Krista Maurer

So Sew! Week 1 Project: Polka Dot Baby Shoes

Posted on October 8, 2010 by Krista

Our week one word was POLKA DOT, which was perfect because I’ve been in love with a particular fabric combo as of late that includes a black and white damask, a yellow/orange micro-patterned fabric, and … a purple polka dot fabric! Combine that with the fact that my sister is due with our family’s first grandbaby (my first niece) in just three short months and what do you get? A perfect storm, I say. A perfect storm for some baby sewing!

And so I present:

my Week 1 project / baby shower gift for my sister / hot little number for baby Laela’s 6 month birthday!

I used Heather Bailey’s Bitty Bootie pattern with a few modifications.

It was so simple and the result was too cute. (If I do say so.)

I have a feeling Laela just might acquire a closet full of shoes before she even arrives. (Start ‘em young is what I always say.)

But how could I stop there. I mean. A girl needs a new outfit to go with her new shoes! If Laela learns nothing from me besides this simple fact then I will have done my auntie duties well. And so I give you–the dress.

This was a bit more time consuming as I drafted the pattern myself as I went along. But I’m in love. In love with the itty-bitty collar and that eensy-weensy rosette. I’m in love with the frayed double ruffle (not to be confused with a double rainbow) peeking out the bottom. And land sakes I am in love love with this fabric combo! Crazy I know. But I am really digging the totally-random-but-totally-works quality of it.

So there is my Week 1 Project. Be sure to check out Sandi and Melissa‘s projects too! (Cheryl had to back out last minute, but her space will be filled shortly.) One of them involves a freebie [!] and the other involves lots of ruffles and lots of lace [swoon!].

And don’t forget to upload YOUR project to the Flickr group. I’ll be selecting a few of my faves to show here on Monday when I announce the Week 2 word. Until then … have a fantastic weekend!

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Tutorial: Ruffled Apron

Posted on August 27, 2010 by Krista

Good Morning! And welcome to any new visitors who found me through Good Things Utah! I’m so glad you stopped by. Feel free to take a minute to browse around, subscribe to the feed or send me a note! You can also find me on Facebook and Twitter. Needless to say … I’d love to hear from you. :)

So! Here’s the step-by-step tutorial for the Ruffled Apron I demoed today, as promised. These aprons (if you’re so not into the DIY sewing project thing) will be available in the shop on Monday morning along with a bunch of other goodies I’ve been working on. (Holla!)

Monday will also mark the beginning of my Fall Sale, available only to those on the mailing list. So sign up over there on the right —- > to get a 20% off discount on everything in the boutique. Details on the sale and oodles of other info/news/stories/fun stuff will be sent out in my very first newsletter on Monday morning. (Ack! I’m pretty excited!)

Whew! That was a lot of info. :) Well … I’m off to a lunch appointment and then a photo shoot. Busy busy day! (But not too busy to bust a quick move to the new dance mix CD Jessica “Miss Thang” Cope sent me from Cedar City before I go…Hello! Can anyone say C+C Music Factory?! Thanks girl! Love it.)

xo, Krista

Tutorial: Ruffled Apron

Supplies: 4 different fabrics (look for contrasting but coordinating patterns/colors) . scissors . tape measure . sewing machine . thread . rotary cutter and mat (optional) . lace & other trimmings (optional)

Steps:
1. Choose a fabric for your apron base (I used an old table cloth). Cut two 18″ x 24″ rectangles from this fabric. These will be referred to as Apron Front and Apron Back.
2. Cut two 4″ x 36″ strips from each of the three remaining fabrics. This will yield six strips of fabric which will become your ruffles.
3. Cut one 7″ x 100″ strip (or two 7″ x 50″ strips and sew them together) from one of the fabrics you used to create your ruffles. Set aside. This will become the Waist Tie.
4. Fold, iron, and sew a 1/4″ seam around the edge of each ruffled strip.

5. Using the longest stitch length on your sewing machine, sew across one edge of the ruffle strip, length-wise. This will gather the edge of the strip and create a ruffle. Repeat for each of the remaining ruffles.

6. Place your Apron Front right side up on your work station in front of you.
7. Place one ruffle along the bottom of the Apron Front so that the top of the ruffle is about 2 1/2″ from the bottom edge of the Apron Front and 1/2″ from the side. Pin in place and sew 1/4″ from top edge of the ruffle.

8. Repeat Step 7 with each of the remaining ruffles creating the pattern of your choice with your fabrics, except that the bottom edge of each new ruffle will only overlap the top edge of the sewn ruffle by 1″.

9. Once all six ruffles are sewn to the Apron Front, push the ruffles toward the center, and place the Apron Back right side down on top of your ruffled Apron Front. Pin edges, being careful not to catch the ruffles in the pins.

10. Sew 5/8″ seam around two sides and bottom only (leave top open). Turn right-side out.

11. Iron a 1″ seam around all four sides of Waist Tie. Now fold in half length-wise and iron. (Basically you have just created a seam binding.)

12. Open folded Waist Tie and center apron inside the fold. Close the fold and pin in place.

13. Starting at one end of the tie, sew 1/4″ seam to close the open edge and attach the apron to the waist tie.

14. Wear and enjoy!

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To see Part 1 … the sketch and the sewing of the dress, click here.

Ella’s Baptism Dress: Part 2…The Girl

Posted on May 6, 2010 by Krista

So on Monday night, Frit and I joined Ella and her family on Temple Square in Salt Lake City so I could take pictures of her in her new dress. There aren’t many things more lovely than the Spring flowers on Temple Square. It’s really one of my favorite places. And just before sunset? Be still my heart.

Isn’t she positively lovely?

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Ella’s Baptism Dress: The Sketch & The Dress

Posted on May 6, 2010 by Krista

Well. Ella’s baptism dress is finished and I love it. Love it, love it, LOVE it! Seriously it was one of my favorite projects to ever work on and the result made me squeal with delight.

Here’s where the dress began … an idea in my head and the resulting sketch:

And here is the dress that came of it:

When Ella put it on, you’d have thought I’d dubbed her queen of the world. You could see it in her eyes that she was certain she was the most beautiful belle ever. And that made every stitch worth it.

I’ll be back later to post the pictures I took of her in her special dress.

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Seamstress for Hire: 5 Bridesmaid Dresses Complete

Posted on April 13, 2010 by Krista

A couple months ago a darling bride (Kate) hired me to sew her five bridesmaids’ dresses. Well. The dresses are d.u.n. And I’m super pleased with how they turned out. The girls looked so darling in them and the colors just make me happy.

Kate: I hope your wedding weekend is sunny and beautiful and that your life with Garrett is full of joy and love.

Next project: Miss Ella’s Baptism Dress…which I’m super excited about since I’m not only sewing it, I’m designing it! Sketches to follow soon.

Do you need something sewn, designed, or created? Email me. I’d love to help!

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Good Things Utah Appearance: Silk Flower Accessories

Posted on April 7, 2010 by Krista

If you missed the show this morning, here’s the video! Enjoy!

Other helpful links:

1. Don’t want to take the time to make them yourself? Just buy ‘em! I’m happy to do the dirty work. Click Here.

2. Step-by-step directions for this tutorial with photos

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Tutorial: Ruffle Collared T-shirt

Posted on March 5, 2010 by Krista

Ruffles! Ruffles! Ruffles! I love ‘em! Whether it be on tops, skirts, belts, headbands or other accessories, they add a bit of whimsy and romance to any outfit. Here is just one simple way you can embellish a t-shirt with a ruffle of your own.

Supplies: t-shirt * needle & thread * fabric for ruffle * scissors * tape measure * sewing machine (not pictured)

Instructions:

1. If you’re using a standard t-shirt like the one pictured in the image above, feel free to cut the ribbed part of the collar off to make it a bit more loose. But it’s totally up to you. You could also use a shade shirt or even a tank top for this tutorial. If you do cut the collar, you can certainly hem it under so the raw edge is held more securely in place. I did not do so because I like the raw t-shirt edge. Again, it’s totally up to you!

2. Measure the full length around the collar of your t-shirt. Double the length of the collar and this will be the length of the ruffle fabric strip you cut.

3. Decide how wide you want your ruffle to be. Multiply by two and add a ½ inch. This will be the width of the ruffle fabric strip you cut.
4. Now that you have your width and length, cut your strip of ruffle fabric. (Mine was 60″ x 3 1/2″ … but don’t worry about being exact.)

4.   Fold the ruffle strip length-wide with right sides of fabric facing each other.
5.   Sew along long edge using a ¼ inch seam and press open.
6.   Turn right-side-out. You will now have something that looks like a tube.
7.   Fold each open (raw) end of ruffle fabric towards the inside of the “ruffle tube” and press in place.

8. Using a running stitch, use your needle and thread to sew the entire length of the ruffle. Gather as you go.

9.   Pin ruffle to t-shirt collar.
10.   Sew in place with sewing machine. Once the ruffle is attached, remove your running stitch. You can usually just pull it right out, but if it gets stuck a seam ripper will be your best friend.
11.    All Done! Enjoy your ruffled collar t-shirt. (If you do make one … take a picture and send it to me. I’d really love to see what you create!)
Variations:

You could also add a ruffle to the bottom of the t-shirt around the hip area, or even to the sleeves.
Instead of sewing the ruffle around the collar, pin it in swirls around the shoulder/chest area on one side of the shirt.

Other ruffled projects: Click Here for the Ruffle Cuff Bracelet Tutorial

p.s. Welcome! Welcome! to any new visitors from the Good Things Utah site! I’m so glad you stopped by.

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Good Things Utah Appearance: Feb. 18, 2010 [Fabric Bracelet Tutorial]

Posted on February 20, 2010 by Krista

Hello Friends! And happy Saturday! It’s sunny here in Utah and that makes me really really happy. It’s going to be an organizing/cleaning day today. Between the Valentine’s dinner last weekend and then getting ready for my segment on Good Things last week, the house is a royal disaster.

Thanks for all your kind notes about my GTU appearance. And welcome to any newcomers!

For those of you who missed the segment or who would like to watch it again to see how to make the Beaded Bow-tie Bracelet, here is the clip. (And here’s the link to the story’s page on ABC.) Enjoy!

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Tutorial: Ruffle Cuff Bracelet

Posted on February 18, 2010 by Krista

Ruffled bracelets are popping up everywhere! I think they are going to be a popular Spring fashion trend. Enjoy this easy tutorial and make your own.

Supplies: bracelet cuff (found at most craft stores) * scissors * needle and thread * base fabric * ruffle fabric * fabric glue (I use Beacon Adhesive)

1. Measure the length of the cuff, add 1/2″. Then decide how wide you want the cuff to be. Cut 2 pieces of base fabric based on those measurements. My cuff was 7 inches long and I decided on a base of about 7.5″ x 1.5″.

2. Multiply the length of the cuff by 3 or 4 (depending on how full you want the ruffle) and cut ruffle fabric. Width is your choice. Cut three strips of ruffle fabric. Mine were 24″ x 1″.

3. Take one of the ruffle strips and baste along one edge. Gather fabric into a ruffle.

4. Even out your ruffle along one of the length edges of your base fabric. Pin to secure and sew in place with minimal seam.

5. Repeat step 4 on opposite side of base fabric.

6. With the last ruffle you will actually baste down the middle of the strip (rather than the edge). Pin and sew to the middle of your base. Trim long edge if needed so that the under ruffles show.

7. Center bracelet to the underside of your base. Glue in place (along entire length of cuff) with fabric adhesive.

8. The outside of your bracelet will look like this:

9. The inside will look like this:

10. “Finish” the inside by gluing your second piece of base fabric (or piece of ribbon) .

11. All done! Although I think I’m going to look for a string of vintage rhinestones or pearls to glue to the center just to give it a little more interest and sparkle.

Tips and Variations:

I personally love the unfinished/frayed edges on this cuff, but if that’s not your style, simply double the width of your ruffle strips, fold lengthwise, sew along long edge, turn right-side-out and iron flat.
You could also use ruffled lace instead of fabric and bypass the basting all together.
Instead of using one color of a single type of fabric for all three ruffles, mix it up. Mismatch colors and fabric types for an eclectic piece of jewelry.

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