How to make a prairie dress

Here is the link to the most lovely prairie dress! The bodice has a high neckline with a collar and goes down to the waist. It buttons up in the front and has full-length gathered sleeves. The skirt goes to the floor and has the choice to do tacks at the bottom. I put elastic in the waistband to make it fit better. Also another thing, the fabric is a flat sheet I found at the thrift store! Didn't it turn out pretty? Try it out Jo-ann is having a sale on Mccall's patterns.
http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m4548-products-6154.php?page_id=915

Prairie Dress

 M6140 | Misses'/Girls' Colonial Costumes | View All | McCall's Patterns
Here is my very first prairie dress! I did it last weekend and it turned out just wonderful! I wear it all the time. Even to The Home Depot or wherever. Above is the McCall's pattern link that I used. You can get it Jo-Ann right now they are on sale for $1.99. Please try it and send me a picture of yours! (Put it in comments)

How to make a tiered skirt

Here is how to make a tiered skirt. It is super easy and it doesn't take long at all. Plus I finally have pictures!

To start off you are going to cut out five strips of fabric. The first one is just a little bit bigger than your waist (for the elastic) and the next one is 10" longer than the first. You might have to add fabric like I did in the picture so it is bigger. Then the third strip needs to be ten inches longer than the second and so on. Make sure to sew the pieces you add together.

Now make your casing on the first strip...

And hem the last one.

Next take your second strip and gather it until it matches the first strip.

Then sew it to the first strip right sides together

It should look like this.

Now do the same exact thing as before. Take the third one gather it until it matches the second one and with right sides together sew together.

Now it should look like this.

Do it again it looks like this...

Then this.

With right sides together sew short sides together making sure not to go through the casing.

Pull the elastic through the casing with a safety pin.

Sew through the casing.


And you are finished! Enjoy your awesome skirt that twirls!!!!!!

How to make a sun bonnet

Here is a wonderful pattern for a pioneer's sun bonnet! I found this person's website online and just love it! The picture above is the one I tried. Here is the link: http://pickupsomecreativity.blogspot.com/2009/10/pioneer-sunbonnet-tutorial.html
Give it a try! Just note that you may have to make it a bit bigger like I did.

How to make a vintage apron

I have heard that aprons like these are becoming more and more popular so I went on the internet to get some ideas and came up with this. Here is the pattern for the pockets if anyone is interested.
 http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y113/replicarter/pocketpattern3.jpg

1) First, let's cut out the body of the apron. It's easy to do, but hard to explain so I'll try my best. Start at the corner of your fabric and measure out 28" and mark with a pencil or disappearing ink marker This is the top of your apron. Now let's do the side. Starting at your 28" mark measure downward 13" Do the same at the other side. Next, starting at the middle of the top go vertically 22" and mark. Now going horizontally, measure 9" from the 22" inch mark going towards the direction of the 13" mark. Do again on the other side. Now you match up the six marks making a curve on either side. Cut it out and fold in half to make sure it is the same on each side. Cut out one more using the one you just made as a pattern.

2) Now, cut out the tie, pocket, and ruffle. Tie: 6" by 75" Ruffle: 3" by 88" Then cut out the pocket using the link above. (Follow the instructions on the pocket after you cut it out)

3) Next, fold the ruffle in half width wise and press. Gather until it's about 62" and sew with right sides together to one of the apron bodies.

 4) You should have already sewn up the pockets and turned right side out. Make sure to press. Then, top-stitch each pocket 7" down from the top of the same apron body piece as you sewed the ruffle to.

5) With the ruffle inward stitch the 2 apron bodies together right sides together leaving the top open. Turn right side out and press.

6) Gather the top of the apron body until 15" long.

7) With right sides together sew the tie to the top of the apron body matching up the middle of each.

8) Press The sides of the tie about 1/2" and then fold in half width-wise and press. Stitch where you folded the sides over.

Congratulations! You have completed your very own vintage apron! Also here is the link to where I got the idea I changed it up a bit, but I want this person to get her rightful credit.
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=38097.msg332607