Sew Square Circle Skirt

Step 1: Materials needed

To make this skirt you'll need:

1) Cotton fabric - 1 yard, for the bottom layer,
2) Net fabric - 1 yard, for the top layer,
3) Elastic,
4) Matching thread,
5) Sewing machine,
6) Pins,
7) Scissor.

The skirt I made is short, if you want it to be longer you'll need to use more than 1 yard. But I think it looks cute if it's short and even cuter if you wear it with leggings.

Step 2: Designing

I'm not very good in designing dresses. But I tried to draw what I wanted to make, though it didn't turn out to be anything like the skirt I made! 

Step 3: Cutting the layers

Take the cotton fabric, make sure its length is equal from all sides.

Now, fold it into half, and then fold again (into half).

As you need to cut a circle right in the middle of each square fabrics, you'll need to sort out the radius of the circle.

Here's how you do it: Measure the waist and add 3-4 inches, then divide the total number by 6.28 to get the radius.

Now. use a compass to mark a line for the circle from the closed corner of the folded fabric. Use a chalk to mark the circle line.
Then. cut the fabric at the line.
Fold the net fabric twice, similarly. Now use the previous cut out round piece to cut another circle from the net fabric.

Step 4: Arranging the layers

After you're done cutting, now arrange the 2 pieces as you want.
I placed the cotton fabric on the bottom and net fabric on the top (see picture).
I pinned both pieces together around the circle, so it wouldn't move.

Step 5: Final step!

 

Take the elastic, hold it around the waste and stretch it (make sure it's comfortable).
Cut out the elastic, keeping 1.5 allowance. Now sew both sides of the elastic, by keeping 1 inch over another and use the zigzag stitch.
Now pin the elastic around the circle (right side of the skirt). First pin the front side, then the back side and then the rest.
Now it's sewing time! Stretch the elastic of each part (between the pins) as much as you can, by covering the whole fabric around the waist. Use the zigzag stitch. Sew all around it and done!

Wasn't that easy! I hope you enjoy making it :)

A Simple Clutch – Ruffles Version!!

If you’ve missed the previous posts this week – we are taking a Simple Clutch design and changing it up with different styles! The first tutorial includes all the instructions to make the clutch, including how to do a fun patterned Applique on the front section. The second tutorial is a Vintage design and has instructions on how to change up the front piece with vintage lace and some fun flowers.

Today we’re adding some ruffles and a pretty pearl decoration. The ruffles darken to a pale pink/champagne color and the inside of the bag is pink with a sparkly silver thread running through it!

Here’s what you’ll need to make this Version:

All the fabric/interfacing/notions requirements for the Original Clutch – along with:
1/4″ yard of three fabrics for ruffles – if you want three different shades of ruffles.
Decorative button or pin

Follow the instructions for the original clutch to make the base section of your clutch.

Before you iron on the heavy duty stabilizer onto your front piece, you are going to create all your ruffles.

Cut from each fabric 2 – 5″ x 16″ pieces. Fold each piece in half – long ways – and sew a gathering stitch down the raw edges.

Mark the center of your front piece. I folded mine in half and used my finger to press a crease into the fabric.
Place the raw edges of your lightest color ruffle 1/4″ to the left of the center crease.
Sew in place with a 1/4″ seam allowance.

Fold over the first ruffle and pin the second ruffle 5/8″ from the seam. Sew your next lightest ruffle to the left of this ruffle.

Sew on the last ruffle to the left of the second one, again 5/8″ from the seam of the second ruffle.

Sew the three ruffles to the right of the crease just like you did the first set.

Awww. Cute ruffles. But a little wily.
Baste down the top and bottom of the ruffles with a 1/4″ seam.

From the same fabric as the outside of your clutch, cut a rectangle 4″ x 8″. Cut a piece of fusible interfacing 1 1/2″ x 8″. Iron the interfacing down the center of the rectangle.
Fold the two sides to the back over the interfacing and press.

Place the rectangle over the ruffles at the center of the front piece. Sew the piece on with a straight stitch just inside the fold on each side.

Place your front and lining pieces right sides together and sew around the sides and bottom, leaving the top open for turning.
Make sure you add your inside snap piece to the lining.
Turn right side out and press. Press the seam allowances at the top under as well.

Sew the front flap piece to the back top of the clutch. Remember to check your placement by snapping the pieces together first. It should overlap onto the back piece about 1″.

Fold in the top center sections on each side and tack in place to make the little top side pleats.

Add a decorative piece to the front – and you’re all done!

Colorful Retro Christmas Dishtowels

They are decorated with fun retro fabrics and ruffles and ric rac. I just love them!
I think they would be great for hostess gifts, or to take to a teacher or neighbor with a plate of cookies!

Ready to make a set? Here’s what you’ll need.

• Waffle weave fabric: 17″ X 28″ for each dishtowel (or you can use a purchased dishtowel)
• Fabric for ruffles and applique:
  For each ruffle you need a rectangle 4″ x 36″
  Small pieces of each fabric for the ornaments and tree .
  Small pieces of black fabric for the ornament toppers, the tree trunk and the presents.
• Variety of Ric Rac
• Patterns – Click Here to Download

Begin by cutting out all your fabric pieces.

For each ruffle, hem the two short sides and one long side. On the other long side, sew a ruffle stitch.

Hem three sides of your dishtowel fabric as well, leaving one short side unhemmed.

Pin the bottom ruffle to the unhemmed side of your dishtowel, right sides together. Sew the ruffle in place and press down.

Pin the second ruffle one inch above the seam of the first ruffle. Right sides should be together and the raw edge should be pointing to the bottom. Sew this ruffle on and press down.

Repeat for the third ruffle.

Let’s do the ornament applique first. :)

Lay out your ornament pieces where you want them. You can use heat-n-bond or something similar to iron them on, or you can just pin them on and sew. Whatever you are more comfortable with.

Sew the ornament pieces on.

Sew strips of ric rac from the top of the dishtowel to each ornament. (You can use ribbon too if you want – though it’s not near as squiggly. :)
Make sure with each piece of ric rac that you very slightly burn the edges so they don’t fray.

 Sew on your ornament toppers next.

Finish off this one with cute ric rac bows at the top of each ornament.

For the Christmas Tree towel, you will do the same thing. After you sew on the ruffles, sew on your applique pieces.

Fray check all your raw edges so the appliques don’t fray when you wash them. If you don’t like the raw edges, there are a couple things you can do. You can sew all the pieces on with a satin stitch ( a very tight zigzag stitch that covers all the raw edges). Or you can add a seam allowance to the pieces and cut out two of everything. Sew the pieces together and turn right side out, then sew them on.

Add in ric rac embellishments and bows on the packages, and a bow at the top of the tree.

Sit back and admire your Christmas Ric Rac Ruffliness.

These appliques would also look great on onesies or t-shirts! Feel free to go crazy with them!  (And send me pictures of course. :)

How to Crochet a Cable Stitch

This is a great crochet tutorial for you to follow. Learn how to make a cable stitch in only eight steps. Four stitches are needed for the cable stitch.

1. In order to make a crocheted cable you will need 4 stitches. Therefore chain in multiples of 4, plus add 3. For example, 4 cables would be 16 stitches, plus 3, equals 19, therefore chain 19 stitches. Single crochet in the 2nd stitch from the hook, and in each stitch of the chain.
   
     
    
2. Chain 3 and turn.
   
   
    
3. Skip the next stitch, double crochet in each of the next 3 stitches.
   
   
    
4. Insert the hook, from front to back, into the first stitch skipped.
   
   
    
5. Draw up a loop, loosely, bring it to the top of the last double crochet worked, and finish the double crochet with yarn over, and through the loops.
   
   
    
6. Repeat steps 3, 4, and 5 across the row. End the row with a double crochet in the last stitch.
    
7. Chain 1 and turn, single crochet in each stitch across the row.
   
   
    
8. Repeat the steps, starting at step 2.
    
9. Photo shows 3 rows of cable stitch completed.
   
   

Read more at http://www.allfreecrochet.com/Tutorials/How-to-Crochet-a-Cable-Stitch/ct/1#TBf5qq09zUDDRR4v.99