Rainbow Ruffle Headband

Oh March - what a tease you are with the weather!  Just when we are enjoying some sunshine, the rain and snow come around.  This headband has me dreaming of bright sunny days!

There are a lot of steps that I forgot to photograph - so sorry.  Hope you can get the general idea.  I cut out strips of rainbow color tulle - about 10" long and varying in width.  I started at 2 1/2" wide and ended at 1 3/4" side.  By the time I had gathered it, however, they could have all been the same width and it would not have mattered.  I stacked the strips on top and ran two long stitches down the middle.

To gather, pull only the top threads until it is all ruffled.  Knot the ends so the ruffles don't fall out and glue onto a headband.  Then I took my scissors and snipped it so it got all fluffy.

My girls love it!  I love it!  It was easy - and it will be perfect for St. Patrick's Day!

Here it is on a blondie who refuses to look at me:

And on my brunette - the headband hides more.

Rainbows, ruffles, bright colors, hair accessories, inexpensive, easy - what is not to love?

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Ruffle Scripture Bag Tutorial

A year ago, I made a ruffle bag for my daughter to carry her scriptures to church in.  We've loved it and have only had about a hundred requests for a tutorial ( a bit of an exaggeration).  A year later, I finally got around to it.  Here you go:

I use muslin to sew my ruffles on.  Cut 2 pieces to size (mine were 12x12) and sew the side together.

Next, I cut four different strips of fabric.  Each strip is 3 1/2 inch wide and 44" long.  I zig zagged the long edges, hemmed the bottom edge and ran 2 gathering stitches along the top.

With a disappearing ink pen, draw a line 3" from the bottom on the muslin.

Pull your gathering stitches to fit.  Pin so the top of the ruffle lines up with the line you just drew.  Then draw another line 3" above the ruffle you just sewed.

Keep going

Keep going

There.  All the ruffles are sewn!

Fold it in half, right sides together and stitch up the other side - match the ruffles.  Stitch up the bottom.

I'm going to do my darnedest to explain this.  Line up the side seam with the bottom seam.  I move my ruler up until I can draw a line 3" long.  Sew right along this line.

Trim it and do the same to the other side.  This helps the bag sit flat.

Now, the outside is done!  Yeah!

Next, I cut 3 pieces of 12 x 12" squares out of the fabric for the lining.  One of the pieces I folded in half, laid it on another piece and stitched down pockets for pencils - They are about 1 1/2" apart.

Stitch lining pieces together on the side.  Cut another strip of fabric that is 6" wide and sew it to the top.  I then trimmed it so it was even with both side seams. 

Pin, sew, and trim the corners in the same way you did it before!

Turn it so the right sides are facing each other.  Fold the cuff to the wrong side.  I pressed 1/4" of the long edge of the cuff to the wrong side.

Now, a little hocus pocus happens here.  Stuff the liner into the outside bag.  Shift, shuffle, move until it lines up pretty well.  Fold the cuff over.  Pin, pin, pin.  You want the pressed edge of the cuff to just overlap the raw edge of the ruffles on top. 

Stitch it in place.

Voila - a lined bag.  I sewed a quick strap on and measured my daughter's body so I knew how long to make it.  Then I just sewed it to the outside.

We have several request for this bag.  I. gets asked all the time where to get it.  It takes me about 4 hours from start to finish, which is never in one block!  I hope this helps - Good luck!  If you have any questions, ask in the comments and I will answer!

Links:  Stories of A to Z, The Shabby Nest,  Just a Girl, Serenity Now

Toddler Sleeping Bag Tutorial

This year, we have a slew of little boys to give gifts to for Christmas.  Click off if you happen to be the mommy of those little boys that we are giving to - unless you don't care about the surprise (you know who you are).  This year, we're giving sleeping bags.  My sister-in-law's mother made these for her grandchildren, which happen to be my nieces and nephew - follow that?  I swiped one when I. was still 1, and took it home and copied it.  Since then, I've also made one for G.  The big kids have loved them.  I. has outgrown it - but she is 8!  Anyways, they are darling and I snapped pictures while I was sewing today.  Hope you can follow along.  It requires a medium sewing skill - plus a good ability to read my mind to try to figure out what in the world I'm explaining!

Supplies

1 1/2 yards of fleece for outside - 60" wide.  You should have a rectangle about 54" by 60"

3 yards of flannel for liner - 45" wide.    When you cut this, it should be 1" longer than your fleece.  You need 2 pieces of 30 1/2" by 55" .If you can find 60" wide, you only need 1 1/2 yards.

26" zipper

60" of ribbon - I used 1" grosgrain

These are all approximate lengths.  After you pre-wash your fabric, you'll notice some shrinking, so I just adjust my measurements to make it work.  Remember, this is a sleeping bag for a toddler - they are not very picky.  There are plenty of times I have to fudge the measurements to make this work.

If you are adding a monogram, which I believe at least quadruples the cuteness, add it at the very beginning.  I added it along the selvage edge by what will become the bottom of the sleeping bag.

Take you pieces of fleece and sew along one of the long sides and one of the short sides.  On the other long side, measure down 27" from the top and mark it with a pin.  Start at the bottom and sew to the pin.  Next, I separate the opening and sew a 1/4" guide line on the front and back.  This will help when we have to fold under 1/4" when I'm putting in the zipper.  I'm not sure if all this math is correct, but it seems to keep working for me.

 You are going to do almost the same thing with fleece.  Fold it in half (hot dog way).  Along the bottom, though, you will need to sew in the ribbon that will be used to tie it together.  I measured 1/4 of the way over (it was about 8"), and stuck a pin.  Then I folded the ribbon in half, and pinned the folded edge where I had previously stuck the pin.  Sew the seam and the ribbon gets caught in it.  Then sew up the long side, stopping 26" from the top.

Put your fleece and flannel right sides together.  I stuffed the flannel into the fleece to make it easier to sew this seam.  Sew the top together.

Pull out the flannel and turn both pieces so you can see the right sides.  Then stuff the flannel back into the fleece so you can see the right side of the flannel.

I like to leave a border of the flannel at the top.  I measure 1/2" up from the seam, towards the flannel, fold the rest down and pin it in place.  Make sure it lines up on both sides where you are going to put the zipper.

I am no expert on how to put in a zipper - but this is how I did mine.  I'm going to fold under 1/4" on my flannel (or where I sewed that guide line).  I folded under my fleece and didn't measure it.  There was a line already in my fabric by the selvage and I used that line.  Then I stuck the zipper in between and pinned and pinned - as much pinning as I could.

 I pinned all the way down one side, making sure to catch both sides.

When I got to the end of one side, I stuffed the end of the zipper between the fleece and flannel.

Then, I unzipped the zipper and pinned up the next side, making sure to catch both the flannel and the fleece.

Then, I tried really hard not to stab myself with all the pins.  Put on your zipper foot and sew it.

I did a "stitch in the ditch" around the top, where the flannel and fleece meet.

Details:

Roll it up and tie.  No, I'm not going to clean up all the legos in the background.  That's what is keeping my kiddos busy as I'm sewing.  They are just as much a part of this project!

I think these turned out great!  My instructions, not so much.

OK - so I understand that my instructions are not the easiest thing to follow.  I have been taking custom orders for these and would be willing to sew 5 more, for a fee.  If you are local, I'm asking that you pick up the supplies and I will sew it for you.  That way you can pick out the exact fabric you want. Email me   laurelmacd@gmail.com.  Thanks!  Thanks for the feedback - I have one more opening!