BurdaStyle en-us I found this term curious, and so looked into what it was, only to discover that I'd started using this technique quite by accident. It really is very simple, but requires a steady hand and much concentration. This technique is great for getting facing to stay down, and largely does away with a need to painstakingly hand stitch it down. This purple dress has had its ditch stitched, and it is pretty much invisible. Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:13:33 +0000 http://www.burdastyle.com/blog/stitching-the-ditch http://www.burdastyle.com/blog/stitching-the-ditch I’ve been trying to come up with an interesting zip pull for accessories that can be made in fabric rather than leather, while overcoming the problem of frayed edges. This is one I’ve just made. Step by step instructions for this and a couple of other zip puller ideas are on my blog http://constructivblog.wordpress.com/ Sun, 07 Mar 2010 18:15:29 +0000 http://www.burdastyle.com/blog/butterfly-zip-puller http://www.burdastyle.com/blog/butterfly-zip-puller Sometimes, we can not find the right buttons to finish our proyect. Sometimes the color does not match, the style is not just right, or.....may be the price is too high. Well, we can make beautifull hand made buttons, recycling old plastic, wood or metal ones like they used to be done in the old days and now are so difficult to find and.....of course.....so expensive, because they are excluve and unique. Here I am sharing with you a technique that has helped me out a lot, and this is just the beginning.....you can experiment and make your own designs to sew them in the lovely garments you are so proud to produce. I really hope you enjoy making them!!!! Sun, 07 Mar 2010 14:54:48 +0000 http://www.burdastyle.com/blog/hand-made-buttons-the-finishing-touch http://www.burdastyle.com/blog/hand-made-buttons-the-finishing-touch Tutorial for a simple tissue case. They are basically a lined fabric rectangle folded to meet at the center. I make the outer fabric longer than the lining fabric so it automatically folded inside, because I don’t like the lining fabric showing at the edge. It also eliminates the need of topstitching. More tutorials are available at my blog:http://verypurpleperson.com/tutorials Mon, 01 Mar 2010 23:28:54 +0000 http://www.burdastyle.com/blog/tissue-case-tutorial--2 http://www.burdastyle.com/blog/tissue-case-tutorial--2 Hi all - a few people have asked about my zipper bags... there is a step by step tutorial on my blog! http://twoboos-sewlikeyournanna.blogspot.com/2010/03/zipper-bag-tutorial.html Hope you like it!! Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:38:57 +0000 http://www.burdastyle.com/blog/little-zipper-bags http://www.burdastyle.com/blog/little-zipper-bags This technique is inspired by Alabama Chanin. I used it to make a reversible outfit called "Water and Jam". The technique takes each piece of a pattern and completes it first, _before_ assembling them altogether. In this example, two different coloured fabrics are used. The technique would also be suited for 'patching' a whole lot of different fabrics together. Use it on your own patterns or with patterns you've bought. Would best suit patterns with distinct panels such as princess seams and simple lined garments - if you're unsure it would work with your pattern or fabric just ask! Follow the steps to see how I made both a pink and a blue top.. at once! If you like this technique show your appreciation and vote for where it all began, the "Water and Jam" slide 29 of the Alabama Chanin slide show. Sat, 27 Feb 2010 11:48:26 +0000 http://www.burdastyle.com/blog/proofed-pattern-piece-technique-how-to-make-reversible-clothes http://www.burdastyle.com/blog/proofed-pattern-piece-technique-how-to-make-reversible-clothes This is a brief explanation for the garden skirt design. I used basic ribbon flower making techniques and the rest I just created as I went along. Hard to describe! Very deconstructed I wanted it to look like it had just came out of someone's steamer trunk. Use a garment of your choosing, handmade or store bought. This skirt started in life, ankle length and leaf green! Then it was over-dyed and shortened to knee length. Tue, 23 Feb 2010 18:53:21 +0000 http://www.burdastyle.com/blog/garden-skirt-embellishments--3 http://www.burdastyle.com/blog/garden-skirt-embellishments--3 You’re ready to sew something but you realize that the body that will be wearing the garment doesn’t have the same measurements as the sizing chart on the pattern envelope. Not to worry. It’s easy to make pattern adjustments to accommodate these differences. Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:47:02 +0000 http://www.burdastyle.com/blog/lengthening-and-shortening-a-pattern http://www.burdastyle.com/blog/lengthening-and-shortening-a-pattern See more DIY on my "blog":http://starsforstreetlights.blogspot.com/. The skirt reminds me a lot of these flower prints by Andy Warhol-- without the color of course, but still organically shaped and random like real flowers. (See one of the pictures I added for the Andy Warhol print that inspired me :)) To make the flowers I BURNED fabric!! It was very fun and I am so excited to see what else I can do with fire and fabric. Tue, 23 Feb 2010 02:39:01 +0000 http://www.burdastyle.com/blog/burned-fabric-flowers http://www.burdastyle.com/blog/burned-fabric-flowers I made this bag for my mother in law who repeatedly dropped hints about how great it was if I made her a bag for her birthday. This bag has the shape of a tote bag, but I 'pimped' it with a pocket on the outside (closed with flap and wooden buckle) and two simple pockets and a zippered pocket on the inside. The bag closes with a recessed zipper and has two longer handles, so it can be worn over the shoulder. Sat, 20 Feb 2010 22:54:07 +0000 http://www.burdastyle.com/blog/mimy-bag-tutorial http://www.burdastyle.com/blog/mimy-bag-tutorial