Love Stitched

Check out this heartfelt Valentine found at Paper & Stitch.

Sew your own Valentine



I'm not big on cheesy Valentine cards bought from a store. I'd much rather receive a love note scrawled out on "to-do" list paper. I would go for this though.

Sweater Boots Tutorial - Ugg knockoffs

I saw my sister-in-law wearing these pricey little Uggs at Christmas. Then, I found this awesome tutorial at Cut Out + Keep.

$139.95 at Nordstrom



or DIY for practically free! Get your glue guns hot and your trigger finger ready!

Baby Support Hoes...DIY Easy Baby Legwarmers Tutorial

I remember my mom rockin' these 80's legwarmers to Jazzercise class. Legwarmers are back in fashion, but I'm not sure if I could rock them like Olivia here.



But...I'd definitley put them on my kids. Here's a super easy tutorial for making your own Baby Legwarmers.

Supplies:
Sewing Machine
Scissors
Women's Trouser Socks
Coordinating/or not thread
20 minutes or less



I got these in a pack of 3 at Target for like $8.

Step 1:



Make 3 cuts in your socks. Just eyeball it. No need to measure. You can cut both socks at the same time.



Discard the toe & heel pieces.

Step 2:

Fold the short middle secion in half (wrong sides together) with a raw edge and a folded edge making a cuff.



Slip this cuff on to the cut end of your long trouser sock. All of the raw edges should be together at the bottom as seen in this photo. All fabrics will be right side out.



Step 3:

Sew all of the raw edges together using a straight stitch. Just flatten the rolled edge as you sew but try not to stretch the sock. If you have a serger, you can use it for the edge for a more finished/professional look.



And that's it! Here's the finished product.




As baby support hoes...




Or for bigger kids to lengthen short sleeves for cooler weather...




Enjoy & Happy sewing!

Rainy Day Tutorial

It's raining in So. Cal. I love the rain. It's a perfect excuse to stay inside and start a new project!

photo from flickr


Take a peek at Heather Baileys fabric flower Tutorial Video. Super cute and a perfect fabric scrap-buster.

Refashioned Christmas Dress AFTER

I LOVE ruffles! I love how they add a sweet bit of femininity and texture to something that would otherwise be quite ordinary and plain. I've seen dresses similar to this...



By Lirola and got inspired!

So, I decided to refashion my girls' Christmas dresses to make them unique and not so ordinary. Here's what I came up with...




Here's how you recreate it:

Supplies
Dress
Satin
Coordinating thread
Rotary blade & Mat
Scissors
Machine

Step 1
Cut 2 lengths (44 inches) of satin 7 inches wide



Sew the lengths together. Now you have one long strip 7" X 88" or so.
Sew right sides together to form a tube.



Turn the tube right side out.
Iron flat on low heat with seam in the middle of the tube.



Step 2
Sew a long running stitch along the entire length of your fabric.
*Use your middle seam as a guide. This doesn't have to be perfect since it will be all gathered - hiding any mistakes.
*If you're not sure how to do this. See here for a tutorial on ruffle making.
Pull top threads on both sides to gather your ruffle.

Step 3
Place ruffle along your decided place (pin if you hate constantly adjusting finicky satin).
Start at the back and turn your ruffle under at the back opening.

Topstitch around the bodice.
Cut the end when you reach the back and turn under. Stitch end piece in place.


THAT'S IT!


This idea can be applied to sweaters, tee shirts, skirts, anything at all! Happy ruffle-ing!