Sewing Archives - Caitlin's Happy Heart

How to make Bunting

May 17, 2011 3 Comments

I’ve taken awhile to get back to posting about preparations for Liz’s 30th Party. To help achieve a classy but fun party atmosphere, I decided to make some bunting – polka dot of course. I bought a variety of polka dot fabrics (on sale at Lincraft, hooray!). I used four different fabrics and bought 0.5m of each, there was a few triangles left over. I made a simple triangle template (using an old cereal box!) and used it to mark out the triangles to cut with tailors chalk.

I had folded the fabric in half, which made it easy because there were then two triangles together ready to sew. Basically then it was a simple case of sewing the two wrong sides together. I left the top open. Turned it out the right way, using a blunt pencil to push the seam in at the tip of the triangle. I also found giving the tip a bit of a trim helped it sit nice. Then I ironed the triangles so the seams sat flat.

I bought two lots of 5 metre cotton tape. I ironed the tape in half, then placed the top flat edge inside the folded tape pinned them all in place, then simply zig zag stitched all the triangles to the the tap. I also folded the tape over in a loop at the end to make it easy to hang.

A simple little project I have been wanting to do. All up it cost less then $30, which I thought was pretty reasonable. I’m already planning what colour combo’s I would use to make another bunting one day. Such fun!

friends, party, Sewing

A Polka Dot Party

May 6, 2011 2 Comments

Recently my incredible friend Liz had a party to celebrate her 30 amazing years of life. Seriously, they have been amazing – I’m so in awe of that woman. She’s one of those ladies that seems to do everything, even though she would beg to differ, but compared to the average woman, it’s a heck of a lot. She has three beautiful children who are awesome and a fantastic hubby who she is devoted to

Here is Liz with her beautiful family – minus the baby, who is equally gorgeous.

She works part time, keeps a tidy house (unlike mine), turns up to gazillions of meetings, is always there for her friends, she’s the type of girl who will turn up with a meal in the middle of her hectic day, just because she’s heard you’re sick. And to top it all off, she was disturbed about what is happening to young girls these days, and the intense pressure our sexualised media places on our young women, that she started up a magazine!!! If you haven’t heard about Bella, a counter-culture mag for girls 13-19 years old, check it out here. If you know a girl within that age range go buy a copy for her. It’s got great positive content and is not smutty like most mags aimed for that age bracket.

Back to Liz. When I realised this was the year she turned 30 I was keen to help her out with her party plans. Because, it’s a well known fact, that I love a party. Since she is a classy chick, a garden party seemed just right. And because she’s a fun loving gal (not because she’s dotty) we decided on a polka-dot theme. People were asked to dress or accesorise with polka dots, and it was really fun seeing everyone in their dotty outfits mingling in the garden.

Anyway, I had a few projects that I’ll blog about in the next couple of days. Today I’ll share what our family wore to the party. The Accountant and I were easy, I bought a new dress (any excuse, besides I needed a new dress for work anyway…) The Accountant got a spotty tie. I didn’t know what to do for the boys. After all, you get polka dot galore fashion items for girls, but not so much for boys. I had a brain wave to make bow ties for the boys. Unfortunately I was so busy I only started them an hour and a half before we left! It took probably an hour, when you combined that with parenting moments and trying to make it up as I went along. If you know what you are doing, I’m sure it would be quicker.

If you want to make a little boys bow tie, here’s how I did it. I am sure there are better ways, I’m no seamstress by any stretch of the imagination. But if you are really stuck maybe you can pick up a few ideas. (Because I had limited time, I haven’t got comprehensive photos. Sorry if you are a visual person like me.)

1. Cut out two small rectangles of fabric. Fold a seam on two short side and iron.

2. Place wrong sides together, (ironed seams matching) sew around three edges, leaving a the ironed seam short side open. Turn so right sides are facing outwards and iron.

3. Cut two small skinny rectangles, sew wrong sides together again. Turn, so right sounds are out. This was tricky because it was so small and skinny. I used a pencil to help poke it all through the right way. This was the longest part of the whole process. (iron a seam in advance again.)

4. Sew the open ironed seam shut. Concertina fold the large rectangle. Twist small rectangle around the middle and sew into place. Sew to the back of the large bowtie as well so it doesn’t move.

5. Sew a length of elastic around, large enough to fit under a collar.

So this is what my happy family looked like at the party.

Happy 30th Birthday Liz! You are an inspiration to myself and so many others. xx

Sewing

Superhero Cape made by Not Quite Super Mum.

January 9, 2011 2 Comments

Well my second new year ambition is underway! Throughout this week I made a reversible superhero cape for my nephew for his birthday. The J Bomb was a very willing model and has given it a test run and is glad to report it’s flying capabilities are fantastic provided you have a good imagination. (Pardon the mess surrounding the model, but I have admitted to not being a good housewife.)

I saw this little number last year at Serving Pink Lemonade and filed it away in my mind as a good project if I ever got motivated. Motivated I am at the moment, so I thought I would make a homemade inclusion in my nephew’s birthday present to be sent off this week.

All the instructions can be found at the above link, if you are also feeling inspired. It was quite easy to make, and I think I shall make a few year throughout the year. The J Bomb would love one of his own, and I can’t wait to make a pink number for a friends little girl.

The good thing about showing off on a blog is that you can’t pick it up and see my wonky sewing. Luckily, the five year old that will become the proud owner shouldn’t be too picky. Also thankfully my sister-in-law isn’t the judgemental type so I’ve no problem with it being viewed with disdain by a mother who considers herself to possess super capabilities. (We all know those super Mum’s are out there.)

The J Bomb was very keen to supervise the whole process, so I had to sew with him leaning in and watching the machine with great interest.

(Don’t you love my makeshift clothesline on the back of the chair?)

Some of minor changes I made were:

1. Not using the actual pattern. Perhaps not the wisest move, but we don’t have a printer and I wanted to get started. Next time I just might need to improve the neckline.

2. When I did get the template for the super symbols they were a bit small for my liking, so not having a photocopier to enlarge, I enlarged with free hand. I think it still turned out OK.

3. I know Superman typically has a red cape and doesn’t have a white and flouro orange symbol, but that was the only colours available at Spotlight, and since they were all on special (I think the cape probably cost me about $4) I decided to exercise artistic license in the name of frugality.

4. I didn’t aplique around the edges of the felt. It seemed like a waste of time, as I don’t think it’s going to come off. Plus once I start sewing, it could have possibly ended up worse rather than better.

5. I added two velcro fastners so it didn’t flap around.

So all in all, I’m pretty happy with myself! Isn’t there such a feeling of accomplishment when you complete something homemade? Even if it’s not perfect!