HomeGoods Gift Card Giveaway!

HomeGoods sent me on a mission to find great gifts for some of the people on my Christmas list!  

{and}

They are giving away a $50 Gift Card to a Polkadot Chair reader!!!

Click here to see what I found and get all the details on the giveaway!

Tuesday Tutorial, Patchwork Skirt

It's been a while since we've had a Tuesday Tutorial here, I think it's about time for another one!

I'm excited to share with you this patchwork skirt I made for my daughter.  She had outgrown the last patchwork skirt I made her, and I thought this pattern was in need of an update for an older girl. So I came up with this new *updated* version of my Patchwork skirt!!

I made her this cute flower brooch to go with her skirt, you'll have to wait a week or two for this tutorial, but it's coming soon!

This skirt is very simple to construct! I made it in an afternoon (the day before Thanksgiving... don't tell anyone- gotta love a last minute project... *ahem*)..

You will need:

1-2 Charm Packs. Charm packs are packets of fabric pre cut into 5" squares. Many fabric companies sell them but Moda Fabrics has the most.  These fabrics are Pumpkin & Spice by Deb Strain.

This skirt is approx a size 8 - 10 and you will need 48 charm squares. It could work as small as a size 6 but will be more gathered around the waistband. I  recommend buying 2 charm packs because there may be some prints you don't want to use.

1/4 yd fabric for waistband  - cut 2 pieces 6" wide by 16" long

1/4 yd fabric for skirt band - cut 2 pieces 4" wide by width of your fabric

1" wide elastic

This is a diagram of how this skirt is constructed.  Each side (front and back) of the skirt will look like this when finished. The dotted lines indicate gathering stitches.

Okay to begin:

1- Sew 6 charm squares together to make skirt front row one. Press seams to one side. Repeat for skirt back row one. Set aside

2- Sew 9 charm squares together for skirt front row 2.  Press seams to one side.

3- Sew 9 charm squares together for skirt front row 3. Press seams to one side, the opposite way to pressed row 2.

4- Sew row 2 to row 3. Press.

Repeat steps 2-4 for skirt back.

5-  Sew skirt band to row 3 of skirt.  Match right sides together and place skirt band over the top of row 3.   After stitching fold down and press seam towards skirt band. Repeat for skirt back.

6- Run 2 rows of gathering stitches in the top of row 2.  Pull up on gathering stitches and sew so that the top of row 2 matches the bottom of row 1. Stitch together row 1 to row 2, right sides together.  You do NOT want any puckers or gathers in the bottom of row 1, only the top of row 2.

7- Matching side seams, sew skirt front to skirt back. Make some kind of mark so that you know which seams are your side seams, this will be important later.

8- Sew your 2 waistband pieces together at short sides. Press seams open.

9- Zig zag or serge the 2 longs sides of your waistband.

10- Run 2 rows of gathering stitches on the top of row 1.  Pull up on gathering stitches until row 1 matches up with your waistband piece.  Pin skirt to waistband, right sides together and matching side seams.  Stitch.

11- On your waistband piece, fold the top down 1 1/4". You are folding with wrong sides together.  Stitch in place leaving a 1" opening to feed your elastic through.

12- Cut your elastic to size and feed through the casing you just made.  When finished stitch elastic together and close the opening in the casing.

To finish bottom edge of skirt:

13- Fold under raw edge of skirt band 1/4" and press.

14. Fold skirt band so that folded edge lines up with the seam between the skirt band & skirt.  Pin in place well.

15. On the right side of skirt band top stitch to hold the skirt band in place. You are going to be top stitching as close to the seam between the skirt band/skirt as possible.  There is more explanation of this technique here, if you need some extra instructions. (it's the same method I used to attach the band to the bottom of the pillowcase shirt.(

Clip strings, press and enjoy!!

Cyber Monday Specials!!

Traci & I are offering a special ONE DAY ONLY sale at may & mae!

All Sewing Patterns are BUY one GET one FREE!  Just purchase ONE pattern and let me know in the notes field which 2nd pattern you'd like for free. (don't purchase both patterns).

Traci is offering a FREE chain with EVERY pendant sold also!

She just listed some great new Christmas Charms...

Awesome Vintage Santa's!

and fun new 1/2" x 1" charms!

I've also got just a few ALREADY made bags to sell!  All are handmade by me and are from a smoke free home.

Also- to those of you asking about the May Quilt Pattern, I've decided to release it for a LIMITED time as a FREE download as a thank you to all of my readers. When it's ready I'll be sure to post the link for you guys!!

Sale ends at MIDNIGHT Pacific Time, November 29th 2010......

My Thanksgiving Wishes for you...

That you have a warm & comfortable place to rest your feet,

that you eat plenty of this, 

... and there is enough food to go around, to fill your bellies full.

one of the things I am most grateful for...


Most of all, that you are surrounded by people that you are grateful for, that always make you smile.

_____________________________________

- a bit o' business:

The winner of the MB Sprout Giveaway is:

Raechel said...

I actually really like the car seat canopies. I've always wanted one for our Hazel and it would come in so handy this winter!

November 15, 2010 4:11 PM

also...

*photos from Thanksgiving '09

*there is a big pattern sneak peek in one of those photos *wink*

*Etsy shop update (& May Quilt pattern release) have been appropriately postposted until Monday Nov. 29th. a.k.a. Cyber Monday and may & may's 1 year anniversary!

Christmas Cards...

I'm not making my Christmas cards this year... last year I found a better way.

Click here to get all the details and to read about it!

Coming Soon...

A may and mae shop update!!!!

I've been working on a new pattern and revisions to an old pattern for a while now. I finally decided today that I need to announce a "coming soon" date as a little motivation to get them done!!

The Sunday Bag pattern has gotten a little "face lift". Some of the yardages have been modified slightly and it now includes instructions for adding the ribbon ruffle to the front of the bag. 

If you have purchased the pattern in the past and you'd like the updated version, just email me and I'll send it to you.

Just in time for your Christmas sewing, I've also added a few kits to the shop.

5 different Fabric kits for the Sunday bag. All the kits include decor weight designer fabric, from designers like Anna Maria Horner and Amy Butler. The kit includes fabric and ribbon, you will need to purchase interfacing and handles.

There are also a few kits for the June Bag. These bags are QUICK and easy to sew and DO include interfacing and a button. All you need to add is thread!  The June Bag pattern stayed the same just a "face lift" to the cover photo.

The March Bag also got a little cover face lift! Same great pattern, just a new look.

and COMING SOON...

1- The May Quilt,

It's a fun lap sized quilt that incorporates photos for some of the blocks. I made it for my niece for graduation last year, hence the name the May Quilt (she graduated in May)... 

2-  Kit for the Skinny Stripey Table runner from last year!

I need to dig this out and get a better photo of it!!

It was a project for Moda Bake Shop. I've been busy cutting out letters and shapes, so you don't have to! I'll have the kits for sale along with a Honey Bun so you'll have everything you need to make the quilt (except backing and batting).

so...

Monday November 22nd watch for a shop update... keep your fingers crossed for me!! I've got to get this done!!!

My crafty "to do" list, Holiday style...

Every once and a while here I like to post my crafty "to do" lists.... fun things that I find in blog land that I'd love to make.

Sometimes they get made sometimes they don't, either way it's fun to compile the ideas and share them here with you....

Here are a few things I'd love to get done this Holiday season!

Little girls Pilgrim bonnet from Ali at She's one Crafty Mama.  I'd love to have these for all the little girls at our Thanksgiving table, probably won't happen this year, but a great one to shoot for next year!

My fireplace mantel is crying out for a Fall Banner! I love this "gather" banner from Tresa at Fabulously Artsy!! 

I'd love to make this Christmas planner featured at eighteen25.... boy do I need help during Christmas, this may just help keep me organized.

Calli's Classic Advent Calendar pattern.  We are lacking in the Christmas Advent calendar department at our house. I love Callies, classic simple design.

An adorable Clara the pig from Heather Bailey,  for my 9 yr old for Christmas. Last year I made each of my kids lap quilts, this year I'd like to make them something again.  I think it helps to balance out all of the electronic "noise" from gadgets that start with and "i" and games that end with an "ii"...

and... I think I have FINALLY thought of a suitable project for the vintage lace I dug out of this booth at the Paris flea market in March... I'll be sure to share it when I'm done.

What about you? What's on your crafty "to do" list right now??

MB Sprout Giveaway!

It's the perfect gift for that new Mom on your Holiday list!!  Enter to  win this fabulous Car Seat Canopy!

Click here to enter and get all the info!!

Tiny Handbag Ornament

** repost of a guest spot I did for 12 Handmade Ornaments of Christmas last year, thought you might like to see it here!!**

When Kristen asked me to participate in the 12 Handmade Ornaments project, I started to think.. "what kind of ornament would I want?"... Then I decided it would be great to have a tree with ornaments all made from fabric from my favorite designers.  After I decided that, they,  of course would all have to be handbags!

Then I decided that the hand bag would make a great ornament! You could use it as a gift and fill it with money or a gift card (or if your are lucky, something sparkly!!)

To begin:
Cut 2 pieces of fabric 3 1/2 tall by 4 " wide
Iron on interfacing to both pieces.
Sew together along the 4" side, press seam open. (this is the center bottom seam of the bag)

Cut 2 pieces of ribbon each 6" long.  Place the ribbon right side down on the top of the bag. Stitch in place. Repeat for other side of bag.

With right sides together, sew the side seams of the bag.

Turn under top of bag 1/8"  and top stitch in place.

Tear a piece of fabric 1 1/2" wide by 9" long. Using a needle and thread, run a gathering stitch along one of the long edges. Gather fabric up until it is in a circle. Stitch in place.

Without cutting the thread, sew 1 small fabric flower and 1 glitter button to center of flower.  Stitch in place. 

Sew onto bag!!

That's it your done! It's easy enough you could make a whole tree of them!!

Random Stuff....

One-

A lot of you have asked about cutting out letters if you don't have an "e" cutter machine. (From the chalkboard placemat tutorial).   There is a tutorial I wrote here, where I showed how to use a light box to trace letters. Then you just cut them with out with scissors. I've done this several times with fabric, you can do it with any medium you like.

Two-

Thanks for all the kind comments about my photo wall. I got a LOT of questions about it... You can see a post about how I made it and where I got the ledges and how to make your photos fit in square frames HERE

Three-

Yes, there is a tutorial coming for the Mummy Princess costume. I realize it's too late for this year but that way I'll have it in my archives for next year.

Four-

Right now I'm working on modifying this pattern, (and changing the name, you can get it in my etsy shop, www.mayandmae.etsy.com)

to accommodate MORE Holidays (Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, Halloween etc). It's not going to be done in time for Thanksgiving, But I think it would be so cute to make these for the kids table! If you have bought the pattern in the past (or before I get the rewrite done) you can have the new updated version for free! I'll post here when I'm done and you can let me know if you want the new pattern.

You could use the link to my Thanksgiving Turkey applique from last year for the front instead of the hearts!

Five-

If you live in my area, Traci will be selling her handmade charms at my house this Friday Night... Please join us and get some early Christmas shopping done! After her open house, we'll be updating the shop with new Christmas Charms, so keep an "eye" out for an announcement!

Silhouette Bundle Winner

Congratulations to

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:84Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Number 84!

 Angela said...

Would definitely use it to make to make some cute T's.

November 9, 2010 6:42 PM

YIPPEE!! We'll be in touch!
And watch for one more fun tutorial with the bundle later this week!

Guest Post, Chris of Pickup some Creativity!

Hi guys! Meet Chris of Pickup Some Creativity! Chris is our last guest poster for a while and I can't be more excited that she agreed to "sit in" for me here for a day! Check out her blog, you will love it, tons of great sewing tutorials and other great ideas!


Hello fellow Polkadot Chair Readers!  I'm really excited to be Melissa's guest today.  My name is Chris.  I write and create over at Pickup Some Creativity.

My husband and I recently moved to a new city and new to us home.  We're still getting settled, but one area we tackled first was the office/craft space.  My dear husband knew I needed my creative outlet  back ASAP.  We made some new shelves from stair treads and heavy duty metal supports, but they weren't very pretty.

 Now they look like this:

 Ready to learn how to make a box pleat shelf skirt?  Here's the how to.

You'll need:

• Chosen fabric, plan on about a yard.
• 1 package bias tape
• Cutting tools, a rotary cutter, ruler and cutting mat are preferred
• Matching thread
• Fabric marking pen
• Sewing tools; including scissors, seam ripper, pins , and sewing machine

Step one.  Measure the shelf you want to dress up.
My finished size needed to be 71 inches, to cover all three sides.  I knew I wanted pleats every 12 inches, with 5 inches needed for each pleat...this meant 9 pleats.  In order to account for each pleat, I added 45" (9x5) to the desired finished size for a total of 116". You'll need the same amount plus 21 inches for the bias tape. 

Step two.  Cut your fabric.
The pleats will be made with folded fabric, so your width should be double your desired finished size.  I cut my fabric in 9 inch strips, along the full width of the fabric.

The only tick for using the plaid is trying to match up the design.  I cut off 2.5" between strips to create a continuous look.  Depending on your fabric you'll need to match up designs.  I cut three 9" wide strips total.

Step two.  Join the cut pieces into one continuous strip.
Since we're using the whole width from the bolt, you will be joining the selvage edges.  Bonus, no seams to finish!

Press the seams open, and then fold the whole length in half.

Iron the whole length of fabric in half, wrong sides together, and mark the center from each end.  Iron that spot to mark it.

Optional.   If you want to have a crisp edge to the ends, open your fabric up again, and with right sides together, sew the edge closed.

Step three.  Mark the pleats and pin in place. 
The funnest thing about box pleats is that they are easy, but look difficult.  To begin, mark the center of each pleat. Be sure to start at the center of your fabric strip.

Next, using your fabric marker, mark your folds.  I numbered mine in the diagram so you can follow along.

To create a box pleat, you bring two folds of fabric to the center.  Pinch the fabric at f2, and bring it to the center.  Pin in place.  F3 should end up over f1.  

 

Now just repeat making box pleats until you have all the pleats pinned in place.

Step four.  Sew pleats in place and bind with bias tape.

Now to finish off the top edge, insert the pleats inside the bias tape.  I left 10 inches of bias tape off each edge.  That gives you some extra to tie with if you wanted to use this as a bunting or banner. 

As you're going, make sure that the back edge of the bias tape is in line with your pleated fabric.

To apply mine to the shelf, I just pulled out my staple gun and stapled it into place.

There you have it!  A fun way to dress up a utilitarian shelf.  These would look wonderful on a  smaller scale on bookshelves, or as a fun new bunting.

I'd love to see what you come up with.  Pop on over to my blog.  I've shared free tutorials and ideas that could help spark your creative juices.  I also host a monthly Sewing 101 series which has many great tips from guests who want to help you learn to love sewing as much as I do. 

Thank you so much, Melissa for having me over today!