running with scissors!

Who knew starting a clothing business is like running with scissors! I need to cut and make my just-arrived personalized blanket! Isn't this cute? Perfect for a gift! Parent will be so happy!

Organic leggings available at etsy shop

Finally I was taking some breaks from sample and posted some leggings! Please meet my luxurious organic baby leggings! Size is available up to 24 m

How to rub-off baby PJ pattern from your favorite PJ set

Hi

I am back here to show how I did rub-off my baby's PJ pattern from actual clothes.  My daughter has eczema and have rough skin where skin fold like arm and under the knee.   I try my best to feed her organic food if available.  I happen to think if I dress her with the fabric that was cultured organically may make some differences to her eczema.   I bought 2y of organic cotton interlock knit and rib form organiccottonplus.com.  I am happy with their service and fabric so far.  I am still keep my eyes open wide for all organic fabric source so if you know anyone, please, share those with me. 

What you need:  Blanket,  zigzag wheel, ruler, pencil, your favorite PJ for little one and paper (of course! :) )
You may use your big table or desk or floor if you don't have a big table.

Place blanket on table and then paper

place top on the paper flat and try to get armhole shape correct

Using zigzag wheel push and roll forward along the edge of the garment.  It will make dotted mark on the paper

close up look of zigzag wheel

.

Do exactly same as front for the back.  Marking where center goes on the paper before you start always very helpful later

.

Draw straight line for the center sleeve. Place half of  front sleeve on left  and the other on the right side. It will make a whole sleeve. 

Lay pant leg flat on the paper. Put folded side seam (sometimes no seam for side then folded) along with straight guide line.

Wheel inseam shape

Wheel crotch while you stretch the waist elastic so you get the actual pattern shape

Add cross mark when two line meets.

Draw according to the dot marks and cross mark.

Add seam allowance. I did 1/2"

Draw rectangle for pant leg opening rib.  It will be folded edge so double the height you see from the garment.

 My pant leg opening rib was 5/8" so I made rectangle 1 1/4" x total opening length. and added 1/2" Seam allowance all around.

Draw back connecting dots and cross mark.  You may choose to draw better half and later mirror it.

Add seam allowance 3/4" for hem and 1/2" for the rest

Draw connecting dots and cross marks for sleeve. Add seam allowance 1/2" all around. Sleeve cannot be mirrored.

Draw and connect dots and cross marks for Front. Seam allowance are same as Back piece.

Draw rectangle for sleeve opening rib.  Double the measurement for height as it will be folded.  1/2" all around for seam allowance.

I was lazy drawing the other half... so I just folded in half and cut with scissor.  This will be working fine for those like me. :) Trick: cut one side shoulder seam allowance 3/4" as I will do side opening. Do same thing to the matching side on back piece.

This is how it looks after cutting the pattern piece.  Make a notch at the center neck will be helpful later.

This is finished sleeve piece. I made couple notches at the center of sleeve.

Grain line goes up and down for the pants. Cut 2 leg pieces.

Organic cotton interlock 11 oz.  This is unbleached! Should be better for skin, I hope.

I cut the other leg upside down to save fabric.

Cutting front and back.

And last, cut your sleeves. Total 2. You can also do as I did pant leg. One first and upside down the other sleeve to maximize your fabric.  I forgot to take a picture of this step. I am sure you can figure this out though.

  I will be back soon for putting these pieces together.

Good night! See you later alligator!

Stroller footmuff_DIY part 3 sewing

Stroller footmuff_DIY part 3 sewing

1. (optional) I cut a thick batting layer for the cover for extra warmth and quilted.  Just 4 rows of stitches on cover.

2. (optional) Add cord with 2 button holes and two hole stopper for tightening the cover.
Stitch 2 rows . One above the button holes and the other below.

 3. Stitch 2 layers of pocket facing right side together all around except 1" of hole for pulling right side out later.  And iron the edge.   Pinned on the cover and edge stitch all around.

4. Place 2 of 36" zippers from center of bottom cover to the top on right side of cover as picture above. Make sure to have zipper facing down. So you see wrong side of zipper slider. I am not a advanced sewer so I hand basted with white thread to hold zippers in place.  Oh sorry for showing my red Christmas like PJ. :)

Zipper foot for zipper

5. Have zipper attached cover on floor face up.  And put your liner fabric face down.  And stitch all around cover. So zipper will be stitched between cover and cover liner.  Later we will remove baste stitch. Make sure to leave about 4~5" hole on top so you can pull the right side out. Close the stitch with hand stitch.  Here is a finished cover picture above.

6. For the seat, use one side of zipper which you will separate from the cover. Place zipper in between seat liner and out side.
On top of seat you can add loop or tie to hold this seat with stroller. Stitch all 1/2" around using zipper foot. Make sure to put Zipper right direction. In my case, I had to put zipper right side up on seat liner and covered with seat outside fabric. It's always a good idea to simulate how zipper will put together before you baste stitch the whole thing. Don't forget to leave a hole to pull right side out.

7. Finished with button holes for the strap of stroller. Then close zippers.
You just finished your own stroller footmuff!

Haircut

Hi,
I was window shopping Bloomingdale and spotted interesting scene. 

And see next picture! :)

Stroller footmuff DIY - part 2

Part 2. Cutting

1. Cut two exact same covers and two exact same seat.
I did make my cover pattern on fold so it is a half of what it is. I am finding it not working out great because fabric is so bulky to fold in half. So I suggest you to make just whole shape depending on your stroller .. Rectangle or slightly oval like.

2.cut two exact same pocket. You can cut 2 layers together with right side face right side. My black polyester fabric is so confusing where the right side is so I marked with chalk on the wrong side.

3.I cut one set in polyester like wind breaker fabric. And another set in poodle fake fur. Both in black. Smooth polyester will be outside and fake fur will be the lining.

4. Place all together to see how finished look will be like. And put two of 36" separating no. 5 zipper from the bottom center to the side and mark both side where it hits. It should hit the top of your cover if you're your cover according to your zipper length.

I will come back later with sewing part.
Good night you all creative girls!