a blog about pattern hacks and sewing for girls
Sewing tutorials and how tos
UPDATED Why change a dress bodice or a top into one that buttons up in front instead of the back? A few reasons come to mind such as ease of dressing for independent toddler/child, show off some awesome buttons, avoid hair getting tangled around buttons (my reason to use zippers for back closures!) and my …
Continue reading "Adjusting a Pattern: Changing a Back Closure to a Front Closure"
Measuring may seem basic and it is, if you know where you're supposed to measure. My patterns are drafted using the ASTM standards for a child's age/size and measure accordingly. When measuring, it's best to do so over snug clothing like a camisole and underpants or a tank top and leggings. If you measure …
I released a free scalloped apron in my shop here and realized it would be so simple to make it button on instead of tie. My daughter doesn't like ties in the back because they're uncomfortable, so she requested that her apron button like this one and this one. In fact, I used the same fabric …
Tutorial for adding tucks or pleats to any pattern.
This was originally posted over at The Sewing Rabbit last month but I'm sharing it here now. It's a tutorial for how to adjust a sleeve pattern. It's really very simple, I promise! How to Adjust a Sleeve Pattern: Adding Length and Fullness Have you ever pulled out a pattern and decided not to …
Continue reading "Adjusting a Pattern: Adding Sleeve Length and Fullness"
My daughter has about 1 million cardigans in her closet. Around here, it never gets terribly cold, so they are worn a lot (sometimes as outerwear). Unfortunately, they’re a bit boring day in and day out. So, I made some bling for them. For a girl who loves to accessorize, the first order of business …
Wood Block Makeover Originally, this was posted at the Sewing Rabbit. Today, I’m going a different direction than I usually do. No sewing today! Nope, not a stitch. Instead, you and your little one get to makeover that bin of wood blocks that never get played with. You know you have them. I know …
Previously, I'd posted this tutorial over at The Sewing Rabbit. I will show you how to draft your own tulip sleeved jacket from any existing bodice pattern you already have. You can use the info on making a tulip sleeve for anything you'd like from dresses to jackets. I’ll show you how to make the rest …
I wrote this post for The Sewing Rabbit originally, but I'm posting it here now for your enjoyment. This is such an easy and quick little belt to put together, you can whip up in under 10 minutes. I did all three in about 30, and that included the embellishments! If your daughter is anything like mine, …
Do you need a quick themed skirt for a holiday or event? I have a very simple tutorial for you today. You can add this to any any existing skirt or whip up a simple elastic waist skirt. I won’t do a tutorial for making the skirt itself since there are a lot of great …
Duchess and Hare 