I got so many awesome comments in the giveway post this past week. It’s been really nice to read them all and I was really happy to choose a winner… so without further ado…. Mr.Random Dot Org says the winners are….. [Drumroll]

The first winner is Rebecca, who said:

“I’d love to try [...]]]>

I got so many awesome comments in the giveway post this past week. It’s been really nice to read them all and I was really happy to choose a winner… so without further ado…. Mr.Random Dot Org says the winners are…..
[Drumroll]

The first winner is Rebecca, who said:

“I’d love to try the practically perfect tee and billy bright eyes snappy tee. I haven’t worked with knits much but have some in my stash ”

The second winner is AprilShowers, who said:

“I’d love to try the Practically Perfect T and The Almost One Size Truly Scrumptious Pant Pattern. I can picture some fun sets!”

I will get right on emailing both winners with their patterns! Thank you so much to everyone who entered! I hope to see you around the blog sometime!

Sew Mama Sew has a great little thing going on- it’s Giveaway Day. Bloggers from all over are giving away all sorts of awesome stuff and you can join in!

If you’re new here, Welcome! Don’t forget to take a look around!

I would like to [...]]]> (You can find the winners in this post.)

Sew Mama Sew has a great little thing going on- it’s Giveaway Day. Bloggers from all over are giving away all sorts of awesome stuff and you can join in!

If you’re new here, Welcome! Don’t forget to take a look around!

I would like to give TWO lucky winners the chance to try out 2 brand new patterns!

Here’s how this giveaway will work:

First, check out my etsy shoppe.

Then come back here and leave a comment with which patterns you would like to win and tell me why you’re interested in them.

On May 10th, at 5:00pm PST, I will close comments and choose a winner with random.org.

Make sure your email address is correct! After I choose a winner, I’ll email them with the patterns that they have chosen!

While you’re here, don’t forget to look around and check the place out. Consider subscribing or liking Muse of the Morning on Facebook. Also, take a look at my Pinterest boards – they’re pretty awesome!

Then, head on back to Sew Mama Sew and enter even more giveaways!

These dresses are super adorable on little girls. I especially love to pair them with [...]]]> I actually wrote this tutorial a really long time ago, when Lil’ Miss was a lot younger. It had really tiny pictures and was generally disorderly, so I decided to write a new one and spiff it up.

These dresses are super adorable on little girls. I especially love to pair them with my Truly Scrumptious Almost One Size Pants sewn as big girl bloomers (only leave off the elastic for an even cuter look with this apron top). The dress can be worn over a t-shirt for additional warmth and modesty. Here in Oregon, it can really only be worn like this, without a shirt underneath, during late July and August. The rest of the time, it’s too cold!

Note: This is pictured on a 7year old. The pattern, as it’s designed will fit down to 3 or 4, but the back will meet more. Then as the child gets older, it won’t meet in the back. It’s still cute on the little girls! If you want it to not meet for a younger girl, just cut some inches off the back of the pattern and don’t use as many strips of fabric for the skirt. For an older girl, add some length onto the back of the pattern and add in some more strips to the skirt. The total number of strips equals about twice the finished length of the bodice, so use that calculation when adding or removing strips.

Materials needed:
- the bodice pattern piece – download here
- 4 different fabrics for the bodice and skirt
- 60 inches of extra wide (double fold) bias tape – see my tutorial here or use purchased
- 6 – 3inch long pieces of 1/4inch wide ribbon

This tutorial is told in 3 parts – Making The Bodice, Making The Skirt and Attaching The Skirt and Bodice. They’re all in this post, but you can click on the links to get to your spot faster.

Make the Bodice
Print out the bodice pattern and cut it out. Place the pattern on two folded layers of your bodice fabric, as indicated on the pattern.
Cut it out and mark where the straps go on the top, and where the loops go on the back. Set aside for just a second.

Now, grab your 60 inches of bias tape and cut it in half. On one end of each piece, open it up a little, fold the raw end down about 1/2 an inch, fold it back together and stitch that end closed. Now fold and stitch along the entire length of the bias tape. These are the straps.

On one of the bodice pieces, pin the raw edge of the straps in place on the right side of the fabric where directed on the pattern. I put the folded edge facing toward the neck and the sewn edge facing toward the shoulder.

Take your lengths of ribbon and fold them in half. Pin the loops in place on the back of the bodice, as directed on the pattern piece, with the raw edges toward the seam allowance. (I actually used thin double fold bias tape, which I sewed closed in the same manner as the straps.)

Place the second bodice piece on top of the first, with right sides facing. Pin in place. Carefully transfer the pins from inside to the outside if you wish. Sew along the side, through the arm and across the bodice, all the way to the other side with a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Leave the bottom open.

Clip seams through the arms, and on the corners.

Turn the bodice right side out and top stitch 1/8 inch away from the edge.

Set the bodice aside for now.

Make The Skirt
Cut out the strips to patch together for the skirt. They should be 5 inches by 16 inches long. I cut 3 strips of 4 different fabrics – meaning 12 strips. If you use more fabrics in your skirt, you’ll need to adjust. This photo is showing how I used the pink fabric as a pattern piece once I cut it out and then I just folded over the end of blue fabric to cut out those pieces.
You need a total of 12 strips of fabric for the skirt.

With right sides together, sew together the long ends of the strips to make one really long patchy strip. I used my serger so the seams would be nice and clean. If you don’t have a serger, you might consider using a faux french seam to keep those seams clean, since they’ll be exposed.

Here are all my strips sewn together.

On each end of the skirt, fold the edge over 1/4 inch and press. Fold over 1/4 inch more and sew in place.

Attach The Skirt

Gather one of the long edges of the skirt. I gathered on my serger.
Another method for gathering is to sew a line with your longest stitch length about an inch away from the edge of the fabric. Leave long tails on both ends. Sew another line about an inch away from the first one and leave long tails again. Pull the bobbin strings to gather.
Here are some pictures from the old tutorial, showing the two threads gathering:

The gathered skirt and the bodice. (I actually made a mistake on this one, and didn’t add enough strips in. Your skirt will have more patchy strips and will be more gathered.)

Mark the centers of the bodice and the skirt. Put the pieces together with right sides together (decide which will be the right side of the bodice). Match the centers and pin in place. Spread the gathered fabric out evenly over the length of the bodice.

Pin in place and then stitch with a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

After the skirt is sewn in place, you can clean up the raw edges of the bodice (plus I always seem to undo the gathering serging) by serging over it. I don’t cut any fabric on this go over, just making sure the raw edges are encased in the threads.
Other options to clean up that edge are to sew a zig zag stitch along it or to sew bias tape over the seam.

Lastly, fold the raw edge of the skirt up 1/4 inch and press. Fold up 1 inch more and sew in place to hem the dress. (I actually serged first and then folded up the one inch)

And you’re finished! What a lovely dress for a sweet little girl!

Lace up the back by crossing the straps and then zig zagging back and forth through the loops.

And there you have it!

Here’s another one, sewn by Kerri of Little Moon Originals. She did an awesome job and it turned out so adorably!! Thank you so much for sharing, Kerri!! I love it!

Here are two others that I made before- this first one was from the original tutorial:

And this was made a while later for Lil’Miss. She was 5 in this picture, I can’t believe how much older she is now!

First, what’s a French Seam? A French seam is a type of seam where the raw edges are completely encased in the seam allowance.

Why use a French Seam? A French seam can be good to use on really lightweight fabrics, which might unravel easily. French seams look very tidy and professional and [...]]]>

First, what’s a French Seam?
A French seam is a type of seam where the raw edges are completely encased in the seam allowance.

Why use a French Seam?
A French seam can be good to use on really lightweight fabrics, which might unravel easily. French seams look very tidy and professional and is very strong because of the double layer of fabric. If the wearer has sensitive skin, a French seam will keep raw edges off of the skin.

Why use a Faux French Seam?
A real French seam uses a lot of seam allowance. Back in the day when clothing and fabric cost a lot, large seam allowances were handy for making clothing grow or shrink as a person’s weight fluctuated, or as a child grew. The entire garment could be taken apart and put back together. These days, fabric often doesn’t cost as much and these techniques are not necessary.
A Faux French seam uses much less fabric, but still completely encases the raw edges and provides extra strength.

How to make a Faux French Seam…
You need two pieces of fabric that you’re going to sew together. In real life, when you’re making these seams, you just need to add about 1/4 inch extra seam allowance onto your pattern pieces. It also works best on straight seams. I’m using two different fabrics to more clearly show you how everything goes together.

Take your two fabrics and line up as though you’re going to sew them together like normal – with right sides together and matching raw edges. Now slide the top fabric back about 1/4 inch.

Sew the seam close to the edge of the top fabric. I’m using a 1/4 inch seam here. If you want even smaller seam allowances, you could go with 1/8 inch.

Below you can see what it will look like after that first seam is sewn.

Now fold the fabric that is sticking out further over the raw edge of the other fabric.

Fold the whole seam allowance down so that the raw edges are totally encased.

Stitch as close as you can to that folded edge.

That’s all there is to it!

Here’s what the back side of the fabric will look like now:

And here’s the front:

I’ve been wanting to start a series on sewing basics and since a tutorial I’ve got coming up requires a few basic sewing skills, I thought I’d start right now! This is a tutorial on how to make your own extra wide bias tape.

Why would you want to make your own bias tape, [...]]]>

I’ve been wanting to start a series on sewing basics and since a tutorial I’ve got coming up requires a few basic sewing skills, I thought I’d start right now!
This is a tutorial on how to make your own extra wide bias tape.

Why would you want to make your own bias tape, when it’s sold in the store?
Well, for one thing, making your own is less expensive. Bias tape in the store is often part polyester and cheap, thin fabric. Making your own allows you to control the quality, and you can make it from whatever you want. In fact, you can make it from fabric that contrasts or coordinates with your project.

Bias tape is just for binding quilts, right?
Nope. Bias tape is some awesome stuff and can be used for a lot of things. You can use it on sleeveless outfits, as binding along the raw edges. You can use some coordinating fabric to make some to bind the edge of a skirt, or pants….
And bias tape can be used as drawstrings or straps. There’s a lot of usage for bias tape.

To make bias tape, you’re going to need a Bias Tape Maker, although I’ve seen tutorials for making it with a pin on your ironing board. You’re also going to need an iron with steam, or a spray bottle.

Tip! Bias tape doesn’t always have to be cut on the bias. If it’s going to be used around a curve, it should, but if it’s going to be used on straight edges, you’re just fine cutting it on the grain!

The first step for extra wide bias tape, is to cut 2 inch wide strips of your fabric. I recommend cutting with a rotary cutter and ruler. If you’re cutting on the grain, you can rip the fabric and it will make just fine strips.

Next, you need to join your strips together. Match the ends up perpendicular to each other.

Sew the strips together from point to point as shown in the picture below. Do this for every strip you need to join together.

Cut the tip of the triangle off, leaving 1/4 inch seam allowance.

Spread the bias tape out and iron the seams open.

Thread the fabric strip through the wide end to the narrow end of the bias tape maker. As it comes out the narrow end, iron the folds over. Use steam or the spray bottle liberally if needed.

This is the time consuming part…. but it’s kind of relaxing, doesn’t take a lot of brain matter to do….
I like to do a length as long as my ironing board at a time. Once I move the bias tape maker and iron to the end, I move up another length onto the board.

And then you’ve got lengths and lengths of bias tape! You could also iron the bias tape in half at this point, but I don’t usually find it necessary because you’ll be sewing it to whatever you’re making, or folding it when you sew it in half if you make drawstrings.

I was really excited to be asked to review a new HGTV HOME line of fabrics from JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts. They sent me a yard of each of these fun fabrics to try out and make something [...]]]> This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own. Here is my full disclosure policy.

I was really excited to be asked to review a new HGTV HOME line of fabrics from JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts. They sent me a yard of each of these fun fabrics to try out and make something from. They have a coupon code and sale for you too- check it out at the end of this post.
Here are the fabrics I received:

The one on the left is a nice decor weight cotton and the one on the right is a nice and heavy cotton/linen blend. I had a really really hard time deciding what to make with them- so many possibilities!! Eventually I realized that they were calling out to be made into a bag. I ended up making this awesome beach bag, which I’m sharing the tutorial for, but if I’d had a proper zipper, I would have made an overnight bag. Could you picture that woven fabric as the outer for an overnight bag? I think it would have been very retro looking. That fabric also would make an amazing table cloth or picnic blanket. And the pattern on the decor weight? I love those giant bright flowers!

Anyway… here is the bag I made. It’s huge. You will be able to fit your picnic, blanket, towels, sand toys and more into this bad boy for a day at the beach. For a little extra personality and usage, I added pockets on each side. They have a little elastic to keep stuff in there. You can make the handles long enough to wear over your arm if you like too! Despite being ginormous, this bag is actually pretty quick and easy to sew. Pretty quickly you’ll be on your way to the beach or a park!

This pattern is a just a bunch of rectangles. Next come the dimensions to cut out. These measurements include a 1/4 inch seam allowance. If you’re not using heavy weight fabric, you might want to cut an extra layer of interfacing or even canvas to make it have more shape.
To cut from fabric:
* bottom – 12.5 x 18.5 – cut one of outer and one of lining.
* narrow sides – 15.5 x 12.5 – cut one of outer and one of lining
* front and back – 15.5 x 18.5 – cut one of outer and one of lining
* pockets – 10 x 12.5 – cut two of lining fabric
* handles – 6 x 18 (or 22 inches if you want it to go on your shoulder) – cut 4 of outer fabric, plus 2 of interfacing

Other notions:
* 3/8 inch wide elastic – 9 inches – x2

Cut everything out:

Alrighty, to get started sewing… let’s start with the handles. Put two of those strips with right sides together. Then add a layer of interfacing on top and sew down the long sides with a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Turn right side out and press. Top stitch 1/8 inch away from each of the long sides.

Repeat with the other strap. Line the two straps up and cut a tiny bit as needed to make sure they are the same length. Set straps aside.

Next, let’s take the pockets. On one of the 12.5 inch lengths, fold the raw edge under 1/4 inch. Now fold again 3/4 inch. Sew nearest that first fold, to make a casing.

Thread elastic through the casing and baste into place at each end. Baste the other three edges of the pocket to the bottom section of the RIGHT side of an outer side piece. Repeat with the other pocket.

Now, let’s make the bag.
Take the bottom piece and match up the short end to the pocket end of one of the side pieces. Sew along the bottom edge of the pocket and side with 1/4 inch seam allowance. Start and stop 1/4 inch from each end. Repeat with other side.

Sew the long edge of a front/back piece to the long edge of the bottom. Again, start and stop sewing 1/4 inch from each end.

Now you should have a big cross – like this:

Repeat with the lining fabric and you’ll have a big cross of it too:

Next, at the corners of the bottom piece, line up the two sides that meet there.

Sew up this corner from top to bottom. You don’t have to leave 1/4 inch on each end this time. Do this for all four corners on the outer fabric, then repeat with the lining fabric.

You’ll have two big inside out rectangle-ish bags.

On the outer fabric, find the front and backs. Make sure you aren’t attaching the straps to the sides!

Grab one of those handles you set aside earlier. Take one short end and pin it on the right side of the front of the bag about 3 inches away from the side. You’ll want the raw edges to match up, and then extend the end of the strap past the fabric edge (this will make it more secure later). I have mine hanging off the fabric about 1/4 inch. Pin it in place.

Pin the other end about 3 inches away from the other side. Make sure that the strap isn’t twisted.

Repeat with the other strap, on the RIGHT side of the back piece.

Now turn the lining fabric right side out and insert it into the outer fabric. Carefully line up the raw edges of the sides and the front and back and match the corner seams.

Sew along the raw edge with a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Leave an opening between the seams on one side or between the handles on one side. You might want to double stitch over the handles.

Alright! Turn that puppy right side out through the hole you left in one side. Press that seam in to make it easier to sew in a second.

Top stitch all the way around the top of the bag 1/8 inch from the edge. Make the raw edges of the opening are inside the bag.

Now, top stitch around the bag one more time, about 1/2 inch away from your first stitching. I just lined up my presser foot and went that width around. Both top stitchings will catch the handles and make them extra secure.

And that’s it! Now just tuck the lining in- you could actually sew the bottom lining and outer together if you wanted another step, but that’s pretty much it!
Fill that baby up and head out for some adventure!

You can try out the new HGTV HOME line of fabrics from JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts too! They have the fabrics in the stores and apparently even more fabrics online. The fabrics are 50% off from April 14 until May 4, and as a bonus, here is an extra 10% coupon that you can use through May 4 also- so that’s nearly 60% off!!
Here’s the coupon to print out or you can use it online.

Have fun creating!!

Linky Parties:
Little House In The Suburbs
Girl. Inspired.
A Crafty Soiree

Easter always [...]]]> Easter never used to be one of my favorite holidays. I mean, it was ok, I got to see my extended family, eat good food, enjoy the weather…. But until I had kids, it wasn’t that exciting. Now every holiday is more exciting, because I get to make it exciting for my kids!

Easter always starts out with the obligatory photos in their beautiful outfits.

You can see that the Little Mister isn’t quite sure what he should do. His outfit is shortalls from the Scientific Seamstress Reversible Romper pattern, with a purchased t-shirt underneath. The shortalls are made from olive green linen and lined with a cotton print with firelies all over it. I sewed an applique from the lining on the front, and a heart shaped one on his hiney. He got a lot of comments about the heart, to which I responded, I don’t have very long that I can get away with hearts on this guy, I gotta get it in while I can!

Lil’Miss’s outfit is my own design. I remember a lot of white frilly things when I was little- I can’t imagine that the outfits were worn after Easter. I wanted Lil’Miss’s outfit to be useable after the holiday as well. The underdress is a sweet little raglan, with elastic through the bust to give it some shaping. The apron is split up the sides and has a single snap in the back.

Both parts can be worn separately as well- the dress by itself, and the apron with or without a t-shirt underneath and leggings. I think both will make some really sweet outfits this summer!

Of course Easter is not without food! This is the dessert table. There were two other tables loaded with delicious and beautiful food. My family really goes all out for Easter, huh?

Little Man quite enjoyed himself. I’ve never seen him sit at the table to eat for such a long time! It didn’t hurt that everyone shared their food with him, especially the desserts!

And what would Easter be, without an egg hunt? We actually had three Easter egg hunts, and Little Man very quickly got the hang of it. He filled his basket to overflowing!

We had a lovely Easter and the weather was magnificent! Sunny and warm all weekend long! I hope your Easter holiday was just as great! Did you make any of your kid’s Easter outfits? What were they like? What did you do to celebrate the holiday?

Linked up at

I remember getting a new dress for Easter every year- I remember white hats and frills and white sandals… so I [...]]]> Easter is a few short days away and so naturally I am just getting to the special outfits for my kids. First up, because I have an idea for it, is Lil’Miss’s dress.

I remember getting a new dress for Easter every year- I remember white hats and frills and white sandals… so I try to make my kid’s dresses really special. However, I also want them to be for more than just one day. Lil’Miss’s dress will have two parts that can be worn a couple different ways.

Ok wait, I’m getting ahead of myself… I’ve got the idea percolating, but the dress isn’t finished, so I thought I would get you excited for some Easter dress creation by sharing these adorable dresses that I found around the blogosphere. I’ll share Lil’Miss’s when it’s all done (which really means after Easter when I take photos LOL).

Left: Last year I made this dress- it’s a variation I created a tutorial for the Practically Perfect Girl’s Tee Shirt. (from me! At Muse of the Morning)

Right: This is a dress I made for Lil’ Miss two years ago. I love apron dresses, they are so sweet and perfect for little hippie girls! You can see the tutorial for making your own here on the blog! (from me! At Muse of the Morning)

Left: Here’s a sweet simple little dress- there’s a tutorial too, and it can use pretty much any peasant dress pattern as a basis. (From Ladybird Lane)

Right: Isn’t this Jackson Pollock inspired dress sweet and fun! I love all the splashy colors! (from Skirt As Top)

Left: I am in love with this ruffley dress that the Cottage Mama made. (From The Cottage Home)

Right: This is an amazing refashion of a men’s button down shirt into an adorable little girl’s dress. Wow! What a transition! (from Me Sew Crazy)

Left: Here’s another dress from The Cottage Mama. This is a free pattern called The Party Dress and it looks really perfect for an Easter celebration! (from The Cottage Home)

Right: For something a little more casual, this adorable stenciled bunny shirt would be super sweet with a skirt. I’m especially loving the combination in the top left with the grey shirt. (From Girl.Inspired)

Left: For something that would be pretty simple to whip up, I love this new take on the classic pillowcase dress – a tiered pillowcase dress! (from Polka Dot Chair)

Right: This dress reminds me of something out of a Jane Austen novel! I love it, and the vintage sheet used for fabric is perfect! (from Pumpkin Pie Crafts)

Left: Here’s some more ruffles! Can you really get enough ruffles? This dress is all green and springy. You can use pretty much any a-line dress pattern to make it. (from Iveyc95)

Right: I love the classic vintage look of this adorable dress. I’ve always been a sucker for this style of dress! (from Simple Simon and Co.)

Left: Some pre-shirred fabric makes for a very easy and quick dress, that is really fun! And tiers- I love tiered dresses! (from Mommy By Day Crafter By Night)

Right: This sweet shirred dress uses shirring that you create yourself, and includes some links to instructions for shirring. (from Running With Scissors)

14 beautiful dresses! There’s something in there to inspire you, right? But probably, you’re much more on top of it and you’re finished with your kids Easter clothes, right? Tell me about them! Link to your favorite outfits or the ones you’ve made!