AnielskaAniela: A Blog for Sewing Lovers and DIY Enthusiasts

1/27/2024

3 Easy Ways to Turn Straps Right Side Out in Sewing ( For Beginners)

In this post, I will show you how to use three different tools to turn straps right side out: a loop turner, a bobby pin, and a safety pin.

If you are new to sewing, you might wonder how to turn straps right side out after stitching them. This is a common challenge for many beginners, but don’t worry, there are some easy ways to do it. In this post, I will show you how to use three different tools to turn straps right side out: a loop turner, a bobby pin, and a safety pin.

What is a Loop Turner?

A loop turner is a long metal or plastic tool with a hook at one end and quite often a ring at the other. It is designed to help you turn narrow tubes of fabric right side out.

How to Use a Loop Turner to Turn Straps Right Side Out

Here are the steps to use a loop turner to turn straps right side out:

Stitch your strap as usual, leaving one end open and the other end closed.
Insert the hook end of the loop turner into the open end of the strap, pushing it all the way to the closed end.
Hook the closed end of the strap with the loop turner and pull it back through the tube, turning the strap right side out.
Remove the loop turner and press the strap flat.

What is a Bobby Pin ?

A bobby pin is a small metal clip that is used to hold hair in place. It has two prongs that are bent at the middle. You can use a bobby pin as a substitute for a loop turner if you don’t have one. However, be careful not to poke yourself with the sharp ends of the bobby pin.

How to Use a Bobby Pin to Turn Straps Right Side Out

Here are the steps to use a bobby pin to turn straps right side out:

Stitch your strap as usual, leaving one end open and the other end closed.
Open the bobby pin slightly and insert one prong into the open end of the strap, pushing it all the way to the closed end.
Pinch the closed end of the strap with the bobby pin and pull it back through the tube, turning the strap right side out.
Remove the bobby pin and press the strap flat.

What is a Safety Pin?

A safety pin is a metal pin that has a spring mechanism and a clasp. It is used to fasten or secure fabric or clothing. You can also use a safety pin to turn straps right side out, but it might take longer than using a loop turner or a bobby pin.

How to Use a Safety Pin to Turn Straps Right Side Out

Here are the steps to use a safety pin to turn straps right side out:

Stitch your strap as usual, leaving one end open and the other end closed.
Attach a safety pin to the closed end of the strap, making sure it is securely fastened.
Insert the safety pin into the open end of the strap, pushing it along the inside of the tube.
Gather the fabric onto the safety pin while pulling the open end of the strap. Once enough fabric piles up, it will start to flip right side out.
Remove the safety pin and press the strap flat.

Turning straps right side out is an essential skill for sewing projects that involve straps, such as bags, dresses, or aprons. You can use different tools to turn straps right side out, depending on what you have available. A loop turner is the fastest and easiest way, but you can also use a bobby pin or a safety pin. I hope this post was helpful for you and you learned something new. Happy sewing!

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1/25/2024

How to Draft and Hack Your Own A-Line Skirt Patterns | Easy DIY Tutorial

Do you love A-line skirts? Do you want to learn how to make your own patterns and customize them with different features and styles? If you answered yes, then you will love this post!

I will show you how to draft and hack your own A-line skirt patterns from scratch, with step-by-step instructions and examples. You will find a link to my video tutorial at the end of the post, where you can see me in action and follow along.

What is an A-Line Skirt?

An A-line skirt is a type of skirt that is fitted at the waist and flares out towards the hem, creating an “A” shape. It is one of the most flattering and versatile styles, as it can suit any body shape and size, and can be worn for different occasions and seasons

An A-line skirt can be made with different features, such as pockets, darts, gathers, zippers, buttons, waistbands, and hemlines. It can also be hacked to create other types of skirts, such as tulip, wrap, gathered, and mix and match skirts.

Why Draft and Hack Your Own A-Line Skirt Patterns?

Drafting and hacking your own A-line skirt patterns can be fun and rewarding, as you can:

Make your own unique and stylish skirts that fit you perfectly and express your personality
Save money and time by using your own fabric and tools
Learn new skills and techniques that you can apply to other sewing projects
Experiment with different fabrics, colors, prints, and embellishments
Have fun and unleash your creativity!

What Do You Need to Draft and Hack Your Own A-Line Skirt Patterns?

To draft and hack your own A-line skirt patterns, you will need some basic tools and materials, such as:

Pattern paper. Any large paper will do, but I recommend using the kind of pattern paper that has a grid marked on it. It costs a bit more but it makes things so much easier!
Pencil, ruler, scissors, and tape. These are the essential tools for drawing and cutting your pattern pieces. You can also use a curved ruler for drawing curves, and a pattern notcher for marking notches
Measuring tape. You will need this to take your body measurements and transfer them to the pattern paper. Make sure you measure yourself accurately and at the right places

How to Draft and Hack Your Own A-Line Skirt Patterns?

To draft and hack your own A-line skirt patterns, you will need to follow these steps:

Draft a basic A-line skirt pattern. This is the foundation of your skirt, and it will consist of four pieces: front, back, waistband, and hemline. You will need to measure yourself, calculate the ease and seam allowance, and draw the pattern pieces on the paper.
Customize your pattern with different features. This is where you can add some details and variations to your skirt, such as pockets, darts, gathers, zippers, buttons, waistbands, and hemlines. You will need to modify your basic pattern pieces according to the feature you want to add.
Hack your pattern to create other types of skirts. This is where you can transform your A-line skirt into another type of skirt, such as tulip, wrap, gathered, and mix and match skirts. You will need to cut and rearrange your pattern pieces to create a new shape and style.

If you want to see how I draft and hack my own A-line skirt patterns in action, you can watch my video tutorial here. In this video, you will see me measure myself, calculate the ease and seam allowance, draw the pattern pieces, cut and sew the fabric pieces, and show you some of the skirts I have made using my own patterns and hacks.

To watch the video, simply click on the link below . Don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel, like the video, and leave a comment if you have any questions or feedback. I hope you enjoy the video and learn something new.

[Watch the video here]

If you liked this post, please share it with your friends and follow me on my blog, where I post new content every week on sewing, pattern drafting, and hacking. You can also follow me on social media, where I share more tips and tricks on how to make your own clothes. You can find me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.

Thank you so much for reading and happy sewing! 😊

1/23/2024

How to Rock Spring Sewn Blouses with These Styling Tips

Spring is the perfect season to show off your sewing skills and flaunt some gorgeous blouses. Whether you make your own blouses or buy them ready-made, you can style them in different ways to suit your mood and occasion. In this post, I’ll share with you some tips and ideas on how to rock spring sewn blouses with these styling tips.

Choose the Right Fabric and Pattern

The first step to style your spring sewn blouses is to choose the right fabric and pattern. You want to pick a fabric that is lightweight, breathable, and comfortable for the warmer weather. Some of the best fabrics for spring blouses are cotton, linen, rayon, silk, and chiffon. You can also opt for fabrics with prints and patterns that reflect the spring vibe, such as florals, stripes, polka dots, and geometric shapes.

When it comes to the pattern, you want to choose a style that flatters your body shape and expresses your personality. You can go for a classic button-up shirt blouse, a romantic wrap blouse, a chic peplum blouse, or a playful ruffle blouse. You can also experiment with different lengths, sleeves, necklines, and details to create your own unique look.

Spring Blouses Sewing Tutorials

Now I’ll share with you some of the spring sewn blouses that I love to make and wear. They all have video tutorials and free PDF patterns or easy pattern drafting, so you can join me and enjoy sewing. You can also make these blouses your own, by altering the sleeves, the neckline, the length, and more. Whether you like a crop blouse, a peplum, or a maxi blouse, you can express your own style with these spring sewn blouses.

sweet white blouse

lovely milkmaid blouse

comfy round neckline with ruffle blouse

cute off shoulder fitted blouse

fantastic milkmaid with puff sleeve blouse

fabulous wrap blouse

Pair with the Right Bottoms

The next step to style your spring sewn blouses is to pair them with the right bottoms. You want to choose bottoms that balance the silhouette and the color of your blouse. Here are some of the bottoms that can go well with your spring sewn blouses:

Jeans: Jeans are a versatile and casual option that can match any blouse. You can choose from different styles, such as skinny, straight, bootcut, cargo or flare. You can also play with different washes, such as light, dark, or colored. For a more springy look, you can opt for cropped or ripped jeans.

Skirts: Skirts are a feminine and flirty option that can complement any blouse. You can choose from different styles, such as pencil, A-line, pleated, or wrap. You can also play with different lengths, such as mini, midi, or maxi. For a more seasonal look, you canlook for floral or pastel skirts.

Pants: Pants are a smart and sophisticated option that can elevate any blouse. You can choose from different styles, such as slim, wide-leg, cropped, or culotte. You can also play with different fabrics, such as denim, cotton, linen, or leatherLook for bright or neutral pants.

Accessorize with Style

The last step to style your spring sewn blouses is to accessorize with style. Accessories can add some sparkle and shine to your outfit, so you want to choose pieces that complement your blouse. Here are some of the accessories that can enhance your spring sewn blouses:

Shoes: Shoes can change the mood and tone of your outfit, so you want to pick the right pair for your blouse. For a casual and relaxed look, you can wear flats, sandals, or sneakers. For a more formal and elegant look, you can wear heels, pumps, or wedges. You can also play with colors and textures to add some contrast and interest to your outfit.

Jewelry: You want it to complement your blouse. For a simple and minimalist look, you can wear a delicate necklace, a pair of pearl earrings, or a cute bracelet. For a more bold look, you can wear a bigger necklace or even few , a pair of hoops, or a bracelet with stones. You can also mix and match different metals, stones, and shapes to create your own style.

Bags: Bags are useful for holding your necessities and enhancing your appearance, so you want to pick one that goes well with your blouse. For a relaxed and functional look, you can wear a tote, a backpack, or a crossbody bag. For a more elegant and polished look, you can wear a clutch, a satchel, or a shoulder bag. You can also choose bags with prints and patterns that match your blouses.

I hope you enjoyed this post and learned some tips and ideas on how to style spring sewn blouses with these styling tips. If you did, please share it with your friends and leave a comment below.

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