Hour #3

1. bodice: Here we are at hour number 3 already and there’s hardly been any sewing! Well that’s about to change. The first bit of sewing I tackled was the bodice. That went so fast that I didn’t even photograph it–and I even made two bodices (one for the main dress and one for the lining).

2. bow: The pattern for the bow on this dress seems hilariously huge. Once you’ve folded it over and sewed up it, the bow takes on slightly more normal proportions. Then you have to gather the ends and place it in just the right place on the bodice.

3. skirt: The skirt on the fairy tale dress is a giant rectangle. This make it easy to sew up (and to hem later), but to attach such a large rectangle to the bodice requires lots and lots of ruffles.

4. attaching the skirt to the bodice:  I have to admit gathering ruffles is one of my favorite bits of sewing: pinning two very different lengths of fabric together and gathering the longer one to magically match up just right.  And look, they match!

Success! The bow didn’t even get caught all crazy in the seam. I had to pat myself on the back for that one!

Day three and I’ve made the main dress and the lining of the bodice. Looks like the dress is practically done, but we’re not even halfway to the finished product!

Tomorrow: more polka dots!

I don’t really wear much jewelry, but I’ve always wanted to try my hand at whipup’s assignments. And this month the theme is fiber jewelry. The only things other than my wedding ring that I wear are bracelets, so I made myself a bracelet. It is basically just a pleated strip of fabric (there may be a special name for this kind of pleat, I don’t know, but if you do please let me know) with a ribbon as a tie. Infinitely customizable and easy to whip up–it would be quick to make to match an outfit before going out. Not that I ever go out. But you do, so here’s a tutorial.

First measure your wrist, then multiply that by 2.5

Cut a large rectangle of fabric that is 4inches by (wrist measurement x 2.5)

fold it in half the long way (hot dog style), right sides facing, and sew down the long edge leaving the ends open.

Turn the resulting tube right side out, fold it in half so the seam is in the middle and press.

Starting about and inch from the raw edge, make one accordion fold one way and press, then another the other way and press, continuing until you’ve used the entire strip. Don’t worry about making them perfectly even–variation in size makes the bracelet interesting.

Pin the pleats in place and (carefully) try the bracelet on. Snip the ends off if it is too long, fiddle with the pleats if it is too small. When the bracelet is the right length, tuck the ends under and sew the opening shut.

Then tack down all the pleats with a long stitch. Go slowly!

Sew a pretty ribbon on top of the stitching you just did, leaving a couple inches at each end to tie a bow.

Put it on and your ready to go.

You could use a button and elastic loop for a closure, or button and button hole, or snap, or whatever you think would work. Even faster and a little more girly, is a ruffle bracelet. Just a strip of fabric (I used linen and left the edges raw) with a ribbon or some lace down the middle.

so there you go: my first whiplash entry and my first tutorial all rolled in one.

ruffle pillow, originally uploaded by elsiemarley.

I made this a little while back from Amy Butler’s book “In Stitches.” I bought the book mostly because this pattern caught my eye. I’ve been making the same stupid ass pillow in different sizes since I learned to sew and it was getting pretty tired. This one is completely different: round, a little bizarre and out of left field, but still kind of girly and cute. My good friend laughed out loud when she saw it on my couch for the first time. It was a hell of a lot harder than I thought it would be. Turns out I have no idea how to sew on ruffles–is there a secret? I’m not in on it that’s for sure. I wrestled with my sewing machine and made it work, but it wasn’t pretty. Thankfully the ruffles and the blinding yellow stripes distract you from the actual construction of the thing. A word of warning if you ever make this little pillow: it will eat your fabric. All 3 1/2 yards of it. For one pillow. One pillow. Better get that shit on sale. That said, though, I think it would be nice done in patchwork. But then again, that’s 3 1/2 yards of scraps you have to piece together. And I’m not ready to wrestle.