Faux Mink Pullover Tutorial

 Faux Mink Pullover Tutorial (this mink pullover was part of the look that I created here)

How to make a little girl a mink pullover with only half yard of fabric (65" wide). I made the pattern for this pullover from scratch, taking extra care during the planning and cutting out to match up the lines with the the sleeves to the front and back pieces, I will attempt with photos to show you how I achieved that.

This faux mink pullover is A-line, it features 3/4 length raglan sleeves, and a funnel collar.

Finished measurements:
length (includes funnel collar): 16"
bottom width: 15.75"
sleeve length (includes funnel collar): 12.75"
funnel collar: length around: 21.75"; width: approximately 1.25"

 Make pattern pieces out of muslin (or thin cotton) following these measurements:
First let's start out with the front/back pattern piece... length: 16.5"

 front/back piece measurement: 5.75"

 front/back piece measurement: 13.75"

 front/back piece measurement: bottom width: 15.5"

 front/back piece measurement: 4.5"

 front/back piece measurement: 120 degree angle

 Now moving onto the sleeve pattern piece... length: 12"

 sleeve piece measurement: 5.5"

 sleeve piece measurement: 12.5"

 sleeve piece measurement: bottom width: 11.75"

 sleeve piece measurement: 4.75"

 sleeve piece measurement: 110 degree angle

 And finally for the funnel collar piece: length: 22.75" width: 3"

Get the raglan sleeve curve by tracing it from a raglan sleeve shirt from your child's closet or a raglan sleeve pattern like the O+S art smock or the O+S field trip raglan t-shirt, for example.

First of all, cut a 3" strip off one end of the fabric, you will have a 18"X3" section that will be used for the funnel collar.

Following the lines on the front of the mink fabric and using a permanent marker draw lines on the back of the mink fabric (see photo). Using a disappearing marker, draw lines on muslin pattern (following the same spacing of the lines on the mink fabric) and match up those lines on the mink fabric. See placement of pattern pieces in the photo to maximize space, the way that they are laid out is the only way I could make this pullover out of only half yard of fabric.

 On the sides of both the pattern pieces (the front/back piece & sleeve piece) I added half inch when cutting out to allow for seam allowances.

From the remaining scraps, cut out a piece that is 5.75"X3" sew that together with the 18"X3" piece using half inch seam allowance, now you will have a piece that is 22.75"X3". Now sew that into a loop using half inch seam allowance, now you will have a loop that is 21.75"X3". Fold it in half and you will have a funnel collar that is 21.75"X1.5". Set aside for later.

Sew sleeves to front and back pieces. Then sew the sleeve and side seams in one operation. Sew the funnel collar to the top of the pullover. (Half inch seam allowances were used, except when attaching the funnel collar on to the pullover, .25" seam allowance was used).

Hem the bottom and sleeves with your preferred hem finishing method (I sewed them by hand). Hem on the bottom was approximately 2" and hem on the sleeves approximately 1.5"

You are done !

 By the way, the half yard of faux mink cost me only $10!

To add the pink felted bow, see my tutorial here.

Happy sewing !

PS nest full of eggs turns 3 years old today :)

Knock if Off Series

I wanted to tell you about a fun new sewing series that will be starting soon. It's called Knock if Off and it will be hosted by Heidi from Elegance & Elephants (she recently took 2nd place in Project Run and Play Season 5). If you haven't visited Elegance & Elephants yet, then you should, Heidi sews beautiful clothing for her beautiful children. Anyway, the Knock it Off series will be all about knocking off a look, garment, or accessory... all childrenswear... all knock offs... all November.

And I will be guest posting over there during the series on Wednesday November 7th ~ should be fun !

Happy Monday everyone !

Joseph and Mary Costumes

We will be attending an All Saint's Day party soon and this year it was decided that the costumes would be Joseph and Mary.

THE PATTERN// McCall's 7733, size small (6-8), it's from 1981, 31 years old, so it's vintage... you know how I love children's vintage patterns. I bought this vintage sewing pattern on Etsy, happy to support vintage and happy to support Etsy :)

THE FABRIC// solid colored 100% cottons from the local fabric store

THE SEWING// nothing fancy here, the instructions were very straight forward. I do have to say that these costumes required a lot of fabric, so I had to cut the pattern pieces out of the fabric on the floor, this has also made me realize that as my kids are getting bigger and bigger that more and more fabric is needed when sewing for them.

The pink scarf wrapped around the head I didn't sew, it was a scarf I bought in France over a decade ago. By the way, that's Baby Paul playing the role of Baby Jesus. Baby Paul is Baby Emma's twin :) 

I'm taking a trip down memory lane and remembering all of the All Saint's Day costumes (either Bible characters or Saints) from year's past... and discovered unfortunately that I didn't take photos every year, but there has been Moses, Joseph and his colorful coat, Saint Louis King of France, Saint Joan of Arc, Saint Elizabeth, and some of the very humble homemade costumes that my children have worn... paper, cardboard, & aluminum foil knight costume... we have more than one of these knitted/crochet chain mail ensembles...  princess dress for Saint Elizabeth...

Blessed All Saint's Day on November 1st to those of you who observe it!

Felted Bow Tutorial

 Felted Bow Tutorial (this felted bow was part of the look I created here)

Supplies needed:
:: wool sweater (I bought this 100% lambswool sweater at a rummage sale for around $1 or $2)
:: hand sewing needle
:: matching thread
:: scissors and/or rotary cutter used with a quilting ruler

 Instructions:
:: first wet felt the wool sweater by washing it in the wash machine with hot water, add just a drop of detergent and throw a pair of tennis shoes in there, too
:: dry the wool sweater in the dryer
Note: by wet felting  the wool sweater it will become really thick and sturdy, also the edges won't fray
:: cut out one sleeve and a large section from the front

 :: from the front section cut out a piece that is 14 inches long and consists of two diamond like shapes which will go 1.75", 4", 1.75", 4", 1.75" wide

 :: bring the two ends of this piece together and with hand sewing needle and thread sew these ends together

 :: from the sleeve section, cut out a piece that is 17 inches long, that has 45 degree angles on each end, that is 2.75", down to .75", then back up to 2.75" wide (in a shape that is similar to what's pictured in the photo)

 :: from any of the remaining scraps cut out a piece that is 3.5" X 1.5"

 :: assemble the bow by taking that smallest piece and wrapping it around the 2 larger pieces, with hand sewing needle and thread sew together the 2 ends of the smallest piece (so that the ends of the smallest piece are in the back of the bow)

 All done !

Enjoy making felted bows !
And have fun putting them everywhere.

Vintage Button Cuff Bracelet Tutorial

 Vintage Button Cuff Bracelet Tutorial (this cuff bracelet was part of the look I create here)

Supplies needed:
:: 2 inch wide white elastic (I used 7 inches for my daughter's 6 inch wrist)
:: lots of buttons
:: hand sewing needle
:: thread

 Instructions:
::  on the sewing machine with 1/2 inch seam allowance sew the ends of the elastic together
:: with hand sewing needle & thread hand sew on buttons until the elastic is completely covered in buttons (I sewed on 3 larger buttons over the seam & I recommend sewing on buttons all along the edges first (having the buttons hang out over the edge so the elastic doesn't show), then filling in the remaining space)

 Imagine all the possibilities with this one, if you used a multiple of different colored buttons, making an ombre effect would be lovely, wouldn't it?

Enjoy !

Pink Gum Ball Purse Tutorial

 Pink Gum Ball Purse Tutorial (this purse was part of the look I created here)

Supplies needed:
:: leather purse
:: small pom poms
:: E-6000 adhesive
:: 5/8 inch wide grosgrain ribbon

Instructions:
:: apply E-6000 adhesive to each pom pom, then attach to the leather purse. I started at the top & made rows all the way down. This purse is 9 inches by 5 inches and it took about 350 small pom poms which was 3.5 bags instead of the 2 bags pictured.
:: remove original strap, replace it with about 15 inches (or longer) of grosgrain ribbon.

Note: be sure to use the E-6000 adhesive in a well ventilated room

Enjoy !

Altered Couture Winter 2013

I'm so excited to be sharing these photos with you today! I had the great pleasure of being featured in the Nov/Dec/Jan 2013 issue of Altered Couture magazine (available at newsstands November 1st, 2012). If you haven't purchased a copy of Altered Couture before then you must! It's full of inspirational sewing ideas, plus there are 5 pages about my Jingle Bell Dress inside :)

On pages 118-122 you will find 17 of my photos that show step-by-step how I created the Jingle Bell Dress, including all the tools & materials needed, complete instructions, as well as a couple of helpful tips.

Thank you for dropping by and checking in on my humble little space.

PS Altered Couture magazine is available for purchase at JoAnn Fabrics, Michaels, Barnes & Nobles stores... it's also available through subscription.