How-To: Double Puff Sleeves

Mk. To start, I LOVE the look of double puff sleeves. I will have two dresses with puff sleeves by the time I am finished with this dress. HOWEVER, I HATE despise making them! 

I was recently asked by a friend to show/ teach her how to make them. First I was taking pictures for her, but then I thought I could make a post and help others out!

Current project

So the first thing we need are the the "fashion fabric" and its lining to be cut (shown here). (I used the top part of Simplicity 4400 sleeve pattern for a rough pattern of the lining, and I sewn the top and "bottom" sleeves together.) Then you wan to mark the sleeves using chalk, like I did, or washable marker or even a pencil. You want to mark a horizontal line through both the lining and sleeve. You can do this by folding the fabric to find the center (my markings are in blue). Now you want to sew the lining and sleeve separately to make two circles. At this time, run a stitch or a gathering stitch, on the sleeve itself, at the bottom- the flattest part of the sleeve, the middle- the blue line or the marking line, and the top- where the slight hump is for the armhole.

 Now you will take the two pieces and pin, gather and sewn to the bottom of the sleeve. Keep in mind, you want to sew the piece corresponding to the other piece. I found it easiest to pin four "corners" to secure the fabric in place. Start with one "corner" matching the seam line, one at the utmost point of the fashion fabric and two in between (do this on both sides of the sleeves). Then you gather and ease the fashion fabric onto the lining and sew of the "bottom" or flattest part of the sleeve. This will make a nice hem.

Flip the fashion fabric and under sleeve inside out to prepare for the tacking of the two blue lines together.

Again, it is best to tack the fabric in place at 4-8 points so that the fabric does not move as you are gathering the middle. Gather the middle running stitch on the fabric. Connect the two blue lines and take notice of the fabric twisting. Then sew into place.

Keep the 4-8 pins on top of the sleeve. Gather and sew jut like you did with the others. Because you will be attaching the sleeves to the arm hole and piping, you can just base stitch or sew the fabrics together like I did.

 The End!

Cinderella

Yay! I JUST finished the ball gown! Im happy its over. It is funny when I look back at when I actually stared this dress... I think I began the skirt just before I left for Mackinac, in may of LAST YEAR! AHH! : D

Well I know you saw this pretty picture:

This is before I added the piping around the neck, around the arm holes, before I fixed the back fastenings
and added sleeves.

However once I started adding sleeves... (shown here)

I was thinking: "GREAT! Im going to look like THIS:..."

BAHAHA! And to be honest, it does look like Cinderella, to an extent...:

But not to feel too upset that I will look like a Disney Princess, a friend asked me if I have my Prince Charming as an accessory. I told her, jokingly, that I must meet him at the ball! So! If anyone man out there wants to be my Prince Charming accessory for a night... ;)

Now! On to the next dress!

Im excited to begin my semi- sheer dress!

A Few Projects in Progress...

Its been a while since I've posted something. Sorry. This week the weather has become so refreshing!!!! It has GREATLY brought me back to sewing. I'm gearing up for May, and I'm glad there's enough time. Here's my sewing line up....

In Progress...

Blue Satin Ball Gown

(Embroidering) Dad's Braces

On deck....

Sheer Dress w/ Rosettes and Square Neckline

Making Little to Non-Existing Profit

What Ive already noticed about my first impression, as a tea proprietress, is that there is a lot of calculating. I mean a lot of calculating! Im greatful for my Texas Instrument TI-83 Plus! I would assume that suttlers have even MORE calculating than what I have to do. But still, I have finished one part of many calculations I have to finish before the season begins.

First I ordered my teas and containers for the actual tea purchase scenarios. But upon that, I needed to find a way to distribute the tea evenly and therefore I purchased a weight scale. I love my weight scale! Its so sensitive! I have also collected tea wears, such as tea cups and saucers to tea lunch plates and dinner plates. As of right now, I have two main patterns, and I think they look gorgeous! I have also acquired some hankies from garage sales. And so the first calculation is adding all that I have spent, creating my first total. 

My goal this season is basically balance out the amount that I have put into it.

Second, I have to divide the teas into tins, which I have done today. I have weighed them, divided the original price with the amount contained, creating the price I will most likely sell them at for events. As of right now, all the teas in these cute little containers are under $5, including the most expensive tea I have, Chamomile.

However, my other goal this season is to save money.

I believe that I would be beneficial to my customers as well as me if we both saved money. And the best way to save money, I figured, is to ask my reoccurring customers to reuse the tins they have bought prior. Reoccurring customers will receive 5%-10% discount on their next tea purchase if they bring back the original tin! 

Im aware that the minimal prices of anything I sell will give me little to no profit at all. Although I am hoping for great sales in the tea wear and donations, I know that this is only a hobby and Im not expecting to make a great profit. With that said, I plan to take any profit and bring it back into the shop. First adding a professional looking sign!

Even with the disappointing outlook, I am excited to start this little shop! I cant wait to see great friends drop by the shop and enjoy some tea on Saturdays at 5 for the tea parties!

Regency Ball 2012 Reminder

This is just a reminder 

February 24, Regency ball tickets will go up to $45. 

Ticket sales end on March 24.

Here are some reasons you need to attend the Regency Ball 2012:

• The location is gorgeous in its own right!
• It is an ALL DAY event.
• The Lawrence's, who are hosting, are wonderful hosts.
• They have really good food (including pineapple)!
• The atmosphere is genuine to the Regency Era.

And this may be the last year the Lawrence's are hosting.....

Unless you attend!

The Lawrence's, unfortunatly, cannot host the ball after this year...

Form more information about this wonderful ball please visit the Regency Ball Blog!

If you plan to attend, but dont have a Regency outfit, this website has great Regency patterns just for you!

Unfortunately, I will not be attending this year, once again. However, I wish whoever does go, to have a wonderful time! And take many pictures for me! :D