How to Apply an Appliqué in 10 Easy Steps

Step 1:

Trace each appliqué piece onto the paper side of your fusible webbing.  Leave approximately 1/2" between each pattern piece.

Step 2:

Cut out the traced pieces .  Be sure to leave approximately 1/4" of extra webbing around each piece.

Step 3:

Position the fusible webbing pattern pieces onto the wrong side of your appliqué fabric.  Use your iron to fuse the pieces.  Do not use steam.

Step 4:

Cut out the pieces along the traced lines.

Step 5:

Remove the paper backing and position the appliqué pieces onto your project, with the webbing side down.  Layer the pieces as directed by the placement guide.

Step 6:

Place a pressing cloth over the appliqué design and fuse with an iron, following the manufacturer's instructions.

Step 7:

Cut a piece of stabilizer that is approximately 1.5" - 2" bigger than the appliqué design.  Position the stabilizer on the wrong side of your project fabric, underneath the appliqué.  Use pins or baste the stabilizer in into position.

Step 8:

Set your machine to a zigzag stitch and stitch around the appliqué.  You can use coordinating thread or contrasting thread, depending on the project and the look you wish to achieve.  You can also change the thread colour for each appliqué piece, as desired.

Step 9:

Remove pins or basting stitches from stabilizer and trim stabilizer as close to stitching as possible without cutting through the project fabric.

Step 10:

If applicable, apply finishing touches to project - this could include sewing on extra trims and notions, or drawing on accents with a fabric marker.

Fabric Flower Boutonniere

As you may already know if you've been following my posts, I love to find ways to use up all of the scrap fabric I have.  That's why was really pleased to learn how to make this adorable fabric flower, which I turned into a boutonniere by sewing a felt circle with a bar pin to the back of it.  My boutonniere is a mix of plaid, lace and a mix of other novelty fabrics I found in my scrap bin.  I love to wear my new accessory with my black winter coat.

Refashion: Deer Sweater

I had a sweater dress that I'd worn for a few years, but was becoming bored of, so I decided it was time for a change.  On a whim, I cut the sweater open, right down the center.  After serging the raw edges, I thought about what I could do to change up the look of the old sweater dress a little bit.  I finally decided to use a black lace trim that I've had stored away in my sewing closet for a while.  I hand sewed the trim to the edge of the new opening, and around the neckline, and was pleased with the look my "new" winter cardigan.

More Signature Cowls from Player Two Apparel

…yet another cowl that I sewed for sale on my Etsy Shop.  I love mixing and matching the colours and prints.

 

Saturday Sewing

I love Saturdays because I wake up early, get a coffee from Tim Horton's, and do some sewing.  Today I made another Player Two infinity scarf for my Etsy shop.  I found that if you roll the scarf up and wrap the bow band around it, it becomes compact, and perfect for storage.

Player Two Infinity Scarf with Bow Band

This is my latest project.  I've made this type of infinity scarf before, but this time I added a removable bow band.  I've posted this particular item for sale in my Etsy shop: Player Two Apparel

 

 

 

 

 

 

Re-make of Simplicity 2315 Skirt (with Modifications)

In a previous blog post, entitled Faux Snake Skin Skirt: Simplicity 2315, I wrote about having sewn a pencil skirt from the Simplicity 2315 sewing pattern.  This is one of my favorite skirts.  I wear it all the time, which is why I've decided to re-make the pattern.

My inspiration for wanting to re-make Simplicity 2315 is a linen blouse I purchased from Joe Fresh that I think will look great with a pencil skirt.  I bought the blouse because I instantly fell in love with the dragonfly print and the flouncy sleeves.  Back in college, when I was a fashion design student, I would often draw flouncy sleeves on sketches of summer dresses and blouses.

I have a few meters of a vibrant blue cotton sitting in reserve on my fabric shelf for just such an occasion.  The blue in the skirt really brings out the small hints of blue in the dragonfly pattern.

For this project, I will be making view A and eliminating the tabs.  The waistband of the skirt will be covered by the blouse when I wear it, so I felt that it wasn't necessary to include any extra embellishment there.  An additional change I am making is that I've decided to shorten the length by 2.5".

I will post pictures of the skirt upon completion.

Simplicity Pattern 2315

 

This is the fabric I will be using for the skirt

Joe Fresh summer blouse that I bought

Note the flouncy sleeves

Another Sewing Tip in Threads Magazine

Another one of my sewing tips has been published in Threads Magazine.  This is my third tip to be published so far.  Pick up a copy of the August/September 2015 issue of Threads to read it!

Sketch by my Professor

When I was in first year college, my fashion design Prof. stopped by my desk one day and decided to whip up this sketch in my sketchbook.  I'm always inspired whenever I look at this and think of the encouragement he gave me when I was just starting out.  I think that I will probably frame this for the wall in my sewing room.

Floral 2-Scarf Cover-Up

I was out in the shops this evening when I came across some scarves that I really liked.  They were 2 for $20 so I was inspired to purchase two of the same, and to sew them together to make this cover up.  It's really long so it looks best when worn with a belt to cinch it in at the waist.  I can't wait to wear my new cover-up with a t-shirt, leggings and some heels.

New Pattern for Sale!

I'm super excited to announce that my first ever original pattern is for sale in my new Player Two Patterns Etsy shop.  Click here to check it out: Player Two Patterns

Draping for Fun

I have several yards of a floral printed chiffon on my fabric shelf that I bought a few years ago.  I didn't have a project in mind when I bought it, I just really fell in love with the colours and the print.  I thought it would be fun to drape it on my dress form just to see what I could come up with.  I think it would look great as a breezy, flowing maxi-dress.

 

Mint Teepee and Plaid Scarf

A while back I wrote about the fabric I ordered from Spoonflower from a shop called Kimsa. 
(Click here to read: Kimsa Fabric from Spoonflower)

I finally got around to making the scarves I had in mind with the fabric.
You can see pictures of the final project below, and in my Etsy Shop