17 December 2010

I Colored Olive's Skirt or Ruffle Your Bustle Tutorial

Black and White outfit number 3 completed [before the broken arm incident]

o1  Cut 2/3 yard of ruffled fabric into four equal pieces.  This is just one piece of the four [about 24" x 13"].
o2  Fold in half like a hotdog bun
o3  Gather to the width of the bustle panel [10" x 16"] of the skirt
o4  Repeat with all four pieces.  Sew the first one hanging off the lower edge by 3", straight across.  Repeat with each gathered piece, placing them about 3" apart.
o5  Leave 1/2" for your seam allowance on each side
o6  Sew the bustle panel into a simple, gathered skirt, 60" wide.  Fold down top 1" and sew, creating a casing [leave an opening to insert elastic].  Insert elastic, fasten together with a zig-zag stitch, stitch opening shut.  Hem and you're finished!
I should have used black for the panel, as I originally thought the white wouldn't show at all, but the white against the cream really bothered me...so I colored it!  Ah.  Much better.  Don't tell Olive I colored on her Christmas outfit, she might give it a try.
I used a purchased pettiskirt underneath to give it extra fluff.

Then I knew she needed a faux fur cape.  Big, brass, vintage buttons, studded with a bit of sparkle.
I used Butterick B4631 as a starting point.  I shortened it to waist length, lined it and added some inside pockets to keep those little paws warm.  Sewing fur can be fun, but here are two simple tips:  When the right side of the fur is facing the feed dogs [the mechanism that feeds the fabric through] you just have to help it out and pull the fabric from behind since it won't "grip" the fur enough to do it itself.  I did topstitch the seams open and down on the hood part of the cape.  Doing so will "trap" the fur on the right side-use a fine comb or brush afterward to fluff up the fur that has been sewn over on the right side.  
I wish she played the piano and wore this to a recital with the ruffles hanging down behind her so if she messed up playing Hot Cross Buns, it wouldn't be nearly as noticeable.
She wouldn't take it off.  She pranced around like she was little black riding hood.  I wouldn't blame a wolf for eating her up.  I could eat her up myself.
my number three angel.

59 comments:

  1. That is breathtaking... I love everything, from the bustle to the fullness of the petticoat and then that fantastic cape! I may have to get sewing - any tips for sewing with faux fur? I'm a little scared of it!

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  2. My favourite so far!- I just bought a cape yesterday, my sisters say I look like big red riding hood even though its khaki, but I'm wearing it anyways!

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  3. Your mind and the ideas that you come up with are AMAZING!

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  4. Oh my god, to say i am in love with this would be such an understatement! This just may be my favorite blog post / tutorial i have EVERcome across!!!! My thanks can not be enough for this stroke of genius!

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  5. that is unbelievably fabulous!!! The skirt, the cape, your beautiful girl, EVERYTHING!

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  6. Rhonda-Sewing on a thick fur can be fun! Two tips: When the right side of the fur is facing the feed dogs (what feeds the fabric through) you just have to help it out and pull the fabric from behind since it won't "grip" the fur enough to do it itself. I did topstitch the seams down on the hood part of the cape and used a fine brush afterward to fluff up the fur that had been sewn over.

    Madsta-You're so kind, I think you say that about everything ;)

    Rachel-Happy to share!

    Fabricaholic-Wow! That's an awfully nice thing to say! Can I quote you? :)

    Amy-Thank you! Ryan thinks we should get them into modeling after showing him these photos, you know, get rich off our kids ;)

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  7. Katy this is just awesome! I would have NEVER thought to turn the ruffle fabric side-ways. The cape is just darling - I totally love that style. And the little lady wearing it is even cuter!! Awesome job!

    Lindsay

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  8. Wow, that is so beautiful!! Awesome!

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  9. The cape is PERFECT! I love it.

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  10. I don't blame her for not wanting to take off her outfit. It's FABULOUS!!!

    I linked to your tutorial over at Craft Gossip Sewing:
    http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-ruffle-your-bustle-skirt-for-girls/2010/12/17/

    --Anne

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  11. That is adorable! Hmm, I wonder if I could pull one off :)...

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  12. Your girls are so lucky to be decked out like this! What a fabulous outfit.

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  13. so elegant ! it's lovely ! your middle child won't lack attention :)

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  14. LOVE this! Also "fold in half like a hot dog bun" kills me. That's a great way to say it! :)

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  15. OK...I've been following your blog for sometime now and I must say I usually just sit with my mouth wide open in awe of your creativity! Today I'm venturing forth a comment as well: BEEEEUUUTIFULLLL!!!

    What lucky girls to have such a talented seamstress mother. What a precious family you have too. Thanks for sharing some of your sweet life with us all! :)

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  16. How can they all be my favorite?! Thanks for sharing how you made the skirt! It's so fun! I love these gorgeous pictures!

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  17. I absolutely ADORE this dress!!! I wish my older one would want to wear something like it. It's fantastic!!
    I love how each dress, while only black/white, is so different from the others.
    http://unleashingcreativitywithin.blogspot.com

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  18. Katy, this is my favorite creation you've made so far! Well done! Such fun. Your girls will be a sensation at church! :)

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  19. Oh so cute! I can't wait to see a big family photo shoot with all the finished projects. You are so talented and stylish! I just finished my three girls dresses that I actually started last year! I don't know how you do it five.

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  20. Wow, how you come up with these ideas is amazing. A bustle?? And cape? Just put the girls for who you don't finish is store bought black and white and take the pic. Everyone will forgive you and your limitless talents.

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  21. That is so amazing and you are sew talented!! (I crack myself up!) I would wear a ruffled bustle any time if you made it! Thanks for sharing!

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  22. Oh, I also hope Olive's arm is doing alright and that she is feeling better!

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  23. You keep outdoing yourself! Oh my gosh, this is my new favorite! Simply stunning.

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  24. That may just be the cutest thing I've seen this season. And I do a lot of blog hoping.

    So great.

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  25. AMAZING! You have a gift! :)

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  26. This is stunning- thank you for sharing your beautiful work!

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  27. That is awesome!! I love it!!! I just purchased some ruffle fabric for the first time..cant wait to get it to make my babies some christmas skirt/dresses!!!

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  28. The skirt is so pretty and the cape is gorgeous oh my!! I love it!!

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  29. She looks like a Princess. Said my youngest....

    Great tutorial. Amazing Skirt. Pictures captured it all very well.

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  30. Wooow! I just can't find the words to say how amazing this outfit is... again! Katy, you're the best!

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  31. love it! the funny thing is--i just posted a sneak peek of a dress i just completed for MY #3--with a ruffled butt bustle!
    hmmm...great minds and all that, i guess you could say :)

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  32. This is unbelievable adorable. I can't wait to make some for my girls!! Thanks so much for sharing! Filed at thecraftersfilebox.com

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  33. Google traditional lolita clothing. They make all kinds of clothes that are for adult women. Mostly popular in Japan but slowly making it's way to Canada and the USA. Love it!

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  34. Beautiful Katy! Absolutely beautiful.

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  35. Your fabulousness astounds me! LOVE!!!!!!! This is so gorgeous! Wishing you and your gorgeous family a very merry Christmas :) Hugs!

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  36. I love it! I am teaching my daughter to play the piano, and I agree, no one would even hear her mess up if she was waring this!

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  37. Oh how I love this. This is my favorite so far.

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  38. These outfits are so, SO amazing! I think this one is my fa! Thanks for the how-to, I'll be linking.

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  39. I have been SEARCHING for a good bustle tute. Thanks sooo much for this! Wowo.

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  40. Could be a naive question, but where did you get the material. The ruffled black and white that you used? Did you sew the black and white together first? It looks like you bought it just like that, alternating.
    I would love to know. Thanks for the great tutorial.
    blog.familyvolley@gmail.com

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  41. Just lovely! I love making these bustle skirts. I sold them in my Etsy shop last spring and summer and the ponchos I have sold a few years now. They are such a big hit and you are right sewing fur is not as hard as you might think. great tips!
    Katie kangacoo designs

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  42. I JUST found your blog & I am completely in love with it! Im going to have to dedicate some time tomorrow to your blog! =)

    www.californiabetty.blogspot.com

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  43. I was wondering what material you made the skirt out of? I'm new to sewing and I haven't quite figured out how to work with different fabrics.

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  44. East Coast-er Momma-There is a link to the ruffled fabric. For the remainder of the skirt I used a double layer of sheer fabric [a synthetic] and a lining underneath. Using synthetic aids in keeping it from wrinkling, but a natural fabric would be lovely as well, just give it a different flavor ;)

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  45. Hi
    I'm "in love" about your work it's so so so cute !!! I'm french and I've post a link in my own blog (http://maviedefille.canalblog.com/)... just one request can I translate your tutorial (with your name of course) ??? thanks for your answer ;)

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  46. Ohhh wow I LOVE THIS! I make a lot of skirts for my daughter and love doing ruffle on the bum. I will have to try this one. SO awesome!

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  47. Oh I like that skirt. I bought a skirt like that last year and was looking for a pattern. It's wonderful!!! Thank you very much!
    Eulenspiel

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  48. Hi!!!! I know you gave the tutorial.....but that would require me to have some knowledge of sewin. do you take orders ???you dress is making me crazy!haha.my daughter "needs" it. .-robin

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  49. This is gorgeous!! May I pin it to my Pinterest board?

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  50. I love this! I'm thinking of creating something similar for my daughters third birthday...what type of fabric did you use for the skirt? Did you do something special to make it pouff out like that or was it the combination of a gathered skirt and bussel that gave that effect?

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  51. I have been in love with this skirt for at least a year and now I am enamored with capes, caplets and ponchos. I purchased some cream and black striped fabric and I think I am finally going to get to make the skirt for my daughter whose 2. I am seriously obsessed, you did a beautiful job and your daughter is such a little princess.

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  52. Odd question, is she obsessed with black and white right now? Or did you just happen to make that because it's fantastic? If she is enamored by black and white right now you might want to get her checked out for allergies, and celiac disease (intolerance to gluten). I had it when I was 11, and I pretty much need everything to be Black and White because of the toxicity in my brain from eating stuff my body could digest. The toxicity made it hade for me to differentiate colors, and so I was drawn to black and white. It could also be that she like how chic they are together, but it also might be something to check out. Sorry for the super weird and random post, just thought I'd let you know. LOVE the bustle and cape, by the way.

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  53. Gawddd! And she's a brilliant photographer toooo, I just love to visit here. Thank you

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