Tutorial for my Christmas tree skirt

Posted on April 1, 2020 by justelly1

Yes, yes, I know. Christmas is long gone 😀
But if you have to stay at home almost all the time, you get the idea to sort out the photos from your mobile phone. And then you can also see the photos of things you sewed for Christmas presents.
Maybe some of you like my idea for the next christmas 🙂

I am writing my tutorial for a Christmas present while I am already sewing Easter presents.
Even though I don’t think I can meet my friends before Easter to give them the presents.

I love the colours red, green and gold for Christmas decorations. So often I have decided to decorate differently, but I always come back to this colour combination 😀

That’s why I have chosen these colours for this present. I have found a similar Christmas tree skirt on the Internet. But it looked so cheap that it would have been guaranteed to last only one Christmas.

In my fabric shop I found this very special fabric. On top it looks like satin, but it is thicker and has a black “coating” on the back. No idea what this kind of fabric is called.

But the colors looked so great that I had to buy it even though the price was so high.

Here my tutorial:

First I downloaded a beautiful free Christmas font from the internet.
Then I wrote Merry Christmas in very big letters, mirrored and printed it.

Now paint the whole thing on Bondaweb and iron it on the fabric. Here I had to be very careful with the iron, because I didn’t want to risk the fabric. Then cut out your motifs.

Actually I had planned to sew the letters directly onto the red fabric. But after I put them on the fabric and walked a little further away, I could hardly see what was written there.
So I decided to buy the same fabric in white for a better contrast.

Here you can easily see how much the fabric shines.

I don’t think I’ve ever cursed as much when sewing as I have with this fabric. I had so much trouble applying it because the fabric was so slippery.

You can see it especially on the red berries. With any other fabric the circle or the outlines would have been perfect.

As always when I apply, I do not rely on the bondaweb, but always sew on each piece for safety. Otherwise it would be annoying if a piece got lost in the washing machine later.

It has taken ages to remove the Bondaweb on the back of the white fabric so that I can iron it onto the red

Now the motif can be ironed onto the red fabric. Then sew the outline again as usual

My Christmas tree skirt has a diameter of 35 inches.
So you can calculate how long the ribbon for the edging must be. I used the same fabric for the backside.
Here are photos how to extend such a ribbon! Lay the ribbon like on the photo and sew as you can see the pin.

I wanted the border more three-dimensional. Therefore I have a cord (it is a coincidence that this is gold. It just had the thickness I wanted) and sewed it into the ribbon.

I sewed it with red thread so that I could see better later where to sew it on my Christmas tree skirt.

Now sew the ribbon onto the red fabric. Then cut around the edges. IMPORTANT: only cut the golden ribbon, not the red fabric

Now pin the back of the Christmas tree skirt with pins. But sew on the red side, because you can see the seam where I sewed the ribbon on. You have to leave a piece open, so that you can turn the whole thing around afterwards!

Close there after turning. It doesn’t look so good here, because I wanted to have the skirt ready that day and it’s just faster with a sewing machine than doing invisible stitches with my hand.

Here you can see how the ribbon looks like at the end. I definitely like it better as if it was flat

And now the finished Christmas tree skirt. I like it. Maybe that would be an idea for myself, too. But I still don’t have very good memories of it because of the slippery fabric. Although the result is worth it hihi

In retrospect, I would set the motif a little further towards the edge.
But whatever. Mrs. H. can decide which side she wants, the one with the motif or the plain gold side.

❤ ❤ ❤

DIY Make a pillow look like a gift – Tutorial

Posted on May 27, 2018 by justelly1

I saw those pillows on Pinterest last year. I liked them so much I wanted to sew them.
Actually, they’re meant for Christmas, which will last forever until next time hehe
But I always forgot to do this tutorial. Better late than never 😀

Something fun about it. I found the pillows on Pinterest first with my cell phone. Then I bought the fabric (canvas) and the zippers, copied the picture to my iPad and took it with me to my sewing course. Only when I wanted to show the teacher the now larger picture on the tablet, I saw that the pillows are not sewn but knitted.

My cushions have the approximate size 24 x 16 inch.
If you want to copy my tutorial, you have to make the bows bigger or smaller depending on the size of your cushions.

First start with the ” bands “.

Sew the band together on the left side. Then turn it to the right. Lay the band so that the seam is at the back and iron it. I then triple-stitched both edges.

Sew the two bands to the fabric you cut for the pillow.

Here comes the bow. Sew together on the left side and turn to the right. Decorate the edge with the triple stitch. Then sew the bow together

Now the bow should also look like a bow. Press the middle together with your fingers and sew together.

To make your pillow look even more like a gift, it also needs the bands on the bow.

I have tried it with different widths and have decided for this width.

Because the strip on the bow looked too wide, I folded it in half. Place the strip around the bow so that it is the same length at both ends.

Now hold the strip tightly around the bow and mark it with pins.

Sew on 2 strips of velcro on the back side at the marking. Don’t cut the velcro too small so you have some room to adjust later.

Because I also want to attach the bow to the pillow with velcro, I put a piece of velcro on the back of the ribbon. Always make sure to take the “hard” part of the velcro for it!

If you want to wash the pillowcase, simply take off the bow and the fluffy part of the velcro won’t damage your other clothes.

Now you have to decide WHERE to put your bow on the pillow!!!
Just try different places and where you like it best, make a mark and sew the counterpart of the velcro.

If you need to shorten the band from the bow, do it now and sew the ends.

Then you can sew the pillowcase and zipper.

Your pillowcase is DONE 🙂

You want to know how I made those three pillows with the Christmas songs?

I found a free font on the Internet called “Christmas”. I mirrored the writing and printed it out in enormous size. Then I applied the writing and decorated it a little, depending on the song.

Whoever made the knitted pillows on Pinterest, thanks for the inspiration ❤ ❤ ❤

DIY Your own window seat (Tutorial)

Posted on May 22, 2018 by justelly1

I live in a small apartment with a sloping roof. This means that almost all walls are slanted at the top.
Unfortunately, this also means that you can hardly buy any finished furniture. That’s why I taught myself to build my furniture to match my apartment.
Today I describe how I built myself a bench under the window…

First you have to measure the place very accurately. And I mean VERY EXACTLY!!!
I used a laser measuring tool for this.

For the height, I calculated about 15 – 16 inch including the seat cushion.

Then you buy the wood panels you need. For the sides, the back and the bottom I used laminated panels. For the top and the front I used spruce or fir. I don’t remember because I made the window seat months ago and I’m just posting now. I bought the wood panels in a shop that had sawn the wooden panels according to my wishes.

I started with the wooden front.

I wanted the front to look like it was made of three pieces. That’s why I sawed 2 lines into each front piece with my saw.

I wanted the window seat to turn white, but no bright white. And I wanted to use chalk paint because it looks so matt. On the Internet I found a retailer in the Netherlands who had sold chalk paint white as “historical white”.
I had a little sample sent to see if I liked the color. The color was perfect for me.

Sand between each coat after the paint has dried.

Also paint the lid with the chalk paint. I painted the front and lid 3 times so that the white completely covers the wood colour.

Finally, you have to seal the paint.

The next step is to dowel the sides and the bottom together. I started with the front, then the two sides and finally the back part.

Here you can see what mistake I made in the first part: First I doweled the front part, removed the dowels and then painted the front. What do you want me to say? After drying the paint the dowels didn’t fit anymore and I had to make a new front part.
So first paint the wood and then dowel it!!!!

When the glue dried, I strengthened the inside of the seat with metal angles.

I have glued the edges of the laminated wooden boards with edgings.

In the hardware store I found protection for the wooden floor that I glued under the seat. I can’t remember what it’s called.

I attached the lid with piano hinge.

I found the seat and back cushions at Ikea 2 years ago. They are designed for outdoors but they fit perfectly and are very comfortable. Under the pillow I put this one on the wood to prevent the pillows from slipping. It’s for carpets, but who cares

Here the first window seat. I needed a total of three of them. I also use them as storage for my tools and handicrafts.

My window seat for Christmas. In the next post I will write a tutorial how I sewed these pillows 🙂

Spring and Easter. Yes I know. Too many pillows. Next year I won’t use all of them

and today 🙂 I love these pillows. I didn’t make the design, but I liked it so much that I copied it.

DIY Cosplay Natsu from Fairytale – Tutorial

Posted on September 4, 2017 by justelly1

My god child Sonja asked me once to make a Fairytale costume for a friend of hers. They wanted to go to a Games Con. Sonja had bought a Lucy costume for herself but her friend still needed his cosplay.

She asked me if I could sew a Natsu costume. I must say I had to google for this name hihi

I knew the name Fairytale coz I had bought some of her mangas as a gift but never ever read one of these.

After looking for pics of Natsu I asked Sonja to give me some measurements from Alex like hip, waist, bust, shoulder length ….

Guess what I got in the end?????? “Elly, he is 6ft in height”. Thats all the information I got LOL

Lucky for me I’ve seen Alex a few times before. Otherwise I wouldnt have known is he a skinny 6ft or a muscle one or a little over weighted! There are way to many different physiques out there to sew without any information

To make this cosplay suitable I had to make compromises!

I bought black, white and yellow cotton + velcro

First I made the skirt. Because I hadnt had his size I decided to make the skirt variable for different sizes. To do so I used velcro as seen in this sketch.

If you want to sew it the way I did, dont use a too small piece of velcro! The velcro will hold the skirt together!!!

For the size of the skirt I measured myself and added a few inches in length and width. The front I cut 2 1/2 inches broader than the back because the 2 front pieces will overlap a little.

First sew the 2 skirt pieces together. Check how the skirts fits you and where to make the cut to get the 2 pieces for your front. See pic above. Cut your front. Add the yellow bias binding .

I wanted the bias binding in 5/8″ so I cut 2 3/8″ strips

Now measure all three pieces together, add 2″ and cut a 4″ wide stripe. Iron it to the half. Sew the waistband to your skirt. Start at the small front piece. If done the waistband should have been longer when you finished at the larger front piece.

Sew the velcro on it. 2 stripes on the small front of your waistband, the other 2 on the back of the larger side. Make sure you wont see the velcro when you close your skirt.

Your skirt is done and should look like mine

Here you can see Sonja with the cosplay. Even she is way smaller than Alex she can wear the skirt!

The next has been the vest

I used a pattern from a shirt. I made it larger than my size and added 3 inches in length.

You only need the back pattern. Cut it twice. Take one of them and cut it in the middle. Now lay them right side on right side. Cut a sleight curve from the neck down. Add bias binding on front, arms …

I put a lining to the front , but it isnt necessary. I thought it would look better if the front fabric isnt too “soft”

For Natsus pants I used the “Burda Young Mens Pants pattern 7306”.

It looked close to the one Natsu wears if I’ve seen it right on the Natsu pics. I needed something very wide and comfy. I only had to shorten the pant legs to make it look more like Natsu’s pants.

I cut a size way bigger than Alex would wear usually.

Because I wanted to make an elastic waistband I added 3 inches for it.

Sew the sides and the pant legs.

Follow the pic below. If you have an overlock you can skip the first point

Now put elastic bands in your waistband

Because I hadnt been sure this pants will fit Alex I put a band in the waistband too!

Your pants is almost done

Put in both pant legs an elastic band too and add a 2″ black stripe. Make sure the black stripe is on both sides of the leg at least 3 to 4″ longer!

Last but not least the scarf. I used a 1 !/2 yard long, 9 inches wide white cotton

First sew with your overlock all around your scarf. Choose a long stitch on your sewing maschine and sew lines, lines, lines

Here you can see why I said using a long stitch. The fabric crinkles a little and the scarf looks better

I bought this foot last year and its more then helpful when sewing 1″ lines 🙂

Now cut 4″ stripes on both sides of your scarf

Say hello to Lucy and Natsu 😀

Thank you sweetie for playing my model ❤

Cute little girl’s dress including tutorial

Posted on July 18, 2017 by justelly1

Do you remember your first day at school?

The excitement to finally going to school like your one year older brother? To know you will learn how to read, write, count? To make new friends, say good bye to some of your Kindergarten friends?

It was such a big step for me but I dont remember much. But what I remember is the new dress I got for this special day.

Now little Miss M. will have her first day at school and I choosed the pattern from my Mickey Mouse dress to sew a new dress for her “big day”