12 Days of Christmas

I LOVE Christmas. I loved Christmas time growing up, and my family has many traditions and rituals that really define the season to me. It is hands down my favorite time of year - partly because my birthday is December 12th. Because of this, I was a bit confused when I was young between the two holidays. I got presents wrapped in santas and snowmen for both, there was a Christmas tree for both...can you see where the confusion was? Most of all, the 12 Days of Christmas song confused me. December 12th, 12 days of Christmas... is it really a huge stretch that I thought that song was about my birthday?

The picture at the top is a cover of a book I had (and still have!). I used to read it every year; the illustrations were beautiful and it only increased my fascination with the song

Anyway, I really wanted to do something special and Christmas-y this year, so I decided to do a twelve days of Christmas set of postings. I don't know if I"ll be able to do it or not, but each day between now and Christmas I'll try to find or create a tutorial that corresponds with the appropriate number. Wish me luck!!!!

Beaded Pin Epaulet Tutorial - Guest Post!

I LOVE this awesome tutorial made especially for us by Sew Petite Gal. This adorable tutorial is just a peek at the awesomeness that she creates! Check out her blog for some stylish tutorials!

I just want to first say how honored and thrilled I am to be guest-posting on Ruffles and Roses! This tutorial will show you how to create your own beaded pin for use as an epaulet or pin for cardigans, tees, blazers, headbands, etc.

First, here’s a look at my inspiration: ROCKSTAR Sushi Striped Embellished Epaulet Tee, Neiman Marcus, $121:

I love this shirt! It combines my favorite elements of nautical stripes, beading and shoulder/sleeve detail. I had a similar striped tee from Old Navy already and so I set off to make my epaulets since I really didn’t want to spend the money to buy the tee if I could make a similar version. I didn’t want to worry about the beads falling off in the washer so I decided to make it a pin instead of sewing it directly to the tee.

Materials:

Felt

Sheer Fabric

Invisible Nylon Thread and needle

Paper

Pin

Misc. beads – I used pearls, tubes, crystal-esque and silver beads

First, you’ll want to create some kind of template on scrap paper. I made kind of bulbous Saturn-esque shape that is approximately 5” wide by 3.5”. Using this template, cut this shape out from your sheer material. I used the solid border of the above fabric. Using your fingers, gently fray the edges.

Then you’ll want to cut out a smaller shape in felt. I decided to go with a leaf type shape since that was how I envisioned the bead distribution.

Center and place the felt piece behind your sheer fabric. Start sewing your beads on. (You can technically also glue your beads down but I was afraid that it would make it too stiff to lay flush against my shoulder.) I alternated different sizes and bead types. This is the tedious part but it’s worth it at the end! J

Once you’ve achieved the look / distribution of beads you’re going for, go ahead and secure the pin backing to the felt with a few stitches.

Voila! You’re finished. This pin is ready for your t-shirt/cardigan/blazer/headband/etc!

Here’s how I wear mine:

Kid's Flower Pot Halloween Costume - Guest Tutorial!

Anyone with kids who don't have their halloween costumes yet, check this out!! This is such an adorable idea (sent to me by Jessica from Copycat Crafter) for a quick costume that looks great. Don't take your kids to the picked over halloween costume isle in walmart - make them a super cute costume like this!!

Hi there!

I am so honored to be invited to guest post here at Ruffles and Roses today! Normally all of my posts are about copying free tutorials online, but I decided to try my hand at writing my own for the first time. The idea is still copied from a site with ideas for unique costumes, but since there wasn't a tutorial, I got to write it up. It is so incredibly easy. The only "tool" you really need is a glue gun! I hope you'll take the time to try it or even just make up your own unique costume to share. I'm banking on my kids really appreciating the homemade costumes when they are adults and right now they are young enough to enjoy anything I make them. It's a great place to be! Thank you Amber for the opportunity to present this tutorial! Have a happy and safe Halloween everyone!

I LOVED this costume. In all honesty it will forever be "THE" costume. You know, the one that all others will be compared to. It's just so stinkin' cute. AND EASY. Are you sensing a theme to my posts? I only do easy things. I don't have time (or brain cells) for difficult. My kids have sucked away my time and brain cells and you know what? I'm totally ok with that. They are worth it. So here is a fun idea for a costume...

(Ok, so I'm a freak. It stresses me out to have my kids face all over the internet...as if there are millions looking at my little blog. But still. I'm a freak, so you have to look at a creepy pic of my kid with a blocked out face. It's how I roll. )

Want a tutorial FROM ME??? OK!

What you will need:

1. Green shirt and skirt (or leotard)

2. Green tights

3. Green shoes

4. Dollar store flowers

5. green ribbon

6. hot glue gun and glue sticks

7. Wooden bucket thing and saw

8. cheapo plastic headband

(Note: I glued the flowers on the front and back of the shirt plus a strip down the top of the sleeves.)

What to do:

1. Cut out the bottom of bucket with a saw

2. pop the flowers off the stems and hot glue them on the shirt and headband

3. tie ribbon on the bucket handles so they cross, to use them like suspenders

4. Put it on your kids and go door to door for some candy goodness!

(Note: I believe my husband just PUNCHED out the bottom because it was easier than sawing it out!)

Now because I'm a big fat copycat I must tell you...sigh...I did not make up this idea. I found it here...but there isn't a tutorial...sooooo I got to do one myself! Whoot! Now go make a unique costume for your kiddo!

PS...my son was the cutest bee you ever did see...we are theme halloweeners...snicker snicker ;)

Military Pencil Skirt - guest tutorial!

Here is our second guest post! I asked Shauna if she could do a guest post for me after seeing some of her other projects - she and her sister do amazing stuff over at their blog! Check it out here! I am sooo in love with this tutorial - this skirt just got bumped to the top of my to do list.

Hi Ruffle and Roses readers! I was so honored to be invited to guest post here!

My name is Shauna and I am one of the Shwins behind Shwin & Shwin. My sister and I started the blog to share our ideas with each other and with anyone else who was interested and it has been a ton of fun. Today I am going to share an inspired by the runway look.

A few weeks back I made a skirt for my daughter inspired by this look from project runway. It was from the team challenge, from team millitary lace.

This is the skirt I made for my daughter tutorial found HERE

Today we are going to make a few adjustments and make one for a grown up.

So let's get started!



You will need:

• Fabric


• Piping


• Buttons


• Zipper

The pattern for this skirt is really easy. Here are the basic shapes. All straight lines so I cut it free hand. Then length of all the pieces is the same and that is the desired length you want the skirt (plus enough for hemming and finishing the top edge so add an inch or two) To get the width Measure around the widest part of your lower half for me it is around my hips and behind. Divide that in half this is the width of the front piece, then cut a back piece the same width plus 1 inch and cut that in half the long way so you have two rectangles (pictured on the right in the picture) With your front piece fold it in half and cut away the space for the side panels. How big you make them is up to you. I measured from where I would wear the skirt on my waist down just past my hip bone and that was how low I cut, as for width, I did about 5 inches. Again it's up to you and how you want it to look in the end. Then with the width of what you cut away (so for me 5 inches) cut two rectangles that width and the length of the skirt. Then you are done. Easy right?

On to sewing. First sew under the top edge. (you can do this now to all of your pieces, it will save you time later)

Then you are going to take your piping and pin it along the edge of your cut out. (on the right side of the fabric) Pin it piping facing in, and when you get to the corner as shown above you can put two little slits in the edge of the piping to help you round the corner. Once you pin it sew it in place following the stitching line that is already on the piping.

Then turn the piping so the flap is in the wrong side of the fabric and your piping should neatly outline the cutouts and top stitch in place.

This is what you should end up with. Do it for both sides of the cut out.

Then take your long narrow rectangle and with the basting stitch sew along both long sides of the piece.

Then pin your ruffled piece in side the cut out.

On the back now. First sew the zipper in place. (follow the instructions on the zipper you buy)

Then sew the two back pieces together below the zipper.

I thought I got a picture of this next step but I didn't sorry. Next you are just going to sew the right sides together along the side seams, sewing together the front and back pieces.

If you tried your skirt on at this point then you probably noticed it is a box that is a gapping mess all around your waist. If for some reason it it not and it fits your perfect then skip this next part. So to pleat the top of the skirt so that it fits your body this is what I do. Measure around your waist where you will wear the skirt. Subtract that measurement from the measurement of the skirt. This will tell you how many inches you have to take out of the skirt. Starting in the middle back I place one pleat on each side of the zipper, and then another pleat and so forth until your measurement becomes your waist measurement. To make these pleats, fold the fabric over so right sides are together and place a pin how narrow or wide you make the pleats depends on how much you are taking in. Then measure from your waist down to where your widest point is, this tells you how long your pleats should be. I pin the whole pleat and then Try the skirt on inside out o see if it is a good fit.

Then sew your pleats. The bottom of your pleat needs to taper off real gradually so your done have a weird pucker on the outside so make it a gradual slope (like pictured above)

When you are done pleating, you re done with your skirt. After this I added a few buttons to the front, but that is optional, do what you like.

Try it on

Jump around

And Enjoy!

Pioneer Reverie Headband Tutorial - Guest Post!

Here is our first guest tutorial!! I am super excited about it - I asked Sabrina a few days ago after seeing another one of her headband tutorials. She makes the cutest stuff, and this one was specially made just for us. Enjoy! :)

Hello, my name is Sabrina from Honor Roll and I am so excited to be guest posting for Ruffles and Roses today! Fall is my very favorite time of the year. Its colorful and cozy and invites all kinds of texture into your wardrobe. Pretty silky camisoles and skirts from summer can still be mixed in with the chunky knit sweaters, scarves and tights of winter. Leather, corduroy and wool replace raffia, cotton and linen. With this headband, I hoped to recreate that autumn feeling - a sturdy leather base softened by a flower of silk and chiffon. Would you like to make one too? Gather some supplies:

3 yards suede cord

scraps of silk/satin/chiffon/tulle (a combination of any of these)

8-12" 1/4-inch elastic cord

2 shank buttons

scissors

needle & thread

sewing machine

iron

hot glue gun (optional)

Instructions:

1. Cut the suede cord into 6 strips. They should each be 18 inches long. Tie a knot in the end of three strips, secure down with a pin and loosely braid the length of the cord. Again, tie a knot. Now repeat with the other strips.

2. The braids should reach to the back of your ears. Using the elastic to measure, cut a piece of elastic that wraps around the back of your head from ear to ear. Mine is 8 inches long.

3. Cut your scraps of fabric into various sized squares. Fold the square in half and cut to make a circular shape.

4. Layer the fabric circles on top of one another from largest to smallest. Position the button in the center or slightly off-center and sew through to secure. Loop the thread around at least 3 times to make sure the button won't come loose. Repeat to make 2 full and lovely flower blossoms.

5. Next cut two strips of fabric that are at least 3 inches longer than your elastic. Iron the long sides toward the center (starch helps a lot if you're using a silky fabric). These pieces will make up the elastic casing.

6. Sew the two strips together, facing one another, keeping the elastic piece in the middle. It should stretch to fit on your head and the casing with bunch up in the back when its not on. This did not turn out beautiful and thankfully it will be hidden by my hair. I didn't realize how slippery and difficult silky fabrics are too work with!!

7. Now we attach the leather braids to the elastic strap. If you have a leather needle, you can do this on your sewing machine, otherwise you will have to sew it by hand. Hot glue might work too if you have a steady hand. I kept the knots on the outside of the headband, so you can see them behind the ear.

8. Try on the headband to find the flower placement. Hot glue or hand sew one flower to each braid strap. If you sew together the petal edges that touch, this will help keep everything in place when you're wearing it.

9. Voila! You are finished. Wear and enjoy!

Want to be featured on my blog?

Well, here I am. With more excuses, of course, and a little more realism as well. My laptop hinges broke the day before the first day of classes (awesome for computer science student...), so it was gone along with all my pictures and partially completed tutorials!!! Booo. But, now I have it back, AND i finally have my sewing machine set up.

But even though I have it set up, I just know I won't be able to get in nearly enough sewing to suit me or to keep you guys inundated with tutorials! I'm trying to graduate at the end of this year, so I have a really heavy class load that keeps me busy busy busy!

SO, here's my idea to help this along. I'd like to feature a few of you dear readers on my blog. I remember when I first started blogging I really, really wished I could guest post on a blog that was a little more established, so here's your chance! And while I'm in no way a super blogger, maybe I could help someone get just a little more exposure. I know you guys have awesome ideas and tutorials because I've visited some of your sites, and I'd love for you to share that with the rest of my readers!

Here's how I'd like it to work: write up a snazzy tutorial, or even just an idea for a tutorial you've been thinking about writing, and email it to me (rufflesandroses at gmail.com). The tutorial shouldn't be one you've posted on your blog (although you can link to my posting of it!), but a brand new one to share! If you're sending me the tutorial itself, make sure you attach pictures! You can either send me the html or just let me know where you want the pictures to go.

What do you guys think? Are you interested? Comment and let me know!