Tag: beginner sew dress

Truck Pillow Tutorial

I have a nephew who absolutely loves trucks, cars, and any other type of vehicle.  As Christmas approached I was unsure of what to get my nephew.  I searched the internet for ideas of sewing projects with trucks, but it was only to my dismay. None of the projects peaked my interest.  I found a car tutorial but that was it.  So I decided to make my own pattern and tutorial on a truck pillow.  I also decided that putting his name on with iron on letters would be fantastic!IMG_3727

As usual, there is a video tutorial on my youtube site, and written instructions with pictures below.

What you will need:
*Your choice of fabric colors
*poly-fil or any type of stuffing
*Choice of thread colors
*Optional: Iron on letters

Pattern: Use one whole piece of printer paper 8x10inches as the trailer part.  Make a circle for the wheels.  And make a from cab as you like.  The pattern I made is so easy I’m not even going to try and retrace it and scan it and turn it into a pdf because it takes much longer…if you are really having issues please let me know and I will take the time do that for you.

  1. Cut out your fabric pieces
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  3. Iron on letters or if you want to sew on letters that works as well!
  4. Sew on your hubcaps, windows and any other details you want to add
  5. Sew each side together.  The front cab to the trailer and the wheelsSnapshot 1 (1-4-2016 9-28 PM)
  7. Time to sew the middle strip part! I made mine 2 inches thick but you can make it as big as you like!
  8. You can switch colors to match or just use one color.
  9. If you do not want to do the middle section then you can just take the two truck sides facing each other (inside) and sew around leaving a 3 inch opening.  Turn right side out, stuff, and hand-sew shut.
  10. To do the middle strip, line it up with the truck where you want to start and back-stitch and go forward all the way around switch colors as needed.  Curve the middle strip around the corners.
  11. Snapshot 2 (1-4-2016 9-32 PM)
  12. Now take the other side of the truck and have the sides facing inwards towards
    each other, and sew the second side to the strips on the first side.
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  14. Turn right side out and make sure there are no holes in the outside, if there are turn inside out and fix them.
  15. Fill with your choice of stuffing and hand-sew shut.
  16. Congrats you are done!
  17. If you have any questions or concerns please leave them below.  If you have trouble with the middle strip please watch the youtube tutorial.
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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.

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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…

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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

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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:

  1. 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.
  2. fabric
  3. 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.
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  5. 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:
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  7. 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.
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  9. 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.
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  11. 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.
  12. 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.
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  14. 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).
  15. Now you should have your elastic all completed!  We are almost there.
  16. 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.
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  18. 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.
  19. 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.
  20. Line up the lace on the bottom and pin.  Sew it and WaaaLa!  You are done!  Congrats!
  21. Optional is adding buttons or a bow!
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  23. Stay tuned for the hat tutorial!
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