Jersey Skirt Tutorial

My sister's birthday is in January. I told her I'd either finish writing my novel, or I'd make her something. Since I know I can't finish my story, I made her a skirt yesterday out of some periwinkle colored jersey. Final product:

Side view:

Back view:

I did it all under 35 minutes. I am extremely proud because I didn't use a pattern or tutorial. It looks like one of those skirts that has a black waistband from Forever 21 and Nordstroms. I guess you could make the waistband a different color.

Tutorial

materials: jersey fabric, sewing machine, scissors

1. Measure your waist and multiply by two. This is x. Ex: 36 x 2=72." Cut out a piece of fabric that is x" by however long you want your skirt. I used 2 pieces of fabric, but I think 1 piece would take less time. Sew the ends together for the body of the skirt.

2. Take your waist measurement. Cut out a piece of fabric by that number by double the width you want your waistband. I think my width was about 5" to get a 2.5" waistband.

3. Fold the strip in half lengthwise, and sew the ends together. You should now have a double layer tube for the waistband.

4. Baste around the top of the skirt and gather it until it is the circumference of the waistband.

5. Line up the seams of the back of the skirt and the back of the waistband. Place the band around the top of the skirt, lining up the unfinished edges with the top edge of the skirt. Use a zigzag stitch and sew the waistband on. Flip the waistband up. Done!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! Was so busy over the weekend... Went to my aunt's house on Christmas Eve, and we had a wrapping paper fight (like a snowball fight, but I imagine less painful, due to the fact that I've never actually participated in a good snowball fight), then we had a Nerf gun fight. It was fun. On Christmas yesterday I went to my Grandma's house and we opened more presents. Presents include DS games, iPod touch (!), fingerless Nordstrom gloves with crocheted flowers, Vans t-shirt, and some other cool stuff. What did you do over the holidays?

Lovely Loose Fitting Dress/Smock Tutorial

I went to Joann's and picked up some linen and elastic (okay, okay, I didn't 'pick-up' anything; my mom drove me there and I had to beg for some money--not to mention the fact that I printed out a coupon before we left). I only got a yard because it was expensive--$7.99 for a yard! It was 54" wide. There was a sale and the total was a little over $6 with tax. I wasn't sure if it was enough to make the dress, but I planned it out for once. My inspiration:

My dress definitely doesn't look like this. Don't I wish. sigh... My sister says the final product looks like a cute potato sack. Great. I love to wear fashionable vegetable carriers.

This dress doesn't consist of many pieces. You should get more than 1 yd, but if you're making this for a kid, then 1 yd is fine. The dress is a simple design. Sew let's get started...

Materials: 1 yd of linen or light-weight fabric, at least 54" wide; ribbon or binding/bias tape; elastic; scissors; ruler; sewing machine; thread; pins

A Joann's coupon would be nice, too.

1. Take your fabric, and with the 54" on top, cut out 4 pieces.

A: Chest measurement + 8" + 2" x 34"

B: Chest measurement + 8" x 34"

C: Sleeve piece. Mine was 7" x 18" You should measure around your shoulder and armpit and determine the length.

D: Sleeve piece

Save some fabric for pockets.

2. With piece A, cut out your v-neck. Now cut 1/2" under the v-neck, right across the front, so you have 2 trapezoids attached in the middle and a rectangle. Take your 2 trapezoids and trim 1" off the sides.

3. Baste across the top of your rectangle from A and pull slightly so it gathers a bit. It should measure the width of piece B across the top. Now take your piece that looks like two trapezoids connected and pin the edges to the center of your gathered rectangle, right sides together. Sew along the pinned edges, and flip the trapezoids up so you now have the front of your shirt.

4. Take piece B and make a small scoop for the back of your neck, making sure it's not bigger than your v neck. With right sides together, sew A and B together at the shoulder. Mark 9" down from the shoulder for your sleeve hole, and mark with a pin. Starting from the pin, sew to the bottom of your shirt.

5. Take pieces C and D, and fold it in half for your sleeve. Sew it onto your shirt. Shorten the sleeve as desired.

6. Sew 1" casings on the sleeves and the bottom of the shirt, and insert elastic so it gathers a little, and you have slightly puffy, gathered sleeves and balloon-like bottom.

7. Sew ribbon or your bias tape along the neckline to bind it. My ribbon came from a Nordstrom's box, you know, the silver ribbon tied in bows. I also added a belt. However, this stuff frays like crazy. Beware. Add pockets and done! Hope you liked the tutorial. :)

Different Title

I have just changed my title from Yummy Crafts to Sweet LemoNAYde (get it? Nay? Naomi... ok, I'll stop now for your sake), just because Yummy Crafts seems so plain and simple. I don't know. What do you think? My sister suggested calling the blog Craft Cheddar Cheese, and I thought of calling it MayoNAYse... I guess punny humor runs through the family. Here's my sister's joke:

Q. Why did Frodo like to take pictures of himself?

A. Because he was Frodo-genic! Ha-ha... (you know? photogenic?)

Okay, I'm really sorry about that...

Lovely Loose Fitting Dress

Isn't this dress so pretty? Made by NewExtrave on etsy. I love it... [drools]

I think I could make this with some linen, elastic, and ribbon for the neckline--the ribbon was originally wrapped around a Nordstrom's gift box :) I'd make bigger pockets, though, for extra snacks and stuff.

Rosette Jersey Headband

This headband doubles as a neck and ear warmer. I'm making it for my sister for Christmas. Unfortunately, I don't have any of that colored jersey (well I do, but it's very thin). So I used some periwinkle colored jersey.

Materials: jersey, scissors, needle and thread

I love that casual look about it. It's nice and soft. It keeps my ears warm.

***I have decided to give a basic how-to for those interested . The headband is very easy. It is a strip of 5.5" x (your head measurement) piece of jersey. Sew the ends together, and then sew a running/basting stitch along the seam. Pull to ruche, and go back over it with a line of stitching to keep it secure. The flowers are 1.5" x 5" strips with a running/basting stitch along one 5" edge. Pull tight to ruche into a circle shape and sew the ends together. Make another flower and sew along the seam of your headband.***

Christmas...

Is almost here. I can't wait! I have no idea what I'm getting for presents, though. For my sister, I think I might give her my orange juice carton wallet (if I can find it) and some jewelry or an ear warmer or something. For mommy, giving her the movie Eat, Pray, Love, and maybe knit some slippers. No idea what I'll get for Daddy. But for Grandma, I want to give her a sweatshirt jacket. What are you making people for Christmas?