Tutorial: easy girls skirt

Well I've been pretty busy sewing lately and coming up with ideas for presents for upcoming birthdays! I went to the Good Sammys recently and I stumbled upon this top, if it is a top? Its kind of strange. Anyway, I love the material and when I got it off the rack I noticed there was a "V" in the corner! PERFECT for Miss Vera's first birthday present.

What to create? I thought it would make a lovely little skirt with an elastic waist. So first things first, cut it up!

Now neaten up the waistband and cut it to the desired width - elastic width plus hem allowance. Depending on the size of your top you may need to adjust the length. The estimates of the measurements I used are as follows:

Waist: 50cms (so you depending on your elastic you'd probably go 80 - 90% of the waist measurement)
Length (finished): 35cms

Two Little Banshees have a fantastic tutorial for a 2 year old's skirt. It was a great reference for me as it was hard to decide on the length and waist because all little people come in different shapes and sizes! If you have a little person handy - this bit would be a lot easier.

Anyway, so with your waist band you could use just shy of double the elastic. So you've got 4 pieces, 2 x front and 2 x back. Attach the 2 front pieces together then the 2 back pieces. Now join the front and the back together at the side seams. But remember, you want to be able to encase the elastic with this, so open out the joined pieces and sew.

I ended up having to cut the main panel of the skirt as it was too long and I have no idea about sizing of toddlers!!!! Anyway, I've put rough measurements on the picture below too.

Ok so quick check. Waist band - check! Skirt body - check! Hm so elastic, cut your piece of elastic sew together and stitch the two selvages down.

Now enclose the elastic in the waistband.

Onto the skirt. Because the skirt body is wider than the waistband, we will need to gather top of the skirt where it will join onto the waistband.

For gathering, I usually just use the sewing machine at a looser tension and wide stitch. Just pull to desired length.

Now you can attach the waist band to the skirt! Right side to right side and sew :)

Nearly done! I just added one of the buttons to the middle front of the waist band.

Enjoy :)

xx cherry xx

Tutorial: How to update an old top!

I have this lovely top:

But I don't think the neck line and capped sleeves are that flattering on me and I love the fabric so I wasn't ready to donate it just yet - so I thought, why not change the neck line?

My vision is for a scoop neck sleeveless top, using bias binding to finish the sleeves and neckline.

Bias binding - its a solid trim, you find it in with the elastic and zippers. It's not that expensive to buy but its just as easy to make your own.

taken from www.simplicity.com

I found loads of great tutorials about bias binding at MADE and coletterie, they also show you what you can do with your fun new bias binding!

If you take a look at the MADE tutorial, she shows us this awesome tool which I had no idea existed. How awesome is it! I unfortunately don't have one of these tools yet so will be doing it my way. I don't think its the "correct" way, but it works for me.

So after the rant about bias binding, back to how to update the top!

1. Put the top on and decide roughly where you will need to cut into it to make the new neckline and arm holes. You hopefully can see the little marks I've put on the top in the picture below:

2. Get your scissors out and cut. For the arm holes - I cut one side first, then used it as a guide for the other side. Neckline I did it roughly, then tried it on and neatened it up.

3. Now whip out your home made bias binding and sew on! The way I do it is sew on one raw edge first. Use right side to right side.

4. Fold back the binding onto the raw edge.

5. Then turn the raw edge in on itself, pin then sew! If my way doesn't make sense try the tutorial on MADE she has also used it to make some super cute hot pads! Sorry I realised I didn't actually take any pictures of the bias binding process. But I plan to make a top for a friend so I will take pictures again and show you.

6. Then voilà! You've got a finished arm hole. Repeat to neck and then your old top is ready for wearing again.

xx cherry xx

Tutorial: How to make a simple cushion cover

Cushion covers, probably the easiest thing you can sew, maybe after a pillow case - now that takes me back to year 9 home economics!!!

We stayed with a lovely lady in England named Cherry. So when I saw this oh so adorable material, I thought what a lovely cushion it would make!

So a good friend showed me a fantastic way of making cushion covers without having to put in a zip or putting in an end like a pillow. If you over lap the ends in the middle of the face of the cushion, then it stays on a lot better! You'll see further down, if this is not making sense.

Once you've got your panel of fabric, then finish the 2 edges now I am putting those cute yellow buttons on as a feature, so I have made one of the seams about 2 inches thick, so when I do the button holes they are sturdier.

So now fold the edges into the middle and check the measurements to ensure each seam is even all the way along

Now just sew the side seams!

For button holes, measure out distance between button holes then sew. Open them up and then lay the cushion cover flat. I then used a pen and put a little mark in the centre of each button hole. I've put the picture below - but you may not be able to see the little dots.

Now pop it on a naked cushion and admire your handy work!

xx cherry xx

I am cute dresses

While we were in LA I purchased I am cute dresses: 25 simple designs to sew by Sato Watanabe and recently made a dress for a dear friend using one of the patterns.

I chose the "I am shift into tunic" how beautiful is her fabric!

So the book doesn't come with pattern pieces, just layouts and measurements for you to create the pattern piece for yourself. Most are designed to be loose fitting, relaxed and simple.

The pattern was pretty easy to follow I had a few moments with organising the pattern pieces (probably more me than the pattern...) once cut, putting it together was quite straight forward. Now I did take photos, but I can't find them :/ so I'll have to upload them later.

My friend really loved her new tunic, I am keen to make one for myself too!!!

I'll get a photos for this tunic up soon.

xx cherry xx

Rest in peace Mittens 23.10.10

I know, haven't done many sewing project updates - but they are coming. Anyway as our one year anniversary approaches, so does another anniversary - the death of my fur baby Mittens.

He still makes me smile, he was my most favourite cat! Anyway I am sure he is happy in cat heaven playing with moths and sleeping in his little bed.

Just a few pictures of him.

xx cherry xx

Honeymoon snap

Just a photo from our honeymoon! Not long til our first anniversary :)

xx cherry xx

New hair!

Well I finally got sick of my long locks and went for a chop! Still getting used to it, it's kind of like when you move something in your house and it doesn't look right for awhile... if that makes sense!

Anyway here are the before and after shots!

and after!!!!

Raw biscuits. Yummier than they sound....

Finally, back after a lovely honeymoon and back to some blogging!

Our holiday was amazing and I found some very tasty treats that I was quite sad to leave. One of them was raw snack bars, gluten, sugar and dairy free = great for me.

I've not really seen anything like it here so I thought - why not make my own!

So I just soaked a load of dates overnight in some water then blended them up. Added some almond meal (I just whizzed it up myself), LSA, shredded coconut, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, chopped up walnut and raw peanuts and a little bit of honey.

Here is the mixture

Then after a little bit of mixing I just wet my hands and formed them into little patties!!

Ta da!!!!!

I think next time I may add some cashews, coconut oil and maybe a tad of cinnamon! But not bad - don't think I'd feed them to anyone else just yet ;)

xx cherry xx