Flat Felled Seam with Trim {Tutorial}

Last night I showed you Kadences Trendsetting Hounds-Tooth Shorts and today I'm going to show you how I made that really cool flat felled seam with a trim insertion.

 

A few things of note:

This is basically a modified Flat Felled seam, and you can use this technique on any relatively straight seam.

You can really apply anything as your trim - fabric, piping, rick rack, ribbon - what ever!

I used 5/8 seam allowance (for kids shorts) you may want to increase your seam allowances.

Flat Felled seams should be pressed towards the back when used in side seams. 

Lets get started!

 Begin by stitching your fabric WRONG sides together.

In the pictures below, the front of my garment is on the right side of the photographs, while the back of the garment is on the left.

Press your seams open.

Working on the seam allowance that is on the front half  (of the garment) press it in half, meeting the raw edge to the stitching.

Working on the opposite seam allowance (the back half  of the garment) trim away about 1/8" away from the stitching line.

You can see here the seam allowance has been cut away.

Press the folded seam allowance over the raw edge and towards the back of the garment.

(if you are not using any trim, skip ahead to the stitching step!)

Insert trim between the garment fabric and the folded and pressed seam allowance, placing raw edge of trim against stitching.

How wide your trim is will affect how much shows when the seam is complete. (Here I used 11/4" wide satin strips folded in half.)

I use my trusty washable glue stick to hold everything in place so my trim doesn't shift when I stitch it all down.

Press your seam allowance back in place towards the back, over your trim. 

You can see your original stitching line on the front-side of the garment

Edge stitch along the folded edge of your seam allowance.

Not only does it look off the rack on the outside, the Flat Felled seam creates a lovely and clean finish to the inside of the garment as well!

There are so many ways you can use this technique - pants, skirts  handbags! And let's not forget the little guys, this is an excellent detail to add to boys clothes to subtly (or not!) embellish with a pop of color or texture.

Tell us! What kind seam finishing techniques do you like to use?

Trendsetting Hounds-tooth Shorts aka McCalls 6391 {Made!}

My daughter Kadence definitely has her own sense of style. 

She's a funky girl, with the confidence to wear what she likes, and she sometimes sets the trend.

I try to tell her imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but to a 6th grader trying to be unique it can get frustrating.

Sometimes a girl needs something original, and between her taste and my stitching skills these shorts are just what the doctor ordered!

We started with McCalls 6391, view D

Here's how we got the look:

I used a black and white twill hounds-tooth print for the shorts and lime green satin for the trim - both found at Hancock Fabrics this summer.

Lime green buttons also from Hancocks.

She requested a few design changes, including omitting the font pleat for a flat front finish.

I also cut several inches off the hem and left off the cuff. 

I trimmed out the pockets and flap using some lime satin, and although it looks like I went to the trouble to pipe them, all I really did was line them with the satin, and then rolled the facing out just a tad before stitching.

I used a flat fell seam to finish the sides, and inserted some more lime trim here.

Wonderfully easy technique to up the cool factor - check out my tutorial  for the How to's!

{click here}

I also used a double row of top-stitching on everything - hem, fly, pockets, waistband... The pattern only calls for traditional edge stitching, but  I think top-stitched this way it has a more RTW feel.

And lastly, a lime green zipper. No one but Kadence will see it - but it's way more fun than if we had just gone with plain ol' black or white.

 I will be making up this pattern again. (you can see my review at PatternReview.com here)

For the record, I did tissue fit these before I started, but I will make a few changes next go 'round.

I will raise the crotch a bit more, and the waistband gaps in the back.

I am wondering if the gaping is because this pattern is cut for a girl, but Kadence is starting to get curvy between her hips and waist??

I don't know - except to say I've never had to alter patterns for her until now!

 Any hoo, She loves them, because t hey look "store bought" (which for her is a must) but no one else will ever have a pair like them. And that's exactly what a reluctant trendsetter needs.

Tell us! Why do you sew for the kiddos?

Retreat at My Girlfriends Quilt Shoppe - Ahhhmazing!

Last month the Ogden NG and some of our favorite members from down south got together for a retreat in Logan, held at the “Attic” in My Girlfriends Quilt Shoppe. 

Some girls came early, some came late, some stayed all day - all had a blast sewing, shopping, eating and just hanging out. The Attic retreat center and adjacent store really are a wonderful place to spend a Saturday, both are full of amazing displays and inspiration and the creative atmosphere is undeniable! 

The shop owners Kris and Mike were gracious hosts providing everything from drinks to personal ironing boards and waste baskets. Kris treated us with a fun make & take project so everyone went home with a charming pincushion, and armed with the knowledge to make more!

You can check out this video on their blog for the full tutorial.

In addition to a whopping discount in the quilt shop each attendee received a sweet little tote bag to carry all that new fabric home. 

I'm sorry I don't have any pictures of happy girls sewing and hanging out, I got so caught up in having a good time I didn't even break my camera out the whole day!

I guess you'll just have to believe me when I say everyone agreed the retreat was worth the drive, and we can’t wait to come back next spring! 

Tell us! What have you done for fun this summer?

We're Back, with a Blog Makeover to Boot!

After taking a summer Blogging Break in July we are ready to get back into the thick of things!

And what better way to kick things back into gear than with a fresh look for the blog?

Beth at Plum & June was hosting a giveaway, and I won a blog makeover. Yay!

Jennie at click. snap. swoosh. laugh helped me tweak things for a look that's cleaner, happier, and well - just more us. What do you think?

I've been busy with summer plans, traveling and kid stuff - but I've managed to keep steadily creating too! 

Here's a peek into some of my July projects:

At our retreat at My Girlfriends Quilt Shoppe  I worked on a sweet little dress for my niece

Kadence and I collaborated on these shorts with a fun trim detail -

Tutorial coming on Monday!

I finally used my Ruffling Foot - Love! Love! Love!

and even did some sewing for myself!

Join us next week and  I'll recap some of  our recent chapter events (fun!), post a tutorial (fun!) and share some more (fun!) stuff!

It's been a wonderful summer, I can't believe it's nearly over!

Tell us! Do you make time to create during the summer, or just enjoy the break?

Red White & Bloom! Patriotic Pillow Tutorial

Here is the tutorial for the stunning Red, White & Bloom Pillow that I posted over at over at Shakin Together, just in case you missed it the first time around!

Today I have a super simple sewing project for you!

A patriotic pillow, perfect for your 4th of July party or to give as a hostess gift.

 Although it looks difficult it's easy enough for beginners, and with an end result that will make your guests wonder where you bought that awesome pillow!

To start you'll need:

Cut:

• (5) 41/2 in. blue squares
• (4) 2 1/2 in. blue squares
• (2) 2 1/2  x 10 1/2 in. red strips
• (1) 2 1/2  x 16 1/2 in. red strip
• (1) 2 1/2  x 10 1/2 in. white strip
• (1) 2 1/2 x 16 1/2 in. white strip
• (1) 10 1/2 X 16 1/2 rectangle for backing (I used white)

Plus: 9 white buttons,  stuffing, basic sewing supplies

Begin by folding your larger blue squares into an origami flower, 

(Check out our easy tutorial here for the folding technique!!)

Next arrange your folded flowers and smaller squares into 3 rows of 3, alternating the flowers and plain squares.

Sew each square in the row, then sew all three rows together as pictured below.

Press well between each step!

You've made a 9 patch!

Next sew your short strips together, alternating red and white.

Sew your 9 patch block to your red and white strips,

then add your longer white and red strips to the bottom.

Yay! You've made a flag!

Go ahead and open your flowers up and sew a button to the center of each one, also sew a button to the center of each plain square. Fold flower petals back down.

Sew your backing piece Right Sides Together with your flag, leaving an opening at the bottom for turning.

Trim your corners and turn your pillow right side out.

(Give it a good press - a proper press takes your project from "Home made" to "Wow! You made that?!")

Stuff it up and hand stitch the opening closed, don't forget to open all your petals out!

Now stand back and admire your awesome handy work, not bad for a quick afternoon project!

The origami flowers really up the wow factor on this pillow, but if you're not up for folding just substitute the (5) 4 1/2 inch blue squares with 2 1/2 inch squares, easy peasy!

 Thanks lovlies, have a wonderful 4th of July!

Don't forget to enter our Bow Pleat Bag Pattern Giveaway Here!

Bow Pleat Bag {Made!}

I'm so lucky, I recently got to test a pattern for the Bow Pleat Bag by Mrs.H!

Here's how mine turned out, what do you think?

I love it!

I used a tan twill for the outer shell and a piece of Moda cotton for the lining.

The pattern has great instructions for the zipper and adjustable handle.

One of my favorite features is definitely the adjustable handle!

It just looks cool, doesn't it?

Want to make on of your own?

Mrs.H is offering a discount to all ASG in the SLC readers for 15% off at her Etsy store!

use code: BOWPLEAT15

Better yet - Check out our giveaway here and win a pattern for free!

Tell us! What have you made this week?

Bow Pleat Bag Giveaway & Promo!

I love this bag - don't you? Want to make one yourself?

Well, Mrs. H is offering  this pattern to one of our lucky readers for FREE!

Hooray - it's our first Giveaway here at ASG in the SLC!

Not only is she giving away a free pattern for her Bow Pleat Bag,

but she is offering a discount to all ASG in the SLC readers!

Use code: BOWPLEAT15 to receive 15% off anything in her Etsy store!

She even sells lovely antique brass, gunmetal and silver nickle triglide sliders to make the adjustable handle,

one of my favorite features of the bag!

So stop by, check her out and enter our giveaway below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!

Magnetic Knife Strips for Organizing in the Studio

I use magnetic knife strips (racks, bars, whatever!) in my studio to hold almost everything.

At any given moment you'll find several feet, needles, maybe a throat plate or two, and anything else I might want within arms reach. The magnets on these are super strong; they even hold my Gingher pinking shears and those babies are heavy!

I have these placed right above my work station so I don't have to get up to reach what I need.

And like my pattern weights, these are so functional - but a little unsightly.

But check out what Serena has done to her plain ol' Ikea Knife Strip!

I love, love, love this knife strip covered in fabric!

(She's even posted a tutorial on her blog, so you can make this yourself)

Sure, it's cute for the kitchen - but wouldn't this be perfect for your sewing room too?!

Tell us! Do magnets make an appearance in your studio?

Red, White & Bloom Pillow Tutorial {I'm Guest Posting!}

Hello friends, today I'm guest posting a tutorial to make this patriotic 

Red, White and Bloom Pillow at Shakin' Together!

(this is our first time guest posting, yay us!)

Keri's blog is full of yummy goodness and crafty awesomeness, 

and I am thrilled to be a part of her Patriotic Party

featuring the talents of  fellow bloggers  

A cupcake love affair, Uncommon, Bold Abode & Hating Martha!

I would love it if you stopped by to check it out and said hello while you're there! Thanks bunches!

Tell us! Are you working on any patriotic projects this week? 

Pretty Pattern Weights

I use large heavy nuts as pattern weights to, well,  hold down my patterns as I cut them out. While extremely functional and economical, as I was cutting out a project today I realized that my pattern weights are pretty boring.

I use these things all the time, so why not spend a minute to spiff them up a teeny bit?

I just cut two felt circles for each nut, and embroidered "sew" and "cut" on them

I then hand stitched around the edges, leaving an opening to slip the nut in and then finish stitching all the way around

I used stuff I had on hand, so these are still a super cheap alternative to traditional pattern weights!

(oh look, there's a sneak peek at my current project!)

Tell us! Have you taken the time to fancy up any of your sewing tools lately?

Doodle Duvet {a Pin-spired} Tutorial

Re-doing my 11 year old daughters bedroom has been quite a process, and I think the bedding has generated more tantrums (for both of us) than anything else so far. I've been dreaming of a quilt, made from Henry Glass Bubblegum  (which I already have the fabric and pattern for) and she want's something way cooler and more funky - and definitely not a quilt!

While browsing Pinterest I came across the perfect solution:

The Doodle Duvet

A duvet, made to look like a sheet of notebook paper, that you can scribble on with washable markers?
She wanted it immediately.
And, like many of you out there, I thought "hey, I can easily make that!"
I'll paint the lines on and sew 2 flat sheets together! Voila!
Have you ever been so thrilled about a project - I mean absolutely excited to get started - that you nearly wet your pants?
And about 5 minutes into it started wondering what on earth were you thinking?
Yup.

Painting this turned out to be a huge pain in the neck.

Literally.

After hours of painting on my hands and knees my neck is still killing me!

But look at the results - totally worth it

So, if you've stuck it out through my whining, and want to know how I pulled this off so you can make one to here's the run down!

Tutorial:

{For a Full-Sized Duvet}

Supplies:

2 Full size Flat sheets

Fabric Paint; red, blue & grey

Paint brushes

Duct tape

Sewing machine & supplies

Cut off 41/2 inches from the top (deep hem) of the first sheet and discard,
this cut edge will now be the bottom edge.

If you are going to paint your duvet tape it down (right side up) on a hard, nonporous surface.
I found duct tape kept it from shifting while I walked, sat, and moved around while painting.

I painted the first blue line 16 inches from the top, and every 8 inches below.
I painted the red vertical line 16 inches in from the left side.
It was easier than it sounds - the floor tiles are 16 inches, I cheated and just lined the sheet edge up with the tiles and followed the grout lines.
I just eyed where I wanted the circles to be for the "holes"
I wasn't trying for real "crisp" lines, so I just free handed everything

Take your second sheet, and cut it in half about 16 inches down from the top (the deep hem)
lay this small piece right sides together on your first sheet matching the top and sides, with the raw edge at the top. Pin.

Now take the larger part of the sheet and lay it right sides together on top of the first sheet, matching the raw edges at the bottoms and the side seams.

There will be an overlap of about 4 1/2 inches where the two top sheet sections meet
pin around all outer edges and sew.

Turn right side out and press well.
The wide hem should now be on the outside back of your duvet,
mark the center, and then every eight inches for button holes

Sew on buttons - I used size 45 covered buttons

Stuff your comforter into your duvet, button it up and throw it on the bed.
(Then grab yourself a couple of Tylenol and maybe a glass of wine for your aching back.)

All that's left is a package of washable markers to get the creativity flowing!

Tell us! What's the most "painful" project you've ever started?