Thank you for all the techy help the other day. I can fake technological things to look like I really know what I'm doing, but really I don't. I'm still learning, and have decided to finally really figure out what typepad can do. Hence all the changes! Fun, fun, fun. It's looking a little bit more polished and I love it. There is also a few new sections to peek into. There is a FAQ's section down there a ways..and a tutorial section! I've been meaning to do this for a while and well, now I have. :) And of course if you're going to make a tutorial section, you better write a tutorial. Shir Madness will hopefully teach you all you ever wanted to know about shirring. It really is very easy, but also very easy to mess up and make a total disaster out of. Kind of like baking bread.
Click on the Shir Madness link over there on the right and it will bring up a down-loadable PDF file. Save it to your computer and print it out for a little machine side help when you need it. My piano instructor used to alway talk about getting skills "under my belt" and shirring is definitely a skill to master for a seamstress. If you do it correctly, you can pop out a garment in less than an hour, no pattern needed. Need some extra inspiration for what to do with shirring or want to show off your already polished shirring skills? I've created a flickr group just for that. Check it out! There is already a great selection to peek at and get inspired by.
Oh, and I know several people want to know where tags came from. They are from Fancyweaver, and they are the best deal I've been able to find for orders under 1000 pieces. Go check them out!
OH-and do you love our new floor? Behind Eliza down there..I know, not the best picture of the floor but I couldn't resist pointing it out!
The blog is looking beautiful!
(Now what can I shir? LOL)
Posted by: Sarah | January 04, 2008 at 02:09 PM
Thanks so much for that tutorial. I think you might actually inspire me to try shirring! I had never even considered trying it until I saw your tutorial. And the site looks great, by the way!
Posted by: colleen | January 04, 2008 at 02:28 PM
Gorgeous blog......gorgeous girlie...gorgeous top!
Posted by: Laurie | January 04, 2008 at 02:38 PM
Sandi
Thanks for the inspiration. I make sure to look at your blog every morning over my coffee. I am a self taught sewer with far more motivation than skill so I am really excited to try out shirring :) When will your fabric line be released - I have lots of projects already planned for it!
Cheers from sunny Queensland Australia
Louise
PS Loving your music - never heard of The Weepies here in Oz, it is just lovely blog music.
Posted by: Louise | January 04, 2008 at 03:11 PM
Hi Sandi, thank goodness you are posting tutorials. I'm kind of a newcomer to sewing and my skills are still on the basic side, but I would love to make clothes for my three year old daughter. When I got home from work today she was tired after a day with her gran, she sat on my knee and we looked at your pictures of past creations. Oh mummy, says Anna, will you make me a dress like that? Er............says I. I have to tell you, she pretty much requested one of each! So somehow, I need to upskill myself quite rapidly, or she will be requesting an atlantic transfer!
Good look with the new look blog and upcoming fabric release.
Kim xx
Posted by: Kim McBirnie | January 04, 2008 at 03:19 PM
Wow. Just beautiful here.....it's a pleasure to arrive.
Posted by: Sequana | January 04, 2008 at 03:45 PM
Oh the Weepies are amazing. I probably like them even more since they aren't all that popular! Great "artist" music.
Posted by: Sandi Henderson | January 04, 2008 at 03:58 PM
Kim- That's the one thing I really miss about sewing for others. Hearing how their little ones love the clothing. If you have any particular tutorials you'd like to see, feel free to request them and I'll do what I can!
Sandi
Posted by: Sandi Henderson | January 04, 2008 at 04:03 PM
Can I say how wonderfully happy you wrote this. I have wanted to figure out the shirring and my one attempt was a disaster. Off to read your wise words.
Posted by: Mama Urchin | January 04, 2008 at 06:34 PM
love the new blog colors.
the tutorial is fantastic too.
thanks,
~danni
Posted by: danni perez | January 04, 2008 at 06:51 PM
Hi Sandi,
Love the new look! I have been a lurker for quite some time and have enjoyed looking at all your designs. Thank you for the tutorial on shirring. I have seen this done a lot but have not tried it myself. How do you measure for your daughter's top? I have a 3.5 yr old girl and would love to make her some tops like yours. Can hardly wait for you fabric to be available. Please keep up all the wonderful inspiring posts. I really enjoy them:) ks
Posted by: krystin | January 04, 2008 at 07:07 PM
Hi Krystin!
For a top similar to the picture, I usually take her chest measurement and double it. I might shave off a few inches depending on the body part.(I don't have a specific formula here) There are so many options..
A good way to start is by using one print for the whole top:
Eliza's chest measurement is 20 inches so I cut two 20 by 15 inch pieces. Sew them together at the sides, finish the top and bottom hems and shir from the top down to however far you would like. Add a few straps and you're done.
When you get comfortable with it, you can experiment a bit. Make the bodice a different fabric, add a ruffle or two. etc..This basic technique can really make a huge difference and is really easy!
Also, the top I pictured has button holes for the straps to go through. If you try this, make sure to shir around the button holes. Don't try to create the button holes over your shirring or it will all come undone!
And
Posted by: Sandi Henderson | January 04, 2008 at 07:50 PM
Love the new layout! Pretty Pretty!! Can't wait to get my hands on some fabric.
Do you know of any places that are going to carry the trim?
I know I had asked about labels awhile ago. I got some from someone who printed them for almost the same amount and hate them. Sadly no returns. I'll definitely be ordering!
Posted by: Lux | January 05, 2008 at 06:02 AM
So cute!! What gorgeous photos!! Thanks for sharing the tutorial!!!
Posted by: Euphoria | January 05, 2008 at 09:11 AM
your blog is really beautiful....
(and sorry for my english....)
Posted by: Amelie | January 05, 2008 at 10:58 AM
This tutorial is great! I bought a piece of already shirred fabric from Joann's last summer and made it into a dress for my daughter and she loved it. Now I can make as many as I want.
Posted by: mo | January 05, 2008 at 06:52 PM
Blog on queenie! It looks marvelous & I gotta come see that floor. Maybe we can have Trevor's B-day party there instead? hmmm...
Posted by: Erin | January 05, 2008 at 08:46 PM
Nice tutorial...I once tried shirring and failed miserably...think it was the auto tension on my machine. Thanks for inspiring me to attempt it again.
Isn't fancyweaver labels the best? I've been using him for some time now and couldn't be more pleased.
Wishing you all things good in 2008!
With friendship,
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa thedomesticdiva | January 06, 2008 at 04:42 AM
Oh yes, definitely give it another try! Most people crank up the tension really tight and I've found (at least on my machine) that I keep the settings almost exactly the same for a regular stitch. I have a singer and for a regular straight stitch I set it at a 3 for stitch length and a 3 for tension. For shirring, I adjust the stitch length to a 4 and leave the tension alone. This works for most quilt weight cottons, but I test every fabric on a scrap because they are all a tiny bit different!
Sandi
Posted by: Sandi Henderson | January 06, 2008 at 10:22 AM
Thanks for the tutorial - I cannot wait to try it. Can't wait to get my hands on some ginger blossom fabric! Michael Miller mailed us a color copy page to order from this week. Want to send me some of your scraps to tide me over in the meantime??!!LOL
Happy New Year!
Missy
Posted by: Missy | January 06, 2008 at 12:21 PM
Love the dress! Can't wait for the fabrics!
Posted by: liz | January 06, 2008 at 01:54 PM
Wow, even your tutorial is beautifully designed. I can't wait to see your prints in person.
Posted by: Lisa | January 06, 2008 at 03:17 PM
Love the new look! Thank you so much for the new tutorial... I am totally ready to run out and buy that elastic thread!
Posted by: Ginger | January 06, 2008 at 06:56 PM
Ah believe it or not yardage is even especially precious to me at the present time-every scrap is being horded! I am eagerly awaiting it to be readily available too. Soon soon soon..
:)
Sandi
Posted by: Sandi Henderson | January 07, 2008 at 12:06 AM
thank you! thank you! the shirring tutorial is sooooo helpful.
Posted by: mithrilsea | January 07, 2008 at 09:20 AM