the Circle Skirt
I used to think that a gathered skirt was the easiest skirt to sew. But I may have changed my tune. A circle skirt is possibly even easier!….especially if you leave the elastic exposed. If you’ve ever made a poodle skirt before, it’s the same concept. Once you’ve created your pattern, you can whip up 4 skirts in an hour! Okay, let’s get started. What you need (for a little girl’s skirt): * about 1 yard of fabric* appx 3/4 yard of 2-inch wide elastic FABRICS to use:* Rayon* Polyester Charmuese* Simple Cotton* Thin Corduroy* Lightweight WoolMany fabrics will work for this project. ELASTIC:Wide elastic from fabric stores typically comes 2 inches or 3 inches wide; white or black in color. If you’d like to add a colorful twist to your skirt, check out our easy Tutorial for Dyeing Elastic HERE. Measure around your waist. PATTERN:This requires a bit of geometry but don’t worry, we’ll break it down for you. You need to figure out the radius so you can easily draw a circle. draw another 1/4 circle:
Crazy Little Projects
This sling tote bag was fun to make because I was making it for a gift and it isn’t really my own style, so it was something different than what I normally sew. And the person I made it for loved it which is always great. It’s a sling tote bag: I didn’t have a pattern, just pictures of similar bags and I figured I could pull it off, but I was a little nervous. It worked out great though and was really pretty easy. Here’s What You Need: 1 yard main fabric 1 yard accent/inner fabric 1/4 yard lining (optional) Here’s How to Make It: Start out by laying out your fabric and cutting basically a half circle with these dimensions: 23″ across the top, 14.5″ from the top to the bottom of the circle. Now, to make the pleats in the bag you will start at the center of the bag and make one pleat that is about 2 inches. Then, working out from there do two more pleats on each side each about another 2 inches apart or so. Here’s what it should look like from the bottom: Then sew around the top opening.
How to Make a Simple Bow
These little bows are so simple and fun-- I make them all the time. They are so versatile-- you can wear them as shoe clips, hair clips, broaches, whatever you want! I've also attached them to headbands. (Photo from last year when I was obsessively watching Mad Men and attempting the bee hive hairdo. Looks a bit like Marge Simpson if you ask me. ;) ) How to Make Simple Bows: Step 1: First you need to cut a rectangle of fabric with a little sliver of fabric to set off to the side. Step 2: Next you need to fold the fabric onto itself, lengthwise. Step 3: Now fold the fabric in the other way to to middle. Step 4: Stitch those bad boys together. Step 5: With a curling iron, straightener, or iron, press the sides of the little sliver of fabric together. Step 6: All done!
Altering Jeans: Shorter (with Identical Hem)
Can anyone on this planet find the perfect pair of jeans? There are so many things to look for in a perfect pair of jeans. First, there’s the waist. And then the fit in the legs. And then the fabric stretch. And ah man, now you have to choose from boot cut, skinny jeans, trouser cut, straight leg, blah, blah, blah. I’m tall. I usually have to lengthen our pants. But then my brother came over one day…….and showed me some pants he found. Okay, so I stewed and stewed over how to shorten them…….trying to figure out how to make them look like the original hem. So I looked online. Check out those newly shortened jeans: You can’t even tell that they have been shortened. And I think it’s my hemmed jeans that make my brother look smokin’…….totally not him. (And yeah, he’s single. Thanks Greg. I was at a loss as to how I was going to shorten your crazy long jeans. And it looks like we need to hem your daughter’s pants too. Anyone else need to hem some pants? Ready to hem some jeans? Let’s get started.
How To Make An Easy Dress (For Cheap!)
Two facts about me: I'm cheap. I love dresses. I wear dresses probably 6 days out of the week. It's not that I one day just decided to wear dresses to feel cute and girly. Back in November when I really started Talk2thetrees I kinda just wore pajama pants and sweat pants. Dresses are so comfortable, I can sit around the house and feel comfortable and cute. The only problem.. they are expensive! Here is a tutorial on a High Waisted Dress: For under 6 bucks! First you will need a ribbed tank top. I got mine from Walmart for 2.50 You could also use a t-shirt 3 yards of matching fabric. Clearance section is my favorite. Cut the tank top almost in half. (I cut mine a little too short.. oops!) For the bottom part of your dress take the fabric and wrap it around your waist about 1 and a half times, and cut in a straight line. I never measure, I never use patterns... Next you fold your fabric in half. You have kind of a big blocky rectangle skirt. (You are sewing the raw edges, not the bubble hem)
Bow Belt
We're always looking for fun ways to add embellishments and touches of color to our outfits especially in the winter when we tend to get bored with everything and anything. With bows being fiercely back in style, what better way than with a bright bow belt! You can pick any color for this but we'd recommend something solid and cotton. You'll need a simple snap as well to hand stitch on. The measurements for the three pieces you'll need to make are in the directions below. Measure your waist (over a thin shirt) and add 2 inches to that length. Making the belt: Fold in half the long way and sew along the long side. Fold over one open end and hand stitch one side of the snap into the inside. Flip right side out now. Once it's right side out, measure it around your waist. Now sew the second snap on through both pieces. Making the bow: For the bow cut a piece of fabric 6'' x 10''. Turn it inside out and move the seam to the middle. Sew the ends together as shown. Straighten and fluff your bow!
