Supply List:

2 yds Riley Blake Design Santa’s Workshop Flannel

1 package of double fold red fleece bias tape

14 inches of 1/2” wide elastic

Nightgown with Raglan Sleeves to create pattern

First of all, I have not sewn with a commercial pattern…yet.  I just create my own patterns from existing garments or I draw the garment/product I want to create on paper and create a pattern on tissue paper.  This is probably not the easy way, but it’s the way I taught myself to sew.  That being said, this tutorial is based on an existing nightgown my daughter has wore out.  To see how I create a pattern from the old nightgown go here.

BODY:

Starting with the front and back pieces, lay them right sides together.

Sew down the side starting at the armpit.

Iron the seams flat and topstitch down both sides.

SLEEVES:

1. Add the red fleece bias tape on the cuff of both sleeves.  {NOTE: I should have done this to the hem of the body, too, but I planned to do a ruffle…then changed my mind :)}

2. Sandwich the cuff of the sleeve between the bias tape and pin together.

3. Sew a topstitch on the bias tape and your done…with that part.

Fold the sleeve in half right sides together and sew from the armpit down to the cuff.

Turn the sleeve right side out and iron the seam flat.  Top stitch to create a finished look.

Repeat this process with the other sleeve and we are ready to put everything together.

ATTACHING THE SLEEVES:

1. Make sure the body is right side in and the sleeves are right side out.

2. Slide the sleeve into the body where the sleeve should go.

3. Match the seams at the armpit spot on the sleeve and the body.

4. Pin the sleeve in place and sew into place.

Turn right side out, iron flat and top stitch.  Repeat the same process for the other sleeve.

Create the casing for the neck:

I serged the neck line to make it easier to work with.  Then I unfolded the bias tape and ironed it out and pinned one edge all the way around the neck.   Sew it in place.

Then fold the bias tape inside the neck line and pin it to the seam you just sewed.  You are making a casing for the elastic right now.  Sew the casing into place leaving a 1 inch opening to insert the elastic for the neck.

Insert the 14” elastic (or whatever size you need) through the 1 inch opening.  The best way to do this is by putting a safety pin on one end of the elastic and working it through the casing. Constantly hold the other end of the elastic so you don’t lose it in the casing. When the ends meet, overlap them a bit and zigzag stitch them together…back stitch a lot.

Almost done.  All you have to do now is attach the fleece bias tape to the hem of your nightgown just like you did the sleeves.

And you’re done!

My little one LOVES nightgowns so I suspect she will be living in this one for a while…I think she likes it.

The post Flannel Nightgown Tutorial appeared first on U Create.

Recently my siblings and I planned a big family vacation to Disneyland.  

For this trip I made my girls and nieces some adorable Princess Peasant Dresses.  I wanted to make the dresses so that they could wear them to Disneyland and be comfortable.  Also, I didn’t want to spend a ton of money on a dress that might potentially end up with pop, cotton candy and other amusement park goodies imbedded into every crease. 

I headed to the fabric store and bought my VERY FIRST PATTERN: Simplicity 2377.  Why the pattern?  I was about to make 8 dresses ranging from size 4 to size 8.  I wanted to have a base pattern for each size so I didn’t have to spend all my time measuring the girls and figuring out sizing.  Basically, the pattern was the easy way to go…this time.  And it made my mom so proud that I was sewing “old school.”

Instructions: 

I traced all the sizes I needed on to tissue paper and cut them all out.

I washed, dried, and ironed all the fabric. After reading the pattern instructions a couple of times, I got busy sewing!

Cinderella:

For the Cinderella dress, I made the bodice and skirt according to the instructions in the pattern.  However, before I gathered the skirt and connected it to the bodice, I cut rectangular shapes that would wrap around my 4-year-old’s waist.  I serged and hemmed the raw edges and sewed them to the skirt.  Then I gathered the top of the skirt and connected it to the bodice per pattern instructions.

Tinkerbell:

For the Tinkerbell dress, I made the bodice and skirt according to pattern instructions.  Then I made a leaf pattern and cut 6 large leaves.  I serged and hemmed the edges and sewed them to the skirt then created the gathers.  I sewed both the bodice and the skirt together and attached a thick white grosgrain ribbon around the waist for a tie.  Burn the edges of the ribbon in order to prevent fraying.

Snow White:

For the Snow White dress I followed the pattern, but before I assembled the sleeves I sewed strips of red satin ribbon on them.  I did everything else according to the pattern.  I sewed some red satin ribbon around the waist as a tie (like the Tinkerbell dress) and burned the ends to prevent fraying. 

Rapunzel {Tangled}:

The Rapunzel dress was the most time consuming, but it was not hard to make.  I took the front bodice piece of the pattern and cut it into three pieces by folding it in half and cutting a 4 inch wide piece out of the middle {#2 in the picture below}.  I did the same thing with the skirt, but added a 10 inch wide piece in the middle.  Because you eventually gather the skirt, this piece had to be bigger. {FYI: When you add pieces to a pattern make sure to add seam allowances to those pieces.}

Once I had all the pieces cut and ready to create the dress, I added the gold ribbon x’s to the middle bodice piece first.  Start the gold x’s 1.5” from the top so you have plenty of room for the elastic casing of the neck.  I sewed the gold ribbon down using clear thread then I sewed the two small purple pieces to the middle pink piece creating the front bodice.  I did the same thing with the skirt front and then sewed the rest of the dress together using the pattern instructions.  It sounds more complicated than it really is…I promise!

I was just as happy as my daughters and nieces were with the finished product! It was great fun to sew such easy and adorable dresses.

After making 8 dresses with the same pattern, I learned 2 things:

1. I actually didn’t hate following a pattern.

2.  Just because you follow a specific pattern does not mean you can’t make it your own!

Do you use a pattern when you sew or do you just wing it?

NEW! Part Two of the Princess Peasant Dresses!

The post DIY Princess Peasant Dresses appeared first on U Create.

I do! I’m also looking forward to spring and so I thought I’d compile a list of some of the best maxi tutorials out there!!

The hardest part?

Choosing which ones to create….

The first skirt is this long one that is great for a beginner! Sarah makes it look like a piece of cake to create!

Maxi Skirt Tutorial by  Colors and Craft

DIY Chiffon Maxi Skirt by Melissa Esplin

Change up the direction of the pattern and make this MisMatched Maxi Skirt by iCandy Handmade!

Created this tiered maxi skirt by Sew Much Ado!

How fun is this wrap maxi tutorial by Me Sew Crazy!

If you’re looking for a more fitted band instead of a roll top band this is a great option!

High Waisted Maxi Skirt Tutorial by Colors and Craft

DIY Maxi Skirt by Elle Apparel 

Simple Maxi Skirt Tutorial by Simple Simon and Company

I had to include this adorable toddler version. Nat makes these using $5 tank tops from Walmart! What a great idea!

Toddler Maxi Skirt Tutorial

Library Maxi Skirt by U Create

Now let me show these fabulous maxi dress tutorials…

How comfortable does this tee shirt dress look?!

Tee Maxi Dress Tutorial by It’s Always Autumn

DIY Maxi Dress Tutorial at While Camden Sleeps

Turn a knit sheet into this fabulous maxi dress using this tutorial from Dandelion Drift!

I also love this version on JoAnn’s site.

Spring Maxi Dress Tutorial

Get that sewing machine out of the closet and create a comfortable skirt or dress for Spring and Summer!

The post 14 Maxi Dresses and Skirt Tutorials appeared first on U Create.

I like to have a little embellishment on my clothes or shoes. My initial idea was to make an embellished bow for my basic black ballerinas. After I made the bow, I found out that I can easily attach it to decorate an elegant basic top, a dress or even a skirt as well. On the pictures below, you’ll have some ideas on where to put these beautiful and unique bows.

(DIY Embellished Bow Ideas pictures)

For the tutorial you’ll need

• A piece of Ribbon
• Needle & Thread
• Hot glue or tape
• Seed beads
• Pins
• Scissors

STEP 1

First choose the length of your ribbon and add an extra half inch to it (the extra is needed for overlap). With a 7.5 inch ribbon you’ll have an average size bow, like the one I made.

STEP 2

You can use a pin to keep the edges on place, while threading the beads. Or overlap the two edges using hot glue or double sided tape like I did.

STEP 3

Take the needle and your chosen beads. Double the thread and tie the ends of the thread in a knot.

STEP 4

Press down the ribbon. Start threading the beads on the edge of the ribbon. Pass the needle through the underside fabric, once you reach the right side of the fabric add two beads. Push them down on the bottom of the thread and position them as you like. Next push the needle back down into the fabric.

STEP 5

After determining the location of your next seed beads, bring the needle back up. Thread two seed beads again over the needle and push the needle back down into the fabric. Continue adding beads by repeating this process. Make sure not to thread the middle of the ribbon and secure the thread in the end.

STEP 6

So now it’s time to stitch the middle.

STEP 7

After you have stitched through, scrunch and pull tight, tie the thread three times or more around the ribbon. Since you still have the needle, thread enough seed beads and wrap them around the middle of the ribbon. Secure the thread after wrapping them. Cut the thread and make any adjustments if necessary.

Ideas for embellished bows…

POST BY:

Tringa from DIY Clothes

Make sure to see Tringa’s other projects like…

The post DIY Embellished Bow appeared first on U Create.

Daisies are simple, yet some of the most beautiful and sophisticated flowers on earth. These flowers are believed to be more than 4000 years old and can be found in Egyptian decoration. A flower that symbolizes purity, joy and innocence make it the perfect flower for gifting, growing, crafting and sewing.

Here is a very simple product you (or even a little girl) can make. It is pretty to wear and makes a wonderful gift.

DAISY HEADBAND TUTORIAL

SUPPLIES:

• Headband covered with fabric. (You can buy it or cover an old one with fabric yourself)
• String of daisies (This you can find in the haberdashery apartment between the lace.)
• Cotton thread and needle

DIRECTIONS:

Three simple steps to make it:

1. Cut the desired length of the daisies and pin it in place.

2. Sew with small hand stitches

3. Wear it……. Show it off…… and enjoy it!

POST BY:

Make sure to visit Crazy Kitsy for more projects like…

a vintage purse, DIY angels, poetry pillows, drafting a pattern, and more!

The post Daisy Headband Tutorial appeared first on U Create.

Supplies used:

• 1/4 yard of designed fleece
• 1/4 yard solid color fleece
• sharp scissors
• sewing machine (or hand sew)

Instructions:

Step #1: Cut the Fleece

Cut fleece into two 6 inch x 50 inch strips.

Step #2:  Sew

Stack the scarf strips on top of each other.  Sew a straight line right down the middle of the fleece.

Step #3: Make the Fringe

Cut 1 inch strips all up and down both side of the sewn stitch.  This creates a fun fringe and it’s the kid’s favorite part of the craft.

Step #4: Shake it out

Shake the scarf to make the fringe full and ENJOY!

Post by:

The post DIY Fleece Scarf appeared first on U Create.

We are thrilled to announce that our Crafternoon felt bunting headband kits are now available in JoAnn stores!

You can make this darling headband with your princess in 20 minutes or less! Fun for back to school, too!

Kit Includes 8 pieces:

• royal felt die cut pieces
• velvet elastic
• flower

You can make this craft in 20 minutes or less! Fun for back to school, too. We are so excited about the Crafternoon program and all of the many crafts available.

The post Felt Bunting Headband appeared first on U Create.

Supplies:

Tights (old or new)

Sewing Machine

Matching Thread

Scissors

M&M’s and Diet Coke {optional, but why sew without them}

Instructions:

1. Cut the heel and toe off and throw them away.

2.  Make sure the remaining squares are cut straight on top and bottom.  Cut the little squares in half, like above.
                 

3.  Zigzag stitch the ends of each strip.  This photo only shows the bottoms zigzagged, but I ended up doing both sides.  Zigzag the bottom of the tights too.  So, now you should have a “ruffled” hem on all pieces. 

5.  Slide one of the strips on the leg just above the ruffled hem.

6.  Stitch into place right down the middle. 

7.  Slide the other strip above the first one and stitch into place.  Repeat everything on the other leg of the tights and you are done.

On the other tights I just did the zigzag stitch ruffle hem and left them like that. 

I love both pairs!  They are adorable and SUPER quick and easy.

Check out My Craft Channel for more fun DIY videos!

Post by: Becky

The post DIY Tights into Leggings (Video Tutorial) appeared first on U Create.

In 2013, I showed you some Disney Princess peasant dresses I made for our surprise trip to Disneyland.  My girls loved those dresses so much!  Naturally, my girls have sprouted up in the last 3 years and the Frozen fury has taken the world by storm since then. So, for our Throwback Thursday Tutorial I decided to make 5 more Disney Princess dresses!

First off, you will need the Simplicity 2377 pattern or your favorite peasant dress pattern and 1/2″ elastic for the neck and arms.

I have made 14 of these dresses now and have some tips and tricks:

-Because kids grow so quickly, use inexpensive fabric and embellishments.

-Keep in mind these are play clothes.  Don’t use fabric or embellishments that need special care…unless you want to provide that special care. {Personal note: don’t use satin!}

-Cut all pattern pieces out first and create piles of EVERYTHING you will need to make each dress. Especially if you are making a lot of different sizes and styles.  This way you don’t have to make multiple trips to the craft store…unless you want to.

Let’s get started!

Princess Belle’s Dress:

What you need:

1/4 yd MORE of the bright yellow fabric

3 large round buttons

Belle’s ruffle was created with less than a quarter yard of fabric.  I seriously eyeballed the scallops lightly traced with a pencil, then measured up about 3 inches and repeated the scallops.  Cut it out and serge or zigzag stitch the raw edges.  Turn the edges on the top and bottom under 1/4″ and stitch down.

Before you sew the skirt together, gather between the scallops and pin the gathers to the front of the skirt.  I then sewed the gathered parts to the skirt front.  Next I sewed the skirt front and back together and followed the rest of the pattern.

Lastly, I added the large round buttons on top of the gathers.  My little girl wanted big red rose buttons, but had to settle for traditional round ones.  Life is hard when you’re six, huh?

Princess Merida’s Dress:

What you need:

1/2 yd of gold fabric…not satin!

Okay, so in an attempt to use up my stash, I decided to go with gold satin for the Merida princess dress.  That made things difficult for two reasons…

1. It’s super slippery! It slides all over the place making it hard to cut and sew.  I may have dropped a couple of minor swear words during the process.

2. Satin snags on EVERYTHING.  I snagged it on the sewing needle, the end of my table, with my fingernail, and even on my dry flakey skin.  That was kind of annoying.

Now that my rant on satin is over, we can continue.

I made the skirt and back of the bodice according to the pattern. To create the front of the bodice, I cut two 3″ strips of gold fabric and three 5″ strips of greenish fabric and sewed them together.  I ironed it and then laid the pattern for the front of the bodice on it and cut and assembled according to the pattern.

For the tie down the side, I cut a 5″ x “length of the fabric” strip.  I folded it in half with right sides together and sewed down one side creating a tube.  I turned it right side out, ironed it and turned the open ends inside the tube about 1/2″.  Then I stitched around all sides creating one big long sash.

Find the middle of the sash and pin in to the front of the skirt…where ever you would like it.  Sew into place and tie a loose knot.  I sewed the knot down so it wouldn’t come undone.

Princess Tiana’s Dress:

What you need:

– 3/4 yd of green that is just darker than the dress fabric.

-one white posterboard

-large white flower with a brooch pin (or take a flower and attach a safety pin)

Assemble the skirt and bodice according to pattern instructions, but don’t sew the bodice to the skirt yet.

Create a 2 leaf shapes on the white poster board. One that is about 18″ long x 8″ wide (at the widest part) and one that is 6.5″ long x 4.5″ wide. Cut them out and lightly trace 4 long leaves and 3 small leaves.  Cut the leaves out of the green fabric and zigzag stitch or serge the raw edges.

Turn the sides of the leaves under 1/4″ and sew down.  Now that you have hemmed the leaves, increase tension on your machine so that the fabric will pucker when you sew. Sew a straight line from the tip to the wide end of the leaves…the puckering will make it look “leafy.”

Arrange the long leaves on the skirt piece and pin into place along the top (raw edge) of the skirt.  (Note: I only did leaves on the front).  Arrange the small leaves on the front of the bodice, lining them up with the bottom of the bodice (at the raw edge) and pin into place.  I secured the small leaves to the bodice by sewing the point of the leaves in place.  I didn’t do this to the large leaves because I wanted them to be flowy.

Attach the bodice and skirt according to pattern instructions. Pin the flower to the dress; make sure to take the flower off when you wash it though…thus the reason for the pin.

Frozen Princess Dresses:

Princess Anna’s Dress:

What you need:

-Black fabric for bodice (yardage according to pattern)

-Light blue fabric for sleeves (yardage according to pattern)

-Dark blue fabric for skirt (yardage according to pattern)

-Maroon FAT QUARTER for flowers.

-Heat and Bond for applique

-light blue puffy paint

-white pencil or chalk

-pencil
Creating the flowers on Anna’s dress was pretty simple.  I didn’t want to do something to ornate so I made big tulips and added the stem with puffy paint.  (Totally had an “I Love the 90’s” moment.)

Make the flowers:

#1: First, I ironed the Heat and Bond to the maroon fabric. Then, I freehand drew the tulips.

#2: Cut them out and arrange them on the front of the skirt.  According to Heat and Bond instructions, iron on to the front of the skirt.

#3: Using a white colored pencil or sharpened chalk, draw some kind of pretty stem.

#4: Trace stem with puffy paint and let dry!

I like how the puffy paint dried clear, although I didn’t plan on that.  It looks pretty cool.

Now assemble the dress according to pattern instructions.

Princess Elsa’s Dress:

What you need:

-1 yard of some white lacy/floral fabric; this is for the cape and sleeves.

Cut sleeves out of the white fabric and then cut a 30″ x 24″ rectangle for the cape.  Serge or zigzag stitch all the edges of the cape EXCEPT the top, and hem under 1/4″.
Step #1: Using the longest/loosest stitch on your machine, sew a straight line across the top of the cape about 1/4″ from the top.  Then do it again about a 1/2″ down from the last seam. Pull the bobbin threads from the lines you just sewed and the cape will start to gather. Once you are happy with the gathers, set your sewing machine back to a regular stitch and sew a straight line in between the two gather stitches.  This will secure the gathers.

Step #2: Pin the gathered cape to the top of the back bodice piece.

Assemble the dress according to pattern instructions. Once you add the elastic around the neck, the cape will gather even more.

So there you have it!  That’s how to make 5 Disney Princess peasant dresses from 1 pattern. These dresses are perfect for Disneyland trips because they are not restrictive nor are they expensive so you can easily let your little princess have a great time without fear of ruining a pricey dress.

{By the way, if you haven’t seen the surprise video it’s hysterical…my girls have a very unexpected reaction!}

In case you issed Part One of the Princess Dresses…

PRINCESS DRESSES PART ONE

The post Princess Peasant Dresses: Part Two appeared first on U Create.

My little girls are growing out of their jeans so fast.  With summer approaching I plan to make many of their jeans into skirts or shorts…ya know, get as much wear as possible out of them.  In the spirit of getting as much wear as possible, I decided to use the “leg” scraps from all these refashioning projects to make some matching hairbows.  So here’s a RAGGEDY DENIM HAIRBOW TUTORIAL to show you how to use up those denim scraps.

Supply List:

old jeans

sharp scissors

alligator clips

glue gun and glue

embellishments: fabric scraps, buttons, etc. (optional)

Step #1:  Cut the legs off the jeans.

Starting about 2 inches from the top of the back pockets, cut straight across.  Save the top piece and create this awesome skirt.  Today we are just working with the leg pieces.

Step #2:  Cut circles.

Cut numerous sizes of circles.  I just free hand them because they will look raggy by the time you are done.

Step #3:  Stack ’em.

Stack 3 or 4 (or more) circles on top of each other.  Biggest on the bottom and smallest on the top.

Add color by using scraps of fabric cut into circles and add in between denim circles.  Attach a button with needle and DMC floss.

Step #4:  Secure the circles.

Using a sewing machine or needle and thread, sew the circles together with a couple of stitches right in the middle.

Step #5:  Cut edges.

Cut slits into the edges of the circles. The deeper you cut to the middle the more raggy the end result will be.  If you do small slits, only the edges will be raggy.

Step #6: Soak it.

Once you have the circles all assembled, put them in the sink and get them wet.  Wring the water out and make them raggedy, by wringing each one out in a towel.  Take them out of the towel and shake them a bit to get the denim to fray.

Step #7: Let them dry.

You can let them air dry, but I am not that patient so I put them all in a lingerie bag and threw them in the dryer for about 20 minutes.  They also get more raggedy that way.

Step #8: Embellish if you’d like

Attach a big button to some of them using a needle and DMC floss.

Step #9:  Attach a clip

Using the hot glue gun, attach an alligator clip to each one.

The post Raggedy Denim Hairbow Tutorial appeared first on U Create.