Lined curtains tutorial

On a mission to find cute curtains for my goddaughters room, I decided to put my sewing skills to the test. Sewing curtains, how hard can it be really? Well, turns out it's not that hard (my first one did turn out better than the second), it's just dealing with the large pieces of fabric that makes it all the more complicated.

Materials used:

3m curtain tape
3m Lining fabric (100% blackout lining)
3m Curtain fabric
2,30m Curtain rod
25 clips

A few weekends ago I had some time to spare before taking the bus home so I decided to put it to good use and take a look in a fabric store I had long wanted to visit. Well, there was lots of great fabrics, and I immediately fell in love with this cotton fabric with colorful cats printed on it. I called my sister and that afternoon after measuring the windows we went back to get it.

Lining and curtain tape: check!

Getting the measurements:

Well, since I'd never sewn curtains or anything like that and it was kind of a spur of the moment decision thank god for the lady who helped us figure out the right measurements. As a novice I think she must have thought I was a little bit crazy because she started asking me all these questions and I was only like What?? No idea about that, never heard of that technique.... Yep, for a moment having second thoughts, but when I get something in my head I just want to try it so with her help we bought all the materials. She told us the easiest way would be to use curtain tape. For the measurements, she advised to use double the width of the window and the length was up to us. So for our windows which were 80cmx110cm (31x43inches), we ended up getting 145x150cm of fabric (145cm was the width of the fabric anyway and adding an extra piece would be hard and unnecessary).

Step 1:

Cutting all the  fabrics in the right size.

I think this part took me about the longest, especially for the first curtain. Unfortunately the cats on the fabric didn't run straight so I couldn't use them to make sure I had straight lines. After some measuring I decided just to cut both fabrics (lining and curtain) and go for it. It is a home-made project so even if it's a bit wonky, who cares?
The lining fabric I cut about 5cm shorter at each side (left, right, top and bottom) so my measurements ended up being 145x150cm curtain and 135x140cm lining.

Curtain fabric cut.

Now the lining...

Step 2:

Adding the lining to the fabric.

Since the curtains are for my goddaughters bedroom, we opted for a 100% blackout lining.
After cutting both fabrics to the right size, put the fabrics right sides together, with the lining and the curtain fabric lining up on one side (see photo). Make sure on the top and bottom you have the same difference between lining and curtain fabric. Now pin when your satisfied.

Line up curtain and lining, leaving 5cm on top and bottom.

Find a large table or space to start sewing and stitch the lining to the curtain fabric (I used 1,5cm seam allowance).

Start sewing!

Now line up the other side of the lining with the curtain fabric, this is a bit tricky because the fabrics aren't the same width, but that will become clear in the next step. Pin and stitch the fabric after you make sure the distance on top and bottom is again spread evenly.

Line up and sew the other side.

Step 3:

Finishing the sides.

Turn your curtain right side out. Now you notice the lining fabric is shorter than the curtain fabric, this is to make the sides look better. Make sure that the curtain fabric side on the back had the same width on both ends. (This is rather difficult to explain, but you can look at the pictures to get a better idea, it's also easier if someone can lend you a hand doing this.)
When pleased with the result iron the sides so you get a nice crease. Finish the sides by stitching them once more to make sure they stay the way you want (this time I use a seam allowance of about 2,5cm).

Turn the fabric, making sure each side has approx. the same width.

Press and stitch.

Frontview after stitching.

Sides are done!

Step 4:

Finish the bottom.

Next step: the bottom. Fold over your curtain fabric once (about 0,5cm) and press. Fold it over again (this time about 4,5cm so the bottom of the lining lines up with the bottom of your curtain fabric) and again press your fabric to make it easier to sew. In the corners, I cut away some fabric so they wouldn't become big blobs when sewn. Now stitch your bottom with a seam allowance of about 3 tot 4cm.

Fold and press.

Second fold and press.

Fold the cornerd, press and stitch.

Stitch along the bottom.

Bottom finished!

Step 5:

Finish the top.

This is almost exactly the same as the top, only I decided to take an easier route (and I didn't want to many sewing lines showing on the top of the curtains), so I only folded them over once for about 3cm (so they touched an covered the lining about 0,5cm) and pressed. I did stitch the corners before adding the curtain tape.
Adding the tape:
 I added the curtain tape, stitching it about 1,5cm from the top of my curtain fabric. I stitched both top and bottom to make sure it could hold the weight of the curtains.

Stitch the corners.

Now stitch the top and bottom of the curtain tape to your curtains.

Front view looking good.

Back looking good as well.

Step 6:

Hang your curtains!

All that's left to do is adding clips to the curtains ( I used about 12 per curtain but it depends on the weight and length of your fabric, mine was pretty heavy), and pull the strings of the curtain tape so your curtain becomes pleated. To see how much you need to pull the strings, it's easier if you do it next to your window and use some trial and error.

Still need to take a picture of them hanging up, I will add this when I get the chance.

Done!
They turned out pretty good, just in time for the little one to sleep in her own bed!

Baby Jumpsuit tutorial

When looking around dor some free sewing patterns, I stumbled upon a playsuit by E&E (Pattern E&E). I thought it looked really cute and the instructions were included in the pattern, so I thought I would give it a try.

Step 1: Since it was my first piece of clothing, I chose this fabric with purple flowers that I got really cheap on a local market. If it would fail, at least it didn't really cost me a lot :), playing it safe! For the contrasting fabric I opted to go with black (I didn't have other fabrics that seemed to match), it's from some pants my mother doesn't wear anymore.

Step 2: Cutting the pattern. I think this took me about the longest time ever! Partly because I printed the pdf double sided so I couldn't just cut it out but had to make new pattern pieces. As you can see, there are quite a lot of pieces involved.

Pattern cut in paper, ready to transfer it on the fabric.

Finally all the pieces are cut.

Step 3: Start sewing! The instructions included with the pattern are pretty straight forward. I'm a beginning sewer and I could follow them, so I guess pretty much everyone could. My fabric option did turn out less than ideal, because it's more on the synthetic side so ironing wasn't really possible. I ended up not doing the front pleat, as it woud not stay put and just looked weird.

First project: sewing four shoulder straps.

All the pattern pieces ready to start sewing the top!

Place the straps in between the fabric and your lining (good sides facing each other).

Fold over the lining, first part of the top is done!

I topstitched the top to give it a more finished look.  Follow the same steps to create your second top piece.

Sew the two pieces together. our top is done!

Start sewing your pockets making sure part of the lining is showing, this gives it a nice touch.

Front panel done! I guess at this stage I wanted the piece to be ready, as I stopped taking a lot of pictures ;).

My first trousers done (feeling proud ;) ).

Now just sew the leg cuffs on your trousers.

Final step: secure top to bottom and add an elastic in the waist.

Step 4: Done! Now I just have to wait untill summer for my goddaughter to wear it as it is still a bit big on her. But, I think for my first attempt it turned out pretty good. (It did take me some time to make it though :), so it isn't a one-day project.)

Up next: first time making curtains!

Baby blocks tutorial

I started this project back in december, and finally I have finished it. Although it took me a while to complete these blocks are a great idea for a beginner.

In Belgium, the 6th of December Sinterklaas ( a kind of Santa Claus) comes to bring 'good' children toys, chocolates and tangerines. Since my goddaughter was only 3 months old I could hardly give her any sweets so I looked online for some inspiration. I found a couple of tutorials on making baby blocks that looked pretty cute and not that hard:

Baby Blocks 1

Baby blocks 2

So here you can find how I made my own, these are just the last two of her name, the first I already gave her from Sinterklaas and the second on Chrismas Eve. Each block took me about 30-45minutes to make (once I got the hold of it, the first two took longer ;) ).

Materials needed for one block:

20g of stuffing
6 fabric squares (9x9cm or 3.5x3.5inches)
Matching thread
Optional: Vliesofix

First, select some fabrics that go together, I found this rather hard. When looking at my fabrics I have predominantly prints that don't match up all that well together... But these are the two combinations I picked out:

Next, as you can see on the photo's, time to cut your squares. I cut mine with a 9 cm side  (approximately 3.5 inches). I chose three different fabrics, so I would cut 2 squares from each fabric.

If you want to personalise the blocks with a name, do this before you start sewing the sides together. I used Vliesofix for the first time an I have to say it turned out pretty nice. 

How to use Vliesofix: 

1. Draw the letter on the wrong side of your fabric (you can also do it on the paper-side of the Vliesofix but I found it harder to make sure the letter faced the right way). 
2. Cut a piece of vliesofix the size  of your letter and put the glue-side of the Vliesofix on your fabric.
3. Iron the Vliesofix to your fabric ( I put a seperate piece of fabric between the Vliesofiw and my iron to make sure nothing bad would happen).
4. Cut out your letter following the markings you made in step 1.
5. Peel of the paper of the Vliesofix, there should be some 'glue' remaining on your fabric letter.
6. Next, place the letter on the surface you want and iron once more (again, I put some fabric in between) for about 30 seconds.

Now, time to start sewing!

I always started with the front side (with the letter) so that if anything would go a bit wonky, at least this side looks good.

Place 2 fabric squares right sides together and stitch (I use approx. 0.5 seaming allowance). Do this for both sides of your front side, next attach the top.

Put your first 2 squares together

First side done!

Place the other side on the front and stitch.

Looking good!

Now is when things become a bit more tricky, attach the top to the sides by matching up the squares right sides together. There might by some pulling and fumbling involved to get all the sides sewn.

Top attached to the front.

Now turn so the top and sides can be stitched together.

First corner done!

Then, attach the bottom to the front, again follow up by attaching it to both sides.

Only the back to go!

Last, you still need to attach the back I had some trouble doing this the first time, but when sewing the next blocks it became easier.

Last side you attach, make sure to leave a turning gap of about 3 cm (1 inch), best thing is to leave it in the middle and not on the side, you can see I tried both and when in the middle it made it easier to close the block up. When makin the gap in the middle, just sew an inch, lift up your needle and fabric an then sew together the last inch.

Side gap, this was a bit harder to sew closed.

Better option to keep a gap in the middle.

Turn the block through the gap and start stuffing it making sure you put enough stuffing in the corner to give the blocks the right shape.

Get stuffing!

Still empty...

Last step: close the gap, you can do this by stitching very close to the side with your machine, or sew it by hand to conceal the gap ( I guess it's called a whipstitch).

Closing the gap...

First one done!

And the second one...

Done!

Cute to put next to the crib and great for my goddaughter to dribble on, 

which seems to be her favourite activity right now.

Next project: First piece of clothing!