Feather's Flights {a creative, sewing blog}

Contact Paper as Temporary Back-splash and Contact Paper Giveaway

2013-06-19T02:00:00.000-06:00

We've been in the same apartment for almost two years, and I needed a change. I've done my best to make it feel like home, but I really enjoy switching things up. I thought I'd try some laminated vinyl from Chic Shelf Paper to switch up my kitchen one my wall above my sink. (The other wall in my kitchen is cinder block.)

The first thing I noticed when I opened the package was that the vinyl was thick. It felt like it could stand up to anything; I was so impressed with the quality! I chose a gorgeous bird print with colors I want to use in my kitchen.

The first thing I did was read all the instructions and clean my wall really well. Then I measured, measured, and measured. (Measure thrice, cut once!)

Then I drew out the shape I wanted on the back of the vinyl. Make sure you do a reverse! (I didn't when I started and had to start again!)

Then I cut it out carefully. I removed some of the backing and started applying it to the wall.

The tool that came with the vinyl is magic! It totally made the difference of making my application look professional.

Here I am in action! It's pretty simple to put it up, and it's really fun pushing out all the air bubbles.

The whole process went quicker than I thought it would! I went slowly, but it could be started and finished in one nap time! I also think this is a great idea for a house if you want a cheaper and quicker alternative to painting, wallpapering, or tiling!

Now I enjoy doing my dishes because I get to look at something so pretty and happy!Besides having a huge collection, Chic Shelf Paper has a guide for helping you choose the right material and a Chic Shelf Paper calculator. Want to eliminate the work of cutting? They also offer a custom-cut service! Want to try it for yourself? Enter to win one roll of your choice of contact paper!
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You Flew Tuesdays: A Sewing Linkup - 30

2013-06-18T02:00:00.000-06:00

Have you seen Romper Week over at Sewing Mama RaeAnna? I love rompers, so I LOVE this series! There's even a romper linkup to add your romper you've made! Henry is being featured today in his fabulous t-shirt romper!This week three links tied for first! The perfect summer dress by adirondack inspired

2013 Children's Summer Line by Sugar Tart Crafts

Two Toddler Swing Tanks by photosarah crafts

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Sewing 101 - How to Make Ruffles Without Gathering

2013-06-17T01:00:00.000-06:00

Every Monday I like to answer your sewing questions! Feel free to ask questions in the comments or email me. Also, if you know the answer to someone's question, go ahead and answer it. We're here to help each other learn about sewing!

More information on making ruffles without gathering.

2T T-Shirt Romper

2013-06-14T02:00:00.000-06:00

This was originally posted on Once Upon a Sewing Machine in their awesome boy series Sew You Had a Boy. Henry has never been as photogenic as he was in these pictures!Well, I'd like to tell you a story. My bother gives me a lot of his old t-shirts that he doesn't want. He gave me an awesome monkey face shirt. This monkey shirt was THE inspiration to my popular t-shirt romper pattern and tutorial post from last year. I loved the idea of a little boy running around in a shorts romper with a huge monkey face on his belly, and I had no idea how it would take off! I didn't use the monkey shirt for the original romper because the face was so big that I would have had to cut off a lot of the sides to make it the smaller size.Last fall I made a 24 mos/2T romper pattern because one of my readers asked for it. I had forgotten about it until this summer and realized that that size would be perfect for the monkey shirt!I did this romper a little differently by overlapping the front over the back. I had to because I used a small/medium size shirt and the shoulder seams were showing on the back overlap part. It does make the back gap a little, but hopefully Henry will grow into it this summer.

This is Henry's hilarious face he likes to do during dinner. He puts his whole body into it! I used some orange snaps for the inseam and some awesome plaid for the facings. I think next time I make it I'm going to use contrasting sleeves or something! Here are the links to the two pattern sizes and the tutorial:2T Pattern6-12 mos PatternT-Shirt Romper Tutorial

Quick DIY Projects and Grab Bag Giveaway

2013-06-12T04:00:00.000-06:00

Recently I was given some products free from MyNextStyle.com powered by Horizon Group USA. They have lots of great DIY products to help you refashion quickly. Their products are great and easy to use. I kind of went to town with lots of different projects; they are so quick! There is also a giveaway at the end of the post!First, I took one of the blank bags and drew herringbone all over it. I only used tape on each vertical line to get a perfect line. I love herringbone, and it was quite refreshing to draw a bunch of lines.

I updated a shirt that I actually worked on last year. I made a shirt with iron-on rhinestones which faded from one side to another. It didn't feel quite finished, so when I got some more this year, I filled in the one side so the rhinestones looked like they truly faded.

I got tired of my ruffled shower curtain, so I took all the ruffles off. I decided to add some decals using a zip screen and fabric paint. I was going for an Ikat look. It didn't quite turn out how I wanted, but I still like the messy faded look. I also dipped the bottom hem in watered-down purple paint for an awesome dipped look.

I used some iron-on letters to make a really cool looking pillow. It says, "Happily Ever After." It will eventually go on our bed when I update our bedroom. I want to remind myself that this (being a wife and mother) is my happily ever after. I can't keep waiting for the next step to be happy. If don't learn to be happy with a little, I won't ever be happy with a lot.

I used some of the other iron-on letters to make a shirt for Henry. It's the next size up so it'll fit him in the fall. The front says, "I love you." The back says, "I know." Any guesses to which movie it's from?

The prize is one blank bag, two zip screens/stencils, one iron-on rhinestone pack, and one 5-pack of screen print fabric paint.

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You Flew: A Sewing Linkup - 29

2013-06-11T04:30:00.000-06:00

How did you find your sense of style and what is it?
The link with the most hits was the 10 Best Serger Tips by Serger Pepper.

DIY Floral Printed Pants by Little Miss Kimberly Ann

Floor Cushion by Young Nesters

DIY Drummer Boy Costume by Handicrafiness

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Sewing 101: Buying Expensive or Cheap

2013-06-10T06:50:00.002-06:00

I am frugal. I love finding deals and saving money where I can. Through experience in sewing I have learned that cheaper isn't always better. At first it hurt to buy expensive thread and needles, but I learned they lasted much longer and always produced a better product!I got a pack of thread with lots of different colors for really cheap. I thought it was the best thing ever, until I used it. It messes up my machines tension every time. It makes my double needle tunnel. (If you are having problems with your double needle, use expensive thread!) It breaks easily. I always have to go back and mend when I sew with cheap thread.

I tried buying the bargain needles once. I went through four needles on one simple project! They kept either breaking the thread, breaking themselves, or making holes in my fabric.

Perfect Summer Tee Week: The Perfect Dress!

2013-06-08T07:47:00.001-06:00

Once you have your perfect tee pattern, there's so much you can do with it like make a dress! I used my pattern and made two separate dresses. One I used striped fabric and added a long a-line skirt for a maxi dress. The other I added a circle skirt for a simple tea-length dress. On both I had ribbing to the neckline and the waist.

To make a dress, I used the waistline as a guide to cut the fabric. Then I cut some ribbing the length I wanted. It's pretty simple!

There are so many variations you can do. You could have the ribbing at the hips, waist, or empire line (think maternity!). You can add circle skirts, maxi skirts, pencil skirts, etc.

Henry kept jumping in my photoshoot. He wanted to see how the camera remote worked. The top right picture is the face Henry did when I asked him to do a funny face.

Perfect Summer Tee Week: Chevron Flyaway Tee

2013-06-07T01:00:00.000-06:00

I finally made a flyaway tee with a high-low hem made from chevron knit! If that isn't trendy, I don't know what is. And it might be on the tail-end of the trend, but who really knows? Let's just say I love this shirt, extreme trendiness and all. And I found a super easy ~~cheater~~ way of making a flyaway tee!

To make this flyaway shirt, I took the easy way. I placed my pattern on the fold, and then slid the bottom part of the shirt away from the fold while keeping the neckline in the same place. This keeps all the flare in the front, but makes a pretty good flyaway look.

I did the same for the back, but I lengthened it too for a high-low hem.

This is one of the first high-low shirts I've made, and I can't tell you how much I love it. Why have I never made a shirt like this before!? It doesn't feel too long in the front, and it always covers my back while I running/chasing/playing with Henry.

Flyaway tees are the best for summer! I never realized how comfortable it is to have a breeze going through your shirt during a hot day keeping you cool.

Don't mind me, it was a no make-up, no shoes, no wash hair up kind of day! Everyone deserves one every once in awhile right? (Actually, this is my everyday summer look. Boo ya! Anyone with me?)

Want to see how goofy I am? Google photos put some of my photos together, so you can see the evolution of my poses.

Perfect Summer Tee Week: Solid and Printed

2013-06-06T01:00:00.000-06:00

Today I'm guest posting at Once Upon A Sewing Machine in their awesome Sewing for Boys series! They have guests every month along with boy tutorials and pattern reviews! You'll also want to check out the pictures of Henry. He has never been as photogenic as he was in these photos!
I made two more tees from my perfect tee pattern. I needed a plain solid shirt. As a DIYer I rarely have a solid shirt or for very long because I do something to it. I decided if I added a little contrast to it, then it would be able to stand on it's own (and I wouldn't refashion it). I love the contrast neckband; it's just one of my things. This is also the only shirt that matches my chevron maxi skirt.

For the other shirt, I had some leftover floral fabric that I didn't know what to do with. It's a really pretty white and plum, and the fabric is really, really soft. I was barely able to make a shirt from the remnant I had. I had to squeeze it in kind of on the bias to make it work. I'm not usually a floral person, but I really like this print and really like how this shirt came out!

Come back tomorrow to see how to make a flyaway tee from a basic tee pattern!

Perfect Summer Tee Week: How to Make a Pattern From Your Favorite Tee

2013-06-05T03:00:00.000-06:00

My favorite is definitely starting to get threadbare. I wear it all the time; it is my go-to! Well, I have now immortalized my shirt. From this pattern I have already made four shirts and two dresses for me and two shirts for my sister! Would you like to immortalize your favorite tee?

Supplies
Favorite Tee
Wrapping paper/medical exam paper
Pencil/pen
Paper scissors
Pins

1. Lay out your tee on the paper. Trace around the shirt adding seam allowance. I added 1/2" seam allowance to sides and 1" to the hem. This is the back piece.

*I like to trace all sides and then work on the sleeve curves because I have to lift the sleeve.

2. Lay out the shirt again on the paper to make the front. Trace around the sides, hems, armholes, etc. with seam allowance.

3. To mark the front neckline. I use a pin to poke along an invisible line where I want my seam allowance to end. This pokes through the paper and marks my perfect line. Then I go through and cut on those dots.

4. Fold front in half on the center line. True the edges so that the pattern piece is perfectly symmetrical. Do the same to the back.
5. For the sleeves I lay the sleeve out on folded in half. I trace one side with seam allowances and hem allowance. I also mark the fold line. Then I fold the pattern on the foldline and cut on the drawn lines. This makes a perfectly symmetrical sleeve.

I like to mark the waistline/hipline so I always have that for dresses, peplums, etc.

You Flew: A Sewing Linkup - 28

2013-06-04T05:00:00.000-06:00

I used my perfect summer tee pattern to make some shirts for my sister. My sister is serving a mission right now and is getting a little tired of the clothes she brought with her a year ago. She doesn't have much time to go shopping, so I decided to make her some. Because she's a missionary, she wears fashionably conservative clothes and always a dress or a skirt. The pink knit shirt on the left is just like the perfect summer tee, but I added a cowl collar to the neckline. The shirt on the right is made from vintage woven fabric and has lots of room. I wanted something that could breathe in the heat. It also has the colors pink, black, brown, mustard, cream, and tan. It will match anything! (I used up my girly fabrics because I'm not using them for Henry!)

The link with the most hits wash the Maternity Washi Dress by the Creative Counselor.

Anthropologie Knock-Off: Petaluma Peep Hem Dress by Rock the Stitch

Upcycled Rainbow Romper by Handicraftiness

Georgia Vintage Dress by Handmade Martini

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Perfect Summer Tee Week: Variation Sequin Pocket

2013-06-03T07:05:00.001-06:00

I have this tee shirt I bought a couple years ago that I love. It is perfect in every way. It's starting to get a little threadbare, so I made a pattern from it. I made four variations from it for the perfect summer tee. Stay in tune for the rest of the shirts and a tutorial!Today's variation is a tee from dark gray heather jersey with a black contrast neckband and a sequin pocket.This tee represents me perfectly. I mean, the fabric is even named after me! I love the contrast neckband and the touch of glam. I love the fabric and the fit. This will definitely be a favorite tee for as long as it can hold up.

I'm excited to show you the different variations and teach you how to make your own pattern from your favorite tee! Let's get ready for summer!

Pajama Parade

2013-05-31T06:24:00.000-06:00

Henry had been wearing his 12 mos size fleece footie pajamas all winter and was in dire need of summer pajamas that actually fit! I used fabric and t-shirts from my stash, so these pajamas cost $0. I used a zigzag stitch for everything to make it go as fast as possible. All the pants are really, really long on him so he has a lot of growing room. Sorry I didn't take pictures of Henry wearing them; Henry is usually dressed by the time the light is good!First up, the dinosaur world pajamas. I used a small piece of knit dinosaur fabric for the shirt and a blue-gray t-shirt for the sleeves, pants, and neckband. I reused the hems and neckband so there was very little work.

The shirt had a cool world map on it that I was able to place on the pants.

For the second pair, I reused my dads striped t-shirt. I used the sleeve hems and the neckband.

For fun I added bright orange cuffs to the pant hems!

The third pair is made from an old white t-shirt of mine.

The pants are from an awesome flannel tiki face fabric I found in the remnant bin. I had to add cuffs to the bottom to make them long enough. I LOVE this fabric and think its hilarious!

The last pair is made from mustache knit fabric from Girl Charlee. I paired it with green ribbing on the cuffs and neckband. These are also hilarious! (What's so funny about mustaches on little boys?) Now Henry has four new pairs of pajamas that cost me nothing and will hopefully fit him until it gets cold again.

Albion Fit Giveaway Winner

2013-05-30T07:57:00.000-06:00

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How To Make A Lace Headband Using Fold-Over Elastic

2013-05-29T06:46:00.003-06:00

I needed something simple to keep my long hair back. I needed something more than a clip or bobby pin (I have really thick hair), and regular headbands give me headaches. I know there are other tutorials for making headbands and using regular elastic, but I came up with this one because I didn't have thin enough elastic and I liked the idea of the fold-over elastic elastic enclosing all the raw edges!
1. You need a piece of lace and piece of fold-over elastic measured and cut to your liking.

2. Fold ends of fold-over elastic down and sew.3. Sew ends of lace to one side of the elastic.4. Fold fold-over elastic and zigzag across the open edge. This encloses lace edge and the edge of the elastic. (I had a hard time photographing this. Sorry!)5. Put it on and admire yourself in the mirror!

You Flew: A Sewing Linkup - 27

2013-05-28T05:00:00.000-06:00

I've kind of gotten to the point that I don't enjoy shopping for myself, because I make enough for myself and I always love the fit and style. Has anyone else had sewing end the joy of shopping?
The link with the most hits was the Summer Style Surfer Slacks by Once Upon A Sewing Machine.

Boys Can Sew by Green Issues by Agy

T-Shirt Dress by Threading My Way

Sashiko Pillow by Dreaming in Patchwork

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A Tip For Topstitching Jeans

2013-05-25T19:55:00.001-06:00

I've always wondered why pants have topstitching on the inseam instead of the outseam. While sewing Henry's s/s collection I didn't find the reason, but I did find how to make jeans have the manufactured topstitching look.

1. When you are putting your jeans (or shorts) together, assemble the front and back pieces separately.

2. Sew the front and back together at the inseam and topstitch seam allowances towards the back.

3. Sew the outseams together. Topstitch seam allowances towards back only to the base of the pocket. This is exactly how manufactured jeans are topstitched!

A Glimpse of My Week: My Blonde Identity

2013-05-25T18:44:00.001-06:00

I finally got my hair highlighted after six years! I used to highlight my hair a lot because I identify myself as a blonde. (Isn't is funny hair your hairstyle or hair color is so connected to your identity?) When I sent to college I wanted to save money so I stopped. To help me grow my hair out this whole year, I needed another change which led to some blonde!

I did a caramel color which will lighten further with all the time I spend outside with Henry. I really like the color, and I kept it as natural as possible. I love it!

Fancy Pants Blog Tour - Spaceman Pants and a Swimsuit

2013-05-24T06:48:00.001-06:00

Today is day five of the Fancy Pants Leggings Pattern Tour! I feel really lucky to be on tour with all these amazing, creative ladies! To see the past and future versions you can visit everyone's blog!

20th - Abby from Things for Boys
21st - Rachael from Imagine Gnats
22nd - Celina from Petit à Petit and Family
23rd - Jane from Buzzmills
24th - Heather from Feather's Flight

27th - Stacey from Boy, oh Boy, oh Boy
28th - Gail from Probably Actually
29th - Jenny from The Southern Institute
30th - Ros from Sew Delicious
31st - Carla from Small + Friendly

I made two versions and here is my first, the Spaceman Pants.

There's even a great spaceship on the bum!

When I was designing these, I was going to just do the spaceship on the back. Then I decided to add the spaceman on the leg, and I was going to do the shorts all gray. I was thinking about Alida's post about being kooky and taking your designs a step farther, and decided to take mine the next step by adding the green stripes and switching up the cuffs. It was the best decision because I LOVE these shorts!

I extended the pattern a couple of inches so the shorts would hit Henry below the knee like knickerbockers. (I just love knickerbockers on little boys!) I also did it to protect his knees because he is constantly falling and scratching his knees!

Laura made an amazing pattern. She gives some great knit tips, has great and clear instructions, and the pattern can be cut out and sewn in under an hour!

He's such a hipster because his shirts are always so big!

The other version I made was a little swimsuit. I didn't think of this myself; I saw some on Petit à Petit and Family and wanted to make some.

I had made a rash guard last summer that still fit Henry but was a little short. I added a band to the bottom, and then made matching shorts. Doesn't he look like the men that wore striped swimsuits from the early swimsuit days? I love his tight little shorts! We went to a sprinkler party yesterday, and they worked great!

This is how he was really feeling about this photoshoot.

Albion Fit Swimsuit Review and Giveaway!

2013-05-22T08:10:00.000-06:00

I am so excited about today's giveaway! It has been so hard for me to keep it a secret! Let me tell you, Albion Fit is the place to go for women's fitness and and swimwear. They have beautiful well-made swimsuits and workout clothing. I love their signature hoodie (especially the fit!) and their stormy seas swimsuit.I decided to review their blousy suit in navy. I've actually been eyeing this swimsuit ever since I first saw it! I love everything about it! I feel like it is very "me". I picked up the suit at their new store at the City Creek Center in downtown SLC. If you don't know, it's called City Creek because it has a creek running through it. You can see my husband showing Henry the huge fish in the water.

Their store is really fun and cute! There are so many happy colors and lots of pretty clothes to look at. The store associates were really nice and helpful too!

I took a quick trip alone one morning and drove out to the Great Salt Lake to get some pictures. I know it's beautiful, but it's actually pretty smell and gross.

This suit is beautifully made. I have made many swimsuits, and this one is really high quality. The bottoms are fully lined, and they are the best fit I have ever tried on or made! The top has great support and great coverage. I love the blousy fit because it looks great now but can carry me through most of a pregnancy and postpartum!I can totally run around in this suit and nothing falls out of the top or side or bottom. It's amazing! I know I can chase Henry around without any worry about flashing anyone.

Enter to win your own Navy Blousy Top and Bottoms! Besides the giveaway, Albion Fit is also offering an exclusive promotional code for you, my awesome readers, to save $15 on any purchase of $50 or more; the code is feathersflights15 and it's valid through 5/25/13!

This giveaway is open to US residents only.

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You Flew: A Sewing Linkup - 26 Co-hosted With Compagnie M.

2013-05-21T05:00:00.000-06:00

Our link up is going to be extra fun today! Marte from Compagnie M. is co-hosting with me! She's got a really fun blog with LOTS of awesome free patterns. Make sure to check her out along with everyone else's sewing projects!

The link with the most hits was Surf's Up Board Shorts Review

Black and White Peter Pan Collar Dress

Striped Dress from a Sheet

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Quilted Kindle Case DIY

2013-05-20T06:43:00.005-06:00

My husband and I got a kindle last Christmas and have loved using it. It came with a fantastic leather case, and we used it all the time. About a month ago my husband won another one from his school. This one didn't come with a case. I figured it would be way more fun to make a case for myself than for him, so he took the leather case.

I didn't make a tutorial for you but I did find two great ones that I looked at. I used Kindle Case Tutorial by Clearly Tangled and All Wrapped Up Kindle Case Tutorial by Mommy by day Crafter by night.I didn't have any stiff interfacing, but I did have lots of iron-on fleece. I used iron-on fleece on both the outside fabric and the lining, so it has lots of cushioning.I really love the outside fabric. I got a small piece from Joann's about a year ago and couldn't decide what to do with it. Luckily, I only used a little of my small piece, so I can use it again. I added some quilting to the front to highlight the cool design. I free-hand stitched it on my machine with the foot removed.

Wedding Dress to Blessing Dress

2013-05-17T06:37:00.002-06:00

A few weeks ago a client came to me and asked me to make a blessing dress from her wedding dress for her baby girl. I was really excited to work on it because I rarely get to make something for little girls! This is her wedding dress. If you can see in the picture, the dress has diagonal gathers across the bodice and back.She wanted the blessing dress to mimic her wedding dress without being exact. I did a sweetheart neckline, diagonal gathers, a gathered skirt, and little cap sleeves. The back is pieced with the gathers on the bottom piece and has a lapped zipper and ties. I think it turned out really cute, and my client was happy which is the most important!

Wedding Dress Alteration: Building Up The Top

2013-05-15T07:04:00.003-06:00

My friend had a quick engagement and decided to order her dress online. The picture of the dress was beautiful and perfect, but when it showed up it was not what she expected! Fortunately, she came to me and I was able to fix it in 24 hours just in time for her bridals. My other friend was the one who took her bridals, and she did a fabulous job. (The three good pictures are hers!) You can find her at Etre Photography, and you really should check her out because she is AMAZING!
Here is the awful picture I got before I changed anything (I was in a hurry!). The dress is supposed to be a mermaid style, but didn't fit her waist or hips. It wasn't lined under the shoulders and sleeves. Also, the back zipper wasn't tight against her back.

I took it in from high waist to low hips to give that lovely mermaid fit. I built up the top, so it was lined like she originally wanted.

I fixed the zipper on the back which was the weirdest fit issue I have ever come across! It was like the company didn't have a straight center back seam! I also added a French bustle which she only used when she was walking around.

It turned out beautifully! I am amazed that the lining I added blends in so well. You can hardly tell that there was any change at all!