I-Spy Tutorial is Here!!!

It's here!  This really is an EASY project, but I just haven't had time in my sewing room until today.  I also started a really adorable sun suit for Stella using some light blue eyelet and vintage cotton eyelet trim for the ruffles.  It is going to be sooooo cute!
But back to I-Spy bags...these are great for kids who need to work on fine motor skills, memory, learning colors and shapes, etc.  If your child is on the Autism spectrum (as the recipient of this bag is) then you will want to make a few of these!  They would be a great teacher gift for your child's special ed teacher too- make a couple and tie them up with a spa gift card.  Teachers need that! (I know, I used to be one!)

You will need:
-2 fabric scraps, about 8"x8"
-a Clear plastic scrap (needs to be thick and durable- I cut up a bag that some sheets came in, you know the heavy plastic kind with a zipper?)
-Rice, beans or plastic fillers
-Tiny objects to fit inside (Try the craft store, tiny dollhouse pieces, bead shops have cute things too)
-Sewing stuff (machine, thread)
-Scotch tape (the satin finish kind)
-A camera
-A computer and printer
-Contact paper (or a trip to the office store to laminate)

Let's get started, shall we?

Step One:
Gather up your tiny items and photograph each one individually.  Here is a sample of what is in this bag.

Step Two:
Use the individual photos to make a composite and label each item.  I used the free online photo editor "fotoflexer" in collage mode to make this!

Step Three:
Print out the composite, and cover with contact paper or laminate.  This page will be kept with the I-Spy bag.  You can attach it to the bag with double sided velcro, a metal ring, etc.  Whatever you prefer.

Step Four:
Cut out two squares, about 8"x8".

Step Five:
Fold one square over, about 1/3 of the way.  Then cut a window out!

Step Six:
Cut out a plastic window slightly larger than the fabric window.

Step Seven:
Cut out any appliques you want to use to decorate the bag.  I made some eye pieces with a button for the eyeball.  The stripes will top the black part.

Step Eight:
Place a piece of the Scotch satin tape on your presser foot.  This will make it slide effortlessly over the plastic.  (Do this anytime you sew on plastic, laminated fabric, oilcloth, etc.)

Step Nine:

Using an applique stitch of your choice, attach the plastic window.  I set my stitches close together so I didn't need to hem the window first.  Yay for saving time!

Step Ten:
Apply your design item, in my case the Eye for I-spy!

Step Eleven:
With right sides facing, sew the two squares together leaving an opening to turn/stuff.  Clip corners!  (No picture, I know you got this, right!?!?!)

Step Twelve:
Stuff with rice (or whatever you chose to use) and the tiny items.  Leave space for the top stitching!

Step Thirteen:
Top stitch once on the very edge to close the hole.  Then go in about 3/4" and do it again!  You will need to move the rice around carefully so you don't stitch over it!

All done!  Enjoy!!!

Embellished boy's tshirts

I am ready to put the first winner's prizes in the mail!  She didn't really need any of the "mommy" prizes, so I let her pick two kid prizes.  She ended up going with two boy's t-shirts.  Her son wears cloth diapers (check out my cloth diaper post here) so a t-shirt is perfect to show off his cute diaper covers!
The first one is a tie t-shirt.  I used some "manly" blue fabric and appliqued it on. 

Basic tie t-shirt!

For the other one, she said to get creative, and mentioned her hubby's love of baseball.  So I traced a circle on some off-white fabric (since a classic baseball is off-white) then used bright red thread to make the lines on the ball.  My sewing machine has a stitch that looks EXACTLY like a baseball stitch, yay!  I used a narrower version of that same stitch around the perimeter of the ball.  I definitely will use this technique again, it turned out so cute!

Baseball t-shirt

Close-up of baseball stitch

I am putting these in the mail today!  The other giveaway winner has been traveling so I am waiting on her to choose her prizes and will post them when they are complete!  (It actually has worked out well since I am so much busier with two kids now!)

Some projects I am working on and hope to post for you soon (and by soon, I mean whenever I get a chance to sew...since my daughters have not been synching up their nap times lately!)

-i-spy bag tutorial (as suggested by YOU!)
-Free People inspired "hippie" headband
-Yoga waistband knit skirt (turned out so cute, just need to put the tute together)
-Baby "lovie" mini blankie

There are so many more ideas floating around in my brain...the curse of the creative person, hahah!  I know that someday when my girls are both in school I will have more time to work on my projects, so I have to force myself to put the brakes on my brain and realize that this stage in my life is not the time to get a million sewing and craft projects done!  I wouldn't trade one minute of this time in our lives for a million dollars though! (Okay, sometimes during a toddler tantrum I would be tempted...)

Have a great week, and if you haven't gotten your mom a gift for Mother's Day yet jump over here to get some ideas!

Ladies Kimono Robe- A Tutorial!

Guess what?  I actually sewed something for myself this week!  It turned out just as planned, I love when that happens!!!  So I am sharing the tutorial with you.  I searched a lot online and couldn't find any other free pattern or tutorial for a Kimono Robe, so I hope a lot of people find this who want one. (Please remember to link to me if you post about it!)  It is so comfy, and one size fits most!  (I would say realistically a size Small-Large as my 9mos prego belly is completely covered in it and I am normally a Medium.)  You could very easily make a longer version of this by buying more yardage and lengthening the inches in Step 1.

Please pretend my face isn't swollen to twice its normal size- I'm popping this baby out in about a week!

 

I made this to take to the hospital with me, as the maternity robes out there are less than stylish, and I wanted something unique!  While I did make this generous enough to fit a pregnant belly, it is not just for pregnant chicks- any woman (and some men, haha) would love to relax in a roomy, silky robe, right?!?!?!  The best part?  I got this beautiful fabric on sale at Hancock for only $2/yard!  So my whole robe cost about $5.

So, here is the tutorial...enjoy!  If you make one, please link up a photo below because I would love to see it!


ToBeContinued Ladies' Kimono Robe

Materials Needed:
2 1/2 yards silky brocade fabric (44" wide)  (If you want a contrasting trim like mine, choose a fabric that has a pattern on the edges and is completely reversible.  Most brocades are.)

close-up of my fabric

Matching thread
Sewing machine, scissors, quilting ruler, and other sewing tools as needed.

Step One- Cut a length of fabric that is 74".

With slippery fabric like this, pin pin pin!  I also used fabric weights to hold it in place while cutting.  Rotary cutters work best for this type of long cut.

Step 2- Fold the fabric in half along the widest side and pin the edges together to prevent slipping.  I did this on the (thread/scrap covered) floor to give myself lots of room!

Hopefully yours has this handy crease down the middle from being on the bolt.  If not, you may want to iron one in to help with the next few steps!

Step 3- Cut the center and neck out.  Measure out 3" from either side of the crease and mark all the way to the bottom hem.  (In other words, 6" out of the center.) Then cut- this is for the TOP LAYER ONLY!

I used my hand-held Gingher shears for this since I needed to cut the top layer only.

Step 4- Cut out the neck.  Mark a very slight half-moon shape for the neck and cut.

Don't stress if it isn't perfect- you will be covering this with a very wide binding. (Can you see how wonky mine is, haha!)

Step 5- Mark sleeves and body.  I used a large quilting ruler for this- once again that fold going down the center will come in handy!  For the sleeve shape, measure 10" down from top fold (the shoulder/arm) and 15" out from the center crease.  Mark.  Then continue marking the 15" mark to the bottom hem. 

If you want an even wider sleeve, feel free to go 11" or 12" down.  I found that 10" was just right for me though.

Step 6- Carefully cut out the L-shaped marking.  It is looking like a Kimono already!!!  (SAVE YOUR SCRAPS- we will be using them!)

Getting there- I love when it actually starts to look like something!

Step 7- Pin the bottom side of the sleeve and down the sides.  Yes, we are pinning on the RIGHT side of the fabric- because a French Seam is a MUST with this kind of silky, stringy fabric.  (You certainly could use a serger, but it would be a little scratchy and you still could get a few loose strands.  Therefore, my seam allowances are for French seams).  Usa a lot of pins because this is slippery fabric!  Normally I like to pin horizontal to the seam, but to prevent slippage I find that vertical is better with this type of fabric.

Step 8- Sew a very scant 1/4" seam.  Curve carefully at the armpit.

Note how the fabric is inside the edge of the presser foot.

Step 9- Trim any stringy things hanging off and press the seam.  Then turn the robe inside out.

Step 10- Sew a generous 1/4" seam to be sure you have encased the raw edges.

Your gorgeous French Seam is taking shape!  No scratchy stuff against your skin, and no loose threads!

Et voila!  Tres jolie!

Step 11- Hem the arm holes and bottom.  Simply fold over 1/4" and press, then another 1/4" and tack down.  Sorry, no picture of this!

Step 12- Make the trim.  This part is cool, because you simply use the parts you cut out to make the arms and body.  You should have 4 identical pieces sitting there.  Simply sew them end to end!  I used the gold side of my fabric as the "right" side for the trim so it would have a pretty contrast to the robe.  It also utilizes that pretty pattern on the edges of the fabric!  You will need to iron it like bias tape- in half, then fold in each side about 3/4" (NOT all the way to the center crease as you would bias tape- we want to see that pretty pattern!)  This will be a little bit longer than what you need, but we will cut off the extra at the end.  For now, mitre in the corners and fold over one end.  Baste in place.

Step 13-  Pin on trim.  Pin very carefully!  I placed it so the raw edge of the robe was about 3/4" inside.  This makes it nice and stable when you attach it.  When pinning around the neck it will be a challenge to get it to lay flat, but do your best.

I used my quilting ruler again to be sure the trim was going on evenly as I pinned.

Step 14- Sew the trim on carefully.  I went nice and slow  to be sure it was going on smoothly- especially around the neck!  You may find that the trim stretches a bit as you go around and you need to adjust your pinning for the second side.  This is fine, and that is why we didn't cut the excess off yet!  Stop with about 3" to go on the bottom of the second side.

Stick as close to the edge as possible!  You can always go back on the "wrong" side and be sure you caught the edges there too.

Step 15- Finish off the bottom edges of the trim.  When you get to the bottom of the second side, you will have excess fabric.  Cut it off leaving about a 1" overhang.  Mitre the corners as before and fold under, then baste down.  You can then finish that last 3" that you left unsewn.  Sew along the very bottom edge of the trim, being sure both sides are lined up perfectly.  Do this for both sides.

Neat and tidy!

Step 16- Make the belt.  Cut two 3" wide strips running the entire width of the fabric (44").  Sew them end-to-end, making the color you want as the right side (I again used the gold for contrast).  Then sew a 1/4" seam down the length, reinforcing with a zig-zag stitch or serger.  Turn this tube inside out, press, then turn ends to the inside at a slight angle and press then stitch down.

The ends of the belt will be turned to the inside and sewn down.

Step 17- Make and attach the belt loops.  Cut a 2"x10" piece.  Turn it inside out and sew a 1/4" seam. (Make whatever side you want the right side- I wanted the green to blend the belt loops in).  Turn the tube inside out and press, then cut in half so you have two 5" pieces.  Turn the ends to the inside like you did with the belt ends- be sure both belt loops end up the same length after doing this!  Then put your robe on so you can figure out where you want your loops to be.  Mine are up a little high so it ties above my big baby belly, but not so high that it will be weird someday when my belly is flat again (can't wait!!!)  Pin in place at the center of the loop.  Measure to check that they are even.  Then fold under the edges about 1/4" and sew in place.  I went over it a couple times to be sure it was tacked down securely.

Be sure to measure and adjust as needed so your loops are even on both sides!

Last step!!! Yay!

 

Step 18- Try on your robe with belt, and admire your sexy self in a mirror.  You may want to iron out that crease down the back, but it will eventually go away.  Enjoy your comfy, silky, Kimono Robe!

Oh, yeah...so HOT! (No really, these hormones are making me sweat, haha!)

Remember that this is for personal use only (yourself, gifts, etc.)  Please contact me if you are interested in making these to sell and I can give you the pricing for commercial license based on quantity.


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Super Bowl Week- Post 2 (Stuffed Football Toy!)

This weekend is not only the Super Bowl, it is also the birthday celebration of a sweet little boy who is turning one year old!  He is the son of our close friends, and we are so excited to be celebrating this milestone with them.
His party theme is of course football, I mean, how could they NOT do that theme with the Super Bowl being in our own city this weekend?  He also was dressed as an injured Peyton Manning (complete with neck brace) for Halloween.  What a cutie!
So, along with his other birthday gifts I whipped up this toy football using a few scraps, some stuffing, and embroidery floss.

To get started, print off this FREE pattern for the football panels. If you want a larger or smaller football, just use the general shape, or you could mess with your printer settings to shrink or enlarge my pattern.

Cut out four pieces from your fabric.  I used a heavy home-dec weight fabric, but you can really use whatever you have on hand that is sturdy.

I varied the direction I cut mine out since it had stripes- this gives it extra visual/textural interest.

Then, begin sewing your panels together.  Take your first two pieces and put the pointy ends right side together.  Use as close of a seam as you can!!!  I also used a double stitch instead of a plain straight stitch to make this more durable. (DESIGN NOTE- if this is for a tiny baby, you could add "taggies" if you want.  Just stick them in between the seams and pin!)

Very close seam- see how its inside the edge of the presser foot?

Reinforced stitch!

After you sew the first two panels together, turn it right side out so you can carefully lay down the third.  Be sure the points are all sew over as we don't want a hole in the tip of the football!

Adding third panel- right sides together!

Third panel attached!  Starting to really look like a football!

Now simply add your fourth panel.  Then you have all four panels and one side open.  Turn the entire football inside out and line up the open ends right sides together.  Sew them, but leave a hole in the middle (about 2 inches) for turning/stuffing.

Inside out- carefully sew the last home together!  Don't forget to leave an opening!

Now you need to turn it right side out and stuff.  Be generous because you want the football to be relatively firm.  (DESIGN NOTE- if you want to make it more interactive, you could add some crinkly sounding plastic, bells, etc. inside.  Stuff them into the very middle though so they aren't felt on the outside!)

All stuffed.

Sew the opening shut using coordinating thread.  Don't worry about it looking perfect- you will cover this part with laces!

Now, get some embroidery thread (I used off-white for a vintage feel).  Use all 6 strands and double them over so its nice and thick.  Sew the end parts and a couple of criss cross parts!  Then hide your knot at the end.

And that's it!  You're done!  Mine took about 20 minutes from start to finish, including taking photos.  So if you wanted to make one for each kid coming to your Super Bowl Party, you just might have time to whip through these this week!  It would make a great gift any time of the year for a little one- including girls.  I am thinking of making LJ a pink one- she would love that!  You could also do this as a doggie toy as long as your pet doesn't chew things up- the stuffing or fabric could be a major doggie choking hazard if they do!

In other Football Related Crafting, have you seen Little Becky Homecky's football beanie hat?  It is adorable!  Go check it out!!!

Remember to join me all week as I post something every day Super Bowl Related!

Are you a follower yet?  If not, join the fun!  When I reach my current goal I will do another giveaway!!!

"Kitty Love" Valentine's Day Dress Tute

I call this the "Kitty Love" dress- I happen to NOT love kitties...but my 2 year old little girl?  In L-O-V-E with any cat she comes across.  I don't feel guilty not having one though since I'm allergic.  And cats are mean- they abandon you!  Dogs, on the other hand, are always happy to see you and make you feel good.  I wonder if there is a whole segment of psychology where they know everything about you based on what pet you like?  Anyways, you are here for a tutorial so I will get started, haha!
This dress was inspired by the vintage looking kitty cat fabric that I found at Joanns and knew LJ would love.

I wanted the whole dress to have a vintage feel, so I looked at a bunch of Shirley Temple photos and knew it had to be short, have puffy sleeves, and a poofy skirt.  Done, done, and done!

KITTY LOVE DRESS TUTORIAL (size 2T)

You will need:
-3/4 yard of main fabric (PREWASH!)
-1/2 yard of complementary fabric (PREWASH!)
-about 10" of pre-ruffled lace
-about 20" of 1/4" elastic
-3 tiny buttons
-sewing supplies (machine, thread, etc.)

First, cut out 2 of each of the following free pattern pieces on the fold.
Back of bodice
Sleeve

Cut four each of Front Bodice (For the button hole side, leave pattern as-is.  For the button side shorten by 1/2" on neck side)

For bodice ruffles, cut out:
1 9.5"x3" strip of main fabric
1 8.5"x3" strip of main fabric
1 5.5" piece of pre-ruffled lace
1 4.5" piece of pre-ruffled lace

For skirt, cut out one piece (or piece together to total)
14"x56" (This is a SUPER short skirt- retro style!  If you want it longer, add a few inches to the 14" measurement.)

OKAY...now that you have all your pieces, let's put it together!  (Use 1/4" seams throughout)

First, sew your bodice pieces together at the sides.  Do this for the outside one and the lining so you have two like the photo below.

Be sure to iron those seams flat!

Then, go ahead and make your bodice ruffles.  Iron the two main fabric ruffle pieces in half lengthwise.  Then use the longest stitch length and tightest thread tension to ruffle them up to 5" (longer piece) and 4.5" (shorter piece).  Then, to hold the ruffle in place and to add more "flair", sew the pre-ruffled lace pieces on top.

Center the bottom of the lace right where the stitch will be.

You will end up with two of these:

Okay, now get back out those bodice pieces and lay them right sides together.  Sandwich the ruffle pieces in between, being sure that the longer/shorter ones are on the correct side!  Also be sure that the ruffles are facing the correct side so the lace shows on the front of the bodice.

Ruffle sandwich- zero calories, mmmm!

Pin and sew the following seams- back neck, front neck (where the ruffles are) and button plackets.  Leave the arm holes and shoulders open for now!  Snip the back neck so it will lay flat, then flip it all right side out and press.

Don't cut your thread on accident!

For this next part, it's a little hard to explain.  Take the shoulders and line them up, right sides together.  You will feel like you are twisting things up funny, but it will work out in the end.  Be sure the seams line up.

Don't catch the ruffle when you sew!

Turn right side out and press.  It's getting there!!!

Now, let's make the sleeves.

Zig-zag the long side of the sleeve pieces.  Then tack it down to make a 1/2" casing.

Sew a ruffle stitch along the large curve of each sleeve.

Cut your elastic into two 10" pieces and thread each through the sleeve casings.  Then attach and trim of excess.

Then sew the short seam on the bottom of the sleeve.  Double stitch over the elastic!  Go ahead and ziz-zag over the edge to keep it from fraying.

Now, pin the sleeve onto the OUTSIDE piece of the bodice.  You can adjust your gathering along the top as needed to fit.  The bottom parts should be pinned flat.

You can see how the gathers are at the top of the sleeve, and the rest is flat.

Sew both of the sleeves on this way.  Then, attach the lining.  I wanted to find a way to sandwich the sleeve between for a perfect finish- I'm sure there is a way but I couldn't figure it out!  So I just did a serge-like stitch to attach the lining.

"Serged" and ready for a trim!  It's stitch 11 on my Singer machine.

Sew on your buttons and button holes- I used three, but depending on what you can fit you may have more/less.  I just loved these little tiny heart buttons!

Now your bodice is complete!

For the skirt, go ahead and hem the bottom (I know, I know, you are supposed to do this lat, but its so easy when its nice and flat!)  I used a zig-zag stitch on the edge of my fabric, and hemmed it 1/2".

Looks nice!

Now you need to carefully pin the skirt to the bodice, and sew on.  I used the "surge" stitch yet again!  You will be sewing the button plackets together at the base of the bodice.  I went over that twice to be sure it was very secure.

Then you are DONE!!! Put your dress on your little one and let her enjoy!  I put a little crinoline under it that we have so it poofs out more- feel free to do that if you have one- it looks just fine without though!

I always get funny poses like this when I tell her to "model" for me, haha!

If you want the matching hair clip, check out this tute that I was inspired by, created by the letter 4.
Thanks for sticking through this long tute with me!  I hope you enjoy!  If you make one, please link to it in the comment section, I would LOVE to see it!
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***This pattern for personal use only!  If you are interested in using the pattern to make a profit, please contact me for details.***