My World View Tee

 

 This little guy was in dire need of some new shirts, I am picky when it comes to what is on my kids shirts probably borderline overbearing but I found this great globe print on Pinterest and knew it would make this shirt awesome.

I recycled an old grey t-shirt that I've had in my stash for a while. I made a pattern using one of his shirts and took advantage of the already hemmed bottom for the sleeves & hem line. after getting it cut out this shirt probably took me a total of 20 minutes and I still have left over fabric to make a second shirt. Thanks Old Navy for your clearance men's shirts.

Sign your Art: Handmade Labels

 Labels are always an after thought when it comes to creating, you use it to tell which way is which or the size but after stumbling upon a homemade dress at the thrift store and noticing no tag I realized that a tag can be used as a signature, years from now when I'm out of my black and white chevron phase hopefully someone will know that whoever this Tangible Artiste is, they put a lot of work and thought into this specific item and will take better care of it because it's handmade.
Want to make your own labels, here is the easiest way EVER!

• Make your labels in office or open office (which is what I use) by using a business card template (this guarantees proper spacing for folding
• Iron freezer paper onto your cotton fabric (any color works, but white is always the best contrast) 
• Cut your fabric to the size of a regular piece of paper, make sure that there are no strings, wrinkles, and that every corner is securely attached to the freezer paper
• Print
• Let the Ink dry then peel off your freezer paper

•  Pour white vinegar into a baking pan and soak your labels for 5 minutes (this will make it color fast)
• Let dry since it was a nice day out I just hung it outside to dry, but since there is now snow on the ground in May you could always use a blow dryer or hang it up to dry inside.

• cut your labels out so that you can fold the bottom part up, and right sides facing together stitch the sides, trim seams, turn right side out, and iron flat. when you stitch your binding for the neckline just insert the tag and stitch into place. 
• ALL DONE!

Finding Inspiration

To me there is nothing better than flipping through a good sewing book or magazine. Don't get me wrong I pinterest like the rest of you, maybe even more than; but when you can get away from the screen and get inspired by a vintage book or a well thought out magazine I think that's magical.
Here is why I prefer vintage sewing books, there are no short cuts! If I want a well tailored garment I have to, well, tailor it. It's a reminder to take my time, think through my process and detail before I jump in. The diagrams are simple looking, it doesn't hinder my creative process by getting stuck on a certain fabric pattern, or design. 

My other learning source is BurdaStyle Magazine. I've belonged to the website for a couple years now, but only as of last year did I start sharing my stuff. I just found out they have a magazine (how daft, right?) but it is seriously the best purchase I have ever made. for $7.50 an issue you get an average of 54 patterns. That is 54 patterns a month! you couldn't even buy a sewing book with that many patterns! If you are looking for a good sewing magazine, get this one!

Ruched Shift Dress

 I got the idea for this dress from Pinterest, I've been wanting a comfy jersey dress but jersey has this amazing ability to show every body flaw.

Ruched sides take care of that and adds a simple detail to a otherwise plain shift dress. This is gonna be the perfect dress for me at the salon, minus the high heels & add a cardigan or blazer.

Happy Birthday Boy!

 

 Our April Fools baby turned 1 over the Easter weekend, so we did a lot of family celebrating. Lots of pictures ahead!

Easy Neckline binding tutorial

It has been crazy around our house lately and I'm figuring out how to balance it all, I'll be back in full swing after Easter but for now check out this amazing tutorial by Megan Nielsen on a knit neckline binding. I have a project in need of this very technique! Happy Easter!

Maxi Skirt BandWagon

 

A fellow red head & friend wanted a maxi skirt made from this beautifully stripped fabric. It originally was a dress but while ripping a seam out the fabric snagged and being the very lightweight jersey it is there was no way to rescue the bodice. However I love this fabric as a skirt and will be trying a dress at a later date, maybe when things aren't so up in the air over here. 

I love how rich the blue looks, and the not so perfect stripes gives it such character.