Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Baby Booties Tutorial

So I cant take credit entirely for this tutorial. The original plus pattern are here, and there are many others like it online for free. I simply improvised it a bit since Im a perfectionist and all! I also wanted a clean finished looking product, and I also figured out that depending on how you sew the pieces together you can make the sole and bootie contrast each other. So heres what I came up with:
(I will add more photos in a few days)
For EACH shoe:
Cut 2 of each pattern piece.
One main fabric (outer) and one lining
Cut lightwieght fusible for the top and sole pieces
Cut medium wieght fusible for the sole
1. Iron the interfacing to the pieces. For the top piece fuse the facing to the lining top.
For the sole fuse the facing to the main (outer bottom) piece
2. Sew the top pieces right sides together along the straight side. Open out flat and iron.
3. Now using a buttonhole stitch make a small button hole on each of the marks for the top lining piece. I did this instead of just slashing holes there with a seam ripper because again I want a clean finish and because the elastic will be put through here I wanted to avoid tearing with stretching the shoe on and off. Use a seam ripper to open the buttonholes.
4. Now fold the piece in hald on seam line and iron flat
5. Sew the heel pieces right sides together along the straight side, then iron the heel pieces out flat :
6. Now serge the short ends of the heel, or use a zig zag stitch if you dont have a serger. I do this to make the booties polished and professional looking (even though you dont see this. But I think it will help with fraying as well.
7. Now fold the heel section at seam line and iron flat
8. Place an 8 inch piece of elastic in the crease of heel:
9. On the outter fabric sew a casing close to elastic being careful not to catch it in the seam.
10. Place both heel pieces wrong side together. You can baste stitch if you like but I just wing it.
Here is where you will finalize the booty assembly. Decide if you want the sole of the booty to be contrasting to the top and heel back, or if you want the entire booty to be one fabric. Like these examples:
11. For the first option where the sole is contrasting the top you will pin the top with the outside facing the sole "wrong sides together" Start by lining up the center point and pin easing the edges around. If you want the booties to be all one fabric on the outside like the skelanimals one above then you will pin all the pieces "right sides" together.
12. Remebering the above step now pin the heel portion on to the sole in the same way. Again starting from the center point and easing around
13. Now place the elastic through the buttonholes and pull tight. Pin in place and stitch about an inch and 1/4 from end. Cut excess and rotate elastic into heel piece concealing the cut end.
14. Trim close to the edges, use pinking shears if you have them. Turn right side out.
Embellish them with bows, buttons or lace. Have fun!

Treasury Feature!

I was featured in this great treasury last week. Mine is the Happy Birthday dress!

'Oooh, Nana and I just love, love, love to shop for me on Etsy!' by cactusflowerwomen

Granddaughters are such a delight!


Poppy Patchwork Toddler...
$45.00

Girls toddler dress bac...
$59.00

Halloween Skirt and Shi...
$35.00

Custom Children Boutiqu...
$51.99

Girls Dress, Sizes 10 1...
$52.00

Girl's Tshirt Dress...
$18.00

Happy Birthday Yellow J...
$32.00

FALL - Meadowsweet Todd...
$68.00

Bow Tie Baby/Toddler Dr...
$16.00

Flower Girl Tutu Dress....
$67.50

MadieBs Lightning McQue...
$25.99

Flower Toddler Dress si...
$14.00

Twirly Dress and Pants
$43.00

Size 3-6 months - Short...
$13.00

Limited Edition Unique ...
$58.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

The fabric hoarder confessions...


Yes it sadly very true, and its really making sense to me now. I am a compulsive fabric hoarder. I know it all started some 13 years ago when I first discovered scrapbooking and back then I was a paper hoarder. I just absolutely LOVE prints. Beautiful pretty prints and colorful prints. Vintage prints and baby prints. Abstract and off the wall prints. I could spend hours in a fabric store and if I were a gazillionaire (which I am not of course) I would buy yards of it all!
Recently I went to Tuesday Morning, and I havnt been in there except once about 15 yrs ago. I was suprised to see how much craft stuff they had! I even found fat quarters! I bought a stack of 25 at a cost of $25 so $1 each isnt bad at all. And turns out they're really expensive fabrics so I guess I scored a deal! You should see if you have a tuesday morning in your area and who knows what you'll find!


PS: Tutorial coming tomorrow and my Vintage shop was featured in this blog! So please pay Miss Bea a visit. Her blog is very nice!

Monday, September 12, 2011

Spring Fashion Review

Jill Stuart
I have recently discovered that you can watch fashion week live on youtube. Who knew? I obviously dont get out much. LOL I had the chance to catch most of the shows and they replay them so really you dont miss a thing! There are some gorgeous collections out there, and all of it is really inspiring me to get my ass in gear and ramp up my own collection!
I am absolutely in LOVE with this Vivian Tam dress! So MAH-JOR! Throwback to the 60s sort of lounge wear in an oh so modern print. LOVE! Im going to be trying to recreate this asap!
Monique Lhuillier Gowns were all so major that I cant even have a favorite!

It wouldn't be a complete fashion report without a bit of Zoe! She also had yellow and black prints in her line but this orange dress is also AH-MAZING!
The Tracy Reese show was super girly and I loved just about everything! There were great jumpsuits in most of the shows and Im super glad to see those making a huge comeback. Although I love those to death, I've never worn one well since Im so damn short. Well now I can make my own! lol The maxi dress/skirt is also big for spring.
Tracy Reese
I'll close with Betsey Johnson, just love her stuff. Most girls do! I like that her shows are so fun and the models look like real women! I was amazed when I saw this cute short jumper coming down the runway. Because not long ago I sold 10 yards of that EXACT fabric on ebay!! Uh. SO kicking myself. If that jumper glows in the dark then I guarantee you that is the SAME fabric.
I was holding onto that damn fabric for three years and finally decided to sell it and uh...regret??? Say la vie.