pleated bed skirt

Need a bed skirt?
Well we did.

It's pretty easy, it just takes time depending on the size of the bed.
And, here's how (with a few pictures).

What you'll need:
2 different fabrics, the sizes depend on the size of the bed.
If you need helping figuring it out, click here.
We have a queen, I bought 6 yds, 3 for the skirt & 3 for the middle. I did have a little extra.
Choose a fabric to match your bedding & choose muslin or something lightweight & inexpensive that will go in the middle.
matching thread

Step 1: Lay out & cut the fabric that will go in the middle.

Step 2: Measure the length of fabric you need to go to the floor. Cut out the pieces for the sides & end of the bed. Leave a few extra inches for the pleats & the corners.

Step 3: Hem & iron the bottom of each piece & the ends that will be at the head of the bed.

Step 4: Lay the end piece, measure to the middle & fold the pleat in & pin. You can do as many pleats as you want, I did one in the middle of each piece.
You may want to sew along the top of the pleat to hold it in place, so it doesn't spread (like mine did) when you attach it.Step 5: Lay the middle piece out & the end piece on top, right sides together. Pin.
Step 5: Sew, zigzag stitch. I did mine twice, because the fabric I used for the middle is a little stretchy. Leave a little extra room at the end where you'll be sewing the corners together.

Step 6: Attach the two others sides, repeating step 5.

Step 7: Sew the corners. Put it on the bed & marvel at your job well done.

Here's mine. I ironed it, but it still looks a little wrinkly because it's a bit tricky when you have a tiny ironing board. It's a bit wavy looking too, but I'm still happy with the way it turned out.

an easy dress or skirt

Love this dress.

Wanna know how to make your own?

Above is an infant dress.

Here's how.

What you'll need:
-fabric for the desired size-you'll need double for the width at the chest (look at pattern).
-elastic thread -matching thread -buttons, ribbon or any kind of embellishment you want

Step 1: Measure your fabric, double width & desired length. Cut. *If you are making a long dress or skirt, you can just measure the chest x2 & the length just for the chest (so it will be like a tube top) and add the long dress or skirt part later on.

Step 2: Wind your bobbin, by hand, with the elastic thread.

Step 3: Load bobbin & use normal, matching thread on top.

Step 4: Set your stitch to a wide straight stitch. The wider the stitch, the more it will shrink.

Step 5: Start sewing straight stitch, about 1 1/2'' from the top, with the fabric right side up. Leave at least 2'' of thread at beginning & end. Back stitch at beginning & end.

Step 6: Repeat step 5 as many times as you want, about a 1/2'' below the first & in between each row. The dress above, has ten rows.

Step 7: Either at the end of each row, or at the end of sewing all the rows pull the ends tight to make the elastic shrink. You can also try steaming it with the iron.

Step 8: If you just did the chest part, now you can sew on the bottom part of your dress or skirt.

Step 9: Hem the bottom & top.

Step 10: Wrap it around you & make sure it fits.

Step 11: Bring together & sew seam up the back. If you want, you can leave a little slit in the back, for fun.

Step 12: Add straps, if it's a dress & any embellishments.
You did it!

how do I cover up these ugly old pillows? or make new ones altogether!

It's so easy!

If you have an ugly old pillow, just need a change or want to make a new one altogether, you're in the right place.
I'll show you how to sew it to make it look just like those darn cute ones you've been so tempted to buy.

Read through the instructions before you start your project!
What you'll need:
2 different types of fabric-or just one, whatever you decide, you'll need to measure your pillow to determine how much fabric you'll need.
matching thread
a button, ribbon or both

Step 1: Cut out your fabric, according to the size you need to fit around your pillow (give an extra inch and a half to two inches around the edges). Cut it so it would wrap around your pillow the long way, so it would look like a long rectangle (look at the image below). If you are doing it so that on the front of your pillow you want half of each of the different fabrics showing (like mine), plan for that and cut accordingly.

Step 2: Take your main color fabric (or which ever fabric you want to be on the top of the front of the pillow) and hem the edge that you will attach to the main fabric. The one that would be right between both, on the image below. Sew straight stitch.

Step 3: Take some matching ribbon, about 3'' (or fabric, but you'll have to sew it tiny, like a short piece of ribbon) and if it's big, fold in half, so it's about the size of 1/4 inch, sew w/matching thread, so it holds together.

Step 4: This step is only if you are doing the button. This step will be tricky to explain (I wish I had pictures!). You are going to take that little piece of ribbon and sew it on the wrong side of the fabric you just hemmed, you're going to make a loop though (practice before you sew), small enough to hid behind your button, to look like it's looped over your button. If that sounded way confusing, enlarge my last picture and look closely.

Step 5: Lay out both fabrics like so:
Step 6: Lay both fabric so wrong sides are facing out and sew the accent fabric piece to the main piece, right on top, like the above picture. Zigzag stitch. With the button loop facing out, on the right side.

Step 7: Fold your material in half (like it would be if it were wrapped around the pillow), with the wrong sides of the fabric facing out.

Step 8: Sew the top together with a zigzag stitch.

Step 9: Turn it right side out.

Step 10: Sew on your button by hand, through the loop hole.

Step 11: Hem the sides that are still open.

Step 12: Sew one side shut, straight stitch.

Step 13: Squish the old pillow in side of it, so both sides would still be open. If it isn't as firm and full as you want it to be, just add some extra stuffing.

Step 14: If you have a zipper foot, put it on now. If not, you can still do it, it's just a bit tricky.
Sew the last side shut and voila!!!
You did it.

Now you can do it again, do two if you'd like.

Calico Corners

If you haven't been there you HAVE TO check it out.

Today was the first day I entered Calico Corners Fabric & Upholstery Store and it was my heaven on earth. I didn't want to leave.They do have some fabric that are quite pricey, but you can occasionally find good deals. BUT the best part is all of their displays and ideas are so inspiring and stylish.
You won't be sorry. Find a location near you!