Friday Favorites: A Tutorial on French Seams

Good morning! It's a brisk one today, but sunny. I'm feeling good- I've already lifted some weights, walked a little, puttered around my yard enjoying the emerging blooms, then went for a quick jog, and came in to empty the dishwasher, all before 6:15 am. Go me! And I suppose that breeze did keep away pesky bugs, so I'll take it.  =)

I promised close-ups of Isabelle's Easter dress AND a some helpful hints for making a halter dress, but... In my defense, baseball season keeps us super busy. And we do have to eat. So, not much time for portrait sessions and the like.

In the meantime, here is an oldie but goodie. If you've never tried French seams, you should! They may require an additional step or two, but they are not complicated and are so worth the effort. I'm not a huge fan of serger machines, so this gives me a beautifully finished edge every single time. Try it!

 (originally posted April 2013)

Good Saturday morning! I am happy to report that it is no longer sleeting and SNOWING, unlike yesterday, though we do have a white yard again. Sigh. Oh well, today is already looking up...my hard-working hubs is installing our new dining room/entry floor as I type, children are outside playing since it isn't freezing cold, the sick boy is feeling better, and I'm finishing up some orders (thank you thank you thank you!!!). Then I remembered that I had wanted to do a tutorial on French seams, but I just kept forgetting. Until now. This may be your lucky day!  ;o)

When I was younger I first read about French seams...and was completely intimidated! There was so much measuring and trimming and ironing and snipping and more ironing-- I think I gave up before I ever got started! Then serging became all the rage to make seams look more professional, but truth be told, I'm not the biggest fan. I see the appeal, but I prefer less "factory" type methods of sewing for most projects.

But the raw-edged seams on my handmade items looked a little too homemade, if you know what I mean. So I took another look at sewing French seams, and this time, discovered a simpler, faster way.

It is easy, I promise! The only thing that you really have to consider are the variations in seam allowances, and how they may alter the sizing of whatever you're making. Honestly, I have never had an issue with this. Some patterns call for 1/4 inch seam allowance, while others call for 5/8 inch. If working with 1/4 inch allowances, do all the steps to keep those seams narrow and things should work out just fine. Okay, let's get started!

With WRONG sides together, stitch 1/4 inch (or 1/8 inch by adjusting your needle position to the right) from the edge--

At this point, you can trim the raw edges with a quick cut if you want to sew a narrower seam. You'll be enclosing the seam with the next stitch line, so if that seam is too wide, it will show...which you do not want.

After you've done this a few times, you will get a feel for how narrow things should be, and it gets even easier!

Open out the fabric with the new seam on top and iron it to one side, gently pulling one side taut--

The wrong side will look like this--
(If you want to, go ahead and iron this flat too, but it isn't necessary.)

Next, fold along the seam, RIGHT sides together, making sure the stitch line is nice and straight.
Press--

Now, with the pressed fabric folded {still RIGHT sides together} stitch 1/4 inch, give or take, along the edge. I wanted a nice, wide seam, so mine is slightly larger than 1/4 inch--

Position the seam to the desired side and press the RIGHT side.

On the outside things look just as they normally would, but now on the inside, you've got beautifully encased seams--

 Curves are no problem for sewing with French seams! This is a seam with a sleeve and underarm--

Sorry for the terrible lighting (it was dark & gloomy yesterday!), but here is a pic of the finished product- so pretty!

When working with silky or slippery fabrics, and fabrics that fray easily, French seams can be a lifesaver! There are, however, some occasions when sewing with French seams doesn't work well at all. Bulkier, heavier fabrics are a nightmare because the seams get super thick and difficult to work with- I would zig-zag the edges, or yes, even use the serger!

I hope this tutorial was helpful for you to go ahead and try something new! Feel free to email me at 3sonsplus1@gmail dot com with any questions. Have a great weekend!

ps- I just noticed that my pink fabrics are different in the photos, so I hope that isn't confusing-- I had some nightgown orders to finish up, so the tutorial got a little spiced and diced, ha! But I guess that's a really good problem to have!  =)

Sweetness for Baby Girl

I've shared on other media how this has been a difficult week for my family. I've appreciated the prayers, thoughts, and kind of comments from everyone. (I shared on my family blog here as well as on the Rose & Ruffle facebook page...yes, there is a facebook page!

I'm extremely appreciative of the orders coming in recently. It feels so good to contribute to our adoption fund in this way, so as always, thank you! Now that summer is quickly approaching, I will be making and listing items ahead of time in various sizes, and not taking as many custom orders. Here is one of the first things for Summer 2015:

Flutter Sleeve Rosebuds Seersucker Infant Dress with Bloomers

Size 1-3 Months

**please note that Picasa and/or Blogger are making these images appear darker and washed out- grrr; this is a true crisp but soft white with medium pink rosebuds**

I love how this set turned out! So sweet and feminine!

The dress is on the longer side, measuring approximately 15 inches from shoulder to hem, and the style is roomy and comfortable, so Baby will be able to wear it for a longer time.

The bloomers are my favorite!

 

While I do normally work only with cotton, occasionally a fabric strikes my fancy and it just so happens to be a cotton blend, like this one. It's cool and smooth for delicate baby skin, and the seersucker resists wrinkles and holds its shape nicely.

This would be adorable for a portrait session, too! Sweet details but not too much so as to distract from Baby.

Lastly, I'm wondering if people are interested in more things for little boys. Here are some cute boxer shorts I sold last year. I'm thinking of making some more in other fun prints, as well as some shortalls...any interest? Thanks!

Specialty Summer Nightgowns Coming Soon!

Wow, has this week flown by! It's school vacation week here, for whomever kid that even applies to anymore, ha, and between keeping their days fun and interesting, trying to keep up with the house/meals/laundry,etc..., and sewing orders, I am just about done. Done. I was thrilled to see some lovely green things poking up through the ground in the past few days, though. Finally!

If I haven't said Thank You!!! for a while, please know that I am truly grateful for everyone who has supported me and our lengthy adoption adventure. I've enjoyed working on custom orders for you, but I'm already sensing that as we get closer to summer, and then to homeschooling full time in the fall, I won't be able to keep on top of everything. So the custom orders will be phasing out very soon and instead I'm going to make some pretty nightgowns (and even dresses and rompers!) in various sizes to list them in the shop.

Here are some samples/examples of what's coming- they are all original designs of mine and I think they're just so sweet for little girls:

You can find my shop here:

Rose and Ruffle

Have a good day!

Friday Favorites...and a BIG Announcement

One of the most fun things for me as a designer- and an unapologetic lover of fabrics- is to see all the finished products for my wonderful customers. It amazes me how something as simple as a bow really changes the whole look of a nightie or dress. These are my favorites so far!

This yellow and white floral print is even lovelier in person! It's so cheerful and happy!

Sweet birdies on a medium pink background...love!

 

This is my fourth "nightie" that is being used in wedding portraits! I've made this without a bow, and I adore it; I tried a white bow for this dress, which looked lovely but a little too nightgown-ish for pictures. Pink to the rescue- it's my favorite now! 

Here's an example of mixing and matching fabrics for other items as well. This color combo looks even prettier in person. (I was rushing out the door like a madwoman when I was trying to get some photos of this, so I know it's rather awful...see below for better pictures of how my baby bonnets really look.)

 

These have been selling fast! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

It's so important to have something practical yet beautiful to protect your little one's delicate skin during those summer months.

The colors on my screen look wonky...I'm hoping they don't look like this when I publish the post. Oh Google and Picasa, when will the insanity end? ? ? For the record, the colors are soft and pale, very old-fashioned and charming.

Soooooo, for the announcement...

As of last week, we are officially en route to finding Baby #5.

EEKS!

I'm so excited I can't stand it! Stay tuned for details...   =)