Dorothy Ruffle Trousers

They are of a casual design with a ruffled waist band. The waist band also features a bow which is positioned at the hip. They also have white lace turn-ups and pockets with a lace trim.

They are a practical feminine trouser - ideal for skipping along the yellow brick road!

These are a relaxed style of trouser which could also be used as a design for pyjama bottoms. Perhaps without the pockets as I always think that nightwear with pockets is a little odd. In the same way that pockets in baby clothes are odd - what are they going to put in them?

These trousers were inspired by the film 'The Wizard of Oz'. This is a classic film from my childhood - I was really frightened of the wicked witch of the west and her flying monkeys! I also played Munchkin Number 1 in a Christmas panto when I was younger - I had one line! I loved being part of the production and the lovely good witch who did my stage make-up for me; she did the best munchkin freckles! I can remember thinking how grown-up she was - I think she was around 17 at the time, which just goes to show how young I was! I am sure that my Mum has some embarrassing pictures of me in my munchkin costume.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wizard_of_Oz_(1939_film)

I also thought about making the design into dungarees:



I don't think they work quite as well as the trousers but it is fun trying out a few ideas but they reflect the pinafore dress a little better. I think the design is a bit of fun really.

Here is a link to YOUR STYLE ROCKS where you have the opportunity to vote for your favourite design that has been entered into the competition. I love checking out all the different designs in the competitions and the free patterns - I hope you like my designs enough to vote for them!

How to Make a Simple Rosette

Here is yet another decoration for my big blue bag! I have attached a pin to the back of the rosette so I can move it around - the same as my simple bow. I had lots of fun drawing out the instructions for making both of these accessories. Paint is a fantastic programme! If you look at the scrap book page you can see some of my other drawings that I have done using paint.

© 2012 craftygeogopher.blogspot.co.uk.

I have been looking on google and apparently broach is a variant of 'brooch' which is by far the more popular spelling. I have always used the spelling 'broach' and I didn't realise that there was another spelling... you learn something new every day!

Finished Rosette Broach with dark blue ribbon

Making the Big Blue Bag

I Love my new big blue bag (even if S thinks it looks like it has been branded by IKEA because of the yellow and blue).



My Big Blue Bag!

The fold-away shopping bag my Grandma gave me.

As the basis of my pattern I used a shopping bag - it is a pretty cool bag because it folds up really small and fits into even my smallest handbag. Since the new rules about having to pay 5p per carrier bag at the shops it is really useful to keep a bag like this with you. I am really pleased that the Welsh Assembly has passed the new regulations about carriers. It is really good that everyone here is doing their bit to be eco-friendly by re-using canvas bags!

My Template

Anyway, I folded the bag in half and drew around it to make my basic template. I then added a few centimetres to the handle side to give the bag depth and a few centimetres to the top of the strap so that it will go over your shoulder easily.

 

Bag template on the fabric.

Next, I folded my lining fabric in half and laid my template out on it with the bag centre up to the fold. Unfortunately as I was using the leftover fabric from my dress the 'scraps' were not quite tall enough for the template. To fix this problem I had to cut the straps from another bit of scrap fabric. Doing this I had to remember to leave a seam allowance on both pieces so the strap was the correct length. Remember to make two bag shapes from the lining fabric.


I then cut two more bag shapes using the blue cord fabric.

Bag lining with darts

In the above picture you can see where I attached the extra fabric for the straps. You can also see that I chose to put two darts at the bottom. I basically just drew two triangles and made sure that they were positioned symmetrically on all four "bag shapes". This simply gives the bag some depth and looks really good combined with the extra fabric added by the bit I drew on the bag template on the outside of the straps.

Inside of one of the "outside" blue cord fabric bag piece with pocket

The next thing I did was add a pocket with a zip. I did this at the top of the bag outside piece I stitched the zip along the top and then to the pocket piece. I then used the yellow thread to stitch the pocket down - and in doing so it made a decorate stitch pattern on the outside (although I think I may go over this with yellow embroider thread to make it more defined).


Next, place the right sides of the lining fabric pieces together and then do the same with the blue cord "outside" fabric. Stitch the sides and bottom of each the bag pieces together. So now you have what 'almost' look like two bags!

The two 'bags' inside each other.

Turn the blue outside 'bag' the right way out and then place the blue outside 'bag' inside the yellow lining bag. So the right sides of the yellow and the blue fabrics are together. Sew up the top edges of the bag yellow to blue. Stop sewing about half way up the handles as you need to sew the top of them together and turn the bag inside out.

Where to sew the bags together

Cut a fringe into the the curves of the top of the bag so that the seams are not 'lumpy' when they are the right way out.

Cut a fringe into the seam

Next, turn the bag the right way out. Pull the bag out through one of the open ends of the straps. Be very careful that you don't damage or break the stitching on the strap as it is very easy to do.

Turn bag the right way out.

Now the bag is the correct way out connect the straps at the top seams- yellow to yellow and blue to blue on each side of the bag.  Now pin the sides of the straps together, tucking the raw edge of the fabric in.

Connect the straps at the top seams
and pin them at the sides

Again I used the yellow cotton to do the stitching. However on the finished bag the stitching is not very distinct so I think I will go over this with yellow embroidery thread (the same as the pocket). Plus, I think I will add a few decorations as the bag is rather plain - but I need to think about that.

The finished bag:

The finished bag

Inside out bag!

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Big Blue Bag

Tutorial

My project for this weekend was to create a bag that has a zip pocket for all my bits as well as space to fit an A4 file. I wanted to use up the leftover yellow Gingham fabric from my dress - it is just so cute! I used the Gingham to line the bag having found a bright blue cord fabric remnant at one of the local fabric shops. It was really cheep as they are closing down and selling all the remaining stock off. I can't tell you how tempting it is to buy lots and lots! I am kinda drawn to all the fleece fabrics -although I  have no idea what I would do with it!

Anyway, this weekend I made the above bag and when it was finished and S saw it, the first thing he said was "IKEA!"

I suppose it is rather Swedish in its colours... perhaps I should have gone for some darker blue cord.

Instructions on how I made the bag to follow in my next post!

Simple Way to Hem a Dress or Skirt

I have had my own sewing machine for a number of years now and I have always really loved sewing and making things.

However, I have only just ventured into making clothes. I have made cusion covers, bags, rag dolls, etc... and even a ukulele case! Up until now I have avoided having to hem anything (or at least avoided doing anything that required the hem to be particularly neat or even). I am more used to sewing fabric together and folding it the right way out... and the seams are hidden.

Recently, I made my first dress! I used yellow gingham and stitched daisies around the neckline - so much fun and super cute.

The part that I found most daunting or at least that I thought I would totally mess up was the hem around the bottom edge. I don't really want to wear a dress that is totally wonky at the bottom (at least when it isn't intended to be).

Mum to the resucue!

Thankfully, I was chatting to my Mum and she told me a really easy way to do a hem and make sure that it is nice and even. So I though I would share her advice...

How to make hemming easy based upon my Mum's advice:

Mark hemline with pins and fold

Press hemline
Put a few pins in to hold hem up.
Try dress on to check that the hem is even.

Trim excess fabric.

Fold rough edge under, into hemline.
Pin fold in place.
Press hemline again.

Sew hem in place
There you have a neat hem!

My Mum is fantastic and I am so happy with the way that the hem (and the dress) have turned out.

My First Dress!

My First Dress! 

Check out how I made it on this post!

Daisy Dress

As summer is just around the corner, I thought I would have a go at making a nice little sun-dress to wear when the weather get warmer (or perhaps if I go somewhere nice and hot on holiday). So when I saw this post on icandy I decided to give it a go. I used the pattern as a basis and altered it to suit my tastes and needs (and my hips...).

I chose some really cute yellow gingham fabric and some daisy trim that we both on sale at one of the local fabric shops.

The chosen fabrics and trim.

I made up the pattern from the print-out and then laid it out on the fabric and pinned it. I then cut out the pieces leaving a seam allowance around the outside.

Here is the basic pattern cut out.

The next step was to sew up the two bust darts on the front piece of the dress.

Following this, I then pinned the two back pieces together and positioning the zip (this seemed to take forever!). Then I sewed the back pieces with the zip in place.

Sew up the back with the zip in place

Next - with the right sides facing pin the front and back together. Then stitch the shoulder seams and the side seams together.

pin the side and the shoulder seams

Once the shoulders and sides are sewn it really begins to look like a dress!
(even if it is inside out..)

The next stage is focused upon the creation of the cap sleeves. Firstly, I prepared the facings for the armholes; matching them up - the left and the right. I then used the white edging fabric to create a small cap sleeve on each of the facing pieces.

The cap sleeve is initially attached to the arm facings

Trim off the excess white edging fabric once it is stitched in place.

Next, the facing (complete with cap sleeve) is placed right sides together onto the main body of the dress. Stitch the facings onto the armholes.

It should look like this when the facings are folded in
and the sleeves are exposed. 

Trim the seam allowance at the arm holes and then with the facings turned inward stitch them in place along the seam at the shoulder and side.

Now hem the neckline of the dress - carefully stitching the top of the zip in place. Following this, pin the daisy trim in place around the neck.

Daisy trim pinned in place and ready to be sewn.

Hand sew the daisy chain in place (this seems to take forever!).

Keep stitching....

With all the daisies stitched in place it looks a little like this:

Front neckline

Back neckline

Front of dress

Back of dress

Now all I need to do is hem the bottom of the dress to make it look neat.

I was really worried that I would mess up the hem and ruin the dress. Thankfully, I was chatting to my Mum and she told me a really easy way to do a hem and make sure that it is nice and even.

How to make hemming easy based upon my Mum's advice:

Mark hemline with pins and fold

 

Press hemline
Put a few pins in to hold hem up.
Try dress on to check that the hem is even.

Trim excess fabric.
Fold rough edge under into hemline.
Pin in place.

Sew hem in place

Finally, a very badly taken photo of me trying the dress on (with a cute belt I found at Peacocks) surrounded by my sewing mess... I will get some decent pictures taken soon!

End result- a dress and a messy room!