Felt Banner Tutorial

Teacher Appreciation Week starts on Monday.

The kids' preschool decided on a "Wild About You" theme.

And I couldn't be more excited!

Not only do I get to make some great stuff, but {SIG} is officially sponsoring

the events of the week.

I will be making 4 skinny scarves to give away as

well as this banner to hang in the hallway.

Animal print is so much fun!

This is super easy but it is a little time consuming.

For this banner, I will spell out...

"We are WILD about you"

Let's get a list of materials we will need.

Materials:

~ Stiff felt 12" x 18" ( needed several sheets since it is 1 letter per piece and 1 spacer)

~ Soft felt 8" x 12" (again pick your choice of colors)

~ Pom Poms (several yards, depending on how long your banner is)

~ Scissors

~ Hot Glue Gun

Let's get this banner going!

First, using Word, you will create your letters by using Word Art.

I mad the letters lowercase at 400 size.

Print them and cut them out.

These are your templates.

Now we are going to trace the letters on to the soft felt BACKWARDS.

Cut those babies out!

You have all your letters ready to go.

Let's take 1 sheet of hard felt.

You will mark across the top at 4.5" and 13.5".

On the bottom, make a mark at 9".

Draw a line from the left corner of the bottom to the 4.5" mark.

Then from the 4.5" mark to the 9" mark on bottom.

Again from the 9" to the 13.5".

Finally from the 13.5" to the bottom right corner.

Cut along the lines and you will have 3 triangle banner pieces.

Do enough for each letter PLUS spacers (blank banner to separate the words).

Using your hot glue gun, glue each letter to the banner piece.

Put all your words in order and your spacers in the right place.

Get those pom poms out and ready to glue.

Using your hot glue gun, you will put glue along the top of each piece.

Connect all the pieces together.

Once you glue the pom poms across all your pieces,

your project is complete and ready to hang!

 Isn't it the prettiest?
Just imagine the possibilities.

All the holidays.

Birthdays.

Special occasions.

Teach Appreciation Week.

The list goes on and on and on!

Use different color felt to match the holidays.

Add a shape to the spacers such as a star or flower.

What ideas do you have?
What do you want to create with this tutorial?
Leave a comment!

I wanna know!

Happy Saturday Peeps!

"Bling" on the Converse

I am so stinkin' excited about the new {SIG} accessory!

There are a ton of possibilities BUT...

we want to keep it affordable.

I went on a research mission and blinged out Converse cost between $60-150.

I just think that is ridiculous!
I mean, $60 isn't so bad but if you are a mom/dad to more than one girl,

that is too much to spend for each.

Unless you won the lottery.

Then you could buy anything!

But I know that isn't the case for the general population.

So, that brings us to pricing our blinged out Converse.

We are trying to stay under $60, about $50-60 based on size.

Toddler Converse can be purchased at about $27, youth at $32.

Unless you catch a great sale!

But then you have to worry about size availability.

It's a tough call!

For now, we are pricing the toddler shoes at $50, youth at $55.

And yes...if you want adult size, we will bling them too!

Aren't they precious?

And we can do any color that is available to us.

My girls have theirs, high tops in pink.

Now, we are still perfecting the process but these will be available before you know it.

One last thing, if you have a pair you would like us to bling,

you can send them to us & for $15 we will do the work!

Time to sew and enjoy some quiet time while the kids are gone.

Happy Friday!

One day...

Life won't be so hectic.

I am lying to both you & myself.

Seems as though I feel I write a post and then a whole week goes by with nothing.

And my intention is to blog at least 3-4 times a week.

But then there are the triplets.

Real life.

That are quite demanding I might add.

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't change it for the world.

I love my precious babies!
But they make it hard to work when they are around.

And that is a certain truth.

As with all things life, you have to rearrange and prioritize.

I am in the midst of doing that.

My son, who got very ill at 9.5 months old, is in need of more therapy.

He is speech delayed.

Has some fine motor function challenges.

But, is cognitively on target, even reading before 4.

Fitting in the extra is going to be a challenge.

It means letting go of certain things I do for myself.

Or waking up earlier to get those accomplished.

And I am ready for the challenge.

To get things going here on the blog.

Gawd, I have so many ideas!

Tutorials.

Recipes.

Party Ideas.

Banners.

Yep, you name it, I'm jotting it down.

I figure if I have to prioritize, I may as well do a clean sweep!

Here is a peak at something we have been playing with.

The creative juices do keep moving.

Eh, and I got to play with a new picture editing program on my phone.

Win-win situation in my opinion!

These Converse have been blinged, repurposed actually.

My girls weren't wearing them anymore and Diana (a friend)

approached me about doing this.

I'm always looking for a new facet to add to the business!

We have some practice orders to perfect our technique.

Time to find the Chucks & get going!

And, this post isn't about a pity party.

It is about waking up and seizing the moment.

We only have so much time to do things.

What is important to you?
Is it a priority?

Maybe it is time.

Just sayin'...

{SIG} Design Process

Designing clothes is such a fun process.

It is even more fun when you are working with the customer.

One of my favorite people in the whole world wants pretty Easter dresses.

Miss Anne has triplet girls (only 4 days younger than my trio).

She also has an older daughter.

Getting to plan out dresses with her for the 4 of them is always fun!

So, I thought I would let you in on the creative process.

It all starts by figuring out a designer's line of fabric.

In this case, Anne wanted to have all the girls coordinate using the same print

but she didn't want them in all the same colors.

Michael Miller, our favorite designer by far,

has a beautiful line out right now called Ooh La La which fit the bill perfectly.
Anne wanted to outfit her daughters in 1 main matching print
but different colors which was the Ooh La La Bouquet de Fleurs print.

Then we had to figure out all the coordinating fabrics.
This was quite the process but a fun one!
Luckily, Fabric.com has a design wall that we utilized for this.

And here is what we came up with.

Isn't that the coolest?
Now, came the process of designing the actual dress.
This is going to be a new {SIG} pattern, eventually.

We decided to mix the peasant dress and the tiered knot dress.
Here is what my sketch looks like.

The numbers coordinate with the fabric I will be using.
Had to figure out how much of each one, etc.
Fun process!

And that is what it is like.
Now I am waiting on the fabric.
Then on to sewing it.

Yes, you will see the finished product.
I can't wait!

Amalie Ruffle Bloomers eBook

When I get to pattern writing, my hope is to do at least 2 at a time.

Along with the precious Aden Ruffle Trim Pillowcase Dress,

I decided to tackle our ruffle bloomers.

These 2 patterns make for a complete set!

{yep, I will be doing some tutorials to show you how to spruce up

both the Aden PCD and the Amalie bloomers}

Or, you can just purchase the Amalie Ruffle Bloomers for your collection.

After all, it is the perfect piece to place under any dress.

But if you think that is all it can be used for,

you are soooooo wrong!

These bloomers can be a stand alone piece.

Picking the right fabric such as these prints by Michael Miller.

Who doesn't love a little bit of sweetness in their life?

But best of all, this is the perfect pattern for beginners.

From what beginner sewing testers told me, it takes no time at all even the first time.

The experienced sewers said that it took no more than 15 minutes

from the first cut to the finished product.

Now that is what I call simple!

Pair the bloomers with a bib shirt and you have the perfect summer outfit!

Now available in the {SIG} Etsy Store for purchase.

Look what my testers of the pattern say...

"This is a great beginner pattern for anyone who would like to have that perfect bloomer for under a dress. Very quick to do and simple instructions! Pair this with a cute pinafore for a fabulous spring and summer outfit! I love it!"
~ Talia S, Mommy Sewer ~

"Such a great pattern for a girl! These will be great under a dress (pillowcase or any other), but I love them as a stand alone as a girly version of shorts!! The pattern is super easy, great beginner project. From cut to finish took me less than an hour with my first one! I am glad to have found something that I can throw together quick and easy for my girl! I can't wait to start experimenting with different fabrics to see what looks I can get. Your finished products look so great, its hard to believe how easy you can make them for us at home!"
~ Tanyia, Mommy Sewer ~

And I have to say that I absolutely LOVE 

\to see what my customers make from the patterns.

Please feel free to share your creations on our Facebook page.

Much love!

Aden Ruffle Trim Pillowcase Dress eBook

I have so many pattern ideas in my head.

They can't all come out at the same time.

And it is frustrating!

So, when I finally get "in the mood" to pattern write,

I capitalize on that and try to do more than one.

With the trips running around, it is impossible to get it finished in a day or two.

This ruffle trim pillowcase dress has been on my list for a while.

I think the ruffle trim makes all the difference in the world.

See, I am not a fan of PCDs.

I think they are boxy and although I know the appeal is that it can be worn

as a dress at the beginning and then turn in to a cute top,

I much rather make my girls a peasant dress or skirt.

But that is just me talkin'.

And don't let that fool ya because my girls have this particular style PCD in their closet.

After all, the ruffle makes it special!

There are a couple of tricks in this pattern that I really like.

One has to do with the neck line.

I bet you have gotten a PCD that the ribbon or sash slips through the casing.

Look no further.

That will not be a problem with this beauty!

Also, in the coming weeks, I will be showing you how to embellish

your PCD using this pattern or any PCD pattern you may have.

But I'm telling you, from the words of my testers...

"This is one of the best patterns I have done...and I have

searched for PCD patterns for years now!!!  GENIUS I SAY!"

~ Jana from J.Marie Designs ~

"Wonderful pattern!  Directions were easy to follow and the

finished product came out looking very nice!"

~ Amie B, Mommy Sewer ~

"This pattern is so simple, has easy to follow instructions, and great visuals,

as do all of Astrid's patterns!  You can easily do this pattern from start to 

finish in one afternoon, and you end up with a great, professional looking

product, because of Astrid's attention to detail!  I love SIG patterns!"

~ Talia S, Mommy Sewer ~

The new Aden Ruffle Trim Pillowcase Dress eBook is now available

in the {SIG} Etsy store so if you love it, support a triplet momma and her crew!

And, watch for some embellishing tutorials!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Celebrating Dr. Seuss

This past week at the kids' preschool, they celebrated Dr. Seuss.

We already had 2 Dr. Seuss outfits so I only had

to make one more to complete the whole week.

Monday, as seen in the Initial Applique Shirt Tutorial,

the kids got to wear new outfits.

I made simple Susi skirts for the girls.

{it seems the girls love these skirts the best as they can move freely in them}

For Ian, I made simple {SIG} pants.

They absolutely LOVED the initial shirts!

And I tend to shy away from them since I resell much of what I make them.

There you have Monday's outfits.

Time for Tuesday!

Last year, we did a Dr. Seuss themed 3rd birthday party for the kids.

Of course I made special outfits.
We even had a photography session with Candace, our fave photog.

I was a bit weary that the shirt would no longer fit Ian.

But alas, I was wrong!

And the girls' dresses fit perfectly.

Yay for boutique clothing!

This photo cracks me up!

Sofi was trying to be all "model" on me.

Ian, totally uninterested.

Gabi, being the sweet gal she is.

Here is the low down on the outfits.

Ian is wearing a bowling shirt, a pattern I picked up from Scientific Seamstress.

This was a fun shirt to make but you have to be pretty good behind the machine!

Definitely a pattern for an intermediate to experienced sewer.

Gabi wore an apron knot dress.

This is a {SIG} pattern but I have yet to actually make the eBook.

Don't worry, it is on the list!

Her pants are the Lillie Bell Mega Ruffle Pants by {SIG}.

Finally we have Miss Sofi.

Another hybrid pattern, this is a peasant dress top half and a tiered body.

Super twirl factor, CHECK!

Pants again are the mega ruffle but I altered it for an even bigger ruffle on bottom.

And finally, we had our last day at school, Wednesday.

We busted out The Grinch outfits from Christmas.

After all, it is by Dr. Seuss!

The girls are wearing the Lily Roo Peasant Dress by {SIG}.

Yep, another pattern in the works.

These dresses were actually the test dresses for the pattern.

The girls LOVE the pockets!

For pants, I just did basic Presley Ruffle Pants.

Ian wore basic {SIG} pants and a Grinch applique shirt from Lily Lou Designs.

Staci, the owner of Lily Lou, is our partner in sewing crime.

It is the perfect combo!

There you have it.

The week of Dr. Seuss!

We hope you have enjoyed your week!
Have a wonderful weekend!!!