Tutorial: gathering fabric

I have been reading a lot of sewing blogs. There is so much to learn and blogs are a great source for sharing creativity and learning little tricks. I am an avid follower of Gerties New Blog for Better Sewing (she is writing a book..YAY!) where she shared a link on her blog, which led me to thefamilyhomestead.com where this little tutorial lives. Today's featured tutorial is not my own but is so GENIUS that I had to share it with all of you.

 I recently shared this trick with my friend Lynn, who took it with her to a sewing class and everyone was very impressed. I have used this method of gathering fabric on a few skirts  and it really, really works! Right now I am working on two quilts one for my brother that I posted on my blog here and this yellow and gray number that I am making with the leftover fabric pennants from my wedding.  Thanks for looking. Love, Ms. Kate

no sew cute cuffs

I tend to wear my jeans all year round. I love shopping for used jeans and then changing them in simple, crafty ways to make them my own. Today, I thought I would share a quick tutorial on how to make your jeans awesome and unique.

You will need:
Jeans (straight leg work best for this tutorial)
Iron
No sew ULTRAHOLD Heat-n-Bond
Fabric
Tape measure
Scissors
 

If you are new to Heat-n-Bond get ready for one of the BEST inventions EVER!!! It is an iron on, paper backed adhesive that holds like glue. I love it and I often use it for applique.

Start by measuring the width of your cuffs. Seam to seam and then multiply by two.

If your cuffs are 7 inches wide from seam to seam, then the total would be 14 inches. 

Measure your fabric to reflect the total circumference of your cuffs. Then add TWO inches. 

For example, if your cuffs are 14 inches around then you will cut your fabric to 16 inches.

I tend to like a wider cuff, so I cut my fabric 9 inches wide. 

At this width, the cuff can be rolled right below my knee. 

Next grab the Heat-n-Bond. 

You will notice that one side is smooth (this is the paper side) and the other side is 

bumpy (the adhesive).

Place your fabric, pattern side up on the bumpy side of the Heat-n-Bond. 

Iron on high, being careful not to get your iron on any exposed Heat-n-Bond. 

It is useful to iron on an old towel because the Heat-n-Bond can be very sticky.

Cut any extra Heat-n-Bond away from the fabric.

Flip your fabric over and run your iron on the paper. 

Be careful to iron all the edges so that the bond really sticks.

Peel off the paper backing. 

You will notice that the backside of your fabric will have a nice shiny surface (this is the adhesive).

With your jeans inside-out, line your fabric along the seam and hem.

Note: if your fabric has a pattern, you want to place the pattern upside-down.

Iron one side of the leg. Be careful and shift jean and fabric as you iron to create a smooth bond.

Once one side is secure, flip leg over, fold fabric over and iron onto second side. 

Ironing along the second seam can be tricky which is why the two extra inches of overlap helps.

 

If it is not perfectly lined up it is not a problem!! You are going to roll them anyway!

 If the fabric appears really stiff that is okay too. It will soften up with washing.

TA DA!!!!

 

 

Have fun! Thanks for looking. Love, Ms. Kate

sewing sassiness

I am sort of new to sewing. I have made a few quilts and a dozen or so Christmas stockings but that's it. I have been reading a lot of sewing blogs and have been overwhelmed with inspiration. Since I can never find clothes I like (that fit all this T&A happening over here) I decided to try sewing a garment.

Well, of course I never start with something simple. I tend to dive in. So, for my first garment I decided to try taffeta.  I didn't start with a cotton skirt made from an old bed sheet... not this girl!  I went for silky smooth taffeta with velvety dots. Why not? What did I have to lose? It was a little frustrating, but I knew I could always cut a fiasco apart and use the fabric for something else. Either way it wouldn't go to waste.

Well, thank goodness for the internet! Today my gratitude goes to an awesome blog called Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing where I found the perfect skirt tutorial (a timeless post from 2009). Thank you Gertie!

This skirt took two evenings, a few swear words, and even more beer but here it is:

To my surprise, while browsing the interwebs today I found this similar skirt on Modcloth.com! I actually like mine better and paid far less!

This skirt would have taken less time if it wasn't my first handmade garment. I was extra careful and measured a dozen times before I cut the fabric.  

For anyone who wants to try their hand at sewing I say "do it!" There is nothing to be afraid of and it's actually a lot of fun. I am very happy and wore this fancy number to work on my birthday! People loved it and it made me feel very pretty!
Have fun. Thanks for looking. Love, Ms. Kate

heart of saturday night

 Last weekend was a whirlwind so I am laying low this St. Patrick's Day. Tonight I will be drinking beer and sewing away!

I'm thinking fancy, puffy skirt? I will post photos when I am done!! Thanks for looking.
Love, Ms. Kate

Brothers are great!

As a kid, my baby brother was my sidekick  and we were always getting into mischief. We survived my parents nasty divorce and since then, we have always been there for each other. He is the person that knows me the best and knows how to piss me off the most.
More recently,  our relationship has been a hilly ride as we both figure out how to be adults and survive on our own.

I have been wanting to make him a quilt for awhile and since he has begun to put in his roots and settle into his life, I thought now would be the perfect time!

 

My brother is a very spiritual person. I wanted to make something that would compliment his sage green room and convey the sense of being outside.

 I don't have a pattern so I will be using graph paper and a ruler to make my own. Have you ever made something for someone you love?? You should. Thanks for looking.
Love, Ms. Kate