How To Tuesday: Going Beyond The Basic Bodice

Want a fun and easy way to add some major wow to your next outfit?

Well of course you do, I mean you are reading this blog aren't you?

I gotta admit the first time I added pin tucks to an outfit I was a nervous wreck but after they were complete I laughed at myself at how easy they were...and I stinking LOVE them now!!
So last week when I made Ayla this I made sure to snap some photos.

So lets get started. 

To start off make a plan before hand for how many pin tucks you plan to add. You are going to want to add  1/8" to the width of your bodice for each pin tuck you plan to add.

Once you've made your plan and cut out your bodice, mark the center of the bodice (green pin) and then place a mark at each spot where you've decided to add a pin tuck. (yellow pins)

You will now fold the fabric and iron at each pin, creating a nice crisp fold. Like pictured.

Now at each fold you will sew as close to the folded edge as possible.

Once you've sewn all pin tucks you will need to iron the bodice one last time.

Then finish your bodice as your PDF directs you and just like that you're done! I told you it was silly easy! I added these buttons down the center for a nice touch!

How To Tuesday: Using A Double Needle

Hi (waves), it's Julie here, I've introduced myself before on the blog but I'm back with a new title! Pattern Designer! I have joined up with the Create Kids Couture team, and very soon we will be releasing something new; dancewear/ gymnastic/ cheer/ figure skating/ activewear patterns! If you are a dance mom like me, you know how much all those jazzy spandex outfits can cost, so have a little fun learning to make your own at a fraction of the cost!

One of the techniques that I will frequently be using in the patterns is mimicking the look of a serger coverstitch. If you look at the hem of most manufactured knit garments, you will see a coverstitch like this t-shirt I pulled from my daughter's drawer. On the left side, you see the front view, two straight lines of stitching, and on the right side, you see the underside of the hem, it looks pretty much just like a regular overlock stitch from a serger. If you were to pull sideways on this hem, you would notice that these stitches allow some "give" so that the hem can stretch with the fabric.

You could just finish your hem or sleeves with a straight stitch, but if you want to make your finished product look more polished, why not try out using a twin needle?