Easy Applique Method

Adorning oneis, tee's, backpacks or Christmas stockings with a simple applique is an easy way to make the simple and inexpensive look designer and expensive. This method is not only very easy for the beginner, but will last as the edges are finished not just applied with fusable web.

1. Begin with the exact pattern and a lightweight interfacing. Trace the pattern (the traced line will also be the stitch line) on to the interfacing, in this case we are doing a star.

2. Cut out the interfacing leaving at least a 1/4 inch from the traced line. Now here is the trick! Cut a hole inside the traced lines. Don't worry... you'll never see this in the finished product.

3. Pin the traced interfacing to your chosen fabric. Sew all the way around on the traced line, do not leave a space for turning! Remember to backstitch to start and finish your seam.

4. Trim to 1/4 inch from the sewn line. For sharp corners, clip the excess fabric at the points and make a small clip all the way to the stitch line on the inside corners being careful not to trip the thread. Now turn it right side out through that hole you previously made.

5. Poke out the points. Use any pointed item on hand, mechanical pencil with no lead showing, knitting needle, paint brush handle, just be careful not to poke through your fabric.

6. Lastly, iron your item flat & Viola! Now you can either hand or machine applique it on to your project!

Low-Sugar, Low-Fat Cheesecake- That Tastes Good!

This easy but impressive dessert is not only low-fat and low-sugar, but idiot proof too! It always turns out no matter what, it just takes a little time with all the steps. It can be served plain with a slight lemon flavor, with fresh strawberries as shown or with hot fudge drizzled on top for those not concerned about sugar.

Crust - 1 1/2 c finely crushed graham crackers, 1/4 c walnuts, 1 TBSP splenda (sugar substitute), 1/2 c butter melted (or margarine)

Combine graham crackers, walnuts and sugar in a bowl, stir in melted butter. Press into the bottom of an 8" springform pan. Set aside (I usually go skimpy and don't use all the crumbs b/c of the sugar)

Filling- three 8oz pkg of low fat cream cheese softened (let them sit out for several hours, don't use the micro), 1 cup splenda, 2TBSP flour, 1 tsp vanilla, 1/4 c milk, 3 eggs slightly beaten, 1/2 tsp finely shredded lemon peel (skip it if you're doing chocolate on top)

In a large bowl beat cream cheese, sugar, flour and vanilla with and electric mixer until combined. Beat in milk until smooth. Stir in eggs and lemon peel (if desired).
Pour filling into crust lined pan. Place pan in shallow baking pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 40-45 minutes, or until about a 2 1/2 " area around the edge appears set when shaken.

Cool the pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Using a knife, loosen the crust from the sides of the pan, cool 30 minutes more. Remove the sides of the springform pan. Cool completely on rack. Cover and chill at least 4 hours before serving.

Have fun and enjoy.

No Sew Fleece Pillow

Materials
fleece (whatever size you need)
Stuffing (enough to fill your pillow)
scissors or rotary cutter
Straight edge and cutting mat (if you use rotary)

For the following pictures I use 22"x22" fleece fabric on one side and 22"x22" plush fabric on the other. Make sure the fabric is soft... both right sides and wrong sides will be exposed. You will want 8" longer total on top and sides, then what you want your finished project to be. You can also use a pillow form inside instead of just stuffing. It will probably give it a more even look. These are for my kids and will be on the floor a lot. I used about a 1/2 bag of the walmart mid size bag of stuffing. For the large pillow I used 2 1/2 bags.

You will want to lay the fabric wrong sides together on top of each other. Take your rotary cutter or scissors and cut 4"x4" squares out of the corners.
All around the edge cut 1" wide strips, 4" long. Leave attached, do not cut them off the fabric.
Now, go around the edge and tie double knots, top to bottom. Kinda like the first knot when you tie your shoes, but do it twice.
Leave a few open in the middle of one of the sides, so you can stuff it.
Then, stuff it.
Tie the last few strips together.
Voila, you've got yourself a pillow.

Repurposed Pillowcase Style dress from An Old Shirt by Rockerchic

So many people love to repurpose! I know that I do! Heres a great way to show Dad how much you care on Fathers day!

You can take an old shirt that belongs to him, or Grandpa for that matter, and let your little princess wear it on Father's Day!

Heres what you need:
Iron and Ironing board
Sewing Machine
Serger
Seam Ripper

Materials:
Old Shirt (long or short sleeve)
Spool of coordinating ribbon

Start out with your shirt laying flat. It's probably better to pick out a shirt that is of a more feminine color, but make sure it is a man's shirt... women's shirts are darted and curved and mens are more straight, that makes it easier to make the dress from.

The first thing your going to do: Take off the pocket. Remove the pocket, carefully so as not to put holes in your shirt, so we can move it and place it lower on the shirt later.

The Second thing: Cut the sleeves off. Cut below the line where the seams are, go ahead and cut them both off.

This is what your shirt should look like now:
Now, it's time to measure the length of your dress. Take your tape measure and mark where you want the length to be, from the bottom. I wanted mine to be 19 inches long from the neckline to the hem. So I measured 20 inches, marked, and cut across (where the arm holes are) to the other side.

Make sure you iron the fabric now, before you do anymore cutting or sewing. Unbutton the shirt and iron all the wrinkles out. Make sure you iron the pocket too, even though it isn't attached.


You should at this point have something that looks pretty simple to finish up.

We're going to put cases in for ribbons to tie at the shoulders. And put the pocket back on.

Lets go ahead and put the pocket back on:
Find a spot that you would like to have the pocket. I usually put mine near the bottom so there easy to put things in. Some people like to keep them in the breast.

Find a good spot, then pin your pocket in there. Sew it back on with your sewing machine.

Now, we're ready to start making those casings, and finish things up.

Serge the top of the fabric now, make sure you serge inside those armholes too.

After the entire top is serged, now it's time to take it to your sewing machine.

We're going to finish the armholes first. Roll the armholes inside to the wrong side of the fabric, and sew those down.

After your done finishing the armholes, now it's finally time to make the casing.

Take the top back to the ironing board, heat up your iron, and fold and measure down one inch, then press it with the iron.


After both sides of the casing are pressed, you can sew them down now. Just sew along where you had previously serged.


After you sew down your casing, now it's time to put in the ribbon.

Pick a ribbon that coordinates well with your fabric. I picked a white with a floral print and a little yellow in it.

Cut two equal lengths of ribbon, maybe about 2 to 3 ft each.

Attach a large safety pin in one end of the ribbon, and pull it through the casing. Do the same with the other side too.

When you have the ribbon pulled through, you can sew a little line in the middle to keep the ribbon from coming out.

Personally, I don't do that b/c I like to change up the ribbons after awhile.

When there in, take a lighter and barely torch the ends of the ribbon. This will keep the ribbon from fraying.

When you've done that, then it's time to tie up the shoulders.

You should be finished at this point... we are leaving the bottom of the dress as the original shirt.

Here is the finished product:

I hope you enjoy making your pillowcase dresses as much as I do! If you have any questions, I'll be glad to help you out!

Simple Pillowcase Dress

Pillow case dresses are cute and comfy and can be worn year round by adding a shirt underneath during colder months and even adding some tights or leggings! Very versatile as well because size is easily adjusted between 3T - 5T by either gathering the dress tighter at the ribbon ties to make it a little smaller or loosening it up to make the dress a little bigger.

A pillow case dress is easy to make and the possibilities for personalizing are endless. You can use fabric of your choice or even an actual pillowcase :)

You need:
7/8 yd of 45" cotton fabric
thread to match
3 yd of 7/8" ribbon
sewing machine and basic skills
iron

Measures appx. 20" at chest from side seam to side seam (40" total) and 25" length; fits 3T-5T

1. wash and iron fabric then fold in half and cut along fold
2. create a pattern for arm holes from scrap fabric or paper appx. 4.5" across top and 7" down straight side

3. with right sides together, pin pattern in place and cut arm holes at upper corners, curve to the inside straight edges of pattern and fabric matching (you should have two identical pieces after you cut)
4. place right side of fabric to ironing board and fold the arm holes 1/4" over, press. fold over again and press to from a clean edge, pin in place. Do this for all 4 arm hole sections


5. Sew along the edge of the fold. Iron flat as needed since the fabric will tend to curl after sewing

6. Match front and back with right sides together, matching arm holes. Pin and sew side seams with appx 1/2" seam allowance.


7. Turn right side out. Now it's time to add the ribbon. Cut 2 pieces 45" long
8. Fold the top edge of the dress 1/4" wrong sides together and press


9. Place the ribbon across the dress and fold over the top edge again, encasing the ribbon leaving a little "gap" to prevent the ribbon from being caught in the seam. Repeat for the other side. (We'll stitch it later, but right now you need the finished top to measure the length for the hem)


10. To finish the hem turn dress inside out and measure 25" from the top edge mark with a pin or tailor's chalk

11. Fold the bottom up to the mark with wrong sides together and press the entire hem making sure both sides are even and iron. Fold again to form a finished edge and pin in place

12. Sew all the way around at the top edge of the fold, careful not to to catch any other parts of the dress in the seam! (It's easy to do when sewing the hem.)

13. Now it is time to do the ribbon. Sew across the top as shown in the photo. Make sure you do not sew any of the ribbon. Repeat for the other side. Make sure your ribbon can slide easily back and forth. Fold the top as shown in photo, making sure the ribbon is even. Mark the middle with a straight pin and sew up and down (top to bottom) Just a little stitch back and forth to hold the ribbon in place.

14. Turn your dress right side out and iron. Cut off any dangling threads. Time to seal the ribbon ends. I like to use a lighter as fray check is always messy for me and can stain. Take a lighter (on low flame) and whisk it swiftly back and forth on your ribbon ends. This makes a clear seal. Practice on a scrap piece of ribbon first til you get the hang of it.

Congratulations. You have just made a pillowcase dress.