Tufted Cloud Tutorial

For a couple years now, I have been wanting to make Aeris some clouds for her room.  There are many sewn and stuffed versions with hanging raindrops and I almost went that route.  Maybe the idea stemmed from looking at bedroom ideas with luxurious, tufted headboards, but I decided that was the way to go with these clouds.

The construction was pretty straight forward.  I cut up a box that I had in the recycling and drew two cloud shapes on.  I cut some quilt batting the same size as the cloud template a felt cloud a couple of inches bigger.  After making one, I decided to add some stuffing behind the batting to make it a bit more full.  The only really important part is to remember to clip the curves of the clouds so that they bend nicely around the board.  

I attached the felt to the board with hot glue, pulling from opposite directions.  (This method is similar to one you would use when wrapping a canvas or upholstering a chair cushion.)   After you make the clouds, you can tuft them!  I used two cuts of embroidery thread, so a total of 12 individual strands.  I use a large yarn needle and went through the back twice, tying a knot on the front side.  And that's it!

Linking here:

Visit these sites for all sorts of inspiration!

Trendy Treehouse
Seven Thirty Three
Sew Much Ado
Blue Cricket Design 
Someday Crafts

Scrap Skirt Tutu Tutorial (and a free pattern!)

I have a treat for you guys today!  Two of them, actually!

,

First, I've been dying to share this scrap skirt with you all, but haven't had time to get to pictures until today!

I saw something similar on Pinterest a while ago, and thought it would be perfect for a Halloween skirt.  I just could just picture all of the fun fabrics, so that's just what I did!

Aeris loves the skirt and even got to wear it to dance class today.  It is a great skirt for dancing!

You'll need about 1/4yd of each fabric.  I used four different fabrics for this skirt.  I measured the length I wanted it to be, then multiplied it by 2.  Then cut the strips into whatever width you'd like.  My strips were 1.5"-2".  I started out measuring, then figured just eyeballing it would work fine.

I measured some elastic around her waist, sewed the ends closed, and began looping the fabric around the waist band.  If you've never made a tutu before, its super simple.  Just put the waist around your leg, most convenient.  Then place a strip under the elastic, folded in half.  You're going to pull the bottom through the loop and make a sort of knot.  That's it!  Who knew making your own clothes could be so easy.

And, since it's Halloween, I wanted to share another treat with you!  I just wanted to say thank you for subscribing, and to let you know how much I appreciate you all, I'm offering my Jack-o-Lantern pattern for a free download today only! (just click the link to download!)

Happy Halloween!

Glitter Shoe Redo-Tutorial

I made a fun spring dress recently and got asked a lot of questions about my $8 diy shoes.



I sent my husband to Walmart and on the list wrote "ballet flats-$cheapest you can find" He picked up this pair for $5.

While he was there, I was at Michael's and scored some Martha glitter for $3something. I say scored, because it was on sale and I was prepared to pay the full $5.50 or whatever it runs. Martha's glitter is by far the best option. The texture is great and the depth it offers is incredible. Not to mention the colors are so modern.

So, take your cheap shoes and cover them with glue. I just brushed it on a small area, and then sprinkled the glitter on using a spoon and a bowl. I worked my way around each shoe, one at a time. I did a total of three coats, repeating after each one had time to dry. Two probably would have done it but if some fell off, I wanted to make sure you would't see the base shoe underneath.



To finish these, I'll need to seal them...I haven't done so yet. Just pick up some spray shellac and do a couple of coats on each shoe. The sealer will help so you don't leave a trail of glitter as you go when you're out and about!

Tada! That's it! Try this Michael's coupons for possible savings on glitter shoe supplies.

Coffee Date Dress with Bow and Flounce Detail with Tutorial

Have we made it to a second date? I must warn you, this will probably be our last "date" together. While its been fun, I've really got to move on. There are so many other patterns out there!

Once again, I used the Coffee Date Pattern for this dress. As I mentioned before, the pattern is fairly easy, even for a beginner, and offers room for lots of modifications.

I added a big bow to the front and made two flounces for the tails of the bow. I was largely inspired for the bow by a blouse worn by Emma Pillsbury in the first season of Glee. I can't remember the specific episode where the top is from, but I think that the bow had a flounce detail to it...



I got this fabulous plaid on my visit to Minnesota this summer. I had no idea what it's end result would be, just that I loved it. The fabric had a nice hand and was very heavy. It would have been nice just to trim off and use as a blanket...probably best suited for a jacket.

Since it was at an outlet, I got a nice price of about $9 for the yard of it! I should have given a bit more thought to it and bought more than a yard so I could match up the plaid better, but I was young and stupid then. The side seams are slightly off..but I'm over it now. It really bothered me when I was cut the dress...



This dress is pretty fun to wear, and I think could work as a work dress. Or just pair it with your gold toms and funky sweater to go to the grocery store in...you know....



Tutorial:
download the pattern from Burda for the Coffee Date Dress
I followed the steps provided except I widened the skirt, leaving the waist as is, and added a sash when sewing the bodice to the skirt.

Once you complete the dress, follow these steps to make the bow with flounce:



1. Cut a square measured at 8"x8".

2. With right sides together, sew the top closed with 1/8" seams.

3. Reposition the seam to the center of the rectangle and press.

4. Sew the ends closed with 1/8" seams, leaving a small opening to turn the bow right side out.

5. Blind stitch the opening closed.

6. Cut a rectangle measured at 2" x 6".

7. With right sides together, sew the top closed with 1/8" seams.

8. Turn right side out and position the seam to the center back. Press.

9. Wrap the strip around the center of the bow and stitch to secure it.

10. Cut two circles with a 7" diameter. Remove a circle with a 2.5" diameter from the center. Finish the edges of the circles with a serger, or cut two circles for each flounce, add a seam allowance and sew with right sides together. Turn out and press well.

11. Position each flounce down the center of the bodice to your desired length and stitch into place.

12. Sew the bow to the top of the bodice.

Go check out what Suzannah has been up to this week on Adventures in Dressmaking and all other Adventures with Sweetie Pie Bakery!

Previously on...

If you're new around these parts, I thought it would be nice to share some Valentine's Day projects I worked on last year. I just dug my own wreath out of the decorations box!



and this fabulous box of chocolate-free pattern download!

Be Mine Valentine Dress (aka Be Yours) ((aka a GIVEAWAY))

Hello, Valentine! I have a treat for you today!

This garment is one of my most favorites to date. It is red and pink and lacy and velvet and super cute.



My inspiration mainly came from this dress on ModCloth. I thought the ruffled bib was a bit too much, but in that cute sorta way. Constructing a ruffled bib in ribbons and lace reminds me of a candy box, which is perfect for Valentine's Day.



So, I pulled out my red velvet and looked for a simple dress to compliment all that bibbage...bibbage? I chose to try out the Coffee Date Dress. I had never made one so thought it would be a good time to try it out, not to mention, it's free!

I found the pattern to be super simple, even with cutting my own seam allowance. I made some modifications in that I chose to make the skirt a bit fuller, keeping the waist the same size and adding the bib. I also finished the bottom with a blind hem since I was using velvet. I was a bit apprehensive, but Kathleen has this amazing video tutorial that really helped me out.



The only problem I had was that it came out too big. Not a problem with the pattern mind you, because the muslin fit just fine. It was the fact that I decided to eat quinoa salad and quinoa and eggs for the better part of two weeks not realizing the effect it would have on my waist line!



This was also the first time I sewed a garment with velvet. The seams went together rather nicely as when you press the velvet together, the pile will sorta glue itself together, no pinning needed. The most difficult time I had was with the zipper! I had to take one side out three times. I realized I was sewing in the opposite direction that the velvet wanted to lay, hence pushing my zipper in all sorts of wrong directions. Finally, the velvet, the zipper and I had a long talk and all was right in the end....except for the sizing!



So, that's where I offer you this fabulous dress! Would you like to wear this out with your beloved on Valentine's Day? Even if you don't celebrate it, or are the kind of gal who wears her wedding ring on her right hand sporting independence, you could sit home with a tub of Ben and Jerry's as beautiful as can be! I made the dress as a Burda Size 36 (US 4). However, I feel as though the sizing runs a bit big and this dress would fit a 4-6 and probably some 8s.

Here's how you can enter:
1. Leave a comment (make sure there is a way to contact you)
2. Follow me.
3. Tweet/Facebook/Blog/Whatever you use-and link back to this post tell me about it in a comment)

Each of the ways will give you a chance to enter, so please leave a comment for each entry. This giveaway will end Friday February 4 at 12am. I'll ship priority to the winner so you have time to wear it on your special day! (US residents only)

If you want to make your own:
I put a tutorial up on BurdaStyle so go have a look!

Check out what Suzannah has been up to this week at Adventures in Dressmaking!

and view all other Sweetie Pie Bakery Adventures!

*chocolate box images via Bakerella

Personalized Felt Photo Locket-Tutorial

For Valentine's Day this year, I wanted to make something special for Aeris as she's been a bit blue lately.

Jason has been traveling a lot for work lately, and Aeris and her daddy are pretty much inseparable. For the first six months of her life, she would only sleep on her daddy's chest in the recliner. Six months! What a great husband I have to do that. Everytime Jason sits down for a meal, Aeris is his baby birdie, right next to him with her mouth open asking for bites. So, its needles to say she misses him like crazy! These two are just attached at the hip-you would think he was the one who carried her for nine months!



I wanted to give her a way to keep her daddy with her all the time, right around her neck. Since Aeris is only 2, a real locket wouldn't really be practical. I came up with this idea of a felt heart with a velcro closure and her daddy's picture sewn right inside!



This locket would make a terrific gift for a special little girl you know, especially those with someone special far away. It's got to be so hard for children with parents in the service, so this would be a great way to keep that person close to their heart!





Follow the tutorial to make your own!

Materials:
1 sheet of red felt
1 sheet of white felt
1 sheet of printable fabric
1 skein of white red embroidery floss
1 skein of pink embroidery floss
1 yd of lace or ribbon for the necklace
sew-in velcro

Supplies:
Sewing machine
Sewing thread
Needle
Scissors
Locket Template




1. Using the locket template provided, cut out 1 red locket and one white locket. Remove the cut out on the white locket.



2. Print out your desired image on printable fabric. Place the image behind the cut out and use a reverse applique technique to sew the image secure.

3. Pin the velcro in place on either end of the white locket. Sew it into place using your sewing machine.

4. Cut a long length of ribbon or lace to use for the neck strap. Make sure you make it long enough to slip over your recipients neck easily.



5. Place the red and white locket wrong sides together, and sew down the center seam.

6. Using a blanket stitch, sew around the perimeter of the locket.

7. I chose to personalize my locket even further by putting my daughter's initial on the cover. I just cut the A out of white felt and hot glued it to the front.

8. Share your own locket in the Baked Goods Flickr Group!

Valentine Candy Heart Pillows Tutorial with Free Pattern

I think the Valentine candy hearts are one of the most sweetest candies. I love the colors and the messages...but am not very fond of the taste.

I thought pillows would be a fun way to incorporate the candy into my house without having to eat them!



Materials:
1/2 yd. of fleece per color you choose
1 sheet of red felt
Stuffing
Heart Pillow Template

Supplies:
Sewing Thread
Scissors
Sewing Machine
Needle
Ruler



1. Begin by cutting out your hearts. Use the template provided to cut out 2 hearts per pillow. Cut out a rectangle measured at 3" x 40" for each pillow.

2. Cut out your text. I used a basic font on my computer and then traced the letters onto the felt.



3. Sew the messages on each pillow top. Carefully pin the letters so they don't shift too much.



4. With right sides together, sew the rectangle end together with 1/4" seams.

5. With right sides together, sew the loop you just made to the pillow top with 1/4" seams.

6. Sew the back of the pillow onto the loop, right sides together, with 1/4" seams. Make sure to leave a 3" opening to turn the pillow out.



7. Clip the curved parts of the heart and turn the pillow right side out. Smooth the seams and then stuff the pillow to your desired fullness.

8. Using a blind stitch, sew the opening closed. Repeat this process to finish as many pillows as you like!

Share your pillows in the Baked Goods Flickr Group!

Valentine Pillow Bunting Tutorial

Two days after Christmas, I was in the mood for the next holiday. I LOVE decorating for holidays, and Valentine's Day is no exception. I love the reds and the pinks and the sparkles and on and on.

So, like I said, it didn't take me any time to get going on a new project. With the Christmas tree still up, I went ahead and started this bunting of sorts. Honestly, I'm confused over the whole bunting/banner nonsense. Are the words interchangeable? Is bunting the flags? Can someone educate me? Does it really matter all that much? It's a crafty thing of hanging sorts...

Each letter is reverse appliqued onto a piece of felt, and then sewn into a little pillow with a loop. All the loops are hung on a long strand of yarn and then hung up to be admired by you and mocked at by your husband (at least mine does....he's not much for the holiday decorations)

For this project you'll need:
Materials:
1/4 yd white felt
scraps of red/pink fabric
white embroidery floss
red embroidery floss
pink embroidery floss
red chunky yarn
stuffing

Supplies:
needle
scissors
fabric marker
template provided here

1. Cut out 14 rectangles of white felt from the block template provided.



2. Using a fabric marker, trace the letter B onto one of the block templates and then cut out.



3. Place a scrap of fabric behind the opening. Using your embroidery floss stitch around the perimeter of the letter, making sure to secure the fabric to the felt.

4. Then place the B block with attached fabric wrong sides together with a solid white block.





5. Using two strands of white embroidery floss, blanket stitch around the perimeter of the block. When you get to the top, sew a loop of red yard securely to the middle. Leave a small opening to add stuffing to the pillow, then close the pillow shut.

6. Repeat steps 2-5 to the rest of the letters and heart template.

7. Hang all of the pillows on a long strand of yarn and hang it wherever you like! I chose to accent mine with some pompoms I made out of leftover red yarn. You can find a tutorial on that here.

I'd love to see yours! Share it in the flickr group!