Onesie Revamp #1 – Faux Button Ruffle Placket

So I am wanting to sew you along through a few different things you can do to onesies to spice them up!   I have a few more ideas in mind that will come later- but here is number 1!  

A fake button ruffle placket. 

So gather the following and jump in with me:

• onesie
• small scrap of a fusible (soft preferrably) interfacing to iron to the back of the area to stabilize the knit to sew the placket one
• 18″ x 3″ strip of ruffle material
• 6.5″ piece of extra wide bias trim *I used a patterned Michael Miller Cotton Bias Trim*
• 3 buttons (and needle/thread)
• iron

Step #1

After collecting all your supplies, mark the middle of your onesie.  I used a watersoluble blue pen.  I marked the middle down 3″ from neckline then 1/2″ on both sides.  Then iron on the fusible featherweight interfacing on the back side of that area.

Also iron open your bias tape. so it is 1″ wide.

Step #2

Open up the folds on your bias tape and sew the 2 raw edges together then fold it all back up to make a loop out of your bias tape

Step #3

Take your 18″ x 3″ piece and fold it in half to make it 18 x 1.5″ with wrong sides together so the print shows on the outside.  Then IRON.  

Then fold the ends right sides together and sew it closed and flip back with the right sides out:

Step #4

We are going to ruffle your strip.  I do this easily with setting my machine to its LONGEST STITCH LENGTH and HIGHEST TENSION SETTING *which is length 5.0 and tension9 on my machine*

Start right along the raw edges of the strip.  I put my finger behind the foot to help it gather like so:

Step #5

Then match the ends and raw edges together as pictured below and set your machine to a WIDE zig zag stitch.  *DONT FORGET TO TURN your tension setting back*

When I get to the end, I gather a little more and square the end slightly so it will lay flat when sewn onto the shirt

Step #6

Iron your bias trim and hide your seam on the back side of the “loop”.  Line the top up with the top of your ruffle you created and sew down the middle.  Gather the ruffle slightly more if you notice the ruffle is longer then your bias tape.

Step #7

Line up your ruffle placket with the markings on your onesie.  Sew along all edges of your bias trim. Then mark button placement and sew them on!! 

You are done!

Few coffee cozies on a Saturday afternoon

I whipped these up this afternoon using the scrappy “Sew n’ Flip” method I posted about last Fall.  Love how they turned out!!!

If you are looking to make your own here are a few free online tutorials:

• House on Hill Road Coffee Cozy Tutorial
• Sew Simply Creative Coffee Cozy Tutorial
• Lime & Aqua Studio Coffee Cozy Tutorial upcycling a mens necktie
• Terris Notebook Coffee Cozy Tutorial with a scrappy quilted look like mine!

Enjoy!

“Not your Grandmas Knee Patches” Tutorial

Is it just me or are the jeans these days made with thin, easily wore out denims?  Do the denim manufacturers secretly wear down the knees of jeans or are my kids just especially hard on them??  We dont have a pair of jeans that have outlasted a season without holes somewhere.  While I wouldnt mind an alternative, my husbands suggestion of buying them “TOUGHSKINS” that could stand in the corner by themselves they are so stiff- just didnt sound all that comfortable!

So I finally dove in and decided to do some “Designer Patching” of the knees.  My creative juices were flowing on this while I was piecing together the “Sew n’ Flip” quilt blocks I blogged about last week!

I always like to do a few new tutorials a year and man I havent done one in ages, so here ya go!! 

Grab:

• pair of holey jeans
• fusible fleece *or other usable material suitable for sewing the scraps on that isnt stretchy and is soft on the back*
• bias trim
• seam ripper
• Some scraps

Here are my daughters jeans BEFORE:

FIrst you will need to rough cut your pieces of fusible fleece and scraps to cover your hole.  I cant give you measurements as it will vary for each hole, but I cut my pieces to have a 1.5″ seam allowance at top/bottom and 2″ or so on each side.   Then gather enough scraps to cover each piece of fleece.  I choose to make the patches on both knees pretty much identical but it isnt necessary.  In fact you could just use one single print as well 🙂

 

Then start with the fusible side UP put on piece of scrap in the middle of your fusible fleece at any angle you want them lay another scrap down with right sides together.  sew along the edges of the 2 pieces then FLIP the piece that is right side down over and topstitch the seam.

Repeat until fleece piece is covered making sure your pieces are flat.  Then iron and remove the excess edges.

Attach bias trim to the long top and bottom edges.

Then, let the seam ripping begin.   You want to open the leg of the jean along the seam that is NOT topstitched on the outside.  For this pair it was the outer leg seam and I believe that is industry standard but not sure.  I only seamripped enough (about a foot) to get the knee area to lay flat.  This is so you can get it under the machine easier 😉  This pic is just the outside showing which seam to rip..  I found if you tugged at the seam on both sides the seam ripper went right down the middle pretty fast!  There will be a regular stitched seam and a “serged” edge as well.

Ok, once the seam is open you want to fold under one raw edge of your patch and place just over the other seam of your pants that you didnt rip.  Make sure the patch is centered.  You might want to pin it in place even.  You will sew on the other side of this seam first.

Then  Sew down the top edges of each of the bias trim strips.

Leave the raw edges of the other side of the patch to be stitched into the side seam.   Finish both sides and turn your pants wrong side out.  Match the seams up as they were before so the dark seam allowance doesnt show on the outside seam.   Then sew down this seam to close it up.   I sewed it TWICE making sure to secure the raw edges of the patch in the seam.    Then serge or zig zag the raw edges.

Back side will look like this when done:

Turn the pants right side out and VIOLA!!

I patched these jeans with the intentions of them being her play jeans but alas I was informed they are her new favorite pair and she hopes that some others get holey so I can patch them too, lol.  Enjoy!

Sewing Cabinet cleanout Giveaway

I have a few packages of sewing notions/trims/scraps, etc. I would love to giveaway.  Would include threads, needles, trims, marking pens, pins, etc.. 😀

Picture is just for fun and is not of the actual items you will receive!! 😀

Just simply post a comment for 1- entry.

Extra Entries: 

1. Then if you will post about it on facebook.  Just like my Facebook page, Apple Tree Boutique and then tag Apple Tree in a Facebook comment! 
2. Post about the giveaway on your blog then link back here 😀

Will pick 2 random winners by random.org on Thursday September 30th.  Make sure you enter your email address when doing your comment so I can get ahold of you!! 😀

Crazy Quilting Paper Pieced Scrap Coasters Tutorial

I have found a great use for some scraps of fusible fleece, fleece and wovens!!   SO gather some scraps and lets get started!

First print these templates if you choose to use mine.  Or make a 4″ square and make a pattern on it!!!  Also, I will try to explain a very basic and brief way to paper piece. If I am confusing you I suggest viewing this free tutorial on paper piecing. Although we arent using PAPER, we are using fusible fleece, the method is pretty much the same concept!

Take your fusible Fleece with the fusible side to the paper (down), trace the square and lines with a marking pen.  Then gather some scraps!

 

Take your first scrap piece place Right side down and place the fusible fleece template on it.  Make sure it will cover the full area you are wanting it too.  Note that the templates have numbers in the areas, that is the order I recommend you sew/fill the sections.  In this case this print is the print I will be using for the middle section. 

Now find the piece you want to cover section #2, Lay it with the Right sides together with print #1.  Lay it slightly over the line you will be sewing, so that when it is sewn and flipped right side up, it will cover section #2.  Being careful not to shift the pieces, flip over and sew the line!

 

Fold the piece back and trim the excess to about 1/4″ from the seam as shown below.  Repeat the above for section #3 (and #4 if applicable)

  

Iron Pieces out.  This should now fuse your fleece to your fabric!  Then Trim the excess around the square off. 

   

Now topstitch if desired.  Sometimes I stitch on both sides of the seams.  But you can stitch in the seams, just on one side, stipple quilt it, quilt lines the opposite direction of the seams, or not even topstitich it at all!

 

Place your square right sides together with your fleece scrap and trim around.  Then sew, using a 1/8″ seam allowance, around starting 1″ from a corner all the way around and 1″ into the same side you started, leaving an 1.5″ opening or so.  Trim the corners.

 

Now turn your coaster.  Then fold in the opening raw edges.  Start on that side and topstitch 1/8″ from the edge all the way around. 

 

Then upload the photo to the Patchy Apple Tutorial FLickr Pool and Enjoy!  😀

   

Scrappy Paper Bookmark Tutorial

Scrappy Paper Bookmark

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OK this is going to be so simple you will probably laugh and not really think it is worth much, lol. But this is a great way to use scraps and make something simple and giftable.

You will need cardstock and scraps!

• Cut your 8.5 x 11″ sheet of cardstock into 5- 2″ x 8.5″ strips.
• Cut your scraps into 1.5″ x 8″ pieces.
• Zigzag or deco stitch around the edges while centering. *You could use fabric adhesive to keep it in place if you wish.*
• Then I deco stitched around the edges.

You could finish it by laminating, or just leave!
Great freebies for fairs or to give with cards, books, etc.

Scrappy Quilted Purse & Wristlet

Here is a strip purse & wristlet I did for Retro Femme Tonight!  There are more details on PRICE, construction, size, etc.

Made almost entirely from scraps *the lining/strap wasnt in the scrap box*. The purse is interfaced with fusible fleece and quilted as well as the strap. The bottom and sides are boxed as well and it has magnetic snap closure.

Here is a wristlet I made in some scraps of the same fabrics. I need to go list this too!

Thanks for looking   Getting ready to post the winner of the FREE FABRIC!!!!!