More Raggy Tutus

I call these raggy tutus but they are far from raggy.   I love the look of these, and so do customers.    A couple of things to explain about these.

1.  Since they have a raw edge, they are not meant to be machine washed.   Spot clean only.
2.  I use fabrics that don't fray easily.  My favorite type of fabric tuttui fruitti plisse.  The plisse has very little fraying.
3.  I use a wavy rotary cutter to cut the strips.
4.  Tulle is not necessary but I feel that makes the skirt fuller and tulle is so inexpensive, why not to get a great look.

Outfit for my granddaughters first birthday.   Applique from Planet Applique, Birthday Owl.  Flower headband from Embroidery Garden, Mega flower.

Order for a customer.   I wasn't sure about the coloring, red and black with Cheetah print for Christmas but I love how it turned out.  Applique from HappyTown Applique.

Outfits for twin girls.    Applique from Planet Applique, headband flower from Embroidery Garden, Mega Flower.   She had no ideas on design, only wanted pink and purple.   Hope she likes them.  

If you want to see the full instruction on making the raggy tutus, it's in an older blog post here

My new find!

I'm pretty darn excited about my new find.  Well I don't think hubby and son think that after they helped me set it up.

Let me set the stage......You know HornMart, that's my little store.   Well I hate that people can still see in and check out our equipment.   It's a safety issue also,  we've worked hard to learn our trade.   We don't like people seeing what we do and how we do it.   We've been burned twice.   So,  I've been trying to figure out how I can make a temporary wall.

Well,  at the beginning of the summer I saw this really cool cabinet, and I gotta tell you, it was massive.   It was exactly what I was looking for.    7' tall and over 9' wide.    It was also a hefty price.   Well,  went to the same garage sale yesterday and he was a lot more negotiable on the price.   He's moving and it's heavy.  He didn't want to move it again.   $100  I was so darn excited......I actually tried to talk him down even more but that was as low as he'd go.   Got it loaded up in the truck,  with the help of 2 other guys and then the predicament was,  how to get it out.   We got it out, hubby and I but it's in 2 pieces and there was no way that hubby and I could lift the top and set it on the bottom.

In steps our super hero son to the rescue.  With his muscles along with hubby's and I we got it set up.   I then put a piece of fabric to fill the hole, and we are good to go.

Isn't it perfect.

Decor for the Reception

This beautiful vintage window will hang about the head table at the wedding.   Very elegant.

Dressed to get ready!

Does that heading make sense  :(   well,  yes it does.   I monogrammed shirts for the bridesmaids and bride so that when they are getting ready, they can put the shirts on and not get make up or anything else on their dresses.   These are made with men's white dress shirts.  Brides shirt has date and "I Do" on the cuff.

Super Hero to the Rescue

It was my grandson's 5th birthday.  On their 5th birthday they get to have a big party where everyone in their class is invited.   Had an idea for something that hopefully would be a big hit.   Super Hero masks.   I made them on my embroidery machine.

Looks like the masks were a great hit.

The Birthday Boy

Wedding Party Gifts

This weekend we worked on making gifts for the wedding party.  First thing was a great deal found at the dollar store for beer mugs.  Really nice heavy mugs, can you believe $1 each.  In vinyl added the initial of the first name, then added the last name.   Next, gifts for the men.   Flasks, with vinyl added for their initials.  Last but not least, hangers for all the bridesmaids, flower girls, and of course the brides dresses.  Best thing about the hangers, no mix up on who's dress is whos.

Raggy Tutu Tutorial

I've had several people ask how to make the raggy tutus so here goes.   Hope it's clear enough for you to understand.  If not,  just post a comment and I'll see if I can explain better.  Keep in mind that these skirts are not meant to be thrown in a washer.   Because of the raw edges if it is machine washed it will fray.  Spot clean these skirts only.

I use a minimum of 4 different fabrics for the skirt,  the more the merrier.

The size of this skirt is 20", which is approximately a size 2.  You will need 31 strips of fabric and the same number of strips of tulle.  Some people don't use tulle but I think it makes for a fuller skirt.   You will also need at least 1 1/2 yards of 1.5" grossgrain ribbon.  You can adjust the strips of fabric and tulle based on the waste measurement.

First,  you will be cutting the fabric from salvage to salvage.  I also use a wavy rotary cutter.  First of all, cut the raw edge so that you have a straight even edge to start with.

Then cut strips 3 1/2" wide.   Each strip will eventually make 2 ties.  So, if you are using 4 different colors, you will need 4 full strips of each color.  4 time 4 = 16 then you will cut each strip in half so you will have 32 pieces.

Once you get all your strips cut then angle cut the salvage end and then cut the piece in half on an angle.  Cut the same number of tulle strips, approximately the same length as your fabric strips.

Once you get all your strips cut, iron them and you are ready to start tying.

Lay your first strip of fabric, right side down then lay a piece of tulle.  Fold the tulle in thirds,  then fold the fabric in thirds, then thirds again.   Doesn't have to be done exactly this way but this seems to have the cleanest finish.

The photo has the strip pinned,   I don't pin.  It's only to show you how it's folded. 

I find it easier to use ribbon for the waste band.  I know others use elastic, but I've had problems with it stretching.  With ribbon you have a nice finish and it's adjustable.

I use 1 1/2" grosgrain ribbon.

Tie the ribbon around something so that it's easier to work with.  

Start tying on the strips of ribbon alternating each fabric.

Make sure when you are tying to twist the ties so that the right side of the fabric is on top.

Tie all the pieces and you are done.  

Tie a cute bow........

......add an adorable shirt, and you have the perfect outfit.  

Wedding Favors

These were so easy to make.  I stitched them on my embroidery machine.  1 layer of burlap, stabilizer,  a layer of press and seal plastic, batting, top layer of burlap.   These were wedding favors that I handed out at a wedding shower.  I put them in sets of 4 and tied with twine.   They were a huge hit.

Jamies wedding is burlap and lace so one of the prizes I made for a game were a set of monogrammed little bags.   Got a set of 3 bags from Hobby Lobby.

Wedding Gifts

Getting ready for my Cousin's daughter's wedding.   Jana and I made some great gifts for the wedding party

There's a funny story behind this.   At Jana's wedding....several years ago.....2 of the bridesmaids dresses got mixed up and in the photos, one had a dress on that was too long and the other had one too short.    She was insistent that girls had names on their hangers so this didn't happen to her daughters bridesmaids.   I never would have thought of this, but it was a great idea.

Next were liquor flasks for the groomsmen.  I love how these turned out.

Last, but not least beer mugs with first initial and last name.   These beer mugs were a steel of a deal.  $1 at the Dollar Store.   Really nice and heavy.  Not sure why, but my flash made them look yellow.  

Fabric Strip Skirts

These are way too much fun to make.     Love the look.   I'm going to be taking pictures and document how to make these so keep coming back and I'll have the directions.

Cowboy Hat and Boots

My sister is quite the crafter too.   Her specialty, crocheted items.   Check out these adorable cowboy hat and boots.   Of course the model is pretty darn cute too.