Joining the "Shir" Craziness!

I just couldn't help myself when I saw this post at Kojodesigns on shirring.  The first thing that catches your eye before you even start reading, is the fabulous smocked dress.  There are also links to tutorials from Ruffles and Stuff on the art of shirring, and a brilliant tutorial from Prudent Baby, on how to shir on a machine with a drop in bobbin.
I made both of these today.  You read that correctly.  I whipped these up, took pictures, loaded them up, and posted them.  I feel accomplished.  Now if only the laundry happened in the same manner.   

There really wasn't a pattern I followed.  I took measurements added in for the seam allowance and added an extra 5 inches on to that.  Some of the tutorials I read, recommended to double the width, but for me, that turned out too big.  Since I'm trying to become a better sewer, I took the opportunity to do french seams on these pieces.  It did look nicer, and it didn't take any extra time or care.  In fact, they were easier to do then trying to get an even overlocking stitch down the seam. 

I found it best to finish all the seams and hemming before I started shirring. 

I added the straps last.  Halter style turned out to be my favorite.

I played around with different types of elastic thread.  My favorite....the cheapest stuff you can find, usually hanging up with the pre-cut elastic.

The only difference between the shirt and the dress is length.  And, I got a little crazy with the ruffle at the top of the dress.

 

I've linked this to all the awesome parties listed in the sidebar!

Tutorial: Shabby Fabric Roses

You can use these beautiful fabric flowers just about anywhere.

In your hair.......

A really old pillow in desperate need of help........

Put them in your bathroom......

The possibilities are endless.

I have a few favorite tutorials from others, for the rolled fabric roses like these and these.  While I was playing around with some of those techniques, I kind of ending up creating my own unique rose.

Materials:
Scrap pieces of fabric with a length that runs a least 22 inches
Fabric Glue
Needle/Thread

Start by cutting a little notch out of your fabric so it is approx 1 1/2 to 2 inches wide, and then rip it down the length so you have frayed edges.  You can embellish just about anything with roses by using one or two strips of fabric.  The more strips you add to it, the bigger the rose.  For this tutorial we are going to use two strips of fabric that measure 22 inches long.

Lay your fabric strips so that wrong sides are facing up.  Taking the bottom corner, just started folding it over to roll it into a long tube.

When you start to get a good roll going, place a very small drop of fabric glue to hold it in place.  This will keep it from unraveling.

When you get to the end of the roll, place a small drop of glue to secure it.

Repeat for the second fabric strip.  1 fabric roll will make a nice sized rose approx 2- 2 1/2 in. wide.  That's a really nice size if your making hair accessories.

Get your needle and thread ready.  You can also make these roses with just fabric glue, but I'm really messy, and I can personally manipulate better with the needle and thread.  Fold the end of one of your fabric rolls like the letter "z"

Determine what is going to be the top side and the underside of your rose.  Wherever you decide the underside is, place a stitch very close to the edge of the fabric, to hold your folds together.

The next step is to wrap your fabric around the "z" 2 times, and then stitch it towards the bottoms to hold it in place.

When you turn it over to look at the topside or right side, it's going to start to look like this.

The next step is to start forming the petals of your flower.  In one hand, hold the rose so that you are looking at the right/topside.  In the other hand, grab the fabric and twist it so that the bottom of your roll is now at the top.

Holding onto the twist, place a few stitches close to the edge of the fabric on the underside to hold it into place.

Twist it again in the opposite direction, now what was the top edge, has been twisted to be on the underside.

Continue in this manner until you reach the end of your fabric roll.  The twists don't have to alternate in opposite directions all the time.  Sometimes it looked better if I twisted them outward two times in a row.

When you reach the end of your fabric roll you should end up with something like this.  You can stop here if this is a good size for you.

If you want to go with a bigger rose, just add the second piece where you left off, using the same technique as you did with the first one.  You will notice that you will have to make your twists looser, the bigger it gets, to make realistic petals.

I'm Back!

Vacation was amazing! It didn't rain, and the sun was shining HOT all week.  I had a great time with my best friend Hills, and we met other cool people on the boat that we got to hang out with.
I almost missed my flight into Tampa to catch the boat, but I made it onto the plane with no more than a few minutes to spare.  The line to get on the boat was long, but once we made it on, we let the party begin.

They don't call this ship the "Fun Ship" for nothing.  I would totally bring my 3 year old next time.

 First I stopped in the Cayman Islands.  Beautiful, but overpriced. This is what I saw when we first arrived in the early morning.

The beaches on Grand Cayman were beautiful.  I swam for a while, layed around a lot.

Did some shopping

The next day we were in Cozumel.  I love Mexico.

After I got off the boat, I got on a zip line.  I survived, but it's been 4 days since I've done it, and my abs still hurt.

I did lot's more shopping

and then I went back to the boat for another long day at sea

When my flight returned home, my little one just thought she misplaced me for a few days.  When she saw me she turned to my husband and said "there's mommy, we left her at the airport.  Mommy, I'm so glad we found you, do you want to come home now?"  YES PLEASE!