A Fine Vintage

In three days time we are going to find ourselves in a brand new year, filled with new opportunities and adventures... and of course more exciting sewing projects. This past year was filled with growth in leaps and bounds and we are thrilled with how our pattern range is growing. We currently have over 30 patterns and pattern variations and combinations available in store.

Our $1 sale will be running until the 31^st so remember to take advantage of it while you can and stock up on those patterns. As from 1^st January the prices will be returning to normal.

This year our vintage style patterns were our best sellers, so we have decided to share a few of these in review as we reflect back on the wonderful year we have had.

This week’s patterns in review 

High waist shorts

 

This is our best selling pattern of 2015! We have just had the most amazing feedback from this pattern which I based on 1940’s style summer shorts.

 

This pattern is so quick and easy that you can have an entire collection in an assortment of colors in a very short time. Vintage style is in, and this is an affordable and fashionable way to dress up your wardrobe.

Easy as Pie Rockabilly Style Dress

 

This is such a cute dress, it can be made in an assortment of colors and fabrics for the Rockabilly fan in all of us. 

We have posted an earlier blog post to help you create a waistband to give your dress the perfect finish. You can even create a variety of different color waistbands to mix and match and give your dresses more versatility, so remember to look into our archives too!

Trumpet style gown

 

The Trumpet style bridal gown pattern in our online store is our first official bridal pattern. We are so excited to be launching it, and there will be many more bridal patterns to come in 2016.

 

Trumpet style gown in champagne satin with additional flowers appliquéd down its length.

Remember to check our previous blog posts for the TWO competitions we are currently running.

Have a wonderful New Year. Happy 2016 and happy sewing!
 

Make your own holiday bags

Themed drawstring bags

This is a quick guide on how to print your own iron on stickers at home to apply to themed bags. This idea is really great for Christmas themed gift bags or Halloween themed Trick or Treat bags.

You will need:

·         My drawstring bag pattern (available in my online store, click on the button to the right of the page.

·         Thick iron on interfacing

·         An ink jet printer.

Step 1:

First I cut out a really thick iron-on interfacing to the size of A4 sheets, and placed them in the feeder tray of my ink jet printer, making sure the glue was on the opposite side to be printed.

Step 2:

I got some awesome pictures off the internet and printed them (as I would paper), though you can print any image you like, even photographs of friends and family - or your favourite cat.

Step 3:

I cut out the images and ironed them onto the main fabric of the bags. The best time to do this is after cutting out the pattern pieces, but before sewing it all together.

Step 4:

Finish putting your drawstring bags together, according to the pattern and instructions of my Easy 10 Step Drawstring Bag. 

Step 5:

Share your awesomeness and your new bags with friends and family.

HAPPY SEWING AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

Create your own iron on lace

Have a gorgeous iron-on lace ready at hand is always welcome in my studio, it is an easy to apply option for a beautiful finish to compliment almost any garment.

Unfortunately iron-laces are not always easily found in stores, so here is a quick tutorial on how to make your own.

You will need:

A heavy woven fabric, preferably synthetic or an embroidered fabric. (You can pick one with a pre-existing design or a plain fabric and create your own design).

Fabric chalk

Hot glue gun and glue sticks

Small fabric cutting scissors

A candle and something to light it with

·         On the fabric of your choice, trace out the design with your fabric chalk on the wrong side of the fabric. A thick woven fabric is ideal as when using thin fabrics, the glue from the glue gun can give it a “blotchy” affect. Thicker fabrics are more resilient to hot glue and during the ironing on process.

·         With your hot glue gun, on the wrong side of the fabric, between the lines of your traced design, add a thin layer of hot glue.

·         Once the glue has cooled, carefully cut out your design.

·         Light your candle and lightly singe the edges of your ribbon (being careful not to burn it) to give it a finished off look (another reason why using a synthetic fabric is preferred for this process, as the edges will melt nicely)

·         Your iron on ribbon is now ready for you to add to any garment or accessory of your choosing. The hot glue melts quite easily and quickly during the ironing process, so a use a “cool” to “warm” setting on your iron. Always practice a section of fabric first to make sure you have the temperature right before applying to the completed garment.

Happy Sewing!

Rockabilly Appliqué

A lace skull can be used to create a rockabilly look for that dress or garment in your closet that you need an excuse to wear.

I took a very simple dress that has been sitting on my clothing rack for a while, I added a halter neck strap and waistband to give it a more vintage look, but to give it an awesome alternative, rockabilly twist I decided to create a lace “sugar” skull to appliqué onto it.

                                                     Before                                  After

Appliqué is the process where a small piece of fabric is added onto a larger piece of fabric to create a decorative feature.

 Step 1:

I printed a black and white image of a sugar skull to use as a stencil. I then traced the outlines onto a piece of tear away interfacing.

Tip: The pen I used to trace with is a Pilot “Frixion” pen, I used this because in order to get rid of the lines all I need to do is iron over the image and they disappear. (I actually much rather prefer using this pen to conventional dressmaker’s marking pens or pencils)

Step 2:

Pin the piece of lace of your choice over the traced lines on the interfacing.

Step 3:

I set my sewing machine to the smallest zigzag stitch and used this to sew over the lines I had marked, sewing the lace to the interfacing. I went over the lines twice.

Step 4:

I trimmed the excess lace away from around the shape of the skull, I then cut out the eyes, mouth and nose.

Step 5:

Tear away the interfacing, and wash or iron away the traced markings. Your lace “sugar” skull is now ready to add to your garment for that alternative look!

 

You can even add rhinestones or beading for a little something extra!

Happy Sewing!