Sunday, February 13, 2011

Altering Side Wrinkles Out of a Skirt

There is Talbot's Outlet dangerously near my home. It's a true outlet with things from stores that have been marked down. (Not an outlet where things are made just for the outlet.) I frequently find things there for GREAT deals! Like a $108 skirt marked at $11.
It was too long (to the floor) and the hips were wrinkly.
The skirt was straight, so a simple hem job took care of the length. It wasn't lined, so this was pretty straight forward. But what to do about the hips?
Turns out a small seam bringing in the sides by 1/4" each was all that was needed.

I took a shot with one side done so you can see the difference.   See how much smoother the fixed side hangs?
I didn't even have to rip out the old seam first.  Just gently curve the seam from the waist to slightly inward at the hips.


MaryKay is slowly trying to dig herself out from under a mountain if fabric, one tutorial at a time.
You can see the adjustment here- just a slightly inward seam at the hips.  Fixed it right up.  Now, only 600 more mending projects to go! :-)

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Mardi Gras Time! Applique embroidery designs

March 8th is Mardi Gras time!  (2011)

 I love this time of year, and it brings back some fun memories of living in New Orleans as a child. 
Dad used to have a ladder, with a little seat on top we'd bring to parades.  I'd sit up on the seat, yelling "Throw me sumthin Mista!"
Although Mardi Gras parades aren't really thought of as "innocent"... we always made it a family affair. 

We would dance in the streets with the bands, chase beads and doubloons.  Mom always wanted us to soak up the culture.  I remember King Cakes in Elementary school, and at Blue Birds.

To celebrate this time, here's two sweet Mardi Gras designs.  Stitch one up just for fun. In true cajun fashion, I've added some lagniappe. (Type in code lagniappe for an extra $1 off when you order.)
  
"Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez"

MaryKay is slowly trying to dig herself out from under a mountain if fabric, one tutorial at a time.