PIMP YOUR PATTERN: ADD A SASH BOW TO YOUR PINNY

GET THE 'FOR MONSTER AND MISS' LOOK

Marilyn has kindly shared her secrets for how she adds a sash to her pinny!

 

1. Make your pinny to where you have attached waistband facing (before sewing the side seams *step 17*)

2. Cut 2 strips of fabric 4" x 20" (10cm x 51cm).  With right sides together sew 3/8" (1cm) seam along open long side and across short end. 

3. Fold the stitched end at right angles and press. Now stitch along this line.

4. Trim along the angled line and snip pointed ends. Turn sash right side out and press.  Make 2 sashes the same.

5. On the raw end of both sashes do a gathering stitch and gather up to match width of waistband. 

6. Pin then baste in place. 

7. To make the bow holder, cut a piece of fabric 3" x 2.5" (7.5cm x 6.5cm)

8. Fold in half with right sides together along the longer edge and sew 1/4" (0.7cm) seam. 

9. Turn right side out and press with seam down the middle. Overlock both raw edges.  Find centre of bodice and mark with fabric pen.  Keep facing of waistband towards bodice as you don't want to catch it when you sew the bow holder in place.

10. Pin bow holder right side down onto waistband approx. 1/4" (0.7cm) from top of waistband, lining up centre and seam of bow holder. Sew bow holder in place making sure to reverse stitch either end to secure.

11. Fold other end of bow under 1/4" (0.7cm) and sew along bottom of waistband.

12. Thread pointed end of sash through bow holder

13. Thread the other sash through holder 

14. Now take the pointed end of the left hand sash and thread through holder 

15. Then repeat with the other sash 

You now have your sash bow. You can handstitch to keep in place but I prefer not to as it makes it easier to iron after laundering.

PIMP YOUR PATTERN: ADD A FLUTTER STRAP TO THE PINNY

You may remember I mentioned that I didn't want to tell you EXACTLY how to put a ruffle on your pinny strap because I don't want every single pinny out there to look the same.  I want you to use your imagination and play a little rather than me telling you what to do!  

I won't provide exact measurements, but I will give you a few diagrams to help you figure out HOW to go about it! 

** Illustrations show how to create 1 strap, so you will need to do everything shown twice **

1. Add 2cm to the width of the strap measurement.  

2. Cut each strap in half lengthways

3. Decide the style or shape of the ruffle you are going to add and cut it out! 

Here are some of the popular options:

• Rectangle: Cut a strip and then fold in half lengthways, the fold will create the 'finished edge' of the ruffle.
• Shaped: Ruffle is wider on the shoulder and narrower towards the waistband.
• Other: Add Ric Rac, or piping or lace, you are only limited by your imagination!

How long should it be?

I think a ratio of about x1.8 - x2.0 of the strap length works (e.g. if strap length is 10, then anywhere between 18 and 20 will look good)!  Just have a play until you get a ruffle factor you are happy with and then write it down so you remember it for next time! 

How wide should it be?

Entirely up to you, figuring this out will give you your own unique look! Take a look in the pattern club and see what others have done to figure out what you like, wide, narrow or somewhere in the middle! 

4. Finish the edge of your ruffle if applicable with a rolled hem or narrow hem and then create gathering stitches on your straight/raw edge

5. Place the ruffle face down on one side of your strap and baste into place

6. Place the other side of the strap face down on top of the ruffle and stitch

7. Pull the strap pieces up away from the ruffle so the right sides are facing out and press between the ruffle and strap to create a nice crease. 

The next steps are a bit like creating a binding.

8. Fold the strap back to the previous position over the ruffle, then take one of the strap ends and fold to up to the raw edges, then press (try to move your ruffle out of the way in this step so you don't crush it)!

9. Open the strap back up and now align the raw edge with the fold line created in the previous step 

Repeat steps 8-9 for the other side of the strap.

10. Fold both sides of the strap away from the ruffle and press.

You are done and ready to continue on with inserting the bodice!

Good Luck!

BOO ILLUSTRATED! - DESIGN YOUR OWN RAINBOW TWIRL PROMO

For the last few years, people have been asking for the Rainbow Twirl in bigger and smaller sizes and how to make it with more or fewer tiers or different lengths and this is my answer to it. 

It is essentially a whole new pattern (a bit of a 'Design Your Own Twirly Dress') which happens to incorporate the concepts from the Rainbow Twirl pattern as well!

So what is different from the original and why would I buy it again?

• FOUR 'flexible sizes'
• XS: 6M (00) - 18M (1)
• S: 2-4 
• M: 5-7
• L: 8-10
• Choose from 4, 5 or 6 tiers
• Design Your Own dress option
• Calculations to help you create the perfect dress using your little monkey's measurements with just the right amount of twirl factor and as many tiers as you want!
• Fully illustrated

To celebrate the new pattern, I am offering a SUPER SPECIAL for 2 weeks only for AUD$5 when you use the code 'ILLUSTRATED'.
To purchase, visit my website: www.boodesignaustralia.bigcartel.com

Special thanks again to the awesome ladies who helped me test!  Here are some of their cute creations!

PATTERN MASH - 10 SEPTEMBER

So what is a pattern mash you ask? 

Whenever I have purchased patterns in the past, I have always tried to change them just a little bit to make them unique to me.  Fabric selection is important for individuality, but doing little tweaks to patterns can be just as important to help you stand out in the crowd.

I design my patterns the way I like to use them.  I include lots of options so that they don't all look exactly the same and design them so they can be mixed in with my previous patterns as well as with the ones still sitting in my sketch book or in my head.  I try and make them versatile enough for you to take an element that you like in one pattern and apply it to another. 

Examples of pattern mash's: 

• Overalls top with a Twirly Skirt bottom
• Pinny with flutter straps (a few of you are familiar with that one)
• Rainbow Twirl with Shirred dress flutter straps
• Romper with pinny skirt

Why stop with my patterns though??  Do you love something in another pattern you have used?  Why not mix it up with a little BOO! to give you something super awesome and different. 

To encourage you to do that, I bring you the..... 

BOO! PATTERN MASH SHOWCASE

• Pick 2 patterns (or more) that you think would make a great mash.  ONE pattern must be BOO!
• Make your mash the best it can be, something you haven't seen before or have always wanted to try and most importantly, have fun!
• There will be 2 sections in the album; available to purchase and admiration gallery (not available to purchase)

The showcase will be held 10 September on my BOO! Designs facebook page.  I will start uploading photos 2 weeks before the showcase, submissions must be in by 7 September at the latest.   

Photos should be submitted in the BOO! Designs Pattern Club PATTERN MASH ALBUM and must have the following information (in this order).

1. Category: AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE or ADMIRATION GALLERY
2. Patterns: BOO! pattern/s used in mash (and others if you wish to list them)
3. Mashed design name: Be creative, give your design a name! 
4. Name: Business page on facebook (if applicable) or your first name
5. Size
6. Purchase Price (include postage price): e.g.  $50 + $2 regular postage

So excited to see what you create... now get mashing!