pgs FA LL 2014 | TE A SER
magazine
Top S ti tches
Pretty Girls Sew Co-founders choose their favorite submissions and reveal the PGS of the Quarter!
sewing Sew - By Any Means Necessary: Tips and Tricks // Bold like SOLO // Fabric Picks
trends Say good-bye to Summer and get ready for Fall/Winter 2014 with Marsha of Marshbar’s Closet Fashion Blog.
diy Fabulous step-by-step DIYs just in time for the holidays
fashion Fierce blog favorites // Lovely Shoe Finds
lifestyle Words to Sew by // Gifts for your Favorite Sewer and much more!
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All Natural Hair & Body Products
aniandcoco.com
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P GS M AGA ZINE azine www.prettygirlssew.com @prettygirlssew CREATIVE DIRECTOR Jenell Gilyard The Brwn Fox thebrwnfox.com PHOTOGRAPHERS Tabitha Sewer Cheap but Chic DIY Blog
Sew by any means necessary! Tips and tricks just for you by Tabitha and Nell
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Find out Ye’s favorite bloggers + how you can DIY some of their best looks
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cheapbutchicblog.com COPY EDITOR Miesha Mosby Semi-Southern semi-southern.com FASHION TREND EXPERT Marsha Badger
Caped Crusader DIY Cape Tutorial with corresponding video
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Top Stiches, our top PGS DIY contributors!
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Marshbar’s Closet marshbarscloset.com BUSINESS & AD MANAGEMENT Tess Porter Im Just Tess imjusttess.com CONTRIBUTING DESIGNERS Tamica Phillips Green Level Designs WRITERS Yetunde Sarumi Sew Urbane sewurabne.com
Haute Fall and Winter trend alerts with Marsha of Marshbars’s Closet. Get ready for the season
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Amazing DIY tutorials await you! From some of our favorites on the net, start your holiday preparations today
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create A word from the Editor.
The goal was simple. Inspire creativity, celebrate creativity, and assist creativity; that is what Pretty Girls Sew is all about. Each month we try to come up with challenges that not only build on what you already know, but challenge you to possibly try new things! We firmly believe in creating community too, so this magazine, although only a teaser will give you a taste of what is to come! We believe that the Arts + Crafts family is made up of all types of creativity. We are going to try and feature various crafts and the people who love them in every issue! We hope you enjoy what we put together, and hopefully you will be featured in an issue soon! Happy Creating! -j. 5
Happy sewversary!
Celebrate the year you started sewing!
We at PGS love to celebrate Sewversaries aka the anniversary of the year you started sewing! Remixing a DIY tutorial from Ornamentea of Raleigh, here is the step-by-step tutorial on your very own commemorative necklace! All supplies can be purchased at Ornamentea.com Supplies:
12 inch Large Link Chain 12 inch Tiny Link Chain (The finishes of the chain are absolutely up to you! Brass, Gunmetal, Silver or Gold) Corresponding number charms (Brass Number CharmsOrnamentea) Same finish jump rings Lobter clasp Wire cutters Needle nose pliers Any other sewing charms you’d like Patience and Creativity
supplies 1.3
1.1
1.2
Take your larger link chain and stretch it out length wise. Grab your first jump ring, open it with your needle nose pliers wide enough for your thin chain to slide onto it. (Fig 1.1) Repeat with your large link chain . Close the ring with your needle nose pliers. You should now have the following. (Fig 1.2) You will do the same for the opposite side, but before you do, let’s measure! Pick your piece of jewelry up, and with the large link in the front ,try it on. Measure where you want it to lay, using the thin chain to adjust where it will rest. Once you’ve double checked the length and look in the mirror, with your finger still holding where you will snip on the thin chain, grab the cutters, cut your chain, and put the excess away. Once you do this, repeat steps 1.1 and 1.2 on the opposit side (Split jump ring and slide both thin and large link chain on, close with needle nose pliers). You should end up with (1.3).
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Before we add our sew charms, lets make sure we can take this beauty on and off. Grab your necklace, and pinch it between your thumb and pointer make sure the jump rings (holding both the thin and thick link chain) are even. Once they are pinch the chain at the jump rings and let the thin chain dangle. Grab your wire cutters and cut the thin chain in half. (1.4) Once you snip, you’ll have this. (1.5)
1.4 1.5
Grab another jump ring and open it up. Slide one side of your thin chain onto it and close it. This is what your lobster clap attaches to, grab another jump ring and your lobster clasp. Open up your jump ring and slide on your thin chain and lobster clasp, close the jump ring and you’ll have (1.6).
1.6
Congrats! Your chain is done! Now it’s time to add charms! This will be done using the same jump ring technique you’ve already mastered. These will be done with what you’ve already mastered, jump rings. Might I suggest, marking the large links where you want the charms to be either with a washable marker or with the jump rings themselves. All you gotta do is open the jump ring, slide on the charm, then slide on the large link chain, and close the jump ring! Easy as pie! Bonus: To give it a bit more personality, instead of just attaching my scissors, I snipped a piece of the excess thin chain and did the following. I reopened the jump ring (with the right side of the necklace facing me). I added the excess chain, and attached it to the end of that chain. I opened up the smaller jump ring and slid on the scissors charm.
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sew by any means necessary
Whether you are a beginner or an expert, tips and tricks that aid in making sewing easier are always helpful and welcome! We’ve decided to put together a few quick tips and tricks to start you off on the right foot. If you are a beginner, intermediate or an expert, these tips can be added to your immense repetoire! Happy Sewing!
Wax on , Wax off! TiP ONE: WAX PAPER Have you ever tried to sew a thin strap for the romper or dress that you were making, and found it difficult for the machine to pull it through? Don’t panic! We’ve got you covered. All you have to do is, place some wax paper under your thin strap, place it in your machine and stitch as you normally would. Once finished, remove the wax paper from your strap with ease by pulling the paper away from threads. Wax paper helps when working when thin and lightweight fabrics as well. Try it!
Written by Tabitha + Nell
Tips and Tricks to make your sewing journey easy breezy
see ya’ later... TiP TWO: ALLIGATOR CLIPS Trying to sew through very thick fabrics, such as leather, upholstery, or vinyl can be quite problematic at times. The problem arises when you can’t figure out how to hold your materials together, like pins typically do for thinner materials. This is where alligator clips come in. These clips are usually used to make hair bows, but they are perfect for keeping your fabric in place when trying to sew. Try it out!
onto the next!
maintain eye contact
TiP THREE: CHANGING YOUR NEEDLES APPROPRIATELY
TiP FOUR: LOOK AT THE FABRIC
Dull needles make sewing difficult and bothersome! With some low-end machines, it can cause jamming, popping or shredding thread. If you are sewing a project and find that you hear a soft thudding, or your thread keeps popping try changing your needle. This will be different for each project. If you are sewing infinity scarves, then you can probably get 4-5 scarves done before you notice your machine responding to the old needle. My rule of thumb is one new needle per pattern, (per new project) especially if I am working with a heavy or dense fabric.
This was the hardest thing for me to learn as a beginner, but it made all the difference. When feeding your fabric under the needles as you sew, do not look at the needle. You want to be sure the edge of your fabric is always in line with the measurement for your seam. Most sewing machines come with tick marks or measurements etched into the sewing plate right next to your needle. Some machines have the measurements marked, while others do not. ⅝ inch seam allowance is usually the standard, so I would mark that on your plate if it isn’t already marked. Now the trick is to make sure your fabric edges stay in line with that tick to make sure you have a nice even seam all the way down and around your project!
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tumahi koud
Learn something new, and brush up on the old
are you fluent in coudre nähen coser ikwanye costurar
We all know the worst thing to happen while working on a pattern is coming across a word that you don’t know or worse, can’t remember! Here is this volume’s vocabulary!
Baste: In sewing, baste is used as a verb to refer to temporarily joining fabric together with long removable stitches. Dart: A dart is a common technique used for shaping garments. Darts are created by stitching out a wedge-shaped fold of fabric. They vary in width and length and can be tapered at one or both ends. They frequently appear around the bust and waist. Understitching: A stitch used to prevent facings and linings from rolling to the outside of a garment. This is done by pressing seam allowance toward facing and then stitching close to edge of seam on the facing side. Staystitching: A single line of stitching, through one layer of fabric, to stabilize the fabric, preventing it from becoming stretched or distorted.
CUT & dry So, I’ve had these scissors for about a year now and I absolutely love them. As far as the look of the scissors, I love how modern and streamlined they look. The materials that were used to make these scissors seem to be of high quality. As a blogger, whenever I take photos of my scissors I get compliments all the time of how beautiful they look. Now for the feel of these scissors, they feel great. The best feature on these scissors is the spring. It allows for easy cutting and little effort on the handlers hands. If you have any stiffness within the joints of your hands, these scissors would be perfect for. They practically do all of the work for you and the result is a flawless cut. These particular scissors should be in the hands of every seamstress. They are worth every penny.
Sew gadget review by Tabitha Item Specs: Gingher’s 8" Knife Edge Spring Action Dressmaker's Shears, Chrome Finish -Gentle spring action opens shears after each cut reducing effort. -Bent handles create a comfortable working position. -Longer length of cut ideal for patterns and trimming seams. -Sharp, strong knife edge cuts multiple layers of fabric. -Safety latch provides protection and keeps shears closed when not in use. -Durable double-plated chrome over nickel finish.
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caped crusader
A DIY to save you on a chilly day Fall is finally amongst us. The leaves have changed their colors and the air has cooled down just enough to allow us to enjoy a comfortable day outdoors. Since the season has cooled down a bit, we are definitely in need of light layers. Capes and Ponchos are the must have fashion trend this year. It’s the perfect layering garment that you can pair with, leggings, jeans, dress pants, or pencil skirts. Capes and ponchos are closet staples because they give your outfit a pulled-together, sophisticated look. Picture everyone’s favorite ‘go-getter’ Olivia Pope wearing one; handling her business while still looking fierce. We have provided for you an easy to follow tutorial in which you can create your cape.
Directions: To start this DIY, please use the link on the blog to access the DIY video.
fabric options
2 0 1 6
Dandipsam saessin cusdaeped molesse quatibu sdantia errovid quam estet utem. Apicilibusam, sima volecta.
Wool Tweed Faux Fur Whipcord Tapestry Melton Fleece
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DIY Celeb Look
BOLD LIKE
SOLO
Having stepped out from behind her sister’s shadow, Solange has become a fashion maven all her own. Her style can be described bold, daring, eclectic, fearless, and out of this world fashion. She could not care less what the current trends are because she sets her own and for this simple reason, we love that she has become such a sought after fashionista. We absolutely fell in love with this particular suited look because it has such an eclectic feel to it. Why blend in? Why look like everyone else? She totally stands out in this multi-print suit. The beautiful thing about this ensemble is as bold as it is, she is not allowing the suit to wear her! To easily recreate this look, we have chose this pattern from McCalls; M6711. Views A & E will give you the completed look. If you desire to add a top underneath this suit, we suggest that you add a sexy, solid color cami to keep the focus on the suit. Another idea would be to make a shorts suit instead of the pants suit that she is wearing. Turn the page to check out bold fabric choices for your suit!
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BOLd Beau Bold fabric finds from
Nell’s Picks: 1. Ziggurat in Multi, Large Karen Harris for Modern Yardage 2. Fabric BSP240 AKN Fabrics Inc. 3. Laid Back in Black and Cream, Large Karen Harris for Modern Yardage
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d+ autiful
m Tab + Nell
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tab’s Picks: 4. Moonlit Citron on the Grid Rashida Coleman-Hale for Fat Quarter Shop 5. Royal and Magenta Floral Print FabricsandTrimmings (Etsy) 6. Tropical Floral Border FabricsandTrimmings (Etsy) 19
haute trends Fall/Winter 2014
with Marsha of Marshbar’s Closet Are you desperately trying to hold on to what’s left of the summer season? The fall/winter season is right around the corner, so it’s time to put the tank tops and flip flops away and pull out the mules and cape blazers. There are tons of timeless styles to look for this fall/winter. For this 2014/2015 Fall/ Winter seasons, we revisit already popular trends. Here are the top 3 must haves to add to your closet!
un.
deux.
un.
trois.
Caped Crusaders: The Cape Blazer
Beam me up, Scottie: Plaid
The Cape Blazer is an awesome, dressier alternative to the basic blazer. This blazer has been designed to stand out. Made with different patterns and materials, the Cape Blazer is the funkier option when trying to spruce up an outfit. Rasheeda from Love and Hip Hop Atlanta was seen sporting the Champagne Taste Cape Blazer from Nasty Gal. Rasheeda’s blazer retails for $68.
Layer it, mix it up, single it out, whatever you do, make sure you have you Fall/Winter plaids in the closet! The plaid trend can be simplified or exaggerated depending on how you wear it. To make a very bold statement, you can wear plaid coordinates. If you’re going for a more subtle look, a simple dress will do. Blair Eadie, AtlanticPacific fashion blog, is wearing a combo of two trends; her statement coat from Shopbop, can be also be in a ZARA version, and her pants from JC Penny, can be found in a TOP SHOP version.
deux.
Center of Attention: Statment Coats Say goodbye to basic black winter coats! More than ever, the Sterling style coat lined with fur walked across every fashion week runway. In general, the coats were louder and more colorful. Prints, furs, textiles and colors are what to look for when purchasing your winter coat. Lacey Faeh, A Lacey Perspective fashion blog, is wearing ZARA.
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#fashionblogger #diyblogger #blogcrush the #inspo
blogger
Ever scrolled through your favorite bloggers’ website/blog and wish you could have what they were wearing? Shhhh! I sometimes do. When admiring my favorite looks of theirs, I usually think about how I can sew something like it or create my version of their looks. I find sewing patterns that are close to their looks and if I can’t find one, I combine two or three patterns together to get the look I want. In this section, I have chosen four of my favorite fashion and sewing bloggers to talk about. I have described each of their garments and what I loved about them. I also mentioned what types of events I’d wear each garments to and the type of accessories I would pair with them. To “Sew the Look”, I have made sewing pattern recommendations that will help you achieve the looks from each of my favorite bloggers. As a bonus, I listed some of my fierce and fabulous shoe finds. These are shoes from some of my favorite shoe designers. Hope you love them as much as I do. Enjoy. xx
of my eye
by Yetunde
KTR Style
Skinny Hipster
ktrstyle.com
skinnyhipster.com
About the Look: KTR is wearing a black A-line dress from Oasap. It’s a sleeveless dress, with a rounded neckline, pleats, and invisible zipper. To add a little bit of color to her look, she paired it with a bold striped sling back pump from The Candy Room. This dress is perfect for a dinner date or a party. You can add a bold necklace or a cool waist belt to change up the look.
About the Look: Loving how Nifesimi styled this BCBG Max Azria blazer and skinny pant suit. She styled it with a beautiful floral top from Zara and Jean-Michel Cazabat two tone pumps. I love the brightness of the suit and can easily picture it in different colors. Pant suits in general are great additions to anyone’s closet. They can be worn in any season of the year, depending on the color and style you choose. They are great for office wear or even a night out with friends. To change up the look, you can choose to mix and match the pant suit, wear a floral, stripe, or any print style blouse under it; and also jazz it up with bold accessories.
sew the look: To sew this look, Vogue Pattern 1348 would be a great choice. It is an A-line dress with a rounded neckline, it also has inverted pleats and side pockets. To get KTR’s look above, use a black Shantung or brocade fabric.
sew the look: McCall’s pattern 6711 would be perfect to sew the look. The blazer is semi-fitted and the collar can be worn pulled up or folded down. The M6711 also comes with a tapered pants pattern, that includes side front pockets. To make this look; you can use fabric such as crepe, which has a crinkled surface, or Twill, which is strong and versitle. When choosing the fabric for this look, make sure choose a bright colors, such as red, yellow, and orange.
diy
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District Dress Up districtdressup.com
Erika Bunker
erikabunker.com
About the Look: Abbey is wearing a pink and green floral romper from Necessary Clothing. It has a mock wrap neckline, an elastic waistline, and ruffled hemline. I love the fun feel this romper gives. Abbey styled it with a Marley Lilly derby hat and tote. This look, if paired with nice wedge heels, is perfect to take with you on vacation. You can easily change up the look from vacation/beach wear to a fun brunch wear with the girls by changing your accessories and shoes.
About the Look: Erica’s look was inspired by a Suzi Chin for Maggy Boutique dress. This dress was actually made by Erica. She made the dress using a Crepe De Chine print fabric. She completed the look with a subtle color bold necklace, bracelet, and pumps. What I love about the dress is the batwing style sleeves and flowy feel or the fabric she chose. This dress would be perfect for a dance party or a wedding (guest).
diy
sew the look: To make Abbey’s look, you can use McCall’s Pattern 6083. This pattern has a mock wrap bodice with an elastic waistband. It has gathering on the shoulders and side front pockets. To get Abbey’s exact look, use a floral fabric and add ruffles to the hem of the romper. If you would like a different look, you can choose to sew view E of the pattern and make the romper into a jumpsuit.
sew the look: To sew the look, Erica used Butterick 5884. The pattern have another option for those that love the look without the sleeves. The dress can also be sewn using Georgette, a crepe fabric, or Chiffon, a lightweight sheer fabric. To get a different look than what Erica has, you can use a solid color fabric, remove the sleeves and add length to the skirt.
soulmates Fierce Shoe Finds by Yetunde
Marissa sophiawebster.co.uk
Bonnie Peep Toe Bootie gianvitorossi.com
Stacey Wink/Face Pumps aliceandolivia.com*
As seen on the Skinny Hipster
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Top S tiches Who stiched it best?
Miesha
For the July 2013 sew along Chinelo turned an ugly dress into a fly romper. I couldn’t have seen this in the original dress! The fit is amazing and she most definitely captured “from drab to fab!”
CHINELO @mystyleoasis [instagram] July Sew-along Drab to Fab
tess
L.I.F.E!! That’s what this submission gives me!! I love, love, looooove the color...thrilled at the fact that she jumped up and out the box choosing to create swimwear instead of the usual summer attire. Kudos!
RISA C.W. @recentlyrisa [instagram] June Sew-along Electric Summer
nell
When I firs she was m Juxtipositi to do in se opposites that flawle perfect ma Sisters and
s
One big happy, creative family! That’s right when you have to seam rip, we feel your pain! You guys, our PGS family, are the most important component of Pretty Girls Sew! It’s your submissions that inspire us to try new things! This issue is solely dedicated to you guys, as usual we really do appreciate each and every one of you! After going through tons of submissions the co-founders have chosen their top stitches! That one creation that just spoke to them! If you were not listed, do not fret because we have plenty of opportunities for you to be featured! Keep sewing, keep creating!
n I first saw her I just knew was my “SEWL” Sister. position is my favorite thing in sewing. I love putting sites together, and she did flawlessly! She looks like the ect mashup of all the Cosby rs and I love it!
M.P. Name @em_pea @name [instagram] [instagram] Month Sew-along May Sew-along Sex andTheme the City Chic
tabi tha
I absolutely love her...She doesn’t necessarily participate in every challenge but she is always so excited and so supportive of everyone that submits their entries. We need more people like her because she literally demonstrates the excitement and enthusiasm that Pretty Girls Sew as a whole lives and breathes.
RHEA @diycouturier [instagram] July Sew-along Drab to Fab
ye
I loved everything about Lisa’s Peplum Jacket; the fabric choice, colors, fit, and so on. She definitely stepped out of the box for this sew-along. She also altered the pattern. She did an excellent job and I’d like to see more of her work.
LISA @LDJDesign [instagram] Jan/Feb Sew-along Peplum Jacket
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Watching her mom sew while growing up finally grew into her own passion about a year ago. Like most of us, we all have that period in our life when we get down and out! Thankfully after a prayer, God spoke to her through a bible verse. Interpreting that as an oasis in a desert, something beautiful, nourishing and refreshing in the middle of nothing; finding peace in the middle of emptiness... she did.
cHINELO
PRETTY GIRLS SEW OF THE QUARTER @mystyleoasis | mystyleoasis.blogspot.com
Chinelo started off as “My Beautiful Oasis”, which is still the name of her personal page on Instagram. After rediscovered sewing, and falling in love with it she created a separate page and started blogging on “My Style Oasis” which is more focused on her sewing, style, and some inspiration. Her style is eclectic, with a smandering of Afro chic, especially since she dabbles so well in African print fabric. We are so excited and blessed that a talent such as her is a part of our PGS Family! Congratulations Chinelo, and we hope to see more creations from you!
Chinelo always brings this refined energy to PGS. Every time she submits I can always expect something classy and chic from the styling of her look to the photography, everything is thought out and refined. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next. -Nell
Chinelo is a very warm and positive person. I love how she tries to uplift those around her and encourage others to be better at what they do. She’s very passionate about her work, which shows in everything that she makes. I absolutely love that her style is so Afrocentric, yet modern. She’s such an inspiration and I’m looking forward to seeing more great works from her. - Ye
Chinelo has a beautiful spirit! Her garments and photo composition are amazing! I look forward to seeing her on my timeline daily and her Sew Along submissions. Her work is always vibrant and it makes you feel good. She’s definitely someone I admire and look towards for style inspiration. -TP Chinelo has a unique personal style that totally compliments her. When I think about syle inspiration she’s one on my list. I always look forward to her work and photography. Her talent is undeniable and I can’t wait to see her growth in design.- Miesha Chinelo’s style is a representation of a strong, yet graceful, modern day woman. The beautiful fabric that she chooses to grace her frame is just a hint of how beautiful her background and her culture is. I love that she combines all of this in her sense of style and that is what I admire about this beautiful woman. -Tabitha 29
A le Where the fashionable learn to sew for fun or profit! The Sassy SEWer is a creative, spacious and relaxing place where seamsters meet to create and learn to sew. The Sassy SEWer offers beginner to advanced sewing instruction for kids, teens and adults. The Sassy SEWer offers group sewing lessons and assistance to sewers of any skill level. The Sassy SEWer is a place to get your feet wet, without making an investment in a sewing machine and sewing equipment. We keep sewing equipment from cluttering your home. The Sassy SEWer is a great place to meet others seamster who share your interest.
Join other sew enthusiasts at www.SassySewer.com
sixteen year old self Miesha Mosby
tt er to my
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My Beloved,
I wish there were an easy way to explain to you how to bypass some of life’s pitfalls but unfortunately that is a part of the growing process. Life at this point might feel frustrating and confusing. I’m sure you think your mother is overbearing, overprotective, irrational, unfair and often insensitive at times but this is the only way she knows how to protect you. Protection from what you ask? Teen pregnancy, dropping out of school and hanging with the wrong crowd. I know you think that you know everything, that cannot be the furthest thing from the truth. There will come a time when you appreciate all of the things your mother does to shelter you. There will also be a time that you repeat to your own children the exact same things that she has said to you! Please remember to always take care of yourself, mentally, physically and spiritually. These three things are key to a sound well being. Pursue your passion in art. Don’t let anyone stop you from chasing your dreams. Enjoy your youth, go to college, travel and see the world. Boys will come and go, none of them truly are in love with you at this point. They are saying whatever they can to take you off track and to get you to follow their plan. Do not be easily swayed. Stand firm in your beliefs and don’t do anything you don’t want to do. Understand that you are not going to please everyone. Everyone is not your friend. People will be a part of your life for a reason, season or a lifetime. Please remember that true relationships are built on trust. If you can’t trust a person then you are building on a quicksand foundation. Don’t waste your time. In life you will not get everything right, you will fall and you will make mistakes. It’s okay to forgive yourself. Don’t worry about things that are out of your control. They key to persevering is picking yourself up when you fall and pushing forward. Learn from your mistake and try not to repeat it. You might make the same mistake a few times before you learn your lesson and that’s okay too. Don’t beat yourself up about it. I’m going to end by saying these things that I hope you’ll carry with you forever. The only person you should worry about pleasing is God. You are not perfect. Your impact on the world can be big or small and that is your choice. Treat others how you like to be treated. Paying it forward and helping others is the gift that keeps on giving. Live your life out loud. Be the change that you’d like to see in the world, live by example. Being beautiful on the outside means nothing if you are ugly on the inside. Love Always, Me
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to sew by Patience + the machine “Patience is a virtue”, a phrase that any person with short patience loathes with a burning passion. Since I was little girl I can remember having very little ability to wait for things to consummate. Everything from the Easy Bake Oven to the games loading on the most current systems, there was always something I was trying to rush to completion. I carried this trait throughout most of my youth and into my adulthood, cussing and fussing about things I had absolutely no control over, but I wanted to rush them, make them move. My sewing machine is no different. I purchased my sewing machine last spring and immediately hit the seams! I completed my first garment, I was so proud of myself all to realize it didn’t fit and my pockets were uneven. I didn’t do my due diligence, I hadn’t spot checked myself along the way. I just zipped right through the process. So, I did what any seamstress would do... I pulled out my seam ripper and got to work praying it wasn’t going to damage my fabric too bad. Seam ripping isn’t speedy work for a beginner (Lol) and with that I learned a valuable lesson, don’t rush or you’ll find yourself back at square one... Again! When you’re working with sewing projects you’re going to have moments when you want to throw your machine and the fabric against the wall. There are many aspects to creating with sewing that can halt your entire process if you choose to speed through like you’re in the Indy 500. It takes 6 months to build a Rolls Royce and 13 hours to build a Toyota, which would you rather have? Take your time. Read the directions carefully, lay all your pieces out accordingly, make sure that your seam allowance is correct and that you have the proper needle inserted. The last thing you want is to break a needle, not only is it nerve wrecking, but it has high potential to cause injury. Rushing will get you nowhere quickly, take your time. Create garments and projects that will awe and stand the test of time. I assure you, it’s worth the wait. Creatively yours, Tess
tess
Fall into givaway www.frecklefarmorganics.com
THE RULES
Follow @PrettyGirlsSew IG Follow @frecklefarmorganics on IG Share the Giveaway Photo & Hashtag #CelebratePGSMag
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Freckle Farm Organics Bath and Body products
“15 Minutes of Fame” Skincare Gift Set Frecklefarm Organics is a company that prides itself on using high quality organic products to produce all natural bath and beauty products. The owner, Juliana, is committed to making bath and body products that promote beauty from the inside out. I enjoy handmade organic products so I was excited to give these a try! I was sent the “15 Minutes of Fame” skincare gift set for review. Upon receiving the package without even opening it, I could immediately smell the lavender! I don’t typically purchase items with lavender but this was a very nice treat. Lavender has such a soothing and calming effect. The packaging is absolutely lovely, a very nice touch! Organic Soap Bar: Personally, I am a body wash kind of lady. Soap tends to dry out my skin so I only use it when I run out of body wash. I wanted to make sure that I used this soap independent of any of the other products. I did not use a moisturizer after my shower as I normally do. This soap has a very nice lather. I don’t like soap because it gives me that “squeaky clean” feeling stripping away all moisture. This bar did not do that. Even after rinsing, my skin still felt hydrated. The next morning I felt soft and not ashy! That’s huge! I didn’t use the soap on my face as it tends to be a bit sensitive. Overall, I enjoyed the soap and would recommend purchase. Retails for $8.00 (Per Bar) Organic Body Butter: I am a believer! I have used this body butter every single day since it arrived! The lavender scent is strong but I love it! I’ve tried several body butters and this one truly stands out. The main reason why is that a little bit goes a long way. You do not have to use a lot of it for it to melt and spread easily. When I apply it in the morning after my shower, my skin is hydrated all day long. I could go on and on about how much I enjoy this body butter, I will most definitely buy more once I run out. Retails for $23.50 (4 oz)
Organic Himalayan Sea Salt Scrub: This scrub has all of the components for a great exfoliator. As I mentioned before, I have somewhat sensitive skin. I found the salt in the scrub to be a bit too course for my body but okay to use on my feet. I love the scent of the oils and lavender. Depending on your moisture needs, you can either use this before or after using soap or body wash. I tend to use scrubs after I use my body wash because the oils last longer when I do. At this price point, I’m not sure I’d buy it. But if you want a great smelling organic scrub, give it a try! Retails for $26.00 (8 oz) Frecklefarm Organics offers quality organic beauty products. The owner is passionate about her company and it shows in the items she produces.
MIESHA
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ANI & COCO www.aniandcoco.com
Ani & Coco is a company located in Raleigh, NC and they specialized in natural products for the body. Reading the back story on their website I can personally can relate to the “alligator skin” she described, along with my eczema struggles every winter. I remember my grandmother rubbing me down with shortening (Yes, that stuff in the little blue can over your mom’s stove…lol) and wrapping my legs up in cling wrap (I told you it was a struggle…SMH), because I would scratch my legs until they bled. The Ani & Coco [Cr] Cream, is a luxurious blend of coconut oil, shea butter and essential oils to soothe and moisturize. [Cr] Cream is pure heaven! I’m one of those women who enjoy simplicity and purity when it comes to her beauty routine, this cream provided that and more. I really enjoyed how smooth it went on my skin and the clean scent. I have highly sensitive skin; The [Cr] Cream didn’t cause any adverse effects or rashes. I enjoyed how I felt hydrated without being sticky, heavy or greasy. The Coconut scent could be a bit stronger; besides that, the only other issue I have is that I didn’t have more! Overall, I really enjoyed this product and the packaging was simple yet beautiful. It’s hard for me to find products that I can use on my skin without a lot of side effects. I am elated that this product came across my radar! The [Cr] Cream gave me a natural glow that anyone can appreciate. You can find [Cr] Cream on Ani & Coco’s website (www.aniandcoco.com) prices range from $8.00 to $28.00 depending on the size, they offer sample sizes for $4.00, how awesome is that?! I loved this product and I’ll definitely be purchasing my own personal stash soon.
TESS
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1
Vintage Sew Notebook $22 etsy.com/fabulouscatpapers
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Sew iPhone Case $17.99 etsy.com/sealedwithacase
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Pretty Girls Sew Eco-Friendly Cotton Tote $20 prettygirlssewcom
tis the season
With the holidays right around the corner, ‘tis the time to start thinking of what you get your favorite sewer for the holidays! Whether it’s the seamstress at your job or your niece who just got a sewing machine, these three goodies will be a great addition to anyone’s collection! If you would prefer to DIY instead of buy, turn the page and view our DIY section filled with amazing tutorials from various creatives from the web!
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My name is Joshua McLeod, I am a freelance fashion and lifestyle blogger with a heart for DIYs. I live by my motto of “If you can’t afford it, make it. ” I love traveling and letting the world around me inspire my next project. After all, we live in a wonderful world that is full of inspiration and adventure. There is no end to the adventures that we can have, if only we look for them with our eyes open.
Oat & Banana Face Mask Ingredients:
Handful of organic oats 1 Fresh Organic Banana A Few Almonds 1 tbsp Honey 1 tbsp Coconut Oil
Directions: Blend all indigents in a food processor until smooth Apply all over face and neck Let sit for 15-20 minutes Rinse with warm water Pat dry
at home spa
A trip to the spa doesn’t also have to be a trip to the bank. Enjoy a relaxing day with these DIYs!
Green Tea & Coconut Hand and Body Scrub Ingredients:
1/2 Cup Organic Sugar 1 tsp Green Tea Powder 1 Green Tea Bag 1/4 Cup Coconut Oil (Melted)
Directions: Mix all ingredients in a bowl Scrub into hands and body Rinse with warm water Pat dry
DIY
with Joshua McLeod | victoralexanderco.com
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Made by Audrey is a DIY fashion blog created to inspire others to design and make their own clothes. I’m a 20 year old Sydneysider with a love for relaxed and elegant fashion. I aim to share the design process behind my creations which vary from unique twists on wardrobe basics to formal dresses. Make sure you check it out!
the weather outside is
DIY Fur Cuffs & Matching Hat
Supplies: 0.5m of faux fur fabric Craft paper (or newspaper) Marker Compass Measuring tape Tailors chalk Ruler Coat (that you would like to add the cuffs to) Dressmakers Pins Sewing Machine Scissors Thread Matching Needles 0.5m of 1cm wide elastic Safety pin
one two
STEP ONE Create the pattern pieces for the hat by drawing the following measurements onto paper. Piece 1 (Tip of Hat) - Measure the circumference of the part of your head where you would like the hat to sit. This becomes the circumference of the circle. Piece 2 (Side band) - The length of the rectangle is equal to your circumference measurement for piece 1. The height will determine how high your hat sits. 10cm is a good starting point but you can change this depending on your preference. Finally, add a 1.5cm seam allowance around both pieces (shown by the dashed outline) STEP TWO Piece 3 (Cuff) - Lay your coat sleeve flat and measure the length of the arm opening. Multiply this by 2 and add 2cm. This will be the length. The height of your cuff is up to you. Again, 10cm is a good starting point. Add 1.5 seam allowance around the piece (shown by the dashed outline). Cut all pattern pieces out.
DIY
with Audrey Pangilinan | audreylouisep.blogspot.com
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three four
STEP THREE Lay your fabric flat with the fur facing down. Place pattern pieces on top and transfer shape onto fabric by tracing around with tailors chalk. Trace one copy of pieces 1 and 2 and two copies of piece 3. STEP FOUR Cut all your pieces out and shake off any excess fur. STEP FIVE To create the hat, first fold piece 2 in half with fur inside. Pin along the shorter sides and sew together using a straight stitch along the 1.5cm seam allowance.
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six eight nine
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STEP SIX Open up piece 2 after sewing and with fur sides together, pin the length of the band to piece 1. After the tip of the hat is completely pinned to the side band, sew along the 1.5cm seam allowance. STEP SEVEN Now you will need to hem the bottom of your hat. Fold over the bottom edge by 1.5cm and pin. STEP EIGHT Secure bottom edge in place by hand stitching a whip stitch along the entire side band. STEP NINE Flip inside out and your hat is done! STEP TEN Pin shorter sides of cuffs together and sew along the 1.5cm seam allowance. STEP ELEVEN Fold over top of cuffs by 1.5cm creating a “tunnel� for the elastic. Whip stitch the folded edge down leaving a 2cm gap for the elastic to be inserted through.
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THIRTEEN
TWELVE FOURTNEE
FIFTEEN STEP TWELVE The length of your elastic will equal the length of piece 3 minus 2cm. Cut 2 pieces of elastic. Attach a safety pin to one end and pull elastic all the way through the tunnel and out the other end. STEP THIRTEEN Overlap ends of elastic by 1cm and hand sew securely together. Tuck elastic underneath fold of fabric and whip stitch the 2cm gap closed. Repeat step 12 and 13 for the second cuff. STEP FOURTEEN Fold over bottom edges of cuffs by 1.5cm and whipstitch closed. STEP FIFTEEN Flip inside out and you’re ready to go!
Congratulations to Yetunde,
just one of our fabulous You Can Make It graduates on the first issue of Pretty Girls Sew. We are SEW proud of you!
www.youcanmakeit.com
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I live in Manchester in the UK and I work in fashion eCommerce. My blog is dedicated to my passion for all kinds of crafts and DIY projects. Within the blog you’ll be able to see my latest work.
Directions: To start this DIY, please use the link on the blog to download the pattern PDF.
cult classic
A Rutsack DIY We All Love! Remember Clueless?
Rucksacks have had a major comeback, and the best thing to come out of this trend is the smart rucksack. I love a trend that looks great but it also practical! I saw a grey rucksack in Whistles that I fell in love with (but couldn’t really afford) and this is my own alternative. Supplies: Printed pattern (download the PDF) 1m fabric Scissors Pins Sticky tape (optional) Sewing machine 1. Lay the pattern onto your fabric and cutout. Since I was using leatherette for this project, instead of pinning the pattern, I used double-sided sticky tape to keep it in place to avoid making pin holes. 2. With the right sides together lay the side of the bag at a right angle to the bag body. Position the centre point of the side so that it is 30cm from the end of the bag body and pin - ensure you pin within the seam allowance so as not to leave holes in the finished bag. Sew and repeat on the opposite edge with the other side piece. 3. Make a small cut through both pieces from the corner of the side to just before the stitching on each corner. This will allow you to fold the bag into shape easily. 4. Align the edges of the side and bag body together and pin (right sides together) and sew. Your bag will now be an open topped box. 5. Your side pieces will be longer than the front panel of the bag, you can now trim these to be even. 6. Trim the corners and turn your bag the right side out. 7. Make sure the long edges of the bag are fully pushed out and oversew a couple of mm from the edge. This will help your bag keep it’s shape. 8. Fold in the seam allowances along the sides of the unsewn flap of the bag and fold the flap in half horizontally with wrong sides together. Pin close to edge and stitch - carry on the stitch lines from the back edges. 9. With right sides together fold the straps in half, pin and sew. Turn the straps the right side out. You can find a tutorial for an easy way to turn straps on my blog.
DIY
with Catherine Edden | ohhidiy.com
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10. Turn in the ends of the straps and sew closed then fold the ends of the straps in by 3cm and sew again, this again adds a bit of extra strength. 11. The centre points of strap ends are positioned on the bag as follows: Top: 7cm from the nearest edge, 6.5cm from the top fold Bottom: 4cm from the nearest edge, 4cm from the bottom fold. I found it difficult to pin at this point so used double sided sticky tape to secure the straps into place before sewing. You can sew the straps onto the bag body in stage one if it’s easier. I just removed the wider platform from the front of my sewing machine so I could sew inside of the bag. 12. You can use whatever you like to fasten your rucksack but I liked the idea of plain and simple Velcro! I cut a couple of lengths of self adhesive Velcro and stuck it into place and then hand stitched it to be doubly sure it stays put. Make sure you sew the top piece only on the underside layer of fabric and through the whole of the front of the flap as you don’t want the stitches to be visible.
DIY
with Catherine Edden | ohhidiy.com
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A novice to blogging but no stranger to do-it-yourself projects, MP’s latest endeavor incorporates her passion for fashion and love of design. Define Chic is a fresh, up and coming blog dedicated to fashion forward DIY’s, product reviews, and thrifted finds. Define Chic serves to promote ingenuity, sophistication, and fun. Moreover, Define Chic is the vision board of its creator and the look book of the posh and the artless alike.
Directions: Blend all indigents in a food processor until smooth Apply all over face and neck Let sit for 15-20 minutes Rinse with warm water Pat dry
head of the class A Collegiate DIY ahead of the class!
Supplies Sweatshirt Fabric Fusion Glue Stop Fraying Collegiate Letter Print Scissors Pins Towel Piece of felt Instructions 1. Print out the letter you want in any athletic or collegiate font. 2. Pin the letter to your towel. 3. Cut the letter out of your towel.
p
4. Take the stop fraying and place it around the edges of the letter to stop the fabric from fraying. 5. Use the fabric fusion to glue the letter onto your felt.
6. Cut your letter out again, making sure the felt looks like a trimming around the letter. 7. Glue the letter to your sweatshirt using the fabric fusion. 8. Allow the letter to dry before wearing.
DIY
with Mieshia Petersen | define-chic.com
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My name is Edna Marte. I’m a wife and mother to two beautiful girls. When I’m not working or spending time with my family I’m crafting. Sewing has easily become my favorite pastime. I created the blog Sew Some Love to serve as both a motivational tool and progress tracker. With so many inspirational sewing blogs and tutorials available online it has become quite addictive. Who doesn’t need new clothes?
all the right tulles A DIY for any holiday
Supplies 14� Straw Wreath 3 Spools of tulle (25 yards per spool) Spray Paint (same color as tulle) Newspaper Scissors Glue gun Glue sticks Tape measure Ribbon (optional) Ornaments (optional)
DIY
with Edna Marte | sewsomelove.com
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In a well-ventilated area lay the wreath on newspaper.
Spray an even coat of paint on both sides of the wreath.
Tie a strip of tulle around the wreath.
Tie the strip again to form a bow.
Let the wreath dry completely.
Cut a 58 inch piece of tulle from the spool and fold it in half, creating a piece that is 29 inches long. You may want to go ahead and cut several strips at a time. In this project 2 Âź spools of tulle was used.
Fluff out the bow to make it full.
Repeat steps 5 through 7.
DIY
with Edna Marte | sewsomelove.com
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You will continue to repeat steps 5 through 7 until the entire wreath has been covered. Fluff any areas needed, to add as much volume as possible.
Using the spools of ribbon cut various lengths of ribbon and tie a bow. Note: To make the perfect bow I will often tie it around someone’s finger.
Use a leftover strip of tulle and tie a knot in the end to form a hanger
Tie the strip around the wreath tightly and cut the ends. This will allow you to hang the wreath.
Glue the center of the bow.
Place the bow on the wreath and hold into place until set.
DIY
with Edna Marte | sewsomelove.com
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