Pillow Covers

I wanted to share the tutorial I use to make pillow covers with.  I love it because it has a hidden zipper so you can wash them and switch them out with the seasons.  It is a little tricky to understand the first time through, especially if your fabric is all one color like mine.  Please ignore my thread, I get lazy with making sure the thread matches and just use what I have on hand :)

Click here for link to tutorial.

Here's my first one!

Thanks so much for this fun idea! I made this headband after Sunday dinner tonight. I was surprised at how fast it came together. I wasn't sure how to off center the second strip so I just did what I thought looked good which was centered it and then off set the flowers, if that makes sense. We will have to talk about that! If it works, it works right? Kiley started putting together her favorite fabrics for another try at it tomorrow. Can't wait.

Scrappy Headbands

Heather I am excited to share these headbands with you! I thought it would be a fun project for you to do with your girls this summer. All you need is your sewing machine, thread and scraps of fabric!

There is no real right or wrong way to make these. They can be as wide as you want and as scrappy as you like. The largest piece of fabric will need to be about 32 inches long and two inches wide. Cut the fabric at 2 inches (or however wide you want it) and then rip the fabric the entire length to create the frayed look.

Your next fabric will be about 10 inches long and 1 inch wide. Again I rip along at least one edge.

Last you will need 3 squares of fabric about 5 1/2 by 5 1/2 inches. These squares are for the flowers and may vary in size depending on how large or small you want them.

Sew along the edge of the largest piece all the way around.

Then sew the smaller strip onto the larger one. Place it off center on the larger strip length wise and center it width wise.

Now the flowers. Grap a square of fabric and fold it with two corners together, triangle ways.

Then pull in the other two corners so that you are holding all four.

Turn the fabric over and with your free hand twist and flatten slightly.

Place flower onto the center of the headband.

Place under sewing foot, lower foot and sew around the edge of the flower folding fabric in and under as needed as you sew. Every flower will be unique! If you see edges you can tuck them in and under.

Once you have sewn around the edge, keep sewing and make a circular pattern to the center of the flower.

Next flower! I do three flowers and place them going from the center and away from the 1 inch strip on the headband.

You can also strip piece the largest piece of fabric.

Great way to use up our fabric scraps huh? Enjoy!

The Mia top

I made this top for Abby, but honestly probably wouldn't do it again anytime soon just because of how much time it took! I didn't have many fabric options either for the bottom skirt, so not my favorite, but it worked! :)

Making Headbands

Let's Get Started!

Step 1: Make Your Own Pattern. The long side should measure 16 inches and the ends are 2 1/2 inches. Make sure to curve your lines gradually. The widest part of the pattern is 4 1/2 inches. With these measurements and the picture I took as a guide, you should be able to make your own!

Step 2: Cut Your Fabric. From your fabric cut one headband pattern and one rectangular connecting strip measuring 7 1/2 inches by 2 1/4 inches.

Step 3: Sew Fabric Right Sides Together. Fold over 1/8 inch on both ends of headband piece and sew. Look at picture for example on doing this.

Step 4: Turn Fabric Inside Out. You can use a special tool for turning the fabric, but to tell you the truth, I just use a pencil eraser.

Step 5: Iron Front Side Down. Make sure to turn your inside seam the same direction before ironing. Carefully center back seam.

Step 6: Cut Elastic 4 1/2 inches long. I use 3/8 inch wide elastic. You can adjust the size of your headband by cutting the elastic smaller, or bigger.

Step 7: Sew Elastic Inside Connecting Strip. Line up the end of the elastic piece with the end of the connecting strip and sew 1/4 inch. Do this same thing on the other end scrunching the fabric up to reveal the elastic end.

Step 7: Insert Connecting Strip to Headband. Center connecting strip right sides together inside of the headband and sew 1/8 inch. Don't Forget to Backstitch! It's also important to use matching thread here so that your final stitching doesn't stand out.

Yeah Your Finished! Enjoy!

Swanky

Chez Moi designed Swanky for Moda. I discovered this line just as it was leaving the stores. Luckily I found out I could order it online at The Fat Quarter Shop. I have also seen some for sale on Etsy and Ebay. These prints were inspired by watercolors and are the most beautiful bright fabric's I have seen. Check them out I just noticed they are now on sale! My very favorite from this line is Peacock The Ritz. The body of this shirt is Blush Beverly Hills.
This skirt is Envy Beverly Hills. I am not sure what line the polka dot is from. I like to mix and match different lines.

Custom fit

After trying a few of Sandi Henderson's patterns and one from Pink Fig I felt like I had my head around this enough to try something of my own. Taking ideas from both I did some tweaking and came up with this outfit for Miss H.J. I enjoy designing my own thing much more than following a pattern. Creating and making something your own is gratifying and addictive. Once you get started, more and more ideas come. If only I had more time in the day, or night for that matter!

A-Line Skirt

I love fun, bright, simple skirts that just fit perfectly! One's that look great, even with a simple t-shirt. Unfortunately, they are hard to find, at least for me! I was so excited to find this cute pattern! It's Amy Butler's Barcelona A-line Skirt pattern. I made this skirt in just three hours, with a baby! The sizing is right on, which we all can appreciate and I am positive it would look fantastic with any great fabric!

The Perfect Twirling Skirt!

I made these "perfect for twirling" skirts for my girls for Easter. They were so easy, quick, and fun to make, that I couldn't stop making them! The possibilities are endless with this adorable design. I never actually used a pattern for these skirts, even though I am sure there is one out there! I was so excited to find this today for anyone that wants to make one! It is a easy step-by-step tutorial! The skirts are very similar to mine, the only exception is I added ric-rac and a bright pre-made binding that I found at JoAnn's! Easy, fun, and perfect for summer!

Sewing Skirts

I was looking for a pattern for a simple A-line skirt, I googled it and found this one. It was easy, simple and fun. There are instructions for putting in an elastic waistband instead of a zipper which is what I did. It worked for me because I have more of a rectangular shaped torso. My waist is about as wide as my hips, not very womanly I know. I am excited to wear skirts this summer when its hot out. I have to admit I did not like wearing dresses or skirts growing up, but I am coming into my feminine side and think it will be fun! My 4 yr old daughter inspires me to enjoy the fancy and frills of being a woman!