TUTORIAL SKIRT WITH POCKETS

Skirt With Pockets

Tutorial

I love to sew and I totally hate patterns.  Whenever I decide to make something simple I usually just take my measurement and come up with a plan about how to tackle my project.  So when I decided I wanted a skirt with pockets that is just what I did.  

First I measured my waist and how long I wanted the skirt.  I got a general idea of how big the pockets needed to be which turned out to be about 8" long and just big enough to hold my hand inside them so I drew around my fist to get the size of my pockets.  I like deep pockets but for this I wanted pockets that I could simply rest my hand inside and the pockets would hold them.  

I then cut my fabric and I simply cut two pieces the entire width of the fabric,  approximately 44",  I was using and the length I wanted which was 22 1/4th inches.  

Fabric 33.25" by 44"

I made a little pattern for the pockets and then I cut out four pieces from that pattern.  I cut them 2 each with right sides together.  These were not perfect but they turned out really well after I trimmed them up to perfect them just a bit.  

Next I cut out my waistband.  I knew I wanted two sections one for a nice flat front band and one for the back to run elastic through.  The longer one is for the back and it measures 3 1/2" by 44" and the one for the front was half that length.  

Then I measured on myself where the pockets should be on the skirt and I sewed the pockets on to the side of each panel, right sides together. 

I stitched them on and then put the sides of the skirt together and stitched from the bottom up and around the pockets and stopped leaving the sides open above the pockets so that I could work on the waist band. 

Then I worked from the bottom up and I hemmed the entire bottom of the skirt, this was easier because at this point the fabric was still flat, without gathers.  First I folded over 1/4" and iron ti all the way around then I folded it once again the same 1/4" and ironed it flat and then I stitched the hem. 

Then I gathered the top of the skirt front. 

NOTE: to gather your skirt you sew two rows of stitches close together but never touching.  Use the longest stitch you have on your machine and do not back stitch.  Leave long pieces of thread on each end.  You will use the thread to pull and gather the skirt.  Once you have the stitches you will grab the top threads of each row and start sliding your fabric down and spreading the fabric out as you gather it.  Be careful not to pull to hard so that you do not break the threads.  Once you get it gather to the width you need it then spread the gathers out evenly.  It should look like the photo above.  this takes a little bit of practice but it works so beautifully.  I made my front of the skirt half my waist measurement minus 2 inches,  

For the front waistband I added a fusible interface to make it look nice once it was done. Then I stitched it on the skirt front making sure to make my stitch right below the stitches were I had gathered my skirt.  This was none of the stitching would show. Be sure you place the waistband and fabric right sides together. 

Then I worked on the the back waist by adding the waistband fabric to it.  This was a bit easier because this is where the elastic will be.  I cut my elastic to have it ready.  I held the elastic around my waist and figured out how long i needed it to be.  

I then pinned the top side together and stitched them up form the top of the pockets to the tops of the waistbands. 

Then I folded my waistbands over and flipped them and I stitched right back over the stitches I made when I added the waistbands.  This hid all my stitches very neatly. I left a small opening for the elastic on both ends and then I fed the elastic through and pinned it on both sides and then stitches it in the seam on each side. 

Then I was finished with my cute pocket skirt.  It has a really nice front panel and elastic back and super comfy and flirty.  

Ladies it is very late at night but I so wanted to get this posted, so if anything is not clear please let me know and I will see what I can do to make it clearer and easier to understand.  If you have any skirt tutorials I would Love to visit you and see them.  I love new ideas and new things to make in different ways. 

Here's to sewing,

Beverly

Tea Cottage Pretties

FRENCH MACARON AND PASTRIES SKIRT

French Macaron and Pastries Skirt

I found this adorable fabric on Etsy from seller https://www.etsy.com/shop/fabricsupply 

I decided to make myself a skirt with pockets.  What girl doesn't love pockets in her skirts?  I thought a nice flat front waistband would be nice and an elastic back waistband so it would be easy to slip on. 

I love how it turned out and I am making a handbag to match and I will still have a little fabric left.  I am thinking I might make a cute makeup bag.  

I will try to get a tutorial together and post it next week. 

Sew happy,

Beverly

Tea Cottage Pretties

DIY CRAYON LIPSTICK

DIY

Crayon Lipstick

My Tiffany and I just love to do projects together.  Sometimes the project is my idea and sometimes it is her idea.  We kept seeing these things on the interwebs about making lipstick from crayons.  At first I thought okay that is weird but then I gave it a second thought when my Tiffany said she wanted to try it.  

How many of us put a crayon in our mouth and took a bite when we were very small?  I know I tasted my crayons a couple of times.  I also know as an adult with children that crayons are nontoxic and safe for children.  So I thought okay they are safe so maybe this is something we could do.  

Disclaimer:

I have to have a disclaimer for this project. 
I take no responsibility for any damages caused by completing this project or by using the end product. The wax is very hot when handling and there is some debate as to it's safety. 

Please do not accept my word as to how safe this is or isn't. 
I did do a search and I found that most believe it is safe and those who believe that it isn't could not offer any real evidence to prove their view on this subject.  This is something you have to decide for yourself.  I will tell you that is was a super fun project. 

We started by gathering up the things we would need. There were several problems that had to be worked out.  First and most important was what on Earth to put our colors in???  Then we thought about it and realized we could use the plastic containers you get when you buy those wax melts for your home.  So we each got one and took the melts out.  Then we washed them very well and let them dry.  So with that problem solved here is what you will need. 

What You Will Need

1.) Containers to put lipstick in

2.) Glass jars that you can toss when you are done

3.) Crayons

4.) Coconut Oil

5.) A pan to boil water in

6.) Some disposable plastic spoons

7.) Paper towels

8.) Teaspoon 

Then you are set and ready to make your colors.  Just pick out the number of colors you want to make.  We each choose 6 because we had 6 places in our tray to put them in.  

Steps

1.)  Remove wrappers from crayons

2.)  Boil water in large pan

3.)  Place one teaspoon of Coconut Oil and one crayon in the jar

4.)  Place into the pan with boiling water

5.)  Use a spoon (plastic works) to mix it as the crayon melts

6.)  When it is completely melted pull the jar out of the pan and pour into the tray

       (Please be careful the glass jar is hot and so is the liquid mixture.) 

7.) Let it cool while you work on the next color. 

Tiffany and I had two jars each and we would clean and dry them as we emptied them out.  This took some effort but we found that if you clean them with the hottest water you can handle and then wipe them out with a paper towel they come really clean.  

Keep doing this until you have all your colors.  They will have a crayon smell when they are being poured into the container but as they cool that calms down.  Now for the amazing part, they actually work!!!

I made some of your basic colors and Tiffany choose colors she liked and wanted to experiment with.  We had a lot of fun and we ended up with some awesome lipstick.  So if you have seen this before, now you know it really works!!!!

Tiffany decorated the outside of her lipstick tray with duck tape and I used some pretty Korean paper.  I am going to write the names of my colors on mine.  One of mine is called Tickle Me Pink...

Disclaimer:

I have to have a disclaimer for this project. 
I take no responsibility for any damages caused by completing this project or by using the end product. The wax is very hot when handling and there is some debate as to it's safety. 

Please do not accept my word as to how safe this is or isn't. 
I did do a search and I found that most believe it is safe and those who believe that it isn't could not offer any real evidence to prove their view on this subject.  This is something you have to decide for yourself.

 I will tell you that is was a super fun project.  

They would even work for finger painting on paper. 

Sorry our photos are a little dark, we did this project at night. 

Oh and you know I MUST share my latest find...

Vintage Silver Sipping Spoons!!!
Can't wait to make a fun summer drink.

I had seen these over at Ivy and Elephants and I had to have a set for myself.  Thank you for sharing them ladies and I am delighted to have my very own sipping/iced tea spoons.

Yay!!!  My Crayon Lipstick has been featured at:

Thank you ever so kindly!!!

Making fun memories with Tiffany,

Beverly

Tea Cottage Pretties

Apple Roses for Mother's Day

Apple Roses 

for

Mother's Day

I have seen many things on Pinterest that just keep popping up and if I see it enough I start wanting to try it.  These beautiful Apple Roses were made by my sweet Tiffany and I on Mother's Day. I am so delighted with how they turned out that I simply had to share them my blogger friends.  If we can make these lovely desserts then I just know you can too and I will show you how...

Apples Roses

Makes 12

Materials you will need

Muffin Pan

Large Bowl

Knife

Cutting Board

One Small bowl

One Large Pot

Rolling Pin

Ingredients

Puff Pastry

4 or 5 Large Apples

or 

8 Small Apples

Apricot Marmalade

1 Lemon

Cinnamon Sugar

Flour

Powdered Sugar

1.) Wash your apples and fill your bowl with water and add the juice of one lemon.  Be care not to get the seeds in the water. 

2.) Then you need to cut up the apples.  To do this cut them in half.  Then cut out the core and make sure you get the tips at the top and bottom of each apple. 

3.) Slice them very thin and place them in the bowl of water with lemon juice. 

4.) Now you cook the apples to make them flexible.  There are two options here, you can microwave them for approximately 4 minutes or you can cook them on the stove top in boiling water until they are nice and soft. 

We put them in a pot on the stove and we were very pleased with the results.  If you have a low power microwave the stove top is the best way to cook them. 

While you are waiting for the apples to cook you can get the marmalade and the puff pastry ready. Also, now is a good time to preheat the oven to 375.

5.)  In a small bowl mix 3 parts marmalade with  2 parts water.  I used 3 tablespoons of marmalade and 2 tablespoon water.  

6.) Microwave the marmalade for 30 seconds and mix well. 

Now for the pastry...

6.) Open pastries and lay a sheet out on a surface with flour on it.  Flour the top and use a rolling pin to roll it out thin.  then cut it into 6 strips measuring about 3 inches wide each. 

Make sure your apples are cooked and pull them off the stove.  Let them cool for a few minutes and get them out and place them back into your big bowl. 

7.)  Take one strip of pastry and cover the top with a thin layer of the marmalade.   Lay the apple pieces in a line across the pastry with the red skin above the pastry line (see photos).  Then fold the bottom edge up and over the apples about half the way up, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and  and roll it up.  Then place in your muffin pan. 

Note: I have nonstick muffin pans and I did not need to use cooking spray but if you think you need use just a little. 

8.)  Place your pastries in the oven at 375  for approx. 45 minutes.  Check on the periodically. 

Optional

When they are cooled you can sprinkle them with powder sugar if you desire. 

Then sit back and enjoy...

Great with a nice cuppa tea...

A word about the recipe.  When I looked up this recipe there were so many people that had posted these and Tiffany and I kind of followed them but we tweaked it so that it worked for us. 

I just had to share my Mother's Day gift from my husband and my sweet girls.  For well over 18 years I have wanted a KitchenAid Mixer and I so wanted a pink one...

And here she is along with my new chalkboard jars. 

Isn't she beautiful...

These jars are the best.

Also in my photos today I am sharing some beautiful vintage doilies.

Happy Mother's Day 

from Tea Cottage Pretties

My Apple Roses have been featured this week on 

Also featured at:

Thank you ladies, I am delighted!!!

Hugs,

Beverly

Tea Cottage Pretties