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Tomorrow, I’ll be setting up a table at the Mullingar indoor market in co.westmeath. I’m a little nervous as a free table came up sooner than expected. So it meant that I had to make some stock and order carrier bags and other supplies fast. Last week, just when I really needed to get on with serious sewing, I was waiting for my new sewing machine ( early anniversary gift from my dear husband). I’m still getting used to all the computer options and 200 or so stitches. It doesn’t look much but my first criteria was that it had to be sturdy and take yards and yards of ruffling and fabric. So hopefully I’ll get a good few years of sewing on that machine

Anyway, I managed to get a thing or two done, like a couple of toddler skirts and a few vests…

ruffled bum bum, cute!

Jewellery and accessories will also be on the table.

I’m a bit nervous about tomorrow, hope everything goes ok…will let you know,

smile,

Virginie

A couple of weeks ago, I got an order for making two bright pettiskirts for two baby twin girls… I could pick the colours and went for fushia and orange. Not wanting to make the skirts exactly identical, I deceded on a ‘positive/negative’ colour combo :

Here I sketched the ‘Fushia on Marygold’ so the other skirt would be the opposite of that one, in other words: orange waist band, fushia bow,orange tier and fushia ruffles… both skirts made to measure. So here’s the result when opening the gift box (which was a nappy box I decorated using princess wrapping paper and gorgeous ribbon lol)

From sketch to reality…hanging on my ‘inspiration pinboard’

the ‘twin pettiskirt’

view from underneath…I just love the flufiness and the colour combo. Hope you like too…^_^

I wanted to share with you the fruit of my research on the internet as to how to make pettiskirts…A good few blogs have dealt with the subject and have done it so well it’s worth looking into. Personally, I bought a kit to make my first one which I found very handy because I wanted to get the supplies and tut at the same time. Having said that, you do not need to spend a penny …

Picture and Tutorial from Cheeky Cognoscenti Blog

picture and tutorial from the Vkhodgman  Blog

Picture and Tutorial from Sweet Jilli Beanz

Picture and tutorial by Mabe by Bronwyn Blog

Picture and tutorial from Creative Chaos Blog

Tips on Sew Mama Sew blog

Picture and Tutorial from Kerriskreations

Picture and tutorial from Make it and Love it Blog

So that’s about if from me, there’s probably more out there but at the end of the day, you can get OVERLY informed lol. I would like to show next time a few pictures of my newest pettiskirt creations…hope to see you there

As promised, I thought I’d share a few pictures of different stages of making the pettiskirt…Although this is in no way an actual tutorial but purely meant to give you a rough idea of what it takes to make one of these lovelies. Pictures were taken from 3 different pettiskirt projects so the material colours vary. I will be sharing a few links of different tuturials -fruit of my different searches- in my next post, so that you can save time if you decide to jump in!

So you’ll need two kinds of  fabrics: Nylon chiffon for the tiers and fluff and a matching satiny fabric for the waist band. Usually a few yards are needed for the chiffon : which is perfect as it’s a no-fray fabric therefore, no need to hem yards and yards of fabric! (to work out how much you need, refer to different tutorials down below).

A mat, ruler and rotary cutter are also a godsend, I couldn’t imagine cutting through all that with scissors!

There’s an awful lot to cut and so much to handle, I recommend folding your fabric on the length (here 4 yards) rather than on the width, that way you have less cutting to do. The best way to start with an even edge is to check that all the folded layers are flat. Then trim the edge. That way, you’ve got a neat cut edge to start cutting 2inch (for ruffles) and 5inch (tiers) bands ….

Ruffling right in the middle of the 2inch chiffon to create the ‘bottom fluff’ …Also you’ll have to ruffle one edge of the 5inch tiers…This way you have everything ready at hand to get started once your satin waist band is ready. then attach the tiers to the 2 layered waist band, which should look something like this

As you can see, theres two chiffon layers, and each layer has 2 tiers. So here’s how you attach the ruffles to the tiers…

The amount of fabric to handle can bit a bit overwhelming, but you’ve got to make sure it’s all out of the way!

And that SeaFoam skirt is just toddler size!!

my very first pettiskirt done! loads have improve since though

Don’t you just love the volume?! If you wonder what happened to the orange and fushia fabric from the top pictures, I’m actually working on it…Making two infant size pettiskirts for twin baby girls… Hopefully should be done by tomorrow. Hope to post pictures at the week end as one of them is already completed. When I showed it to my husband the first thing he said was like ‘sooo cute’

Will keep you posted on photo updates and tut links!

Dear friends, although I do not have a girl (I have a 2year old boy that is keeping me far too busy right now) I must confess I’ve fallen in love with Pettiskirts.

Have you heard of them? They are fantastically voluminous skirts pretty much based on a vintage petticoat pattern using a modern non fraying fabric.

Dream Spun Kids

little pink dragonfly

Mix and Match, Colours and Patterns…the limit is your imagination: I guess that’s why I fell in love with it, that and the amazing volume that the bottom ruffles create. There is yards upon yards of fabric here ladies; believe me, I’ve already made three and it’s been a ruffling marathon!

Since I discovered them a couple of months ago, I’ve been googling and searching on the internet for tutorials and materials…

To buy, these lovelies go anywhere from 45euros to 100e ‘pricy’ you’ll probably think. But when you realize the amount of work involved, the price seems to make more sense.

I do have two favorite Pettiskirts designers…one is Belle Ame:

But my favorite pettiskirt boutique has to be Kaiya Eve Couture : fantastic concept, products, fabrics and photography! And it’s supposed to be the original Pettiskirt. Unfortunately I can’t show you pics but you can hop on to the link. Kandi Lightner, the designer has appeared on Martha Stewart 

I hope to share with you a few tutorial links next time if you fancy having a go ^_^and pictures of my first attempts!

Belle Ame

Belle Ame

First post written in a while, I know…And I missed writing and posting about things I like and things I make. So even though it’s been brillant to catch up with other more important things, I’ll try to get back into a more regular posting mood.

source

That said: Have you seen these?! Seriously, I’d like your opinion: do you think they look humongusly ridicule, or they look absolutly fab?

If you’ve fallen in love with them, they can be gotten here at the little fashion gallery for a mere E65… have a look at the other models…what’s your verdict?

I made these cosmetic bags and such ages ago, but unfortunately I haven’t been really sewing in the past few weeks: sleep deprivation, tiredness and being busy have come in between my sewing machine and me. However, I do hope you like these…

Check out this cute gnomes cosmetic pouch with a rounded ege, topped with bright pompoms, it’s just too cute:)

matching cosmetic pouch and mini jewelry holder, perfect for a week-end getway

The pictures really don’t do this pouch justice, it looks really classy and the Marie-Antoinette applique includes wee diamantes. Also a fleur-de-lys applique at the back

check these cuties out here and here

these lovelies here and here

Hope you like ^_^

I was watching Ps I love you during the week at 11pm with a wired-to-the-moon 19 months old on my lap that would not go to sleep. The story of my life for the past month now. Dylan has been teething so much at night the pain wakes him up and he’s fearful to go to bed. And no wonder as he’s doubled the amount of his teeth: He went from 4 teeth at top and 4 at the bottom to 8 and 8! So he’s been sleeping in the bed with me-hubby relegated to guest bedroom dear love him- and it’s been a nightmare. Try to sleep with the toddler in a kingsize bed and you’ll probably end up right on the edge. Still here though, survived this far and will probably stop soon and get back to normal bed routine soon…

ANYWHO, all this to tell you how I LOVE the dresses in the film Ps I love you and the red and black gingham dress is one of my favorites!

It’s a shame there isn’t a better picture of Hillary Swank wearing that dress.

  But apparently it’s made by  Diane von furstenberg

(photo via the budgetfashionista.com) 

(via lasplash.com here)

but I found a great remake on etsy here from www.p1xie.etsy.com 

There’s even an underling black satin trim slip, so cute! check out her blog here, she’s a great seamstress, especially with vintage inspired dresses!

Also I couldn’t talk and show you this gorgeous vintage dress. Fabulously flattering and classic shape  this Vintage red full circle dress was for sale on Etsy .

Unfortunately it sold. But I’m sure there is a pattern out there…

How about you, do you have a favorite dress?

This is where the ViviBijoux creations happen. This room is what I call my craft room SLASH Guests room. As it probably is the case in many crafters homes I guess. In an ideal world, I’d have a computer/printer desk, a cutting table and sewing machine table…loads of tables lol.  I’d love a central high island like you have in many kitchens for all cutting and crafting needs…where you could put away all your supplies in baskets or drawers underneath*sigh* Well, I certainly feel fortunate to have already a cute little corner of my own and here’s what it looks like just today. It’s not the tidiest of places but I try to do my best to keep it clear of clutter as much as possible. (Please bear in mind that this is a spontaneous post and that I haven’t touched a thing before taking pictures)

This is my craft table and as you can see I’ve got a few bits and pieces that need finishing…like a cute sample baby blue framed purse, a pompom  cosmetic bag (I’ll post pics when it’s done) a cosmetic travel set right behind my beloved Janome and just right there…Boxers! that need a little time to finish up

I moved furniture around not long ago, so as you can see it still needs a bit of TLC, I’m thinking a big metal sheet to hang up all my scissors and thread and jewelry tools…The wee bit on the wall is a swarovski crytals sample…great colours to inspire when Jewelry making.

Here’s a wider angle of my wee corner. As you can see I had to sit on the bed to take the pic.

And the very handy bookcase which holds fabrics (supposedly colour organized lol) my craft books, jewelry tools and suppliers in IKEA organizers…My fabric stash is definitely not that impressive. But you know, building up slowly lol

And you, what’s your craft space like?

Two new wee purses have been added to the shop this week. Both in the same Romantic English style! I’ve got a couple of floral romantic fabrics in my stash and I could really visualize them as a framed purse. So here they are and I hope you like…

Sweet Dusky Pink Framed Purse

Shabby Chic Cath Kidston Framed Purse

Also, there is an option where you can add a little matching ring pillow to turn your gorgeous framed purse into a mini jewellery case. Ideal when travelling or when carrying earrings and bracelet in your handbag!

I’ve been working on  a matching small makeup and jewelry  travel set which is really exciting! One set is all ready and only needs to be photographed…so hopefully you guys will like it. Stay tuned ^_^