Peasant dress pattern Little Red Riding Hood

The Portabellopixie Claire pattern became a Little Red Riding Hood Costume with a few modifications.

• The sleeves and bodice were lengthen

• A mock corset was added to the bodice panel prior to sewing the side seams

• We shortened the length of the skirt to hit at the knee

• We added a cute pigtailed little girl

Pattern Review & Tutorial on the Portabellopixie Apron dress

Airedale Terrier in Halloween Costume

"Happy Halloween"

Dressed as a sexy witch, Belle is ready for
the trick or treat fun to begin!

Dogs can't have chocolate...... guess who gets those chocolate peanut butter cups?!!!

Y'all have fun this weekend and be safe!

I'm working on a free down-loadable Christmas
pattern and hope to have it ready for you soon.

Pink Fig Nie Nie Skirt is the best for Twirling!

Just arrived! The Fall 2009 Pink Fig patterns by designer Chelsea Anderson.

It is time for ruffles! This skirt is stinkin cute! No doubt about it....... this will be the BEST twirling skirt.


I've got 'em........... You can order 'em by clicking on the picture!
Enjoy Flat Rate shipping of $4.98 per order!



I like the flared legs of the Sweet Heart Pants!

Sewing Tips - Sewing Notions

Some of my favorite Sewing tips, tricks & notions

Bias tape makers tied with a scrap of tape to indicate size.

I discovered the antique irons I collected over the years are heavy!


The old irons are a cute way to hold a pattern piece in place for cutting



Basting glue which washes out with water. When dry, it won't gum up your machine


I use basting glue to temporarily apply pocket, trim, labels and etc.




Twin needles for producing show stopping top stitching detail



Show stopping top stitching detail!

An ice tray holds sewing machine accessories in a drawer within reach of my machine

Bamboo turning tool is use multiple times within any given project to gently poke out corners of pockets etc. They sell plastic versions of this too, but I like the charm of the wooden one.


There are more tips, tricks and sewing notions which I use from time to time. I will be sharing more with you!

Little Guy Ties Sewing Pattern Free Giveaway

Winner for the Little Guy Ties pattern is
Tarrah of http://adorabilatee.blogspot.com

The winner of a donated ready made Little Guy Tie
handmade by the pattern designer Megan Miles is
Jennifer of sewingthestressaway.blogspot.com

This is an easy beginner project to sew!

Cut a straight line and sew a straight line.

Go here for : Pattern review and helpful tips

Giveaway will ended on Monday Oct. 26 2009 via random drawing. Winner must respond within 3 days of contest ending . Make sure I have a way of knowing your email address.

Buy Pattern

Sew a Necktie for Your Guy

There is a first time for everything! This is the first time I've sewn a necktie.

You may remember Belle (aka "the Party dog") She'll do anything for a laugh or a piece of food. She's a little pissed at me for making her model a tie without paying her with kibble.





She even struck a pose! Am I cruel for not tossing her a treat?



Here it is! Something we can sew for our little and big men! The boys in our lives may not put on a tie very often, but during the holidays is the perfect time to kick things up a notch.
I came across Little Guy Ties pattern by designer Megan Miles and have been waiting to purchase holiday prints for sewing a few. Use Freezer paper for tracing.

Lay your lining fabric under the tie fabric and cut both at the same time.

Lightly press the shiny side of the freezer paper pattern to the fabric. Cut carefully and accurately.
Use the lightest weight fusible interfacing.

• Don't know how to tie a necktie? Link for directions here
  

• Then I will post step by step directions on how to tie a neck tie!

• Would I sew this pattern again? YES

• Does this pattern come with easy to understand directions ? YES

• Skills required Basic / beginner sewing skills. Must understand the grain line of fabric for cutting the pattern on the fabric bias.

• The most important part of this project is cutting out the pattern. Cut a straight line and sew a straight line.

• The pattern includes sizes for Baby boy , toddler, big brother and Daddy.......and maybe even a large DOG!

Enter to Win the Little Guy Ties! sewing pattern by clicking here

Buy Pattern

Sewing a Vintage Dress for a Child

Opinions from my blogging friends needed

If this post does not open up completely (where you can see the hat) click on the title. I'm not sure why this post has a problem opening. ???

This and another piece of vintage fabric was used as the gift wrap for a giveaway prize which I won from Jeanette...

Amy Butler Liverpool Shirt & Dress pattern

The New Amy Butler Liverpool Shirt, Tunic, Dress pattern looks to be extremely versatile!!

I'm very eager to get started sewing it........... in quilt weight cottons...... light weight denim......light weight corduroy..........the shirt......the tunic.....the dress.... I'm ready!

To Pre Order,
click on the pattern images

Modkid Sophie Pants sewing Pattern Review

I sewed the Indygo Junction Turnabout Jacket using Amy Butler August Sunrise-aqua as the pocket & button tab. I planned the jacket knowing I'd sew a pair of ModKid Sophie 3 Way Pants from the same fabric.

See Jacket Tutorial & Review by clicking the photo

Sewing is a slow process, but more fun when you have a little helper.

Did you not notice the magnetic pincushion which I've duct taped together?

................ a country girl can fix anything with duct tape!






Pockets attached and side seams sewn

Scroll down to see size chart


The ModKids Sophie 3 Way Pants pattern suggests using double needles when adding the top stitch details.

After digging through old sewing notions, I found one, but it is gauged for light weight fabrics.
I used it anyway........
The double row of top stitching turned out fine, but I'd suggest using the proper size twin needle.


Right sides together one pant leg inside the other........ plus a better view of the duct tape repair




Designer Patty Young uses elastic in the back of the Sophie pants leaving the front waist band smooth. There is no front fly........ the button is only for looks.

The side slit (view A) is a cute detail, but you could eliminate the slits & sew the side seam closed ...... you'll still have flared legs.

• Will I sew the Sophie pants again? YES

• Was it true to size and easy fitting? YES. (see my fitting hint below)

• Skills required - basic understanding of sewing and sewing terminology.

• If you are brand spanking new at sewing, you may want someone nearby when you make your very first pair of pants.
• If you have sewn a little and understand how to make a casing for elastic, a pocket & general skills, you should have no trouble with this pattern.

• sizes 2T - 7 included ( see size chart below & size tip below)
  
  
  • classic pants style
  • Suggested fabrics: quilting weight cottons, denim, corduroy, line and twill.
  
  

Size tip:
Take a well fitting pair of jeans and measure the outseam ( side length). Compare it to the above chart.

Zoey's height & outseam measurements are exactly one inch shorter than the size 5 on the chart. I knew I would be taking 1 inch off of the length.

click on image to shop for patterns