tutorial Archives - thesoutherninstitute.com

Faux Peter Pan Collar with Sumo from Sumo’s Sweet Stuff.

May 8, 2013 By Jenny Yarbrough 4 Comments

I’m embarrassed to say that I don’t even remember where I first saw today’s guest. I believe it was one of her guest posts on another blog, but I can’t quite be sure! What I am sure of is that Sumo is one sweet lady, and creative as all get out! I’m so excited to have her as my guest today at The Southern Institute. Please welcome, Sumo from Sumo’s Sweet Stuff! (Insert wild applause here)

Hello!

I’m Sumo, and I blog over at Sumo’s Sweet Stuff.

I do a little bit of crafting, and a lot of sewing. With three little girls to sew for, I’ve always got plenty of projects to work on! Besides sewing and fabric shopping, I’m a big fan of historical fiction, diet coke, chips and salsa, and most treats.

I’m so excited to be visiting over here today!

The Peter Pan collar seems to be super trendy right now, so I thought I would jump on the bandwagon by turning some plain shirts into something a bit cuter.

Here’s what you need to get started:

- t-shirt(s)

- iron on vinyl

- iron

- pen/pencil

- scissors

Start off by taking a plain piece of paper (even tissue paper would be great since it’s a little bit see through) and trace the neckline of the shirt.

You can probably find a template online somewhere for the collar part, which is totally great – but you do need to make sure your neckline will fit the shirt you have. Find the middle of the neckline. I just hand drew the collar part to the middle of the neckline next. I love the little scalloped edge!

Cut out your template.

If you’re like me and like to match your girlies, you might have to take time to draw a couple of other templates as well. I did three different variations for my three girls’ shirts.

Now take the template and trace it on to the back of the iron on vinyl. The iron on vinyl will have a clear sheet over the top of the side that will be displayed on the shirt. Flip the template and trace again so that you will have both sides of the collar.

Cut the templates out and make sure the curve of the neckline is going to work with the shirt before you start ironing.

Iron the templates on to the shirt, and peel up the clear backing.

And you’re done! Can you believe how easy that was?

I made all three shirts for my girls in an hour; talk about productive!

I hope you enjoy making your own iron on vinyl shirts; there are so many fun things you can do with iron on vinyl!

Come visit me at Sumo’s Sweet Stuff anytime!

Thank you so much for being my guest today, Sumo! These are just adorable and perfect for pairing with spring and summer dresses!

Filed Under: crafts, tutorial Tagged With: guest blogger, kids shirts, peter pan collar, tutorial

How to Sew a Mitered Corner Hem.

April 30, 2013 By Jenny Yarbrough 3 Comments

Being a part of the Ultimate Homemaking eBook Bundle Sale is such a privilege! It’s such an honor to be able to be included in something that is blessing thousands of women as they work so hard to organize their homes and lives, focus on their spiritual and physical health, and love their families. Have you bought your bundle yet? It is so worth the small investment!

Last week I did a little project that went right along with the theme of the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle. I made a new runner and place mats for our dining room table! It’s not often that I sew something that is not an article of clothing, but Joann Fabrics sent me this lovely new home decor fabric from the new HGTV line and I knew that our dining room would be the perfect place to use it. Is is the most boring room in our home.

We have a beautiful old farmhouse table and really nice upholstered chairs that we bought 13 years ago when we got married, but that’s about it. BORING! I wanted to make a table runner for it, but I wanted it to look like a professional job, not homemade, so I taught myself how to sew a nice, professional looking mitered corner. I’ll show you how it’s done.

Prepare the Corner: 1-4

Press the edges up 1/2 and inch on each side.

Bring two adjacent folded edges together.

Line the edges up neatly.

Mark the inside of the crease that is nearest to you.

Sew the Corner: 5-8

Line the tip of the corner up with the edge of the plate on your sewing machine.

Starting at the top of the triangle and backstitching a few stitches, stitch down to the mark that you made in the crease, then back stitch a few stitches to finish.

Admire your work.

Trim the corner off along the grain, making sure not to cut into any of the stitches.

Create the Mitered Corner: 9-12

Finger press the seam open.

Fold one pressed edge up.

Fold the second pressed edge up.

Invert the corner and use a pencil or knitting needle to poke the corner all the way out.

Sew the Hem: 13-16

Edge stitch along the inside folded edge coming up to the corner.

Stitch to the corner seam, stopping with your needle in the down position.

Bring your presser foot up and pivot your fabric, put presser foot down.

Continue to edge stitch along the inside folded edge. Repeat at each corner

A little sprucing up can make such a difference in a room! My family just loved the new table runner and place mats. Levi said it looked like a fancy wedding, and Tom commented on how much it brightened up the room. That made me so happy! It was exactly what I was hoping it would do. The HGTV fabrics are just so lovely and the colors are so bright and cheerful! I’m really happy with the way that everything turned out!

If you’re looking for more inspiration for home decor and organization, check out the amazing Ultimate Homemaking eBook Bundle on sale right now! Here are some of the titles that are included, available instantly to you upon purchase!

Filed Under: sewing Tagged With: DIY place mats, hems, home decor, mitered corners, mitered hem, tutorial

Easy Tea Party Place Cards.

April 19, 2013 By Caroline Urdaneta Leave a Comment

I always say I have “two sets” of children: my “first set” and my “second set”. That’s because my two older girls are both in school and my two younger children (a girl and a boy) are still toddlers and home with me during the day. Because there is a slight “gap” in the ages of my “sets” I feel like with the younger ones, I’m able to re-live all the fun things I’ve experienced with my older kids. One of those fun things? At home Tea Parties! They are my favorite. I gather all the fun and pretty table clothes I can find in the house and let the kids have tea with their friends.

I came up with this idea the other afternoon while my kids were having a tea party and I thought that it has endless possibilities. I made little banners out of card stock paper then wrote names on them in markers then glued the banners to a wooden clothespin. You could also write “tea”, or “napkin” or “cup” on them as well for small children and they would act as flash cards. For adults, these would be a great fun way to set the table.

I made a quick little video for you to show you the place cards in action.

For this craft you will need:

Card Stock Paper (any color)

School Glue (or hot glue)

A Marker

Scissors

Enjoy the short little video and enjoy your tea parties!