Favorite Tips

[IWAY]

Originally Posted by RustysMom

Because of my hand I cannot tie the beautiful bows you girls do, but they are so lovely. My little way is simple for me.
Was this what you wanted?

I think your bows are beautiful too-not a thing wrong with them!

[IWAY]

If sewing a lot or using fleece or other high shed material don't forget to clean out under your bobbin & needle! It'll save a whole bunch of frustration later!

[RustysMom]

Wow, can I take back those 2 crappy pictures in post 29? UGH.. Honestly, those bows were a learning experience for me. They were soaked in Stiffy, and are like rocks. You can't iron them, you can't even hand sew them on to anything, but they were OK for checking colors of bows for a dress before you make the bow, and taking pictures quickly.

So, my tip? Do not soak bows in Stiffy. Spritz them only. LOL

[IWAY]

Here's a link that looks interesting & helpful.

Sewing Basics Resource Guide sponsored by Moda Fabrics - Sew4Home

[kjc]

Originally Posted by RustysMom

OK will try if I am understanding what you need to know....if I'm wrong, tell me. Let's say you bought 1/4 yard. Wash and press the fabric. Fold the fabric in half so you have a fold. Then I use a ruler (in my case a quilters rule) to measure out 2 inches wide, and draw a line on the fabric for 2in wide. Start on the fold. Usually 8 inch long is good. So when finshed you have a 2 X8 long strip. Cut this out, and then you have a 2X16 strip of fabric.

Do another, then sew the two together, leaving a section unsewn in the center. Turn the bow from outside out to right side out and then sew the open section by hand so it will be invisible. Press.

To tie it, since my hand co-ordination is lacking, I place a infant hair rubber band in the center to scrunch it up into a bow. Then I lap it around and around like you are putting the band into a Yorkie's topknot...

THEN, after I sew it to the dress, I use STIFFY to harden the bow. Not too much..

Another way I used to do all the time was sew a simple rectangle, like the one below, and put the little band in it. I used to match a ribbon to it, and then tied the ribbon on to make streamers. Cute I think. Easy.

Because of my hand I cannot tie the beautiful bows you girls do, but they are so lovely. My little way is simple for me.
Was this what you wanted?

Yes... the problem I am having is the bows I make seem too bulky and take forever to dry after washing. So I've been trying to think of ways to make them less bulky, or to attach them with velcro so they can be removed when the dress is washed... or to make them easy to undo and retie so the owner can retie the bow after it is laundered. Or ideally to make it less bulky as are the ones you make...

I just bought a used serger to try to make single layered fabric bows by finishing the edges....

Do you make hair bows out of the dress fabric? That's another thing I'll be experimenting with, lol. Thanks for the spritzing tip... that had me lol bc I had been trying out using potatoe starch as a stiffener.

Originally Posted by IWAY

Could the original manufacturer point you to who carried the fabric?
How about fabric.com?

I searched all day yesterday.... I'll email the manufacturer... thanks.

[kjc]

You had asked me how to do the piping around the bow.... here's a pic of applying it around a collar... the bow is done the same way:

IMG_0901.JPGIMG_0902.JPG

It can be done two ways: Cut two collar or bow pieces. One can sew the piping onto one piece (easier to see what one is doing), or the piping can be sandwiched and pinned inbetween both pieces and then sewn. I use a zipper foot to sew as close to the piping as possible without smashing it, lol. I'm playing now with using lining fabric for the underside of the collar, and sewing lace onto the piping so it peeks out underneath also. I always pin it first then turn it right side out while still pinned to make sure I have it layered correctly.

If I sew it crooked and the piping looks fatter in places, I just go back over those spots and try to get closer.... it's easier to do it one piece at a time though, and sew the top part of the collar first.

[RustysMom]

Thanks Kathy. I recall that I used to do piping when I was sewing my home dec. items (draperies, pillows, bed skirts, etc) but one so small for doggie clothing is very scary for me, LOL. Will try ASAP. I did buy a new ruffler for my machine, but have not used it either. I thought it would be quicker when I re-did older doggie clothes to put more flounce in the skirts, but who's to say?

Bow thickness: I cannot use the thicker fabrics for bows because they do not seem to lay flat around my rubber banding. I use a very thin everday fabric. Sorry I do not recall what it is called. Mine always contrast the dress, never match it, unless the dress itself is made of a thinner fabric. Usually my bows match the tuille in color.

My bows and dresses may need a bit of ironing touch up after washing, but not having to re-sew. I have thought about velcro but it would not work with mine, because I do know velcro is not as sticky after repeated washings and over time. Plus my girls would find a way to remove it and chew on them...LOL ..So far, the STIFFY helps the bow hold it's shape after washing and I only have a couple dresses that need iron touch ups.

[RustysMom]

Originally Posted by IWAY

I think your bows are beautiful too-not a thing wrong with them!

Well, thank you, that is so sweet! I like them too. I have been thinking about sewing a decorated button over the band, or even hot gluing something cute over them to cover them up... Experiment coming....................

[IWAY]

Originally Posted by RustysMom

Well, thank you, that is so sweet! I like them too. I have been thinking about sewing a decorated button over the band, or even hot gluing something cute over them to cover them up... Experiment coming....................

Can't wait to see what you come up with!

[kjc]

Originally Posted by RustysMom

Thanks Kathy. I recall that I used to do piping when I was sewing my home dec. items (draperies, pillows, bed skirts, etc) but one so small for doggie clothing is very scary for me, LOL. Will try ASAP. I did buy a new ruffler for my machine, but have not used it either. I thought it would be quicker when I re-did older doggie clothes to put more flounce in the skirts, but who's to say?.

Haha! I knew you had skills.... a better answer would be that I wear magnifying glasses while sewing, and I use a wooden manicure stick to guide the material near the needle, and I sew very slowly...

I love my ruffler attachment... I still leave long theads on both ends of the fabric to tweak the ruffles though, even on the highest setting I still have about an inch of skirt left to fit into the space where it attaches to the bodice. It still goes alot quicker than hand gathering.

Originally Posted by RustysMom

Bow thickness: I cannot use the thicker fabrics for bows because they do not seem to lay flat around my rubber banding. I use a very thin everday fabric. Sorry I do not recall what it is called. Mine always contrast the dress, never match it, unless the dress itself is made of a thinner fabric. Usually my bows match the tuille in color..

My friend used to make doll dresses... she uses dental floss for anything that needs to be permanently and tightly tied. I think I may try that and make a matching 3/8 in band to cover the middle, or ribbon... IDK, so many options, lol.

Originally Posted by RustysMom

My bows and dresses may need a bit of ironing touch up after washing, but not having to re-sew. I have thought about velcro but it would not work with mine, because I do know velcro is not as sticky after repeated washings and over time. Plus my girls would find a way to remove it and chew on them...LOL ..So far, the STIFFY helps the bow hold it's shape after washing and I only have a couple dresses that need iron touch ups.

So this Stiffy stuff... is it a permanent stiffener... does not wash out like starch does? Where do I get some?

I forgot to say: I do like your bows! I don't know if this tip will help... I work on my ironing board alot, and pin the bows to the ironing board as I work them. I have also used mini clothes pins for holders, and I bought a contraption, I think from Carol Wright... I think it's for repairing jewelry... but it has a clip for holding and a magnifying glass to look through.... may try that for doing hair bows...

[RustysMom]

Thanks Kathy! STIFFY is available at craft stores, Hobby Lobby, with the Elmer's Glue. My HL sells tiny spray bottles you can spray it with. I first learned about it when I was a den mother decades ago! (it makes wonderful little ghosts for Halloween, or anything you need to stand up, LOL)

Bows sprayed with enough of it hold their shape in water very well. I let it dry 24 hours after applied.

[hiddenlady]

These are great ideas. I love to sew. I just cut the hem off of a tunic to make it shorter. Trinket will get a new dress to match mine.

[RustysMom]

Originally Posted by hiddenlady

These are great ideas. I love to sew. I just cut the hem off of a tunic to make it shorter. Trinket will get a new dress to match mine.

Cool! Love to see pictures of the matching dresses! Have any tips to give us?
We are never too old to learn something new on a tip...

[RustysMom]

I wanted to post some things I know. These tips aren't for experienced seamstresses, but for those starting out and watching their pennies. Anytime you can sew, you are logging experience.

1. If I have dresses that are too snug for my girls, I extend the neck strap and chest strap by sewing a extension or square onto the existing straps and reposition the velcro. Fabric from a fat quarter are good for this. Just sew a little square, turn it right side out and extend the straps.

2. For bows, bindings underside of dresses, I go to the thrift store and buy a sheet in a pretty color-maybe cost $8-lasts forever.

3. Buy a cheap qulited bedspread or comforter at the thrift store. Bleach it to kill any germs. Cut it into 4 pcs, apply a binding to the 2 open sides, then use them for a little quilt for your furbabies and especially as a cover on their beds. Many things you can do with these little quilts.

4. If you have a particular fabric in mind for a creation, and don't want to go to many fabric shops looking for it, go to the thrift store and find some clothing with that exact print, and with the price of a shirt, you can make 2 or 3 dresses..

5. Instead of velcro, make a dress one piece like the cheaper clothes for sale at Walmart, Petsmart. Again, to the thrift store, buy tee-shirts in the color you want, make underneath your dresses by making a pattern of an object the looks like a capital I. Adjust that to fit your baby. Tee-shirts are 65% Poly, 35% cotton, always slightly stretchy. You can make either the underneath of the dress or the entire dress out of the tee-shirt fabric. Make it tighter that you need, as it will stretch over the head and arms. Place binding around head and arm holes.

6. Use lace over the straps to enable a dress to look fancy. Just sew the lace over the straps, and all the way down to the skirt if you would like. This is an easy way to class up a dress...

7. Lastly, my CVS Drugstore always has a fleece throw, twin size blanket, that are sometimes on sale 4 for $10 ($2.50 each!!!) in a solid color that can be sewn for a coat, jacket, costume, etc...These last FOREVER. I have a red one I made several Santa costumes from........always looking for a white one...You can also cut it in half, bind the cut edges, and have 2 Yorkie blankets good for winter time.

[kjc]

Great Tips!

Some of those dresses I see at Walmart and other stores are just too cute... I wait till they go on sale for like $3, and then buy them bc I couldn't make them at that price! If I can't get the right size, I buy them anyway and use matching T-shirt or other fabric underneath to resize them.

And for those who don't sew, many Dollar stores carry fleece baby blankets for $1-$2 that are perfect for Yorkie blankets... my kitties love them too! You can buy the iron-on letters at craft shops or WalMart and personalize them with your dog's name, and add a fav applique too!