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Ear-Saving Button Band for Surgical Face Masks

April 11, 2020 by girlinspired 14 Comments

Over the past few weeks, seamstresses have been sewing like mad to provide field workers and also their neighbors with fabric face masks. This week, professionals are begging for altered headbands and gadgets to help save their ears from the discomfort and pain of wearing ear loop face masks for their 12-hour shifts. I sat down to start making headbands and found myself wondering where to place buttons to account for different head shapes. Then I realized that we can make an ear-saving button band for surgical face masks by using a short strip of elastic that can stretch around the back of the head or neck. These take literally seconds to make and they are super comfy for men and women to wear. Scroll down for the video and to see how fast you can sew a button on with the proper sewing machine foot!!

white elastic with pink button across the back of woman's head

Let’s Make Ear-Saving Button Bands for Surgical Face Masks

These button bands are so easy to make. The only supplies needed are 3/4″ or wider elastic (wider than the elastic needed for sewing face masks, so you should be able to find this more easily) and 1/2″ buttons! A button foot for your sewing machine comes in SUPER handy. No elastic? No sewing machine? No problem – read on for how you can make these bands for ear loop face masks without elastic or a sewing machine!

Time needed: 1 minutes.

How to Make Ear-Saving Button Bands for Surgical Face Masks

  1. Cut elastic.

    Cut your elastic strips. You need one strip for each band. I liked 9″ strips of elastic for a band that can go up around the crown of the head. If you’d like to make straps that rest around the back of the neck, I would suggest 7″ strips.two strips of elastic, pink buttons, and gold-handled scissors on grey grid cutting mat

  2. Turn ends under.

    Turn each end under approximately 1″ – just enough to double up the layer under your button.white elastic turned under with pink button

  3. Sew button on.

    Now you sew on the buttons! For ultimate speediness, use a snap-on button foot like this one (aff). You will never sew another button by hand after you meet this baby. I have a lesson on how to use the foot here. Basically, you need to put the feed dogs down and set your machine on a zig zag stitch, adjusting the width of the zig zag to make sure your needle goes through the holes of the button and doesn’t hit the actual button. Don’t have a sewing machine? No problem! All you need is a needle and thread for this project (and a couple minutes instead of seconds.)sewing machine with button placed on elastic, ready to sew

  4. Finished!

    Repeat until Granny’s button jar is empty and give them to every healthcare worker you know! Good job.newsprint patterned face mask and white elastic band with pink buttons

It really couldn’t be simpler. If you don’t have elastic, cut up some knit – the edges don’t fray, but you can fold it over for just a bit more of a base. Easy peasy! I cut up some old Lularoe leggings and made a fabric ear-saving button band for surgical face masks. They’re super soft!

various pieces of elastic and stretchy fabric with buttons attached to the ends

Face Mask Sewing Resources

Still working on sewing fabric face masks? Find the right pattern and supplies in these posts.

Face Mask Pattern Options and Supplies

No Sew Cloth Face Mask from a T-shirt

Fast and Easy Serger Face Mask

How to Make a Homemade Face Mask without Elastic and with Filter Pocket

various pieces of elastic and stretchy fabric with buttons attached to the ends and  ear-saving button band for surgical face mask being worn with text overlay

 

 

Filed Under: Crafting, Patterns and Tutorials, Sewing Tagged With: sewing, sewing tutorials

Face Mask Pattern Options and Supplies

April 9, 2020 by girlinspired 3 Comments

I’m hoping to get all the resources for face mask pattern options and supplies into one central spot. I will be keeping this page updated with fresh supply links, any new patterns that catch my attention, and the latest buzz regarding face mask sewing from our sewing community. How many people are sewing face masks for themselves, their family members, friends, and local organizations?

variety of fabric face masks, bias tape, elastic, P2.5 filters, cutting mat, and rotary blade used as fabric mask supplies

The sewing community’s response to our country’s very unfortunate lack of PPE warms my heart. I’m so proud to be a member of the sewing community, now more than ever. If you’re looking for the pros and cons of different types of home sewn face masks, need to know where to find available supplies like elastic and mask filters, or have questions about caring for your face masks, this page should be a good source of information.

variety of fabric face masks, bias tape, elastic, P2.5 filters, cutting mat, and rotary blade used as fabric mask supplies with text overlay

Face Mask Sewing Patterns and Tutorials

A list of options for sewn, serged, and no-sew face mask options. Choose which is best for you by shape, material, and filter pocket options.

How to Make a Homemade Face Mask without Elastic and with Filter Pocket

This mask has a filter pocket, stretchy ties, and a nose shaping wire.

Fast and Easy Serger Face Mask

This mask is made primarily on the serger and takes only 5 minutes to sew up!

No Sew Cloth Face Mask from a T-shirt

No sewing needed for this option and it includes a pocket to add a filter.

Ear-Saving Button Band for Surgical Face Masks

An extremely quick sew to make button bands to provide relief to the ears from long hours of wearing face masks.

More Options

A list of options for sewn, serged, and no-sew face mask options. Choose which is best for you by shape, material, and filter pocket options.

Kid mask template - see kate sew

Photo Credit: seekatesew.com

If your kiddo gets sick or hurt and has to leave the house, make a few of these kiddo size face masks to have on hand.

How to make a face mask using Cricut

Photo Credit: inspiration.cricut.com

What! Cut out your masks using your Cricut with their free svg file

DIY No Sew Face Mask Tutorials

Photo Credit: andreasnotebook.com

This post has a number of other no sew options including a video by the Surgeon General.https://www.sewmuchado.com/fabric-face-mask-pattern/

3 ways to make a DIY surgical face mask for virus shortage

Photo Credit: seekatesew.com

Use bias tape or elastic to make these masks. Free pattern and video instructions are available.

Face Mask Pattern - Free Sewing Pattern • Craft Passion

Photo Credit: www.craftpassion.com

This post has a detailed video tutorial to make this mask shape that goes up over the nose and curved down around under the eyes if you prefer a different shape.

How to Sew a Fabric Face Mask Free Pattern

Photo Credit: www.raegunramblings.com

This mask has an adjustable fit and is made with comfy knit.

Face Mask Pattern – 5 Different Ways

Photo Credit: www.sewmuchado.com

This seamstress sewed five different mask patterns and compared them, giving pluses and minuses for each.

 

Mask Making Materials – In Stock Supply List

I know it can be overwhelming and frustrating to try to source supplies to make fabric masks when you can’t leave home and supplies are sold out in many places. The supply list (aff links may be included ) below will be updated frequently to reflect current available inventory for mask-making materials.

  • 1/4-inch Elastic is available here – I saw one video suggesting you could just cut any wider elastic – don’t count on this, most elastics will fray and unravel if you cut them up their length.
  • Beaded elastic cording – that is the thin elastic cord – I like it with my mask that I wear hooked over my ears. The online supply is available, but it looks like delivery dates are pretty far out right now. 
  • Carbon filters are available here – do not wash the filters when you wash your reusable masks. Ideally, they should be discarded and replaced after each use.
  • HEPA filters can be found here – HEPA filters or vacuum bags can be cut to size and used as a filter.
  • 100% cotton jersey knit – Use strips of this type of knit instead of elastic. The edges won’t fray, you can cut it easily, and it will hold up to hospital sanitation processes if you’re sewing for medical workers.
  • If you want to use bias tape for your mask straps, you can make your own bias or binding tape – use these bias tape makers to speed things up.
  • After trying a bunch of different wire inserts to help shape the masks around the nose bridge, I think twist ties were my favorite. I ran out, but just put in a bulk order for more! You can get twist ties by next week here.

Sewing Machines and Sergers

Spending so much time at home may provide the perfect opportunity to get started sewing. I’ve noticed that most of the easy to purchase beginner machines have been scooped up, but I happened to find two of the machines that I currently use in my sewing room and they are available!

  • The Juki Serger is a great little machine horse. If you’re ready to get started with the convenience of serging, this is a nice machine to work with.
  • This Singer Quantum Stylist sewing machine is a step up from a beginner machine; mine has been chugging along for years and years. It has some of my very favorite options like the auto-cut button and built-in fancy stitches. If you’re ready to do a little more sewing than once in a blue moon, this is a great machine.

FAQs about Fabric Face Masks

Can I wear my face mask over an N95 mask?

Many healthcare workers are using homemade fabric masks along with their N95 masks to extend the longevity of their protective coverings. Masks with ample accordion folds can be comfortable worn over N95 masks. This pleated type of mask will work.

Which direction do the pleats go on my fabric mask?

Wear the pleated face masks with the pleats folding downward. First, place the mask over your mouth and nose. Gently press from the center of the nose bridge and smooth the metal nose wire down over the bridge of your nose, smoothing from the center down and out so that the mask tucks comfortable over your nose and cheeks.

How do I take off my face mask?

Remove the mask by releasing the straps and carefully pulling the mask away from your nose and mouth without touching the outer material of the mask. Be especially careful not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth while removing your face mask. If you are using a non-washable filter inside the mask, you would ideally discard the filter after each use. Place the mask directly into a Ziplock bag or a fabric sack to be put into the washing machine. Wash your hands thoroughly after touching the face mask.

How do I wash my face mask?

Fabric masks should be laundered on a normal wash setting and dried in the dryer on med-high heat. Use regular laundry detergent. To keep the mask and ties from becoming too tangled while laundering, consider washing your masks in a pillowcase or a mesh laundry bag like this one.

What kind of fabric do I use to make a fabric mask?

If you have options, the BEST material to use would be a high thread count 100% cotton fabric. In the sewing community, this would be quilters cotton and flannel. A layer of cotton stacked with a layer of flannel is a great combo. Typically a cheaper cotton will be thinner and the weave between the fibers will be further apart. You can feel the cheaper quality and it will allow more light to pass through if you hold it up to a window. More light = more particles getting through.

Does knit or t-shirt fabric really work to protect you?

The recommendation for the general public to wear face coverings is intended to reduce the transmission rate of individuals carrying the disease unknowingly. It’s meant to serve as a reminder to maintain social distancing protocol. Materials with a tighter weave or that are less porous have been shown to be more effective in actually stopping particles from traveling through the material. I’ve read studies that suggest t-shirt masks are a good material choice because they are comfortable and easy to breathe through. I’ve read other studies suggesting that knit fabrics are useless. I am operating under the belief that something is better than nothing. I would suggest using a knit face mask only when you are able to add a tightly woven (quilting cotton, flannel) or non-woven (carbon filter, HEPA filter) material inside the mask. This no sew t-shirt mask has a pocket where a filter can be used.

Can I use leggings as a face mask?

Usually, no. Unless the leggings are made from 100% cotton, they are not the best choice for a face mask covering. Leggings are typically a polyester blend fabric, reducing the breathability. Choose 100% cotton for your most breathable, but also protective fabric.

What do I use for face masks if I don’t have elastic?

I get it. You’re trying to make face masks and all of a sudden elastic is nowhere to be found. Don’t panic. The absolute easiest substitute for elastic is using a knit fabric to make ties. Knit is the dream fabric in this scenario because it won’t fray or break down during laundering, so you can easily just cut strips of knit (you can even cut up an old t-shirt) and now additional sewing is necessary to make a wonderful elastic substitute. What’s more is that the knit will not break down like elastic will under heavy duty sanitation processes (like they use in the hospitals) AND I think it’s way more comfy. You can also use bias tape or binding tape to make straps. This is not my favorite way because it takes a lot more time to sew and ties with no stretch don’t seem to be as comfortable or as well-fitting as stretchy straps. Just use the knit!! Both my filter pocket tutorial and my 5-minute serger mask will show you how to use knit straps in lieu of elastic.

Where can I donate my finished face masks?

I’m not currently organizing or collecting face masks to be donated. Every single organization that I’ve heard about seems to be requesting a different type of mask. If you are going to sew masks to be donated, please contact the appropriate resources in your community so that you know what their requirements are before you begin sewing. Some places are providing the exact pattern they want you to make while others are providing the materials with which to make the masks. Sew masks for yourself or for friends who do not sew.

Do you have other questions? Let me know and I will try to find the answers for you.  Please do defer to the CDC website for all official information regarding homemade face coverings. Stay safe and well. 

Filed Under: Patterns and Tutorials, Sewing Tagged With: DIY, flooring tips, sewing, sewing tutorials, tips

Ultimate List of Things to Do When You’re Stuck at Home

March 27, 2020 by girlinspired Leave a Comment

So, you’re stuck at home and feeling B.O.R.E.D.? If you’re anything like me, the best thing to do during this time at home is to stay busy! Learn something new, throw myself into a new project, teach someone something I know, and start a new craft.  I’ve compiled and herby present this – the Ultimate List of Things to Do When You’re Stuck at Home. There are a whole host of categories to choose from and tons of links and ideas within each section. Whether you are interested in exploring museums, science, and nature or would like to develop your cooking, crafting, or sewing skills, here you will find endless ideas for something to do with your free time!

photo collage with bright multi-colored dress, bread loaf, elephant face, boat on water, gelatin flowers, and MARS robot with textBelow you will find over 100 ideas for things to do from home and they are divided into categories: Food/Baking/Cooking, Sewing, Art/Culture/Virtual Tours, Crafting, Home Decor, Yard and Garden, Travel Planning, Beauty & Health, Outdoors, Live Web Cams, and PLAY!

photo collage of food items and text-man making crepes, closeup of folded crepe with bananas, overhead view of neutral colored French macarons, loaf of sourdough bead, orange and red flowers in gelatin domes

Food/Cooking/Baking:

  1. Always wanted to know how to make a Dutch Baby/German Oven Pancake? Need a Gluten-free German Pancake recipe?
  2. Perfect your Crepe making skills
  3. Make mini Ice Cream Sandwich pops
  4. Practice some simple Cake Decorating Techniques.
  5. Order a Universal Yums box and explore foods from around the world. Order a box for a friend or relative and you could open your treats together over FaceTime! We did this as a Christmas present for my daughter last year and it was a huge hit!
  6. Get your booze on with the BEST Kahlua Cake recipe.
  7. Pull a Monica and Make a million jars of JAM with these 20 recipes.
  8. Learn to bake Sourdough Bread
  9. Organize a family recipe box.
  10. Learn the craft of Gelatin Art
  11. Dive into online exploration of Canadian food and farming.
  12. Nothing but time on your hands? Play with icing and food coloring and make a rainbow cake! This was one of the most fun food projects I’ve ever done!
  13. Try your hand at French macarons!
  14. Give the kiddos a reason to play with their food with these free printable worksheets to use with Goldfish or any snack!

dress skirt covered in multi-colored pedals with text overlay

Sewing:

  1. First things first – need a beginner sewing machine? This Brother sewing machine is a favorite among us hobby sewists, reasonably priced, and you can get it delivered straight to your door through my affiliate link!
  2. Sew a mermaid skirt in 30 minutes!
  3. Sew a Cosmetic Bag.
  4. Finally learn about all those Sewing Machine feet!
  5. Make a Homemade Face Mask.
  6. Here’s a great resource for all your mask-making sewing patterns.
  7. Throw yourself into a really time consuming, detailed project like making this Petal Dress.
  8. Join this sewing community Facebook page for daily inspiration!
  9. Learn How to Sew on a Button using your Sewing Machine.
  10. Discover How to Sew a One-Step Buttonhole (with video tutorial)
  11. Learn How to Properly Gather Fabric and Sew Ruffles
  12. Make the kids’ waistbands adjustable!
  13. Learn how to install an invisible zipper.
  14. See if you have these Sewing Supplies that aren’t really sewing supplies!
  15. Maybe you’re a beginner and you don’t even know where to start, this is a great guide to sewing for beginners.
  16. Here’s a list of 25 free sewing patterns.

photo collage with MARS robot, Mo Willems holding up a pigeon drawing, text for the Secret Annex, and a prehistoric elephant on a black and white pillar.

Culture/Art/Virtual Tours you can do from home:

  1. Tour the Musee D’Orsay – super cool virtual walk through of the museum (this was my FAVORITE in Paris)
  2. Take a virtual tour of the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam
  3. Virtually visit the National History Museum in D.C. – this was one of my favorite places I visited last month on my trip to Washington.
  4. Watch baby panda bears on this Live web cam
  5. Learn about California Waterfowl – art projects, activity pages, and lab projects
  6. Draw Lunchtime Doodles with Mo Willems
  7. Try an interactive tour of Ellis Island in New York.
  8. Learn how nature works with a plethora of virtual field trips and lessons!
  9. Try out calligraphy
  10. Explore the Secret Annex where Anne Frank hid during the Holocaust – absolutely one of the most moving places I have ever visited and you can visit online until you’re able to head to Amsterdam!
  11. Read the “Classics”
  12. Download and listen to FREE audiobooks for kids through Audible
  13. Go on a mission to MARS!

Craft:

  1. Add Mod Podge to Photos and Canvas for DIY Canvas Photos
  2. Make crowns out of lace
  3. Try out wood-burning – decorate some kitchen tools, make gifts, if you’re really bored, hey – you could even doodle on your fence!
  4. Make a stained glass sun catcher!
  5. Create graphic tees
  6. Make a disco ball out of paper mâché and mirrored contact paper
  7. Learn crochet basics while making the most fantastic floor basket!
  8. Make a pennant banner
  9. Spend hours decorating eggs with a pile of markers and this egg spinner! (affil)
  10. Turn animal figurines into cute necklaces
  11. Make crowns out of flowers
  12. Craft a microphone and sing karaoke!

Home Improvement/Home Decor Projects:

  1. Paint a room.
  2. Make throw pillows for your couch!
  3. Transform a vase or jar into a Mercury Glass lantern
  4. Sew simple window curtains.
  5. Use acrylic paint and a rubber stamp to make some new coasters
  6. Sort and organize your digital photographs; order prints online
  7. How to Change the Oil in your car
  8. Make reusable snack baggies.
  9. Install a backsplash in your kitchen.
  10. Clean the dryer vent

variety of small succulents planted in a tabletop stainless steel rectangular planter

Yard/Garden:

  1. Build Easy Garden Boxes
  2. Learn how to propagate succulents
  3. Make a fairy garden
  4. Make a side table from an old milk can.
  5. Photograph flowers in your yard or neighborhood as they come into bloom.
  6. Start your summer veggie garden – your local nursery may have curbside pickup!

photo collage of tropical water with grass roof hut, fishing boat, sea turtle underwater and text

Plan Travel for When you’re NOT stuck at home:

  1. Explore a trip to Washington D.C. 
  2. Plan a trip to a tropical destination like Bonaire
  3. Explore this ultimate list of National Park Junior Ranger programs – then you can plan which parks to go visit! These programs can be completed online and you can earn badges, too!
  4. Start scouting covered bridges and explore places to stay in Vermont.
  5. Curious about the Great Wall of China?
  6. Check out these restaurants in Puerto Rico so you’ll know exactly where to go on your next trip. LOL.
  7. Google is hosting incredible virtual tours of 5 National Parks including  parks in Hawaii, Alaska, and Utah – more to explore and add to your travel bucket list.
  8. Hop on the treadmill and take a virtual walking tour of Paris!
  9. Then check out Jerusalem or the Amalfi Coast!

Beauty/Health:

  1. Make something for Mom for Mother’s Day with one of these ideas.
  2. Rejuvenate the skin with this lemon coconut sugar scrub
  3. Make Bath Bombs
  4. Meditate for FREE with Oprah and Deepak
  5. Ask Alexa to do a workout – choose from yoga, abs, timed workouts, and hundreds more!

Get Outdoors:

  1. Explore a wilderness trail you’ve never visited.
  2. Set up a Glow-in-the-Dark Easter egg hunt
  3. Watch the sunrise or sunset from a new location
  4. Go for a long country drive
  5. Take a bike ride.
  6. Create a neighborhood scavenger hunt.
  7. Learn to skip rocks.

black background with penguin swimming in foreground and text overlay

Live Web Cams to watch when you’re stuck at home:

  1. Watch the Lion’s Den in Alabama
  2. Sip your cocktail and take in the beach view in Saipan
  3. Want to laugh? Watch the Sea Otters flip around or check out the other sea animal cams at the Monterey Bay Aquarium!
  4. Tropical fish webcam via the Baltimore Aquarium
  5. Check out the Cherry Blossoms via Washington D.C.’s Bloom Cam
  6. Shark Tank Camera via Baltimore Aquarium
  7. The San Diego Zoo has a bunch of live web cams – my kids are loving the penguin cam, especially!

Play:

  1. Build a Lego kingdom
  2. Write a handwritten letter! Heck, type a letter and email it to someone!
  3. Build a fort.
  4. Have a fashion show with clothes from your family members’ closets! How about a mom/dad apparel swap?
  5. Read a book and then watch the movie format – here’s a list of over 80 children’s books/movies!
  6. Set up a tent in the backyard and camp!
  7. Hang a hammock
  8. Binge watch Netflix – this show and movie list is even printable so you can check off all the shows you master.  hahaha.
  9. Do a crossword puzzle
  10. Learn Magic Tricks
  11. Host a Happy Hour over Zoom
  12. Laugh at Memes
  13. Learn a Tik Tok dance. I’m trying, but my kids don’t exactly think I have the moves!
  14. Check out my favorite things for spring and do a little shopping!

How many of these ideas have you already done? What else would you add to this list of things to do when you’re stuck at home? We can all use more ideas!

  1.  

Filed Under: DESIGN, Roundup Tagged With: art, crafts, inspiration, recipes, sewing, tutorials

How to Make a Tutu

June 5, 2019 by girlinspired 77 Comments

If you’ve ever wondered how to make a tutu for your little one that is soft on her skin and simple to sew, this is the tutorial for you. Tulle is inexpensive, hence making this a cheap sewing project, but the satisfaction of being able to sew a tutu skirt for your little one is invaluable!
How to Make a Tutu like this white tutu with white ribbon

I’ve made a tutu or twenty in the last few years.  They’re great for dress-up and also serve as a nice pettiskirt under big, fluffy dresses.  I needed to make a new one in a bigger size to go under Olivia’s costume for the Nutcracker, so I took a few extra minutes to snap some pictures of the process.  

Tutus are inexpensive to make , but take a little time since you’ll be gathering quite a lot of tulle to get the desired puff effect.  I finish the gathered skirt with a soft lining and knit waistband so that the tulle isn’t scratchy against the kids’ skin.  Have someone in mind that would like one?  You can use this same set of instructions to make a baby tutu and even a tutu for an adult.  I’ll show you how to make a tutu for anyone right now!

How to Make a Tutu that won't scratch your little girl's skin!

Supplies:
5 yards lightweight tulle
1/2 yard lining fabric
1/4 yard thick knit
1 yard 3/4″ elastic
How to Make a Tutu

Begin by cutting your tulle into at least 10 sections.  For this longer tutu, I cut each section 18″ long, giving me exactly 10 lengths from the 5 yards of tulle.  The length to cut the tulle will depend on how long you want the skirt – measure from your child’s waist to the desired finished length of the skirt and cut all lengths of tulle according to this measurement.  Fold the tulle on your cutting mat, matching selvage edges and then folding one more time – this makes it easier to cut with a rotary blade.  Use a rotary cutter for the smoothest edge on the tulle.

How to Make a Tutu

Next, gather each section of tulle along the long side.  Feed each piece of tulle into your sewing machine right after the previous so they’re all connected.  I like to use a ruffling/gathering foot (affiliate link) to gather the tulle quickly – if you don’t have one, you can set your machine to a long, loose stitch length and then pull the bobbin threads when you’re done to gather the tulle by hand. 

Regardless of the method, gather all of the tulle as tightly as possible.  Next, we’re going to fold the gathered length of tulle back and forth on itself to make one skirt piece.  Measure your child’s waist and add 7″ to find the skirt width.  Fold the skirt back and forth on itself to make one skirt piece equal to this determined skirt width and stitch the layers together across the top.

How to Make a Tutu

Cut one piece of lining from selvage edge to selvage edge and about 3/4″ shorter than the tulle layers.  If you’re going to hem the lining (e.g., if the fabric frays), cut the lining piece the same length as the tulle layers and hem with a narrow hem so that it’s just slightly shorter than the tulle.  Join the short ends of the lining and stitch together to form a tube.  Sew a gathering stitch around the top of the lining and gather it until it measures your child’s waist measurement + 7″.

How to Make a Tutu

Stack the lining under the tulle and stitch the two together around the top.

How to Make a Tutu

For the waistband, cut two pieces of knit 5″ wide by 1/2 the waist measurement + 4″.  Sew the short sides together on one side with a 1/4″ seam allowance.  On the other side, sew 3.5″ down one side, leave a 1″ opening, and sew another .5″ to the edge.  This is the opening we’ll put the elastic through later.

How to Make a Tutu

Now, fold the waistband wrong sides together and press a crease into the top.

How to Make a Tutu

Open the waistband up, match the raw edge and right side of the the waistband to the raw edge of the right side of the tulle/lining skirt and pin.  Be sure that the side of the waistband with the opening is further away from the waistband (so that it will end up on the inside of the skirt when finished).  Stitch the waistband to the skirt using a straight stitch and 3/8″ seam allowance.

How to Make a Tutu

How to Make a Tutu

Turn the waistband up and to the inside along the top pressed fold.  The raw edge of the inside waistband should fall over the stitch lines on the inside of the skirt.  Pin if needed.  From the TOP of the skirt, use a zigzag stitch to finish the waistband, being sure to catch the raw edge on the inside of the waistband.  Remove the gathering stitches from the tulle if you wish.

How to Make a Tutu

Measure a length of elastic equal to or 1″ shorter than your child’s waist measurement.  Use a safety pin to feed the elastic through the opening on the inner waistband.

How to Make a Tutu

Join the two ends of elastic together and stitch with a zig zag stitch back and forth over the elastic several times.  Pull the waistband to slip the elastic back into the opening and you’re done!

 

How to Make a Tutu that won't scratch your little girl's skin!

Filed Under: Patterns and Tutorials, Sewing Tagged With: no-itch, sew, sewing, tulle, tutu

Cricut Maker: The New Dream Machine

October 6, 2017 by girlinspired Leave a Comment

This post contains affiliate links*
Get acquainted with the AMAZING features of the new Cricut Maker!I’m not even going to tiptoe around it – Cricut released their newest machine – the Cricut Maker – and it is AWESOME!!  I’ve been a Cricut fan for a long long time.  YEARS! Ever since my husband bought me the very first machine that Cricut released 12 or so years ago, I’ve been hooked.  With each new version, the options and ease for creating become greater!  And this time, friends, the MAKER machine is beyond impressive.  In fact, attending the Cricut Mountain Maker event and seeing this new machine launched into action re-sparked my passion to create all the things! I have been so busy MAKING that I haven’t even had time to stop and post about all the fun.  So, today, I’m going to introduce you to the MAKER and show you just a bit of what has me so excited! Get acquainted with the AMAZING features of the new Cricut Maker!I usually save the best for last, but I just can’t this time – the most exciting feature for this seamstress?? – THIS MACHINE CUTS FABRIC!!  All the kinds of fabric! Leather, chiffon, quilting cotton, felt, lace, ruffles, minky, EVERYTHING!  Do you know what that means?  I can cut out sewing patterns!!  I’ve done a lot of experimenting over the years – trying to cut fabric with my various cutting machines – and I have had some success by backing the fabric with heat’n’bond, or something like that.  But what about when you want to cut fabric and NOT have an adhesive on the back of it?  The new rotary blade system in this machine makes it so that I can just lay my fabric right onto the fabric cutting mat and cut it out.  The genius engineers re-designed this machine from the ground up to create a true dream machine.  Cricut Design Space already has tons of patterns built right into it – doll clothes, purses, handbags, hats, cosmetic totes, quilt patterns, etc.  And, of course, you can upload your own designs, shapes, patterns, whatever! I get so excited by all the options, I have a hard time narrowing down what I want to create.

Get acquainted with the AMAZING features of the new Cricut Maker!

I have started in on a quilt pattern that was available in Design Space – having this machine cut out all the intricate pieces and telling me exactly which pieces of fabric to lay down and cut when – it makes the tedious task of piecing a quilt seem much more attainable!  After printing out the project instructions straight from Design Space, I simply put each piece of fabric onto the mat, hit Go, and walked away while Cricut cut out every piece for my quilt top! An hour later, amongst running kids to and from soccer practice and making dinner and my pieces are ready to sew!

Get acquainted with the AMAZING features of the new Cricut Maker!SO perfect and SO easy!!

Get acquainted with the AMAZING features of the new Cricut Maker!Another neat thing about the Maker machine is that Cricut built the housing unit so that it would be compatible with future awesome tools.  The knife blade is coming soon – it cuts leather and balsa wood!!  My brain is exploding with ideas!  There are two ports to hold the tools – the regular blade, the deep cut bade, the rotary blade, all your markers, the knife blade, AND EVEN A WASHABLE FABRIC MARKER! That’s right – it doesn’t just cut out your pattern pieces, it also marks them with all the necessary annoying marks we usually have to transfer from inconvenient paper patterns. Heavenly!!

Get acquainted with the AMAZING features of the new Cricut Maker!The design is sleek and the white/silver unit coordinates with any decor.  Bluetooth is built in so it communicates with my telephone, the iPad, my kids’ devices, or my computer, and I don’t have to hook up any cords or set up right next to a particular computer.  My daughter is starting to use it and she can design projects right from her own phone, too.  Get acquainted with the AMAZING features of the new Cricut Maker!

Get acquainted with the AMAZING features of the new Cricut Maker!

Get acquainted with the AMAZING features of the new Cricut Maker!

Look at some of the idea boxes from the Cricut Maker release event! How do you not feel inspired to CREATE when you look at these projects?  In the last couple weeks alone, I’ve used my Maker machine to cut out tried and true iron-on projects and vinyl projects, and I’ve decorated canvas art, new throw pillows, a t-shirt, and the list goes on and on.  This machine is equipped to do all of the amazing craft tricks that my Explore is equipped to do, but the new capabilities to design sewing projects and leather projects and WOOD projects is just so freaking fantastic, I just keep this baby set up and ready to play all the time.  I’ll be sharing more projects in the near future, but be sure to click over to the Cricut website to read MORE and watch the coolest videos showcasing the new Cricut MAKER!

 

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. The opinions and text are all mine.

 

Filed Under: Crafting, Pattern and Product Reviews, Products We Love, Sewing Tagged With: crafting, Cricut, cutting, die cut machine, fabric, Maker, sewing

Christmas Outfit Inspiration

November 26, 2015 by girlinspired 6 Comments

Luxury Fur Coat Sewing Tutorial

These girls of mine take my breath away.  I know I’ve said it before, but it brings me so much joy to see their excitement as I design, sew, and photograph homemade garments specifically for each of them.  They wait patiently as their sisters take turns and know that they will be in the spotlight in due time.  As part of my work with Jo-Ann, I was given the task to create something around a “Winter Chill” theme and as I perused the store, Christmas outfits came to life in my mind.  Warm, furry coats and sparkly dresses in pink and gold.  Something different and so beautiful.  I’ve finished this first outfit and I don’t know if it was her beaming smile or the way the morning light hit my camera as I rushed to take pictures before a busy day, but these pictures are positively glowing.
Luxury Fur Coat Sewing TutorialI saw this amazing fabric in my store and quickly stitched up a simple dress.  I must sound like a broken record, but the 5&10 Volume 1 pattern came in oh-so-handy once again.  The simple bodice with big gold buttons up the back and pretty little cap sleeves give a reliable, well-fitting result.  I did a simple gathered skirt.  After I had sewn it together, the skirt was looking really too puffy – this fabric is thick and very structured – probably a bit much for a gathered skirt.  I pressed the gathers really well and that did the trick.  I love the result.  With a slim gold belt, the dress has great structure to complement the fancy jacquard print.  You can also find the fabric online – it’s David Tutera Metallic Jacquard Fabric in Rose.

Luxury Fur Coat Sewing Tutorial

Luxury Fur Coat Sewing Tutorial

Luxury Fur Coat Sewing Tutorial

The dress is gorgeous under this furry coat.  She looks like a winter wonderland dream, does she not?  I hope she never stops crinkling her cute little nose when she giggles.

Luxury Fur Coat Sewing Tutorial

Luxury Fur Coat Sewing Tutorial

 

Filed Under: Christmas, Fashion, Five and Ten Designs, Holiday Inspiration, Sewing, sewing for girls, Sewing Ideas and Inspiration Tagged With: Christmas, girls dresses, sewing

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