Recovering an Umbrella

February 19, 2011 Leave a Comment

No need for April Showers to get you down!

Hi everyone, I am Jessica over from Me Sew Crazy and I am so excited to be here today! When Diana asked me to be a part of her Spring Fling event, I was already prepared with what I wanted to share. I’ve had Spring Fever for months now, having created Spring outfits for my little girls all the way back in January! I just couldn’t wait to get back outside and play again…


Spring Fever Dress
Easter My Peeps Printable
20 Minute Ruffle Dress

Of course we all know April Showers bring Spring Flowers…but there is no need for a little rain to get you down! Not when you have gorgeous fabric lying around and an old umbrella :) .

I had been holding onto my Parisville fabric by Tula Pink until the perfect project came along, and when looking at an old Totes umbrella sitting in the corner, I knew I had it! After all, who doesn’t dream of Paris in the Spring?!!

You will need about 2 yards of fabric for this project, as well as an umbrella with a metal point on top.

For your free tutorial, with detailed instructions and pictures on how to recover an umbrella, click HERE.

Now when it rains I happily grab my new umbrella and run outside, I can’t wait to show it to the world!

And don’t forget to look for the rainbow after that glorious Spring Shower :) .

Thank you so much for having me Diana! I have had so much fun creating this project and being a part of your Spring Fling event!

Happy Showers everyone!

Filed Under: Spring Fling event

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Final Look for Project Run & Play

February 18, 2011 12 Comments

I am not quite sure what I am going to do without my weekly Project Run & Play fix, but here it is…the Final Week. With only the top 3 contestants remaining, they are each supposed to come up with a ‘Signature Look’ for their final entry. While I wouldn’t consider my reader entry a Signature look, rather just the dress I had floating around in the back of my head this week, I still love the way it came out.

First I worked the fabric into braids using them as straps, then continued braiding them into a weaved backing before separating them again. Adding fabric covered buttons up the side of the bodice, so as not to distract from the braid detail, and finishing with a nice full gathered skirt to complete the look.

It was my first time braiding fabric like this to use in a design, and I am quite pleased with the way it turned out. I hope to work with it some more so I can get a better feel for how this might be used in future patterns.

I used Tina Givens Petticoat fabric for Free Spirit, more of a quilting fabric to tell you the truth – but I just loved the design and knew I wanted it for this dress.

And of course, don’t forget to accessorize! One of the reasons I am in love with this dress is for it’s versatility. You can dress it up or down, making it a simple Summer day dress, or adding a sparkly barrette converts it into a party dress! Want a more Free Spirit feel? How about adding some feathers in her hair? This dress can go any way – hippie, preppy, pretty, you name it!

Look for the Braided Dress free tutorial next week!

And good luck to all of the contestants at Project Run & Play, it has been a blast playing along with you. Thank you for the honor.

Filed Under: braid, dress, final look, Project Run and Play, tutorial, weave

Comments

  1. 2littlehooligans says:
    February 18, 2011 at 12:41 pm

    fabulous as always!! grammy is coming up for the weekend and im hoping to get lots of shirts and a lace dress made. we’ll see, i may be dreaming a bit:)

    Reply
  2. a H.I.T. says:
    February 18, 2011 at 1:07 pm

    Your signature is that you make the best dresses!

    Reply
  3. Jayna Rae says:
    February 18, 2011 at 4:54 pm

    I love the fabric, and I adore the braided collar/straps.

    Reply
  4. jenn says:
    February 18, 2011 at 6:27 pm

    I love this dress! The braiding is so elegent!You Rock!!!!!

    Reply
  5. Dawn says:
    February 19, 2011 at 2:32 am

    how neat-love the braiding! what a great summer dress!

    Reply
  6. kira says:
    February 19, 2011 at 2:58 am

    I love it, the braiding looks great!

    Reply
  7. mama*thayer says:
    February 19, 2011 at 10:16 pm

    The strap detail is amazing! It reminds me of some of the work on Project Runway. Great job! :)

    Reply
  8. flygirl07 says:
    February 20, 2011 at 1:54 am

    You should do a tutorial on the braiding. ;) Fantastic as always.

    Reply
  9. radn says:
    February 20, 2011 at 3:37 pm

    Love the dress! I remember back in India,when I was a kid mygrandmom used to stitch me such cute sun dresses. sadly I cannot sew.

    Check out the giveaway on my blog from ElizabethHoton! She has the most adorable tees for kids. http://houseonashwelllane.blogspot.com/2011/02/whimsical-fairy-silhouette-t-shirt.html

    Reply
  10. mariainblog says:
    February 20, 2011 at 11:24 pm

    I LOVE the Braided Dress! It just looks gorgeous!

    Also the fabric you chose, very appropriate for the design.

    I will patiently wait for the tutorial!

    Reply
  11. Alida L. says:
    February 20, 2011 at 11:46 pm

    Wow I can’t wait for the tutorial! The dress is GORGEOUS (and so is the model!)

    You may be interested in my latest kiddo clothes tutorial, it’s how to make reversible (and super girlie!) trousers.

    http://imakestuff4fun.blogspot.com/2011/01/reversible-cheeky-trousers-tutorial.html

    Reply
  12. Laura says:
    February 21, 2011 at 11:56 pm

    This is a great dress! Love the braiding. Can’t wait for the tutorial. Thanks!

    Reply

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