Guest Post: Vintage Inspired Head Scarf Pattern and Tutorial

I'm guest posting over at Welcome to the Mouse House today sharing a tutorial and two patterns for a vintage inspired head scarf.

Hayley's blog is a feast for the eyes -- she is extremely talented and nice to boot. I'm pretty excited to be over there today sharing my FIRST pattern! (I really enjoyed creating the PDF patterns, so maybe I'll do it again??)

Tutorial: Layered Knit Applique (PR&P Guest Post)

Here's the second guest post I'm "bringing home." This one shows my Sewing Crazy in all its glory. Yes, I actually pull the threads through and tie them off. They wore these shirts OUT this summer. This post was originally published back in June at Project Run and Play.

Hello, Project Run and Play readers! I'm Michelle from Handmade Martini, and I am thrilled to be joining you today!

Here's a confession: I've been following PR&P since Season One. I remember eagerly subscribing to each of the contestants' blogs and being amazed and inspired by their work. (Still am.) When the lovely ladies announced there would be a sew-along a few seasons in, I did a little dance.

(Right now I'm reigning myself in so I don't become weird-fan-turns-creeper blog guest.)

Today I'd like to show you one of the first things I made for my boys. . . a layered knit applique t-shirt. These are great because they get better with each wash, they can be personalized with your child's interests, and they require very little fabric if you use a store-bought t-shirt.

So, let's get started!

I chose to mimic a Mini-Boden t-shirt. Mini-Boden is my favorite source for great appliques. This t-shirt is sold out, but it was an infants' shirt that immediately caught my pirate-loving boys' eyes.

For this version, I used store-bought t-shirts. Of course you could make your own, too!

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1. Pick your design. Trace it or sketch it out on thin paper of your choosing.

2. Trace over your pencil markings in fine-tipped marker ink.

3. Flip the design over and trace it again in marker on the other side. (You'll be working with the mirror image of your original design.)

4. Place your double-sided fusible web product (I prefer Wonder Under) on top of your mirror image. Trace each element of the design separately onto the smooth side of the fusible web. As you're tracing, try to think about which pieces will be layered under others and include a little extra there. For example, I knew my pirate's coat would go under his beard, so I extended the coat a tad. You want to layer the pieces where they meet.

5. Be sure to include each element. It's helpful to label the colors of each piece.

6. Roughly cut around each piece of fusible web and iron it onto the wrong side of your knit fabric according to the product's directions. (I was making two shirts here, which is why you see two of each piece.)

7. Cut around your traced lines for each piece.
8. Peel off the backing of your fusible web to reveal the other sticky side.
9. Arrange the pieces on the shirt, making sure pieces are layered just how you want them.

10. Once your pieces are arranged to your liking, iron to set the fusible web according to the package directions.
11. Stitch around the pieces. I prefer to use a straight stitch on knit applique. (I use a ball point needle.) This part can be tedious, especially if you have several pieces and change out your thread for each color. Just take it slow and enjoy the process. (Ha. Or just listen to Hunger Games on audio to distract you from the tedium.)
12. For tiny pieces (like eyes), I use the manual wheel on my machine to help with accuracy.

13. To get all those threads from the front to the back, flip the shirt inside out. Pull on one of the exposed threads. A loop will appear.

14. Use the dull end of your seam ripper (or a needle or something), insert it into the loop, and pull the thread through from the front of the fabric.

15. Tie off. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. (Seriously. Audio books are the best thing to happen for my sewing life.)

17. I prefer to iron lightweight fusible interfacing onto the inside of the shirt over the tied threads. They can get scratchy.
18. Embroider details that can't be appliqued - like eyes, eyebrows, hooks, etc. It's pretty easy to find instructions for basic embroidery stitches online.

The possibilities are endless with this type of applique! It takes some time for complicated ones, but the end result is pretty awesome.

Here are some others I've unabashedly knocked off from Boden. I blogged about the hedgehog t-shirt and the train t-shirts if you're interested.
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Thank you so much for having me! Enjoy your summer, everyone!

Make for Mom Guest Post -- Easy Tanks

I'm bringing home some guest posts today. Here's the first one, originally published at Shaffer Sisters as part of their Make for Mom series back in May.

Hello, lovely Shaffer Sister readers! I'm so thrilled to be here today. My name is Michelle and I share projects, pictures, and essays over at Handmade Martini. The Shaffer Sisters are ladies after my own heart. I'm a devoted older sister, too, and would LOVE to share a creative endeavor with my own sister someday.

Today I'd like to talk about sewing lovely clothes for ourselves! My passion is sewing women's clothes. It's fun to dress my kids, but for me sewing started long before becoming a mom.

I've noticed that several of my bloggy friends are nervous about sewing for themselves. Kids are easy to fit, but us? We've got curves and hips and thighs and. . . . well, it's more complicated than a waist and height measurement.

There are some things I've found that make a pattern easy and beginner-friendly: few pieces, lots of ease, and opportunities for variation as confidence builds. One of Megan Nielsen's new patterns -- the Eucalypt Tank and Dress -- has all of those things.

I sewed up the dress version recently in a polyester blend fabric from my stash (purchased at JoAnn's ten years ago).

There are only two main pieces -- the front and back. There aren't any darts, so no need for alterations. Checking the measurements on the envelope is all it takes to get a good fit.

It's comfortable and can be dressed up or dressed down. If you want a more fitted look, you can add a belt. Tights and a cardigan take it into different seasons. Versatile. That's how we mamas like it.

The Wiksten Tank is similar to the Eucalpyt Tank version and also beginner friendly. (The Wiksten Tank is available as a digital download OR paper pattern.)

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The Sorbetto (available free from Colette Patterns here) is another great beginner pattern. It's got a lovely pleat detail, and the most complicated part is attaching the bias facing, which is explained in the instructions. (The Coletterie blog also has a great tutorial on making your own continuous bias strips, which is pretty easy.)

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I'm a big fan of independent pattern companies, but I'm sure the Big Box pattern companies also have similar tank/tank dress styles. 

My favorite thing about these patterns isn't just their ease of construction and fit -- it's also the opportunity for customization. Right now I'm working on another Eucalypt -- the tank version with a center front seam and contrasting fabric. It *should* be finished by the time this post publishes. Come visit me at Handmade Martini to give me a hard time if it's not. :) 

With simple patterns like these, success is almost guaranteed. So go for it, mom! Make something for yourself. You deserve it!

Project Run and Play Guest Post

I'm pretty pumped to be guest posting at Project Run and Play today, sharing how to do layered knit applique. Come say "hi!"

FLIP this Pattern!

Today the lovely sisters Ashley and Emily over at Frances Suzanne are kicking off a year-long series called "FLIP this Pattern" by announcing the June pattern to be "flipped"  -- the Bubble Shorts pattern from Elegance and Elephants. 

Each month contributors will take the given pattern, add their own unique touches, and share it in a friendly competition. A sew-along will give everyone a chance to participate, and along the way there will be prizes and lots of inspiration.

I get to participate in October when I flip the Figgy's Sunki Dress and Leggings.

 | Pattern Anthology  Figgy's | Peek-A-Boo Pattern Shop | Shwin Designs | Clever Charlotte  Violette Field Threads | Blank Slate Patterns | Heidi & Finn | The Cottage Mama

Mommy's Apron Strings | Winter Wonderings | doguincho | SoCalSewingMom |  nest full of eggs

cathgrace | Welcome to the Mouse House | S is for Sewing | Sewing Like Mad | Elegance & Elephants | Call ajaire Little Kids Grow | Daisy Chain Creations | Once Upon a Notion | Handmade Martini | iCandy handmade | you & mie If only they would Nap |  Foster Ramblings | Designs by Sessa | Shaffer Sisters {Jo} | greendoodle | Shaffer Sisters {Al} Siestas & Sewing | mama says sew | Sewing Mama RaeAnna | sewVery | Nap Time Crafters | {lbg studio} Shaffer Sisters {Scary} | Sweeter Than Cupcakes | Once Upon a Sewing Machine | Crafty Cupboard | The Powell Family

One of the neatest parts is that Ashley and Emily have asked bloggers of all kinds -- new ones, established ones, big ones, little ones -- to participate. It's humbling to be included with this talented bunch.

I've got an idea for flipping the bubble shorts pattern -- now it's time to stop dreaming and start sewing!

Guest Post: Make for Mom

Today I'm guest posting over at Shaffer Sisters -- highlighting a few tank patterns that would be great for moms interested in taking the sewing-for-self plunge.

Crossover Dress Tutorial: Project Run & Play Guest Post

I'm guest posting over at Project Run and Play today with a tutorial on the Crossover Dress. It's my first guest post with a tutorial, so go easy on me!