Sewing Bee - A-Line Skirt Tutorial

Rebecca over at Country Mouse Musings invited me to join her weekly blog linkup, Sewing Bee. I was really excited to join in the fun! Since the weather is awful, I won't share my latest sewing project. Instead, I'll share an old video tutorial I did back in early 2011. 

How to Draft an A-Line Skirt Pattern (size 8) from Bramblewood Fashion on Vimeo.


This is the skirt we are making: etsy.com/listing/50552230/susan-a-line-skirt-size-2-4

Math for Skirt Pattern- 

(Size 8)
Waist: 27"
Hips 37 1/2"

Waist 27" + 2" SA + 2" ease = 31 ÷ 4 = 7.75 (7 3/4") A
Hips 37 1/2 + 2" SA + 4" ease = 43.5 ÷ 4 = 10.875 (10 7/8") B
Waist to hips 9" + 1" SA at waist = 10" C
Desired Length 30" + 1" hem + 1 SA at waist = 32" D

SA = Seam Allowance


If you are wondering, this is the basic idea that I use for all skirts I draft myself. Like you can use the top part of this pattern to make yoked skirts. But, I'll share more how to do that another day.

  

::DIY:: Easy & Elegant Braid

Today I created an easy, elegant braid on Gabrielle. I'm going to tell y'all in words - no step-by-step pictures - on on how to recreate this look for yourself, or on someone else. : )


1. To add some texture and slight body to the hair. Start off by curling the hair in loose curls. (You can add a little bit of stylish gel to the hair before you curl it with the curling iron. Heat protection too, if you have any on hand.)


2. After you are done curling all the hair. Let it set for about 5-10 minutes (leave it alone).


3. Starting on the side of the head with the most hair, start twisting the hair into a roll towards the other side (you will need a few bobby pins). Once you have rolled to about the point you want to start the braid, flip the hair up and clamp with a hair claw, or something like it to keep the hair up and out of the way.

 4. With the rest of the hair that is down, divide into two parts, as you would for a normal braid. With the piece closest to the front of the head, start twisting it, like in the picture (you won't need any pins). Keep twisting until you get closer to the rest of the hair in the back. 


5. Once you are close to the back. Start braiding all three pieces (the two twists & the normal piece). Go about 1/2 way down then secure with a hair elastic (try to pick one close to your hair color).


6. If you want to do the hair wrap around the hair elastic, do the following. Take a  smallish piece of hair from the middle. Wrap around the hair elastic a few times. Then poke it under the hair wrap and under one layer of the hair elastic. Doing your best to hid the ends. You want people to wonder, how on earth did she do that?!? ;-) And you are done! 


I hope y'all enjoyed this little hair tutorial. If you need any help, just ask me! If you would like more of these let me know. Also, would you like more pictures next time? 

DIY: Headbands

 I love wearing headbands! But, my pocket book is not always willing to spend a lot of money on headbands. I have found that a lot of the cute headbands cost any where between $10 and $20. No, thank you; I can make my own for a lot cheaper and cuter too! Plus, these will be custom made and a million other girls will not own them either.  =D

How to Make Your Own Headbands

Supplies:

• 1/4 yard of Fabric (You can also just use scraps that you have laying around.)


• 1/4 inch wide elastic


• Thread


• Sewing Machine 


• Iron


• Trimmings (Rick-Rack, Buttons, Lace, Fabric Flowers, etc...)


• Fusible Webbing (Optional) [Mine is 1/2 inch wide, sticky on both sides, and comes in a box. You don't have to have this, but I like how it makes the headband a little more sturdier, and I have less pinning to do when I sew the headband.]

1. The first step is to measure your head. Like how I did in the picture below. Take note on your measurement, mine is 22 1/2 inches.  

2. Measure the base of your head (see picture below). This is too find out how much elastic you need to cut. Mine is 5 inches. 

3. Now it is time for a little math. Follow the instructions below for the next step. 

4. Cut out a strip of fabric that is the total of your math problem above (mine came up as 16 1/2 inches) in length, and 3 inches across (You can experiment with different widths for different looks). 

5. Fold over an 1/2 inch on each side (the long side). Iron. 

6. Fold strip in half lengthwise. Iron.

7.  Cut a piece of elastic that is the measurement of the base of your head.

8. Fold over 1/2 inch on each end. Iron. 

9.  If you are using fusible webbing you will follow the photo instructions. If not, you will just skip to number 11. 

10. Press half way. Then repeat the second half of step nine, place a small part of the elastic on the other end, and remember to add a small piece of webbing on top of the elastic. Finish ironing. 

11. Stitch around the open edges of your headband. Make sure to do a few more stitches over the elastic, making sure it won't come out anytime soon. 

12. Now it is time for the fun part! Embellishing your headband in any way you want. I will show how to add rick-rack down the center of your headband.  

If you want to add a fabric flower like how I did below. Follow these wonderful instructions! 

If you use my tutorial, I would love to see your results! :)

Tissue Paper Pom-Poms DIY Tutorial

In this post I mentioned I was going to be making my own tissue paper pom-poms. Well, guess what girls? I tried it out this afternoon to get a feel for it and if it worked, take pictures for a tutorial. As you can tell from this post's title - it worked out like a dream! =) Without further ado, the tutorial to make your very own tissue paper pom-poms. 

You will need tissue paper {any color you want. I bought mine at Joann Fabrics.}; Ribbon {I'm using curling ribbon.}; and Scissors. 

Take a stack of about 8 - 10 sheets of tissue paper and start folding according style 1 - 1 1/2 inches. 

Once it is all folded, take a piece of ribbon {long enough to tie around the tissue paper and hang up your pom-pom} and tie it around the center of your tissue paper. 

Cut the ends with either a rounded, or pointed look. Depends on how you want your pom-poms to look. Be careful, it can be hard cutting through all those layers. :)

Open it up like a paper fan you used to make while growing up. 

Separate each layer of tissue paper gently, you don't want the tissue to rip. Then fluff out your pom-pom to get this look....

Look you created your very own tissue paper pom-pom! Go crazy and create a ton of these for weddings, parties, and just to decorate around your home.

Vintage Birthday Party DIY List

1. Tissue Paper Pom Poms - I love the look of these tissue paper pom poms that I found on Etsy. But instead of buying them off Etsy I'll just make my own. I already have a bunch of tissue paper in my stash {comes from having many hobbies, like making paper flowers when I was around 14 - 15}. If they turn out alright, I might do a tutorial. :)

2. Fabric Banner - I love the look of this fabric banner I found on Etsy. I have no idea where I would hang it up. Oh I know. I'll just have it drape along the wall. Yes, that will work out just dandy. Once again I won't be buying this, but making my own. This will be perfect for all my scraps. :)

3. Decorate the table with vintage patterns, magazines, and pictures. Using patterns from my stash and magazines I have collected over the years. It will help bring in that vintage vibe. As for pictures, I'll just print some of my favorite vintage pictures & old Hollywood pictures off my macbook. :) 




4. What I wish I had.... A train case would be nice. As would vintage tablecloths, napkins, and dishes. But I don't have any of these at this time - maybe someday I will. :) There are some lovelies on Etsy. 


Before I go, let me show you some inspirational pictures of some shabby chic, vintage-themed, parties & picnics. 

{images from: Etsy. Personal. Tumblr.}

Feminine Fashion Week {Day 7} - 1960s Inspired

-What I'm Wearing-

Brown Polka-dot Sun Dress - Made by me for my HS Graduation {seen here}

Brown Sweater - Kohl's {Hand-me-down from Gabrielle}

Pink Tights - J.C. Penny {$4.99}

Brown T-Strap Kitten Heels - Naturalizers {Don't remember it was several years ago.}

Pearl Earrings - Gift

I love this dress! The sad thing is, I had a hard time putting on my dress this morning. I'm so worried about tonight. What if I can't get it off?!? I think this means I've grown out of my dress. :( Hopefully this isn't so. As it is my favorite dress ever!! {I think.} As this dress is sleeveless I add the sweater for a more winter look. I think it brings the outfit a more 60s flair. And my hair was fixed into a relaxed {more modern} flip, aka. Mary Tyler Moore. 

Now my dear readers, I'm excited to announce that my 1960s hair tutorial is now up on Vimeo {YouTube has a 10 minute limit and the tutorial is 15 minutes long}.

1960s Hair Tutorial from Bramblewood Fashion on Vimeo.

  

Today is also the last day of Natasha's fashion week. How fast this week has flown! Thank you, Natasha for hosting this wonderful Feminine Fashion Week! :)

~Ashley

12 Days of {homemade} Christmas - Day 8

How about making a skirt for the ladies in your family for Christmas? One skirt takes about 2 yards of fabric, thread, zipper, and bias tape. Thats it! If any of you use this tutorial, I would love it if you shared your finished skirt with me. And if you have any questions, please ask. :)



How to Drape an A-Line Skirt Pattern (size 8) from Bramblewood Fashion on Vimeo.
A-Line Skirt Pattern video.

This is the skirt we are making: http://www.etsy.com/listing/50552230/susan-a-line-skirt-size-2-4

Math for A-Line Skirt Pattern-

(Size 8)
Waist: 27"
Hips 37 1/2"

Waist 27" + 2" SA + 2" ease = 31 ÷ 4 = 7.75 (7 3/4") A
Hips 37 1/2 + 2" SA + 4" ease = 43.5 ÷ 4 = 10.875 (10 7/8") B
Waist to hips 9" + 1" SA at waist = 10" C
Desired Length 30" + 1" hem + 1 SA at waist = 32" D

SA = Seam Allowance

~Ashley

Guest post over at Tatertots and Jello!

Remember those headbands I made a few months ago? Well, I have a tutorial for them now! And it is a guest post over at Tatertots and Jello! Be sure to go and check it out! =D

See it here! 

~Ashley