Child's Towel Bib

Child's Towel Bib

 

Knit Baby Cap

 

First look at your pattern and notice that there is a fold line on one of the long ends.  This edge needs to be placed on the fold of the fabric.  Also notice that the grainline arrow is across, showing the stretch grain (crosswise grain).

Simple Lapped Zipper

A lapped zipper is a great zipper application for skirts and dresses, using an all-purpose (not invisible) zipper.  The finished zipper has an overlap on the left side of the opening that covers the zipper.  On the right side of the opening, the fabric is edge-stitched very close to the zipper teeth.  This zipper is great for a center-back opening and a left side skirt zipper closure.  There are many techniques to sew a lapped zipper.  This method is a quick, painless, and very accurate technique to try.

Child's Lined Coat/Jacket

NOTE:  This blog post is still incomplete, but has the basic steps to help you finish your coat.




Coat pattern pieces:  2 fronts, 1 back on fold, 2 sleeves, 2 hood pieces or 2 collar pieces.  Pocket pieces are optional.  Cut the same pieces for the coat lining.

Embroidered Pillow for HFED 150 Practical Homemaking Class

First cut out all the pillow pieces.

Back piece:  17" x 17"
Front center piece:  9" x 9"
Top & bottom rectangles:  5" x 17"
Side rectangles:  5" x 9"

This is how the pieces will be placed on the front.

Tailored Bed Skirt

Sorry, this post is not finished yet.  It is a work in progress.  It should be finished soon.  Stay tune.

Shortening Pants to Shorts/Mock Cuff Hem

This technique is a great way to make a pair of pants shorter into capris or shorts with just the right length.  These first two photos show pictures of pants converted into shorts with the mock cuff hem.  It is very easy to do.

Adding Sleeves to a Blouse

Adding Sleeves to a Blouse

 

Tricot Knit Baby Blessing/Christening Dress

Tricot Blessing Dress with Long Bodice

Fabric Requirements:

2 1/8 yards sheer tricot
3/4 yard regular tricot

Sheer Tricot Cutting Instructions:

First fold tricot with stretch on 108" side.  May be folded in 8 layers.
Cut 3 strips (5 1/2" wide) for ruffles
Cut 4 strips (3" wide) for ruffles
Underskirt (cut 1 on the fold)
Sleeves (cut 2 or 4, depending on how opaque you want the sleeves)
Bodice back (cut 2--right and left)
Bodice front (cut 1)
Overskirt (cut 1 on the fold)  Check with instructor before cutting this pattern piece.

Regular Tricot Cutting Instructions:

Slip (cut 1 on the fold)
Bodice back (cut 4--right and left)
Bodice front (cut 2)

Sewing Instructions for Bodice:

Lay the regular tricot Bodice Front and the two regular tricot Bodice Backs on the counter with the right sides up.  Make sure you have a right and a left Bodice Back.  Keep fabrics clean from lint and hair.

Baby/Child Knit Top and Knit Pants

Baby/Child Knit Top and Knit Pants

Fleece Knit Baby Sleeper

There are five pattern pieces to make the baby sleeper.

1. Raglan sleeves, cut 2
2. Toe, cut 2
3. Crotch piece, cut 1
4. Front and back, cut one on fold.  Make sure the pattern back edge is on the fold.  Do not cut on the fold line.
5. Sole, cut 2

All seams will be 1/4" and the stitch length will be 2.8.

Baby Knit Booties

Making baby knit booties is fun and simple.

 First cut out two tops, two cuff ribbing (can be from interlock fabric) and four of bootie sole.  Two of the sole fabric can be cut from the sole fabric.

 

Repair a Stressed Seam in Denim Shirt

Unfortunately, I do not have the before picture of this shirt.  In the vertical seam, there is stress in the fabric and it is starting to rip out.  It was a favorite shirt of my daughter's, so we wanted to preserve the fabric so that it wouldn't rip more.  I knew I needed to make a patch and reinforce the weak fabric, but I did not want an unsightly patch on the top side.  Since the shirt has lots of topstitching, and a western cut to it, I decided to add a topstitching design that would hold the patch in place.

How to Repair a Pulled-Out Seam in Lined Houndstooth Coat

My daughter bought this darling coat at a thrift shop and noticed that it had a pulled-out seam in the back princess seamline.  This happened because the houndstooth fabric is a very loose weave, and the person wearing it stressed the seam to the point that the fabric ends pulled out.  It can be repaired, as noted in the picture on the right.  Here is how to do it.

Polka Dot Swimsuit

How to Change a Swimsuit to a Tankini Top

How to Replace a Jacket Zipper

So, what happens when the zipper breaks on your favorite jacket?  No worries, you can fix that!

I like to purchase my zippers at wawak.com.  They have a wide variety of zippers, they are quick, and the shipping costs are very low.  Every month they have discounted products and they will send you a monthly catalog if you sign up.

Measure the length of the broken zipper and see if it is a 2-way zipper.  Then purchase a new zipper the length and color you want.  Wawak sells metal teeth, nylon or polyester coil, and plastic teeth zippers.