clothing Archives - Page 2 of 2

Bow Ties

June 1, 2011 By Taylor 3 Comments

What is cuter than a little boy in a boy tie?… Nothing is… I tell you NOTHING!

Remember when I won Runner-Up in the Knock it Off contest? Well, I did and one of my prizes was my choice of two patterns from Little Lizard King, a cute Etsy shop. I knew I wanted to make the boys some bow ties for a wedding. It was perfect when I saw that she had a Bow Tie Pattern in her Etsy Shop. Less work when I don’t have to think of how to do something.

I followed the “bow” part just like the pattern said. The only thing I changed was the middle loop to make it a little wider. It was a very easy-to-follow pattern.

The boys looked super geek-chic in their little bow ties… ahhh little men going to their first wedding!

Instead of doing elastic around the neck, I just added an alligator clip to the back with felt and some E-6000 (best glue ever). That way I can use them again on a cardigan or in my hair.

I love these bow ties so I think I might be making more in the near future just for funsies.

What else can I do with them?

The Napkin Apron

May 24, 2011 By Taylor 4 Comments

Do you have an obsession a healthy love for aprons like I do (seriously, I have too many)? Well here is the easiest apron you will ever make. I made this for a craft competition and the theme was “Under $5″… I made this for $4.97. Easy and cheap; what’s not to like?

All you need is:

2 cloth Napkins (I found these on sale at World Market)

2-3 yards of cotton twill tape

One napkin will be left alone for the bottom half of the apron. The other napkin will make up the top of the apron and the ruffles.

To make the top, serge and sew (or just sew) two of the sides so that your dimensions are 10″x10″. The best part of this apron is that the napkins are almost totally sewn for you!

Now you need to sew the top square to the bottom square. Center the top square on the bottom square with right sides together and sew.

Sew down the seam that you just made all the way across the bottom square.

Add the twill tape to the top of the square, hold it up to your body to determine the length. Then do the same for the side straps, make sure to tie it in a bow because it will need to be longer than you think. Remember you can always cut more later but you cant add on to it.

Now, you will have over half of the top square left over and that will be used for our ruffle. Sew it into one large rectangle and ruffle it however you like. You will need to piece two long pieces together but you wont see the seam because of the ruffleyness (new word of the day?). I like to use my serger because I don’t have a ruffle foot…whomp whomp whomp. Make sure you make two different ruffles, one for the bottom of the apron and one for the top. With the serger, I have to kind of “pleat” as I sew because it doesn’t do a very tight ruffle. Sew the ruffle to the bottom and the top of the apron.

So simple right? It is my new painting apron because I already have too many cooking ones and I don’t garden.

Super easy Midi Apron

April 10, 2010 By Taylor 3 Comments

I made my 1st Hobby Lobby run (for the blog) with my Mom today. I could have put something in the cart from every aisle but, I stopped myself!

I have a few full length aprons but I wanted to make a “Midi Apron” too! You can not only use it for cooking but it is perfect for crafting or gardening too. I made this for under $6.00 and in about an hour!

All you need is:
-2 contrasting fabrics (5/8 yd of each)
-2 yards on ribbon (for top strap)

-1 yard of ribbon for accent piece

-quilt binding

Start with your 2 contrasting fabrics. They should be about 24″ each. Pin and sew right sides together but on one side, leave a 2″ opening (just like you would if you were sewing a pillow).

Turn the apron inside-out (really right side-out) by pushing all of the fabric through the opening. Once apron has been all turned out, put your finger inside to push out the corners. Iron the apron flat (and pretty!)

Now you need to add the accent ribbon. Measure (or don’t) about 5″ from the bottom of the apron. Pin the accent ribbon and sew it on. Don’t worry about the edges because you will finish it with the quilting binding.

Time for pleats. I learned a bunch of “fancy” ways to pleat in college but, sorry Prof. Hargrove… Just find the center of the apron. Pull about 2-2.5″ back, fold fabric in to meet in the middle then then lay the sides down to make little “doors” on the fabric.

Do this 2 more times… measure about 4-5 inches on both sides of the middle to make a total of 3 pleats.

Almost done… pin your quilt binding on the 2 sides and the bottom (not the top!). When you come to the corners, fold them under and down like you are making the corner of a bed.

Lastly, time to pin the ribbon (which will be the wait-tie) onto the apron. You will sew it right onto the front. I pinned mine from the back because with my ribbon it was easier from the back to line up and sew a straight line.

Fold the ends of the ribbon and sew to prevent fraying…. and voila! A Midi apron!