Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Tuesday Tutorial #3

Summer Vacation

Another easy peezy favorite pattern from the children's sewing classes that I teach. This is made to fit 18-inch dolls such as the American Girl Doll.


Pool Towel


Supply List
1/3 yard Terry Fabric
1/3 yard Cotton Fabric
26 inches of ric rac
Chalk Wheel
Freezer paper, wrapping paper or newspaper to draw your pattern
sewing supplies

Seam allowance = 1/2 inch


Step 1 - Make the Pattern
Draw a 12 x 21 inch rectangle on paper. Label it "pool towel - cut 1 of terry and cut 1 of cotton"

Step 2 - Cut the Fabrics
Stack both fabrics together and pin the pattern on top. Cut it all out.


Step 3 - Add the Rick Rack
Place the terry fabric on the table. Use a large ruler and a chalk wheel to draw a line 3 inches from the bottom and 3 inches from the top of the towel.
 
Pin the ric rac to this line. Sew down the center of the trim to attach it.


Step 4 - Sew the Towel

 Place the terry fabric and the cotton fabric together with "pretty sides" touching. Make the edges even and pin.

Mark a 3 inch opening on one long side edge. This is where you will turn it later.

Sew around the towel using a 1/2 inch seam.

Step 5 - Clip Corners and Turn
Carefully clip a small triangle off each corner. Do no cut your stitching.

Turn the towel right side out and use your point turner to poke nice corners.

Step 6 - Top Stitch
Work your seams neatly to the edge and pin as you go. Turn in the seam allowance at the opening.

Top stitch around the towel using your presser foot as a guide. This step will sew the opening shut too.

Enjoy Your Towel!


Pool Tote



Supply List
9 x 12 piece of felt
9 x 12 piece of fabric
Two 10 inch long ribbon
Freezer paper, wrapping paper or newspaper to draw your pattern
sewing supplies
Seam allowance = 3/8 inch


Step 1 - Make the Pattern
Fold an 8 1/2 x 11 piece of paper in half. On the folded edge draw a rectangle that is 1 inch up from the fold and 1 1/4 inches in from the side at both corners. Cut out this rectangle and unfold the paper.

Label the pattern "pool tote - cut 1 felt & cut 1 fabric".

Step 2 - Cut out the Fabric
Stack the fabric and the felt together with pretty sides touching . Pin on the pattern and cut it out.

Step 3 - Attach the Handles
Place the cotton fabric only facing "pretty side" up on the table. On the top edge measure and mark 3 inches in from both sides.

Place the ribbon facing down at the marks. Make the edge of the ribbon even to the fabric and pin.
Stitch across the ribbon ends to hold them in place using a 1/4 inch seam.

Repeat for the bottom handle.


Step 4 - Sew the Top Edges
Place the tote fabric and the felt together with "pretty sides" touching. Make the top and bottom edges even and pin.

Sew the top and bottom edges using a 3/8 seam.


Turn pretty side out and finger press the seam. You don't want to iron on the felt.
Step 5 - Sew the Sides
Fold the tote in half with "pretty sides" touching. Felt will be on the outside. Make the edges even and pin.

Sew the sides using a 3/8 seam.

Step 6 - Sew the Bottom Corners
Pull the notched corners out and bring the edges together shaping the bag and pin.

Sew using a 3/8 seam.

Turn tote pretty side out. It's optional to top stitch around the top of the tote but it looks nicer.

Enjoy your Tote!


Grass Skirt


Supply List
1/2 yard of green fabric
11 inches of 1/4 wide elastic
Freezer paper, wrapping paper or newspaper to draw your pattern
sewing supplies
Step 1 - Make the Pattern
Draw a 16 x 21 inch rectangle on paper. Label the pattern " grass skirt - cut 1"

Step 2 - Cut the Fabric
Pin the pattern to the fabric and cut it out.


Step 3 - Make the Casing
Fold the fabric in half to make a piece that is 8 x 22 inches. Press this fold.

Sew 1/2 inch from the fold to make the casing.

Use a safety pin on the end of your elastic to help guide it through the casing.


Stitch both ends of the elastic to the casing to hold it in place.

Step 4 - Sew the Back Seam
Fold the skirt in half with "pretty sides" touching. Make the edge even and pin. Sew approx. 1 inch down using a 1/2 inch seam. There is no need to sew all the way down since you will be cutting fringe anyways.

Step 5 - Cut the Fringe
Cut the fringe from the bottom of the skirt to just below the casing. Don't cut your stitching. Make strips approx 3/4 inch wide. You can use pinking shears for a different look.

Enjoy Your Grass Skirt!



Flower Lei


Supply List
16 inches round elastic
Branch of plastic flowers -  approx. 17 flowers
Tiny stir straws cut into 1/2 pieces
White craft glue

Step 1 - Ready the Elastic
Rub a small amount of white glue on the ends of the elastic and set aside to dry. This keeps the elastic from fraying while stringing flowers on.

Step 2 - Ready Flowers
Carefully pull the flowers off the branches. Try to keep the center holes as small as possible.

Step 3 - Make the Lei
Thread the flowers and straws onto the elastic alternating each.

When done tie the elastic into a knot. Add a drop of glue to the knot and let it dry.

Enjoy Your Flower Lei!


© 2007 Carol Steely All rights reserved

1 comment:

Judy said...

Lauren loves this set for her doll! Thanks for sharing