NEWS news... new.

Yes. We're doing newsworthy around here. We are doing something NEW - we are closing up shop. I say WE because WE (aka me) wears many hats around here. I am mom. I am wife. I am faithful follower of Jesus (with many mistakes...).  I am the PT and the OT and the ABA therapist every morning with my son's therapy. I am the chef that makes the dairy/soy/gluten free breakfasts and lunches and most-often dinner. I am the one who sews the Halloween costume and special outfit for "purple" day at school....x3... and the one who sews super fun clothes to sell that I adore and pour my heart and soul into and enjoy shipping them off to YOUR little munchkins at home. I'm the one still trying to keep up her 21DayFix routine because she indeed lost 15lbs and started feeling really hopeful about maintaining a normal life despite our special needs child :)  I am a wife who ADORES her husband and thinks he hangs the moon... but often times feels the need to sew or answer PM's or Facebook to maintain things instead of joining him on the couch for a movie. I am the social coordinator for 2 little girls that love to schedule playdates while at school and THEN tell me about them... the case manager for a child who see's more specialists than you can imagine. TRUST me folks... I am a WE :)
But WE need some space over here. I'm pretty good at managing stress and my time... I do manage to get it all done BUT I'm starting to feel like I'm not doing it all well. I don't want to miss too many movies on the couch with my husband... and those nights he wants to play with his neato stereo, I wanna play with my neato sewing machines :) I don't want to stay up until 2am to finish sewing something for someone else but I DO want to do that for my kids :) I don't want to feel so busy with the "stuff" I have to remember to do that I miss a therapy appointment OR I chub-out on carbs and junk food and forget my new exercise routine... because that's truly ME taking care of ME.

SOOOOOO yes. I'm "closing" :) I say that through tears... well, I cried a lot this weekend but Im feeling better about it now. I LOVE sewing. I LOVE the creative part of drafting and working out patterns even though I'm not trained... I LOVE taking fun photos and posting and seeing what you guys thinks and who might want to buy it. BUT I love myself, my family, my kids, and my hobby more :) So I want to protect those things! I don't think I'm gone for good ;) But I'm making NO promises. I may just take off running the opposite direction and never look back! OR maybe I'll find time to finish that Hack-A-Doodle which is totally drafted and photographed and just never tested or written up... or that cute A-line jumper I never showed you. I might. I might not. Who knows ;)

In the meantime I plan to continue to sew and share with you guys here. Share some photos of how I hope to sew through my childrens' wardrobe throughout the next year. No pressure on myself... I LOVE to shop :) I like buying some things ready made! I have no desire to impress you guys with how i DO IT ALL at home. None of that. No blog-shaming here. BUT I hope to keep in touch with you guys -- the Facebook page for BurlapButton will stay... and I'll decide in the months to come just how often I use it, ok? Let's all relax and enjoy our coffee, latte, pumpkin spice, green tea, coke or whatever you prefer together... deal?  Stay tuned. I'm posting my first little blog today :)

PS I hate to proofread. :) Enjoy my typos. I am an educated woman... but grammar and spelling is NOT my cup of tea. I prefer coffee ;)

Hack-A-Doodle say WHAAAAAAT?

Now what in the world does she mean? And let me re-introduce myself… I'm Kristi, brains and crazy lady behind BurlapButton on Facebook and etsy (and occasionally I have fabric in my Big Cartel too!).  Right - you've forgotten me because I don't blog often. Did ya'll know I have 3 kids? Do you guys have any idea how many messes they make? How many boo-boos they need kissed? How many clogged toilets, spilled cups, smashed fingers, school projects, hair-brained dress-up ideas and plays and shows and sing-a-longs they NEED?  It's a lot. Alas, that's where most of my man-hours go…. so you guys suffer without me. WELL maybe suffer isn't the right word :) 

But I'm always working! Whether it's over on Betsy Button, another collaboration/brain-child of mine… with Jamberry (my new nail-obsession), sewing for my ragamuffin crew OR drafting patterns… I don't forget about you, I promise 

NOW the Charlie Mack-a-doodle has been favorite of mine (obviously…) and many of yours for a while. No no, I'm not trying to put words in your mouth… I promise at least a few of you have told me that! I'll gladly stand corrected if it's not true. Why is it popular? I think it's spunky and fun, twirly and yet comfy… can get dirty or look darling cute and well - that's what all of our wee-little-mini-mes are like, right? 

Then came the Tummy Topper. The perfect way to extend your Mack-A-Doodle into the winter months as well as create your own little tees when dresses were JUST not appropriate. Yes. I'm aware that the large number of words in those directions gets a little bit jumbled up and hard to understand. The meaning behind both patterns gets a little technical --- you know, the "why couldn't you just give us a sleeve" option. WELL because it wouldn't have looked right - so I gave you a whole new patter, ok? Now hush. I kid :) 

NOW what? Well, I want to tell you there are 2 patterns in the works right now. I have a lovely A-line jumper (knit of course!!!) that has a few options INCLUDING that lovely ruffle bottom that I showed off OHHH about 8 months ago and never got done (don't judge ya'll.) AS well as the Hack-A-Doodle. NOW's the time I explain what that means….. Are you one of those that wants a pattern for EVERYTHING? I've been there. I was one of you too… until I started fiddling. Yes, fiddling. Did you know that you can get a lot done by fiddling? It may take a few wrongs before you get a right (don't tell my children that!) BUT it can be done :) I'm years into this fiddling fix and that's where I landed on pattern making. I'm self-blog-internet taught (although I did indeed take sewing lessons way back when) and I do it all the hard way. I draft by hand… rulers, math, more rulers, more math. I've leaned on some buddies in the biz that have helped me and even done some work with me to get my patterns going but I've learned and grown a lot through it all! Am I trying to talk you into the pattern biz? NO. I'm not. What I am trying to talk you into is being creative :). Repeat after me: I DO NOT NEED A PATTERN FOR EVERYTHING I DO. 

That being said - I wanted to offer you EVEN MORE options with our good ole Mack-A-Doodle. A hack, of sorts. Have ya'll seen those on the internet? I've seen Ikea Hacks and Pottery Barn Hacks and well you get the drift. We're going all MacGyver style here! With this Hack-A-Doodle I want to give you many… yes, a whole handful of options that you can integrate into your Mack-A-Doodle. What I hope you'll see and learn is now only how to do these nifty options BUT HOW TO DREAM UP YOUR OWN. When you have a basic pattern that you feel like fits well and suits your needs - don't be afraid to dress it up! 

Here is a sneak: 

 Princess skirt anybody with a lovely rouche?? 

What about a fancy smancy knit collar? 

You guys - the possibilities are endless! Didn't this turn out CUTE? 

Not trying to TOOT my own horn over here but… TOOOT :) I love it and I dare say you will too. So as you can imagine, this can be used in a VARIETY of ways. And that's what I plan to show you AND MORE (that I haven't shared yet!) in the lovely Hack-A-Doodle Add-on that will be available in my shop … um… eventually (I mean I can't put a deadline? Ya'll might hold me to it)

If you happen to love THIS very dress… you're in luck! It'll be up for auction over at BetsyButton (on Facebook) during our European upload on May 1st-2nd :) 

Can I get a WOOT WOOT ya'll? 

the CharlieMack-A-Doodle dress fit

I did it ya'll!!! WHEW. Made it to release day.  I'll be spending more time on the blog - showing you more in's and out's of this pattern :) I wanted to stop and thank ALL of my testers! I had the most wonderful group of testers :)  Also, The Mean Princess played a VERY integral role in this pattern!  SHOUT OUT to the MP and her talents. She was encouraging and helpful and shared her expertise in creating this puppy! Also LilyGiggle -- always a big time favorite of mine... Beth offered some support and encouragement along the way and I'm truly grateful. 

The pattern works perfect for an upcycle - but note, you can just use knit like I did here :) We embellished it with the vinyl decals and funky side panels (tutorial to come later for a curved panel like this).

For fit reference. - Lily is 5 years old. Her chest is almost 22inches. She's rather average and maybe slightly petite in size.  I did not alter the pattern at all. The drop waist hits just below her waist and carries on down and over her hips where the skirt begins. We left the edges of the skirt raw - but you can see there is still room for a hem if you chose to do so. 

And for those of you wondering what a 2/3rds skirt it... it's simply 2/3rds of a circle instead of a full circle. What does this mean? It means you use less fabric :) It's a way to adjust and use directional prints as well. It DOES cut down on twirl... meaning you don't have a full-on bloomer-showing twirl BUT never fear - there is still SOME twirl as seen here :) 

Here is Reese :) She's 4.  her chest is 21 inches and she's mostly average but a hair on the petite side as well!  I used a size 2/3 for her. I did NOT alter the pattern - to give you a good view on sizing.  She would fit into a category of adjustment if I wanted the perfect fit. I could use a 2/3 for her but elongate the bodice some so that the skirt hit a little lower on her. When the skirt hits higher - it can hang on the little one's bum a bit instead of drape. I could also have made her a size 4/5 and just altered it a bit shorter :) 

I hope that helps!  I'll be adding more photos from testers, reviews, tutorials along the way!  And yes, I do have plans for sleeves... eventually :) 

Thanks for showing me the love today yall!! You can get your BurlapButton Charlie-Mack-a-Doodle dress pattern in my etsy shop!  Links are on the side of the blog.  Be sure and pick up some funky Euro fabrics for the perfect little creation :)  Other stores I LOVE to shop:  EurogirlsBoutique and OneRedBlossom Fabrics.  Show them some love ladies and whip up (and share!) your dress with me. 

Are you guys ready????? I think there will be a small give-away on the new pattern!! 

Last day - past day....

Yes. I'm very past due. Ya know what?? Life happens!! It all started when my dear husband planned a little overnight get-a-way to visit other Air Force friends who are being stationed in Germany.  Germany?? Do you know how many fine and fabulous fabric companies there are in Germany?? Do you know about the bloggers and designers and companies I buy from in Germany?? ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME??  I tried that conversation with our friends. They stared at me strangely. I forgot that I was out of my little protected world of sewing and Euro-crushness.  I snapped outta it.  

We had a grand little time though!!! We came back home to THE busiest weekend ever followed by THE busiest week ever.  Ok, probably not "the" but as this mom of 3 who does all of the daytime to-and-froness around here with a 2, 4, and 5 year old... it was BUSY.  So let's get these things finished??? We are ALMOST there. 

OK - so we are here.  Finish up your bottom hem if you didn't do that last time!  Again - I used a little blind hem stitch to make a shell stitch along the bottom. It's way cute. First time I've done that and I recommend trying it :) I peaked at her work here and gave it a whirl:  shell stitch .  I liked her little tutorial on how she added to a shirt!  Cool.  

Now you have 2 pant legs like this!! You just need to sew up those legs and attach together :)  

I'm going to grab the FARBENMIX photos to show you.  Remember, these photos came directly from Farbenmix on their Yelena Step-by-Step guide!!  Topstitch that side seam to the front if you chose!! 

RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER -- sew up the length of the pants.  When you line them up, the crotch will NOT line up perfectly. It's not suppose to ;) I just like to tell folks that... we always feel line everything should line up!! Do both legs like this and remember - although this photo is colorful, it's still the inside of the pants, not the outside. 

Time to sew the crotch.  (and I just giggled.  yes, crotch is funny).  This photos shows WHERE to sew, but not how!  HEre is now I do it.  I turn one leg inside out.  The other should remain right side out.  Put the leg that is RIGHT side out inside of the leg that is inside out. Sounds crazy.  Think of it this way:  you need to the pretty sides (aka right side) to face each other.  Line them up first by the bottom/side seams, etc to get them in the right spot. THEN line up the crotch. Remember you have 2 layers!! IF your 2 layers were not perfectly aligned - I suggest cutting snipping off any extra before you put them together like this. Then you aren't risking sewing one layer and missing the next?? Clear as mud, right? 

Serge up the crotch.  Or sew it Personally, I do both. I straight stitch for reinforcement and then I serge/overlock behind that.  If you are just sewing -- straight stitch, and then go back over it with a zig zag stitch right behind the straight stitch.  

Now open them up. You should have pants.  If they don't look like pants... ruh rho.  Pull out whatever you just did and start over with that step. 

The waistband {HOW I DID IT} is not hard so you're almost there folks!!!  Take your waistband strip (the only thing you have left!!) and place the two short sides together, right sides together and stitch.  Press those seams open.  NOW bring the long sides down to touch each other and line up WRONG Sides together.  So basically - you are making it look like a waistband! You first sew it into a circle/tube.  Then you fold it down nice and pretty and press/starch so that it looks like a waistband without the elastic. 

See here??  I then made my elastic tube (1-3 inches smaller than your child's waist.  Depends on how stiff your elastic is!) by sewing the short ends together.  I put the elastic into the tube and then pin it onto my pants, aligning the raw edges of the pants and the band, serge, topstitch and done. BUT that's not entirely proper.  Farbenmix has another suggested way that encloses the seam to look pretty :) My kiddos don't care about that serge so I do it my way to be fast and easy... here is the proper way: 

It involves sewing the short sides of the waistband with a 1 inch opening (click link and look at photos).  Then sew one raw edge of the waistband, right sides together per your seam allowance.  Then fold and press the band wrong sides together.  Press a little 1/4 in of the raw side of the waistband as if you were hemming it, wrong sides together.  Then pull it down over the existing stitch you made of the waistband to the pants and stitch.  Finally - thread your elastic through, close off your elastic shorts side together, close off the pants.  

 And finally TAA-DAAAAAAA :) Show off your little beauties!!!  

We had a lovely little Hello Kitty themed sewing birthday party and these little beauties were a highlight!  Sadly, I was sewing with 6 other little 4 year olds... and I never got a photo. I did snap this one the day I finished the pants.  They fit SO very well.  They were still crisp off the ironing board so they look a little ill-fitted in the photo (stiff with my wonder tape under the ribbons and such) but they are so very cute.  Be proud of them folks!! Enjoy those little nuances like my knee stitches that are NOT straight ;) You're human, ok?? :) Wear that Farbenmix tag proudly! 

Wanna see the collection of Yelenas from this Sew A Long? Stay tuned... and what shall we sew next?? 

Wednesday Twins-day.

Twins day? Well, first off... Wednesday is not easily rhymable.  Second off - you are putting your top pant onto your bottom pant today... so it works.  Right?  Just go with it and cut me some slack ;) 

OK ya'll -- I was cruising at this point and forgot to take some photos.  OOPS :) Forgive me, ok???

Now - take your under pants (blue in my photo -- I'll refer to those as the blue pants, top layer as pink pants from now on).  Grab your blue pants pieces.  Take one front and back and place them RIGHT sides together and sew/serge up the outside seam. (that's the straight long seam that would run from ankle to hips).  Do that for both pair. Now your blue pants are in the same step as your pink pants. Press the seam forwards and topstitch down if seams bother you! I left mine as is, but my daughter has never seemed to care... It would make for a nice, smooth inside if you did press it and stitch it forwards. 

NOW - lay your blue leg out flat, print facing you.  Place your pink pant on top, matching up the lines from your pattern (if you are like me and probably didn't draw all of the lines/notches... SHAME on you. Now line them up accordingly :) You can see where they are suppose to go!! It's not that hard ;) I just wish I had a photo for you.  Line up the inseams ok?  Again - print facing you. They should look like what you expect them to look like when finished.  Do no do this right sides together... LOL :) It's a sewing habit, I know - but this time, you just layer the two with both prints facing you. 

NOW - I'll show you the photos from Farbenmix.  They can be found here: Yelena Step-by-Step   (just to be clear, these aren't my photos!! They belong to Farbenmix) Stitch along these lines -- this is to a) make it easier later by having the two pairs of pants already stitched together and b) secure the pocket! You will still serge/overlock/finish up all of these OUTSIDE seams when you put the pants together -- a straight stitch is fine. 

HERE is where you secure those pockets down. I suggest using a chalk line to outline where you are going. You could stitch wrong side up if you like your bobbin thread on top... just make sure you pick the right stitch and have the right color thread in!  NOW -- I used a fancy stitch on my machine that makes a honeycomb and is fun!! A zig zag will work perfectly though.  If you didn't finish your pocket pieces earlier on -- make sure you use some sort of stitch that will also hold/finish off the fabric from fraying.  Since it's an inside pocket, there isn't much concern... but I like to dot my i's and cross my t's.  ***NOTE -- make sure you don't stitch along the top of the pockets!  The front pocket is obvious, the back pocket -- you need to remind yourself :)  

You can see here the stitch I used on my pockets!! Looks like a coverstitch a little until you look closely :) I also suggest a nice tight zig zag or even applique stitch/satin stitch right in the pocket corners.  Those little spots get lots of pull from the kiddos (and even adults!) so secure them nicely. 

Last for today -- I just added some fun stitch lines along the middle :) Farbenmix suggests an option for adding a little bit of elastic here for a little draw!  Not much of one.  Just a small bit. I chose to just add the stitches as embellishment and no elastic. You literally lay your leg out flat, draw a line across (it will look like a slight v so that it lines up correctly. Mark the same measurement on the outside of each leg up from the bottom.  Same on the inside. Connect your lines that way.  Go back over to that Step By Step and look at theirs and you'll understand! Ribbons, trims, stitches, elastic or nothing :) 

OK if you're feeling froggy, go ahead and hem the bottom of the blue pant. I used a fun little shell stitch. It's basically a blind hem stitch... but I wasn't doing a blind hem. I cranked up the tension and aligned it just so that it would pull the tiniest little gathers into the bottom as you go along.  Just a cute little touch but it's hardly noticeable otherwise :) 

And guess what? Done for the day!! And no poopy diaper for me to change. I had to stop mid blog and change it.  HAHAHA :)  I shall go re-heat my coffee and sip some more though!  Curious George is over so I'm on tap for entertaining my kids the proper way now.  Maybe I should add more coffee to the cup before I reheat.... 

Tuesday Fuse-day :)

Today we are going to "fuse" up those side seams. Nope, it's not a new cool sewing technique I'm going to teach you... it just rhymed.  HAHA :) Today is hard and let me tell you why... trims trims TRIMS.  It's hard to decide?!  If you don't have a stash - count yourself lunch. You have fewer choices :) If you like to embroider?? Today is a day I suggest you embroidery some little buttons and patches :) I hate having to hoop up a garment... but I love to embroidery on craft felt or even a woven cotton and then applique that to my garment later!! 

K folks - today we are making a leg :) not a leg hole yet... but a leg.  After you added those trims up top to both pieces (if you desire!) then you lay them RIGHT side together and sew/serge up the straight side. Don't go serging up the crotch/curved seam!! :) I've done that before... trust me, it doesn't turn out so hot ;) 

There is a close up for ya... complete with my head shadow :) Now -- Farbenmix also asks you to press the seam allowances on the inside to the front and topstitch them down! I didn't... because, well, I didn't want to!  But it does add extra row of fun stitching options! 

Here I am again with my head in the picture :) OOPS Sewing at night = using a flash camera.  Anywho -- NOW you need to trim off the bottom edges OR hem them up. You can go elaborate or simple!  It's obvious what I chose.  NOW -- I layed down my little pom pom trim RIGHT sides together and I stitched it down.  I serge/overlock mine on. I prefer to add trims that way - it's always spaced JUST right. Finishes my edges too!! You do have to do some magic around that corner... but just go slow and pay attention. Pull your fabric flat and straight as you go. 

Next -- you would press your trim in and under to the other side and stitch.  Now - if you are adding a ribbon or a front sided trim only - you would press and/or hem FIRST and then add the ribbon.  Think about it first though - you have some sharp corners to turn and edges, so I with with stretchy options.

Now --- wait, before you sweat, no you were not suppose to add the other layer yet or do anything else. I just failed to take a picture... so this is my only chance to show you my trim turned under and stitched. You can see I added an organza stretch elastic ruffle too -- I simply stitched it on after I pressed the hem under. Just look closely and you'll see :)  

NOW STOP - we'll add that blue under layer tomorrow and the other stuff you see going on!! No sweating allowed, ok?? :) And if you goof up.... cut your trim off and try again. It's just the top layer - it  won't change the length of your pants... just changes the top little layer :) 

And I'll end today the same way I did the other day... with a poopy diaper change. Don't worry folks, it's my sons... not mine.  :)