Monthly Archives: July 2012

Macaron “Sew-a-Long” Part 3- Sewing the Dress

July 27, 2012

This is Annie’s Macaron Dress. In her words here is her experience sewing it for the first time.

“I was really inspired by the silhouette of the Macaron dress. I love the fabric by Dear Stella and I chose the red pipping to accentuate the overall shape and lines. I love the pockets! I was a little nervous about the pockets because I’ve never sewn that kind before, but the directions were easy to follow. This Colette pattern was simple and the fit is really great. I will definetley use this pattern again!”

Posted by hartsblog in Sew Alongs

Tutorial: Fabric Notebook

July 23, 2012

Hello fellow seamsters!

This week we’re making a super easy, versatile fabric notebook. These guys can be made with scraps and customized in so many ways! Make them as party favors for your next soiree or as a travel log on your next trip.

Materials:

I used 2 fat quarters, heavy weight interfacing, 12 sheets of computer paper and a bit of elastic. You can make yours bigger, you can applique on the front or you could put more paper in it, the possibilities are endless!!!

Preparation:

1. Cut your face fabric, lining fabric and interfacing to the desired size of your notebook. Don’t forget about seam allowances. I cut my pieces 10″x13″. That makes them a full 1″ larger on all sides than a standard 8×11 sheet of paper. When you use a 1/2″ seam allowance, that leaves a 1/2″ overhang around the paper.

2. Fuse the interfacing to the lining fabric

3. If you want to do any applique or extra decoration, do that now.

Sewing:

1. Right sides of the fabric together, sew around the edges of your exterior and lining fabric, leaving a 3″ opening in the seam so you can flip it right side out.

2. Flip your piece right side out, press it.

3. Sew up the 3″ opening by hand.

4. Topstitch your cover, I did two rows, but you can do what ever kind of topstitching you want.

5. Now for the paper sewing! My sewing machine easily sewed through three sheets and a cover at a time. Remember for every three sheets, you’re getting six pages in your notebook. Mark the center of your cover. Fold your paper in half to crease it and sew it onto the center of your notebook.

6. Repeat this process several times until you have your desired amount of pages. I did three sets of three pages giving me an 18 page notebook.

7. I added elastic to hold my book shut, but once again, its up to you! Maybe you’d prefer ribbon!

8. That its it, go do some drawing!

Posted by hartsblog in Tutorials

Macaron Sew-A-Long! Part 2-Design Alterations

July 20, 2012

Macaron “Sew-a-Long” Part 2-Design Alterations

Tera made a few design alterations to her Macaron dress. She added ric-rac and piping detail down the front and back skirt side seams and the sweetheart neck line. Also, she kept made it a sleeveless dress instead of adding the capped sleeves.

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Dana altered her Macaron pattern by shortening the the bodice a bit and made the waist band contrast wider. For extra cuteness she used the contrast fabric for the inside of pocket.

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Katrina altered her Macaron pattern by adding a keyhole to the back top bodice. She shaped the keyhole by using a french curve ruler and turned under the seam twice. To create the keyhole look she had to add a seam down the back center of the dress and moved the zipper placement to the back under keyhole instead of the zipper being on the side like the pattern calls for. Katrina said it was very easy to do and loves the results.

Posted by hartsblog in Sew Alongs

Tutorial: Star Garland

July 19, 2012

This sweet, whimsical garland is so easy to make! It will cheer up any room and costs almost nothing in supplies!

Supplies:

1-2 wool felt squares

3 yds 1/8″ wide ribbon (more if you are wanting to make it longer)

Preparation:

1. Cut out stars that measure around 2″ tall. I cut mine out freehand because I think the imperfections add to the charm. I cut out about 25 and had way too many for my 6 foot garland.

2. Measure 1/4 yd from the edge of your ribbon and pin your first star. I spaced them about 4″ apart. If you want them closer together or farther apart, that’s up to you. Keep pinning stars to desired length, leaving about 1/4 yd at the end. The ends are so it will be easier to tie up!

Sewing:

1. Sew along the ribbon all the way to the end. Its that easy! Take your time when sewing in between stars on just ribbon.

2. Hang them up somewhere and enjoy!

Posted by hartsblog in inspiration, Tutorials

Tutorial: Side Ruched Mini Skirt

July 16, 2012

This mini is flattering, easy to make and comfy to boot! Wear it out on the town with a nice blouse and heels or on a sunny day with a tee shirt and flats. I am absolutely crazy about this skirt! This tutorial includes some simple patternmaking, but don’t be scared! It’s easier than you think.

Supplies:

3/4 yd knit fabric

1 yd 2″ wide elastic

2 yds 3/8″ wide elastic

paper for pattern making

Making Your Pattern:

1. Draw a vertical line down the center of your paper.

2. Measure your waist. Divide this number by 2. This will be the measurement for your top line. Use the vertical line you drew as the center of your new line.

3. Measure 8″ down the vertical line and mark.

4. Measure your hips. Divide this by 2 and draw a horizontal line that length on your horizontal line starting on the last mark you made.

5. Draw lines straight down from the hip line and connect them at the bottom. Your pattern piece should be 25″ tall finished. Cut 2 of this piece.

* Note that we didn’t use seam allowances here. This is because we are using a knit and we want it to fit snug. You will sew 1/2″ from the edge of the fabric.

6. Cut a strip of fabric that is your waist measurement + 1″ and 5″ tall to make your waistband piece.

Sewing:

1. Sew your front and back pieces together up the sides. Use a narrow zig zag or stretch stitch (the stretch stitch on your machine will look like a lightning bolt). Press open.

2. Cut 2 lengths of 16″ from your 3/8″ wide elastic.

3. Zig Zag stitch your elastic onto the side seams of your skirt by stretching the elastic as you sew. Repeat for other side.

4. Sew the ends of your waistband piece together to make a loop. Fold this in half with the seam on the inside and pin it to the waist of your skirt.

5. Stitch, leave 3″ unsewn. This opening is so that you can thread the waistband elastic through the waistband.

6. Attach a safety pin to the end of your elastic and thread it all the way through the waistband. Safety pin the ends together and see how it fits. You can tighten or loosen in for optimum fit!