Sort Of Tutorial

Ok...so this is gonna be a "sort of" tutorial for putting in a placket.  Way back- a coupla months ago-  when my life was consumed with making THREE Easter outfits (four if you count mine) I had two dresses that called for plackets.  I had put in a placket before on A's Easter dress 2011 but my memory was a little fuzzy about how to make one (aside from the fact that I recalled it being scary and difficult) so I did what I usually do when I don't feel like thinking and figuring out...I Googled... "How to make a placket".  I didn't really find a whole lot out there. I mean, there were some lovely directions on this, but nothing with actual step by step photos. So I gathered up some scrap fabric and reached back into my 2010 Easter dress memory file and (sigh) used up some of my brain cells to figure out this placket thing.  

Can you imagine my surprise when I discovered that putting in a placket was (GASP) easy!!  It was then that I decided I would post a "sort of" tutorial with step by step photos for making a placket...Unfortunately my computer decided that it didn't want me adding pictures or anything else that would take away from it's already limited memory.  So I had to wait...which brings me to my "sort of" placket tutorial.

Step one

Find the center of the skirt back.  Measure the size placket you will be making (mine is 3 inches) and draw a line (using a fabric marker).  Ignore the stitching on the side...I had already done that before I thought about taking pictures :)

Measure 1/4 " on each side of your mark.  Stitch at an angle (V) from the top of the skirt to the bottom of your marker line, pivot and stitch one stitch across, pivot and stitch to the top of the skirt at an angle (you should end up 1/4" from your mark on the opposite side).

Cut along the mark line (NOT on your stitch lines!)

Open your skirt piece up where you cut.  I cut 3" so I now have a total of 6" open. 

Cut a piece of fabric (facing strip) 1 and a half inches wide by the total placket length when it is opened.  Since I made my placket 3" it is 6" when opened. (ie: If your placket is 5" then your facing strip would be 1 & 1/2" x 10").

Pin facing strip to the skirt, right sides together. If you look closely at the pictures you will notice that the edges line up on each end but in the middle (where it V's) the facing strip is slightly showing. 

Stitch just to the outside of the previous stitching.

This is what it will look like when you open it. 

Fold the facing strip over and press.  Then turn 1/4' along the raw edge and press.

Fold facing strip to the wrong side of the skirt just covering the stitching line.  Pin in place.

Stitch right along the facing piece. I use a "stitch in the ditch" foot (Bernina foot 10) but you can use a regular foot and it works fine.

Fold placket to wrong side and press in place.  Stitch 1/4" from top edge just a couple of stitches (don't forget to backstitch) and then diagonally across bottom of facing (where it V's)






That's it!! You have made a beautiful placket.  It was super easy and your dress has a much more finished look.  Remember, if you still aren't exactly sure if you are doing it right you can always use scrap fabric to "practice" on first.

Happy Sewing!!

Sew Sweet!!

While checking out the Michael Miller blog ~  I ran across THE MOST ADORABLE FABRIC!!  It isn't available just yet, but rest assured that when it is, my child/children WILL be adorned in it...lots of it!

The designer of this fabric is Sarah Jane, an illustrator that I have admired for some time now.  Her illustrations are so sweet  and reminiscent of my childhood. 




To see her full collection go to Kathy Miller's blog here
or to Sarah Jane's blog here.

Happy Sewing!
~Heather

Update on Summer sewing classes

Hope everyone is OK from the terrible storms that came through last Wednesday.  I was thrilled to death when our power came back on last night and then I was able to get on the computer today, yea!!  I can't say that I didn't not like having the power being out though.  It slowed things way down and honestly, I really liked it.  We got to know our neighbors across the street a little better, we didn't have to run and be here and there, and we went to bed just after dark.  I have to say, I really liked not having power for a little while, but I am glad to have warm bath water again, awwww!!

Anyway, just wanted to update everyone and let you know that we had to change our classes around a little bit.  Some really cute knit that Barb is getting in is not going to be here until June, so we are switching around a couple of the classes to accommodate that.  I have attached the updated flyer and if you are on Barb's mailing list, you should be receiving one in the mail soon.  Sign up soon, before they fill up!!

Sandi Henderson Pattern Sale

Hey all!  Something completely unheard of is going on over at Sandi Henderson's Portabellopixie site...she has marked ALL of her patterns 50% off!!  She is changing to a larger distribution center and is getting rid of inventory before the move.  She says that most likely she will not restock these patterns so get them while they last!!  Here is a link to her blog.  You can go to her store from there to order the patterns.
                                          portabellopixie.typepad.com

Happy Sewing!!

New exciting classes

I know ya'll are thinking we dropped off the face of the Earth, because there haven't been any posts lately.  Truth is heirloom sewing is not something you can just whip up real fast, it completely takes over your life for a while!!

On to better things... new classes for this summer.  We are scheduled to teach three classes this summer at Barb's Sewing Center.  Very, very excited about all of them. There are some super cute patterns and techniques we'll be teaching.  Take a look at the flyer and see if you are interested in any of them.  If so, run, don't walk, to Barb's to sign up!! 

As you can see, we don't have just a bunch a followers right now, so if you wouldn't mind, please pass the word on, post to your blog, or facebook page.  Thanks bunches!!!

Fabric Euphoria

Yesterday I made a trip to one of my favorite fabric stores...Quilter's Combo in Madison.  They just got in a new Michael Miller shipment and Oh My Goodness!!  She had about 10 different fabrics from the Pillow and Maxfield Gypsy line.  I couldn't decide which ones I liked best.  These are the three that I ended up picking out for a flounce skirt for Grace.

Like I said, these are just three of the MANY fabrics from this Michael Miller line.  So, what are you waiting for?  Go check them out!

Portabellopixie Gracie workshop

Don't forget to sign up for the round yoke Gracie dress workshop at Barb's Sewing Center.  The class is scheduled for next Tues. (3/22) and Thurs. (3/24) evening from 5:30-8:30.

Sign up and pay for the class at Barb's (located at 2310-A Whitesburg Dr.) or you can call 256-539-2414 and pay at time of class. 

If you do not already have the Portabellopixie Gracie pattern you will need to purchase it along with your supplies. *Remember, Barb offers a 20% discount if you buy your supplies there.  She has the Portabellopixie pattern in stock along with some gorgeous fabric!

Also, be sure and wash, dry, and iron your fabric before the class!

Hope to see everyone next week!