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! :-)

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.

New Coupon Codes Are up on the site

New Coupon codes are now available on the site. They are only good until 1-31-2011, so take a look.

Valentine's Day is coming!! What wonderful things are you stitching up? I have new designs that can be used as pencil toppers or hair pretties, with instructions included. Also Valentine stuffies! Put something fun in their box this year.

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

Aaaahhh.. Halloween Sewing

I love making Halloween designs. My girls get such a kick out of the holiday.
For the next week-- ALL HALLOWEEN designs are on sale for $1.50 or less. Check 'em out.

http://keepsmeinstitches.com

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

Design Sale Sunday, Monday and Tuesday!

Did I say warmer weather???
Today, it's snowing in Dallas again. (I know, you northern friends are mocking me, but I live where it is HOT for a reason!)
Snow? In Dallas? In March?

As long as everything is crazy and March madness is on the tube... might as well sew.

All non-font designs are 50% off Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

Enjoy!

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

A new Sewer Sewist in the House

Kat, who is now 7, got a sewing machine for Christmas. The machine she got is the Janome Mini.

There are mixed reviews on this machine, but do not mention this to Kat- she loves it. Mom's a fan too. It's easy to thread and wind bobbins (which she is doing all on her own) and the speed is a little slower than my Janome 10001, which is a little safer, too.

She's ready to move on to some bigger projects, so we'll be making some beginner items in the coming months. If you have a new sewer/sewist in your home, please sew along! I'd love to see what you (or your little people) are making.

Our first project is going to be a pillow case. We'll start this week.

Mom, on the other hand, is sewing up some cheer tops. I'm going to try to get out a tutorial on easy ways to get fabric inset panels for costuming-- so hopefully there will be something for everyone.

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

You Rock My Heart Valentine Applique embroidery design

I love Valentine's Day-- and not just for the chocolate!

I love the look on the girls faces as they open their little cards. I love that whole childhood anticipation.... and yes, I'm a sucker for chocolate.

Here's a new design you could use for a boy's shirt too. Just make the colors a little more masculine, and it could be a great addition.

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

Aaaahhhh.. Christmas!

It's hard to imagine it's almost time to pack up the tree. We had a great holiday with Kevin's folks and my mom coming in (separately) for a few days each.

I managed to get almost all the sewing done in time to get it under the tree-- and one of the girls (Kat) is enjoying her own sewing machine this year, thanks to Santa.

She got a little Janome Mini, and she has been sewing up a storm. This machine has mixed reviews. There's some great reviews of it on patternreview.com. Kat is only 6, turning 7- and it's a super machine for her. It really sews, winds bobbins and has some adjustments in stitch length.

One of her first projects was a drawstring bag- an easy beginning project if you are a new sewer yourself. I'll try to get the tutorial up later today.

Time to start gearing up for Valentine's Day :) I have some new designs up, in case you have the sewing bug. I'm also going to try my hand at pettiskirts again, after receiving two GLORIOUS fluffy ones for the girls at Christmas.

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

CYBER MONDAY SALE

EDITED TO ADD: This post is no longer valid :) Please see the website http://keepsmeinstitches.com for current specials. Thanks!


You knew I wouldn't be able to resist!

Buy 1 get 1 free on Etsy only. Please do not purchase your free design-- send it in Notes to Seller.

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

New SALE!

Hooray! I recently celebrated my 170th sale. I'd really like to hit 200 by Christmas... and reward you for helping me. So here we go! I'm going to increase for a limited time, the number of free designs you can earn as follows:

• Buy 3, Get 1 Free


• Buy 5, Get 2 Free


• Buy 7, Get 3 Free


• Buy 9, get 5 Free

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

Turkey Applique SALE!

I love this little guy! So before you stuff yourself this week-- stitch up some fun.

Intro priced this week only for $1.50 on the website.

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

Wow! Need an Update- What a turkey!

Well, sometimes life gets in the way of blogging. A customer (thank you!) reminded me that my blog still shows the 60% sale-- thanks to all my great customers, I'm now at 154 Etsy sales!

The current sale is Buy 2, Get 1 Free! Here's how it works. Purchase your two designs on the same invoice. Then in the "notes to seller" indicate your free design choice. That's it! Please do not "buy" your free design, as Etsy will charge me fees for it.

AND... a new cute turkey and light saber applique designs are available on Etsy. I hope to have them up one my website later tonight.

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

60 % off sale!

I've been really trying to build my feedback and #'s on etsy, so 10 sales ago I posted a 50 % at 50 sale. It was a great success!

So.... Yep. Till we get to 70, as long as you buy 2 or more designs, you will be refunded 60% of your purchase price!

Wow. That's about all I can say..... wow.

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

New Designs

Couple of new designs up- I've been very busy preparing for TMUMC Fall on the Mound!

Stop by and say hi! http://keepsmeinstitches.etsy.com/

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

Applique Christmas Tree

Brand new:

Applique Christmas Tree


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

Drill team design now available

I've been working on some shirts and other things for the Plano Williams High School Cheyannes. One of the problems with creating drill team spirit wear, is the lack of drill team designs readily available.

After finishing the design, I decided to offer it on my website. If you are interested in customizing this to match your own drill team uniform, please contact me.

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

It's Greek to Me...

Thought you might like a glimpse of the new font. Bring back any college memories???

Seemes like with soccer practice, RE, school and other activities, we haven't had time to breathe around here. This one should be ready in two sizes by next week :-)

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

White Robots Can't Dance...

Robots.





They can do many things-- rhythm is not in their nature.



Coming soon, hopefully this week. I'm trying him with glitter fabric for a Disco ball head!



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

New! Applique Girls are Weird Font

One of my favorite fonts, personally- now available as applique for your sewing machine!

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

keepsmeinstitches.com

Comes in three sizes of lowercase letters: 3" (fits 4x4 hoops) 4" and 5".

Some letters (like J, l, k) are taller.

Download it instantly with your payment! PLUS... Special sale through Labor Day, all fonts are $5!

I am Asleep Striped Eyemask Featured in Treasury

The eyemask is featured in a fun BNR treasury...

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=79495

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