Wow

Remember how excited I am to make this turkey skirt?

Well, check out these versions below that 'no big deal' made.

Are they enough to make a seamstress weep or what?! I can't wait to make mine! I'm thinking of different shades of gold and yellow for summer.

Knee-High Tutorial

Ruffles and Stuff offers a great photo tutorial on how to turn outgrown tights into darling knee-high socks.

Cute!!!!

Full tutoral post with photos found here: http://www.rufflesandstuff.com/2009/12/tiny-tights-to-knee-high-socks.html

Ruffle Tulle Skirt Evolution

In April 2009, Pink Picket Fence created this tulle skirt, inspired off one she saw at GAP.

Dana, from MADE, was inspired by the pink skirt and made this Orange Bird skirt,

and then revamped it to make the Purple Bird Skirt.

This inspired me to make a cream and black version.

I used 1/4 yard of black cotton (2.99/yard, cut into five gathered strips sewn together and embellished with three strips of tulle. Total cost was $1.25. For the pattern, I made one up, using the market skirt skirt tutorial as a rough base. Next time, I will simplify the skirt to only two pieces and use many more rows of tulle.

I also want to try Dana's newset version of this skirt, the Turkey Dressing Ruffled Skirt -

Isn't it gorgeous? It's fuller and with more more ruffles. For the ruffles, she uses this nylon chiffon instead of tulle for a softer look. She sells the full pattern (23 page pdf file) with photo instruction for $6 in her etsy shop HERE. And she claims to have instructions to make it for adult too. I can't wait to make this in a plethora of bright colors for summer. Scarlett is going to be the fluffiest girl around!

Dress Piping Tutorial

Little Girl Pearl offers a great tutorial on how to alter a simple dress bodice with piping to create a new look.


Full tutorial with great step-by-step photos found here: http://littlegirlpearl.blogspot.com/2009/09/traditionalist-and-tutorial.html

Fabric Balls

So this may be more crafty than sewing, but I'd like to use THIS TUTORIAL to make these fabric covered pom poms for Scarlett's next bedroom.

Scarf

You could by this scarf, from Urban Outfitters, for $24.

Or, you could buy a yard of the same material (in several colors) for $16 and make three scarfs by just cutting it lengthwise three times.

All found HERE at hartsfabric.com.

Ruffle Bum

(jersey cotton)

Jessica, from Happy Together, whipped up this little dress from two t-shirts. I love the ruffle bum!

Full post and more photos found here: http://ohsohappytogether.blogspot.com/2009/10/my-heart-is-just-melting.html

Sewing with Sweater Knit

I recently stumbled upon 'sweater knit' at Hancock's Fabrics for $5.99/yard. I was intrigued and purchased one yard to see how it was to sew with. I loved it and her blue tunic turned out darling. The knit was very forgiving and with such generous stretch, I did not need to worry about zippers, buttons or any other closures. I'd highly recommend sewing with sweater knit. HERE is an article with tips and tricks of sewing with sweater knits.

While I've not been able to this material online for as reasonable a price as Hancocks you can purchase it HERE or HERE.

Or a great cost-effective option would be to cut up old sweaters and use that material.

New Look 6687

This pattern is a favorite of mine. It's not too hard (great for beginners), versatile,and darling. I'd highly recommend it.

Here is how my version turned out:

(white cotton pinwhale* corduroy with cotton details)

The dress is still a little big on Scarlett here but sadly it's the only photo I took with her in it.

And there is another version of the dress, that my friend Taryn made:

(cotton)

*pinwhale corduroy is a very light corduroy with thin whales.

True Up

Every seamstress should be reading True Up. It's a blog dedicated to fabric! It will teach you all about different textiles from how to care for them, how they are created, where to purchase them (e.g felt shopping guide), sewing tips, etc. I've learned so much from this site. It truly is a fabric addict's dream come true.

True up also lists online fabric sales each week, often with codes for additional discounts. I can't say enough good about this blog.

Check it out and subscribe at: http://www.trueup.net/

love, love, love, love

I could just stare at this beauty all day long. I'm adding this to my list of about thirty things to reproduce.

(cotton??)

Retro Jumper, $66 at The Pajama Squid.