Cover's Complete.. Onward!

I am so thrilled with the girls machine covers. We have a few girls who are still putting finishing touches on them, but the work was REMARKABLE. I am constantly wishing I would remember to take pictures of their work.

-One Clever mom suggested using the same method to create a cover for her mixer. YES! you can do this.
Here is a link to a good tutorial similar to what the girls did.
http://www.naptimecrafters.com/2011/01/sewing-machine-cover-tutorial.html


NEXT WEEK--
We will create various Hair Accessories No Materials Required! These will be GREAT VALENTINES!  If you have additional medium ric-rac laying I'm sure the girls would enjoy more options but do not feel obligated to go out and buy any!
Here are pictures and links to some tutorials for your reference.

http://oliverands.com/free-patterns/bow-hair-tie

http://thelongthread.com/?p=669

http://thecraftingchicks.com/2011/03/rick-rack-rosettes.html

and finally

http://img.zszywka.pl/0/0012/thm_7591/opaska2.jpg

WE Gather Together...

Now that the girls know how to gather (and they did when they left class!!) They will be choosing between 3 projects. Let your daughter choose fabrics according to the "recipes" below for one project, to work on in class. (They are of course welcome to work at home as well!)

Reminders:
To Gather-Proper Method
1. Set Tension to 1
2. Set Stitch Length to 5 (some machines only go to 4 which is also good)
3. Stitch one line the length of the edge to be gathered.
4. Hold the bobbin thread of the stitched line and cinch the fabric up.  (be careful to slide the fabric instead of "pulling" the thread or the thread will break)
** on skirts and long edges it is reccomended to stitch 2 lines that DO NOT CROSS, one 1/4 from the edge, and one 1/2 from the edge

To Gather-EASY METHOD
1. Set Tension to 9
2. Set Stitch length to 5 (or 4 depending on your machine)
3. Stitch a line 1/4 from edge of the fabric, while gently pressing your finger on the thread as it goes into the first guide hook on top of the machine.
PRESTO!! Instant gathers...
**if you press too hard the thread will break... just rethread and begin where it broke
** watch the tail of your fabric as you sew!

FOR BEST RESULTS WITH THIS PROJECT PREWASH AND DRY ALL FABRICS IN ADVANCE!

PROJECT CHOICE 1:-Link To Tutorial (ours will be slightly different as we will GATHER the skirt instead of meticulously pleat) The Sash will cover the top edge of the skirt piece instead of having a second finished edge)

Materials:
 1 T-shirt (for top of dress)
Sash- 1/3 of yard (cotton)
Skirt- 1 1/2 Yards of fabric (cotton) **this will allow the "skirt portion" to be a maximum of 24 inches long. If a longer skirt is desired you will need to purchase more fabric.. 1 3/4 Yrd =28 inches,  2 yrds=32 inches
Thread to Match

PROJECT 2:

Link to Tutorial Here:
Materials:
1 Yard (fabric shown in Yellow)
1/2 Yard (fabric shown in green)
1 Button (1/2 inch-7/8inch in size)
Thread to match

Ruffled Apron:

(This tutorial is open to invited readers only)
Materials 1 yard main fabric 1/2 yard accent fabric Thread to match