Padded Coat Hanger

Padded Coat Hanger Tutorial

I have been making these coat hangers to give as gifts, and they really are simply quite lovely.

You will need 1/4 metre or yard of fabric

1/4 metre or yard of light quilters batting or needle punch batting

A wooden coat hanger

Piping, purchased or make your own using coordinating fabric

A small quantity of narrow ribbon.

This is my pattern for you, print it out actual size A4 paper. I di have this patten on 'Craftsy' as A PDF but they have closed my shop.

I purchased adult wooden hangers as I couldn't get child's and we cut the ends off to make a 11.5" or 29cm hanger.

Measure the pattern pieces against the coat hanger as these can be varying lengths you may need to make it shorter than my pattern. Cut 4 Ends from your fabric  Cut 4 Ends from your batting

Using 1/4 " seam sew the batting onto the back of all your end pieces, remembering to flip your pattern so you have two lefts and two rights.

Pin your piping on to one left and one right end piece, clip piping to follow the curved end. Sew in place using just over 1/4" seam, start  your piping at the fold line, [see photo above] remembering your fold line might be different from my pattern.

Lay the piped end on top of other end right sides facing, pin then sew leaving base open for turning. If you do it this way you can follow the stitching lines

Clip curves up to your stitching line then turn through, I use a chop stick as it has a blunt end it won't poke through your work [no scissors].

At this stage I give my work a press then fold under the ends and slide onto the hanger

Slip stitch the two ends together and secure threads with a hidden knot to finish off.

You can see I have used different fabric at the back of my hanger to coordinate with my little dress see   HERE 

Using satin ribbon tie around to hide the join and finish off with a bow. 

They are a lovely addition to any wardrobe, and if you match it to any outfit, just gorgeous!!

Happy Sewing

Glenis

Detail, Detail, how to take your sewing to the next level.

The Detail says it all!!

I have said before that building detail into your work creates quality, it lifts it up to the garment that demands---

 ' WHERE DID YOU GET THAT GORGEOUS DRESS'

This was the fabric that caught my eye with the whimsical Ballerina's on it and a soft cream background. The coordinating border fabric I could see around the hem.
The blue spot and embroidery thread was for another project but somehow during the trip home they formed into a gorgeous dress.

Look at these little dancers, almost Angel like with the little stars.

The embroidery thread is ever so softly variegated 

My little trial just with a simple double French Knot over the top of the printed flowers.

It was at this stage that I decided to use the blue spot as a trim, to lift the colour and give it a fresh look. 

The pattern that I used was a basic dress with a waist, I added the embroidered band with the spot trim. 

I have added the blue trim to the bottom border.

From the border fabric I made the ties which I always love, they draw the waist in to accentuate the full skirt.

I have piped the neck and arm holes, I do love piping and use it often.

The finished dress which I'm so pleased with, in all honesty the photo's don't do it justice.

The back of the dress with the ties, details add interest and they will take your garment from homemade to 'Couture' every time.

I have lined it all with fine cream lawn and added a little lace edge to the hem, I think I'm finished.

The coat hanger made to match you can get the pattern and instructions   HERE 

I got the fabric from my local shop here in Gisborne, although I got the last of the blue.

Its Anna Griffin's Believe Collection FAIRY TOSS BLUE

PDF sewing pattern 'SWEET ARIA' Dolly

'Sweet Aria' Dolly PDF sewing Pattern

This is my latest little toy, a sweet dolly named for my wonderful Granddaughter 'Aria Syrah'  [I have four Granddaughters and one grandson].

I love to sew and design and I am definitely a detail person.

I found this blue and fawn fabric and the coordinating spot and could see a little doll made from it.

I think the key to cuteness is in the face, I have kept the features simple with round black felt eyes, just a touch of white will give a sparkle.

The little pinafore is really quite simple don't be afraid to have a go at sewing it, I have sewn domes to fasten the back but you could use Velcro if you wish.

The cream lace just finishes it off, I never buy pre-gathered cotton lace as it often so stiff the garment won't hang right.

The little boots have tiny pale blue buttons to set them off.

 Details, Details they build to create the look that I do.

The felt flower just finishes the hat off don't you think.

I work incredibly hard to make my patterns achievable for the average sewer, thinking through the steps to keep it simple.

PATTERNS are available at my Etsy shop and also now on CRAFTSY,    $8.00 US 

Girls and their dresses

GIRLS AND THEIR DRESSES

I thought I would share some photo's of Timi and Kerah modelling  the little dresses I had made for them, so cute.

Timiah [Timi] is six and Kerah is three and they get on most of the time.   See the little hot pink jacket I bought for Timi, she loves it, a fashionista in the making.

It was a bit hard to get a clear photo of Kerah she's a such a busy Bee.

 I do love sewing for them although they get some beautiful clothes passed down from five girl cousins, so I don't do too much.

See my other post about making the dresses.

                                                      HAPPY SEWING

Child's dress

Dresses for Timi and Kerah

I am going to teach a two day sewing course [A simple child's dress] so I have made these for my Granddaughters and as samples.

I have tried to use simple patterns but show with a little thought you can make your work beautiful and original.

The summer dress is an old pattern copied from a friend but modified over the years to suit my taste.

I love a full skirt so I have added extra fullness and the neckline is not as low. It is relatively straight forward no zip no buttons, it slips over the head and the tie at the back gives it shape.

The lovely fabric is all quality cotton fabric from my local store, the floral is Pam Kitty and the pink spot is Ann Kelle, the others are from my stash.

As I put this dress together I bought in other fabric to compliment what I had, I'd like to think I have a good eye. If you lack confidence use the colours from the selvage and you will find everything will go together beautifully.

The little pockets with the green trim lift the front of the skirt, see how I have angled the pockets.

The flower just sets off the bodice and my girly girl will love it.

The little pinafore has yet to be hemmed, its made from very fine Needle Cord.

I've trimmed it with floral Bias binding and made the wee flowers from the Bias tape as well.

It doesn't take much to add interest to a garment and make it your own.

Have fun sewing.

Glenis

I think we down here in New Zealand are a little slow as I wasn't sure what a link party was until recently anyway I have entered the little dress.

Peach chutney and cupcakes

Food glorious food 

I have never blogged about food before but I suppose its all part of being creative and I do love to photograph gorgeous things.
The growing season this summer has been long and hot, perfect for growing glorious golden peaches.
My Darling man bought me home 10 kilo of Golden Queen peaches, what to do?

They were perfectly ripe without being soft.

I made Spicy Peach Chutney I got the recipe from here.

Its very good although I added salt as it had none about 2 or 3 teaspoons to taste.

We also made a Peach crumble, Peach jam and Stewed Peaches which I froze.

Its School holidays here in New Zealand so with my  Granddaughters help we made and decorated cupcakes.

I had been to a Cupcake decorating course earlier in the week and had learnt how to do this from lovely Rosie her Facebook page is here  Mrs Tea.

Detail Dolly

Linen Dolly

I have made this wee Linen dolly for the 'Sew Mama Sew'  Six weeks of Softies competition and the criteria was  DETAIL, so that's what I have focused on.

I have made her hair from darning wool, it came in graduated shades of brown which suited her Linen face.

The blusher on her cheeks is just stamping ink and I ironed it to set the colour.

Her little pinafore is made from some beautiful Linen I had tucked away.

Her little boots have a button detail and the petticoat peeps out from under her dress.

A little felt flower finishes off her hat, so those are my DETAILS in this project.