Salt Dough Sea Urchins Tutorial

After making the starfish garland for Sophie's Mermaid Party.  My sister and I made these cute sea urchins.  We used the same recipe as we used for the starfish  I added red food coloring to the dough until I got a color I liked, then we rolled them into balls and I used a piece of thick nylon cording and made a cross in the ball then made another cross perpendicular to the first.  Making the crosses will smoosh the balls down, so don't worry about making the bottoms flat or anything making the markings will take care of it...Just make a ball...

Next, we poked a hole in the top with a tooth pick, then made a million teeny tiny little balls from the uncolored salt dough and stuck them all over.  Then let them dry...It took 3 whole days under the fan and I ended up moving them to a cooling rack to get airflow all around them which left marks in the bottom. If you do this you will need to turn them quite a few times because the dough will sort of seep in between the wires, and they will be stuck!  You definitely want to let them dry for at least a couple days before putting them on the cooling rack.   

They looked really crusty while they were drying, and I wondered if we would even be able to use them, but once they were completely dried they looked fine.  They dried 1 or two shades lighter than they started out, so you may want to add a little extra food coloring to start so that they dry the color you want.

I am by no means an expert in salt dough...This was my first experience.  But the possibilities are endless!  Can you just imagine all the things you could make for decorations!  Just be sure to start way in advance because the dough takes quite a while to dry and if you dry them in the oven it browns it...maybe if you have a convection oven it wouldn't, because I know when I made my colored cupcakes for the party I cooked them in a regular oven and they turned brown so I tried convection and they browned slightly but it wasn't noticeable...maybe someone with more experience than me can shine some light in the comments section...

My sister also made this cute little fish but since we didn't put him on parchment paper he broke when we picked him up.  : (

So what do ya' think???  Aren't they adorable!!

Pretty in Pink Petti Tutu

Made this tutu for my Grandma to bring to my little cousin in Maine for Christmas.  I loved how it turned out.  Can't wait for my Grandma to come back so I can see some pics of her in it!

Wanna make one of your own?  Find my tutorial on how to make a petti tutu here.

Linen & Lace Infinity Scarf Tutorial

I got a request for a tutorial for the linen & lace infinity scarf I posted yesterday, so I figured I'd share a quick tutorial.

What you'll need:

16.75" x 18" lace

56.25" x 18" linen

thread 

sewing machine

With WRONG sides together, stitch the lace to the linen strip on both of the short sides using a 3/8"(match the 18" sides of the linen to the lace), so that you create a circle of fabric.  Trim the seam allowance to 1/4". Press the seams toward the linen.

This is what it should look like.

Now turn the scarf RS out and press so that the seam allowance is sandwiched in between the linen and lace.  

Now stitch another 3/8" seam.  This will enclose the raw edges.

Now once again press the seam toward the linen and edge stitch it down (along the edge of the lace).

This is what it will look like on the opposite side.

Now edge stitch along the edge of the linen.  And this is what it should look like. And now you know how to do a french seam!!!  So this tutorial is sort of like a two for one deal!  lol

BTW:  Please excuse all my little hairs from the raw edge sticking out...I had forgot to trim the first seam down to 1/4".

Now finish the long raw edges of the scarf.  I used my narrow hem foot, but it won't go over the french seam because it's too much fabric, so I had to do that spot by hand, but if you don't have a narrow hem foot you could do it by hand.  Just turn the raw edge up 1/4"; press; turn in another 1/4" the stitch.  You could even do a rolled hem or faux rolled hem.

And that's it! your done!

Tutu Video Tutorial

Okay so this isn't the best directed video ever, but it was my first time, so go easy on me!  I think it should answer the questions I was getting though.

Find all my tutu tutorials here

Easy Peasy Baby Blanket Tutorial

One of my friend's asked me to make a baby blanket for her awhile back, so I thought I'd share a quick tutorial since I have been seriously lacking in posts lately...sorry, I've been painting my family room for a week with three kids running around!  Yeah, it's been an adventure!  lol  Anyway, let's get on with the tutorial!

What you'll need

2 - 36" x 36" squares of coordinating fabric

2 packs of satin blanket binding

a gathering/ruffle foot (useful but not necessary)

Take both packages of blanket binding out, open each of them at one end and stitch them together into one long piece with RS facing.  Press the seam open; fold the binding back in half and press.  Using a 3/8" seam allowance along the open end,  use your gathering/ruffle foot to ruffle the binding.  

If you don't have a gathering/ruffle foot, set your upper thread tension to zero, and your stitch to the longest setting your machine will go.   Run two stitches one 1/4" from the raw edge (the edge opposite the folded edge...it's not actually raw, but I don't know what else to call it) and one at  3/8".  Make sure you pull about 5" of thread before starting your stitch and about 5" at the end.   Tie the threads at one end, then grab both the bobbin threads at the other end and gently pull to gather.  You want to gather it down to about 4 yards (the perimeter of the blanket) + 10".

Pin the binding to the RS of one of the 36" x 36" squares around the perimeter with the gathered edge matching the raw edge.  I rounded my corner because I find it easier and I prefer the finished look but it's up to you if you want to square them...

Leave a few inches when you start pinning.  The binding should run off the blanket like this.

Then, do the same when you finish.  Make sure you don't pull the ruffled part to tight at the beginning and end, because if you do it pulls when you turn the blanket. See the part the arrow is pointing too is pulled almost flat...I should have taken a little of the ruffle from the parenthesis and make that part more ruffly if that makes sense.

Sorry this pic is blurry but I had to crop it really close to show how I should have left more ruffle.  Hopefully it will give you a better idea of what I am talking about. 

Anyway, it should look something like this once you're done, then baste in place with a 3/8" seam allowance.

Now somehow or another, I forgot to take a pic of the next part but it's really simple.  With RS facing pin the two blanket pieces together (the binding should be sandwiched between them), and stitch them together using a 1/2" seam allowance.  Leave about a 6" opening for turning making sure to back stitch at the beginning and end of the stitch.  Trim the corners with pinking shears.  Then, turn the blanket RS out, gently pulling the binding at the corners.  

Next, use a ladder stitch to close the opening and your done!

Pick Up Skirt Tutorial

I made this homecoming dress a couple weeks ago for my niece, and I had the hardest time finding info on how to make a pick up skirt.  I mean, I knew how to make the pick ups, but I didn't know how much fabric it would take, etc.  And basically everything I found, only told the how...but no details on the fabric etc, so I decided to write a tutorial, and hopefully this will help you guys if you ever want to do this.

It's actually in-credibly easy to do!  So, here we go!

What you'll need

lining fabric

skirt fabric

safety pins...lots of safety pins

When choosing your fabrics, if you want your pick ups to really hold their shape use a stiffer fabric, like taffeta.  I used a polyester shantung, which isn't very stiff, so I had to create larger pick ups to get a really dramatic effect. The softer the effect you want, the softer the fabric you should use.  I also, read somewhere in a forum, that if you want to use something soft, like organza or chiffon for the top skirt, you should cut 2 additional top skirts in a matching tulle and all three layers as one.  Otherwise, the delicate fabric will tear with movement.  You should also be sure to use a sturdy lining fabric when using softer top fabrics.

1)  Figure out how long you want your finished skirt to be (minus the waistband and minus 1"). 

 If you are making a dress, it's a good idea to complete the bodice so that you can see exactly where it ends and measure your skirt length from there.  Add seam allowance.

If you are making a bubble skirt, you will need subtract another 3-4" from the final skirt length so that the top skirt can "bubble" under when you stitch it to the lining.

2)  Cut the  skirt lining to that length.  I used a skirt lining pattern I already had then cut it down to the length I needed.  If you don't have a pattern you can use, follow these instructions:

If the zipper is on the side:  Cut 2 rectangles.  To figure the width of the rectangles, use your hip measurement + 1" for ease + seam allowances. 

If the zipper is in the back:   Cut 3 rectangles.  Cut the front rectangle the same as if the zipper was on the side.  Then for the back, use your hip measurement + 2" for ease + seam allowances. Then, cut that rectangle in half so that you have a left back skirt piece and a right back skirt piece. 

 Next, sew all your skirt lining pieces together, making sure to leave about 5" open at the top on the zipper seam, so that you can insert the zipper.  Gather the top edge of the skirt lining so that it is the same size as your bodice/waistband.  

For a regular hem: hem the lining using a narrow hem (either use a narrow hem foot or turn the hem up 1/4"; press; turn it up anther 1/4"; press and stitch in place).

For a bubble hem: press the bottom raw edge of the lining up to the RS by 1/2".

3)  For the skirt, you will cut 2 or 3 rectangles as described for the lining, except you will cut them twice as wide and at least twice as long.

I cut mine twice as long, and I just barely had enough to achieve the fullness I did.  If you want it about the same fullness as mine, I would cut the length 2x longer plus about 6"...You can always cut extra fabric off, but once it's too short...well, you know...you get to start all. over. again!  So, despite the fact that I absolutely HATE to waste fabric, I'd rather do that than have to make the skirt twice!

Sew the skirt pieces together, just as you did the lining pieces.

4)  If you are making a dress, you will want to sew the bodice lining to the skirt lining and the bodice and skirt together.  Then, with RS facing and seams matching, stitch the bodice to the bodice lining according to your pattern instructions. It should look like the picture above.

If you are making a skirt, with the RS of the skirt lining facing the WS of the skirt, baste them together.  Then, gather the waist so that it matches the waistband.

5) Open a lot of safety pins.

6)  Hang the dress/skirt from a dress form, or if your like me and don't have a dress form, just hang it somewhere and pull up a chair...preferably one with wheels so you can slide back and forth to get a good look at your work. ; )  Pin the raw edges of the skirt lining to the top skirt where you are going to insert the zipper...or you can go ahead and insert the zipper before making the pickups...that's what I did, but it's totally up to you!

7)  Starting at the top of the skirt, grab the skirt fabric and pull it up higher on the lining and to one side a bit, put your hand inside the lining, pinch the top skirt fabric through the lining to hold it in place and pin the skirt fabric to the lining with a safety pin.  Be careful not to twist the lining fabric around or pull up the lining with the skirt fabric.  You want to keep the lining hanging straight...ie you only want to change the shape of the skirt fabric...not the lining fabric...Does that make sense?? 

The fabric coming from the bottom should go under the fabric from the top.

You can make the pick ups as big as you want like in this pic...

or as small as you want, like in this pic.  

Symmetrical.  Not symmetrical.  Whatever.  That's the great part about this!  It's almost impossible to mess it up!  And as your working, take time to step back, look at how it's draping, and if you aren't happy with something, you can always unpin what you don't like and make adjustments. 

Here's what it looked like once I pinned all the pick ups.

8)  Once you are happy with the shape of the skirt, you will need to stitch the skirt pickups to the lining using a zigzag stitch.  At first, I would pin the pick up in place with a regular pin like this, then, remove the safety pin and stitch.

But then (after about 2 pick ups lol), I got lazy and started just carefully stitching next to the safety pin...okay, so I stitched directly on top of them, but you do run the risk of breaking a needle on the safety pins and possibly damaging your sewing machine, and I'm sure it's even possibe you could somehow injure yourself, so do this at your own risk...but if you are lazy, be sure not to sew over the side of the safety pin that doesn't open because then it doesn't come out. Lesson. Learned!

Once you think, you have got all the pick ups sewn in place, look inside at the lining for more safety pins!  'Cause chances are: you missed a few!  And just keep checking until you get them all.

10)  Now all that's left is the hem.   

For a regular hem:  Turn the dress inside out, and trim the top skirt so that it is about 2" longer than the lining, then do a narrow hem.  A narrow hem foot would really come in handy here because if you have to iron that all the way around, twice, it's gonna be a pain!

For a bubble hem:  Turn the dress inside out, and trim the top skirt so that it is about 4-5" longer than the lining. Run a gathering stitch around the bottom of the skirt 1/2" from the raw edge, and gather it so that it is the same width as the skirt.

Now this part is sort of hard to explain, but I'll do my best.  If you have trouble please feel free to email me or comment, and I will do my best to answer any questions.  I could even do a video of this part if needed. 

Okay, as you are gathering, pin the skirt to the lining at points directly below where your bottom row of pick ups is sewn.  It's best to do this while the dress is hanging, so you can see the natural fall of the fabric. Fold the raw edge under along your gathering stitch and pin it to the lining.  You want the pressed edge of the lining and the folded edge of the skirt to line up.

You will have extra skirt fabric between those pick up points like in the picture above.  Gather the excess skirt fabric so that it fits between those points, and fold the raw edge under and pin as you did before.

Once you have gathered and pinned the hem, stitch the skirt to the lining using a ladder stitch and your done!

    

Hope that helps someone!  And as I said before, if anything needs clarification, feel free to email or comment!

Butterfly Dress ~ Finished!!

Sorry it's taken me so long to post this pic.  I have literally been non stop since last Friday, and now I am sick!  Yuck!  But I had to post this pic since I am finally getting a chance to sit down on the computer.  

Overall, I am happy with it.  I really wish I had been able to drape the bodice with a wing but 

oh, well....it is what it is.  I'm glad I did it.  I learned a lot and it was really fun to make!  Now I am going to get some rest, and hopefully I'll feel better tomorrow!

Finishing the Butterfly Dress

So like a dope I somehow deleted the pics I took of me inserting the zipper...but luckily, I found this great tutorial, and this is exactly how I did it.  Before inserting the zipper, you will need to sew the skirt to the bodice...also deleted those pics, but it's pretty basic just put the right sides together, and stitch.  If you need help, just email me and I will take some pics with scrap fabric to give you an example.  Anywho, here's the tutorial for the zipper:

The wings should overlap like this in the back once you install the zipper.  If you have trouble with them not staying closed, you could add a hook and eye or snap.

Now you just have to stitch the feather trim on and your done!!!  Woohoo!   I've got mine all done and I will be wearing it to a party tomorrow.  I'm going to take pics and post them Saturday!

Fashion & Flair Friday ~ Monarch Butterfly Dress, Finishing the Skirt

Well, there really isn't a whole lot to it.  Once you've made the underskirt, safety pin it to either a dress form or yourself and just start pinning the wings on.

I really don't have much advise, except start in the back one one side of your opening (you'll sew this opening together later) and work your way around to the other side one wing at a time (you would work from left to right, start in one of the white sections, then end at the other)....And if you are wondering why my lining is black and white, its because, as I mentioned on FB, I wanted it to be more full, so instead of going out and buying more netting, I decided to hack some more fabric off the bridesmaids dress I used to make my sisters Marilyn Dress.  I figured, a) it's already lined, and b) it's FREE!!!  Can't beat it!

Anywho, isn't it sad looking now!  I'm fairly certain I can salvage what's left of the top and make something...already got a few ideas rolling around in this crazy little head of mine...as for when it will get done...that's going to be a whole nother story!!! lol

Moving on...

Here's how mine ended up looking.  I only used four of my six wings.  My only advice is work your way around and play with the positioning.  Typically, I pinned each wing at three spots:  dead center (between the top and bottom portion of the wing) and then a little to the left and a little to the right, depending on how much I needed to lift the wing.  

In some spots, I even had to sort of fold pieces up towards the waist to get the look I wanted, and keep the wing from looking bunched up.

Oh, btw, please excuse my horribly filthy mirror...guess I could've windex-ed before using it to take pics, huh.  ; )

You can see in these pics in some spots it sort of stuck up over the waist, don't worry about that.  We'll just cut it off once it's sewn together...no biggie.  Just maneuver them however you need to get the look you want. 

Here's a nice blurry view of my behind...but I wanted you to see how the wings sort of overlap in the back to close off the skirt....that's what you're going for.

Oh, and  if you're like me with no dress form and have to pin the skirt to yourself, here's a few tips...

1)  Do NOT bend over to pick up a pin you've dropped!  

2)  Pin sideways!!!

3)  DO NOT BEND OVER TO PICK UP A PIN YOU'VE DROPPED!!!!!!!

Trust me!  It's nothin' nice!

Once you take it off, pin it in place well.  Make sure you leave 1/2" on either side so that you can sew the zipper on without sewing it to the lining....If you look closely at either side you can see the little bit of lining sticking out.

Like so...

Set your stitch to about 5mm long, turn it over so that you can see the edge of the lining and stitch the wings to the lining with a half inch seam allowance.  Once they are stitched together trim off the excess wings.  (that black part that's sticking out the top), and you're done!...for now

If you're wanting to move ahead, all that's left is to pin the skirt to the bodice RS facing and stitch.  Insert the zipper according to the zipper/pattern's instructions, and hand stitch the feather trim to the bodice!  Then, you will be completely done!!!  Woohoo!  

I will the instructions with pics tomorrow night.  Email me if you have questions!!!

Fashion & Flair Friday ~ Monarch Butterfly Dress, Making the Underskirt

At first, I was really excited about this fabric, but once I had it draped on the bodice, I just didn't care for the way it went with {or rather, didn't go with} the skirt, so I scrapped that idea, ripped it off, and just left the bodice black.  If I had had time, I was going to drape it in a black chiffon like in the draping tutorial I posted, but I ran out of time {or so I thought, but I actually could have done it since I ended up not finishing for the party because I didn't like the way the skirt was hanging, but I already stitched the bodice to the lining and no way I am taking it apart again, so I will just have settle on plain black sans draping.  Oh well, at least the feather trim will perk it up a little so it won't look so boring!}

For the underskirt, I used tulle, but in the end, the paint added so much weight that the tulle just didn't poof it out enough for my liking, so I am going to add some netting to mine to poof it out more.

So here's what I did:

Cut List:

Broadcloth:  8" x width of fabric

Tulle or Netting:  8 - 8" x WOF

                                4 - 15.5" x WOF

Gather the 8 - 8" x WOF tulle/netting strips together until they are the same width as your broadcloth.  I used a gathering foot, and when I would come to the end of on strip (about 1/2" left), I would just lift my presser foot and overlap the beginning of the next strip, but even if you don't have a gathering foot, you can do the same as you are sewing your gathering stitch across the top edge

Pin the tulle to the broadcloth and stitch using a 1/2" seam allowance.

Finish the raw edge, then press the seam up toward the broadcloth.

Now gather the 15.5" strips, just like you did for the 8" strips, and pin them to the top edge of the broadcloth and stitch.

Now all that's left is to drape the wings on the skirt...which I have found to be a little tricky to get them to look right, but my Grandma is going to come over and help me drape them, since I don't have a dress form and will have to pin the skirt onto myself, then, drape the wings onto the skirt. I will post how I drape them as soon as we get them done.  Then, we will just have to sew the skirt to the bodice and add the zipper and feathers!  Yay!