urban weekender coat testers are in

thanks everyone for being so quick to comment - we wish you all could be testers! We have had so much positive feedback and so many of you want to be testers - it is really flattering :) We have added some more for each size since there was so much interest

we have got our testers for the urban weekender coat, they are:

April, janel – 12m

Tamara, sara – 18m

La inglesita, maria – 2T

Nikki, susanne – 3T

Loveineverything , Alfonsiene– 4T

Micalah, Bethany– 5T

i have sent you all the pdf file today along with all the info about testing the pattern. Please let me know asap if you did not receive it or if you need it sent to a different email address.
thanks again
have fun sewing!

PATTERN TESTERS NEEDED - Urban Weekender Coat, unisex CLOSED - thank you

Our Urban weekender coat pattern is finally ready for testing!

We Will need 1 pattern tester for each size
                              

we have all the testers now, thank you

12M
18M
2T
3T
4T
5T

What you have to do:

1. Have intermediate to advanced sewing experience (nothing against newbies and not that this is a hard pattern to sew, i just need people who have used a lot of patterns before and know what makes sense :)
2. Item to be finished in 1 Week or less of getting the pattern
3. Check pdf for spelling mistakes or pattern labeling mistakes, or any other mistakes (...there are probably a lot :) )
4. Provide a good Picture of the finished product, both of coat on its own and in action on a little one (Bonus **if it is a great picture and we use it on our website - you could get even more free patterns! yay)

....not too hard right?

what you need:

  1.5 - 2 yards of lightweight to med. weight material for outer shell (fabric that you can use an iron on)
1 - 1.5 yards of lightweight fabric for lining
seperating zipper (length varies depending on size)
2 buttons 1" or larger
matching thread, sewing machine (obviously!)


if you think you are up to being a tester - let me know by commenting below along with the size you would like to test and your contact info
i will email you the pdf file once all the testers have been chosen (you will receive the pdf file with all the sizes although i will only need you to test the one size you are picked for)
I will be picking on a first come first serve basis again - so comment soon

thanks again everyone!

Fabric Headband Tutorial

Since we have had so many questions about how we make our fabric headbands, we thought we would show everyone how to make there own with this tutorial. These cute fabric headbands can be made a ton of different ways and with a ton of different fabric options. Be as simple or as creative as you want, the possibilities are really endless! 

First off, What you need:

Fabric - you don't need much, about 1/8th yard of each. I like to use two different kinds, one for the top and one for the bottom (lining), but you can use the same if you like. Almost any fabric will do, I prefer using a heavier fabric for the top such as felt, canvas, twill etc for a more structured finish and it is easier to embroider without using a hoop. Linen, Cotton, Flannel all work too. I have not tried a stretch fabric (a knit or a fleece), so I don't know how that will work.

Elastic - again, you don't need much, I use a strip cut to 5.5" long, but you can make it as big or small as you like by adjusting this length. I love to use FOE (fold over elastic) because it looks much nicer then regular elastic and it is really soft on little one's heads and fine hair. You can also find some great elastic trims meant for lingerie that look really nice as well.

Embellishments - I like to use small/med buttons, felt flowers/shapes, embroidery thread and needle, beads etc. anything goes as long as it is not too thick (or it will make turning the headband inside out a little tricky)

all the sewing stuff as usual - thread, scissors, sewing machine etc.

How To

 

Cut out the headband pattern from your fabric, 1 in the top fabric and 1 in your lining. You can use the pdf template here

 Layout your buttons/beads/felt shapes the way you want them look, making sure to leave about 1/2" of fabric along the edges for sewing

Sew them on

once you are done with the top, lay it down flat with the right side facing up, take your lining and lay on top of  it with the right side facing down. Pin in place if you like

Sew along the LONG sides with 1/4" seam allowance, to create a tube of fabric

Turn tube inside out, I like to use this tube turner thingy (sorry, i don't know what it is called :) )

I like to press the headband at this stage, but it depends on your material, if you used a thinner material you probably won't need to. If the side seams look a little bulky just press with a iron ON THE BACK LINING side so you don't melt your buttons or beads.

Topstitch / Sew Very close to the edge along both long sides. I like to use a zipper foot to get over any buttons that may be close to the edge. You can do this by hand with a thicker thread as well which would look great. 

take your ends and push them into the tube about 1/4-1/2". Insert one end of your elastic and sew along edge, do the same for the other side of the headband with the other side of the elastic strip.

And your done! yay

now to make 10 more.......:)

Here are some more ideas....remember to post your finished headbands in our flickr group