Easter Bunnies

So browsing Pinterest can have its good points, and of all the things I see, like, repin, or plan to incorporate, there occasionally comes something that actually gets done.

This Post from Purlbee.com was just so cute and springy that I HAD to do it.

Since Easter was coming on, and my white tulip bloomed I was purely in the mood for some spring, some easter, and some goodwill feelings.

The original plan was to purchase a pack of felt, but as time was marching on, I ended up purloining what I needed from a store I was keeping for a family member (with permission, of course!)

I drew my own template as the one that Purlbee provides was a lot larger than I wanted to go. Then you simply cut 2 of each color (and 2 white for each bunny).

To get step-by-step directions on how to sew them together, you can go to the original post, but it's a simple running stitch. You sew the four layers together on both sides, except the very bottoms and the ears. I used white embroidery floss for the running stitch, but split the six strands in half, using only three strands. The black and pink floss I kept at six strands for better coverage.

The first one I was so excited that I sewed it all together first, but then finding it difficult to get the needle all the way inside due to the smaller size, I started sewing in the eyes before sewing them together so the knot would be on the inside. This one just has to have eyelashes.

Here is a front view where you can see how the nose is sewn around the front edge of the four pieces. Pretty simple stuff.

Instead of using white floss for the whiskers, I used fishing line since I happened to already have a roll. I used the same technique of knotting each side that Pearlbee describes.

Then I discovered that the only yarn I had was red. Umm...not going to work for fluffy bunny tails.

After debating on several differing materials (polarfleece, lace, ribbon) I found these little shiny pom poms stored away from projects of yesteryear. So, I used them instead of making my own.

And here is a shot of all of them showing off that springy feel with the wonderful eastery color palatte.

They were a big hit, and the playing with got started as SOON as or even before they were completely finished.

What are you doing to Easter and Spring up your life?

Rolled Hemming

I usually shuddered at the thought of doing a rolled hem on a sheer fabric (which of couse tends to fray). I never seemed to be able to get each fold just right and my edges were always full of puckers and twists. Just the thought of it made me pause when choosing fabric, and yet the princessy feel of all those lovely lightweight and perfectly spring-breeze prints and solids, I just HAD to keep them in my sewing plans.

Fear not!

For doing rolled hems is almost child's play if you have a rolled hem foot for your machine!

As you can see in the picture below, the regular foot is on the machine, and the rolled hem foot is on the right, so you can see what it looks like on it's own. If you don't have one, they're an easy purchase, almost all machines come with one, but they are only about $6.00 at a fabric/craft store if you need a new one.

It can be tricky to get right if you don't know how to use it, and the following pictures have things wrong in them just so you can be aware of what to look out for.

Here you can see the fabric is not inside the roller on the presser foot, and is bunching towards the right side instead.

 This is what happens: The hem doesn't roll and even though it is folded over once, you're left with a raw edge that frays.

Below the fabric was pulling too far to the left of the presser foot, and so the fabric bunches and twists instead of rolling and lying flat.

Here is the correct way to use the rolled hem foot. First, you will start by hand rolling the hem, and putting all the fabric underneath the whole presser foot, just as normal. Stich about an inch or so, and then leaving your needle down, you can raise the foot and maneuver the fabric into the the rolling part and then lower it back down and continue stitching. You will want the fabric aligned correctly as in the picture below. Note that the right edge of the fabric is aligned with the left edge of the right side of the foot. And the raw edge of the fabric is aligned with the right side of the opening on the foot. You will want to maintain that all the way around your fabric edge and it will give you the perfect and flat rolled hem you desire.

 If you come across a seam, you can simply leave your needle down an inch or so before you get there, raise the foot, unhook the fabric, roll by hand, and sew as if you had a normal presser foot on the machine until you get to an inch beyond the seam, and then leaving your needle down, you can raise the foot, and get the fabric into your roller again to continue sewing with the rolled hem foot. It comes out with the beautiful edge in the picture below.

So don't be scared, get out there and work with sheers! Your edges will be as light and breezy as the fabrics you choose!

By the way, rolled hems can also be done with heavier fabrics, but you'll want to have a bigger rolled hem foot. If you look at the bottom, you'll be able to see how wide the gap in the foot is, which is how big your hem will be. Lighter fabrics use smaller hems, and heavier fabrics need wider hems. You can get varying sizes depending on what type of projects you'll be hemming.

St. Patty's Day Dress

When I was contemplating making an Easter dress last year, I walking through the material searching for something to match what I was imagining, when I came across this white and green fabric. I decided to try out this new pattern (Simplicity 2989) to see how I liked it, using the material to make a St. Patrick's Day dress for Tot.

I really like the Project Runway patterns from Simplicity, because they have mix and match pieces that fit together perfectly, and let you design exactly the look that you want. I would really recommend using these before trying to mix and match differing patterns or altering one on your own. It sort of gives you the idea of the basic work that needs to be done.

Anyway, Here are the materials I purchased to make the dress: A green and white cotton fabric (it came in other colors too, and I was tempted to get some of the red as well), a white satin blend for the lining, green cotton for the collar, and a green satin ribbon for trim:

As you can see, the cotton had a pattern that has lots of green on the bottom and fading to more white at the top. This would work perfectly to have a mostly green skirt, with a more white top if I placed the pattern pieces correctly.
 Most of the time when I sew, I place the pattern so as to save as much space as possible, but I splurged on this to get the pattern pieces on the material in the correct place. You may also see that the sleeve was cut on the bias instead of with the grain as directed. I meant to do this, and will explain later, but that is generally not recommended, since you can give yourself plenty of headaches with the stretching that could occur.

The lining after everything was cut. The only thing I don't like about putting linings in is how redundant the project becomes doing everything twice.

 I had wanted to try a lettuce hem on the sleeve and skirt. Since my material is cotton which doesn't have a LOT of stretch, the lettuce hem would be less apparant. The skirt was already on the bias, so I cut the sleeve that way as well, because the bias (or diagonal) of the material has a little more stretch than you would get going with the grain. With a cotton, the bias would have the ONLY stretch to the material.
The lettuce hem can be seen in the picture below on the end of the sleeve. If I had a knit material it would be even more curly, as lettuce hemming really works best with knits and stretch. But, I think it turned out very cute and girly on the sleeves.

 Always have diversions for Tots while sewing. In this case, she was playing with her new magnetic letters. SS is showing her how to stick them to his wrench.

 And this is the bodice done. The collar and lining are in as well as the sleeves. There's not much to say since I was pretty much following the pattern.

 Sorry about the overexposure in this next photo. Taking pictures one handed while running a sewing machine is harder than you may expect. The lettuce hemming on the skirt. To do a lettuce hem, you need to do a narrow zigzag stitch along the edge of your material while stretching it as much as you can as it runs through. The more stretch you have, the curlier the hem turns out. I went around everything twice to get a little better coverage on the hemline, and also to give it better curl. Just be sure to stretch as much the second time through. It worked best for me to sort of pull it to the left until it went under the presser foot. You'll want to play a bit with some extra or scrap fabric to get the right way for yourself.

And here is a detailed shot of the hem, not quite close enough to actually see, sorry. And the zipper peeking out from underneath (it isn't sewn in yet).

 Here is the dress all stitched together and finished. (Sorry I once again took zero pictures of the zipper going in, but I sewed it in between the lining to give it a better finished look. I promise to document that process on the next project I make.) I also did not document sewing the petticoat which has a tulle ruffle around the hem to help the skirt stand out. It is pretty straightforward, and all part of the pattern, so you shouldn't have trouble following their directions.

 As you can see by the excitement, it was well received.

 I made it a little large, both because I didn't measure the pattern pieces against her (the sizes on the back of the package aren't always 100% correct, so be sure to use the measurements) and also I was hoping to get some use of this dress for a while.

So, overall, I really did enjoy this pattern much more than any other I have used that cuts on the bias. I think it's because with the lettuce hem, I didn't have the hassle of turning the hem on the bias! Makes it much faster, easier and MUCH more fun to complete the project!

Thanks Simplicity!

Do any of you have a favorite pattern you've used recently?

Spring flower flashback

Last spring I was feeling a distinct lack of decor love in my kitchen. The easiest way to resolve this is to have Tot color some pictures and tape them to the cabinets. However, both of us were tiring of the color in the lines type of printout. She doesn't exactly color so much as scribble yet anyway.

I came across this Video on how to make a paper flower ball, and thought it would be fun to try.
I watched a few times to get the folding technique down and then folded and cut out the two different pieces for the flowers.

The trial I did was with one piece of pink paper, so sorry about the pic. I am horrible about taking in progress pics, something I intend to work on here.

I was using white centers with pink flowers, so once the white centers were cut, I gave them to Tot to "color" where she was able to scribble and draw to her hearts content while I cut the pink ones.

Then, instead of making it into a ball that would need to hang, I glued the centers in to the pink flowers, folding them through the slots, and then glued the pink flowers to a larger piece of paper. It looked like a huge boquet, so I added another piece, cut the bottom to the shape of a vase and then with green crayon added a few stems and leaves.

It isn't quite elegant, but it's still very colorful in our kitchen! The important thing, though, is that we had fun together creating something.