This tutorial is inspired by my best friend Lena who is getting married in August this year.  She is having her bridesmaid dresses made (not by me, thank goodness!) and wanted a special touch by her maid of honour (me!).  She wanted cherry blossom inspired flowers. Enjoy!

MATERIALS

• 10 x 10 Inch square of chiffon polyester fabric
• 5-10 Beads
• Matching Thread

SEWING SUPPLIES

• Hand sewing needle
• Pins
• Candle and matches/lighter
• Fabric scissors

STEP 1

Cut out 6-8 petals in the same size and shape.

STEP 2

In a well ventilated area light a candle so we can singe the edges of each petal.  Hold the petal ½ inch away from the flame and with a steady motion singe all around the petal.  Not only does this step curl the edges to look like a petal it ensures the chiffon does not fray.

It is important that you are using polyester chiffon, NOT silk chiffon. Silk will burn the chiffon and smell really horrible.

STEP 3

Arrange the petals like a flower. Pin the middle holding all the petals together.

STEP 4

Starting from the back middle of the flower hand sew bottom to top them back again 3-4 times securing all the petals together. Try to keep all the stitches in the middle.

To finish off the chiffon flower add as many beads as you wish to the middle. This will hide our securing threads. Finish in the back by tying a secure knot. Trim any loose threads and you’re done.

Happy Sewing!

Body conscious skirts are everywhere right now and so easy to sew. This is your step by step tutorial on how to sew a fitted stretch skirt for the summer.

The waistband and hem are left as raw edges as cotton jersey does not fray and has a natural roll to the fabric. If you would like to have a finished waistband or hem just add 1 inch to the top and bottom of skirt.

MATERIALS

• 0.80 to 1 Meter of Stretch Fabric. A cotton stretch jersey works perfect as the raw edge does not fray.
• Matching Thread

STEP 1

Take the following measurements.

• Natural Waist
• Hips
• Waist to Hip length
• Waist to Desired Hem length

STEP 2

Draft the following pattern.  Minus 1 inch from the waist and hip measurements prior to drafting to allow for the fitted look.

No seam allowance is required on the side seams due to the natural stretch of the fabric.

STEP 3

Cut out fabric from the pattern you created. Make sure the stretchiest part of the fabric is running left to right of your skirt. This will make the skirt hug your curves.

You should have one FRONT and one BACK Skirt cut out. They look identical. Take note the pattern is CUT ON FOLD.

STEP 4

Good sides facing each other, sew the side seams at 3/8 inch seam allowance. Back-stitch at the beginning and end then press seams to the back of skirt. If you have a serger, feel free to serge the seams together instead of sewing them.

Now that didnt take that long did it?  Enjoy wearing your body con skirt. Its time for me to make an Indigo blue one now to wear with an ivory lace top.

Happy Sewing!

This step by step sewing tutorial is inspired by Michiko, one of my clients.  Any day now she will be giving birth to a baby boy. She has sewn several baby related projects in the studio lately. So, I wanted to share an easy baby project for you to make.

Materials:

• 0.30 Meters of Flannel fabric x 2 different prints. One for the front and one for the back.
• Matching Thread
• 1-1.5″ piece of velcro

STEP 1

Cut out fabric. If you do not have a pattern, simply ask one of your mom friends to borrow a bib and trace out the bib onto your fabric. If you are tracing, remember to add seam allowance of approx 3/8″ (1cm).

STEP 2

Placing good sides facing each other, sew all the way around the bib at 3/8″ (1cm) seam allowance. Leave an opening approx 2-2.5″ to leave room to flip inside out. Leave opening along a flat edge as shown in photo.

STEP 3

Flip good side facing out and press bib flat.

STEP 4

Top stitch bib at 1/8″ seam allowance all the way around bib. This will close the opening.

STEP 5

Sew Velcro on by sewing a box to keep it secure. If the corners of the Velcro are sharp, trim it to be a rounded corner. You can use a button or a snap instead of Velcro if you prefer.

Hope you have enjoyed this Baby Bib step by step tutorial. Share your bib on our Facebook or Twitter.

Next week, stay tuned for a stretch fitted skirt inspired by Fumi who needs a skirt for next weekend!

Happy Sewing!

Come say hello to me at the Make It Show this weekend. I will be showcasing my Lylah V Flowers accessory line of fabric flowers. You will be able to find me at booth #74 across from the main music stage.

Here is a $2 off coupon so save you some $$ and spend it on hand made goodies at the show instead.

I look forward to seeing you this weekend!

Yours Truly,

Today I’m opening my sewing box and showing you what I cannot sew with out. I have a ton more items on my tool wall for sewing and pattern drafting but here are the essentials of my sewing kit. Enjoy!

1. Fabric Shears

2. Fabric and pattern weights

3. Mini thread clippers

4. Quilting ruler

5. Tailors chalk in a variety of colours

6. Seam ripper

7. Chalk for free hand drawing

8. Tracing wheel

9. Safety pins

10. Pins on a magnetic base

11. Already filled bobbins in white, black, grey and one colour that I use often

12. Variety pack of hand sewing needles

13. Point turner

What you use as your sewing box should be just as fun as what is inside. It can inspire you to whip out your supplies even on the laziest of Sunday’s. I use a make up case to stash my sewing tools. This one can be found at Sephora for $59. I like the ability to move around the dividers to give room for odd shaped supplies and tools.

Photo taken from Sephora.com

Now you know what’s inside my sewing box. I would love to hear what you cannot sew without. Open your sewing kit and share with me your goodies on Facebook.

Yours Truly,