So, let me start at the beginning with these outfits. The first outfit that I made was my own dress. I used it as the inspiration for the rest of the garments. I had a friend reach out to me (@becsewsthings on Instagram) with an image of a ready-to-wear garment that she loved. We dreamed and schemed about how to make it and finally hatched a plan. I’ll list all the parts of this plan below. This is the ready-to-wear garment we wanted to recreate. I’m no stranger to blue gingham. I love it with all my heart. So I’ve fully embraced its recent resurgence in popularity. In my experience…
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Trouble Shooting While Shirring. What to Try, When.
As I’ve gone down this shirring road, it has become obvious that each machine has a happy place. No one machine’s perfect settings seem to apply to all. In fact, it seems quite the opposite, one machine’s perfect settings will not even come close to working for another. The stitch length and bobbin tension seem to be the most important variables. Below I will include a chart of the most common issues I’ve seen and how to use these variables to overcome them. In general, the thinner the fabric, the more it “gathers up.” This is normal! To accommodate, you may want to shorten stitch length, place shirring lines further…
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Shirred Mini Nap Dress-How to Make One Without a Pattern.
Welp, I’m back and shirring again. I promise I will write about something else eventually but for now, I’m coming at ya with more shirring. Sometime last year Hill House came out with the “Nap Dress.” It happened to directly coincide with the start of staying at home a lot so it went instantly viral. Its comfy but still “dressed up.” Its cute but extremely easy to wear. I’ve now made myself three, so I figured it was definitely time to make one for Maria too. This decision came right around the same time they dropped their “Tiny” nap dress….so clearly great minds think alike. The basic formula for this…
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I’m on a roll! Tab Pattern Now Available.
I’ve always been a sucker for a tab. In fact, I’ve had a blog post on tabs sitting in my to-do list for about a year now. I like them for girls, I like them for boys, I like them for everyone. I particularly like them when I make Jon-Jons or Jumpers out of thicker fabric and I don’t want to pipe the top of the garment. I think they give the garment a polished look, without having to add bulk with piping. So, this little pattern is now available here. Not gonna lie guys, it took me a minute to figure out how to draft a pattern. I tried…
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PDF Tutorial Now Available! The Shirred Bishop is live.
I have been FLOORED by the number of you all who want a tutorial for a shirred bishop. FLOORED. I am so excited to let you know that the tutorial is complete and it is now available for download. You can purchase it over on this post. Not convinced that you love this dress? Let me list a few of its attributes: Placket and button free (hello independent kiddos, they can put this one on by themselves!) Most sizes (up to size 5) can be made with only 1 yard of fabric. Use almost any weight of fabric-batiste, broadcloth, poly/cotton blends, knits, pique, etc. If that doesn’t convince you, check…
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Sewing up Something New!
If you’ve looked around at any ads lately you will notice that shirring is EVERYWHERE. You can’t escape it. If its not on an adult dress, tweens’ shirt, a child’s dress its on a child’s shirt. Its all over the place! If you read my previous blog post you know I plan to incorporate it into some of my spring and summer sewing. This weekend I got a chance to give it a go and I am so pleased with the results! The first thing I did was make “toile” or a “muslin.” I made this using the Children’s Corner Bishop pattern with a few alterations. I added two inches…
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Spring Sewing Inspiration for Baby, Toddler, Boys, Girls, and Moms!
I’m a little bit all over the place these days. I’m currently in the middle of several Easter Heirloom garments but am itching to get started on Spring and Summer play clothes. This year I’ll be doing a combination of buying and sewing. In this post, you’ll find the ready to wear (RTW) inspiring me, what I think I’ll make, and what I think I’ll buy this Spring and Summer. In the images below, you can see some of the RTW that I’m loving this Spring and Summer, I will link it all under the images. I will also link patterns that could be used to make these items. None…
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Okay, its not all just called “lace,” now how much do I need?
We've discussed the different types of laces, now how in the world do you transform a pattern from a "non-heirloom," pattern, into an heirloom pattern? How do you know how much lace to order?
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You mean it’s not all just called “lace?”
Heirloom sewing can be daunting. REALLY daunting. Not only is there no real pattern out there that shows you how to do it step by step, there are so many different components to purchase! If you’re fortunate enough to have a locally owned fabric shop near you, it may not be as scary a task, but shopping online for laces can be tricky if you’re not sure what exactly you need. In this post I am hoping to create a quick beginner’s reference of the different types of trims I have used in heirloom sewing. I will preface this by saying… I have made several heirloom garments but am, by…
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How Children’s Corner Store can transform your Sewing Experience.
Learn why choosing to learn to sew with Children's Corner is easy, affordable, and convenient.
