So Simple Small Sweater Solution

HA! HA! Not gonna lie it took me a little bit to come up with that title! Whew!  Anywho ... I LOVE LOVE LOVE this! I have a TON of too small sweaters (well ... let me rephrase that ... i USED to have a TON (I donated a bunch before I moved out to AZ and now I am kicking myself for it because it does, actually, get cold here and I could have made a million super cute cardigans with them! UGH!).  Anyway! This is SUPER easy and I will post a tutorial soon using this blue sweater (I just have to get matching fabric for it (apparently I don't sew a lot with blue fabric))

SO here's the BEFORE ...

And the AFTER ...

SO stinkin cute! Right?!?!

Who buttons their cardigans anyway! But if you do I will show you in the tutorial how to put in cute little toggle buttons at the top :)

Temple (garment) Bag Tutorial

Hi All! Here's another fabulous tutoral for you ... 

For all you lovely LDS ladies it's a Temple Bag ... for all the non-LDS ladies it's a Garment Bag :) And it's pretty fabulous if I do say so myself.  I got the idea from Pinterest, of course, it was in the diy section but of course didn't have a diy so I "pinned it" seven weeks ago and said I would figure out how to make it and how to post the instructions ... 

well it took me a while but here you go ...

Materials needed:

2 yds of fabric (this will be your main fabric)

1 1/2 yds of contrast fabric (for pockets and ruffles)

30" Zipper

5 Buttons

Matching Thread

Step One: Wash, Dry, and Iron fabric (I always prewash my fabric! Sometimes the fabric gets distorted in the wash and you want that to happen BEFORE you sew it all together rather than messing up your beautiful finished product)

Next you are going to cut out all your pieces.  

Fold your MAIN fabric in half lengthwise (so it's still 2 yds. long, now it's only 21" wide)

For the top and bottom pieces (front and back) cut 4 pieces  16" x 21"

(so only cut 2 pieces 16" x 21" while the fabric is folded then cut on the fold of the fabric so that you have 4 pieces total)

For the middle piece (front and back) cut 2 pieces 32" x 21"

(again only cut 1 piece 32" x 21" while the fabric is folded then cut on the fold of the fabric so that you have 2 pieces total)

After you've cut those 6 pieces you should be left with a piece of fabric that is approximately 8" x 21" (folded in half - unfolded it will be 42" wide).  Unfold the fabric.  For the handles cut 2 pieces 3" x 30" 

For the tab (to button the bag closed) cut  2 pieces 3" x 7"

Now for the contrast fabric ...

For the ruffles cut 5 pieces 4" x 50"

For the pockets cut 2 pieces 15" x 21"

Phew! That is always my least favorite part of sewing (cutting out all the pieces).  Now we're ready for the fun stuff ... We will start with the pockets.  Fold over the 21" edge 1/2" and press.  Then fold it over again (so the unfinished edge is inside the second fold) 3/4" and press.

Top stitch in place (do the same thing for the other pocket piece)

Now for the button holes (I have no clue how to make them with your sewing machine) on my machine it's stitch #26 (I also changed my presser foot to my button hole foot)

My buttons are 7/8" buttons so my button holes are 1" long.  I put my button hole about 1/2" from the top of the pocket (you can place yours where ever your little heart desires).  For the front pocket I placed one button in the center, and then the other two half way between that button and each end.

For the inside pocket I placed one button 4" from the left side and another button 7" from the right side 

(the smaller pocket on the left for you slippers/shoes, and the larger on the right for your packet)

For the inside pocket I also straight stitch down the pocket 7 1/2" from the left side (can you see the white line I marked with chalk?) This just separates the two pockets ... if you only want one pocket you don't have to do this OR if you want the pockets to be the same size just stitch down the center of the pocket and place the buttons in the center (the options are endless!)

Now stitch the contrast pocket piece to the main fabric.  For the inside pocket you will use a bottom main fabric piece (one of the 16" x 21" pieces)

Attach the two buttons and voila! You have yourself two inside pockets :) YAY!!

So sticking with the inside (leave the second pocket for now ... we'll get back to it later) take one of the 32" x 21" pieces and cut it in half lengthwise (so it's 32" x 10 1/2").  Place the two pieces right sides together and baste them together (we are inserting the zipper).

Press open the seam you just created

Lay the zipper down aligning the zipper teeth (where the zipper opens/unzips) with the basted seam (which we will undo once the zipper is sewn in place).  Pin the zipper in place.

Using your zipper foot stitch the zipper in place

Then I like to go back and stitch along the edge of the outside

Down ...

Across the end of the zipper ...

And back up the other side.

This, I think, helps hide the zipper and makes it look prettier.

Next attach the bottom piece (with the pocket) to the middle zipper piece you just created (I did french seams (so wrong sides together then right sides together) but you can just do a regular, right sides together, seam ...

Next attach the top piece using another 16" x 21" piece of main fabric.  And there you have it! Your inside is completely done!

NOW ... moving on to the outside ...

Create your tab (closure) place the 2 - 3" x 7" pieces right sides together and stitch around three of the four edges (leave one of the 3" edges open so we can flip it right side out)

Flip and Press!

Stitch a button hole in the center 1/2" or so from the finished edge (the edge that you left open will be sewn to the bottom outside piece)

Now the handles.  Fold each 3" x 30" strip in half lengthwise (right sides together).  Then stitch along one short edge and one long edge (leave one edge open for flipping).  The handles are a bit longer and thus harder to flip so I use this handy dandy flipper that I got at Joann's in the notions isle (you can just use a pen or anything thin and long that will help you flip the fabric right side out)

I just put the finished edge of my fabric on the tip of the flipper tool and scrunch the fabric down down down until I get to the open end.  Then just grab the right side the the fabric poking the corners out with the flipper tool and PULL until you've flipped it right side out

Press, making sure the seams are aligned with the edge of the handles

(Repeat for handle dos (2 for those who don't speak espanol)

AND NOW! My favorite part of this WHOLE bag! RUFFLES!!!!!

We are going to attach them to the outside pocket (you've already made the pocket piece with three button holes at the top ... or however many you want).  Oh! And if you're not a girly girl or you just want to be boring (jk) you don't HAVE to put on ruffles (just skip the next few steps)

So to finish the edges I just cut them with my pinking shears (see the zigzag edges) you can do that or you can finish them by folding over the edges and sewing them down (whatever you want)

So finish the edges (however you want) of all 5 - 4" x 50" pieces of contrast fabric

Then you are going to gather the fabric of each 4" x 50" strip of fabric

To do this simply stitch with the LONGEST stitch length your sewing machine will allow (mine is 6.0) and as you stitch keep your finger against the back of the sewing machine causing the fabric to gather

If it's not gathered enough when you come to the end of the fabric leave a LONG tale of thread, while holding the bottom thread scrunch the fabric down the thread until it's gathered enough to fit on the front of the pocket 

Attach the ruffles to the pocket

Attach the pocket to the 32" x 21" main fabric piece aligning the bottom of the pocket with the middle of the 32" piece (so the bottom of the pocket will be 16" from the top/bottom of the 32" x 21" piece of main fabric)

Stitch along the bottom (the bottom of the pocket NOT THE RUFFLE ... the bottom ruffle should hide the bottom of the pocket) once you've stitched the bottom in place stitch the sides together (just to hold them in place)

Now with the two last 16" x 21" pieces of main fabric you are going to attach the handles (and on one the tab)  Simply place the tab in the center and stitch across the top to hold in place.  Then place the handles 3 1/2" away from the edge of  the fabric and stitch in place.  Do the same thing on the other 16" x 21" piece (but only with the handle this time)

Stitch the piece with the handle and tab to the bottom of the 32" piece 

And the other piece (with just the handle) to the top of the 32" piece

Now you have both inside and outside completely done ... Now you just have to sew them together (again I did french seams but you can just put right sides together and stitch if you want a regular seam)

*Note I left a little opening in the top of the bag so that I could put a hanger inside the bag (if you would like a hole for a hanger simply start stitching the two pieces (inside and outside) together 1/4" or away from the center of the top.  Stitch all the way around but stop on the top when you get 1/4" or so away from the center on the opposite side - this will leave a 1/2" opening ... plenty of room for a hanger)

Once you've stitched all the way around open the zipper and flip the bag so the right side is out

And there you have it!

The Front/Outside ...

And the Back/Inside ...

And when you fold it up ...

TADA! LOVE IT!!! <3

The End!

Hope you all loved it

As always if you have any questions let me know

Lots of Love <3

Beautiful Bow Skirt

OOOOOOkay ... So I was perusing esty the other day and I saw this skirt, SO STINKIN' CUTE!!! And I said to myself, "I HAVE to make that skirt" (and then of course post a tutorial on how to make it).  And here is said tutorial ...

I use patterns A LOT! It's just easier and they are only $1 at joann's (they have sales like every other week on patterns there's always one brand that is $1, just keep your eye out and stock up).  So here's the pattern I used, Simplicity pattern #2451, skirt letter C

So first things first ... you need 2 yards of fabric, 1/2 yard of interfacing, a 7" zipper, and thread (this skirt on esty cost $110, I made it for less than $15).  Wash your fabric then iron it and cut out your pattern pieces (*NOTE* pattern sizes are not the same as store sizes, know your measurements and look on the pattern envelope to determine your size).  Once all your pattern pieces are cut out clip the notches (they look like < on the side your you pieces) and mark the pleats (can you see my blue little lines?).  The marks and clips will help you fit the pieces together (kinda like a really fabulous fun puzzle that you get to wear when you are all done!)

For the pleats, bring the solid line mark to the broken line mark and pin down

Do that for all four pleats, this piece will be the front of your skirt

stitch across the pleats (1/4" from edge) to hold them in place

Now for the darts in the back, follow the markings on the pattern piece, mark the three dots like so (can you see the beautiful isosceles triangle?) 

fold the fabric so the two dots closest to the edge are lined up (I used a pin to make sure they were lined up properly), then find the lone dot it would be the apex of this isosceles triangle (there was your math for the day) and fold the fabric right through the middle of that dot, press

To make the dart, start stitching at the edge of your fabric, at an angle.  Stitch through the first (and second dot, which is folded under the first) dot, then through the third dot (the apex) and right off the fold of the fabric

Your stitches should look like this.  My finger is pointing to the third dot and where you stitched right off the fold of the fabric.  Tie a knot with the thread at that point (so your dart won't come undone)

Press your dart to the side.  Repeat for the dart on the second back piece

Now for the zipper (I am assuming you all know how to put in a zipper ... if you don't and need a more detailed tutorial on this please let me know.  I would be happy to make one).  Stitch the two back sections together (matching notches (can you see the little notch I clipped in my fabric? it's right in line with my finger on the edge of the fabric.)  Use a basting stitch (a LONG stitch, see to the right of my finger) from the top to the notch, then switch to a normal stitch length (mine's 2.5), reinforce and stitch the rest of the way to the bottom with a normal stitch length (see to the left of my finger)

Press open the seam you just created

and finish the edges (I used a zigzag stitch and pinking shears)

Now for the pockets! YES!! This spectacular skirt has pockets <3  Place the pocket piece right side down on the front piece of the skirt (btw ... if my instructions aren't making sense, or you need some clarification, you can always refer to the instructions in the pattern envelope)

Stitch along the curve (right sides of fabric together) like so ...

Open, now we are going to, what they call, understitch

While pulling the pocket and seam away from the front of the skirt edge stitch (stitch really close to the edge of the seam ... see pic, the seam is on the left and I am using the little notch in my presser foot as a guide) 

TADA! Understitching just helps the pocket to lay flat on the inside

Press the pocket to the back (or inside) of the skirt

Then put the pocket facing on ... just lay it right on top, right side of pocket to right side of facing.  Stitch facing to pocket, around the bottom and up the side (in the next pic you can see where exactly you stitch)

Finish the edges (again I used a zigzag and pinking shears)

Then stitch the pocket and facing to the front of the skirt (1/4" seam, just to hold in place)

Repeat on the other side

Now I am going to french seam the front piece to the back piece (I have a tutorial on seams if you need more instructions).  Place wrong sides together and stitch a 1/4" seam

Press seam open

Flip so right sides are together and press along seam

Stitch right sides together 3/8" seam

Press seam to back.  repeat on other side.

Now for the BOW! Cut 4 strips 4" x 42"

Leave one end straight 

I cut the other at a 45* (degree) angle, just because it makes it prettier (I think) you can leave it straight if you prefer.  Place right sides togher

and stitch (I used a 3/8" seam)

Now the points get a little tricky (I have a tip in my heart hand warmer tutorial on how to make pointy points)

Stitch down until you get close to the point then with your needle down (in the fabric) rotate the fabric and stitch two straight stitches

Then (with your needle down) rotate and continue to stitch (with the same seam allowance) until you get to the next point

Do the same thing here (needle down, rotate, two straight stitches, needle down, rotate)

And stitch the rest of the way (leave the top straight end open for flipping)

Flip (so right sides are showing) and Press

Apply the interfacing to the yoke front and back (waistband)

See pic ... place yoke front (right side up), bow, yoke back (right side down) and stitch together

Press seam toward back

Repeat on the other side

Attach yoke section to skirt, right sides together, (here's another math word for ya) convex curved edge of yoke to edge of skirt, matching notches and seams

Pin in place and stitch around

Press seam UP

Place zipper along open/basted seam in back

Use a zipper foot to stitch the zipper to the seam

After the zipper is attached on the inside I go an extra step and stitch around the zipper on the outside 

Stitch down one side of the zipper

With the needle down rotate and reinforce the bottom of the zipper.

Then with your needle down rotate and stitch the other side of the zipper

It helps hide the zipper

We're almost done ... I promise! Stitch the non-interfaced yoke pieces at the sides

Fold and press over 1/4" of the CONVEX edge of the yoke pieces

Attach (with right sides together) the non-interfaced yoke pieces to the interfaced yoke pieces

Stitch around

Flip non-interfaced yoke to the inside (you can understitch again if you would like), press and top stitch yoke pieces together (convex edge again)

My finger is pointing at the convex edge you top stitched

FINALLY ... HEM the bottom of your skirt!

Fold over 1/4", and press

Then fold over again 3/8" and press

And top stitch the hem

And you're DONE!

WOW! That was a LONG one! Hope you enjoyed it!

As always let me know if you have any questions

Lots of Love <3