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Blouse Make Over

Mon, 27 Aug 2012 20:29:10 GMT

Blouse Make Over
Designed By Donna Whitacre
Materials needed:
Blouse
9 - 2 “x 17” strips of fabric
1 – Square felt the same color as blouse
Aleene’s Fabric Fusion permanent fabric adhesive
Marking pencil or chalk
Circle objects (to trace circles)
Sewing machine
Thread
Clear embroidery presser foot
Embellishments (optional)

To start this project lay the blouse flat
on the table front side up. Take the square felt and slide it inside the upper
portion of the blouse along the neck line at least ¾ of the way down the front
of the blouse. With the marking pencil trace the neck line onto the felt square.
Remove felt from blouse and place the blouse to the side for now. Take the felt
square and with your circle objects begin tracing circles below the trace line
on the felt square you are now drawing the outline for where you will be placing
your rosette flowers. You should end up with about 9 circles in a few different
sizes that follow the shape of the neck line of your blouse.

Gather your 9 strips of fabric to start
making your rosette flowers. Starting with the center circle begin by folding 1
strip of fabric in half (lengthwise) take the glue and put a dab in the center
of the first circle begin by twisting the fabric while gluing it to the felt
creating a twist as you work your way from the center to the outer edge of the
circle gluing as you go. Glue and tuck the ends onto the back side of the felt.
Trim excess fabric. Repeat these steps until all 9 circles have rosette flowers
in them set aside for a few hours to let glue dry. Once the glue is dried
(overnight) begin trimming the excess felt so you only see the shape of the
rosette flowers now position the rosette flowers over the front of the blouse
along the neck line and glue in place. Let this dry overnight. Once the glue has
dried you will sew along the outline of the rosette flowers onto the blouse. Use
your clear embroidery presser foot to see the edge where you are sewing. Once
the rosette flowers are sewn to the blouse you can embellish the flowers if
you’d like with beads or crystals (optional) with fabric glue. Your blouse
makeover is now complete. Enjoy!

Care: Wash n dry on gentile cycle

Simple Sewing To Learn New Sewing Skills

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 20:45:42 GMT

One of my recent students Jeanna wanted to brush up on her sewing skills, while learning new ways to use her machine and to learn some new sewing techniques. Jeanna took the private 8 hour Sew Basic Class (you can check out this class under the class section). Jeanna was thinking ahead when she had purchased a lot of fabric, that she would use to make Christmas Gifts this year. Jeanna’s project was a little girls skirt with pockets and bias tape, the skirt has a gathered waist an elastic waist band. Her inspiration came from a skirt she found in a catalogue. We set out on a trip to the fabric store to purchase patterns, and supplies for a couple of her projects. Jeanna finished her nieces skirt and here it is. I’m sure your sisters, nieces and nephew will be thrilled when they open their gifts on Christmas Day.
Thank you Jeanna it was fun working with you! I hope to see you again in another class. I hope you are now more confident and inspired to continue sewing.

Reconstructing and Patching Holes In Boys Jeans

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 01:01:11 GMT

My grandson gave me a pair of his holiest jeans to mend. At first I thought I would throw some patches on the knees and be done with them. Both knees where blown out. Now I know most moms would have just thrown these pants out, or if you sew you would have cut them up to use for patches to repair another pants with.

But I knew there had to be something special about these old worn out jeans that my grandson loved. Every time he came to visit me, he would always pack the same pants to wear. Well this last time he left them at my house and asked me if I would patch them for him. My grandson is 10 years old and loves football. His team (like his dad’s) is the Denver Bronco’s. I started to think creatively and decide not to just throw some ordinary patches on the knees, but to reconstruct them.

I went to Joann Fabrics and purchase some pieces of orange denim and blue material. I already had some white fabric. Now I had all the colors I needed to reconstruct his pants. Starting at the knees I just cut them completely in half like a pair of shorts. I sewed the blue and white strips onto the orange denim using a pattern I made and created a sewn cuff. I then attached the new middle piece to the top and bottom portion of each leg. This also gave me a few extra inches in the length as the pants were beginning to get short on him. On some of the tiny holes around the back pockets I sewed on a small football patch that I made out of iron on patches and machine stitched, to reinforce them. I also added a Bronco Banner to left front leg. My grandson loves his new reconstructed original one of a kind Denver Bronco jeans. He said guess what grandma I think you are going to be busy because I have about 6 more pairs of pants for you to patch for me…LOL. He was serious. He sent me video photo’s from his phone.

So, next time your kids or grand kids need the holes in their jeans patched be creative. Give them a whole new pair of jeans with just a few dollars in the cost of materials. With the money I saved, I purchased a new pair of Bronco socks for him that he could wear with his new pants. He was delighted and said now all I need is a Tim Tebo Jersey.

Aspiring Fashion Designers and Beginnner Sewers

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 18:11:49 GMT

I want to share this project with beginner and intermediate sewers and aspiring fashion designers. This is a finished purse that one of my beginner students Paula made. This project was more for an intermediate sewer, so results may vary. Paula is an aspiring fashion designer and jumped into her first project using her own creative personal touches on this bag. We started with a store brought pattern and made changes along the way adding gold embellishments, different texture fabrics, gold hoops and chains. It took approximately 12 hours to make as took a few different classes along the way. The Machine Class, Pattern Cutting Class and 8 hours Sewing Class. Below is a photo of Paula’s finished purse. I'm so proud of you Paula for your creativity. I enjoyed working with you keep sewing and I hope to see you at another class of mine.

Harvest Time on Etsy Kids

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 18:30:48 GMT

Let me introduce to my readers Etsy Kids. On Etsy kids you will find uniquely handmade baby and children’s clothes and accessories from around the world. This month Etsy Kids challenge is featuring Harvest Time inspired children’s clothes and accessories. So be sure to check out what’s new on Esty Kids you just might find that perfect little gift to surprise a child.
Visit Etsy Kids
www.etsykids.com

Holiday Sewing

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 19:46:03 GMT

Fall is upon us and so we enter into another holiday season. As you go about dressing up your home for the holidays, here are some money saving tips. Look for holiday fabrics on sale or check the remnant bins at your local fabric store for solid colors to match your holiday décor. Take some throw pillows you already have and add a splash of holiday color to them by making some slip covers for your pillows. After the holidays these the covers can be removed. Take some everyday place mats, table runners, table cloth and napkins and add some holiday trim or appliqué’s to dress them up. Take some holiday fabric remnants and frame it for a quick picture to add to a blank wall. Sew some handmade holiday decorations to give as a gift to brighten up their holidays.

Basic sewing supplies you will need to start sewing

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 17:12:29 GMT

Here are the basic supplies you will need to start sewing. As you become more advanced there are all kinds of sewing tools you can buy. Some may be very helpful in your projects. Besides your sewing machine you will need these basic supplies.

Cutting Table or Board - You need a cutting space a folding cutting table is ideal but if you don’t have the space a cutting board will work to protect your dining table making it easy to fold away when not in use.

Iron & Ironing Board - You have to iron as you sew so purchase a good steam iron and a full size ironing board. There are also different ironing tools that help like pressing clothes and tailor hams for ironing sleeves and cuffs.

Marking Pencils or Taylor’s Chalk - Use these handy tools to mark darts and lines. They help you to sew better.

Measuring Tools - Having these handy little measuring gauges come in very handy when measuring hems.

Pins and Pin Cushion or Pin Catcher - Safety rule #1 always put your pins in something. Avoid sticking yourself or someone else with loose pins lying around. Use a pin cushion or pin catcher.

Scissors - You need a good pair of cutting scissors for fabric only. Keep your not so good ones for cutting paper and everything else.

Seam Ripper - Everyone makes mistakes even the most advanced seamstress. Use this handy little tool to take out your mistakes and re-sew it.

Tape Measure - Measure twice cut once. Measure what you cut before you cut it. Take the right body measurements. Avoid cutting mistakes by measuring first.

Check out the Sewing Supply Store to purchase your supplies on-line save time, gas and money.

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Hospital Bed Geni

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 21:58:39 GMT

Here is a design I created. This is the perfect gift to give to someone who sleeps in a hospital bed or a bed that has a side rail. People who are in the hospital, nursing home or even at home love the Hospital Bed Geni ( my brother in-law gave it the name) and how it attaches to the side rail on the bed, with easy tie straps. It has 3 mesh pochets in front, so you can put items in it that you need to get to quickly. The bed control, TV control, eye glasses etc are now within easy reach while your in bed. The back side, is sewn with 2 or 3 pockets for holding magazines, books, TV guide etc. There is also a carrying strap handle across the top, with tie straps on the sides to secure your bed Geni to the bed. I have made a few of these to give to family members and they not only loved it, it also became a conversation piece, that I am now making them to sell.

If you are interested in having one made, please drop me an email the turn around time is 1 week the cost is $55.00.

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Fun Baby Bibs For On The Go

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 21:12:16 GMT

These fun little creature baby bibs are unique to give as baby shower gifts, or to a mom with a new baby. Each bib is sewn from 100% cotton with soft 100% flannel backing with a Pellon Fleece lining in between the front and back to make an extra soft and durable bib. The eyes are made from felt and are hand embroidered on. The neck strap attaches with Velcro. These bibs will fit a newborn up to 6 months the neck size is 11 inches round. You can purchase one of these bids on The Handmade Gifts Page.

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Give a pair of pants a new makeover

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 00:01:30 GMT

This pair of black corduroy pants just got a new makeover into a pair of shorts. Cut the pants into the length you want then add a 5 inch folded piece of contrasting 100% cotton material to the bottom edge of the shorts. Machine stitch with a finish stitch then fold up to make a cuff. Tack stitch the cuff in place along the inside and out side seams. Make a matching 1 ¼ inch belt 58” long to go along with the shorts. Now you have yourself a new pair of shorts for summer. Beginner Project: Time: 1-2 hours

* This pair of shorts were an actual project that I had prepared for a student of mine.

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