My New BFF - In Duck Tape!

Ever since my last Washi Dress, I've been thinking that having a dress form might be useful.  I've been looking at all the options and thinking....and finally decided to try the duck tape route.  There are a million different tutorials for making a duct tape dress form, so I won't add another.  But, I will my general advice based on my experience.

Here are my tips in a nutshell:

• buy quality tape - and you probably only need 1 roll
• wear something thin and fitted underneath
• I used fiberfill to do the chest area and wasn't happy with the results so I went back and filled with plastic bags  
• don't be afraid to cut her open and refill areas - I did this A LOT
• take measurements as you fill - my rib cage ended up being too big after filling, so I added more tape to cinch it down
• use cardboard to stabilize areas - I used cardboard at the base, neck, and armholes 

Overall, I think she came out pretty good.  I'm not thrilled with the chest area, but that's true in real life too, so I guess she's accurate :)  

 I haven't used her for much yet, but I'm happy to have her around, even if it's just for taking pictures of finished garments.  The kids enjoy hugging her too.  It's pretty funny.

 I used this tutorial from Crafterhours to make the cover.  I did mine in a cream color first, but you could see the duct tape through the fabric, so I went back and made another cover out the brown.  It's a little closer to my own skin tone too, so I guess that might be helpful.

My favorite part is the stand.  I bought a 1 inch dowel and some PVC pipe that the dowel could slide in to.  I put the PVC pipe up through the form, slid the dowel in, and used an umbrella stand from Home Depot for the base.  The great part is, it all comes apart for easy storage.  When all was said and done, it cost about $30.  Perfect for my budget.  It didn't take much time either, which fit my needs as well.  I've had my eye on a Uniquely You form, but felt like I wouldn't have the time or patience to really customize it as it requires.

So, do you use a dress form?  

I'm curious to hear about what other sewists are using.

Bag Loving Blogs Blog Hop

Spring is right around the corner and I could certainly use some inspiration for a new bag.  I added my Girls Night Out Clutch to a fun blog hop over at ChrisWDesigns. 

Here's the scoop from her blog if you want to join in:

One very obvious reason you may be visiting my blog is because you love BAGS just as much as I do! It is FUN and so inspirational to see what bags other people have been making so I thought it would be great FUN to start a Blog Hop so those of us who love making bags can 'Hop' from one Bag Lovin Blog to the next! :)
What do you have to do? It's easy! (Please note links now require approval due to spamming :( so will be approved after all 3 steps have been carried out! Please make sure your blog has posts about BAGS!)
Step 1) Just add your blog link below by clicking on the "Click here To Enter" link and follow the easy steps to add your blog!
*Step 2) IMPORTANT! Click on the "Get the code here" link shown to grab your copy of the code and add it to your blog! Please include these instructions so that new members will know what to do! :)
*Step 3) Grab this button: (Right Click and Save)

and pop it in your sidebar linking to your Bag Lovin Blog Hop post so that we can leave this blog hop open and people can keep finding it and hopping on! :)
After all 3 steps have been completed, your link will be approved and added to the blog hop! :)
That's it! :)
*  Please note it may take me a little while to approve your link due to the time differences! If you have any technical difficulties or you can't see your link within 24 hours, please don't hesitate to email me so I can see if I can help! :) Thanks for joining in!
This is a Blog Hop!

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1. ChrisW Designs

2. Wrens Nest

3. nissaMade Bags

4. Satchel Bag

5. Passion Couture

6. Loddelina

7. Emmaline Bags

8. Audrey

9. Savannah Bag

10. Teardrop Bag

11. Sunshine Sling

12. Mias Creations

13. Roseisarose

14. Zaaberry

15. A camo bag

16. Mrs Hs Pattern

17. Normas Clay

18. Romantic Roses

19. Sweet Bee

20. Carry Hers

You are next... Click here to enter

Pattern Pouch Tutorial

Now that there are all these amazing PDF patterns out there (shameless plug, I know), you're going to need a good way to store them and keep them organized.  How about a simple, reusable pattern pouch.

Here's what you'll need to make one:
- one piece of clear vinyl, 24 by 9.5 inches (I used 12 gauge)
- one package, 1/2 wide double fold bias tape, or make your own
- one piece of hook and loop tape, sew in or stick on

Measure 13 inches from one edge and fold the vinyl back.  The top part should be 11 inches and the back should be 2 inches longer.  The 2 inch excess will be the flap.  Sew the bias tape across the top of 11 inch side of the vinyl. 

Round the corners on the flap

At the center of the bias tape, sew or adhere a strip of hook and loop tape that's about 2 inches long and cut in half lengthwise.

Take the remaining bias tape and fold one raw edge to the inside to finish it off.  Starting at the bottom of one side enclose the vinyl in the bias tape and sew all the way around.

When you get to the other side stop about an inch short of the other end and cut off the bias tape leaving about a 1 inch tail (sorry if this is confusing, I didn't realize until I put this together that I flipped it over from the previous picture).

Fold the raw bias tape edge in like before, and finish the seam.

Adhere or sew the other half of the hook and loop tape on the flap.

All done!  Fill it up with your favorite pattern!

Not just for patterns either.  Great for organizing school-work as well.

What will you put in yours?