Pink or Blue?

Fabric Bows Tutorial

I have a little tutorial to share with you all over on Whip Up.

I had on my calendar it was going up today, but it's been up for a while. Oops. I must have had a moment :) So, if you follow Whip Up, you might have seen it. If not, head on over for an easy tutorial on how to use scrap fabrics to make hair bows.
*Another mistake I made is in the fabric lengths. The 5 pieces are only 3 inches long, not 4.

Curious George, a Tutorial, Once Upon a Thread, and Giveaway Winners

I was invited by Katy at No Big Dill to be a part of her Once Upon a Thread series.


It is a project to take inspiration from a children's story and create something based on it. There are a ton of guest bloggers, tutorials, reader features and so much more! I chose the book Curious George Goes to the Chocolate Factory. Head on over to see my creation and get a tutorial on the top :)

And, the winners for the giveaways:

Jennyandteddy Crochet Creations and Patterns

Winner #1 (5) KarrieFaBuLoUs
Winner #2 (56) Stephanie
Winner#3 (8) Charlotte

You all win 2 patterns of your choice!!!! I will be emailing you tonight and will get your info over to Jane.

Birdsong Patterns

Winner #1 (19) Amy Kirchoff
Winner #2 (33) Estee
Winner #3 (2) Sharyn Nash


You all win a pattern of your choice! And as the others, I will be emailing you tonight and get your info over to Deanna.

Thanks everyone for your entries!

As You Like It Dress & Shirt Pattern Giveaway @ Brown Paper Packages

Leisel over at Brown Paper Packages has been doing a whole month (which has extended longer) of pattern reviews. I feel very blessed that she chose one of mine to feature.

Head over to her blog to check out her review of the As You Like it Dress and Shirt Pattern and also enter there for a chance to win yourself a copy! I also suggest you scroll through all the previous patterns and check out their reviews. She has done a great job!!!!

You can find my patterns for sale in my Etsy shop.

The Ruffled Rosette Belt and Top Tutorial Maternity Style

Facebook fans already know this, but I am in love with this top!!!!!

It's been a while since I made clothing for myself, but get ready for a whirlwind people. I was totally inspired by this top on Modcloth. I took Kathleen's advice and perused some clothing websites before heading to the thrift store the other week.

When I saw this shirt,

I knew exactly what I could do with it! Make this:

I was so happy the shirt I found was a size 16. That meant I could for sure make it into a maternity top. I'm not sure it will last all the way to the end, but it will go pretty far.

And, when I've had the baby, I can take the sides in some and continue wearing it. *Sigh* So nice.

Now for the tutorial:

You will need a larger than normal shirt (I am a 6 and this was a size 16), extra fabric for the bottom (I used a knit so I didn't have to finish any edges), velcro, felt, hot glue gun, and about a half yard to a yard of fabric for the belt.

To begin, I cut the top off, making sure to have a tank top look to it.

Make sure to leave extra around the edges to fold under to cover the raw edges. I just serged the edges of mine and rolled it down towards the inside once and sewed around the edges to hold it down.

Then I shirred the back. This helps bring it in, but still gives me room for some belly growth.

The Modcloth version is strapless, but I wanted straps. So I cut off the edges of the sleeves, leaving enough on the side I cut to fold under 1-2 times to cover the raw edges. Sew it in place after doing that.

But, I just left enough for it to be folded over once since I serged the edges.

Then pin the straps on where you like them and the proper length and sew in place.

Now create a tube to go on the bottom to make it longer. Just cut a rectangular piece that is the same width as the shirts bottom, plus seam allowance. Then sew the sides together, pin on the bottom of the shirt, right sides together, and sew on.

It will look like this.

Then cut strips for the ruffles. However "tall" you want them to be is up to you. Try to double the width of the shirt bottom for the length of the ruffle. To create the ruffle, baste the top, then pull the thread that came from the bobbin to make it ruffle. Have it ruffle enough go around around the fabric tube and overlap a little . Since I used knit fabric, I didn't have to worry about finishing any edges.

Here is a pic of the first ruffle going on. I would actually suggest starting at the bottom up to make it easier, but either way is fine. Continue to add ruffles until the fabric tube is covered.

The Rosette Belt

Start by taking the measurement of where you will wear the belt. I am wearing mine above my stomach, so I measured there. Then cut a piece of fabric that is the width of your measurement plus 2-3 inches. I made the height of it 4 inches for a skinny belt, but you can make it shorter or taller for a thicker or skinnier belt.

Take your piece and fold it in half short ways, wrong sides facing. Iron.

Open it up and take one side and fold it in toward the center crease. Iron.

Repeat for the other side.

Now turn the ends in a little bit and iron down.

Refold the piece on the original center crease and iron again. No raw edges will be showing. Sew around all of the edges that are open.

Cut small pieces of velcro and sew on the appropriate sides of the end of the belt so it can stay on you :)

Now cut out two circles for the flowers. Make sure one is bigger than the other. I used a cd and a peanut butter jar lid as templates for my circles.

Now cut some long strips for the ruffles. I left mine with the edges raw. I also used a ruffler to make mine, but if you don't have that sewing foot attachment, just baste and gather like we did earlier for the shirt ruffles.

Using a hot glue gun, glue the ruffles around each felt circle. Start on the outside and work your way in.

When at the middle, just tuck the end in.

Then glue the little flower onto the front of the belt where the velcro is underneath. Make sure the velcro is in the middle. This will be the top closure of the belt.

Then put the belt on and determine where to stick the second flower so it all sits properly. Glue in place.

Then you have this pretty little belt :)

Now, this isn't an exact science, but hopefully it will help you see that you can create fun modern looks in maternity clothing! Happy Sewing!