LOL, I think the shoes would be fun for any age. It's just hard to find plain white canvas high tops - or low. I don't want to pay $30+ for them so the ones I've found online are out.
So far, I've only used the really big rick rack at the hem where only half of it showed along the bottom. For that I did a straight stitch down the middle and another to catch the top edge of the curves so they wouldn't curl down. The baby rick rack I attach with a straight stitch down the middle. The medium and jumbo rick rack I use a zig zag stitch down the middle. I like to do it that way so it's less likely to curl up around the stitching.
I always try to remember to pre-wash trim especially if I'm not familiar with the brand. I feel pretty confident of the Wright brand, like the rick rack I use, so I will use without pre-washing since it's never bled or shrunk. I just toss the trim into a lingerie laundering bag and wash/dry with a regular load of clothes. I'd much rather find out the trim doesn't hold up to machine washing before it's used on a garment.
Speaking of pre-washing, I'm so annoyed with some fabric I bought at JoAnns. I was asked to make a fun set for a little boy in bright colors. I saw some great colors in the denim section of JA and bought several thinking I'd do large patches of the different colors to use as fabric for the shorts. I pre-washed them all at once and they bled a lot! Some of the colors ended up looking tie-dyed. I ran them through a wash/rinse cycle 2 more times until the water was pretty clear. I decided I could still use them since the set was going to be kind of funky anyway. However, I was concerned the dye might bleed through to the applique so I took strips of each color, sewed them together and 'appliqued' plain white fabric over them. I'm glad I did that test because once I got it wet, let it set and then dried it, I could see slight color on the white fabric from each of the denim strips. I hate throwing away fabric especially since these are 3 yards total (1/2 yd each of 6 colors) but I just don't want to risk applique getting ruined. I may try one more wash with white vinegar and repeat the applique test. It's just so frustrating!
Anyway, I wanted to mention this since it's one of the reasons I strongly encourage people to always pre-wash anything that they aren't 100% sure will be fine without a pre-wash. I know we put so much time and effort into our creations so I think it's worth taking a little time at the start to pre-wash to avoid potential catastrophes.
Thank you so much for replying -- I'm going to do just as you say and prewash all trim in a lingerie bag.
I consider you the Goddess of Applique and Vidas so I highly value your opinion. And thanks for the sewing rickrack pointers.
I've had really good luck with all the fabric I've purchased lately. I just do as the Disboutiquers say and prewash in cold without any fabric softener. I've been scared about a couple of my prints, but thus far everything turned out well. Honestly, I got so discouraged with sewing a few years back b/c I painstakingly made ds a collared button down shirt from a commercial pattern (so you know the headache involved) and when I washed it it shrunk (and for some reason it was already on the small side to begin with) and faded horribly. It was a bright tropical print so it looked awful. I had no clue to prewash and probably didn't wash it in cold either.
One thing I do use is Shout Color Catcher sheets and I have even thrown them in with a few fabrics I thought I might have problems with. These sheets really do work, so if your'e in doubt with future fabrics they may help.
Yes, I love me some Ariel! Actually, I really love the movie, not just Ariel. It's one of my top 3 favorites. I can't choose between The Little Mermaid, Cinderella, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. I think I need to banana again!
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LOOK AT MY TICKER!!! That's less than 3 weeks!
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I've never seen Hunchback -- I actually heard it wasn't supposed to be good. Hmm, I may have to now see if the library has it.
Eeks! Just three weeks!!!! Please post a summary of everything before you go. I think my favs will be the Jasmine set though. I remember that vividly.
Just to give you a point of reference - here's my daughter holding my largest hoop:
J/K of course. Since I don't have a machine I'm jealous of anything. I just really wanted to comment on how cute your dd is. I will always remember the photo you posted of her walking with Mulan.
I've got my pattern, and the fabric all cut out, but I remember seeing here someplace that there are more directions or maybe a tutorial to help you put it together. I've looked in the Tutes section, but if its there, I'm blind. Any help is appreciated!
TIA!!!
I have the link saved:
http://trilliumdesign.blogspot.com/2008/11/feliz-sew-along.html
I certainly don't have the pattern, but I hope to some day when I get a bit more experienced.
Well , I have been through two tee shirts now! LOL! The first one, the needle FLEW OUT OF THE MACHINE! Oops. Got that hooked back up, and then it started sewing in a totally different spot. Ends up it was a good thing I decided to keep going with it anyway, as it was sideways and the back of the tee slipped in and got appliqued!! lol!
The second tee everything stitched out fine, but I didn't trim the fabric close enough and once again didn't "judge' where the applique would go in hoop correctly, so it's way low on teh shirt
ERG!
The positives:
I learned how to get a new design onto my machine and que it up successfully.
I learned how to do each step to make it stitch out correctly
I did mange to hoop the tee and have it work without getting "extra pieces" of it caught.
I think I'm gonna have to go give that jiffy place a lot of my money, with the way I'm running through tees
I'm not feeling my best today so I may lay down for a while and try again another day. Are we expecting storms or a big temp change here in MI? My body seems to be telling me something icky is about to happen.
Do what I did for my first hand applique and practice on an old stained t-shirt -- thank goodness I did b/c I forgot to put in the ballpoint needle and my machine ate my t-shirt.
actually I check this thread sometimes twice a day (maybe three??
)...you are all amazing and so talented. I do little things, but never could compare to what you're all capable of. I did make some chef hats though....
I would like to try and make a pillow case dress....I found the material, but I need to know....if it's 100% cotton - will it need to be ironed each time it's done up? I've looked at JoAnns and Hobby Lobby....but don't think I've seen a blend that cotton and polyester.....is there such a thing in a dotted print??? Those wonderful creations that you all make....do they need to be ironed? How do you handle those beautiful ruffles?
Thank you....Barb in Texas
I am an ironing freak and iron almost everything except undies. However, I wash in cold, put things in the dryer on low heat for just ten minutes and then immediately hang dry. It makes ironing much easier -- sometimes I'll even iron when things are a little damp and then just hang to dry. It's fairly simple to do ruffles this way.
Wow you all have been busy. I can barely keep up just skimming through to see all of the wonderful creations! We leave on our trip in 13 days! We are all very excited. All clothing is complete: 8 dresses for oldest daughter, 7 for baby girl, and 5 appliqued t-shirts for 4 adults and 2 kids. I only need to figure out the bows and I am all set.
I was missing sewing so I made a halloween outfit for my daughter. Nothing fancy, but fun. I used Carla's easy fit pants pattern and it was so easy!
That's so cute! If you get a chance post all your outfits -- I love seeing everything in final sets.
I haven't had time to comment but I have been lurking and everything is great. On Thursday. my kinder told me someone took her napmat. I had just bought her the ho-hum red and blue because I didn't want to have to make yet another thing. I decided to make her one so noone would mistake hers again.
My DD9 wanted a Disney t-shirt with peace incorporated in it. This is what I came up with.
The same daughter, Cambree has decided that in her new room she wants a Broadway room. I had to think about it but I came up with making a quilt with different shows appliqued on it. Get ready for lots of pics.
Totally OT, but the same daughter is turning 10 in 2 weeks and has decided to have Wicked party. I like throwing creative parties, but I am lost on this one
I thought that you wonderfully creative souls could help me!!!
I have ideas on food, goodyh bags and invites, but all suggestions would be welcome, especially about games. THANK YOU!!
I can't wait to see the finished quilt -- that looks like sooooo much work!
Abigail was asked to light to Chalice at church today so of course she asked me to make her a new outfit.
I didn't make the shirt ~ she already had it, but I made the skirt and matching headband.
That's beautiful! I'd be way too scared to work with fabric like that.
Lurker coming out! I've been lurking for quite some time btw - I have the honor of meeting Utahmama!! and of course her precious dd!
my dd is on the left - uma's dd in the middle and another dis'ers dd on the right
I guess its all HeatherSue's fault! I just was bored today and read her trip report! I've been following Maroo and the MAW trip reports... I would love to be part of the Big Give - but not sure what I can do... Today - I thought of something!!
I've also have a sewing machine I'd like to use...
DD wants to be a sewer - but we're really into reading... and now with school (she's in 7th grade) our time is disappearing... that and dh got laid off... he's a computer geek, so we're hopeful!! We have a strong faith - and BIG dreams..
I think I need to commit to something!!
Welcome and get that sewing machine out and start using it -- just start with the simple patterns and you'll see how easy it is.
I can't get over how much you guys post when I'm busy sewing.
Again so many beautiful things posted.
I finally broke down and bought a vida pattern, I'm really nervous about making it. I guess once I get the pattern ~ I'll look to see how easy (or hard)
it is to make.
I'm still trying to get up the nerve to try my first aplique, I just can't bring myself to cut the cheap broadcloth I bought to practice I guess I'm like my kids and want to be able to do it perfect the first time.
I am just working on my first Vida -- I'm actually only in the stages of having the pattern cut out and selecting my fabrics, but it doesn't look all that hard to do. Just follow Lisa's tute. I mistaking cut my pattern the first time without seam allowances b/c I didn't read through the tute until after I cut it
It probably would have been OK since I have a skinny dd, but I went back and redid it all with seam allowances.
This is so cute!! ARe you going to do a matching baby sister one too?
Just fought with my embroidery machine today - but I eventually won!!!
Heather - can you tell how you dont hoop tshirts? Im still learning it all!! I used stickyback for some totebags I did for birthdays.
Anyone have an idea for getting old doubleback sticky tape residue (heavy residue) off of an old hard wood floor? I feel like Ive tried everything!!! There used to be wall to wall carpet on the floor here, and I guess that is how they stabilized it at all the entranceways. Well, we pulled up the carpet and now cant get these darn stripes off the floor!!!!!!
Anyone else every get angry with their DH? Mine is making me really grumpy right now!!!
Try Goo Gone for the sticky residue -- it seams to work on everything.
Angry with dh? *Never*
I guess its all HeatherSue's fault! I just was bored today and read her trip report! I've been following Maroo and the MAW trip reports... I would love to be part of the Big Give - but not sure what I can do... 
