under: Guest Post, Refashion, Revamping, Sewing, Thrifty

Summer Shirts!

June 29, 2011 2 Comments

Here are some more Summer Shirts!

Wanna see?!

Love the dinosaur – and the green stripes!

And this polka dot plane just may be my favorite shirt EVER!

Gotta love Summer Shirts!

Just an idea: next time you go to a little boy’s birthday make them a super cute Summer Shirt (and if it’s winter, then just buy a shirt with sleeves!)

Filed Under: Applique, Sewing

Ruffled Bottom Monogrammed Onesie!

June 17, 2011 8 Comments

I decided to make the Birthday Girl a Ruffled Bottom Monogrammed Onesie!

The back!

I loved it sooo much that I HAD to make one for Harper!

I am about to make one for her to wear everyday this summer!

Love! Thanks Silhouette for cutting out the circle and the initials!

And the ruffled bottom just may be my favorite thing about this onesie!

And just because I can’t get enough of that cute ruffled bottom:

The perfect birthday gift for a perfect little girl!

What?!?

You want one too?!

Well guess what will be added to The Shop soon, very very soon!

Yep, that’s Right!

Get ready because these cuties are going up for SALE so your little princess can wear one too!

Filed Under: Applique, baby, Fashion, Sewing, Silhouette

New Reversible Skirt Pattern released by Seamingly Smitten!

May 31, 2011 3 Comments

I had the pleasure of testing another pattern for Jenny over at Seamingly Smitten!

Introducing the Girl’s Reversible Skirt Pattern!

This was a super simple sew and quick too!

Jenny creates the BEST patterns EVER! Seriously, I love ALL of her patterns and every time she comes out with a new one, I can’t wait to get my hands on it! (and if you know me, then you know I am not a “pattern” gal! – her’s are THAT fabulous!)