{mystery sew along}

I love Halloween.  I love Fall.  I love Halloween and Harvest parties and decorations and games and mysteries!  SO, I thought it would be fun to start the first day of Fall here stateside with a fun sew along mystery.  Each day, I will give you a few of the steps but I'm not going to tell you what we are making.  You'll probably figure it out pretty quick BUT it will be a lot of fun to just go along and see what you end up with.  I promise you will love it!  And use it a lot.  And want to make many.

Ready?  OK, TODAY, we are gathering some supplies.

You will need 18 quantity of 4 1/2" squares.  Use up your quilting cottons and add to it some fun pieces for texture.  I used some wool from an old sweater and also corduroy.  You will need some twine.  And poly fiber stuffing.  And of course, all your usual gear, sewing machine and notions, yadda, yadda, yadda.

Once you have your materials gathered, sew 3 of your squares together in a row using 1/4" seams.  You will sew these together until you have a total of 6 groups of 3 squares each.

Come back tomorrow and see what comes next!

{blessed nest} a tutorial

Maggie Whitley from Gussy Sews has a great community on her blog where there is lots of discussion of inspiration, and business building, and crafting.  

I had the pleasure of putting together this simple tutorial for a table runner to share with her readers who are interested in a simple sewing project with some "gussy" ruffle inspired elements.

Here's a few more details showing the applique process:

You can find the full tutorial over at GUSSY SEWS!

And don't forget, through Monday, August 15th at 10am EST - use the code DogDays and receive 30% off patterns and more in my etsy store before it closes for an extended break.

{french seams tutorial}

My serger died.  Not really sure what happened or when.  It just quit working.  I've had several "expert" friends look at it and they are all baffled.  Bummer.  Now I have to find a place who can look at it and repair it.

In the meantime, I had a couple of Carol Jane dresses to sew up.  And serging the edges of your seams on garments are a must because it just gives it such a nice finish.  What's a girl to do?  I could zig zag stitch my seams.  But I wanted them even cleaner than that.  SO...remembering a bit about french seams I had used on Sprouts crib bedding - I decided that was the way to go.

Today, I'm going to share the method I used on this dress because the patchwork version I was working on has a lot of seams so this came in super handy!  This dress is really cute alone or paired with a long sleeve t-shirt and jeans.  It would make for a great back to school outfit!  This is a method you can use in loads of garment patterns if you don't have a serger and want nice clean seams inside.

STEP ONE

Start by laying your fabrics WRONG SIDES FACING, pin and stitch 1/8" seam.

STEP TWO

Press your seam so that right sides are now facing.  See in the photo above how we can see the raw edge of the seam is visible on the right side of the fabric and the clean edge is on the wrong side.  Press along the seam line and pin.  Now, stitch 1/4" seam to incase your raw edge of your seam.

STEP THREE

Now you can see how the raw edge is incased and now both our right side view and wrong side view are nice and clean.  But, we have the seam sticking up on the wrong side which will not be comfortable.  Press this seam to one side and then top stitch it down.  

That's it.  A bit more time consuming but the result is so worth it.  Your seams are equally beautiful on the INSIDE of the garment as they are on the OUTSIDE.  Are you inspired to give it a try?

Well, I'm getting ready to put my etsy shop on a short hiatus.  So through this weekend, enter the coupon code, DogDays, and receive 30% off EVERYTHING in the shop.  Patterns, including the Carol Jane dress, and finished items also included.  After Monday morning, the shop will be closed for several weeks while I catch up on projects.

::rolled rosette tutorial::

I think I've been promising this for a very long time...and ta-da!  FINALLY, here it is!  A little video tutorial on how I make those rolled rosettes.  I even spill the beans on one of the other flowers I make too... One of the sweet neighbors came over several weeks ago while I was making some and wanted to know how I did it.  I showed her and handed over some supplies.  In no time, she had made several and put them together in this fab necklace.  She's 12.  If she can do it, YOU CAN DO IT!

Here it is!  Have you made these before?  Do you have a fun idea on how to use these rosettes?  Please share!

More FLOWER TUTORIALS can be found on my site HERE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdZPnzbqjF4

xoxo,

Trish

30 Minute Maxi Dress

Well, I have REALLY jumped in technology!  My first video!  Now, I'm not promising that this is super high quality or anything.  I filmed myself in my backyard, in bright blinding sunlight in the last 15 minutes of Sprouts naptime.  By the time I finished this, I could hear her yelling, "MOOOMMMMAAAA!  I'M AWAKE NOW!". There are plenty of assumptions made in this "tutorial" that you have some sewing experience to make this project.  This is not really a very technical "tutorial".

I'm sharing with you today what I call my 30 Minute Maxi Dress (although at the end I think I refer to it as a 30 second dress, it's not quite THAT quick but pretty darn fast to put together).  Here's the thing...there is not one thing about this that is very technically correct in terms of garment construction.  Real seamstresses will CRINGE at what I'm about to tell you on how to whip this together.

Seriously.  I wanted a maxi dress.  I picked up some fabric, stitched it together - never cut it at all, added elastic thread and extended the length some with a contrasting hem band.  Bam!  3pm on the sewing machine, 4pm out the door in a new dress.  It does the trick.  Sometimes, you just gotta break the rules!  Watch this intro and then come back for more details below...

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOkDCsq5ksI]

I'm not sure that this will work for every shape and size, you be the judge.  I am {can't believe I'm going to share this} 5'5" tall and wear a dress size that is 8/10.  Yep, I did just share my dress size with the entire world.  You saw in the video that the top of the dress is the selvedge edge and by the time I put elastic thread in there, you can't even tell.  You may want to put a nice hem there - totally up to you.

I used 1 1/2 yards of fabric for my dress.  You would not want to use less than this for any adult size.  Here's why.  The longer the dress, below your knees, you need room to actually take a full stride step when walking.  If the dress is not big enough around, you'll be walking around like you have a cord tied around your ankles and hobbling little steps.  Make sense?

Also, to make the dress longer for you, just add some fabric to the bottom.  Cut a contrasting fabric to the same width as your dress.  When adding a hem band, I cut mine twice the size.  If I want a 2" tall hem band, I cut it 4".  Press it in half.  Then right sides of hem band to right side of dress, stitch.  Press seam up towards top of dress and topstitch all the way around.  I like doing them because you can see the underside of your hem quite often and this gives it a nice finished appearance rather than seeing a little 1" hem on the underside.

Again, the longer you make the dress, the more fabric I think I would use...if you truly make this fall to your ankle, and you are of average size, I might be very tempted to use a full 2 yards of fabric to give me more "walking room".

Ready?

1) You've got your fabric ready to go.  You've added the extra length on the bottom with your hem if desired already.  Selvedge edges at top and bottom of dress.  With right sides together, pin and stitch down that long edge.  Use a serger if you have one or zig zag along your edge to finish.

2)  Adding the elastic thread.  Mark even lines where you want to put your stitching.  I made mine about an inch apart.   After about 8 rows, I tried on the dress to see how much farther I wanted to go with the gathering.  You could also do 3 or 4 rows at the top and then 3 or 4 rows at your waist only - wear a cute belt with it!  Up to you...Starting at the side seam, tie a knot in the end of your elastic thread (leaving it on your spool) and lay it down on the wrong side of your fabric leaving about 2" of a tail.  Zig-zag stitch over the elastic thread, pulling very gently until you get all the way around your dress.  Be sure you are following your marked stitching lines so that you have straight rows!  At the end, I tie the end of my elastic thread to the tail I left at the beginning so it won't pull out and holds securely in the wash.  If you pull your elastic too tight, you won't be able to get in the dress.  If it's too loose, you're likely to have a "wardrobe malfunction" and those results would not be favorable.  Just sayin...

Continue with your elastic thread stitching until you have the look you want.  Again, I kept stopping and trying on the dress to see how it looked.

3)  Straps.  Cut your straps the desired length x 2" wide.  Just like you are making bias tape, press your long edge to the center and then in half.Press your ends nicely tucked to the inside so you have finished ends and stitch your strap down the long edge.  With my dress on, I determined where my straps would fit best and pinned them on.  Take the dress back off...THEN stitch the straps to the wrong side of the dress.  I also added, using the straps, a tiny loop on the back so that I could run my ties through there to help hold it up in the back.

That's it!  You can adjust this dress to fit anybody!  Little girl to adult and it would be really fun for a little girls sewing project.  It's so quick and so simple - and she will feel SEW accomplished from making herself a cute maxi dress!

Will you try one for yourself?

xoxo,

Trish

Fringed Flower {tutorial}

A quick and lovely corsage to make for Mom or Grandma this weekend to celebrate Mother's Day...

{don't forget to go HERE and enter to win a $40 shop credit from Gussy Sews - open until midnight, May 8th, 2011}

You may remember from HERE my tutorial for this belt and I accessorized it with this fringed flower.  You can put a hair clip or pin on the fringed flower to wear in hair or wear on your clothes {heck, put both clip and pin on there so you can multi-purpose your flower!}

You'll need some fabric - fat quarters or scraps, whatever ya got.  A felt square to cut your backing.  A pin or hairclip.  Glue gun.  And some bling bling - like a cute button or faux jewel.

Start with 3 different size circles and cut about 8 circles per size.  I use everyday objects for my templates.  A cup, a ribbon spool, a bowl...stuff like that.  Just find 3 graduated sizes.  8 of each should be enough but you may want more or less depending on how full you want your flower.  I actually used only 5 for the smallest size.

Fold each circle in half.  I place one teeny tiny dot of glue in the center to hold it.  Then fold it in half again.  Add another dot of glue to hold it.  Then, make an "S" with your fabric petal - add a dot of glue at each turn towards the center point just to hold it in place.

After your petals are formed, next comes the fringe.  Snip each petal with your scissors 2/3 of the way down the petal.  Continue with your glue process and snipping until all of your petals are complete.

Next, cut a circle from your felt.  How big?  I typically cut mine about 2 1/2" - 3".  Using your glue gun, put a layer of glue on your felt circle.  Start to arrange your petals on the circle by placing them on their edge around the circle.  That will require you to hold multiple petals in place as you glue.  Make sense?  If you lay them down flat, your flower just isn't as full and fluffy.

Continue adding your petals, placing the largest ones on the bottom and working your way up until you put the smallest ones on top.  The smallest ones will actually get a dot of glue in the center of the flower and place all of those small petals with the small tips in to the center, fringed ends to the top.  Not on their side but pointed edge straight down to finish off the shape of the flower.

Add a little bling to the center to dress it up or leave it plain if you'd like.  Add a pin to the back and / or a hairclip.  And...hey there, you are now your Mom's favorite kid because YOU remembered to bring her flowers this Mother's Day!  Score!  Happy Mother's Day to all you fabulous Mom's in the world!  Enjoy your special day!

xoxo, Trish {like this tutorial?  Please share - at the bottom of the post you can tweet it or share on your facebook and more!}

Fabric belt {tutorial}

I have officially reached "that age".  The age in which I have had all of the babies I'm apparently gonna have and the left over baby belly I'm still toting around with me is forever.  I guess.  I have fallen in love lately with the styles that have the skinny jean and tunics - anything to hide my ever expanding backside.  Can I hear an amen from the choir? And I love the belted look!  Each time I think I'm going to buy one of those wide adorable belts I cringe because ouch!  $30 for a belt!  Or more...I'm way too cheap for that.  I came up with a few different fabric versions I think you'll enjoy too.  I'm sharing the first one here today.  They are lightweight and so comfortable that you don't even know you have it on which is a huge bonus over the leather ones that cut into you a bit.

And this project is super easy and FAST!  I always tell everyone, I'm a naptime sewer - gotta stitch fast while Sprout is snoozing so this is a perfect project to get done in that blessed hour or two in the afternoon.

Here's what you need to get started:

1/4 yard of cotton fabric, not too lightweight.  You want it to have some "oomph" so I would stick with a regular quilt weight cotton.

1/8 yard of heavy fusible fleece interfacing.

Coordinating thread, sewing machine and your iron.

Ready?  READ the entire project instructions before beginning.  Use 1/4" seams throughout.

step one Start by printing out the pattern here.  {click on it and then print image - it should print full size which is 12" in length}  It should print on a legal size sheet of paper.  Cut 2 from your fabric.  Cut 1 of the interfacing from this pattern making the interfacing 1/4" smaller on all sides than your full size pattern piece.  Fuse the single piece of interfacing to one of the fabric pieces, following manufacturers instructions.

step two Custom size your belt.  The angled part of the belt from our pattern above sits in the front.  You will be adding to it the remainder of the belt that wraps around your waist.  To determine how long to make that, measure your waist where you want your belt to sit and measure OVER THE TOP of your clothing.  This is where your belt will sit so you want it to be a little fuller.  The first 12" of your measurement is the equivalent of the pattern piece above.  That remaining number PLUS 2" is the length of the belt you are adding to the pattern piece.  Am I making any sense?

For example, 12" (the pattern piece) + 27" =  39" or the exact waist measurement where you want the belt to sit on your hips.  Add to the 27" + 2" = 29".  (the 2" addition is to account for our seams)  29" is the length of the belt piece that wraps around, attaches into your pattern piece.  I'm really bad a math so I hope this makes sense to you...

Cut 2 - your custom belt length (our example was 29")  x 2 1/4" wide (2 1/4" wide should be the same width at the narrow end of your pattern piece).

Cut 1 - interfacing same length and 1 3/4" wide.  Fuse interfacing to one of the long belt fabric pieces per manufacturers instructions.

Still with me?

step three Cut 2 - ties.  2" x 22".

Let's sew!

step four With right sides together, pin your wide angled belt pieces together.  Sew around 3 edges leaving the small end opposite the wide end open.  Clip your corners and turn right side out.  Steam press.

step five With right sides together, pin your long belt pieces together and stitch down both long edges leaving your short ends open.  Turn right side out and press.

step six Creating your ties.  Press your 2" wide pieces to the center and then again in half - to create the ties.  At the ends, I fold them in to create an angle end.  Then stitch along the long edge.

step seven On your angled belt piece, turn in the narrow open end and place the long belt piece inside, about an inch.  Pin and topstitch opening closed, attaching the two belt pieces together.

On the other end of your open long belt piece, turn it in about an inch.  Place your two ties inside the opening, pin and stitch closed.

Using the mark from the pattern, mark your belt for a 3/4" buttonhole.  Stitch buttonhole.  Put your belt on, pull the ties from the back to the front through the buttonhole and tie in a cute bow.  If you make your buttonhole too big, your bow will pull through it.  Hope that all made sense...it is a very quick and easy project and super cute!  I'm going to do a patchwork one next!  And I have a few more designs I'm mocking up too...you'll see those appear sometime before summer!

I added a cute fringed flower and I'll show you how to do that this weekend! 

Sew away dear friends!

xoxo,

Trish

Blooms and Blossoms - Fabric flower wreath

This is the first in a multi - part series.  How many parts?  I don't actually know just yet because one idea has been exponentially multiplying How many will I end up and share...depends on how long my fingers hold out with all the typing and photo editing!  {wink!} I think it's safe to say that almost everybody greets Spring with a few fresh decorations at your doorstep.  A wreath, a new welcome mat, lawn ornaments, something...right?  Well for the fabric obsessed out there, this one should satisfy.

Start with 1/2" - 1" strips of fabric, felt, some jewels (I found mine in the scrapbook section of our craft store), a glue gun, and wreath.

I cut my strips 6" and 8" in length to make two different size little flowers.  Take each strip, put a dot of glue on the end and glue your ends together making fabric links.  

Take 4 of your links and stack them.  Take a small scrap of fabric and tie them together in the center and then pull them to create a little flower.  Add some bling bling to the center.

Next, take a 1" strip about 40" long and make a loose kind of fan with - folding the fabric back and forth and using dots of glue to hold in place and then glue to a piece of felt.

Make 2 of those "fans".   Layout your "fans" and your little flowers and see how you'd like them arranged on your wreath.  I also added some grosgrain ribbon behind my flowers.  Then glue everything in place.

I added a strip of fabric wrapped around the wreath, added a little bunny and a voila!  A new Spring wreath!  You could even make these little scrappy flowers and glue them to barrette backs to wear in your hair too!

I had an older easter wreath with eggs and I hung it in the center of my new wreath...not sure if I like it but...I'll probably be too lazy to change now.  

Up next in the Blooms and Blossoms series...a fringed flower and cute belt tutorial!!  {LOVE!!}

xoxo,

Trish

Carrot Treat bag {spring treats tutorial}

Oh, I know...I said, "come back this week and..." we'd be chatting about flowers and we will.  VERY soon.  All kinds of little posies and fun ways to use them! BUT I realized I had this cute little treat bag and with the Easter holiday just weeks away - yikes!  Thought I'd share it first so you could crank a few out for your wee ones!  It's a pretty quick project - an hour or less!

Designed to hang on the back of a chair but you could easily add a full length strap to this little carrot bag and turn it into a cute Easter purse.

Materials needed include orange and green fabrics plus additional for the lining {scraps or fat quarters would suffice}, some heavy fleece interfacing {again, some scraps or single fat quarter is enough}, 24" of velvet ribbon.

I made two different versions.  Options are:  1) A green leafy top as one piece and standing up OR a green leafy top that lays down and is cut into strips.  2)  Plain carrot OR decorative stitching on carrot to add texture.  3)  Ribbon handle stitched into the bag OR ribbon handle stitched on the outside of the bag.

Ready?  Here goes...

1)  Print the pattern.  I've designed this to be printed on a legal size sheet of paper.  Click on the picture and then print.

Cut 2 from your orange exterior fabric.  Cut 2 from your lining fabric.  Cut 2 of your interfacing - cut your interfacing at least 1/4" smaller than your orange exterior fabric.  Additionally, Cut 1 from the green fabric 21" x 6".

2)  Fuse your interfacing following manufacturers instructions to the wrong side of the orange exterior fabric.  If you wish to add the decorative stitching, do this now.  Stitch randomly back and forth, slightly curving.

3)  With right sides facing, pin your two orange exterior pieces together and using 1/4" seam, stitch around the long edges leaving the top of your carrot open.  Turn right side out.  Do you want your ribbon handle sewn into the bag with no excess hanging?  Now is the time to stitch the handle on - match raw edge of ribbon to raw edge of bag and stitch ribbon at each side seam.  If you like the look of the ribbon on the outside with some excess hanging, then the ribbon handle is added at the end.

4)  With right sides facing, bring your two short ends of the green fabric together and stitch together making a tube.  Your tube is 6" high.

Next, fold green fabric, wrong sides facing, in half as shown.  Now your tube is 3" high.

With right sides facing, pin your green tube to the orange exterior fabric around the top, raw edges matching.  Start by matching the seam of the tube to the seam on the carrot and pin. Next, finding the center point of your tube, pin that center point to the other seam.  Then, randomly tuck and create pleats and gathers with your green tube until it fits around the top of your carrot.  Pin in place and stitch green tube to carrot.

5)  With right sides facing, pin your two lining pieces together and stitch leaving your carrot top open as you did the exterior AND leaving a 3" opening along the side towards the bottom for turning.  Leave lining turned wrong side out.

6)  With lining turned wrong side out and orange exterior fabric turned right side out, take your orange exterior and put it INSIDE of the lining so that you now have right sides of the fabric from the exterior carrot and the lining facing.  Pin all around top.  Stitch.

7)  Next, pull your carrot exterior through the hole you left open in the lining.  Stitch lining closed.  

8)  Push your lining down into your carrot.  IF you have chosen to have a leafy green top stand up as one solid piece, well, then you are done!  Handle?  If you choose to have your handle on the outside, then stitch it at your side seams on the exterior of your bag now.

IF you have chosen to have a leafy green top that is cut into strips, randomly cut but not all the way in!  Leave about an 1" uncut.  Topstitch around the top edge?  Up to you...I topstitched the carrot with the cut leaves.  I did not topstitch the one with the solid leafy part.

Easy wasn't it?  Now, fill them with treats and hang them on the back of your child's chair after they have gone to bed and wait for the squeals of delight when they wake up in the morning!  Why wait for Easter!  Make it a fun Springy Saturday morning treat tradition all through Lent.

Have fun making these for your wee ones!  I'd love to see what you stitch up!  Share them over on my Flickr page or on the Two Peas facebook page.  Have your kids make one of these, a Baxter Bunny to put inside your carrot!

Next time - blooms and blossoms!

xoxo,

Trish

Thinking Spring...{of blooms and blossoms}

I've got Spring on the brain.  Just waiting for the cold winds to go back to where they came from and some warmer air to blow through our side of the world. I had asked before about things you'd like me to write about and one of my friends asked if I'd share a tutorial about how I make all of those little blooms and blossoms embellishments.  Simple, classic, been done for decades little blooms and blossoms...like these?

I use these on all kinds of things and I'll share with you very soon a whole bunch of ideas on how to use these blooms and how to make them.  Start gathering some materials!

You'll need some felt (used for the backings), hook and loop tape like velcro, pin backs, hair clips, headbands, d-rings, fabric, buttons and vintage baubles, and a glue gun.  (Plus your sewing machine and needle and thread).

Now, go gather up your gear and come back next week and we'll chat over some coffee and make some cute little blooms and blossoms, ok?  Cool!  See ya then!

xoxo,

Trish

Sweet Sprout's Hat

Some upcycled inspiration... I had found this gorgeous cashmere sweater at the local thrift store.   In about 45 minutes, I transformed into a cute little hat for my Sprout.

Here's what you'll need to make one too:

A sweater, either felted wool or cashmere...you decide.  Some of the stretchy cottons would not work well because they'll just look sloppy. Some knit fabric for embellishments.  Add some extra beads if you'd like too.

1)  Start by measuring just above the ears all the way around the wee ones head (circumference).  Next I measured from the top of her ears to the top of her head (height).  I took the circumference number minus 1 1/2" and the height - I cut a strip from my sweater the length of the circumference (circumference - 1 1/2") and the height.  You'll have a long band.

2)  Next, I cut a strip of my black knit fabric that was roughly 2" wide and twice the length of the circumference.  I made folds / pleats with the knit fabric and pinned this to the edge of  my sweater band (my sweater fabric was nice enough I was able to leave the edges raw.  You may need to serge the edges or hem it).  I sewed a stitch right down the center of my pleats to attach this knit pleated band embellishment to the hat.

3)  Then, with the gray knit fabric cut about 1/2" wide and roughly 42" long, I started to stitch my rolling roses embellishments.  To get this look, I stitched down the center of my knit, right down the center of the strip and pulling and turning to form the rose shapes, etc.  You just have to sew a few stitches, stop, turn, and continue turning and moving outward from the center out.

4)  With right sides together, stitch down the short side of your sweater band to form a tube and the main portion of the hat.  Looking at the open circle my tube created, I matched up that size with a small plate I had from my kitchen (serious.  Don't you make patterns with your kitchen ware?).  I used that plate as my template and cut a circle from the sweater fabric.  With right sides facing, I pinned the tube to the circle and sewed them together.  It's a bit tricky because you are constantly pulling and pushing as you are sewing in a circle.  But you can do it.

That's it...a cute little upcycled hat from a sweater.  My Sprout loves hats...she looks adorable in this hat!

Happy Sewing.

xoxo,

Trish

Sprout's Patchwork Scarflette and Scarf {tutorial}

{Tutorial AND a GIVEAWAY - yea!}

The snow has begun to fly around here and Christmas is on its way.  Around our house, we do a whole lotta handmade for the holidays. My Two Peas and Sprout love, love, love going outside, so scarves seem to make perfect sense for one of my gift giving projects.

It's a great way to use up your scraps and make something truly unique for a friend or a teacher or your little ones.  The scarflette fits my Sprout just perfect and falls to her waist (she's 2) but it also fits me just as perfect (at 44" in length).  Bonus.

The scarf is BIG.  It was like 20° here today so big warm scarves are a must.

With ruffles, some yo-yo's and some fabulous buttons (thank you Hillcreek Designs) - I think the SCARF and SCARFLETTE are something you'll enjoy making and giving.

I am lucky enough to count the lovely Elizabeth Scott as a friend and she shared some of her new fabric collection with me, Red Rose Farm which is what I used to make the scarflette for Sprout.  Aren't those fabrics so sweet?!  {thank you so much Elizabeth for sharing!}

And since Elizabeth was so generous, I'd like to share some of her Red Rose Farm with you. Leave a comment on this post and I will pick one winner to receive a precut kit of the Scarflette design as shown here that will include 16 pieces of Red Rose Farm and a stash of buttons from Hillcreek Designs and some pink fleece.  Giveaway will end by December 9th at midnight.  International friends welcome to enter. Giveaway is now closed.

Let's Sew!

Making the SCARF

Here's whatcha need...

• Loads of scraps, I used a combination of cottons and flannel, Cut 10" wide and totaling 80" (includes seam allowance) in length (I like them a bit long for the way I choose to wrap it on but you may want to adjust this to your preference.  The finished length is roughly 66").  On my scarf, I cut the two end pieces from the same fabric and the same size to match them up.  I cut those pieces to be 10" x 3 1/2".  And I added a ruffle above each end piece, cut 20" x 3 1/2".
• Lining fabric.  The lazy girl method, just use your finished top as your pattern and cut your lining to size.  I used a fleece.  You could also use a flannel or if you live somewhere where it isn't snowing, you could use cotton.

1)  Lay out all of your scraps to plan the order in which you are going to piece them.  Then, using 1/4" seams, laying right sides together, piece your 10" wide scraps to create your scarf top.  On each end of my scarf, I created a ruffle and then added the final piece on each end which was identical print and size.

2) To create the ruffle, I used the piece cut 20" x 3 1/2".  Run a gathering stitch down the center of that strip.  Pin the ruffle to your fabric strip just allowing the ruffle to tuck and fold however it falls.  Stitch.  Then add on your last piece which on mine, was sized 10" x 3 1/2" and I used identical prints on the two ends.

3) Press ALL of your seams to one side and then topstitch. (see below).  Remove your gathering stitch from your ruffles.

4) Adding the lining.  I suggest, you use your finished scarf top as your pattern and cut your lining fabric to size.  With right sides facing, pin your lining fabric (fleece, flannel or cotton - your preference) to your scarf top.  Using 1/2" seams, stitch all the way around your scarf, beginning in the center on one of your long sides and leaving a 6" opening for turning.  Trim away excess and clip corners.

5)  Turn your scarf right side out.  Press all along your edges to give it a crisp finish.  Topstitch all along the edge of your scarf.  Done!

the SCARFLETTE

Materials

• Loads of scraps, my finished scarflette totaled 44" - adjust as needed to fit for a custom fit.  For the 44" length, you'll need 8 fabric strips cut 6 1/2" wide x 3 1/2".  Cut 8 fabric strips 18" x 3 1/2".
• Use your finished scarflette top as a pattern to cut your lining fabric.
• Various buttons for decorative details.
• Fabric scraps for making yo-yo's.

1)  Lay out all of your fabrics to plan how you would like to piece them together.  Then, gather each one of your long strips to create the ruffles.

2) To create the ruffle, run a gathering stitch down the center of each of your long strips.  Pin the ruffle to your fabric strip just allowing the ruffle to tuck and fold however it falls.  Stitch.  Continue stitching together in the order of ruffle, flat piece, ruffle, flat piece and so on until your top is complete.  (Refer to the ruffle photos above in the SCARF directions).  Press all of your seams to one side and topstitch.  Remove your gathering stitch from your ruffles.

3)  Adding the lining.  I suggest, you use your finished scarflette top as your pattern and cut your lining fabric to size.  With right sides facing, pin your lining fabric (fleece, flannel or cotton - your preference) to your scarf top.  Using 1/2" seams, stitch all the way around your scarf, beginning in the center on one of your long sides and leaving a 6" opening for turning.  Trim away excess and clip corners.

4)  Turn your scarf right side out.  Press all along your edges to give it a crisp finish.  Topstitch all along the edge of your scarflette.  On mine, I did my edge stitch using a zig zag stitch.

5)  Adding the button(s).  On our scarflette, we placed a button hole centered and up 11" from the one end.  (you should try on your scarflette and determine where you would like a button.  This 11" up fit both me AND my 2 year old so we could share!).  Then I sewed a button on the opposite end to match the buttonhole.  I layered several of the Hillcreek Design buttons for more color.  I also made a couple of yo-yo's and placed a button to the center.  You could also opt to do two buttonholes - placed  an 1 1/2"  from each edge for a bit more security if you'd like.

Check out my tutorials along the right hand side for a few more gift ideas.  One that has been really popular and is easy and quick to make is the patchwork wristlets and lanyards.  And a simple table runner is also a fun quick way to add some color to your holiday decor or even to make as a gift.  My kids actually drew some pictures that we scanned and printed on that printable fabric you can buy at JoAnn's and are planning on using that in a quilted table top.  I also made a scarf like this last winter but it was narrower.  I like both sizes but that post with the quickie text instructions for a narrower adult scarf can be found here

Happy Holiday Sewing!

xoxo,

Trish

"Sew"ing Seeds with the Two Peas {a patchwork lanyard tutorial}

(*NOTE November 24th 2010 - Be sure you check out the home page for the latest giveaways from Two Peas!)

Yeah, I don't really know about this little post header...BUT hey, guess what?  TUTORIAL!  Awhile back I started what I called "Make it Monday".  Then found out somebody was already using that.  So I changed it to "Sew it Up Sunday" except I rarely post on Sundays.  They seemed to fall on Mondays by the time I got them up.  And I was gonna post one a month but yeah, like THAT happened!  Not so much.  So maybe a little "Sew"ing Seeds with the Two Peas...get it?  Sowing seeds...SEWing seeds...a little garden reference there.  Ok, whatever.  I kinda liked it - we'll see where it goes and maybe I'll actual design a real header for it if it sticks.

Let's make something!  You'll need scraps of fabric and some hardware.  Like a key ring and a lobster claw (see below). Recently the wonderful ladies of the Creative Connection Event asked if I could make up a few lanyards for their social media correspondents.  They needed to match their logo which was in a blue and pink color so I came up with these patchwork versions.  Let me share with you how you can make one too...for yourself, your favorite nurse, teacher...anybody who wears a lanyard.

For the ladies at the Creative Connection Event, I added rolled roses on a clip to their lanyards.  That way, they can remove the clip and wear it in their hair or clip it elsewhere.  Dual duty!  I love these little flapper girl buttons!Well, what do you think?  Are you gonna make a few?  Who are you gonna make them for?  Have fun and make lots!  (think fun little Christmas gifts...you could even attach a gift card to the end!)

xoxo,

Trish

A Little Piece of Daddy or Mommy...close to my heart

For many families...they will be celebrating the 4th of July as a single parent.  They have a spouse who is serving our country and find that while we are all enjoying our freedoms that make America great - they are juggling everyday to take care of the house, the kids, work and worry and wait until their soldier comes home. Last week, my cousin Annette mentioned that my "Little Piece of Daddy" post from Earth Day would be a great project for those families.  What a perfect way to keep Daddy close then for a little girl to wear one of her Daddy's shirts.  My girls loved this project when we made these for just that reason.  It was a way to be close to their Daddy.

I thought it was worth repeating the first project I shared plus a new one with a t-shirt I made up last week.  These are both really quick.  Really easy.  And your kids will love more than anything that they get to wear something of Daddy's.

This camo t-shirt actually belonged to one of the Peas.  To make it into a dress for Sprout, here's what I did.  First, I cut the sleeves off and followed the outline from one of her tank tops to give the armholes a correct curve and size.

That will help you get the sizing down to a fit for your little one.  I saved the sleeves.  I cut the sleeves into strips, sewed a gathering stitch in hunter orange across the top (I say hunter orange like I meant to use that thread...I actually just didn't feel like changing the thread colors plus I like a little pop of color on the camo) of each strip and pulled / gathered it to fit on the front of the shirt.  I made 4 total strips.

You can see the top two strips I used the part of the sleeve that had the hem.  The next two were left raw.  It's knit, it won't fray much so it's ok to leave as is.  (and I'm a lazy sewer...I was going for the "a dress in 20 minute" look)  I layered each row just under the last row until all 4 rows were sewn on.

Then I wanted to add a couple of little roses.From the sleeves I cut off, I cut a couple of strips about 1/2" wide.  Starting in the center of my rose, I stitched right down the middle of that strip, slowly, and kept pulling and turning into a circle.  As I sewed, I kept moving my last row out of the way so as not to stitch it down or over it.  With my stitches down the center of the strip, you pull up the two sides to create your "petals" of the rose...make sense?

Then, with right sides together, I serged the dress from the bottom of the armhole down the cuts I had made to pull the dress back together.  I left the armholes raw meaning I did not hem them or anything - just cut and left them.  They roll in a bit on their own and it looks just fine.  That's it.  A new dress in minutes...

Now, what dress is not complete without a cute pair of boots, right?  Sprout has great fashion sense.Now, another method is to use a buttondown shirt of Daddy's and make it a sleeveless dress.  Here, I added ruffles and some additional fabric to the bottom to make a skirt.  {click on the photo and you'll find the 411 from the original post on this shirt dress}Thank you to all the wonderful men and women who serve our country in the military.  Thank you to your families for the sacrifices they have made so that you can serve to keep us all safe.  Freedom isn't free and everyday, our family thanks you for giving us our freedom.  May God bless you and hold you in the palm of His hand and carry you safely home.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!

xoxo,

Trish

Summer Sunday Bag

Magnetic Snap Tutorial

{As referenced in Sew Hip Magazine, Issue 17, June 2010, page 70 the Travel Wallet by Trish Preston.}

A little piece of Daddy...

I have been so inspired lately by all of the refashion posts I've been reading lately like this one... and this one too. And check out this tee from Dear Lizzy...LOVE!

I had to give it a go...and so for Earth Day, I dug through my husbands closet and came up with a shirt I knew he wouldn't want anymore...I think.  By the time I started on this project, the two peas were begging for me to make one for them too and so another shirt was rounded up.

I took a fitted button down shirt of my own and laid it on top of shirt.  I used it as a guide.  I cut about an inch out from the edge of my shirt right up the sides.  Then I sewed them back together.  I should have tried my shirt on before using it as a pattern.  Um, post baby...I guess I'm a wee bit bigger than I used to be because it's kinda tight.  Hence the...I meant to leave it unbuttoned at the bottom because it looks cool...look.

Then I cut the sleeves off, and cut the cuffs and sewed them back together to make 3/4 length sleeves.  I used a piece of the fabric and sewed a band around that sleeve seam as a decorative element.

I used some contrasting fabric and added it to the hem.  I used that same fabric along with some of the cut off shirt fabric and made two sets of ruffles.  To do that, I cut them x" wide (i don't know how wide - I just eyeballed it) and then pressed in half and ran a gathering stitch down the edge and adjusted it to the length I liked.  I sewed those ruffles down the button placket with a zigzag stitch for interest.

Added a belt from the remnants and made a little posie pin to give it some sparkle.  I really liked it but it's kinda tight so I'm thinking it might be a cute dress for one of the peas!

The next night, I started on a quick one for one of the peas who also wanted to get in on the Earth Day recycled dress act.

I used one of her tank tops, like this, as a pattern.  Again, I cut about an inch wider than the tank top and I followed the skirt line too so it was wider at the bottom.  Girls have hips.  Men don't.  I think that's what I didn't like about the first one I made.

Sewed it all back together.  Added some fabric panels at the bottom.  Added ruching to the collar.  Ruffles to the button placket.  And a flower posie pin and belt.  Voila!  Earth day goodness...and she loved it.  And...removing the sleeves, way easier!

Have you tried refashioning anything lately?  Wanna share a link in the comments section?  We'd love to see what you've created!

xoxo,

Trish

Sew It Up Sunday - Storage Box

{Do you know of another method for making these boxes?  Please share in the comments section.  When I was making these originally for Valentines day card boxes - I had a hard time finding a quick and easy method that worked for me.  I came up with a method that is just like the tote bags I make.  Hope it works for you.  I make no promises.  :>)  Sew at your own risk. Check back SEW soon for details on our next sewing class - Mother's Day aprons!  And also Teacher gifts in May...hope you'll join us!}

{setting a pretty little birthday table}

Happy Birthday to me!  Day One...

{come back everyday this week (March 23rd - 26th...contest ends midnight on March 31st) and find tutorials and wonderful giveaways from the Two Peas studio, and some of my friends, Bari J., Britt Lakin Photography and the crew at Where Women Create on posts all this week!}

Good Monday Morning everyone!  This is day one of a week of what I hope will be lots of fun stuff for everyone.

Ready to jump in to a tutorial?

Alrighty then...today, we are going to set a pretty little table just right for a birthday celebration or Easter or just a Monday night dinner. And we are going to nibble on some delicious and really simple lemon bars.

If you chitter chatter away with me on Twitter you might recall last Friday night I was blabbering on and sharing photos from the Two Peas Sewing Bee class.  We were making upcycled pillows from my hubbys old shirts...and table runners.

...shamelessly plugging the latest issue of Sew Hip {thank you Barb}

Our wonderful hostess Barb...she's my idol.

She's a great Mom who I frequently take parenting lessons from...

Barb's Mom is equally as awesome.  I call her "Super Nova" (well, her name IS Nova and she IS super).  Nova helps me sew sometimes when I get overwhelmed now again with orders.  And she teaches me a thing or two about sewing.  She rocks.

Barb put these together at our class for our table runner project.  Gorgeous right?

Here's what you'll need to cut to make this table runner using 6 different fabrics:

• Cut 2 of one color 2" x 21"
• Cut 2 of one color 2" x 21"
• Cut 2 of one color 2" x 21"
• Cut 2 of one color 3.5" x 21"
• Cut 2 of one color 7" x 21"
• Cut 2 of one color 6" x 21"

You will also need some quilt batting and some fabric for the back.  Because it lays on the table - no one will see the backside.  I just use sheets that I find on sale for the backing.  Find whatever you have that is inexpensive - why spend the big bucks for that back piece?

Once all of those strips are cut, lay them out until you get them in an order you like.  Barb did a somewhat random order but matching the two end pieces.

Here, I put mine in order at the ends and random in the center...for the place I was using it in, I decided to not use two of the strips to shorten it a bit. You're the designer - build it to suit your needs.

Once you have your design all laid out, starting at one end, take the first two strips, lay them right sides together, using 1/4" seams, stitch together.

Now take those two strips and add on the next in line.  And so on until you have your top completely pieced together.

Press all your seams open.  Lay your top down on a piece of quilt batting and cut the batting about an inch or so larger than your top.

Pin all over the place.  Pin the edges and all throughout the top to hold the batting and top together.  Now, we are going to do the lazy girl quilting.  (Trish doesn't do anything that takes a long time so we are going to take some short cuts).

A nice 3 step zig zag, a wave stitch...your choice but stitch over your seams throughout the entire top.

Remove all your pins.  Lay your top on your backing fabric, right sides together.  Use your top as your pattern and cut to the same size of your top.  Pin.  Stitch all the way around with 1/2" seams leaving an opening for turning.  {I stitched with the batting facing up...it's tricky a bit but it helps me to see where I'm going and to stay straight while stitching}

Turn right side out.  Press all along just your edges (I think if you press all over you'll kind of press down your loft of the batting).  Topstich.  Barb and I both did a scant 1/8" edge stitch but you can do something decorative...anything you want, just topstitch.  It gives it that polished finished look.  And yes, no binding.  That requires more time than I have with 3 kids.  And that would mess up my slogan, "pea sized projects you can complete in 3 hours or less".

You might want to add Baxter to your table top too...he's super cute and perfect for Easter.  You can find him here

Now, when I went back to Barbs to take a photo of her finished table runner, she had some of these waiting for me.  Ok, not me, her girls, but I ate some because, um, who wouldn't?  Look at these!  They were just calling my name...

Lemon Squares.  Warm.  Loaded with powdered sugar.  The most amazing simple flavored melt in your mouth wonderfulness for a crust.  Dee.  Licious!  Want to make some for your own table?  Follow the smell here... for the recipe and make some for yourself.

I think THOSE lemon bars and that aqua and pink table runner would look smashing on my dining room table...just sayin.  (you're awesome Barb!)

Enjoy!

xoxo,

Trish

Me? Hip? Not SEW much...

Ok...well maybe I'm a little hip.  Like SEW HIP...oh, really bad introduction, huh? Well, I've been busy writing patterns, sewing orders and taking care of a million other things going on with our family lately.  But little Sprout and I did manage a quick morning run last week to our local Barnes and Noble.

How lame, right?  Yes, I DID take a picture of Sprout and I actually getting the latest issue of Sew Hip magazine.  This is the first time I've been published and well, I'm tickled pink.

I'm even more tickled to find out that the project I submitted...well, they decided to run it as a series.

It's called a Pocket Full of Posies.  Have I already told you all this before?

So not only do I have a project in this issue but I'll also have features in the next two issues.

And the 3rd in the series...I got a note the other day from the editor.  My project made the cover.  YIPPEE!  That's just so cool...I can't wait to show my Mom.  Seriously...if you recall from previous posts, my Mother mostly displays my work (patterns, art quilts, etc) in her bathrooms.  She claims nobody will miss them in there.  Well, ok.  So I'm sure next time we visit I'll find my article probably framed and hanging over the toilet somewhere.  :>)

The Two Peas took a few photos of me while I was putting together the flower banner that's in the current issue...

I'm kind of anxious to get the banner back...I'm going to hang it in the Two Peas room I think...they love it and it would match their room perfectly.

Hip or not, I'm SO excited.  I would LOVE to know if you get a copy and make any of the projects.  Please share and I'll be glad to highlight you here on my blog.

Busy week ahead...St. Patricks Day is Wednesday!  Big day for our family...can't wait to see them all.

xoxo,

Trish