July 2015 – Cecelia's Spot

Peasant dress tutorial!

Peasant dresses are perfect for any age! The elastic on the top and through the sleeves allows the dress to fit for much longer than most clothes. There are also many ways to customize the peasant dress.

I love the dress because it’s easy to put on my little one. It stretches right over her head and I dont have to deal with the fuss and fight that sometimes comes with putting on onesies. Also, at home I use cloth diapers and it’s easy to just throw the dress on and she just needs the diaper underneath! Of course I do this with regular diapers as well, but it looks so cute with the colored cloth diapers! She seems to really enjoy the fabric too! She enjoys playing with the design and discovering her feet and how the two things she is learning are her feet can kick the lace :op

So, lets get started…

Here is the free pattern for sizes 4-10months (it stretches). If you want a bigger or smaller size you can scale it down or hold the pieces up to one of your child’s dresses and adjust the sizing

Below are the four components- don’t forget set printer option to print to actual size.

Here is the youtube tutorial for you to follow:

Or you can follow below:

Print out the pattern and trace and cut as directed. If using a pattern on the fabric make sure it is all going in the correct directions.
Line up one body piece with pattern facing up to one sleeve with pattern facing down. Pin and sew. Do the same for the other sleeve.
Next you want to take the other side of the sleeve and line it up with the other body piece. Put pattern side to pattern side so it fits. Sew both sleeves. Now you should have looking like this:
If you want to zigzag stitch on all edges to prevent fraying when washing, now is the time. If you have a serger, by all means use that now. This is not required but is helpful to prevent fraying. See the video for more information on zigzag stitches.
Next you want to form the pockets for the elastic for the sleeve and necklines. I am using 1/2 inch elastic and folding the fabric edges about an inch in. If using 1/4 elastic then you can fold in 1/2 inch. I also press to make it much easier to sew. See picture below.
Now you want to sew the bottom part of the sleeves down the long side but leave the small edge sides open for the elastic. Then sew the neckline leaving 1 inch or so open. Usually I do this towards one of the seems so its not as noticeable when you close it. This will be to put the elastic in. So sew all the way around leaving a one inch opening. Remember to backstitch.
Next, use a safety pin and pin the end of the elastic. Put the pin through the opening at the end of the sleeve and pull through. Bunch the fabric over the safety pin and pull the elastic through. When to the end you want to adjust the bunching to the appropriate size for your little one’s arm. Then sew the ends of the elastic to the fabric then cut the extra elastic. Do not cut before sewing or you may lose your elastic.
Now do the neckline. Find your hole and pull elastic through. Then adjust to appropriate size (which you can measure your muchkins neckline). Then I cut the elastic holding it carefully and put a quick stitch in the two elastic pieces by stretching it outside the fabric area. Then I let that go back into the fabric and stitch the hole shut. You can also sew the elastic on the two sides of the opening on the holes (which may be easier).
Now you should have your elastic all completed! We are almost there.
Next, you want to sew both sides of the dress closed. to do this, put your dress inside out and pin sides together starting at bottom of the sleeves. I usually do a zigzag stitch down the outside then a straight stitch on the inner side of the fabric. This makes it stronger. Do this for both sides making sure you sew the bottom of the end of the sleeve.
Now you should have both sides completed. What’s left you say? The bottom of course! So decide if you want a plain hemline or lace. You can hem and then lace as well.
So either hem, or continue and take your lace and line it up on the outside. I have zigzag stitched the bottom already in a previous step to prevent fraying If you have not done so, I suggest you do this or hem the bottom before adding the lace.
Line up the lace on the bottom and pin. Sew it and WaaaLa! You are done! Congrats!
Optional is adding buttons or a bow!
Stay tuned for the hat tutorial!

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2 Ways to Make an Easy Headband!

Need a stylish way to keep the hair out of your face? Want it cheap? Well, believe it or not, you can sew a quick headband in almost under 5 minutes! This is great to match your little one’s dress or outfit. Also, you can match your own outfit or dress for a stylish design. I made a neat flower dress for my munchkin and made myself a matching headband! It looks great for pictures but it’s not the overboard matching outfits :op

Here’s how:

What you need:

Fabric (15×3 two pieces or 15 x6 or one piece folded)
Matching Thread
Elastic (1/4-1/2 inch)

1) First you want to cut out your fabric. You can either make the headband with two pieces of fabric at 15×3 and cut on a slant. Or you can do one piece with the fold on the long side (the 15 inch long side).

2) Following that you want to turn it with fabric sides facing each other and sew the sides (or side if you are folding) and leave ends open. Turn inside out.

3) Fold the ends inwards.

4) Cut your elastic to 7 inches long (or if for younger you can measure ear to ear in the back and cut elastic)

5) Put elastic in end and sew up and down several times ! If you are doing the folded headband then take the corners of the fabric and fold in and sew.

6) And wala! You are done! Don’t be afraid to add buttons, glitter, bows, and other neat accessories!

Awesome! Quick and easy, Enjoy and check back for more activities each week!

Lastly, do you think having matching outfits to your little one is too much? I’d like to see the debate begin!

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Sewing machine tutorials!

New to sewing? Want to learn how to thread your machine? Then, you have come to the right place. Yes this may be a little boring for some, but I found similar help at different sites and decided to put it all together in my own way for anyone new to nursing.

So if you don’t fall asleep along the way, you may learn something! :op

Below are three tutorials on using your sewing machine. This particular tutorial features the brother xl model, which I highly recommend as an affordable and easy to use first machine that has more advanced properties as well. However, if you have another machine, it may be quite similar so you can follow along!

So here is a basic diagram of the machine I made that outlines the important components.

This is a video on the basic parts of the machine and what buttons are used most.

Next, is a video on how to thread your bobbin! Don’t worry it gets much easier each time!

Lastly, how to put everything together! This tutorial demonstrates how to thread the machine and start up!

Good Luck and Enjoy! More tutorials to come…

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Creating A Photo Pillow

Looking for that perfect gift for someone? Maybe for a holiday or special occasion? Possibly a housewarming gift? Or maybe just an I’m thinking of you gift, the photo pillow is a perfect easy sewing project! The pillow below always gives my little one a smile when she picks it up on the couch! I know my husband enjoys it too because sometimes I find drool on it :op

Follow the You-tube tutorial here:

You can also follow along here:

For this tutorial you will need:

Freezer paper the size of a piece of printer paper (8.5×11″)
Computer and printer (choose your photos or photos)
Fabric (sizes vary on size of the pillow you would like)
Sewing machine and accessories
Poly-fill
Iron

1. Start by cutting a piece of freezer paper to the size of a piece of a paper (8.5×11′). Also cut the piece of fabric you are going to print the photo on to that size. Remember you most likely want to print on a light thin colored fabric so the picture stands out.2. Next, take your fabric you want the photo printed on and put it on your ironing surface with the side you want the photo printed on down. Then put your freezer paper shiny side down against the fabric. Have your iron on medium high and iron on top of the freezer paper. You can also turn it over and iron the fabric with the freezer paper on the bottom. Do not leave it on one spot too long or the fabric will develop a burn mark. Make sure the corners are well ironed and the sheet should stick to the fabric.

3. Take the fabric and freezer paper that are now one to your printer. Place it in the paper tray and print your photo. Make sure there aren’t any loose strings hanging on the side of your fabric, this could catch in your printer. Also make sure you put your paper in the way your printer will print on the fabric and not the freezer paper. If you are unsure, take a piece of regular printer paper and mark one side. Put it in the tray and check and see which side it prints on.

4. Once you have your photo printed, you can easily peel off the freezer paper. You can save the freezer paper to use one or two more times; quite economical if I should say so myself! Then, if you are planning on putting the photo fabric on a larger piece of fabric to have a bigger pillow, you want to fold a hem around the edges of your fabric and pin and sew it onto the larger piece of fabric. Below is an example.

However, if you would like to make a small decorative pillow (the size of a piece of paper), you would skip this step.

5. Next take your photo fabric or front of the pillow and place it facing side up. Take the back fabric for your pillow and place it on top facing in. So now the fabric pieces you want to be on the outside of the pillow are now facing the inside. Pin them together. Then you want to stitch all the way around the outside except for a three inch opening. So make sure you back-stitch when you start and end. I suggest you do not do this on the corner because it will be harder to hand sew at the end. This opening will be used to turn the pillow right side out and then stuff with poly-fill.

6. After sewing, turn it right side out. Stuff it with poly-fill to your desired fullness.

7. Now you will have to decide what stitch you want to use to close it. You can close it on the machine however it will be noticeable. You can do the regular loop stitch which is easiest. Another option which is used in my video is the blind stitch. The blind stitch is used for hems and closures that you want “blind.

8. And Viola! You are finished, congrats and enjoy!

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