Fabric Cabana & Pillows Tutorial

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Supplies & Tools: 

• 4½ yds 45" home decor fabric: canopy sides
• 13⁄4 yd fabric: canopy top, 1 pillow
• 3 print fabrics, 5/8 yd ea: pillows
• Four 18" pillow forms
• 34" hula hoop
• 1" plastic curtain grommet
• 6 yds clothesline rope
• 12 yds Simplicity® 1/2" twill tape
• Duck® brand duct tape
• 9 wood clothespins
• 1pkg wood circles: 11⁄8" dia
• 1 pkg wood circles: 1½" dia
• Acrylic paint: 3 colors
• Paintbrush
• Tacky glue
• Basic sewing supplies
• Sewing machine
• Iron & pressing surface


DIRECTIONS:
1. Cut three pieces side fabric 54" long. Hem 1" on top and bottom and sides.
2. Cut twenty-four 15" pieces of twill tape. Fold each tape in half. Evenly space and securely stitch the fold of 8 pieces
along the top hem of each side panel.
3. Paint wood circles and clothespins. Allow to dry. Glue circles to the pins. Use to clip the flaps open or closed.
4. For top cut one piece 49" and add a piece to the side to form a 49" square. Cut a 48" circle. Overcast the edges.
Turn edge for a 1/2" hem. Mark center and finish with a 1" plastic curtain grommet (hole for rope).
5. Cut three 6-ft lengths of rope. Divide & mark hoop into thirds (36½"). Knot one end of each rope at mark on hoop.
Secure with duct tape.
6. Tie one side panel to each third of hoop.
7. Knot ropes in center and pull through grommet on canopy top.
8. Make 4 envelope-style pillows from remaining top fabric and each of the 3 print fabrics.

Adding Ruffles -- From Christopher Straub

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A. Decide how long you want your ruffle and cut strips TWICE as long. Fold in half, so the fold is on the bottom, and make marks along the top edge. For this project I am making a mark at intervals of 5" followed by 2" sections. Make marks the entire length of the strips.

B. Join the dots together to form the pleats. Fold down the pleats in the same direction.

C. At this step you can either:
1. Stitch along the top to secure everything before attaching to the skirt.
OR
2. Pin along the top before attaching to the skirt.

Watch the video (below) or enter our Sew Unique Contest here: http://bit.ly/QXbXOW

Sew & Tell with Christopher Straub -- Sept. 10 Edition

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Christopher during his video shoot for our Sew Unique Contest

Thank you for taking the time to post questions for designer Christopher Straub last week -- we asked him to pick his five favorites to answer, and he picked 11!

Be sure to stop by our Facebook page Sept. 18 for another chance to ask Christopher your questions! Find him on Facebook here.

Shelly Millikan-Kleve I have heard of designers who have a hard time making clothes for fuller sized women. Do you know why this is?
Christopher: Well, I can only speak for myself when I say that I have dressed everyone including missy, junior, petite, children, maternity, plus, and men.  So when it comes to why other designers have reservations about fuller figured designs, all I can say is that I cannot relate to their thinking. :0) I will attest to the fact that I still have not mastered the fit on a big bust. Still working on it, though. 

 Mary Beck My husband's jeans, dress pants, etc. need to be shortened, I have the sewing machine to do it. However, I'm not sure the best way to measure pants, so the inseam is long enough, but not trailing in the dirt on the back or bunched up, funny looking in the front. Help please.
Christopher: Here's what I do...have him put on the pants AND the shoes. Then, turn any extra length to the inside and pin.  Have him walk and see if there is any drag or if too high. Readjust pins, as necessary, and sew when it all looks perfect. GOOD LUCK!

 Rebekah Alureah Burble Smith Do you use patterns or does an image come to your mind and you just design from it? (because that's what I do, I can't use patterns)
Christopher: I like to start with the design that comes into my head and then try to work out all the details that will go into making my sketch into reality. 

 Phyllis M Lampe Blackwelder when creating all these beautiful dresses with all those flouncy ruffles what product do you use to keep the material from going all crazy on you when either cutting your pieces or sewing them together, starch?
Christopher: HAHA!  I wish I could say that I have a method but I just, repeatedly, find myself buried in ruffles.  I don't use starch because I want the fabric to remain fluid.

 Rebecca Sims Caplinger WHEN YOUR MAKING CUSTOMIZED CLOTHING, WHAT IS THE INTIMIDATING PART OF THE PROCEDURE FOR YOU? I make custom items
Christopher: The most intimidating part, for me, is that the client might not agree with your design and then they want to make a lot of changes.  You see this ALL the time on Project Runway.  Sometimes your customer is just looking for a tailor to recreate other designers' work...and I don't do that.  :0)

 Shannon Smith What is the best way to draw the eye away from areas of the body that aren't your favorite area (extra full hips, etc)? Frills? Color?
Christopher: What I always ask my private clients is "What parts of your body do you want to maximize and what parts you you want to minimize?" That way, you know where to put volume, accessories, or busy prints. Examples: If you have larger bust ... draw attention to your waist or legs. If you have larger hips then wear a ruffled top or add a statement necklace ... or wear sexy, eye-catching heels. Either way, love your body and wear what makes you comfortable. Confidence is ALWAYS in style and goes with every body-type. 

 Carolina Galindo What is the best material to use for dresses?
Christopher: This really depends on the type of dress that you are wanting to create. If you want a flowy look use lightweight fabrics like chiffon and organza. If you want a more structured dress you can use brocades or or other heavy wovens. Form-fitting and casual dresses call for stretch fabrics like jersey and sweater knits. 

 Tiffany Arrington like many others I wish to become a designer but I can't afforded to go to college . what could I do or where should I look to teach myself the tricks if the trade ?
Christopher: I'm a self-taught designer and didn't go to school. Being a hands-on learner, I've just kept teaching myself new tricks while getting a grasp on the fundamentals.

 Lacie Dotson What is your favorite thing to design
Christopher: I LOVE doing artful, special occasion dresses. I'm able to have a lot more fun with them. 

 Cheryl Campbell R there any two fabrics that u would not use together in a garment?
Christopher: mixing knits and women's in one garment almost never works out.  Best to stick to one or the other. 

Become a Jo-Ann Instructor!

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Remember that someone who taught you basic sewing or crafting skills? Now you can be the teacher!

Jo-Ann Instructors are savvy sewing enthusiasts and experienced crafters with proven skills who enjoy teaching others. 

Find out more about our classes here: http://www.joann.com/classes
And with new or remodeled stores opening, we have new classrooms – and we need a lot of talented people to teach our classes, and get paid for it!
The stores below will be opening October 5. Stop in to the stores listed below to meet our Education Coordinators. Please bring a few examples of your work.
5555 Youngstown Warren Rd., Niles, Ohio
2880 S. 6th St., Klamath Falls, OR
2725 W. 41st St., Sioux Falls, SD
513 Clairton Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA
725 E Villa Maria Rd., Bryan, TX
5327 E 41st St., Tulsa, OK
1515 N Town East Blvd., Mesquite, TX
2920 Tittabawassee Rd., Saginaw, MI


2880 S 6th St., Kalmath Falls, OR

Find out if your local store offers classes here.

Sew & Tell with Christopher Straub -- Sept. 24 Edition

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Gown by Christopher Straub

Thank you for taking the time to post questions for designer Christopher Straub last week -- we asked him to pick his five favorites to answer, and he picked 8! Find him on Facebook here.

Don't forget to view his videos, and check out the entries in the Sew Unique Contest, before Sept. 30 :http://bit.ly/QXbXOW

 Shireen Harris GORG!!! What kind of fabric is this??? I love it!!
Christopher: This is simply teal organza stitched onto teal satin.  The sash belt is satin.  Even though there is 20+ yards of material in this piece it is very light weight.

 Sarah Disney What was your inspiration for this dress? °o°
Christopher: Great question!  This look is supposed to represent a beautiful flower.  It has a circle-skirt s there is a lot of movement as the model walks.

 Mary Vandeleur Schweitzer I loved you on Project Runway. I have no sewing experience, but I would love to make altered clothing. But for some reason I am hesitant to cut into anything. Any advice?
AND
Stephanie Isseroff yes, how DOES one overcome the innate fear many of us have to make that first cut into something that could be altered?
Christopher: Stephanie and Mary, JUST…CUT!  When I was young I used to be a florist and I was scared to cut the stems off of the roses…even though I only needed the bud for the arrangement.  I soon realized that I was never going to get to my goal if I didn’t make that first cut.  Don’t be afraid…Just cut.

 Rani Weatherby Oh, I forgot to ask a question! Any tips for someone who has sewed only non-clothing items (purses, pillows, etc) who wants to venture into sewing clothes? What are some good items to start with?
Christopher: Start working with patterns to begin the understanding of how pieces flow together to make a dress, for example.  Once you have a grasp on how pieces look on the human form then you should be able to let your imagination go wild.  :0) 

 Helen Ceron When you make a structured gown with a bodice ending at the waist, how do you keep the boning from bruising and stabbing your hips?
Christopher: 3 options: What I’ve done is have the boning stop an inch or two before the bottom and top hems.  Otherwise, you can taper them or round the edge of the boning to soften it.

 Christiana Haskins Instead of buying a new foot for my sewing machine, is there a way to cheat on a rolled hem? I really don't want to buy more stuff.
Christopher: I don’t use any special foot, either.  I just take the time to roll and press the hem into place before stitching.  OR, if you have a serger, serge the edge and then roll.  It gives the edge a little more stability and makes it easier to hold on to.

 Catherine Fowler Is that organza? And rotary cutter you say? Wow. Okay, how did they get the organza not to shred everywhere? I can never seal my edges if they are tight curves with a roll hem....
Christopher: I used the zig-zag blade on the cutter so it, significantly, reduces the shedding.  I still have to do a bit of shaking once the garment is done to get rid of any leftover pieces.

 Diane Zubik Love watching protect runway but the never show the transition from using the tape on the dress form to what actually comes next…MY QUESTION…what is the tape representing? Is it seamlines???? I should mention that I'm a quilter not a garment sewer but I can follow a pattern and make a garment. It's the designing and making the pattern part that intrigues me!
Christopher: You are correct!  The tape is the seamlines as well as the neckline, hemline, sleeve length, etc.  After you tape the form you, then, drape muslin over the form to create the pattern pieces.

2012 Hoffman Challenge Entry Award Winner!!

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I entered the 2012 Hoffman Challenge for the third year and I received an e-mail yesterday from the curator letting me know my quilt called "1940s USO" was awarded the Best Incorporation of the Challenge Fabric for the Mixed Quilt Category. Oh Happy Day!! I made this last November and could not post it until now! This was such a fun project. I saw the large  purple floral (challenge fabric) as 1940s curtain fabric and I am obsessed with 40s/vintage hairstyles and that's how it began. I used my "Black Bob" pattern and after researching 40s style make-up and eyebrow shapes I changed the eye shape, brows and hair to fit the decade. I was a paper doll junkie as a child and my daughter (who is also obsessed with the 40s) gave me a big girl paper doll book of 1940s fashions which inspired the hat and jacket with the big shoulders. I made vintage earrings with beads, trapuntoed a fussy cut flower on the hat and ruched some variegated ribbon through it, added flower shaped sequins and beads in the hat, added a bit of purple with pink tulle to the hat like a fascinator and a few rhinestones aroulnd the borders. I added a mini flange near the binding which I had never done before. Most of the other fabrics are from Pine Street Quilts in Marintte WI where I work on Tuesdays. I prequilted the Convergence background before I fused the applique on and then quilted the applique over the other quilting. My daughter named the quilt when I saw her at Thanksgiving and I stared at it in my studio until I mailed it in June. I am happy it will travel for the next year and lots of people get to see it. Soon the 2013 fabric will be exposed and I can try the challenge all over again!!

UW Platteville Sewing and Quilting Expo

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I had the blessing of teaching at the UW Platteville Sewing and Quilting Expo on August 3-4 on the university campus. I taught "Color is Our Friend," "Elements and Principles of Design for Quilter" and "Embellishing 101." The organizer of the expo is Tisha Sandberg (she is the woman on the left on the second photo) and she is beyond fun, artsy and pulled off a great expo while having the responsiblities placed on her half way through the process. I  selected two quilts that I could spare from my teaching demos and picked my "Woman With Red Lipstick" quilt and was thrilled to see it on the gallery poster!! This photo is Tisha and the woman who painted  quilt blocks on wood. There was a gallery reception on Thursday evening August 2nd and I was able to meet the artists/presenters at the expo. It  was a very nice time and beautiful quilts!This was my other quilt in the exhibit called "Hera and Aphrodite"I was able to visit the local quilt shop called Hidden Quilts and they have shop colors-lime green and orange which pleased me since color is my thing and lime green is one of my favs!! The owner had a very unusal coiffed hairstyle which was eyecatching and unique. She knew to carve a niche and customers will remember you!