Costume Party: The Musketeers, Part 7

So, here it is.  The final piece of the Musketeer costumes. . . and perhaps the trickiest.  You will have to forgive my pictures.  I just don't have it in me to make a new hat to take pictures for the tutorial, so I used our old hats.  Sorry!  Hope it is still clear enough.Materials Needed:1 yard Peltex extra-stiff double-sided fusible interfacing (HAS to be the stiffest you can find!)1.5 yards

Costume Party: The Musketeers, Part 6

The boots-- they totally finish the outfit, don't you think?  And really, it is not too hard to make your own.Materials needed:Pair of ballet flats that fit your little Musketeer3 yards of gold shoes laces trimsatin scraps to match (optional)scraps of Peltex extra stiff interfacing (you will need a yard for the hat-- scraps from that work just fine)a pair of old knee high socksapproximately 30

Costume Party: The Musketeers, Part 5

Hey there!  Sorry it's been a while. . . But here you have it!  Another piece of the Musketeer Costume.  Before I start, a couple of quick notes:  ***First, the sizing on all the pieces is for a size 5, approximately.  To make smaller or larger sizes, you will have to adjust the measurements.***  ***Also, while I enjoy making semi-elaborate costumes, they are just costumes and often I simplify or

Costume Party: The Musketeers, Part 4

For those of you just joining us, I am on part 4 of 7 of the Barbie Musketeer Costumes.  The cape is easy, peasy!  Materials:1/3 yard pink satin1/3 yard gold satin1/3 yard gold trimbasic sewing suppliesCutting:Cut one piece of pink satin and one piece of gold satin measuring 21 inches by 12 inches.Sewing:Okay, you have two options here.  Option 1:  Pin the pink and gold pieces together wrong

Costume Party: The Musketeers, Part 3

Part 3, the Top.Materials needed:1/2 yard of crushed panneelastic threadbasic sewing suppliesFor the shirt portion of the costume, I used a peasant shirt pattern. I think I have about 3 to choose from. . . If you have one hanging around that is short sleeved, use it to cut out your pieces. If you don't have one, and you have a little gumption-- try making your own!  It is a simple pattern, with

Costume Party: The Musketeers, Part 2

Part 2, The PettiskirtThis part is almost exactly like Part 1, except we are adding a ruffle to it.(Remember, I will be making the tutorials in size 5T. You can add a little length for older kids or shorten for smaller sizes.)Materials needed: 1 yard of white cotton fabric (or nice muslin)approx. 2/3 yard of 1 inch wide elasticbasic sewing supplies Cutting:Cut two strips of fabric 9 inches by

Costume Party: The Musketeers, Part 1

So, I was thinking, for the month of September we could start working on those Halloween costumes.  I am going to share some ideas with you from some of the costumes I have made in the past.  And since costumes are so much fun to make, who knows what else we may come up with? To start with, I am going to share tutorials on how to make yourself a Musketeer costume.I love these costumes and I wish

S4S- Clothing, Part 1

My absolute favorite part of blogging is making new friends-- often from many different parts of the world. One of my newest bloggy friends is The Sewing Dork. Not only does she have some fabulous ideas, and an amazing stash of fabric, but she is hilarious. There is nothing better than a friend who can make you laugh. She has graciously added a cute tutorial to my Sewing 4 School series. I

S4S: It's Cold Outside, Part 3

I am trying really hard not to cry. . . Really, REALLY hard! K2 will be starting school this year. How is it possible that she is old enough for school? In no time I won't have anybody at home! Tragic. In keeping with trying to be a better mother this year, I needed an additional scarf to keep everyone warm. I was thinking I wanted to do a scrappy scarf and when I started sorting through my

S4S- Extra-Curricular Activities, Part 3

This summer K1 and K2 took their first dance class. We had nothing to wear! So, I whipped up a couple little twirl skirts for the girlies-- super easy and fun! Here's the how-to:Supplies needed: about 1 yard of knit fabricabout 20 inches of string/yarn/thick threaddressmaker's pencil or marker of some kindThe basic concept is that you are going to make a larger circle for the skirt with a small

S4S- Extra-Curricular Activities, Part 2

With all those sports coming up in the fall, how do you keep your girlies hair out of their eyes, while still looking their best?Here is my solution:The Do-Rag Sports HeadbandIt stays in place, keeps hair out of eyes, is one of the most comfy headbands ever, is totally adorable, and it is even reversible! Doesn't get much better than that. . .Here's how to make your own:Supplies needed:1/4 yard

S4S- Extra-Curricular Activities, Part 1

Our first guest blogger for 'Sewing 4 School', is a real life friend of mine (that doesn't happen very often in blog-land!). She is sharing a darling tutorial on how to cute-sify a simple bag and notebook for piano lessons.Here she is: Lisa from Rainy Tuesday Mornings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New Piano BagUsing the HP Inkjet Transfer Paper, I made a Piano Bag for

Guest Blogging

Today I am a guest blogger at Be@Home. Pop on over to find out how to make a lightweight, summer scarf. Click here for the details.

S4S- The Basics, Part 4

On to the tank top. . . Supplies needed:The rest of your long sleeve shirt that you used for the leggings***Supplies to make a pattern pieceAbout 1 yard of clear elasticLooks like this:I found mine at Joann's in the notions aisle.***Note: Make sure that your shirt has a good stretch and recovery to it. If it has a little lycra in it it will fit the best and not get so stretched out.First you will

S4S- The Basics, Part 3

I love spring clothes.I just can't help it-- the colors, the styles. . . yummy!So, when it comes to dressing for winter, 'The Basics' MUST include layering tanks and leggings.Three of my long sleeve shirts became these:Yep! They cost nada.To make the leggings, you can use the sleeves of your shirt. The knit that works the best is a cotton/lycra blend. It has the best recovery and will stretch the

The Harrisburg Dress

This post is part of a month long series called 'Pattern Makeover Month.' I took a simple pattern (The Sweet Dress by Leila and Ben) and 'made-it-over' into many different styles. For more information, go here.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Keeping the quilt theme going-- a CrAzy quilt dress!Cut the dress pieces with a muslin

The Lancaster Dress

This post is part of a month long series called 'Pattern Makeover Month.' I took a simple pattern (The Sweet Dress by Leila and Ben) and 'made-it-over' into many different styles. For more information, go here.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Sorry about the picture. . . my models are on strike!)This little number is dedicated

The Brooklyn Dress

This post is part of a month long series called 'Pattern Makeover Month.' I took a simple pattern (The Sweet Dress by Leila and Ben) and 'made-it-over' into many different styles. For more information, go here.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oh, how I wish you could see this dress in person! It is one of my favorite favorites!

The Preston Dress

This post is part of a month long series called 'Pattern Makeover Month.' I took a simple pattern (The Sweet Dress by Leila and Ben) and 'made-it-over' into many different styles. For more information, go here.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Are you ahead of the game and working on school clothes? Add some longer sleeves and

The Monroe Dress

This post is part of a month long series called 'Pattern Makeover Month.' I took a simple pattern (The Sweet Dress by Leila and Ben) and 'made-it-over' into many different styles. For more information, go here.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .How about this sassy little version?Cut this dress as directed in the pattern, adding about 1/2 an inch above