Create a Whimsical Zigzag Trim

Zigzag trim featured on skirt of a sundress.

We are always amazed by what Kari Mecca can make with a Whimsy Stick. Her beautiful flower clusters rival those in nature and her ribbon and rickrack trim variations can turn an ordinary hem, neckline, bodice or sleeve into something truly unique.

Kari's newest book, Whimsy Flowers & Trims, walks you step-by-step through a glorious field of creativity and features trims and flowers that can be applied to garments and accessories for any age. Below, we'd like to share a preview of the fantastic inspiration held within the pages of this book.

Kari Mecca's Zigzag Trim:
This easy-to-make zigzag trim is a refreshing new approach to using Kari's single loop trim. NOTE: You can find a tutorial for the single loop trim on our Sew Beautiful blog. Make trim using a two-sided ribbon as both sides show equally. Finished zigzag trim is twice as wide as looped trim.

1. Make single loop trim using a short (L=1.4 to 1.6) stitch length and a small seam allowance.

Photo 1

2. Insert blade of seam ripper between loops (photo 1). Carefully cut sewing threads between every loop.

Photo 2

3. Untwist trim to create zigzag pattern (photo 2).

To learn more of Kari's fabulous techniques, be sure to check out Whimsy Flowers & Trims! Inside you will find step-by-step instructions for creating various trims, medallions and flowers, with unlimited variations and arrangements in all types and sizes of ribbons. Add stems and leaves to complete your creations or add beads and buttons before attaching them to dresses, bags, pillows or whatever you desire to embellish.

This book also includes three different sizes of Whimsy Stick punchouts made of durable cardboard, so readers can start creating their embellishments immediately!

Sew On, Sew Well, Sew Beautiful,
Cyndi and Amelia

Online Licensing from Martha Pullen Company

Have you always wanted to attend a Martha Pullen Licensing Event but didn't have the time or money?

NOW YOU CAN!!

Teaching Beginning Sewing: Online Licensing Course

We've brought this course online so that you, too, can get your certification to become a Martha Pullen licensed teacher but for less than the live event.

Here's what you get...

With this course you will be certified to teach a beginning sewing class with the curriculum provided.

We know you have great sewing skills, now learn how to apply them in a classroom setting, but not just any classroom, YOUR own classroom.

7 Required Projects to Become a Martha Pullen Licensed Teacher...
Complete, Photograph and Upload By June 30:

• Martha’s Blouse – with darts
• Martha’s A-Line Skirt –with darts
• Martha’s Rag Quilt
• Martha’s Tote or Martha’s Purse
• Martha’s Crazy Patch Pillow
• Martha’s Quilted Pillow Sham
• Martha’s Madeira and Bias Shaped Table Runner

 

REGISTER NOW!

Objectives You Will Learn: How to improve your teaching skills Teaching methods for all student types Dart tricks and zipper installations Quilting basics Licensing is a unique experience that blends the love of sewing with skill-building and business opportunity. Whether you want to teach or not, this online course just might be for you. With over 20 projects to download and videos to support the project instructions, you can hone your beginning sewing and teaching skills - in the comfort of your own home. The projects range from quilting and home decorating to garment construction and bag making.This 2-week course will prepare you to teach beginning sewing while giving you a tried-and-true curriculum. You will have licensing privileges from the day you receive your license. This means that you can either make the projects for sale without limit or, if you are teaching, you can make as many copies of the project instructions as you need for your students.

REGISTER NOW!! Great Bonuses and Perks! Receive over 17 projects that you can use for teaching Learn about special notions that make even the most difficult beginning sewing techniques easier Get instructions for sewing totes, purses, curtains, garments, placemats, napkins, quilts and more that you can turnaround and teach Projects in each licensing collection are unique to that particular licensing, so no one else will have your projects other than the students who are licensed in the same curriculum. If you choose to teach, holding a Martha Pullen License will open teaching doors that might not otherwise be available to you. During the 2-week course you will correspond with the Martha Pullen Licensing faculty, who will be available to answer any question you might have about projects, patterns and teaching methods. You will then have three months to purchase your kit supplies and complete the required projects. Do you have to teach if you become a Martha Pullen Licensed Teacher? No! We have many licensed teachers who never plan on teaching or do not plan on teaching at this time. Everyone is welcome!

What Do You Have to Do to Receive Your License? Create, photograph, and post the required projects by June 30th to the Teacher Licensing Blackboard System. Projects will be evaluated by the Martha Pullen Licensing Staff. Once your evaluation is complete you will then receive your Martha Pullen Teacher Licensing Certificate. Remember, being certified does not mean that you are required to teach.

REGISTER NOW!! How the course works: When you register you will get a confirmation email along with the required supply list and important rules about the course. When the course starts on 3/3 you will get access to the online education software Blackboard, instructions for accessing this will be in your confirmation email. Upon signing in you will see a welcome letter that will further instruct you on what to do. You will have several high-quality videos to watch before completing the required projects. These videos have beneficial information to help you on your path to becoming a teacher. Project Handouts and Pattern Downloads - You have two weeks to download the project handouts and patterns (March 3-16).  Watching the Videos - You can watch the videos anytime  - you just login to the licensing site anytime – night or day.  Watch Videos until June 30.  Kits - You provide your own kits. This is teaching beginning sewing so the kit supplies can easily be found online or at your local fabric store. You can probably use fabrics from your fabric stash if you have one REGISTER NOW!! Other features of the course: Message board - you can ask other students questions, post pictures of your progress to share, and more Ask the Instructor - have something you want to discuss privately? This message board is a place that only the yourself and the instructor have access to Extra resources for teaching - get some Notebooks from Martha Pullen that you can download and print that are full of helpful information to share with your students PLEASE NOTE >> you have until 6/30 to complete the 7 required projects.

REGISTER NOW!!

::DETAILS::

Course Start Date:
March 3, 2014

Course End Date:
March 16, 2014

Projects are due by
June 30, 2014

Tuition: $500.00

Course Instructors:
Kathy McMakin
Connie Palmer
Patty Smith
Alicia Welcher
Plus special welcome message from Martha Pullen!

So what else are you waiting for?
REGISTER NOW!!

Create a Scalloped Skirt Hem

Interlocking Scallops by Kathy Barnard

Scallops can be used in many ways to add interesting lines to garments. One of our favorite uses for this unique design element is the scalloped hem. There are a number of commercial dress patterns around that feature scalloped hemlines, but have no fear if you don't have one handy! This tutorial by Kathy Barnard from our May/June 2011 edition will show you how to easily add a scalloped hem to any basic skirt pattern.

1. Cut a skirt to desired finished hem with no hem allowance.

2. On wrong side, draw a line 2 inches from bottom edge across skirt.

Figure 1

3. Make a template using a large 7-inch circle. Mark a line 3/4 inch from circle center and draw a line across it to establish scallop height at 3/4 inch (fig. 1). Cut off top of circle to use for a wave template (should be approximately 5-3/4 inches long).

Figure 2

4. On wrong side of skirt, starting at side seam line (1/2 inch from edge), draw a half scallop above the line, then flip the template and draw a whole scallop bellow the line. Continue drawing nine whole scallops across front, alternating them above and below the 2-inch line. End with a half scallop facing up. Leave a 1/2-inch seam allowance and trim off side of skirt to fit if necessary to keep scallops even and math easy (fig. 2). Repeat for back skirt. Do not cut out scallops.

5. Tear two hem facing strips from skirt fabric or from a solid lining fabric 4-1/4 inches by width of fabric. Cut to exact measurement of skirt front and back.

6. Sew side seams of skirt together and sides seams of facing together.

7. If applying trim, draw a line 1 inch above wavy line on right side of skirt and glue baste trim in place. Stitch trim in place before adding facing (a double needle is great for applying spaghetti bias, or use clear thread and a buttonhole stitch on your machine and stitch both sides).

8. Place facing to bottom of skirt with right sides together and pin all around in a tube.

Figure 3

9. Stitch following the traced wavy line on the wrong side of the skirt (fig. 3).

10. Trim 1/4 inch from stitching and clip inner curves and notch outer curves. Turn facing to inside and press wavy seam edge.

11. For contrast peek-a-boo band, tear contrast fabric 10-1/2 inches by width of fabric. Cut to match bottom width of skirt and sew side seams together to form a tube. Fold tube in half with wrong sides together, matching raw edges and press fold.

12. Separate hem facing from skirt and pin raw edges of contrast band to raw edge of facing with right sides together. Stitch with a serger, or straight stitch and overcast edge with a zigzag.

13. Pin facing and contrast band seam to inside of skirt and blind stitch or pick stitch catching just a thread of the skirt fabric to hold facing and band in place.

For more sewing ideas, don't miss our new 2011 Sew Beautiful Collection CD. This CD includes all six issues of Sew Beautiful magazine from 2011, complete with printable patterns, project templates, sewing tips, technique tutorials and endless inspiration!

Sew On, Sew Well, Sew Beautiful,
Cyndi and Amelia