Quick and Easy Child-size Wrap Skirt and Coordinating T-shirt

 Hey friends!

If you're doing any sewing for pint-size people,

you might want to give this little wrap skirt a look.

The pattern company is AJ's Boutique.

This one is pattern No. 5, Wrap Skirt in children's sizes 4-5-6-7-8.

For my just-turned 5-year-old granddaughter, I sewed up a size 6.

It is a bit large, but I'm confident she'll be wearing it in the near future.

The only closure on this one is a self-tie made from the waistband.

I used a solid red fabric for the back side of the waistband/tie

and a coordinating floral print for the front side.

 

 

Sewing time is approximately two hours start to finish.

That includes making your own bias trim such as the red polka dot that I made.

The bias went on quickly using my Bernina bias binder attachment.

The skirt instructions include just a few basic steps:

sew two skirt pieces together (one seam.total.that's all.);

attach bias binding (can use purchased, don't have to make your own);

sew inside and outside waistband pieces together and turn right side out;

attach waistband to top of skirt;

Done!!!

This is a great beginner project as well as an

instant gratification for experienced sewists project.

Have fun.

 

Upcoming Class

If you are in the local area,

I invite you to sign up for the Madeira and Bias Shaped Table Runner

class that I'm teaching at Nuttall's on August 1 & 8.

We will use a pattern and instructions by Martha Pullen.

You will learn a super quick and easy way to do Madeira applique.

You'll also get to use some of those terrific heirloom stitches built into your sewing machine.

You will see how magically that bias tape lays down

and shapes up to form the detail in the middle of the runner.

You will also learn about special presser feet

that will make your stitching faster and give professional results.

Lastly, you'll walk away with a beautiful table runner to spruce up your home decor,

or to give as a gift to a special person.

I'm looking forward to meeting you in class!

A Versatile Bunting

Hey Friends!

Here's a quick and easy bunting that can be sewn up to fit the season

or the occasion as the case may be.

This one is definitely patriotic,

but I see it in great fall colors with a leaf applique,

in winter tones with snowflake appliques, etc.

You get the idea.

The triangle and star templates can be downloaded here.

I used a blanket stitch around the the large star,

and I sewed a narrow zig zag around the small star.

When you're stitching around your applique pieces,

the Bernina presser foot #20 (open embroidery foot)

is a perfect choice because it has a wedge-shaped

indentation on the underside of it, which allows

those applique stitches to ride comfortably underneath.

And since it is open between those toes,

you can easily see where you are stitching.

And that helps you to get perfect stitch placement

around the edges of your applique pieces.

 I made one addition to the basic pattern instructions

by adding a layer of Floriani Stitch N Shape

between my outer triangle pieces
before I sewed around the applique.

Just cut the Stitch N Shape from your triangle template

and trim off about 1/4" on all sides.

Once your triangle is stitched, turned and pressed,

simply insert the Stitch N Shape inside.

That adds great stability to your bunting

so it doesn't "flop" around when it is hung.

It also acts as a stabilizer so your fabric

doesn't bunch up while you are

stitching around your applique pieces.

Okay, there's your freebie.

Go!  Make some bunting.

If you do, please share it with the rest of us.

As always, I appreciate that you take the time to read my ramblings.

Thank you, friends.