Spring Knitted Sweaters...

As the days are getting sunnier and a little bit warmer, coats are nice but may still be a bit too heavy. At Bella Jean Boutique, we have a lovely selection of knitted and crocheted sweaters, in many different styles and colors, perfect for spring weather.

           This dressy lace edged cardigan is hand knitted from cotton.

 

Here is a nicely styled cardigan and hat for a boy or a girl. It is made from a cotton blend yarn and is very soft. This sweater can be made from the cotton in a variety of colors as shown.

This is a soft sweater made with a mix of cotton and acrylic yarn. It is

      available in many different colors as well as sizes.

Made from wool, this sweater is perfect for cool days. It can be made in a variety of colors.

 

         With its embroidered accents, this cardigan makes the perfect outfit for a

                chilly spring day. It is made from a cotton blend yarn and is very soft.

We have many more styles in our Etsy shop (http://www.etsy.com/shop/BellaJeanBoutique).

Ruffly Lace Skirt Tutorial

Lately I've been seeing a lot of tiered ruffled skirts around and love them. I had extra pink lace fabric sitting around so I decided to make a skirt using it. (I love being able to use fabrics I have on hand. With this skirt you can make any size you want. My skirt has a 16" waist size. 


First: Cut 5, 2 1/2"x the width of the fabric out of your lace. Then put a gathering stitch through each one.

 For the base of the skirt I cut 2,  10"x13" rectangle. Depending on the size you are making you can cut your fabric longer and wider. Basically your width should be about 10" bigger than your waist size and you length should be about 1 1/2" bigger than your finished length.

 Seam one side of your base piece together.

 Open out your base fabric so it is laying flat. Now begin adding your ruffles to the base. For your first ruffle match up your raw edges. For the next ruffle and so on I started them about 1/2 way under the ruffle above.

Now all your ruffles should be added. Cut a piece of 1 1/2" wide elastic to the waist size you want. Mine is 16". Pin one end of your elastic to one end of your skirt. Now find the center of your elastic and the center of your skirt and pin those in place together. Your elastic should sit a 1/2" down from the top of the skirt. Your elastic will be smaller than your skirt so don't worry.

 Now begin sewing your elastic to your skirt. You have to stretch the elastic as you sew so it stretches out to the size of the skirt.

 When you are finished sewing your elastic, put your whole skirt right sides together and sew through all the layers using a 1/4" seam allowance. Now hem the bottom of your base fabric. That's all there is to it! If you have any questions please let me know!

 

Tuesday Tips...Turning a fabric tube right side out

Have you ever sewn a strap or tie right sides together with one end closed and then had a hard time turning it right side out? Here is an easy way to do it. All you need for this is a large crochet hook or knitting needle! 

First, flip over the opened end of the tie/ strap and then place the tool that you are using, (in this case I am using a crochet hook) in between the flipped fabric and the non-flipped fabric. 

While gently pushing up on the tool, pull down on the flipped fabric. 

When you are finished, if you are using a tool with a pointed end you can lightly poke the corners to make them nice and square. 

If neither side of the strap/ tie is sewn shut than you can simply attach a safety pin to one side and flip it inside the strap. 

Then push the safety pin towards the opposite end of the strap. (This is similar to putting elastic through a waistband.) 

When you get to the end take out the safety pin and you are done. Voila!

Spring Easter Dresses...

Spring is around the corner, and it’s bringing many new things. For Easter, we have a cheerful and sweet selection of dresses for little girls. If you find a pattern or other dress that you would like to copy, we can make it for you to a perfect fit and with your personal touches. Here are a few Easter dresses that we have made.

We love old fashioned Shirley Temple style dresses...these Easter dresses are classic, and will make every girl love to twirl round and round!

Tuesday Tips...Understitching Your Lining

One very useful tip for sewing is to under-stitch when sewing a garment with lining. Under-stitching is used to hold down your lining so that it does not show and also to make the seam less bulky. This technique is often used on necklines. After connecting the lining to the main fabric, iron the seam and then turn the seam allowance so that it lies under the lining piece.

Next, sew the lining to the seam allowance an 1/8 inch away from your seam. Make sure that you only sew the lining and the seam allowance together, not the main fabric. (I used white thread so you could see it easily but a matching thread would be best)

When you are finished sewing press your lining.

When this is done you will have a beautiful neckline with no lining showing on the outside.

Tutorial...Turn Your Jeans into a Skirt

Have you every wanted a jean skirt but couldn't find one? Or, do you have a pair of jeans you love but the pant legs or hem is worn out? Today I will give a simple tutorial on how to make your jeans into a skirt. 

First start by ripping out the inseam of your pants. On the back rip to right below the belt loop and on the front rip to right below where the zipper ends.

 It should look like this when you are done ripping out

 Turn your pants inside out and draw a straight line starting right above where you finished ripping out. Mark it down to where the straight line meets your original seam.

 Sew right along your chalk line then trim your seam. You can also serge it.

 Find the length you want and chalk a line the trim your pants.

 Now they should look like this.

 Take the extra jean from cutting the length and put it under your front opening. When you have it placed chalk along the opening.

 Now you can cut the triangle shape it made. Be sure to cut 1/2" out from the chalk line so you have a seam allowance.

 Place your triangle piece back under your front opening and pin it in place.

 Top stitch down the triangle shape.

 You want to start the top stitching right below the zipper

 Here's how it should look now.

 Iron up your hem on the skirt

 Stitch in place.

 I used a top stitching thread which is thicker than regular thread. It gives it a nice look.

 Now top stitch your front "v" opening with your decorative top stitching thread.

 Now you are finished. Here's how mine looks!