Lucy's Fancy Cape!

I made Miss Lucy a cape.  She didn't have a "formal" coat (for all her fancy engagements of course) and I just knew I had to use Michael Miller Glitz to make her a cape!

There will be LOTS of pictures and little how-to.

Like a boss!

How to make a cape (this is not a tutorial as I didn't take photos as I went but I will be happy to answer any questions!)

This will fit a little girl up to about size 7 or maybe more!  You'll adjust the length and neck as needed for your princess.

MATERIALS

1.5 yards of cotton fabric (I used Michael Miller's Glitz)

1.5 yards of minky

1 button

The bottom of the cape is a circle.  Keep this in mind when choosing fabrics as directional prints will end up sideways and upside down.

THE CAPE   

The bottom of the cape is a circle skirt.  Get your measurements HERE on MADE.  She has the numbers and a diagram to get the numbers you need.  To establish the radius I measured a collar of Lucy's.  Do not add any additional numbers (remember her measurements are for a skirt) as we do not need a gather or anything.  The cape opens and closes with a button so it does not need to fit over their heads.  For the length I did as long as I could, around 19".

Cut the circle from both fabrics. Going back I would probably NOT make it a full circle.  I would do anywhere from 1/2-3/4 skirt.  It is so full she gets annoyed that she can't easily pull out her hands.  When it's actually cold outside (as it isn't too cold yet) I don't think she'll mind as it's like a blanket!

Lay the pieces together, choose a spot and cut a straight line from the neck (radius) to the outside.  If you didn't make a full circle you already have an opening.  With the right sides together sew together, from the neck of the opening to the outside, all the way around the bottom of the circle (IMPORTANT leave a 4"-5" opening somewhere along the bottom of the circle, we will close this later), and back up the other side to the neck opening.  LEAVE THE SEAM AROUND THE NECK OPEN.  Set aside to make the hood.

THE HOOD

For the hood I used my 5 year old sons coat hood as a pattern.  I used his because I wanted the hood to be more full and loose.  You could use any hood you have on hand and adjust a little larger or smaller as needed.

I laid the hood flat and simply traced around it onto pattern paper.  Around the neck I extended it down a little further so I had excess to sew it into the cape.

Fold your fabric in half (they need to be opposite directions so just fold it!) and use the pattern to cut 2 of the outside print and two of the minky.  It took a little brain power (and a seam ripper) when I was sewing it together but I figured it out!  Take the outside pieces, right sides together and sew down what will be the center or middle of the hood.  Repeat for the inside pieces.

Place the outside hood piece into the inside hood piece, right sides together.  Then sew together the front (the seam around the face).  Turn it right side out and press.  The bottom of the hood should be open.

   

It is VERY twirl-able!

And super cozy.

FINISHING UP

With the cape still inside out and the hood right side out, place the hood inside the cape at the neck and pin.  Have the outside cape fabric facing the outside hood fabric (and thus the inside fabrics facing each other).  Sew around the neck seam to close it.  Turn the cape right side out from the 4"-5" gap left when stitching the cape together.

Press the whole cape nice and crisp.  Top stitch around the whole cape (closing the gap as you go). I stitched around the entire cape again about 2" in.  You can see this on the button picture above.  Minky is so slick I wanted to stitch again to stabilize it all better.

Attach the button!

How many questions do you have? Lol!  Leave them in the comments and I will answer in the comments as well as add it to the post (if necessary).

Read the instructions first.  But I do find that when I read the directions for anything I'm confused.  Once I start creating whatever it is, it is so much easier to follow when I actually have it in front of me, makes a lot more sense.

I adore this girl.  Look at her sweet face!! 

Our backyard in Virginia sure made a great backdrop for a cape.

Can you spy her?!

Thanks for indulging me with all my photos!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Snowflake Dresden Plate Tutorial

Thank you for stopping by for my Snowflake Dresden Plate Tutorial!! If you're visiting from another blog please take a look around! :)  

Quickly about us, we're two sisters, Heather and Megan, who write quilt patterns (found here).  We also blog here with lots of tutorials, finishes and we feature other quilters as well.  You can find out more about that on our tabs above.  You'll also find us on Instagram A LOT.  @quiltstorymeg and @quiltstory

Let's jump right in!

Materials

Use 1/4" seams throughout

Folk Art Holiday bundle from Sew Lux

Pillow

-At least 4 FQ prints (or large scraps)

-1 yard background fabric (Essential Dots (B&W) I used found here at Sew Lux)

-17" pillow form

Embroidery

-Embroidery floss & needle

-Embroidery hoop

-Temporary Fabric Marker

-8" square or larger white felt

Download the Dresden Plate Wedge templates HERE.

Cut out 10 Large wedges, 5 Medium wedges and 5 Small wedges.

I missed photographing an important step.  (If you search other Dresden Plate tutorials you could find this step there.)

Take each wedge and fold right sides together lengthwise (so it looks like a long skinny strip).  

Stitch each end (leaving the long edge open).

Press open and each end will come to a point like below.  Press well.  Repeat on every piece.

Lay out all your pieces, 20 total.  In this order, Large, Small, Large, Medium (repeat).

Stitch together in four sections of 5.

See above and below.  Stitch end to end of the shorter pieces.  If you stitch over a little don't worry, it will be ironed over and you won't see it.  Take care to backstitch your start and finish.

Take each section of 5 and press the seems open. You'll find that the taller pieces naturally and easily fold in 1/4".  See below.  Stitch all sections together so you have a complete and continuous Snowflake Dresden Plate.

Embroidery "Let it Snow" found HERE..

Ultimately the pillow will be cut down to 18.5".  However keep your piece generous until after it is embroidered and your Dresden is attached.

Place the "Let it Snow" underneath the fabric.  Trace the letters using a temporary fabric marker.

Place the generous size of felt under the fabric.  You'll embroider through both pieces.  The felt make it not only sturdier but you are unable to see the stitching underneath and you move from letter to letter.

I used all 6 threads of floss and used a basic backstitch.  (A quick google search will show you lots of tutorials if you aren't familiar).  On the wider sections of the font there is a close up below so you can see how I did it.  Still using a backstitch.

Place the Snowflake Dresden over top and center it with "Let it Snow".

Carefully pin around the entire snowflake.

Use a tight zig-zag to attach the snowflake to the front of the pillow.  Zig-zag around all the inner and outer points.  You can see this above and below.

Trim the pillow front to 18.5" x 18.5".

I used an envelope closure in the back.  Easy to do and easily removable to clean.

Cut two pieces, 9" x 18.5" and 14.5" x 18.5".  Turn under, press and stitch one side on each piece for a nice finished edge (below).  

Right sides together place the front and back envelope pieces together, pin around and use a 3/4" seam and stitch around completely.  Turn pillow right side out, press and place in your pillow form!

This block would be so cute done as a table topper, I thought about shrinking the size a bit and doing the regular size in the middle and two smaller snowflakes on the side.  It would also make a really cute wall hanging!  And of course an entire quilt would be awesome!!

Here's the schedule for the blog hop and prizes...make sure to be checking Sew Lux as you go!!  

• July 7th - Series Announcement & Bundle Sale 
• July 14th - Solstice Wreath Mini Tutorial (See that cute wreath in our series button image? We'll show you how to make it here on the Sew Lux Blog!)
• July 21st - Sewing with Winter Wonderland - Lee of May Chappell
• July 22nd - Sewing with Be Jolly - Chrissy of Sew Lux
• July 23rd - Sewing the Folk Art Holiday - Sarah of Stitching & Bacon AND Megan ofQuilt Story
• July 24th - Sewing with 25th & Pine - Tessa of The Sewing Chick AND Tracey oftraceyjay quilts
• July 25th - Sewing with Solstice - Christen of Love by Hand AND Stephanie of Quarter Incher
• July 21-August 4th - Linky open to link up your projects
• August 5th - Winner Announced

T-shirt Dress Tutorial!

Last week I whipped up a T-shirt dress for my little lady.  They are sooo easy and perfect to use for an old t-shirt or a plain one on clearance (like me) :)

Simple, fun little play dress!  Want to make one too?? Let's get started!

Supplies:

T-shirt

1 print 4" x WOF (width of fabric, about 42")

1 print 5" by WOF

Optional tulle 5.25" wide

**Keep in mind the longer the WOF (42") the fuller the gather with the skirt.  My t-shirt size is 18-24 months.  If you're using a larger t-shirt you may consider increasing the length.

Cut each piece as listed above in supplies.  Join ends to make a continuous circle, stitch and press.  Turn and iron the hem under once and again for a finished edge to the hem.  Stitch around.  I turned a little more than 1/4 inch each time about 5/8" total.  (For the tulle all you need to do is stitch it in a continuous circle, no need to finish the hem)

Place all three pieces inside each other (like above).  Stitch around the piece to secure them all together.  If you have a serger, awesome, if not use a zig-zag like me.  This will help with fraying as the garment is washed and worn. 

Gather.  Do the longest stitch your machine will allow.  Stitch around the top of the skirt.  Leave a lot of thread before you start to stitch and when you finish the stitch.  Taking one thread at a time slowly pull and the garment will gather.  Take your time, if you break the thread you'll have to stitch the whole thing again.  Pull from each side.  Match the gathered skirt to the size of the t-shirt.

Place the skirt inside the shirt.  Pin all around.  Sew together!

Inside.

I did cut her a coordinating headband, I could resist!!

I cut it on the bias (so it has stretch).  Finished the edges and tied it directly on her head.  Because of the stretch it stays on well and can easily be pulled off and on (keeping the knot in place).

Ta-da!! Really easy sweet little play dress for the little lady!

Have fun!! Let me know if you have any questions!

T-shirt: Old Navy

Lace and Hounds tooth prints: Michael Miller Fabric

Tulle: Hobby Lobby

Merry Christmas Megan! (late)

Megan and I started a tradition a few years ago with our other sister to make each other Christmas gifts instead of store bought. I love this tradition. But more years than not, we are late, sometimes really late. 

This year of course, something way more important was on our mind than gifts, sewing or Christmas, being with our Dad. 

I started these in early December because I was going to be on time. I didn't finish, but it sure was nice to have them mostly done. As much as I want sewing and creating to be my therapy as I grieve, even that has seemed to hard most the time. 

I finally finished about a month ago and sent them to Meg. It brightened her day. It has been hard being so far from Megan during this time. 

Anyhow, these were the potholders from the amazing NanaCompany tutorial. I also learned the quilt as you go technique from a Craftsy class, I can't wait to do more. 

The red and aqua make me so happy!

Merry Christmas Megan!

Holiday tutorial series from Christa Quilts, Log Cabin Wreath mini...

Christa is an amazing Quilter! Christa Quilts has been a friend and advertiser on our blog for quite some time. She is a rockstar with quilt design, numbers, software, the works! She knows the process from start to finish, including some amazing machine quilting. Christa hosts some amazing quilt a longs, these are great! Check them out, and join in! This lady knows her stuff! She also has an awesome quilt fabric shop, she truly has a great selection. Thank you Christa!!

Hi all! I'm Christa from Christa Quilts and I'm excited to share my Log Cabin Wreath mini with you today! I wrote my tutorial so it can be sewn as a Christmas wall-hanging, but you can make it into a pillow, a table topper, or piece more blocks for a larger quilt.
Log Cabin Wreath, by Christa Watson 18" x 18"[/caption]

The blocks are pretty small, finishing at 3" finished so this is a great exercise in sewing tiny pieces for minis. :-) If you choose to make one for yourself, please share pictures of your progress at Christa's Quilt Along on flickr.

Step 1 - Gather Your Supplies

• 1/2 yard red for log centers, borders and binding
• 1/4 yard cream for light half of the logs
• 1/4 yard total assorted green scraps for dark half of the logs
• 1/4 yard of green for outer border
• 20" square of batting
• 20" square of fabric for quilt backing
• cotton thread to match fabrics
• basic sewing supplies and sewing machine

Step 2 - Cutting the Fabric
From the red fabric cut:

• 16 - 1.5" squares for centers
• 4 - 1.25 " x 16" strips for inner borders (to trim down later)
• 4 - 2 .25" x 42" strips for binding

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From white fabric, cut 5 - 1" wide strips. Cross-cut into:

• 16 - 1" x 1.5" rectangles
• 16 - 1" x 2" rectangles
• 16 - 1" x 2.5" rectangles
• 16 - 1" x 3" rectangles

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From assorted green scraps, cut 6 - 1" wide strips. Cross-cut into:

• 16 - 1" x 2" rectangles
• 16 - 1" x 2.5" rectangles
• 16 - 1" x 3" rectangles
• 16 - 1" x 3.5" rectangles

From green border fabric, cut 4 - 2.25" x 22" strips (trim later).

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Step 3 - Sew 16 Log Cabin Blocks


Starting with the center square, add the smallest white log to one side, right sides together. (It doesn't matter which side.) Chain piece all 16 white units to each of the red squares. Cut them apart, press toward the outside log and add the next largest white log to the right of your unit, forming an "L" shape. Repeat again for all 16 logs.

Add two green logs in the same way on the opposite side of the block. Repeat for a second round of white logs and a second round of green logs. Your 16 completed blocks should look like this:

Step 4 - Join the Blocks into Rows

Lay out your blocks so that they form a wreath shape. I like to think of each block rotation as an "L" or "7" or "backwards L" or "backwards 7".

Sew 4 blocks into a total of 4 rows. Sew the rows together to create the inner quilt top. I like to press my major seams open to help keep things nice and flat.

Step 5 - Add the Borders

Measure two sides of your quilt top and trim your red border strips to this measurement. Sew them to either side of the quilt and measure again with the added red borders. Trim the top and bottom red borders, sew to the opposite sides to complete the first border.

Repeat this process for the green border to complete your finished quilt top.

Step 5 - Finish It up

Baste your quilt with pins or safety pins and have fun with the quilting! I sewed a series of straight lines in the green areas with matching thread using my walking foot.

I added double loops to the outside borders in matching green thread with a darning foot (free-motion foot) and my feed-dogs dropped.

I filled in the white background areas with smaller, tighter loopy stipples in white thread to match.

I have also made this file available for Electric Quilt users.

Click here for the Log Cabin Wreath EQ7 download.

For more fun quilting tutorials including steps for basting and binding, please visit my Quilt Along page on my blog. :-)

Happy Holidays!