Disboutiquers Part 28 Kids Disney Boutique / Customs Clothes psst..we sew ;-)

[mphalens]

Good Morning!

I feel like I've been gone forever! I went on my trip to DLR and participated in MouseAdventure. Our team came in 17th out of 120ish teams. So, not too shabby! It was a lot of fun, and the highlight of the day was riding the raft over to TSI and playing charades with the rest of my team on the other side of the river. What fun!

I also finished Natalie's outfit right before we left, and thought I'd share the photos with you all. I'm finally working on her Ariel dress now.

I missed the switch over to a new thread, and I see that you all have been busy making some fabulous things. The boy's outfits are especially inspiring to me because I haven't made them a thing. I might have to look into it.

Question: What pattern do you all suggest for the cute easy shorts you're making boys?

So glad to be back!

OMG! I could just eat your daughter up! How adorable is SHE???? The outfit is simply fabulous! it!

You've gotten this answer at least 5 times, but Carla C's Easy Fits! Simply the best!

Hi everyone. First, I want to say how impressed I am with all the custom clothes you all make. Its just fantastic! Most of you probably don't know me but my daughter Sydney was recipiant of a Big Give in August 2010. The clothing she had for her wish trip was simply amazing. The following Spring, I posted here, very excited that we had made a trip to the US and I had bought all kinds of disney fabric, with the intention of both making some things for our next disney trip and contributing to the Big Give so we could give back a little. Well, the fabric rested in our closet for, well, over a year. Our last disney trip got cancelled and the plan now is to go in May when we're taking my parents too. I kept thinking of the fabric and kept pushing the idea aside and within the last week I've been searching You Can Make This and I've come up with many things I'd like to make for DD and my two DS's for our upcoming trip... nothing like leaving it for the last minute. If all goes well, I'm going to start contributing to the Big Give when we return... small things at first.

So, I have a few questions. I figured I'd start with a simple pillowcase dress. I bought a pdf from YCMT and had trouble understanding it. I'm not a complete newbie as I used to make costumes for my kiddos a few years ago but it just confused me. Maybe because I've been away from the machine for awhile (other than sewing sponsors onto DS's hockey jerseys!) So, I looked at Teresa's bookmarks and found a pillowcase dress there.. .and I found another online. My big problem now is taht all three are different. I'm concerned about the arm hole. The pdf I have says to cut it out after teh dress is sewn together and uses homemade bias tape to go around the hole. The one I found online says to cut a corner off each side of the fabric, so 4 sides in total before its sewn together, fold up the edges and sew it, and then sew the dress together (so no bias tape here). Finally, the link Teresa has doesn't really have armholes at all... just the top part of the dress (pillowcase style) that isn't sewn together... bottom line... which do you like best? Which works best for fitting kiddos? I'm so confused!

Second question is related to appliques. I'm going to do at least one bowling shirt for DS4 but realistically, if this takes too much time, the rest of the matching outfits may just be a tshirt with a mickey applique in the same fabric as DD's dresses and skirts (or similar fabric anyway). My machine is not fancy. It isn't digital at all. Completely manual. I've read the tutorial on making appliques and it sounds timeconsuming ... Is there an easy way to cut out the mickey head from fabric and sew the edges so they don't fray? Can this just be sewn onto a Tshirt then? Or am I missing something really important?

On a related note, and I know I'm not supposed to ask about people selling things but just a yes or no would suffice... I can search it... is there anyone that sells Mickey/Minnie face appliques with the edges serged or something that I can just buy and sew onto a tshirt myself? Plain black would be just fine. I've found sellers that sell the tshirts with applique's on them and I've found patterns for serger machines... just haven't found anyone that makes the appliques and sells just them ... does such a person exist and if so, how do I search etsy or another site to find him/her?

Thanks so much for all your help!

Okay - first things first - WELCOME!

Second - http://www.aestheticnest.com/2010/06/sewing-patriotic-pillowcase-dresses.html
That's the link for the tutorial I used to make my first pillowcase dress. It was when I first started sewing again last summer. I read through a bunch of different ones but that one made the most sense to me (and I liked the looks of the finished product). Maybe that will help?

Third - Appliques. Daunting, I know. For me it was a mental block, I knew what the finished product should look like, but I couldn't wrap my head around how to do it. Does your machine do a zig zag stitch? How tight of a zig zag can it do? If it can go as tight as a satin stitch, you're fine, especially if you just want to cut a big Mickey Head out of a print to coordinate. Buy some Sulky Totally Stable (use your 40% off coupon at JoAnn's or Hancock) and practice on some scraps first. My first applique was a square with a star on top of it. I satin stitched the star to the square and then zig zagged the square to a pair of easy fits (like a patch) because I wanted the edge to fray a bit.
If your machine will NOT do a satin stitch (my mom's won't, which is why I ask, because I assumed if a machine would do a zig zag stitch it could, of course, do a satin stitch, but this is not necessarily the case!) then I'd head over to Etsy and look at PrincessHeirlooms. I have never personally ordered from her, but my Bestie has and they were fabulous patches at very reasonable prices!

Did another pair!!! I LOVE this sewing thing. I see why everyone here loves it so much!!

Will make the baby a matching pair.It's already cut, just need to iron and sew!!

Sew, Mama, Sew!!!

It's been a long time since I have been on here...maybe 3 years? Anyway, I have a DN who wants a Minnie skirt. I made one out of the Hancock's Minnie dot that was spot on the dot just like Minnie's dress fabric. Anyway, has anyone found a similar print lately? I know that Hancock's doesn't have it any longer, but is Michael Miller's Ta Dot the closest there is right now?

Others have answered, but Hancock and JoAnn's and Hobby Lobby all carry a red with white polka dot and Hobby Lobby & JoAnn's also carry a pink with white polka dot.

Thanks everyone for the kind words about Natalie's Minnie Smocked Outfit! I love it, and it's nice to have a group of gals that get my obsession.

Thanks also for the easy fit pants info. How are you all adding the pockets? Is there a tutorial out there for them? I think Diane started that craze...maybe she needs to make a tut for it.

New Question:

I know a couple of you have made bags, and I remember an awesome Test Track one that was posted a while back. Anyway, any recs on a great messenger bag style pattern? Thanks!

If you go back to the 27th Part of the Disboutiquers thread (I added the link so it should take you to the right post) I posted a quick Tutorial for how to add pockets to the Easy Fits. They look a lot like Diane's style (she made a bunch of solid color shorts). I have not tried the cargo style pocket. The only other pocket I've added to Easy Fits is just a plain old rectangle on the sides of the pants (like a flat cargo pocket without the flap) - my son prefers the new pockets I started added the best.


I finished up a baby gift for a sorority sister tonight. My phone needed a charge before I could upload the pics to photobucket, so I'll have to post them later.

 

[VBAndrea]

Yikes, then you may have seen the upside down tigger jon-jon too.

Missed that one! She only had t's out! But I do remember you posting it

No, she actually only saw part of our Pixie Stash. I just had Allison's and Jonathon's out. Christopher's is packed. I thought about using that tigger for something this summer but Alli said NO!! It's got to many memories

I will have to get everything out for her to see! I LOVED that outfit.

Andrea, Christopher didn't get Cars. He got other cute things. BUt I am not allowed to use any of it. Allison wants to keep everything as it is. She won't wear her Harry Potter T, because it was for her wish trip! So now I am looking for an embroidered Harry Potter too. THese kids are killing me (not really I LOVE this now!!)

ANOTHER QUESTION


As a novice sewer, am I being to ambitious to attempt the boxy bag? I have seen it and the tutorial and fell in love with some of them. Wanting to make some for the girls going on our trip. If it is easy enough for me, what material do you use? Does it have to be a sturdy fabric? What do you use for the lining? Thanks, and sorry for more questions
Can't wait until I am comfortable enough for Big Gives!

Too funny that Alli wants everything kept intact. I felt the same way when I first started to d=sew, but a month ago I pulled out dd's pooh dress for her to wear and she wouldn't wear it to school anymore, but wanted it saves for Dis (it will be way too short for our next trip). I am ready to sell it but she won't let me. I did make her an AK dress that I will keep forever -- it was my favorite and I also bought some expensive accent fabric for it that i love -- I'll show it to you when you come to embroider (it will give me a good excuse to clean her closet out - desperately needs it -- I'd be too embarrassed to let you in it as in and she has too many clothes to pull them out).

Cheryl (AboveH20) has made toiletry bags. We need to track her down!

Thanks everyone for the kind words about Natalie's Minnie Smocked Outfit! I love it, and it's nice to have a group of gals that get my obsession.

Thanks also for the easy fit pants info. How are you all adding the pockets? Is there a tutorial out there for them? I think Diane started that craze...maybe she needs to make a tut for it.

New Question:

I know a couple of you have made bags, and I remember an awesome Test Track one that was posted a while back. Anyway, any recs on a great messenger bag style pattern? Thanks!

Marianne's tut for adding pockets is on page 207 of thread 27. I also put a listing of links to styles of other pockets on thread 27 but don't know what page it was on -- It was likely around March 8 for a guesstimate if you want to look for it. If not just do a google search of sewing pockets on kids shorts and a bunch of them will pop up.

There are also tuts out there for messenger bags -- D just adds pockets to hers as she pleases with is what I do whenever I make a tote. That's the nice thing about sewing for yourself -- you can improvise to make it suitable to you.

 

[dianemom2]

Thanks also for the easy fit pants info. How are you all adding the pockets? Is there a tutorial out there for them? I think Diane started that craze...maybe she needs to make a tut for it.

New Question:

I know a couple of you have made bags, and I remember an awesome Test Track one that was posted a while back. Anyway, any recs on a great messenger bag style pattern? Thanks!

I see that Marianne answered your question about the tute for the easy fit pockets. I took pictures to do a tute for the cargo style pockets which are also super easy to add. I just haven't had time to put it together.

Several of us have bought the Two Zip Hipster bag pattern from Dog Under My Desk. Her directions are excellent. It did not have a zippered inside pocket but I was able to add one very easily. The hardest part of making the hipster bag is cutting it out. I haven't appliqued one yet but there is a good spot on the front to add something cute. Dorrine does all hand appliques on her bags and they are amazing!

 

[tinkbell13]

I had to laugh when you said warm. Let me see, I had my winter jacket, gloves, scarf, and a hat on when I left for work this morning. It was below freezing. It was warm enough by the time I went home that I could go without my hat, but I still had everything else on! Oh and the weather forecaster is calling for SNOW overnight/early morning.

Oh no, the dreaded 'S' word! We came home to temps of 22C (72F) on Sunday. We hit a record 27C (81F) yesterday and are supposed to reach that again today! We are supposed to cool off early next week to 11C (52F) before going back above 20C later in the week. DH and I are afraid we are going to get hit with a freak snow storm in mid April or something. This weather sure is crazy!

I love the outfit! Your DD is just adorable too!

 

[SallyfromDE]

Second question is related to appliques. I'm going to do at least one bowling shirt for DS4 but realistically, if this takes too much time, the rest of the matching outfits may just be a tshirt with a mickey applique in the same fabric as DD's dresses and skirts (or similar fabric anyway). My machine is not fancy. It isn't digital at all. Completely manual. I've read the tutorial on making appliques and it sounds timeconsuming ... Is there an easy way to cut out the mickey head from fabric and sew the edges so they don't fray? Can this just be sewn onto a Tshirt then? Or am I missing something really important?

On a related note, and I know I'm not supposed to ask about people selling things but just a yes or no would suffice... I can search it... is there anyone that sells Mickey/Minnie face appliques with the edges serged or something that I can just buy and sew onto a tshirt myself? Plain black would be just fine. I've found sellers that sell the tshirts with applique's on them and I've found patterns for serger machines... just haven't found anyone that makes the appliques and sells just them ... does such a person exist and if so, how do I search etsy or another site to find him/her?

Thanks so much for all your help!

You wouldn't be able to serge the edges of a micky head, because you couldn't get into the tight corners of Micky's ears. But there are a couple things I can think of that might help (and I'm sure you'd get other suggestions to).

Use heat and bond lite to adhere the cut out to your shirt. Do a satin stitch around it, that's just a close zig zag. That's the most common. 2nd, you could just do a straight stitch and clip the outer part. So when it's washed it looks like a rag quilt. Or you could use 2 fabrics right side together, stitch out your head. In the center, cut out an opening, being careful not to cut the fabric on the opposite side. Clip all your curves. Turn it inside out, press and stitch it down with the cut side to the shirt.

With the camp shirt, the first one might seem time consuming, but once you get one under your belt, they'll go faster. But you could use tshirts for some of your days, to switch up your looks.

 

[miprender]

Today is going to be in the 80s today so no sewing for me. I love the beautiful weather but when its nice outside I feel guilty keeping the kids inside. I may have to set up a sewing room outside if the weather keeps up like this.

I am a very beginner sewer with a basic machine. I have only sewed a few things and HATE patterns, so what I do make, I just wing it. I decided to try to make DD4 a tunic length top and some matching leggings, so this is what I came up with, she wore it on our trip last week, I dont think it looked too bad, but I hope to get better!

Great job on your first time sewing. It came out awesome!

BTW, tomorrow is my PET scan. Hopefully I will still be cancer free. I will get my results on Thursday when I see my oncologist.

Sending prayers that your results are still cancer free

What is "VTU"? The outline of each balloon looks much better than the B&C version. I'd love to get an improved version, too!

Regards,
C.

It it Very Trulyurs on FB... but I went and requested you to join the group so you should be able to see her designs. I've purchased a few cute ones but haven't tried them yet.

Good Morning!

I also finished Natalie's outfit right before we left, and thought I'd share the photos with you all. I'm finally working on her Ariel dress now.

[/COLOR]

What a cutie pie and that outfit is adorable.

Hi everyone. First, I want to say how impressed I am with all the custom clothes you all make. Its just fantastic! Most of you probably don't know me but my daughter Sydney was recipiant of a Big Give in August 2010. The clothing she had for her wish trip was simply amazing. The following Spring, I posted here, very excited that we had made a trip to the US and I had bought all kinds of disney fabric, with the intention of both making some things for our next disney trip and contributing to the Big Give so we could give back a little. Well, the fabric rested in our closet for, well, over a year. Our last disney trip got cancelled and the plan now is to go in May when we're taking my parents too. I kept thinking of the fabric and kept pushing the idea aside and within the last week I've been searching You Can Make This and I've come up with many things I'd like to make for DD and my two DS's for our upcoming trip... nothing like leaving it for the last minute. If all goes well, I'm going to start contributing to the Big Give when we return... small things at first.

So, I have a few questions. I figured I'd start with a simple pillowcase dress. I bought a pdf from YCMT and had trouble understanding it. I'm not a complete newbie as I used to make costumes for my kiddos a

Second question is related to appliques. I'm going to do at least one bowling shirt for DS4 but realistically, if this takes too much time, the rest of the matching outfits may just be a tshirt with a mickey applique in the same fabric as DD's dresses and skirts (or similar fabric anyway). My machine is not fancy. It isn't digital at all. Completely manual. I've read the tutorial on making appliques and it sounds timeconsuming ... Is there an easy way to cut out the mickey head from fabric and sew the edges so they don't fray? Can this just be sewn onto a Tshirt then? Or am I missing something really important?


Thanks so much for all your help!

Before I was sewing or had an embroidery machine I did use my cricut to cut some mickey heads. I don't know if this is an option for you.

Also Teresa on here has her own shop that sells patchers. You could try PMing her.

It's been a long time since I have been on here...maybe 3 years? Anyway, I have a DN who wants a Minnie skirt. I made one out of the Hancock's Minnie dot that was spot on the dot just like Minnie's dress fabric. Anyway, has anyone found a similar print lately? I know that Hancock's doesn't have it any longer, but is Michael Miller's Ta Dot the closest there is right now?

Can't wait to see what you will be creating.

 

[cogero]

so very ticked this morning. I was almost done with the country skirt and wound up cutting out the waistband because the serger ate it. Definately wasn't user error

Fixed it because I want the skirt done. LOL There are 2 things I am not happy with on it but if you are looking that close you shouldn't be LMAO. I will do the shirt today and take pictures later. I am making lists because I have a few things I need to be working on.

 

[juligrl]

I was inspired to conquer my sewing machine aversion, hence my first machine-sewn deco shorts! Got this done so much faster than by hand! Look out - there's more coming!

 

[PurpleEars]

I was inspired to conquer my sewing machine aversion, hence my first machine-sewn deco shorts! Got this done so much faster than by hand! Look out - there's more coming!

Great job on the shorts! I can't wait to see what you make next!


So for those of you who are thinking it is too hot...here's a picture of my world during my commute this morning!

Oh and the white stuff on the railing and on the sides of the road is NOT powdered sugar! It was snowing when I took the picture. By the way, I can usually see mountains (Canadian Rockies) in a distance from that angle!

 

[LittleBlackRaincloud]

Thanks for the advvice on a pattern for a bag. I really like the size and style of this bag. Has anyone ever used her patterns before? I have the cutest gray background paisley fabric with Mickey on it that I think I'm going to use for the outside. It's just normal quilting cotton though, and so I'll have to really interface it, but it will be cute. Would you suggest that I not use quilting cotton for the outside fabric? I just haven't found anything cute and Disneyish in a heavier material.

Here's the fabric that I want to use for the bag:

Thanks for the kind words about my DD. She wasn't fancied up for the photos. We were just lounging around the house. It's hard to keep a 20 month old's hair neat though!

I'll go back and check out the tutorial. Thanks for the links and help to find it.

 

[DisNorth]

Thanks for the advvice on a pattern for a bag. I really like the size and style of this bag. Has anyone ever used her patterns before? I have the cutest gray background paisley fabric with Mickey on it that I think I'm going to use for the outside. It's just normal quilting cotton though, and so I'll have to really interface it, but it will be cute. Would you suggest that I not use quilting cotton for the outside fabric? I just haven't found anything cute and Disneyish in a heavier material.

Here's the fabric that I want to use for the bag:

Thanks for the kind words about my DD. She wasn't fancied up for the photos. We were just lounging around the house. It's hard to keep a 20 month old's hair neat though!

I'll go back and check out the tutorial. Thanks for the links and help to find it.

Sorry, no help for your questions but I love that fabric!

 

[casper_jj11]

Thanks so much for everyone helping out with the applique and pillowcase dress problems. Can't do individual posts cause it'll take too long. DD has been puking since 1am so its definitely not going to be a productive day.

For the advice about the pillowcase with armholes probably looking better, that was my thought too. While the other one was much easier, dd is getting pickier and pickier about her clothes lately so I figure armholes were a good idea.

Thanks for the link to the other site for hte pillowcase pattern. Heading there now

As for the appliques, lots of great advice! Thank you! I have no idea if my machine will do a satin stich. I'll have to look and see. I've never actually used the zigzag function on it so I'll test it out. Love the advice on the heat and bond and the Sulky Totally Stable. No Joanns or Hancocks here ... basically just fabricland and a few independant places. I'm sure someone will have it tho so I'll look when I go. I still need all the threads, ribbons etc for these dresses anyway so I'll check then. If all else fails, I'll contact Teresa and have a look at Princess Heirlooms! Might be easier in the long run but I wont' have fabric to match dd's dresses so Id rather try it myself first.

Waving hi to all the Canadians here! Weather sure is crazy. Its 27C here today! Just nuts for the beginning of spring. We had a snow storm a year ago today!

 

[VBAndrea]

Today is going to be in the 80s today so no sewing for me. I love the beautiful weather but when its nice outside I feel guilty keeping the kids inside. I may have to set up a sewing room outside if the weather keeps up like this.

I have a large screened in porch (backyard) and am so tempted to set up shop out there! I would never leave anything out there though due to all our humidity so I'd be dragging stuff up and down stairs all day as I sew upstairs.

I was inspired to conquer my sewing machine aversion, hence my first machine-sewn deco shorts! Got this done so much faster than by hand! Look out - there's more coming!

Adorable!

So for those of you who are thinking it is too hot...here's a picture of my world during my commute this morning!

Oh and the white stuff on the railing and on the sides of the road is NOT powdered sugar! It was snowing when I took the picture. By the way, I can usually see mountains (Canadian Rockies) in a distance from that angle!

Eeks!

Thanks for the advvice on a pattern for a bag. I really like the size and style of this bag. Has anyone ever used her patterns before? I have the cutest gray background paisley fabric with Mickey on it that I think I'm going to use for the outside. It's just normal quilting cotton though, and so I'll have to really interface it, but it will be cute. Would you suggest that I not use quilting cotton for the outside fabric? I just haven't found anything cute and Disneyish in a heavier material.

Here's the fabric that I want to use for the bag:

Thanks for the kind words about my DD. She wasn't fancied up for the photos. We were just lounging around the house. It's hard to keep a 20 month old's hair neat though!

I'll go back and check out the tutorial. Thanks for the links and help to find it.

I love that fabric!!!! Sorry, I didn't even look at the bag link but I've never made anything but a simple tote bag.
Edited b/c I went and looked at the pattern and it gets good reviews. And forgot to add on my tote bags I always use cotton and fuse it to deco-bond.

 

[casper_jj11]

Just checked the instruction manual for my machine... it will do a satin stitch! So, let's see if I have this right.... I cut out the mickey face from the fabric I want. I heat and bond it to the tshirt (do I have to wash the fabric and tshirt first?). I then satin stitch around the mickey head. Umm, and I use somthing like Sulky Totally stable on the inside of the tshirt while I'm doing this right? I seem to think that I read somewhere that this is ironed on... can you use this with the heat and bond... or is it the same thing? (I'm used to having a commercial pattern, cutting out the pieces based on the pattern and just sewing together... that, I can do... not so great at improvising yet!)

 

[Taja]

Hi Everyone!!!

Is anyone out there not having warm weather? Its WARM here in Philly!!!!! Poor Tigger has his tongue hanging out!

We are doing great for Mitchells big give. Just a few tiny things left. The biggest one is the Theme park survival kit - for this family it would REALLY be helpful!!! Also, if anyone would feel like making Mitchells Baby Brother Mason a first haircut shirt, it would be adorable - he is getting it cut at the Barber shop on Main St!!

I have spring fever so bad!! I'd really like to go away!!! My mom just told me they are goingto Sanibell at the end of APril and I am so jealous!!!!! I love the shells there!!

We just had three or four days of winter! Temps were in the 80s, then dropped into the 50s and 60s! BRRRR! Overnight lows were in the 40s.

It was a nice respite. Without the occasional temperature fluctuation, we would be 100+ degrees most of the year.

Cold front was moving east.

 

[tinkbell13]

Just checked the instruction manual for my machine... it will do a satin stitch! So, let's see if I have this right.... I cut out the mickey face from the fabric I want. I heat and bond it to the tshirt (do I have to wash the fabric and tshirt first?). I then satin stitch around the mickey head. Umm, and I use somthing like Sulky Totally stable on the inside of the tshirt while I'm doing this right? I seem to think that I read somewhere that this is ironed on... can you use this with the heat and bond... or is it the same thing? (I'm used to having a commercial pattern, cutting out the pieces based on the pattern and just sewing together... that, I can do... not so great at improvising yet!)

Welcome from another Canadian!

I hand appliqued my first few projects which were small messenger bags with Mickey heads on them. Loved it so much I bought an embroidery machine. Stabilizer and heat n bond are two different things. The tut on the first page of the thread is exactly what I followed - trace pattern on heat n bond, apply heat n bond to fabric, cut out and apply to t-shirt, apply stabilizer to back of t-shirt and satin stitch around Mickey head. I picked up iron on stabilizer at our local Lens Mill store. I suggest doing a couple of practice pieces first to get the hang of the curves and points on the Mickey head. Good luck! Can't wait to see your projects!

 

[cogero]

I was inspired to conquer my sewing machine aversion, hence my first machine-sewn deco shorts! Got this done so much faster than by hand! Look out - there's more coming!

So very cute

Great job on the shorts! I can't wait to see what you make next!


So for those of you who are thinking it is too hot...here's a picture of my world during my commute this morning!

Oh and the white stuff on the railing and on the sides of the road is NOT powdered sugar! It was snowing when I took the picture. By the way, I can usually see mountains (Canadian Rockies) in a distance from that angle!

Please keep that ugly looking white yuck your way. Iwant to enjoy my beautiful spring/summer weather in March.

 

[Taja]

Just checked the instruction manual for my machine... it will do a satin stitch! So, let's see if I have this right.... I cut out the mickey face from the fabric I want. I heat and bond it to the tshirt (do I have to wash the fabric and tshirt first?). I then satin stitch around the mickey head. Umm, and I use somthing like Sulky Totally stable on the inside of the tshirt while I'm doing this right? I seem to think that I read somewhere that this is ironed on... can you use this with the heat and bond... or is it the same thing? (I'm used to having a commercial pattern, cutting out the pieces based on the pattern and just sewing together... that, I can do... not so great at improvising yet!)

Definitely launder both the t-shirt and fabric before beginning your project. You need to be sure they are colorfast and will be compatible when laundered in the future.

Heat & Bond is a used for fusing two fabrics together. It's available in different weights/strengths--you probably would want to use the lightest version available to maintain the flexibility of the fabrics.

The nice part about bonding the two fabrics together before satin stitching is that the fabric is less likely to fray if the stitching is not perfect. The satin stitching can look really good, but still not catch the edges of the applique perfectly.

If you want to go retro, you could use a technique from the 80s. Bond the fusible to the applique fabric, then cut out the applique. Fuse it to the t-shirt. I added the step of straight stitching around the applique before proceeding to dimensional paint to seal the edges. I had better experiences with adding the straight stitching step when laundering--particularly when making things for people who are less careful about laundry techniques! *LOL*

When using fusible bonding web--any brand--remember to press (up and down motion) rather than iron (back and forth motion) the pieces together.

Edited to add:

The stablizer (Sulky or other brand) is used under the garment to create a firmer environment for the garment/applique so the needle works more smoothly. The stablizer is cut, torn or dissolved from the finished project, depending on the type of stablizer used.

This is the order I would use:

Fuse bonding web (Heat & Bond or other) to applique fabric. Cut bonding web about 1/2" larger than area to be fused.

Cut out applique. Leave a tiny border (1/16" to 1/8" depending on application technique) around the edge as you cut out the applique.

Fuse applique to t-shirt.

Create your applique "sandwich":

Bottom layer: firm stablizer
Middle layer: t-shirt with applique fused onto it
Top layer: lightweight, dissolvable, transparent stablizer

Pin the layers together or use a temporary adhesive (I'm not fond of the adhesive, but others have used it successfully).

Satin stitch (be sure to use an applique foot--it has a space for the heavier thread concentration to smoothly move under the foot) or straight stitch applique to t-shirt.

Remove stablizers.

If using retro technique, seal edges with dimensional fabric paint. Allow 24 to 72 hours to dry, depending on climate. The more humid the weather, the longer it will take to dry.

 

[dianemom2]

I was inspired to conquer my sewing machine aversion, hence my first machine-sewn deco shorts! Got this done so much faster than by hand! Look out - there's more coming!

Those are super cute!

So for those of you who are thinking it is too hot...here's a picture of my world during my commute this morning!

Oh and the white stuff on the railing and on the sides of the road is NOT powdered sugar! It was snowing when I took the picture. By the way, I can usually see mountains (Canadian Rockies) in a distance from that angle!

I hope you keep your white stuff up there. I hate winter and the cold. I have been so happy that we had such a mild winter and a beautiful spring!

Thanks for the advvice on a pattern for a bag. I really like the size and style of this bag. Has anyone ever used her patterns before? I have the cutest gray background paisley fabric with Mickey on it that I think I'm going to use for the outside. It's just normal quilting cotton though, and so I'll have to really interface it, but it will be cute. Would you suggest that I not use quilting cotton for the outside fabric? I just haven't found anything cute and Disneyish in a heavier material.

Here's the fabric that I want to use for the bag:

I love the fabric. It should work just fine. I don't think you can expect the bag to last forever using a cotton material but if you are like me, you'll be itching for a new bag before long anyhow. The bag pattern looks very nice. I think that somebody else used an Oliver + S messenger bag pattern that was quite similar. It will be a super cute bag when you are done. I have some Mickey fabric that I ordered off of Etsy that I am planning to use for a bag some day if we ever plan another Disney trip.


Got the results of my scan a couple of hours ago. Things are great! Dr spent quite a bit of time to use talking about people like me who are outliers and don't fit into the statistics. Then said that she only needs to see me every 6 months when I get my scans done!!! Couldn't have gotten any better news.


Also, I am looking for a couple of people who might be interested in test stitching some embroidery designs. I have gotten to the point where I can digitize things much faster than I can test them. You need to have a machine that is capable of stitching 5x7 designs. Please send me a PM if you are interested. Thanks!

 

[casper_jj11]

Wow! Thanks Tinkbell13 and Taja! I can't wait to try this! I'm going to start with DDs dresses first though. Taja, you mentioned using an applique foot because of the heavier thread concentration ... is this just because satin stitching is so close together or do I need to get a different (heavier) thread to do the appliques? I guess what I'm wondering is, is regular thread that I'd use to sew the dress itself sufficient for sewing on the applicques?